Cooling Archives - HVAC - Summerville, Charleston & Goose Creek

Making AC Colder: Efficient Use of Your Air Conditioner

Mike Sowder — Thu, 16 Aug 2018 02:17:37 +0000

How Much Can Your Air Conditioner Cool?

The most efficient way to use air conditioning.

We tend to think that we can set our air conditioning thermostats to whatever temperature we desire and have the air conditioner do its job no matter what.

However, this is not the case. There is a limit to how much an air conditioner can realistically cool when comparing temperature differences between inside and outside air. Air Concept Solutions, LLC is an air conditioning company that understands the limits of various AC systems and can prevent you from needlessly running your air conditioner too much on the hottest days so you make the most efficient use of your air conditioning.

Temperature Differences between Inside and Outside Air

ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Inc.) has designated realistic cooling parameters for air conditioner systems. Generally speaking an air conditioning system is designed to accommodate up to a 20 degree difference between the outside air and inside air while still keeping around a 55% humidity level which is comfortable. This means that if it is 80 outside your AC can easily reach 70 degrees, since that is only a 10 degree temperature difference.

So even if it is 90 degrees out your air conditioner should still easily reach the 70 degree mark. However, if it is 100 degrees outside, it will be nearly impossible to reach 70 degrees inside without the air conditioner working overtime and causing problems such as excess humidity.

Most air conditioning systems are not designed to keep your home as cool as 75 degrees on extreme heat days for a reason. In order to accomplish this on a regular basis your AC system would need to be much larger and you would be paying for much more AC system than you typically need which would significantly increase your energy bills. If you have your air conditioner set to a temperature that makes that differential more than twenty degrees you will likely run your AC all day long and still not quite reach those desired temperatures. For typical home users this becomes a waste of money on your end as you overuse a system that was not designed to accommodate a more extreme change in temperature cooling.

A good rule of thumb is during the hottest days when the dial reaches 100 degrees it is best to set your AC to somewhere between 75 and 80 degrees. You can also supplement that slight temperature difference with closed curtains on the sunny side of the building, running ceiling fans and portable fans in rooms where people are present, and keeping a tall glass of ice water on-hand.

Energy Efficient AC

So you can see that bigger is not always better and over sizing your HVAC systems can cause more issues within your home. We can help you with high humidity issues, sweating ductwork, cooling and heating issues for a complete whole house approach to resolving your temperature issues. Additionally, make certain that your AC is properly maintained in order to eliminate the possibility of lost cooling efficiency and money through items which could have been easily fixed like replacing dirty filters and cleaning coils. Fresh filters and cleaning coils improve air flow and cooling efficiency.

At Air Concept Solutions, LLC. are here to help you inspect, diagnose, service and repair your ac systems or problems properly.

Call Us Today: (843)376-7214

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Freon Requirements

Mike Sowder — Sat, 14 Jan 2017 17:20:00 +0000

What You Need to Know About Freon Requirements

There is a lot to know about the scheduled freon phaseout and how it affects consumers. It’s important to be informed so that you know how your systems are affected, the laws pertaining to freon use and how to make sure you are in compliance with the law. Click on any link below to read more:

Freon and the Law

Freon is a refrigerant used for most home heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) units in America. While only a brand name of DuPont, the name “freon” often represents all HCFC refrigerants. The makeup of freon includes hydrogen, carbon, fluorine, and chlorine, or HCFC (hydro chlorofluorocarbons).

HCFC was created to take the place of a refrigerant containing carbon, fluorine, and chlorine, or CFC (chlorofluorocarbons). It was argued that HCFC was safer than CFC because HCFC is nonflammable, nontoxic, noncorrosive, and odorless. After a long debate the CFC was finally phased out and HCFC was established as the most common refrigerant.

In the mid 1970’s new studies showed that HCFC was perhaps safer for use in homes but more damaging to the environment. The combination of hydrogen, carbon, fluorine, and chlorine create what is known as a fluorocarbon. Fluorocarbons have been monitored closely over the last 40 years. Thorough research has proven that their damaging effect on the ozone layer is a major threat to the environment. This finding quickly gained the attention of the federal government who stepped in to strictly regulate freon and other HCFC refrigerants.

Who Regulates Freon

Freon is regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA. The EPA works as part of the United States government to develop solutions and create laws to protect the environment. It is the EPA who declared freon was an Ozone Depleting Substance which must be “phased out” slowly. To do this properly the EPA joined forces with the international efforts to eliminate ozone depleting substances called the Montreal Protocol.

