As a homeowner, you may assume that you need both a furnace and an air conditioner to maintain the comfort level in your home throughout the seasons. If you’re looking to keep your costs low throughout the entire year, consider installing an air-source heat pump. Heat pumps can do both jobs so that you experience warm air in winter months and cool air in summer months, all in one convenient system.
So, why install an air-source heat pump? These devices are designed to adapt to your specific needs, providing you with adequate comfort in your home no matter the time of year. Enjoy year-round comfort with the added perk of cost savings.
Let’s take a look at what makes these units so unique and how you’ll benefit from installing one in your home.
What Is a Heat Pump?
Some people hear the term “heat pump” and associate it with heating their homes. While this is understandable, a heat pump actually doesn’t create heat. Instead, a heat pump moves heat from one location to another within your home using a small amount of energy. This means that your home will stay comfortable, and you will experience lower energy costs.
Residents with moderate cooling and heating needs will find heat pumps a great alternative to traditional methods. If your home currently uses electric heating, switching to a heat pump could cut your electricity use by a significant 30 to 40 percent. And, it’s not just about saving in the winter—these pumps are great at reducing humidity in your home during the summer, which means more savings on your energy bill.
How Does an Air-Source Heat Pump Work?
An air source heat pump operates by moving heat rather than generating it. This type of unit absorbs heat from the outdoor air in colder temperatures and transfers it into the indoor space for heating. During the warmer seasons, the process is reversed to cool the indoor air.
By efficiently transferring heat rather than creating it, air source heat pumps provide a more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly solution for maintaining indoor comfort throughout the year.
3 Types of Air-Source Heat Pumps
Before purchasing a new air-source heat pump, it’s essential to choose one that will work efficiently in your home. The presence, or lack thereof, of air ducts is a big factor in this decision. Speak with an HVAC technician who can inspect your home, advise you on what style is best suited for your needs, and help you avoid any mistakes with your heat pump system.
1. Ducted Air-Source Heat Pumps
Ducted air-source units are designed to work in homes with existing ductwork. The centralized system utilizes a network of ducts, ensuring a consistent and comfortable indoor environment.
This style of unit is ideal for larger homes or commercial buildings. These heat pumps provide even temperature control throughout the entire building while maximizing energy efficiency.
2. Single-Zone Air-Source Heat Pumps
Single-zone air-source heat pumps are compact solutions designed to regulate the temperature in a specific area or room. These units are perfect for smaller living spaces and offer heating and cooling without the need for ductwork. Their simplicity offers effective temperature control if you just need to condition a single space.
3. Multiple-Zone Air-Source Heat Pumps
Multiple-zone or ductless heat pump systems consist of multiple indoor units that are connected to a singular outdoor unit. Each indoor unit operates independently, allowing for personalized climate control in different areas or rooms. These are great choices for homes without air ducts. These are also beneficial for families that don’t agree on one temperature for the entire home.
Benefits of Air-Source Heat Pumps
These versatile units provide homeowners with various benefits. HVAC systems are hefty investments, so it’s reassuring to know that you’ve chosen one that you can rely on for many years.
Some air-source heat pump benefits include:
- Energy Efficiency: Air-source heat pumps transfer heat rather than create it, making them more energy-efficient than traditional heating systems.
- Cost Savings: By utilizing ambient air, these pumps can significantly reduce energy bills, offering long-term cost savings.
- Versatility: They can both heat and cool spaces, providing year-round climate control with a single system.
- Environmental Friendliness: With lower energy consumption, air source heat pumps contribute to a reduced carbon footprint and environmental impact.
- Consistent Performance: These pumps maintain consistent indoor comfort levels by adapting to varying temperature conditions.
Are you ready to enhance your home’s indoor comfort? Contact us today at Home Comfort Experts when you need efficient air-source heat pump installation in Northern Indiana and Southwestern Michigan. Our professionals are here to help you choose the right unit for your home and safely set it up for you.
We can also assist you with any heat pump troubleshooting you need.
As the summer days pass by, it seems like the temperatures keep getting higher and higher. With the high temperatures, the need for a reliable air conditioner becomes vital. However, this enhanced comfort also comes with the cost of high energy consumption and bills.
