Insulation Installation

January 22nd, 2013

Insulate Your House and Your Checkbook

 insulation

It’s hard to calculate how much money is pouring through your roof when it comes to heating and cooling your home. Some experts have estimated those costs to be as high as 45 percent! If you don’t have insulation in your attic, it’s easy to loose about half of your heat, basically doubling your heating bill. You can significantly reduce these costs just by adding insulation, which you can do yourself if you’re willing to get a bit dirty.

You will initially need to determine the type of insulation that will best suit you, then how much of it you’ll need. If you do already have some insulation, it’s not especially good to compress things like fiberglass or to put different materials on top of each other, such as cellulose (a blown in material) over fiberglass or vice versa. It is better to stick with corresponding materials; fiberglass on fiberglass, cellulose on cellulose, etc. Batts, a blanket type of insulation material, on the other hand, can be used with more batts or with loose-fill material like fiberglass.

If you do compress the loose-fill material, that will decrease the R-value of its insulating properties. R-value is the insulation rating for its ability to reduce the amount of heat that can escape through it, whether coming into or out of your home. A high R-value means that you are better insulated and saving money on you heating and cooling costs. The optimal R-value is between 38 and 49. Batts are approximately R-3 to R-3.8 per inch of thickness, loose-fill cellulose is R-3.13 to 3.7 per inch and loose-fill fiberglass is R-2.6 to R-3.0 per inch. You can find the R-value recommended for your region by going to:

http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=home_sealing.hm_improvement_insulation_table.

After you have decided what material works best for you and how much of it you will need, you should next figure out whether or not you will need help for this project. Some local insulation dealers also may rent the equipment needed to install the materials. It is best to have some help in projects like this though for safety reasons.

Here are some safety precautions to follow:

  • Wear long sleeve shirts and use gloves, eye protection, and a dust mask to avoid contact with the materials.
  • Use walk boards across the ceiling joists when working in the attic.
  • Make sure to pick up the boards you used so they do not damage the insulation and reduce your R-value.
  • Unless you’re also an electrician, it is best to avoid working close to electrical wiring unless you have turned off the power to the home. It’s recommended that you have the wiring inspected and repaired if needed by a licensed electrician. Be cautious with spliced wires too, they should be in a junction box for safety.
  • It is very important that you NOT cover any boxed or recessed light fixtures with insulation unless it has already been approved for insulation.
  • Also avoid covering ventilation areas to and from the attic and roof.
  • Another area to avoid covering is vent fans. The fans pull moisture which will damage the insulation and roof structure. They are supposed to be vented to outside.
  • Keep all insulation inside the attic. Do not allow it to touch the underside of the roof where it can form condensation causing damage to the insulation as well as the roof decking.
  • Batts, or blanket insulation, covered with paper or foil should not be used on top of existing insulation. These are vapor barriers which hold moisture against existing insulation. If you already have paper or foil insulation exposed to the attic you can just peel the facing off of the batts before you add more insulation. Be sure to take the flammable paper or foil out of your attic.
  • Lastly, don’t forget to plan on insulating your attic access cover and apply self-adhesive foam sealant to the access way when you’re done with the insulation.

Call your local heat and A/C experts today for more information. Many places offer free estimates or second opinions and often run specials for purchasing services and or materials, especially during the winter seasons.

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New Twist on Heating

January 15th, 2013

          Wood/Coal FurnaceThere are several school districts in Northern areas now switching to new systems of heating their schools to keeping the students warm and save funds at the same time. One School district in Maine is installing biomass boilers to which will be used to heat three of their district schools. They will be using only locally produced wood pellets to fuel these boilers which will aid in the growth of local economy as well.

             This particular district (SAD 54 in Skowhegan,Maine) is pioneering this effort in that this system will be heating multiple schools, and is using exclusively local fuel source of wood pellets. The equipment for the district had a cost of $1.7 million and the boiler alone set them back $500,000 which was set up in the high school basement. One may wonder what they are going to use all those funds for that they will be saving on heating costs, though it may take a season or two to break even, the savings will probably add up quickly afterwards.

             This massive heater is fed by an auger from a 42 ton silo located near the high school football field. It runs off of a 3,500 gallon hot water tank heated by the wood pellets and circulates to every room of the three schools it heats.

