2009 is Crucial for Air Conditioning Purchases
Consumers Must Evaluate Systems and Refrigerants Before They Buy
Jul 2, 2009
This is a crucial year for consumers worldwide considering air conditioner purchases, as the second stage of the phase-out schedule on ozone-depleting refrigerants established by the Montreal Protocol will be enacted beginning January 1, 2010. The Protocol, implemented by the Environmental Protection Agency in the United States as Title VI of the Clean Air Act, calls for reduction in the amount of R-22, or Freon, that may be produced by chemical manufacturers. While the protocol directly affects manufacturers, it ultimately affects consumers, too, as the availability of R-22 will be greatly reduced beginning next year.
As a result, some consumers, both homeowners and business owners who own commercial buildings, may feel rushed when considering what to do with an air conditioning system that may be due for replacement or repair. Be careful when purchasing new air conditioning units to avoid pitfalls and undesirable mechanical and monetary situations down the road.
Air conditioning systems use two major components: the inside unit, or evaporator coil, and the outside unit, also known as the condenser. To save money these days, some consumers may consider replacing only the defective part of the air conditioning system, but the biggest risk here is that consumers could end up with a mismatched system.
Mismatched A/C Systems Can Affect Efficiency
“There are basically two risks with a mismatched system,” said Chris Colditz, co-owner of Laco Mechanical Systems in Elk Grove Village, IL, and board member of HVACR Illinois State Association. “One, there is a great decrease in efficiency in running the system, and two, there is a risk of premature failure of the system.”
One way that a system can be mismatched is by under- or over-sizing the evaporator coil, which means a lot of misspent money when one considers that half of household energy use goes toward heating and cooling systems.
“When the air conditioning condenser is mismatched with a new larger coil or smaller coil than needed we have to go to the Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) data to see how the actual SEER rating is affected,” said Greg Vickers of GV’s Heating & Cooling in Glenview, IL. “When we install a new air conditioning coil and not the furnace, if the furnace is 10 years or older, we are not giving the customer the opportunity to save more energy dollars by offering variable speed energy equipment. This can save an estimated $300 in yearly energy costs compared to a three-speed blower in an old furnace.”
SEER, an acronym meaning Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, is similar to miles per gallon that a car gets from gasoline. The higher the SEER, the more efficient the system. According to Mike Bishop of York International Corporation, manufacturers of air conditioning systems, the energy efficiency of a 13 SEER unit requires a larger condensing unit and indoor coil and can be as much as 50% larger than a 10 SEER system.
Vickers added that when an air conditioning system is replaced using a coil that is more than five years old, energy loss can be figured in double digits, not to mention the hundreds of dollars in operational and unnecessary repair costs, damage to the new equipment, uncomfortable environments, and lost time. Mismatched components may also result in electrical component failures affecting capacitors, contactors, wiring, and ultimately complete compressor failure. These occur due to rising refrigerant pressure and temperatures as well as high electrical amperage.
“By sizing the equipment properly and matching the components with energy star rated products you can save up to 20% in annual energy costs,” Vickers said.
Using the New 410a Refrigerant
In addition, Vickers recommends consumers get a thorough inspection of the entire system to assess the condition of the refrigerant lines, electrical and duct systems. The contractor should also do a complete heat loss/heat gain calculation using the Air Conditioning Contractors of America manual. These assessments are important because systems need to be tailored to each building. Not all installations, for example, may be able to handle an air conditioning system with the newer 410A refrigerant.
“Some buildings, like condos, have concealed refrigerant lines in wall or concrete floor that do not meet the physical requirements of 410A refrigerant,” said Colditz. “To avoid costly installation of new refrigerant lines, they may be better served to buy an R22 system now and have 10 to 15 more years with it. Hopefully, in that time the refrigerant issues will be more resolved.”
Making sure the air conditioning system you choose is properly matched has benefits beyond purchase price and reliability. Purchase of a properly matched air conditioning system will qualify you for an income tax credit for your 2009 filing. For more information on allowable Tax Credits Available, visit Energystar.gov.
Choose a Reputable Air Conditioning Contractor
With the inherent pitfalls in choosing an air conditioning system in 2009, choosing a reputable heating and air conditioning contractor is even more important. Colditz has seen evidence of undersized units being recommended as well as 410A units being proposed for use with unacceptable refrigerant lines. Always check referrals from a prospective contractor.
Many association websites also have search engines to find contractors in your area. Visit Acca.com for suggestions.
“A second choice would be to check for professional association membership and involvement in that association,” Colditz said. “Any company can pay dues, but has that company actually participated in the association?”
Other red flags signaling a possible less-than-reputable contractor include when a company pushes for immediate acceptance of a proposal or fails to provide the consumer with a Home Repair Pamphlet. Colditz noted that some companies play games with what can be considered an emergency installation.
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