Many find themselves wrestling with the dilemma of staying comfortable while dealing with the financial strain of increased energy bills. So the question arises, “Why does my AC system consume so much power?”
To understand this, we must explore the factors that contribute to an AC’s high energy usage and how you can prevent it. By doing so, you can make informed decisions when purchasing new units and how to effectively utilize your system while saving money.
How Much Power Does an AC Use?
In order to understand why air conditioners use up so much power, it is important to understand how they work. An air conditioner works by taking warm air from inside your home and sending it outside. It does this using a special liquid called refrigerant. The warm air goes through coils with this liquid, and it cools down, making your home feel cool and comfortable.
However, during the summer, it’s harder for the air conditioner because it must work extra long to keep your home cool. The hot air outside wants to sneak back in, and the air conditioner has to keep pushing it out. It’s important to note that if your home isn’t well insulated, some of the cool air can escape, making the air conditioner work even harder.
So, during the summer, your air conditioner has to keep running to battle the heat, and that’s why it uses a lot of electricity, leading to those high power bills. It’s important to make sure your home is well-sealed and insulated to help your air conditioner work more efficiently and save energy.
Why Is My AC Suddenly Using More Electricity?
If you are experiencing a sudden spike in your AC system’s energy consumption, there may be an issue with the unit itself. If your air conditioning system goes without regular maintenance, you may run into various problems, like:
- Air Leaks: Gaps around doors and windows can allow hot air to enter, increasing the workload on your AC.
- Old or Inefficient AC Unit: Older AC units may be less energy-efficient and consume more power.
- Clogged Air Filters: Dirty filters restrict airflow, making the AC work harder to circulate air.
- Blocked Vents or Registers: Obstructed vents can reduce airflow, making it harder for the AC to cool your home.
What To Do About Rising Energy Costs
No one enjoys increasing energy bills in order to stay cool during the summer. Fortunately, advances in air conditioning technology have made AC systems more affordable and significantly more energy-efficient. Newer models prioritize energy conservation, benefiting both your finances and the environment. Upgrading your AC system to a more modern model can save you a considerable amount of money on energy expenses over time. However, it’s crucial to determine which new air conditioning system is the best fit for your needs.
If you don’t think installing a new unit is right for you, there are a few tips you can follow to keep your energy bills low during the hot summer months:
- Regular Maintenance: Schedule annual AC maintenance to ensure it runs efficiently, changing filters and cleaning coils as needed.
- Proper Insulation: Ensure your home is well-insulated to prevent cool air from escaping and hot air from entering.
- Strategic Ventilation: Use ceiling fans and open windows during cooler times to help circulate air and reduce the need for AC.
- Shade and Window Coverings: Keep blinds or curtains closed throughout the warmest parts of the day to block direct sunlight and heat.
Our technicians from Home Comfort Experts are here to help you find an AC system that will start saving you money in energy costs. We will take your budget and heating and cooling needs into account before choosing a model.
To get started on your long-term energy and money savings, contact us and set up an appointment. Give us a call at (574) 626-1320 to learn about our reliable heating and cooling services and how we can keep you and your family stay safe and comfortable throughout the entire year.
In the heat of the summer, the last thing you need is to have your air conditioner blowing warm air. Having your air conditioner blow warm or hot air when you need to escape the simmering heat can be an absolute nightmare. While there are many different reasons why your air conditioner is blowing warm air, here are some of the most common causes you may find:
Thermostat Issues
While it may seem obvious, one of the most common causes of air conditioning temperature issues has to do with the thermostat. Whether it is tampered with by kids, accidentally changed, or intentionally turned off and then forgotten, there are many different reasons the thermostat may have incorrect settings. If you experience issues with your air conditioner blowing warm air, check the thermostat first!
Dirty Filter
If left unchecked, dirty air filters can wreak havoc on the inside of your air conditioning unit. Most people don’t change the air filter in their AC until it is too late and something goes wrong. While a dirty air filter alone won’t cause your air conditioning system to blow warm air, it can contribute to the problem and reduce cooling effectiveness significantly. An air filter clogged with dust and debris can completely block air from entering the system, which makes the coils unable to remove heat, so the system’s fan just blows heat back into your space.
