Residential Installations

 

Why is a matched system so important?

A matched system is important for a variety of reasons.  One is comfort.  When all your components are properly sized to your home, you can control exactly how much heating or cooling you need so you can relax. 

Also, a properly sized matched system enables every component to perform as designed, meaning proper cycle times are maintained, humidity is controlled, and system sound is minimized. 

Another reason matched systems are important is efficiency.  Most systems people buy are too large for their homes, meaning they pay to heat and cool space that isn’t even there.  A matched system outlined by a dealer who has completed a load calculation for your home provides just the right amount of heating and cooling you need so you get the most value for your utility dollar.

 

What are the advantages of units with variable speed fans?

Variable speed fans operate on a simple principle: they are able to spin at different speeds depending on the heating and cooling needs of your home.  Usually, they operate at lower speeds, delivering a steady, reliable stream of warm or cool air to your home.  This helps control humidity levels, utility costs and system noise.  When conditions become more extreme, the fan speed increases so that the system can meet increased demand, guaranteeing that on even the hottest days or coldest nights, you’re comfort needs will be met.

 

What is a SEER rating and how does it impact my energy costs?

SEER means Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio.  Like its "mpg" counterpart in the automotive industry, the SEER gives an indication of the performance efficiency of the system.  The higher the SEER, the more efficient the unit will be.  And, the more efficient the unit, the lower the operating costs. 

Experts say that by purchasing a system with a high SEER, you'll use less energy to cool your house, resulting in lower electric bills.  In many cases, these savings are enough to partially or fully offset the cost of the new equipment within a few years.

 

What do all those rating numbers mean?

The federal government requires all air conditioning and heating equipment to be rated for efficiency.  The higher the rating, the more efficient the model will be. 

Gas furnaces are rated for AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency).  This defines the amount of heat used to warm your home from the burned fuel.  A 90% furnace will use 90% of the available heat to heat your home.  10% of the heat is vented outdoors.  Many older gas furnaces are only 60% efficient.  The other 40% is vented outdoors.  You can see that a new high-efficiency furnace will require much less fuel to heat your home. 

For air conditioning, the rating is SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio).  This rating is based on general design criteria such as the compressor and outdoor coil.  SEER ratings are for comparison purposes only, so that homeowners will know how they can compare different brands of products with similar efficiency ratings.  The rating for the outdoor unit will reference a general efficiency range, such as 14 SEER.  The actual efficiency rating for a specific system will depend on the combination of the outdoor unit and the indoor coil.  These ratings are available from your dealer and the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute's Energy Guide.  A variable-speed indoor blower unit will increase the efficiency rating of the system, as well. 

Heat pumps are rated by SEER for cooling efficiency and by HSPF (Heating Seasonal Performance Factor) for heating efficiency.  As with other ratings, the higher the HSPF, the less energy it will take to warm your home. 

All of these ratings can be compared by asking your local dealer or utility provider, or referencing the ARI Directory.   

 

Who can recommend a home comfort system to meet my needs?

Our Comfort Consultants can explain the advantages of different types of systems for your home, as well as select the right products to meet your personal comfort needs.  They can also discuss the benefits of higher efficiency, variable-speed airflow, Humidifiers and whole-house air cleaner, programmable thermostats, two-stage heating and air conditioning, and other reliable, durable products.

 

I need a new outdoor unit, but my indoor unit works fine.  What are the advantages of replacing my whole system at the same time?

We recommend that your replace the indoor coil or air handler when replacing the outdoor unit.  Both of these components are integral to the closed refrigerant loop and together determine the capacity and efficiency of your system.  If you do not replace the indoor unit, there will be no test data available for the new combination to establish the expected capacity or efficiency of your system.  Also, the indoor system may be partially blocked by particles that will decrease efficiency, and you may be faced in the near future with replacing the indoor unit after it fails and having to pay to have the closed refrigerant system opened again.  It would be expensive and be another opportunity for contamination.  You end up paying more.  If your whole system is replaced, you will be less likely to need service in the near future.

 

What noise factors do I need to consider when selecting an air conditioner or heat pump?

