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Larry & Sons Shares Tips for Upgrading your Air Conditioning Unit
Leading Tri-State air conditioning, heating and plumbing company provides consumers with a guide to selecting the right HVAC system for their homes
HAGERSTOWN, MD. July 20, 2016 – Larry & Sons, Inc., a leading air conditioning, heating and plumbing company serving Hagerstown and Frederick, Maryland and surrounding counties since 1960, offers homeowners tips for upgrading their HVAC unit to reduce costs and gain greater efficiency.
Upgrading a home heating and air conditioning unit gives homeowners a chance to save money and control the temperature in their homes more efficiently. This can lead to significant savings when it comes to utility costs.”
To save energy and money, Corbett suggests an energy-efficient air conditioner to reduce the central air conditioner’s energy use. In an average air-conditioned home, air conditioning consumes more than 2,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity per year.
Here are some tips from Larry & Sons on things to consider if you are upgrading the central heating and air conditioning in your home:
Today’s best air conditioners use 30 to 50 percent less energy to produce the same amount of cooling as air conditioners made in the mid-1970s. Replacing it with a newer, more efficient model air conditioner can result in savings of 20 to 40 percent of cooling energy costs.
Proper sizing and installation are key elements to consider in determining an air conditioner efficiency. If the unit is too large, it will not adequately remove humidity. If it is too small, it will not be able to attain a comfortable temperature when it’s hottest outside. If the unit is not in an ideal location, if there is a lack of proper insulation or if there is flawed duct installation, the unit’s efficiency will be greatly diminished.
When buying an air conditioner, look for a model with high efficiency. Central air conditioners are rated according to their seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER). SEER indicates the relative amount of energy needed to provide a specific cooling output. Many older systems have SEER ratings of 6 or less.
The lifespan of a central air conditioner is generally 15 to 20 years. If the unit is older than that and being replaced, look for energy-efficient models that have the ENERGY STAR® These are 15 percent more efficient than standard models. New residential central air conditioner standards went into effect on January 1, 2015; see the efficiency standards for central air conditioners for details, and consider purchasing a system with a higher SEER than the minimum for greater savings.
Other features to look for when buying an air conditioner include:
- A thermal expansion valve and a high-temperature rating (EER) greater than 11.6, for high-efficiency operation when the weather is at its hottest
- A variable speed air handler for new ventilation systems
- A unit that operates quietly
- A fan-only switch, so you can use the unit for night-time ventilation to substantially reduce air-conditioning costs
- A filter check light to remind you to check the filter after a predetermined number of operating hours
- An automatic-delay fan switch to turn off the fan a few minutes after the compressor turns off.
For more tips on HVAC upgrades or to view the units and services that Larry & Sons offer, visit www.larryandsons.com.
About Larry & Sons, Inc.
Larry and Sons, Inc. has served Tri-State area homeowners since 1960. With experts for nearly any home service needed, Larry & Sons offers full-service plumbing for repair and installation of water heaters, sewer systems, drain services and water treatment systems. The company also has solutions for central heating and air conditioning, or general indoor air quality control systems. The team at Larry and Sons, Inc. are licensed and trained to handle any job from leaky faucets and clogged drains to full remodels of bathrooms. For more information about Larry & Sons, Inc., visit https://larryandsons.com or call (301) 733-5428.