Problems with the Outdoor Unit
Air conditioning systems are made up of an indoor evaporator/air handler unit and an outdoor condenser unit. They work together to consistently blow cold air into your home. If your indoor system is working fine, air will still blow. However, if your outdoor condenser unit is not working properly, there will be no cooling and your AC will blow warm. A blown fuse or tripped circuit breaker may cause your condenser unit to lose power. You may also notice issues if your condenser unit becomes blocked by debris and dirt.
Refrigerant Leak
One of the most common reasons for your AC blowing warm air, a refrigerant leak will make it impossible for your AC to produce cool air. Refrigerant is the substance that flows through your air conditioning system that makes cooling happen. You should never have to add refrigerant unless you have a leak. Depending on the size of the leak, cooling loss can happen slowly or all at once. With one of the most popular older refrigerants being phased out by January 2020, it will soon become increasingly expensive to replace your refrigerant.
Conclusion
Home Comfort Experts are here to help you get your AC back to blowing out cool air. We will take into account your budget, heating and cooling needs, and energy saved. Contact the heating and cooling professionals at Home Comfort Experts today to learn about the ways we can help you. We serve Northern Indiana and Southwestern Michigan from our 12 locations. Give us a call at (574) 255-4600 to learn about our full complement of heating, cooling and plumbing services.
It is important to stay cool during the hot summer months. However, with more frequent air conditioning use, many homeowners sacrifice comfort to avoid dealing with higher energy costs. Ductless air conditioning systems feature indoor and outdoor apparatus that help condense pressure to refrigerant and strategically flow cold air throughout the home. With new advances in air conditioning technology, modern ductless air conditioning units feature many improvements that offer a multitude of benefits. Home Comfort Experts is here to help you understand the 6 reasons to buy a ductless air conditioner:
1. You Have an Unusual Room or Home
If you have a historical home, an architecturally unusual home, such as one with three stories or an odd room, such as a sunroom that always seems hot, a ductless air conditioning system is ideal. Historical homes are often prohibited from major renovations that would require new ductwork. Similarly, three-story homes can make installing duct work on the top floors difficult, time-consuming and expensive. If you know you would need a major remodel in order to install air conditioning to your home or just a single room, ductless air conditioning is right for you.
2. Save Money
One of the biggest benefits when it comes to ductless air conditioning systems is long-term money savings. Ductless air conditioners require less power to operate so you can keep your home cool without paying an arm and a leg in energy costs. Utility costs are consistently rising every year. Prepare yourself financially for the future with a ductless air conditioning system.
3. Great for the Environment
Due to the efficient nature of ductless mini-split systems, you can greatly reduce your carbon footprint. Not only do ductless systems require less money to operate, but they can also be strategically placed around the house so you can avoid sending cold air to the parts of your home that do not need it.
4. Increased Comfort
When you have a ductless air conditioning system installed in your home you control exactly how many units are installed. That means you can strategically place units to ensure comfort in the most important rooms in your house. This allows you to maintain a consistent temperature and consistent comfort.
5. Near Silent Operation
Many ducted air conditioners are noisy and annoying, distracting from your ability to relax or work at home. They may even interrupt your sleep patterns when they are constantly shutting off and turning on. The major parts of ductless air conditioning systems are placed on the exterior of your home so you won’t have to hear your cool air at work. In fact, the ductless system is so quiet, you may not even realize the unit is on!
6. Easy to Install
The experienced and certified technicians at Home Comfort Experts can install your ductless air conditioning system less time. Larger duct options can require weeks to install and cause inconvenience and trouble for many homeowners. Our Home Comfort Experts can have your ductless system installed in a single day!
Conclusion
Home Comfort Experts are here to help you find the perfect ductless air conditioning system for you and your home. We will take into account your budget, heating and cooling needs, and energy saved. Contact the heating and cooling professionals at Home Comfort Experts today to learn about the ways we can help you. We serve Northern Indiana and Southwestern Michigan from our 12 locations. Give us a call at (574) 255-4600 to learn about our full complement of heating, cooling and plumbing services.
