Air conditioning and heating is a complex topic. Although there are many sub-topics and themes that are interrelated, we can distill the most important answers down to four points.

1-Quality of installation matters more than brand
Correct, professional installation includes, among other things, a precise load calculation for your specific situation — your location and building.  You need to compare the features and benefits of the company and technicians who install your air conditioning system before you think about equipment and brand comparison.  Look for contractors who use the “whole house approach”.

2-Central AC and heating components are parts of a system that include your home or building.
Unlike refrigerators, air conditioning and heating systems are not “plug in and forget” appliances.  Any component, features or benefits that you could compare on paper must be installed and operate within a system that is affected by other factors. As just one example, duct work (which would not be included in a comparison of brands and models) is a huge variable – it will literally “make or break” your AC system, costs and comfort.  As you can see, the two points above are related.

3- Your satisfaction and cost of operation over the life of the system
Most buyers focus on initial cost, discounts, rebates, payments or financing.  However, there are additional points to consider in an installed system:  a- how much does it cost to operate monthly, b-how much are repairs and maintenance over the life of the system, c- how many years before this system needs replacing again.  Here again, the initial installation has a major impact.

4-It is fine to compare equipment brands — after you have considered the more important points.
OK, now to brands. Once you have picked one or more local AC companies who are qualified and diligent with load calculations and the other main points, you can choose from equipment brands and features.  You can go to this page to read about the relationships between your local contractors and brands they carry.

Free Download: You can print out our chart to compare quotes or bids for a new installed AC and heating system. There is a companion video on the same page that explains how to use the chart.

I hope this post and free resources help you in your decisions. If you have related experience of feedback, please share it so others can benefit.

What it means: delivering the proper cubic feet per minute (cfm) of air that each room needs to receive, based on its size and conditions.

Why it matters:  Delivering more air to a room is not necessarily better. Rather, getting the optimum amount of air delivered to each room prevents hot and cold areas within your house, affects how much you pay in utility bills each month, and can even affect how long some components last.

Factors that affect air balancing: size of the room; size, type and condition of the ducts; fireplaces and chimneys; kitchen exhaust fans; bathroom vent fans, etc.

Who does it: the contractor who installs or repairs your ac and heating system should include measured, optimum air balancing in their work. There are national organizations that provide training and certification for HVAC contractors in air balancing.  We’ll provide links at the end of the article.

When to do it: include it as a final stage action in new HVAC system and ductwork installation.  For existing systems, it would be done with an energy audit, duct sealing or replacement, or when replacing major components.

Do you have rooms that are too hot or too cold?  If there are deficiencies in your ductwork, those will likely need to be corrected before your system can be balanced.
Once the ductwork is ready, to properly balance the delivery of conditioned air, your contractor first has to calculate the airflow requirements for each room and adjust the airflow accordingly.  Your contractor may need to install adjustable balancing dampers.

NBI Certification: Certified contractors have an NBI stamp. They put their certification number on drawings and reports.  More info on the National Comfort Institute can be found here.

Who: Author is Joe Gorman, a HVAC contractor in California and industry expert.
What: Paperback, about 60 pages of content
When: Buy before choosing a heating and AC contractor or system, or having repairs done.
Where:  www.jpgorman.com
Why:    In about an hour, you can read the whole book, and get a candid insider’s view of heating and AC systems and practices.
How Much: $10.95 plus postage
Rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars.

What we like most about the book

- Author’s impressive list of credentials and experience.
- Skillful use of tables, lists, and info boxes for easier reading– there are more than a dozen of these.
- The book provides practical and high-impact advice.
- The points he emphasized are very similar to the ones we have emphasized over the years.
- Effective use of technical terms — in the amount necessary — and in a way consumers can understand.

The book has a subtitle: the Truth about Heating, Air Conditioning, and Home Comfort Systems.  Our consensus: the book accurately delivers on it. We won’t attempt to go into more detail or somehow condense 60 pages of well written, appropriately technical content into a list for this review.  From our perspective, though, the author makes a great case for why you need to take time to learn about the topic. And, he provides specific action point and next steps.

We are often quoted as saying “the main benefit of any heating and AC system is to provide more comfort and lower bills”.  “From Contractor to Consumer” takes this approach also, and adds some hard-hitting discussion of safety and what can happen if it is ignored.

What we would like to see different
We don’t see much room for improvement.  If there were a way to summarize a bit more of the text into additional tables and lists, that would make the book even better.  As stated above, we counted 12 examples of tables, lists, etc.

If you have related experience you would like to share, please join in the discussion.