             Brent Colbry, Superintendent of SAD 54, said that the wood pellet project was paid for with a low-interest federal loan under Obama’s stimulus package. “The payback will come from the savings from the oil,” he said. “You take the cost of the loan, you take the cost of the pellets and the cost of the boiler, compared to what we were spending on oil before — we’re saving between $60,000 and $100,000 a year.”

            Maine Woods Pellet Co inAthensprocured a 5 year contract to supply the boiler with about 600 tons of wood pellets per year at $175 per ton. This averages out to be about $105,000 annually, where the oil equivalent would be twice that cost. At this rate, the entire loan should be paid off in about 10 years, that on average is a third of the time it takes many of us to pay off an home at the fraction of that cost.

             Just in case those plans don’t work out as planned, the school board has already authorized additional connections for natural gas. The previous two oil fired boilers also remain in place as a precautionary back up plan. The plan is to have the system test fired by the end of January 2013. They’re keeping the propane for hot water for now though.

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No Fret Furnace Buying

November 27th, 2012

Sign of Cost, efficiency, Speed, Quality

Choosing a new furnace for your home doesn’t have to be torture. I’m going to give you a few things to look for to make it much easier.

1. Gas or Electric?

Gas

A gas furnace is less costly to operate than an electric if gas is readily available in your area. The downside to these is that burning fuel generates fumes. If you buy a new gas furnace though, or even a well maintained one, and maintain it well yourself, the fumes it generates are enclosed in its exchanger which remove them from your home via an exhaust fan.

Be sure to keep in mind a gas furnace really needs to be checked by a qualified professional at least once a year. This person will make sure there are no holes, leaks, or cracks which could let carbon monoxide escape into your home, which can be toxic or potentially lethal.

Electric

An electric furnace usually costs a little more than a gas furnace does. However, these do not use flames and do not generate carbon monoxide. These are safer and cleaner to use than the gas versions.

2. Quality

As with most things in life, the quality of the furnace will factor in as to how long it lasts and how well it performs. Deciding on a brand that costs a little more but has higher reviews and ratings can actually end up saving you more in the long run. Your local professionals can help you choose the brand that best meets your needs. You can usually easily find companies that give free estimates.

3. Efficiancy

A gas furnace’s efficiency is determined by the AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) ratings. This tells you how efficient the particular unit uses the fuel, or gas. Usually, a higher AFUE rating means it uses less fuel to heat your area.

Unless you can find a sale or are just a deal seeker, the higher AFUE units will cost more than a lower AFUE unit but will cost less to run and will save you money over time. The government established standards for these ratings many years ago and set the minimum at 78%. Most furnaces only rated about 60% before 1992.

Mid-Efficiancy

These can be called “induces draft furnaces” or “non-condensing furnaces” as well and are set the minimum standard of 78% up to about 80%.

High-Efficiancy

These are also known as “condensing furnaces” or “sealed combustion furnaces”. They have an AFUE rating of up to 96% and can even offer two-stage valve and as well as an efficient variable-speed motor to raise comfort and effectiveness.

4. Comfort Features

There are many furnaces that offer features to increase comfort and efficiency.

  1. 2 Speed Furnaces
    1. Can function at low speed for most of the time and allows for quieter operation for longer time periods compared to a single speed furnace. Longer run times keep it from having to turn on and off as often, causing less drafts and very little temperature fluctuations.
    2. These also limit the temperature swing within 2 degrees as compared to the single speed competitors. 2 Speed units circulate air better creating a more consistent temperature in your home.
  2. Variable Capacity Furnace Features
    1. Variable capacities provide a combination of efficiency and comfort with a motor regulating your needs by automatically adjusting air volume and speed. These furnaces offer the most efficient heating and cooling available.
    2. These come with a fan that will reduce your cost during those hot summers. The central A/C benefits from increased efficiency, thereby saving you money on your electric bills, by using its fan throughout the summer.

5. Noise Levels

All furnaces will make some noise but each one has a rating for noise. 2-speed and variable-capacity units generally are quieter than others though they do run for longer periods of time. Some var-cap units offer features that reduce temperature differential to almost completely eliminate the “creaking” noises made from ducts expanding and contracting from temperature changes.