Purchasing a new HVAC system can be a huge financial commitment. Thankfully, newer air conditioning units are extremely energy efficient, which saves you money and energy in the long run. But how do you know which unit is the right unit to buy? Our Home Comfort Experts are here to help you understand the difference in HVAC systems and which one is right for you.
What is SEER?
SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. SEER measures air conditioning and heat pump cooling efficiency. It is calculated by dividing the total amount of cooling it produces per season by the total amount of electricity needed. Generally speaking, the higher the SEER rating, the greater the energy efficiency. Fourteen SEER and 16 SEER units are the most popular and affordable options available.
14 SEER Units
The current national minimum requirement for SEER rating is 13. Despite this, 14 SEER units are still incredibly energy efficient. Most 14 SEER systems are 20-30% more energy efficient than air conditioning systems from just 15 years ago. At an affordable price, and with plenty of energy saved, 14 SEER units are an ideal HVAC replacement for your old and outdated system.
16 SEER Units
While more expensive than their 14 SEER counterparts, 16 SEER systems offer a significant increase in energy efficiency. In fact, 16 SEER units are up to 13% more efficient, which saves you hundreds of dollars in energy costs over the years. 16 SEER units are especially useful for larger homes, as the rate of energy efficiency increases with use.
Which Unit Should You Choose?
The choice between 14 SEER units and 16 SEER units depends entirely on your heating and cooling needs. Indiana residents typically use an average of 858 cooling hours per year, which puts us right in the middle of the national average. If you have a bigger home, you will find incredible energy savings when switching to a 16 SEER unit, although at a higher initial cost. Fourteen SEER units are ideal for those with smaller to medium sized homes who are looking for an HVAC installation upgrade without breaking the bank.
Home Comfort Experts are here to help you find the perfect air conditioning system for you and your home. We will take into account your budget, heating and cooling needs, and energy saved. Contact the heating and cooling professionals at Home Comfort Experts today to learn about the ways we can help you. We serve Northern Indiana and Southwestern Michigan from our 12 locations. Give us a call at (574) 255-4600 to learn about our full complement of heating, cooling and plumbing services.
Most homeowners will go to great lengths to protect the valuable possessions inside their house. But the features right outside your home need protection, too. Take your air conditioner, for example. Nearly 87% of U.S. homes have air conditioning, but their prevalence doesn’t mean they’re not desirable. Criminals may try to steal scrap metal and valuable copper components from AC units to make some extra cash. Unfortunately, many of the companies that buy these items won’t ask where they came from. And even worse, AC installation or replacement can cost a homeowner thousands of dollars, while the thief will make a few hundred, at most. Even if your home is well-maintained and you never go away on vacation, these looters may try to take advantage. But you can stop them — if you do the following.
Light Up Your Yard
Thieves would rather work under the cover of night so they don’t risk getting caught. You can foil their plans right from the start if you ensure your yard — and especially the area around your AC unit — is well-lit. Motion-sensing security lights can work well here, but a floodlight (positioned in a way that illuminates your air conditioner) will also do just fine. The aim of the game is to make it likely that someone will notice what the thief is up to. Just the threat a lit-up yard can be enough to keep criminals away.
Add a Cage or Fence
Your heating and cooling company may recommend that you add some armor to your unit. There are locking cages you can have professionally installed that will make it virtually impossible for anyone to steal your unit or its components. In addition to locking up the unit itself, it’s also an excellent idea to have a fence with a locking gate around your property. If you already have this installed, make sure that it’s locked at night and that you don’t make it easy for would-be criminals to hop over the fence.
Install an Alarm or Camera
If you really want some valuable peace of mind, you may want to consider installing some video cameras or a security alarm around your unit. Even fake security cameras or signs may be enough to make a thief think twice — though you’ll be better off with the real thing. If you don’t go with the cage option, your heating and cooling company may advise you to purchase an alarm that will sound if the unit is being disconnected or moved. The loud noise and threat of being caught on video can be quite powerful in deterring criminal activity.