Leaky ducts waste a lot of energy – estimates show that 25-40% of the cooled or warmed air (and the energy that produced it) gets wasted in transit. For the average homeowner, this translates to $50-70 per month in utility costs.

After the initial excitement of saving this much energy leveled off, I began to think of questions to ask, or situations where sealing an existing duct system might not automatically be a wise move, or could be done out of sequence.

Get the correct sequence for energy saving improvements
To be clear, making sure that ducts are sealed correctly is a top priority, and will save lots of energy. However, HVAC system improvements need to be performed in the correct sequence. So, before going to the effort and cost of having existing ducts sealed, here are some related issues an owner needs to find out or plan for:

Age of other main HVAC components
How old are the other outside and inside main components: compressor, condenser, heat exchanger and air handler? If those components are nearing the end of their economic life (generally around 10 years or older), they might need to be replaced first. Then, if main components get replaced, the existing ducts may need replacement with them — so that they are the correct size and other specifications. Here’s a critical point: one size does not fit all with HVAC systems and ductwork!

Were your existing components and ductwork correctly sized originally?
Even if the other main components will not be changed soon, is the existing ductwork the correct size for your current situation: existing components, your home or building envelope, your climate and other particulars? If equipment or ducts were not correctly sized or configured originally, sealing the ducts will not be a total solution. Ironically, the sealing of leaky, undersized ducts could trigger other previously obscured issues or complaints with your AC or heating system.  One example: if your AC or furnace was oversized, sealing ducts could cause your AC or heating system to cycle on and off too quickly.  Excessive on-off cycling involves unnecessary energy use, equipment wear, and comfort complaints.  So in this scenario, you pay twice: once to get your current ducts sealed, and then you pay again to fix the pre-existing problems in your system — problems that the duct sealing brought to light.

In summary, absolutely do get your ducts sealed, but get your ducks in a row before you sign on the dotted line. Choose the right contractor, and they will explain the optimum sequence of energy improvements for your situation.

Link to article
Read the full article on the duct sealing breakthrough on the U.S. Energy Department website.

The particulars on this subject vary by state or local jurisdiction. Before going further, I’ll state the following disclaimer: this general article is in no way intended to be advice for a specific location or situation. Rather, the intent is to make you aware of potential problems. Then, you can choose a good contractor, and if needed check with your local authorities or attorney to take preventative action that is appropriate for your location.

Framing the potential problem: unpaid people “downstream”
Here’s the scenario you basically need to avoid: paying a contractor for materials and labor without assurance that they have paid suppliers of materials and sub-contractors. The reason is straightforward: even if you pay your contractor in full and in good faith, if that contractor does not pay others “downstream” who provided materials or labor, those downstream parties could come back and seek payment or other remedies directly from you.

Outline of some ways to avoid paying twice

Below are some tactics you can use or combine to avoid issues:

1. Most importantly: deal with reputable contractors that you have thoroughly vetted. In addition to paying everyone who is owed, stand up contractors also are usually bonded, carry insurance, keep current with technical updates, and have other attributes that benefit you.  Keep in mind that the cheapest bid for a new heating and AC system may not be the best value. Over its life, monthly utility bills and other operating and repair costs will often be higher than the initial purchase price of your system.  Get a checklist here.
2. Get release of lien documents signed by all parties who might be able to make a claim for payment against you or file a lien against your property.  There are several types of releases – get the correct release for your situation and locality.
3. Consider paying with “two party” checks:  make the check payable to both the general HVAC contractor and second parties, as appropriate. The second parties can be the supplier of materials or labor such as a sub-contractor.  For this to work, though, you have to know who the second parties are and how much they are owned.  If the contractor has “issues” you might not have access to all the info you need.
4. Pay suppliers directly and separately for materials. Of course, you will need to work with the contractor to make sure the equipment is correctly sized, etc. Make separate payments for labor costs and use the tactics above.

In some cases, paying with a credit card might give you some leverage.  If anything about the project does not work out as needed, you might be able to get the credit card company to help you remedy the problem before you pay your bill to your card issuer.  However, if the contractor’s bank account were to be closed, there could a lot less leverage to exert.  If you are financing your system, your lender will often have a say in who gets paid and how the funds are disbursed.

If you have experience with this topic, please send your comments in so that others can benefit.