I hope this helps and you can stay comfy year round with whatever you choose. Always remember to contact a company or other professional for any questions you may have. It’s always better to ask than wind up regretting a decision and having to spend more money. Also keep in mind that self installs can void your warranty and potentially end up costing you a lot more.

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Air Conditioner Anxiety

September 21st, 2012

All of the air conditioners we’re going to cover in this article work great at cooling and have trendy and convenient features like digital display, built in timer, remote control, or even touchpad controls. Some models are noisier than others and some are strained to keep your home cool during brownouts. We’re going to help you find out which one fits your needs best.

Ductless Mini Split System

Sometimes single room units, which some you can find for less than $150, are better than central AC.  If you just have one or two rooms, this may be a better choice for you. We’re going to explore lots of options. All of the following units meet the 9.7 Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) required for models under 8,000 Btu’s, 9.8 requirements for units over 8,000-13,999 Btu’s, and meet or exceed 10.7 EER needed to qualify for Energy Star. All of them also have electrical plugs that are designed to shut down if the power cord is damaged to help prevent fires.

You should know first if you need to repair your air conditioner or if it makes more sense to replace it. You can use a savings or room sizing calculator to find some information on that to help decide. Keep in mind that if the air conditioner is too small for the room it will not properly cool the space. On average, it takes about 5,000-6,500 Btu’s for every 100-300 square feet. Also if the unit is too big it will cool the room too fast and leave moisture in the air causing you to feel cold and clammy. Another thing to remember the noise level of the unit; some models are so quiet you can only hear the fan running whereas others might disrupt light sleepers on low and can be distracting on high. The single room units work better to uniformly cool the area when centered on the wall.

You should check the warranty on whatever unit you buy. Some models have a one year warranty and others have five or even ten year coverage. Being able to easily access the filter so you can clean or change it, since that needs to be done frequently to maintain high quality performance (and save money on energy costs), is very important. Small window units tend to be the smallest, lightest and least expensive, but may not properly cool a room over 300 square feet. Medium window units have a capacity ranging from 7,000-8,200 Btu’s and cool approximately 250-400 square feet. The medium size units generally handle rooms up to 400 square feet but are usually more expensive and can be harder to install because of their size and weight. Large window units range from 9,800-12,500 Btu’s and cool 350-650 square feet. The good thing is the cool much larger spaces but the bad thing is, they can be hard to install because they are bulky and heavy. Also, they can be too much for smaller spaces causing the compressor to switch on and off frequently and it won’t lower the humidity of the room enough making it cold and damp.

In general air conditioners have louvers that you can adjust to direct the direction of the airflow. Most are better at directing air one direction than another, so consider your room layout when choosing a model to get airflow where you need it. Don’t forget how you’re going to control it either. For those that have a hard time seeing or just like large print, large LED touch pads  with uncrowded buttons and clear labeling, and digital readout can make things much easier. Controls that are not well designed can be very frustrating. Even something as small as raised or different shaped buttons helps identify the function you’re looking for. Digital temperature readouts also give you a more accurate reading than older “warmer” and “cooler” settings. Timers are great too. You can set them to turn off while you’re away, and turn on before you get home so you can come in to a nice cool or warm home. This feature also helps you save money on your electric bill.

Dehumidifiers are great during those cool but humid days; they can take the moisture out of your air to keep you comfortable. Fresh air intake or exhaust is also important in providing ventilation without cooling. There are many brands to choose from too. It is good to compare brands and models before purchasing. Here are a few profiles to help choose which brand is a better fit for you.

