Choosing the heating or cooling system that’s right for you and your home is a very important - and potentially costly if you choose wrong. Knowing what will work best for your family and your home is no small task.

Heating System
Cooling System

There are several factors you should consider about your home before deciding upon a particular system:

•Age •Overall Efficiency •Location •Size and Layout

There are also other factors to consider:

•What will best fit your lifestyle?

•How will your choice affect the resale value of your home?

•Replace with a similar unit or upgrade to an Integrated System for all of your heating, cooling and air quality needs?

•What is your budget?

•Will spending more now save you money later?

•What are the tradeoffs between upfront equipment and installation costs versus energy savings over the life of the unit?

•What about guarantees, warranties and ongoing service?

Trying to answer each of these without a personal home inspection would be a great disservice to you, however below are some general guidelines that may help you narrow your choices down to just a few.

New Construction or Remodel:

If you are building a new home or undertaking a major residential remodel, look to have a system custom designed to integrate your heating, cooling and air quality into one convenient, energy-efficient package. The architect and engineer on your project should give you a wide range of options and explain the advantages and disadvantages of each. The relative economy of forced air (gas and oil furnaces) versus radiant heat (electrical and hot water systems) may vary with energy costs from region to region. Local climate may also influence your decision.

System Upgrade:

If you’re simply replacing an inefficient or failed component, such as a furnace, air conditioner or water heater, your choices may be limited by the infrastructure that already exists in your home. Conversion may be an option, but the costs may or may not justify the savings over time.

While the heating systems of today are more efficient and reliable than ever before, heating is still a major expense in most homes. Those living in northern climates that experience more frequent and severe cold weather may spend up to two-thirds of their energy budget on heating alone. The cost itself illustrates the importance of understanding what kind of system will provide your family with affordable comfort.

Heating System Options

Gas/Oil
Boilers
Heat Pumps
Electric Resistance

Gas/Oil:

These types of furnaces provide your home with even heat by circulating it throughout your home through ducts. This circulating system is also known as forced air.

When purchasing these types of heating systems, be sure to request "sealed combustion". These specific types of furnaces use outside air to burn the fuel. Not only does this increase energy efficiency, but it also reduces the chance of introducing dangerous combustion gasses into your home.

Boilers:

A boiler usually heats your home by circulating heated steam or water through a series of popes and a baseboard or radiator-type heat exchanger. Unlike a forced air furnace, a boiler does not circulate air through the house, which might make the air inside the home feel stuffier.

When vaulted ceilings are present, radiant floor heat is more efficient and provides warmer and more comfortable area than forced air heat. Instead of rising, the radiant heat remains on the floor where it can be felt underneath all kinds of floor coverings including stone, wood, tile and carpet.

Heat Pumps:

Heat pumps are much more reliable than they were 10 years ago. Electric heat pumps are an energy-efficient way of heating and cooling your home. In places where gas is unavailable or electricity makes the most economic sense, heat pumps are your best option.

Electric Resistance:

Electric resistance heating is typically found in the form of baseboard heaters, electric wall heaters, electric radiant heat, electric space heaters and electric furnaces. The unit has an electric heating element enclosed in metal piping. The heating unit warms air, which rises to the top of the room while cooler air in the room is drawn into the bottom of the heater. Each unit has its own thermostat which allows different temperatures in each room.

Of-course, two other main considerations should be the climate where you live and the budget you can allow for a new heating system.

Climate:

In cold climates, it is wise to invest in an extremely efficient heating system (about 95%), while those living in more moderate climates may want to consider a system with standard efficiency (around 80%). Your budget will also help you determine which system makes the most sense for you.

Cost Considerations:

The cost of a new heating system could range from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand. In considering what system is right for your needs, you need to decide upon a fuel type you prefer to use, a workable budget, a reliable contractor and a sufficient warranty. It’s always a good idea to ask McElroy’s to evaluate your heating and cooling needs, especially if your system is more than 10 years old.

To help you make the best decision regarding what kind of heating system will work in your home, such as: model, brand name, heating capacity and efficiency, you should invest in and check out The Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings. This guide comes complete with charts that allow you to calculate savings and energy efficiency that will accompany various systems.