1.    Your most important decision: which local company to call to repair, maintain, or install your system. If you get this part right, you can take a lot less time reading (or skip altogether…) items 2-10 below. (all)

2.    Do some research and choose a heating and AC company when you are not in hurry. Waiting until your system breaks down (needing to have it repaired or replaced) to pick a heating and AC company usually leads to less than optimum results.  You don’t wait until the engine in your car quits to have the oil changed, do you? (all)

3.    The “envelope” of your home affects your indoor comfort and utility bills too.  Work with your AC heating service to use the “whole house” approach to get the optimum mix of heating and cooling capacity and improvements to the envelope of your home. A few examples of improvements that affect system performance are duct sealing, insulation, solar screens, and radiant barriers. (all)

4.    There are more companies (brands) selling equipment than factories that manufacture it.  (installation)

5.    Surfaces in your system that the air passes over – the surfaces where heat and cool get exchanged– must be kept clean to work effectively and for certain parts to not break down prematurely. Some of these are user serviceable (some types of air filters) while others are not.  Find out which ones are from your heating and AC company. (maintenance)

6.    If the insides of your ductwork need cleaning, before taking action you should determine the reason why, instead of simply paying to have them cleaned. (maintenance and repair)

7.    Getting on a yearly maintenance plan for your system can help prevent equipment failures, save on utility bills, and can prevent dangerous conditions (carbon monoxide leaks) by any fuel-burning systems.  (maintenance and repair)

8.    Extended warranties can be a poor value, especially if they are offered by some companies other than the equipment manufacturer directly.  A few red flags: policies offered by “third parties”, obscure exclusions and deductibles in the fine print. (installation)

9.    If you are looking at a major component replacement, such as evaporator or condenser coils, air handlers, compressors, or heat exchangers, understand that “field matching” (ad hoc mixing of components) is less likely to perform well over the long run. Contrast these with a factory matched system.  Also, field matched repairs usually do not qualify for rebates or incentive programs. (repair and installation). A current example of this is the “dry charged” unit we wrote about last month.

10.    Two specific areas that tend to generate more complaints are duct cleaning and extended warranties.  If you are not convinced yet, go back to item number 1 again. (all)

The explanations for all these items are found in sections on our website or in our other blog posts. Even so, if you have a question on one of the items in the list above, or have a related experience to share, send us your comments so others can learn from it.

Background

The following is a bullet point summary of the high points I’ve seen on this topic:

• The refrigerant R-22 is being phased out by the U.S. EPA (2009) because of links to ozone depletion.
• There seems to be (depending on who is describing it…) a “loophole” or “wiggle room” in the wording in the law that allows U.S. manufacturers to keep making new AC condenser units that use R-22.
• A key point is the definition (some are saying misclassification) of the condensing unit as a component.
• These condensing units cannot be shipped charged with refrigerant R-22. As a result, they are shipped with an inert (nitrogen) holding charge. The R-22 in the old system is supposed to be captured. Then, the nitrogen must be evacuated from the new unit. Then the new unit must be field-charged with R-22 when installed.  Thus, these R-22 units are called “dry shipped” condensing units.
• One projection I read (I have not yet been able to verify these numbers…) stated that up to six AC manufacturers will produce about 600,000 of the dry charged units in 2011. Each of these units will require up to appx. 8 pounds of R22 refrigerant.

Possible Pros and Cons

• Meeting the letter of the regulation vs. the spirit or intention of it.
• For a home or building owner of an older R-22 system with a worn out /failed outdoor component, the initial cost of having it replaced with a dry-charged R-22 unit could be substantially less expensive than getting a new system with R-410A.
• Consumers have been educated that R-22 needs to be phased out, and that we should buy higher-efficiency, environmentally friendly systems that use R-410A.
• Rebates and tax credits need to be factored into any major AC and heating purchase. Most rebate and tax credits require a whole new system purchase – I have not seen a major component qualify.  (Since tax credits are taken post-purchase, always get tax credit details in writing from your contractor before you buy.)
• Field matching of components can cause issues (sooner or later..) that having a new, factory matched system will avoid.
• Since existing R-22 units come in a wide range of ages and types, there are some potential compatibility issues. A technical bulletin from one manufacturer of the dry-charged replacement units I found read as follows: “If the (indoor) coil was made in 1999 or earlier replace the coil or air hander.  Do not install a new condenser if the indoor unit has a  “cap tube” style coil.

Why the confusion or controversy?

• Well, for starters, it seems that at least one of the companies manufacturing these (a major manufacturer, of these) dry charged units equipment is petitioning the EPA to modify the rules to end the production of these units.  See the link below, and to read comments that attest to the strong opinions on this topic, scroll to the bottom of the linked article.
• When I visited several of the manufacturer websites, I see references to the compressor motor and corrosion-resistant cabinet, and that the outdoor units make an alternative solution to compressor replacement.  So, for us non-technicians, the whole outdoor unit is involved in the replacement, not just the condenser coil.
• Within the industry, the debates fall under several themes: cost (initial and later), refrigerant availability, effectiveness of the procedure, proper installation and handling of refrigerant, environmental/regulations.