Clear Up the View
Remember what we said about thieves liking the cover of night? If you go to the trouble of illuminating your yard, you should also make sure it’s clear of obstacles. You should have a clear view from your home to your air conditioner. In other words, you should cut back trees and bushes that obstruct the view and relocate any outdoor furniture that blocks your line of sight. That may mean rethinking your landscaping plan, but it may be worth the trouble. If these thieves have nothing to hide behind, they probably won’t risk being spotted.
Related read: Getting The Most Out of Your Air Conditioner
If you’ve invested in an amazing HVAC system, you’ll want to do everything you can to protect it. Your heating and cooling company can provide additional insight as to how you can safeguard your unit from thieves and ensure that you’ll be the only one enjoying the money you’ve spent on heating and cooling equipment.
Contact our heating professionals at Home Comfort Experts today to learn about our services. We serve Northern Indiana and Southwestern Michigan from our 12 locations. Give us a call at (574) 255-4600 to learn about our full complement of heating, cooling and plumbing services.
Know Your Options
Do you have an R22 air conditioner (one that uses the old R22 refrigerant that’s being phased out)? Faced with the rising costs of R22 air conditioner repairs, the decline of available refrigerant supply, and the increase in price of refrigerant, deciding what to do with your system can be a complicated choice. We’re here to help you make the best, most educated choice for your home.
You have choices:
- Recharge
- Retrofit
- Replace
1. RECHARGE WITH R-22
OUT WITH R-22, IN WITH R-410A
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for implementing the R-22 refrigerant phase out for the United States. By January 1, 2010, there was a ban on the production and import of R-22. As a result, manufacturers of heat pump and air conditioning equipment redesigned their systems to accommodate R-41 0A, a chlorine-free refrigerant compared to R-22. The refrigerant would soon replace R-22 in the new HVAC equipment.
EPA regulations require a ban on the production and import of R-22 refrigerant by January 1, 2020. After 2020, any air conditioning or heat pump system using R-22 that requires servicing will have to depend on potentially expensive R-22 stockpiles or reclaimed refrigerant. The new ban on R-22 won’t affect homeowners that want to continue to utilize their functioning R-22 air conditioning systems. However, in the event that that equipment needs to be charged with refrigerant, there will be difficulties.
2. RETROFIT
R-421A – REFRIGERANT FOR TOMORROW
• Unique non-ozone depleting, long-term replacement for R22 refrigerant
• Environmentally GREEN refrigerant
• Replace R22 without unit modification
• Does not contain hydrocarbons, such as Butane, lsopentane or lsobutane
• Replaces R22 with no change of oil
• Usable in compressors designed for R22
• Usable with Mineral, AB or POE oils
Only 2-component blend to replace R22
• Non-flammable; Rated A 1 by ASH RAE
• Comparable to R22 performance temperature range
• Usable in a wide variety of applications
3. REPLACE
So, how do you go about making that decision to repair or replace your older R22 air conditioner? How can you tell when a piece of equipment has outlived its useful life? Can you get your older unit to last another couple of years by fixing it? Or will you have to keep throwing money into it, especially as the price of R22 continues to skyrocket?
Newer units are more energy efficient and can lower your electric bill, but can you manage the upfront cost? The unfortunate truth is, there is no cut and dried answer. But you can make the best decision to repair, retrofit or replace your R22 air conditioner when you know what factors to consider about your equipment and its history, and whom to trust for advice.
THE RISK FACTOR
Hanging on to an R22 air conditioner until the bitter end January 1, 2020 is when R22 will no longer be available at any price) does pose some risks, especially for a business that relies on air conditioning. When you finally need to replace, how long will you have to wait for a new AC unit because you’re in line with everyone else who is force to replace their R22 air conditioner?
Read more here.
SYSTEM AGE
Most residential and light commercial air conditioning units are designed to last about 15 to 20 years under optimal conditions.
WHAT’S BROKEN?
Some problems, even though they may seem serious, can actually be easy and relatively inexpensive to fix. Electrical issues often fall into this category. And if your system is making so much noise that you’re afraid it’s about to die, the news may not be as bad as you think. You may just need some maintenance or redesign work.