  • Friedrich
    • Smaller
    • More expensive
    • Range from $500-$1200.
    • Makes units from 5,000-24,000 Btu’s
    • Energy Star Certified
  • Frigidaire
    • Available in independent regional appliance retailers like Lowes or Sears
    • Priced from $100-500
    • Btu’s from 5,000-25,000
    • Energy Star Certified
  • GE
    • Market shared leader in window units
    • Available at a wide variety of independent and regional appliance retailers like Sam’s Club or Wal-mart
    • Range from $150-300
    • Btu’s from 5,000-25,000
    • Energy Star Certified
  • Haier
    • Available at a wide variety of independent appliance retailers like Wal-mart or BJ’s
    • Also markets window units under the Amana name
    • Energy Star Units
    • Range from $100-500
    • Btu’s range from 5,000-24,000
  • KenmoreMade by LG
    • Sold at Sears and Kmart
    • $100-500
    • Btu’s from 5,000-24,000
    • Energy Star certified
  • Kenmore(Sears)
    • Made by LG
    • Sold at Sears and Kmart
    • $100-500
    • Btu’s from 5,000-24,000
    • Energy Star certified
  • LG
    • Available at a wide variety of independent and regional appliance retailers like Home Depot or PC Richards
    • Also markets lower-priced window air conditioners under the Goldstar name
    • Range from $150-500
    • Btu’s range from 5,000-25,000
    • Energy Star Certified
  • Sharp
    • Available at a wide variety of independent and regional appliance retailers like Costco or BJ’s
    • Price ranges from $200-500
    • Btu’s range from 5,000-12,000
    • Energy Star Certified

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Flawless Filtration

September 10th, 2012

 

6 Air Technologies

Different filters and filtration systems employ different types of technology, each with their own strengths, weaknesses, and use

benefits. We’re here to help you figure out

A good place to start is with your typical air purifier. The typical high quality air filter will remove particles that contaminate your homes air as small as 0.3 microns. The great thing is that these high quality filters and purifiers will remove bacteria, most mold spores and other allergens, and even capture most solid particles. However, they have no effect on gases, chemical fumes, or smoke. They also can’t capture germs, viruses or other super small contaminants. They also have a limited range of effectiveness and may even enable breeding of microorganisms. Isn’t that what we’re trying to avoid in getting these?what air filter or combination of products fits your needs best. We want you to be able to get the best advantages with the least disadvantages.

Here are a few tips for strengthening a basic filtration system. When you’re trying to choose an air purifier, think about the technology that works with or enhances and compliments the basic filtration methods. Air ionizer systems are designed to switch the polarity of those particles floating around in your air. They create negative ions to magnetically bond to those nasty little air floaters. This means even the ultra fine particles get too heavy to stay in the air so they get trapped in the filters or fall to the floor to be swept or vacuumed.

Some strengths of these ionic purifiers are that they can remove particles in the air as small as .01 microns. They also neutralize bacteria, chemical fumes, viruses, even cigarette smoke. In addition to everything they remove from your home’s air, is that they extend they range of effectiveness. The downfalls for these systems are that there is no collection method and they don’t remove odors. They will capture, but not kill the germs, viruses and fungi from your air. The effect on airborne chemical particles is limited as well.

Another choice would be activated carbon filters. These products use highly absorbent, microscopic pores to make chemical bonds that trap gases, liquid contaminants and other odor particles. The upside of this choice is that the technologically advanced filter captures odors and retains contaminates it captures as well. Downside; it performs poorly when it comes to dust and other common allergens and has a limited effective range.

My personal favorite is the Germicidal UV lamps. These cool little gadgets can easily be mounted right inside your air vents. They are designed to destroy bacteria, germs, fungi, and viruses before they can even get into your home. They are also highly reactive oxidant ozone generators that are designed to destroy bacteria and chemical related odors.

So with all of this information at your fingertips, you should be confident in fitting your home with exactly what you and your family needs to breathe easy.

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Breathe at Your Own Risk

September 5th, 2012

 

Houstonians know all about it! Texas has some extreme heat and it often keeps people indoors, restricted from going to the park or for an afternoon jog. Occasionally though, they are confined to the indoors due to poor air quality. Luckily, many weather stations and websites these days have ozone tracking, clean air notifications; even phone apps can alert you about air quality levels.

Houston, TX specifically has the Houston Clean Air Network sponsored by a grant of $450,000 from Houston Endowment to be used over the next three years for a website (http://houstoncleanairnetwork.org). This site was developed by University of Houston professors along side the American Lung Association of the Plains-Gulf Region and as well as Air Alliance Houston. These teams set up this website to provide real time air quality updates with maps of the areas. Visitors to this site can learn about the ozone, its effects on our bodies, and how to safeguard ourselves.