Link to article in Contracting Business:  Carrier Petitions EPA To Close R-22 Loophole

More info added 8/6: check out this 6-minute YouTube clip. It is a panel discussion by HVAC industry leaders on this same topic

If you have experience on this topic, please let us hear from you.

In many of my blog posts, I go into lots of detail.  For this post, however, I’m trying a shorter format for two reasons: a – our readers are busy, and want useful information in bite-sized pieces; and 2- the causes of leaks in AC evaporator coils seems more varied than the solution.

Symptoms of leak in indoor coils

• Periodically being told that refrigerant needs to be added
• AC system and fan runs, but warm air comes from vents

Causes of leaks in evaporator coils

In the HVAC forums I monitor, the posts on leaky indoor coils tend to come in waves, sometime focused in certain geographical areas.  Humid climates tend to increase some of the issues.  Lately the number of posts has been high.  Leaky coil issues are fairly widespread, and are not limited to any particular brand. Listed below are some of the possible causes of leaks:

• Corrosion of tubes (“formicary corrosion”) increasing due to “tighter” house construction. Corrosion causes pinholes in the copper tubes
• Corrosive gasses or fumes from defective drywall or other building materials, contents, or household chemicals.
• AC coils being made of thinner-walled, lighter gauge copper
• Higher operating pressures in newer equipment
• Manufacturing defects in tubing

Possible solutions and questions to ask your contractor

• If your AC and heating system is older (10 years is a benchmark used by some of the municipal rebate programs) or not very efficient, before doing a major repair, such as replacing a compressor, coil, or heat exchanger, you should also compare the cost of replacement.  Most rebates and tax credits require the installation of a new system to qualify.  Plus you’ll lower your monthly utility bills and future repair bills.  If you are in a position to possibly replace your system, you can use our free grid to compare bids.
• If your AC and heating system is otherwise OK, ask your HVAC contractor if either a plated (tin) or aluminum corrosion-resistant replacement coil will work in your equipment and situation. If you don’t have a reliable service company, you can visit this page to learn how.

If you have experience with a leaky AC coils, either as an owner or technician, please enter your comments so others can learn.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 14, 2011

Release #11-247

Firm’s Recall Hotline: (866) 918-8771

CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772

CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

General Electric, Sharp Recalls GE Air Conditioning and Heating Units Due to Fire Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Product: GE Zoneline Air Conditioners and Heaters

Units: About 90,600

Distributor: GE Appliances and Lighting, of Louisville, Ky.

Manufacturer: Sharp Corp., of Osaka, Japan

Hazard: An electrical component in the heating system can fail, posing a fire hazard to consumers.Incidents/Injuries: General Electric and Sharp have received four reports of incidents involving smoke and/or fire with the air conditioning and heating units. In two of the reported incidents, fire extended beyond the air conditioning and heating unit, resulting in property damage. No injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall involves GE Packaged Terminal Air Conditioners (PTAC) and packaged terminal heat pumps manufactured between January 2010 and March 2011, and are most often used in apartment buildings and commercial space. The GE logo is affixed to the control panel door. Serial and model are printed on the rating plate. Consumers will need to remove the front panel to locate the model and serial information.

The following models and serials are included in this recall:

Brand       Model Number (Begins with)      Serial Number (Begins with)

GE               AZ41, AZ61                                       AT, DT, FT, GT, HT, LT, MT, RT, ST, TT, VT and ZT AV, DV and FV

Sold by: General Electric authorized representatives and HVAC distributors nationwide from March 2010 through March 2011 for between $1,000 and $1,200.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the air conditioning and heating units in the heat mode and contact General Electric to schedule a free repair.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact General Electric toll-free at (866) 918-8771 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s website at www.geappliances.com/products/recall

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is still interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are either directly related to this product recall or involve a different hazard with the same product. Please tell us about your experience with the product on www.saferproducts.gov.

CPSC is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with the use of the thousands of consumer products under the agency’s jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $900 billion annually. CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard. CPSC’s work to ensure the safety of consumer products – such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals – contributed to a decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.

Under federal law, it is illegal to attempt to sell or resell this or any other recalled product.

To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, go online to: www.saferproducts.gov, call CPSC’s Hotline at (800) 638-2772 or teletypewriter at (800) 638-8270 for the hearing impaired. Consumers can obtain this news release and product safety information at www.cpsc.gov. To join a free e-mail subscription list, please go to https://www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.aspx.

Link to CPSC Website for this recall On the CPSC website, there is an image of the recalled unit. It is a package type or combination AC heating unit.