What You Need to Know About Cooling Systems

Energy Efficiency
Size of the Unit
Noise
Installation

Choosing the air conditioning system that’s right for you and your home is a very important. Don’t stumble blindly into a decision you may later regret! A little time and research on your part as well as a home analysis by one of McElroy’s knowledgable technicians will provide confidence that the systems you have in your home are ones that will work most efficiently and save you money year around.

Look for Energy Efficiency:

Today’s high-efficiency air conditioners use about 30%-50% less energy than those just couple of decades ago. Even if your air conditioner is only 10 years old, you may be able to save 20% or more by replacing your current unit with a recent, more efficient model. However, it is important to remember to evaluate the high-efficiency unit with the environment it will be cooling.

Air conditioning units are rated by the number of British Thermal Units (BTUs) of heat they can remove per hour. Each unit has an energy efficiency rating that identified how many BTUs per hour are removed from the space for each watt of electricity it consumes. For room units, we call this the Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER). For central air units, it is the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER). You’ll find these rating on the Energy Guide Label that is visibly attached to all new air conditioning units. Many manufacturers participate in the EnergyStar labeling program. This insignia means that the product complies with high-efficiency standards and generally reflects high EER and SEER ratings.

New air conditioning units are normally - and expectedly - more expensive, but don’t that stop you from purchasing a high-efficiency unit. The higher priced, energy efficient unit will pay you back many times over during the life of the system in reduced energy costs. McElroy’s strongly suggest that you purchase the most efficient air unit you can afford, especially if you live in an area where demand and/or power rates are high.

The efficiency, performance, durability, and initial cost of an air conditioner are vital to matching its size to the following factors:

•Size of your home

•Number of windows your home has

•Amount of shade on windows, walls and roof

•The effectiveness of weatherproofing around doors and windows

•How much heat is produced by the occupants and appliances in your home

Purchase the Right Size Unit:

It is important to note that a large air conditioning unit will not necessarily provide the best affects in your home. In- fact, installing an air conditioner that is too big for your needs will always be less efficient and may even be less effective.

Consequences of Purchasing a Unit that is Too Big:

•The larger the air conditioner, the more it will cost upfront

•A larger than necessary unit switches on and off more frequently, which reduces its efficiency and raises your utility bill

•Frequent cycling makes indoor temperatures fluctuate and creates a less comfortable environment

•Frequent cycling also minimizes moisture removal that is essential for comfort in humid climates.

•Constat on/off switching wears out the compressor and electrical parts more rapidly increasing the repair and maintenance costs and the probability of premature replacement.

•A larger unit uses more electricity and creates an added demand on electrical generation and delivery systems.

The Noise Factor:

Some central air conditioning units can produce some noise. This is generally not a problem for a unit located outside the home, but it is a factor you should consider in when choosing a unit that’s right for you. A unit that sits away from patios, bedroom windows or high-traffic areas can be given more noise tolerance than one that sits in close proximity to these quieter, more public locations around your home.

Installation of Your New Central Air Conditioning Unit:

•Allow sufficient indoor space for the installation, maintenance and repair of the new system.

•Install an access door in the furnace or duct to clean the evaporator coil.

•Use a duct-sizing methodology, such as the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) Manual D Standard

•Make sure there are enough supply registers to distribute the cool air throughout the home and enough return air vents to carry the warm air back to the air conditioner.

•Wherever possible, install ductwork within the air conditioned space - not in the attic. If this is not possible, make sure the ductwork is well insulated.

•Seal all ducts with duct mastic and heavily insulate attic ducts

•Locate the condensing unit where its noise will not keep you or your neighbors awake at night

•If possible, place the condensing unit in a shady location

•Verify that the new unit has the exact refrigerant charge and airflow rate specified by the manufacturer

•Locate the thermostat away from heat sources, such as windows.

•When replacing an older or failed system, be certain to replace the evaporator coil with a new one that exactly matches the condenser coil in the new condensing unit.

Installation of Your New Window Air Conditioning Unit:

Whenever possible, position the air conditioner in a window or wall area near the center of the room and on the side of the house with the most shade.

Use foam weather stripping material to fit the room air conditioning unit tightly into its opening and seal any gaps. This will diminish air leakage and increase efficiency.