Montreal Protocol is an international project developed in 1987 to prevent damage to the ozone layer by banning all ozone depleting substances. Most countries around the world began enforcing the project shortly after it was created. The United States got a late start but as of January 1, 2010 is fully involved.

Phasing Out R-22 Freon

As part of the Montreal Protocol the Environmental Protection Agency has begun a Phase Out program which will lead to a U.S. ban on all ozone depleting substances. The targeted ozone depleting substances include all HCFC freon refrigerants; commonly referred to as HCFC-22 (R-22), and HCFC-142. The Phase Out works by slowly mandating the use of HCFC freon to the point of nonexistence.

Changes from 2010

Production and distribution of HCFC-22 and HCFC-142b freon will be limited by regulating manufacturers. Some manufacturers will be required to stop production.
Approved manufactures will be exempt from some or all of the regulating standards. • Existing HCFC-22 and HCFC-142b freon can still be reclaimed to be recycled for reuse.
All newly manufactured HVAC equipment must function without HCFC-22 and HCFC-142b freon. New HVAC equipment will be required to use refrigerant approved by the EPA.
75% of freon will be phased out of the United States by limiting consumption and new production.

Scheduled Changes in 2015

Regulating standards will apply to all manufacturers, distributors, and consumers. No exemptions will exist.
Only HVAC equipment manufactured before January 1, 2010 will be recharged with HCFC-22 and HCFC-142b freon.
Existing HCFC-22 and HCFC-142b freon will still be reclaimed to be recycled for reuse.
90% of freon will be phased out of the United States by limiting consumption and new production.

Changes Scheduled in 2016

Stop the production and manufacturing of R22 Systems.

Scheduled Changes for 2017

Restrictions & violations enforced for selling used equipment below the minimum SEER requirements. (See Guidelines)

Scheduled Changes for 2020

All manufacturing and production of HCFC will be banned. No demand for freon will be met by production of new freon, even for equipment purchased prior to 2010.
Licensed reclaimers will be permitted by the EPA to recycle existing HCFC-22 and HCFC-142b. New regulations for recycling and reuse will be implemented.
99.5% of freon will be phased out of the United States by limiting consumption and banning new production.

Scheduled Changes for 2030

All production, recycling, and distribution of HCFC-22 and HCFC-142b must end. This means that no old or new equipment will be charged with HCFC-142b or HCFC-22 freon beginning January 1, 2030
HCFC-22 and HCFC-142b freon must be destroyed adhering to disposal guidelines and strict government law
Possessing, using, or distributing HCFC-22 or HCFC-142b freon will be against the law
100% of freon will be phased out of the United States by limiting consumption and banning new production.

What This Means for the Consumer

Regulation of Freon in HVAC Units

Any owner of cooling equipment which uses more than 50lbs of freon must repair all found leaks within 30 days of notice. Exceptions to this rule do exist and can be found on the Environmental Protection Agency website
All HVAC equipment using more than 2,000 lbs. of freon must install a special system that will detect leaks immediately. It is law that this equipment be monitored, maintained, and all details be reported
As of January 1, 2010, it is illegal to charge any residential hvac equipment manufactured after January 1, 2010 with R-22 freon. Units manufactured before that date can still be charged with R-22 if serviceable. If unserviceable, they may be replaced from the manufacturers existing inventory of unused/unsold units if available, of R22 refrigerant units manufactured before January 1, 2010 or the newer units manufactured after January 1, 2010 which utilize R410a freon. Units manufactured after January 1, 2010 for residential use may only be charged with R410a freon if a leak occurs
HVAC units purchased and installed prior to 2010 may be recharged under strict guidelines.
All activity with freon must be recorded and reported to the Environmental Protection Agency by the technician or wholesaler.

Laws for Manufacturing and Purchasing Freon

Manufacturers of freon are governed by strict laws that enforce proper production. These laws limit amounts produced, how freon is distributed, and who is authorized to purchase it
Under the Environmental Protection Agency Refrigerant Sales Restrictions companies purchasing new or recycled freon must be licensed
A licensed technician who is certified to service appliances requiring the refrigerant may purchase it if able to present proof that the proper handling equipment is being used. • All freon purchases must be a minimum of 20lbs
Manufacturers, wholesalers, and licensed technicians must all keep records of freon. These records must contain names of purchasers, date of purchase, and quantity (in pounds) of purchase.

Freon Disposal and Reuse

Any HVAC unit that will be destroyed must first have all freon reclaimed (collected for recycling).
A licensed technician with EPA approved equipment must be the one who reclaims the freon.
All freon reclaimed from HVAC equipment must immediately be contained and sent to an EPA certified reclaimer. The reclaimer will then recycle the freon. Once recycled it may be sold and reused according to law.