Data on air quality for this site is provided by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Dan Price, a philosophy professor at the University of Houston, along with a team of UH faculty and staff, were also among the developers for this informative website. Help also came from those such as Barry Lefer, associate professor of atmospheric science, and staff members from the university’s Texas Learning and Computation Center.

Professor Price says “This site allows people to plan their day. It can be used by anyone with health concerns about ozone including educators who decide whether to hold school recesses outside or coaches who determine when outdoor practices are held. It can also benefit those living with respiratory illnesses such as asthma.” He also said that researchers and medical professionals can use it as a resource to track air quality for projects such as epidemiological studies.

There are several ways to limit your exposure to harmful ozone. Firstly, we need to control the amount of chemicals we use to help reduce the level of ozone. You could lobby to raise standards for air quality and pollutant control, or you can actively manage your exposure. The above site helps teach you ways to do that. On high ozone days you can exercise inside instead or early in the morning when levels are lowest and avoid high traffic areas due to vehicle emissions. Also, use allergen reducing air filters indoors to help control ozone entering your home. Remember to keep doors and windows shut as much as possible on high alert days as well.

Certain people are more sensitive than others to air pollutants. The EPA recognizes that these people, mainly children or adults with respiratory disease or asthma, may be at greater risk for health issues. For children spending a lot of time outdoors, these issues may not even present themselves until later in adulthood and can be quite serious. Poor air quality can cause an asthma attack, signaled by wheezing, coughing, rapid breathing, chest pain, tightened neck and chest muscles, difficulty talking, anxiety or panic, pale and sweaty face, or blue lips or fingernails.

Even though Houston has made great strides in air quality improvement, it has been unable to meet ever increasing standards since they began in over 40 years ago. This is partly due to geography. Since Houston is so close to the Gulf of Mexico, sea breezes circulate ozone clouds around the city and its surrounding areas, providing both a medium of transportation for ozone and preventing its dispersion.

With the petrochemical industry composing a substantial portion of Houston’s economic base and a population of around 6 million people, the Greater Houston Area produces substantial amounts of NOx and VOCs, both through industrial processes and vehicle miles traveled. Air pollution is our shared responsibility, and with an ever-growing population we need new tools for controlling our emissions and our exposure.

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Is Your Air Conditioner Robbing You?

August 22nd, 2012

     This record high temperature summer is even worse for some people. On top of just dealing with the heat, it is also much more expensive. The most commonly used coolant for homes, R-22, is being phased out and supplies are dwindling. The phase out is part of an international agreement to try and reduce HCFC’s, but has caused a huge price hike on the refrigerant. This may cause millions of people quite a shock if their air conditioners quit on them.

     The United States began this phase out process for R-22 in 2004. Production was then cut back annually until the new R-410A, which is a cleaner gas, replaces the R-22 completely as planned by the year 2020. The EPA submitted a proposal that R-22 production is to be reduced by 11 percent in 2013 and 2014. This means that the price of the R-22 has been increasing and will most likely continue to do so. The price has actually tripled in the last year alone thanks to the EPA taking it off of the market.

     Most units on houses take 6-12 pounds, and a 30 pound cylinder is going for around $400 online. Luckily most homes only need a few pounds. R-22 has been used for almost forty years but is being phased out as part of the Montreal Protocol which is an international agreement to target substances that are harmful to the ozone layer.  There is really no way to tell how high these prices can actually get, especially since it is now illegal to import the refrigerant.

     “Considering the rapid spike in prices, there’s no way of predicting what prices are going to be down the road,” Barry Andrews, president of Air National of Houston, said in a company release about the problem. Andrews said the price spike likely means more people may have to opt for new units or fixing leaks instead of simply replacing the refrigerant.

     Many homeowners are having to face the hard decision of if they should spend hundreds of dollars for a band aid fix to replace a leaky coil or add some coolant, or the more expensive option of just replacing the whole unit or system. This is going to cause some of those people to take longer to decide or be able to do something and that waiting can lead to more or bigger problems and costs. Even though the increase in price has been sudden and drastic, the dwindling supply is no shocker to many in that industry.