However, if the compressor has failed, especially on an older R22 air conditioner, it’s often time to replace. The compressor is the heart of the system, and the investment to fix it may not be worth the cost. That’s also true because many times compressor failure is caused by a secondary issue that won’t be discovered until after you replace it.
When it comes to issues that require adding refrigerant to the system (such as a refrigerant leak), the fix might be prohibitively expensive for an R22 air conditioner. In that case, it’s probably time to consider replacement or a retrofit. However, you should know that retrofits are not an option for every system. There are technical variables and you’ll need a
system inspection to determine your options.
Ductless mini-split air conditioning and heating units are a great option for homes without ductwork. They are also an efficient cooling option when building on an addition, or for use in a room where temperature consistency is difficult to maintain with an existing conventional system, such as a sunroom.
Costs of Ductless Cooling Systems
Two primary costs go into the upfront investment for a ductless cooling system – materials and installation. They are more complicated to install than a traditional window air conditioning unit and require installation by qualified HVAC professionals. A typical installation of a single unit requires several hours of labor, depending on the construction situation, and can cost up to half of the price of the unit.
Related Read: Why You Need an Air Conditioning System This Summer
Benefits of Ductless Mini-Split Air Conditioning
Ductless cooling offers many benefits for homeowners to consider.
- Easy installation.
- Take up minimal interior space with flexible mounting options.
- Corresponding outdoor unit can be located up to 50-feet away for noise reduction, convenience and environmental considerations.
- No ducts translate into less energy loss compared to traditional duct systems.
- Multiple units can be connected to one outdoor unit, each with its own thermostat for efficiency.
- Easy and efficient supplemental cooling source, especially for extra rooms and additions.
Related Read: Getting the Most Out of Your Air Conditioner
Disadvantages to Consider
The three main detractors for some homeowners when considering a mini-split system include cost, appearance and upkeep.
- Equipment cost is 30 percent more than central cooling (without the ductwork costs) and up to twice as much as window cooling units.
- Proper installation is crucial or energy can be wasted and thus costly to operate.
- Appearance of indoor units can interfere with some decorating aesthetics.
- Maintenance is required by the consumer in terms of filter cleaning.
Read about our mini-split products here.
Ductless systems are just one of many HVAC systems we provide. Home Comfort Experts is committed to providing expert air conditioning and heating installation. Among our many guarantees are lower prices on comparable installations; our technicians clean up when they are finished; and we offer a “no lemons” 5-year replacement policy on failed air conditioner compressors.
Learn more about mini-splits at our website here.
Contact our Comfort Experts technicians today at (574) 255-4600 to learn more about how we work hard to keep your cool air blowing cold during hot summer days. We have services in 12 locations including South Bend, Mishawaka, Plymouth, LaPorte, Elkhart, Columbia City and Fort Wayne in Indiana, and Niles and St. Joseph in Michigan. We offer specials and financing assistance.
R-22, what is commonly referred to as Freon, is one of the gases used to “charge” an air conditioner. In 2004 the Environmental Protection Agency announced a phasedown schedule on production and distribution of this ozone-depleting chemical.
As R-22 is phased out, it’s price has increased due to lack of availability, increased regulations and increased demand.
Because R-22 was found to release hydro chlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), a new substance is used in air conditioning systems manufactured after 2007, R-410A. This chemical is better for the environment and more efficient in heat pump and air conditioning systems, saving homeowners money.
There is a lot of misinformation out about R-22 but the truth is, because the EPA is phasing it out, it is VERY expensive right now. Some companies may be reclaiming it from old systems, and reselling it at a comparatively low cost – a process which is unethical and possibly catastrophic to equipment due to contaminates in recovered refrigerant.
Homeowners have choices
You can still recharge your old system with R-22, Home Comfort Experts has a limited supply, but it is costly.
You can have R-22 removed and a substitute refrigerant added, though these are neither as efficient as R-22 or R-410A. Ask your Home Comfort Expert to explain.
Homeowners can update their entire system with R-410A compatible equipment. Newer equipment saves money over the long-term.
Please call Home Comfort Experts to discuss the age and type of system you own