Most people depend on their car to get to work and back home. If you drive your car one hour a day and travel 30 miles you would total 10,950 miles and 365 hours? During that time you would have had 3 to 4 oil changes, 1 air filter change, and your tires rotated twice. The typical air conditioning system operates 80% of the time in one year. That's 7,008 hours, 19 times more operation than your car. What have you done for your air conditioning system?
Get your system "tuned up" annually
Central air conditioning units should be inspected andtuned by a professional once every year. While servicing your unit, have the refrigerant charge checked. The charge impacts how efficiently your air conditioner operates. A system undercharged by 10% can operate at a 20% lower efficiency and overcharging can damage the unit and reduce its life.
In Florida, cooling your home accounts for the largest portion of your electric bill. Our hot summer months can require as much as half of your electric dollars to be spent on cooling. If you have a 10 SEER unit and lose 20% it now becomes an 8 SEER unit. By FPL's annual cost comparison chart, you can see that this loss is equal to $227. On a typical 3-ton, the higher the efficiency and the larger the system, the more money you lose. On a typical 14 SEER you lose as much as $259. Remember this is with only a 10% change in the charge which equals a 20% change in efficiency. These are small percentages that add up to real dollars. How could you not want to assure your system is operating at peek efficiency when the cost of this will most likely put money back into your pocket?
One of the most important things you can do to protect your investment in your heating and cooling system is to arrange for seasonal maintenance of your equipment. Just like your car, your heating and cooling system needs a "tune-up" as seasons change. This will ensure that it will not only keep you comfortable, but run to its highest efficiency.
Even New Equipment Needs Maintenance!
Some air conditioning and heating problems can double operating costs without reducing comfort.
A refrigerant undercharge of only 10% can increase operating costs by almost 20%.
A dirty evaporator, condenser and blower could increase air conditioning heat pump electrical usage by 50% or more.
Just 100th of an inch of dirt or film on an evaporator coil can reduce its efficiency by 5%.
Proper care of your equipment can save you real dollars in energy savings.
Save Money!
We offer our customers a Preferred Customer Service Agreement. Our "Able To Be There Plan" entitles you to discounts on service and parts, preferred scheduling, and an in depth System Performance Evaluation each year. Taking the time to service and maintain your air conditioning equipment now can ensure that your home will be comfortable this summer.
Maintaining Your Comfort Without Busting Your Budget
Since the early 1900s Carrier has been designing, manufacturing, installing and maintaining, energy-efficient home comfort products you can count on. That's why so many generations of homeowners have turned to Carrier for their home comfort needs. However, even the most reliable home comfort system doesn't last forever. And, making the decision to repair or replace your home comfort equipment is never easy.
To help make your decision easier, your trusted Carrier technician has inspected your heating and cooling system and provided you with the results of his analysis. Your system has been graded using seven separate categories that help determine whether repairing or replacing your current equipment is the best choice for you and your family.
The Seven Factors in Home Comfort Equipment Replacement
Age of Equipment
First, you have to consider the age of your home comfort system. The costs associated with operating and maintaining older equipment can be high. Older equipment is typically less energy efficient and more likely to break down. In addition, most older furnaces, heat pumps, and air conditioners do not comply with new federal regulations concerning pollution and environmentally safe refrigerants. So, depending on the age of your current system, it could be more cost effective in the long run to replace your old equipment with a new, high efficiency, environmentally safe home comfort system.
Cost of Repair
The second consideration is the cost of repairing your current equipment. Depending upon the problem and the type of equipment, it could be very expensive to repair. And, replacement parts could be difficult to find. Depending upon the repair costs, it could be wiser to invest in newer, more efficient equipment.
Warranty Coverage
If your equipment is more than 10 years old, chances are it is not protected by a warranty. Without this protection, major equipment repairs can become very costly. That's why warranty coverage is an important factor in deciding whether to repair or replace your heating and cooling equipment.
If your system is 10 years old or older, you can expect significant savings in your energy bill by replacing your old system with new, high efficiency equipment. With these dramatic energy savings, new equipment could pay for itself in just a few years. Plus, you'll enjoy greater comfort, better control and fewer maintenance problems.
Future Service Costs
Federal regulations are phasing out old, chlorine-bearing refrigerants in favor of the new high-efficiency, non-ozone depleting refrigerants such as PuronTM. As the old refrigerants are phased out, they will become more and more scarce. That means you'll have to pay more to service your older product. In addition, new, environmentally safe refrigerants are available today and are readily available. So, if your air conditioner or heat pump needs repair, you might consider replacing it now with an environmentally friendly unit that complies with the federal regulations and offers greater energy efficiency.
If you plan to live in your current home for 5 or more years, it makes sense to consider replacing your home comfort system. First, you'll enjoy greater energy savings and lower utility bills. Second, the quiet operation and warranty protection of newer equipment will enhance your overall home comfort. And, investing in new home comfort equipment can increase the value of your home.
Reliable Comfort
Finally, don't wait for an emergency to consider replacing your home comfort equipment. Don't get caught in the middle of a heat wave or blizzard, consider your options now and schedule the replacement at your convenience.
Your trusted Carrier technician has analyzed your comfort needs and made his recommendation. For more information about how you and your family can enjoy worry-free comfort from someone you trust, call your trusted Carrier dealer.