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AC on the Defensive

August 10th, 2012

As if there aren’t enough scams going around, this summer brings one that takes advantage of the high temperatures. Scammers are calling or texting offers promising federal assistance with skyrocketing electric bills. They ask for your social and other personal information in exchange for up to $1,000 toward the cost of your air conditioner. The worst part of these phishing schemes is that these home subsidies offered are not even set up yet.

The government sets aside billions of dollars annually for low income assistance on heating and cooling bills for the last 30 years. However, certain elements are not equally covered since about 90% of this budget is spent during the winter. So if you’re freezing, you don’t need that extra blanket, but if you’re having a heat stroke, you’re out of luck. Eighty-seven percent of U.S. homes have AC but still are viewed with prejudice that so many and so much use of air conditioners may result in aiding a possible climate crisis.

One former head of UN ozone program actually compared AC consumption to that of fatty foods, calling it a dangerous luxury making us soft in spirit and flesh. Others blame air conditioning for rising obesity rates as well but without any evidence. Some people just jump on the idea that maybe overcooling could be just another American addiction like overeating or overspending.  Some Americans view air conditioning as a stand-in for everything wrong in the world. Why is it ok to get extra heat, but shameful to need more cooling?

We have endured some record high temperatures already this summer & it’s nowhere near over, especially in the Houston area. It seems that our avoiding the heat may be adding to the problem. Research has shown that all over our air conditioning of buildings and cars emits about 500 millions tons of carbon-dioxide annually.

These huge numerical statistics are hard to ignore when air conditioners have become so much more popular. One should know that they are no worse than heaters though, possibly even less harmful. It has been proven that we use more energy to heat our homes than to cool them, by about 5 times the BTU’s and about 2 and a half times the cost. Even after so many people have moved toward the southern and coastal areas, there is actually a decline in energy use for climate control. The extra demand has been made for icy shopping centers but that is offset by less use of oil and gas based heating.

Statistics from a few years ago show that northerners are emitting 20-25 percent more carbon dioxide from their heaters than we Southerners are with our AC. Older refrigerants used in household appliances do emit HFC’s which are a contributor to global warming, but these are being phased out.  These still only make up about a quarter of the green house emissions associated with air conditioning.

When people argue that it is more important to have heat than air conditioning, that you can just open a window or turn on a fan, what about the hundreds of people that day each year from heat stroke? Personally I believe it is easier to throw on an extra blanket and get warm than it is to get cool. Even if you open a window or turn on a fan, you’re letting in and blowing around more hot air. You can put on enough to get warm but you cannot take off enough to get cool.

Maybe it’s just that being hot doesn’t “hurt’ as much as being cold. Pain researcher Jeff Mogil of McGill Universitysays that warm temperatures applied to skin goes from just unpleasant to outright painful within just 2.5 degrees but for cold it happens over a 10 degree span. This looks like heat is actually worse. Mogil thinks that cold is worse though since it starts to get unpleasant sooner and has a greater range of unpleasant temperatures.

Even if cold is more unpleasant than hot on a per degree basis, it still does not make it more reasonable to crank the heat and forgo AC. Many places have such weather extremes that they can be deadly, so one should not judge the other so harshly. If you want to save one, both should be saved. Or if you want to sacrifice one, both should be sacrificed equally. Personally, I prefer cuddling up with an extra blanket in the winter, but I most assuredly will indulge in my air conditioning during these brutal Houston summer months.

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Greener & ‘Techier’ HVAC World

August 7th, 2012

On January 25th of this year (2012), about 50,000 visitors flooded through the doors of the HVAC&R Expo in Chicago. There were representatives from two thousand companies spanning 30 countries to share their products, services and information.

HVAC&R Expo in Chicago

HVAC&R Expo in Chicago

This is globally regarded as the largest and most comprehensive HVAC&R event out there. Attendants include contractors, engineers, management, OEM’s, and many others involved in the HVAC&R industry. At this expo, there are education classes, workshops, seminars, and everyone’s favorite, new product demonstrations! For HVAC people, this is like Comic-Con is for Stan Lee fans. This year’s theme was pretty clear, it’s all about energy efficiency and technology.