By phasing out freon over 20 years the Environmental Protection Agency is working to prevent stress of those with HVAC systems requiring the soon to be illegal refrigerant. Many environmental experts are working to put substitutes on the market for an easy transition into a safer alternative to HCFC refrigerants. With many lessons learned the EPA is confident these alternatives will benefit our environment which only helps the consumer. In addition, the substitutes will also quickly grow to meet demand to ensure that no home be left without adequate heat and air.

How Does the R-22 Phase out Affect Consumers?

Availability: R-22 must be recovered and recycled (for reuse in the same system), reclaimed (reprocessed to the same purity levels as new R-22), or destroyed. This could take some time but could also mean that R-22 will not be widely available.

Cost: with dwindling supplies, the consumer should be aware that prices of R-22 may increase. This is just the basic supply-demand economic forces in play.

A Common Sense Approach To Servicing Your System

Along with prohibiting the production of ozone-depleting refrigerants, the Clean Air Act also mandates the use of common sense in handling refrigerants. By containing and using refrigerants responsibly — that is, by recovering, recycling, and reclaiming, and by reducing leaks — their ozone depletion and global warming consequences are minimized. You should always select a reputable dealer that employs service technicians who are EPA-certified to handle refrigerants.

All our technicians are certified to “Section 608 certification” of the Clean Air Act that requires minimizing releases of ozone-depleting chemicals from HVAC equipment.

A Common Sense Approach To Purchasing New Systems

You should consider energy efficiency, along with performance, reliability and cost, in making your decision. And don’t forget that when purchasing a new system, you can also speed the transition away from ozone-depleting R-22 by choosing a system that uses ozone-friendly refrigerants like R-410 which is gaining widespread use for higher efficiency systems.

For more details on the Clean Air Act and to get more educated on the laws, please visit the EPA Site.

Common Myths about R-410A

There have been a number of myths and misconceptions about R-410A refrigerant and air conditioners that use it that we have heard over the years. Some of these are completely untrue, and some are simply exaggerated. Here are some of them:

R-410A costs are much higher

As with any new technology/product, the initial manufacturing process costs are higher. The same is true for the non-ozone depleting refrigerant R410A. With the deadline to change refrigerants, as more suppliers start manufacturing R410A, the cost will come down.

Over the next few years, you will see prices of R22 systems go up as these manufacturers have to switch production to R410A systems that are mandated by law.

R-410A technology is new and it’s better to wait

Air conditioners using R-410A have been available in the U.S. since the mid 1990” s, so they’re not new. They’re new to people who haven’t heard about them, and the fact that there will be no R22 systems going to be manufactured in years to come.

R-410A air conditioners are prone to break down more often

New technology used for R410A systems are designed and built with a heavier gauge metal to provide heavy-duty operation. This has the effect of less vibrations that lead to fewer equipment failures; additionally, this also reduces noise levels.

Manufacturers require their distributors and technicians to be fully trained on R-410A before they can sell, install or service R-410A equipment. As a result, a properly installed and maintained R-410A system is more reliable.

R-410A equipment is unsafe

With over a million R-410A air conditioners operating worldwide, and nearly a decade of field testing and product history, there is no evidence to suggest that R-22 systems are any safer than systems that contain R-410A.

R410A systems are rigorously tested by their manufacturers, as well as by independent safety testing laboratories such as Underwriters Laboratories. Most of the negative comments are from independent installers and equipment suppliers who are not certified and trained by the manufacturer.

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What is a Mini Split? Ductless Mini Splits Overview

Mike Sowder — Wed, 08 Jun 2016 01:45:04 +0000

A ductless mini split may the answer to make your system more cost effective

Mini Split is another name for a ductless heating and cooling system that can both be designed for the use of straight air cooling or as a heatpump system that can perform heating and cooling. They are especially desirable for remote rooms and rooms with special HVAC needs in which additional ductwork may not be sufficient or accessible. One example is a finish room over a garage in which some call a (FROG). Ductless Mini Splits are also used when a garage or a porch area become enclosed into a finished living area. Communication or computer rooms can also benefit when it is important and required to maintain lower room temperatures.

Ductless Mini Splits have several advantages and can be used in many applications when cost matters. In the examples giving above, the overall cost for installation is nearly lower in every case. With its wireless thermostat capabilities it gives excellent temperature control. Over the years efficiency of theses units have risen dramatically with the new inverted technology. Mini Split equipment uses minimal amp draw and wattage often exceeding that of a fully ducted system.

Air Concept Solutions offers many major brands with full equipment warranty; please contact our office to learn more about how you can benefit and set up your free inspection quote today.

We offer:

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