The industry sound rating numbers are complicated and often difficult to understand.  Sound rating is just one of these areas.  A difference of 6 decibels (such as between 72 dB and 78 dB) is technically a four-fold increase in compressor sound when rating air conditioners or heat pump units.  However, it takes a difference of 10 decibels to double the loudness.  It is also noted that it takes approximately 3 decibels for the average human ear to discern any difference in loudness at all.  In many cases, the sound rating isn't as significant a determiner of sound difference to listeners as is the sound characteristics or quality.  One type of sound with a lower sound power rating may be more offensive to a homeowner than another with a higher sound power rating.  There are other important considerations, such as location, when considering the effects of sound.  Our overall product line offers homeowners significant choices

 

How much will my new air conditioning system cost?

That depends.  There are many factors that must be considered. 

 

These include:

• The efficiency of the equipment
• The size of your home
• Is the ductwork installed and in good condition?
• Do you need a thermostat or electronic air cleaner?

 

In most cases, replacing your whole system, including both indoor and outdoor components, will result in a more efficient, longer-lasting system but will also cost a little more.  Please contact us for equipment recommendations and your total investment based on a load calculation performed on your home.

 

Will anything help control the humidity in my house?

Humidity is a problem in many areas.  The best way to control excessive humidity is to have a system that runs longer at lower speeds.  Variable-speed air-handling equipment runs at very low speeds, which keeps the air circulating against the cooling coil and removes much more moisture than conventional systems.  At these low speeds, the variable-speed motor also uses much less electricity than conventional motors.

 

What is a load calculation and why is it so important?

A load calculation determines what the proper size system is for your specific home.  Completed by your Comfort Consultant, it factors in a number of criteria used to determine what size components you should include as part of your total comfort system, things like square footage, number of windows, and year-round weather concerns. 

A load calculation is important so that your system operates at maximum efficiency, with optimum performance.  Most homes have systems that are oversized, so you end up paying more than you should to heat and cool your home.  Also, systems that are improperly sized tend to cycle too quickly or too slowly, and that can lead to maintenance problems, uneven temperatures, and an inability to control humidity.  A properly sized system based on a correct load calculation can help ensure you enjoy long-lasting, reliable comfort whatever the season.

 

What size system do I need for my home?

It is important that new or replacement equipment is not sized by "Rule of Thumb" or by duplicating the existing equipment capacity.  The only accurate way to determine the correct capacity of heating and air conditioning equipment for your home is to have a load calculation performed on your home.  There is a specific method available to do this calculation.  This will give you the heat gain and heat loss design data for your home.  These figures can then be used to select the appropriately sized air conditioning or heating system for your home, based on equipment-performance data. 

Many factors determine the size (capacity) system your home requires. 

 

Some of these are:

• square feet to be cooled and heated
• climate
• humidity
• number of windows
• insulation factors
• which direction your home faces
• heat producing appliances, and
• the number of people who will be in the home

 

Oversized air conditioning systems will not remove adequate moisture from the indoor air due to short cycling.  Also, oversized systems quickly cool the indoor air temperature, but they do not run long enough to remove the humidity. 

That leaves you feeling stuffy and uncomfortable.  Control of your home's climate is rarely achieved with oversized systems and electricity consumption is higher than with a properly sized system. 

An oversized furnace is similar to an oversized air conditioning system.  The furnace run time is short, creating uncomfortable air stratification and less air filtration.  Also, the frequent cycling of the unit on and off can cause undue wear and tear on internal working components. 

An undersized air conditioning system will not adequately cool your home on the hottest days and an undersized furnace will not adequately heat your house on the coldest days.

 

Do you offer financing options for equipment purchases?

*If you don't have ample cash or credit available at the time of purchase, Schuler Heating and Cooling, Inc. has some options that can help.   Ask about our “Six Months Same as Cash” program.

 

How much will my new system cost?

That depends.  There are many factors that must be considered. 

 

These include:

• The efficiency of the equipment
• The size of your home
• Is the ductwork installed and in good condition?
• Do you need a thermostat or electronic air cleaner?

 

In most cases, replacing your whole system, including both indoor and outdoor components, will result in a more efficient, longer-lasting system but will also cost a little more.