Some of the highlights this year include:

LG’s Green HVAC Market
These guys revealed their new energy efficient products geared towards growing their HVAC business here in the U.S. Part of these innovative technologies encompass upgraded VRF and Duct Free Systems (DFS), and new higher SEER models for homes and light commercial sales.

Reveal of “Smart Si” WiFi Thermostats by Ecobee High tech WiFi thermostat
Ecobee presented its new Smart Si thermostat at this year’s expo as well. This thermostat is designed and marketed for sales in homes and offer remote connectivity through your WiFi so you can access your home thermostat through any internet connected device.  This new tech toy also has a high resolution color display, an intuitive user interface, stealthy button design, and you can even get live weather reports.

Tecogen Is Lowering Emissions Across The Board Entirely
This company, based out of Massachusetts, is a power generation technology company. Tecogen announced at this years HVAC&R Expo that they have a newly developed, ultra low emissions technology that will now be available across its full line of products for natural gas engine driven heating and cooling systems. This company also says that its natural gas powered products’ emissions are keeping right up with those of fuel cells. This technology with lower emissions was created with the funding from the California Energy Commission and Southern California Gas Company.

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To Fix Or Not to Fix – That is the Question

August 3rd, 2012
man fixing AC

Sometimes it's hard to know whether to ditch it or fix it.

As the price of one type of freon soars through the roof, many are wondering whether it’s better to repair or replace their faulty air conditioning system. An EPA mandate is slowly phasing out the R-22 coolant that we have been using for years because scientists argue it’s harmful to the earth’s ozone layer.

As more people crank up the AC, that type of freon has become a hot commodity with a hefty price tag. The cost of this type of freon, has tripled since January 2012. The refrigerant is measured in pounds. What would normally cost $20 to $25 per pound, now can run consumers in excess of $80 per pound. If your system is leaking freon, just the cost of the refrigerant can top $1,000, not to mention, consistent leaks could mean you need a compressor replacement. And if you have an old air conditioning unit that consistently leaks, you should speak with your technician about a replacement.

“R-22 has been the primary refrigerant in a lot of residential homes and commercial businesses,” says Gary Ward. “A small residential unit may have anywhere from 4 to 5 pounds. “However, some residential systems can get up as high as 13 to 15 pounds.”

“It may be cost efficient to just purchase a brand new unit because changing out a compressor to allow for the new type of freon would be four to five times the amount of a new window AC unit,” Brad Guidry with Home Depot said. Window units aren’t for everyone, especially homes with large square footage and multiple rooms. However, Guidry says they can be a bit more efficient, freon wise.

“These units have less than 3 pounds of freon in them,” he said. Window AC units can run anywhere from $149 on up. All units manufactured today, including regular AC cooling systems, now take 410-A refrigerant, the new EPA standard. “410-A will ultimately be the only refrigerant that’s used on residential and commercial refrigerants,” Ward said. In 1987 the Montreal Protocol established requirements that began the worldwide phaseout of ozone-depleting CFCs. These requirements were later modified, leading to the phaseout in 1996 of CFC production in all developed nations. In 1992 it was amended to establish a schedule for the phaseout of HCFCs which are less damaging to the ozone layer than CFCs, but still contain ozone-destroying chlorine.

One important thing a homeowner can do for the environment, regardless of the refrigerant used, is to select a reputable dealer that employs service technicians who are EPA-certified to handle refrigerants. Technicians often call this certification “Section 608 certification,” referring to the part of the Clean Air Act that requires minimizing releases of ozone-depleting chemicals from HVAC equipment.

HCFC-22 (or R-22) has been the refrigerant of choice for residential heat pump and air-conditioning systems for more than four decades. Unfortunately for the environment, releases of R-22, such as those from leaks, contribute to ozone depletion. In addition, R-22 is a greenhouse gas and the manufacture of R-22 results in a by-product (HFC-23) that contributes significantly to global warming. As the manufacture of R-22 is phased out over the coming years as part of the agreement to end production of HCFCs, manufacturers of residential air conditioning systems are offering equipment that uses ozone-friendly refrigerants. Many homeowners may be misinformed about how much longer R-22 will be available to for their systems. This fact sheet provides information about the transition away from R-22, the future availability of R-22, and the new refrigerants that are replacing R-22.

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