Archives for March 2015

5 Essential Questions about R22 Phase Out Answered

Do you know what type of refrigerant your AC system uses? In case it’s the once popular type of Freon for AC known as R-22, HCFC-22, or chlorodifluoromethane by its scientific name, then you might want to consider replacing your AC system. That’s because a protocol signed in Montreal, in 1992, agreed that this substance, along with several other HCFCs (hydrochlorofluorocarbons) are unsafe for the environment. HCFC refrigerants are not as dangerous to the ozone layer as several other chlorofluorocarbons (CFC), but they are still bound to be phased out in the U.S., as well as in several other developed countries. Here’s what you need to know about this particular type of AC Freon and about how to prepare for the upcoming phaseout.

#1 How come R-22 is dangerous?

R-22 has been in use as Freon for AC for as long as forty years now. Most heat pumps and A/C systems built and installed over that span of time employed it as their AC refrigerant of choice. In fact, since the production of such equipment is comparatively affordable, demand for R-22 is still high in developing countries. Unfortunately, the gas has been proven to contribute to the hole in ozone layer and it also has a high global warming potential, as it is a greenhouse gas.

#2 Why would I care about the R22 phaseout?

As the deadline for nearly complete elimination of R-22 as AC Freon approaches, certain A/C manufacturers may misinform household consumers as to how much longer this HCFC will still available. This is why you need to know the truth about this substance. As of January 1, 2010, according to the Montreal Protocol and the U.S. Clean Air Act, allowance holders are no longer allowed to import or produce R-22, except for servicing existing equipment. No such new equipment can be produced on U.S. territory since that date. Furthermore, the same standards demand that the United States reduce its R-22 consumption by 99.5 per cent until January 1, 2020.

#3 Why is R-22 still available?

The Clean Air Act says R-22 can still be recycled, covered, and reclaimed (i.e. processed so that it meets the same standards for purity as the new R-22 formula). From 2020 onward, all equipment that uses R-22 as a refrigerant will be working on recycled or reclaimed substances. This is actually a form of damage control: through reclaiming and recycling, the authorities are trying to make sure the same amounts of this pollutant gas will be able to service the existing equipment for a longer time.

#4 What will replace R-22 for AC Freon?

At the moment, the Environment Protection Agency of the U.S. government is diligently reviewing alternatives to R-22, as well as to all other HCFCs and pollutants. The point is to identify those which are least harmful to the environment. There’s a whole list of R-22 alternatives for light commercial and household A/C equipment on the agency’s website, which you can browse here. One such alternative is R-410A (commercially known as Genetron AZ-20, SUVA 410A, Forane 410A, or Puron), which mixes non-ozone depleting HFCs. This substance, however, is also a greenhouse gas. Also, the U.S. is looking at Europe and trying to follow in its footsteps. Back on the old continent, an increasing number of new residential A/C systems are using R-407C as AC refrigerant. For the time being, R-407C cooled air conditioning systems are not available in the United States, but the EPA has included the substance on its list of viable alternatives. Hopefully, as the EPA completes more and more research, the aforementioned list will continue to grow, in order to include more largely available substances.

#5 What do I do with my R-22 using equipment?

As of this writing, the Environment Protection Agency does not require household users to switch to A/C units which don’t use R-22 or other types of substances that have been found to contribute to ozone depletion. However, the more environmentally-minded household owners out there might want to make the switch of their own free will. As such, it’s important for them to know that not all substances approved by the EPA as substitutes for R-22 can be safely used for retrofitting. R-407C is ok to use, but R-410A is not, because it works at different, higher levels of pressure.

What further complicates the situation is that these newer substances may also require the use of new parts and components for your AC system. Simply replacing the AC Freon gas won’t cut it, as, in most cases, the substance would fail to properly cool the equipment. This is why most HVAC technicians will opt for R-22 recharges, or for recycling / reclaiming it. It’s also important to bear in mind that propane is not approved by the EPA as a refrigerant, since it’s flammable and hence a safety hazard.

All about Lyric Thermostat & the Other Top 4 Best Programmable Thermostats

Home automation is the latest trend and it makes perfect sense that it should be. After all, this is the year 2015, when online connections and Wi-Fi networks are readily available to most middle income earners. And since most such people are busy professionals, it is absolutely reasonable for them to want to come back home to a perfectly heated home. However, as is the case with most other electronic gadgets out there, sometimes the range of choices can get a bit overwhelming. This is why today’s post is a guide meant to help you sail through the options and decide which smart thermostat is the right one for you. We’ve ranked the best of the best below, based on temperature control, energy management, design, setup, and support.

1. Honeywell Lyric Thermostat [$229]

The Honeywell Lyric thermostat is probably your best bet, when it comes to finding the right programmable device. It’s averagely priced and comes with great customer support feature. In fact, Honeywell lives up to its name in this sense, since they’ve been acknowledged for this quality for quite a while now. It’s impeccably designed (another Honeywell staple), and does a great job at managing your home’s energy resources and controlling temperature. It supports up to three stages of heating and works well with most HVAC units available on the market at the moment. It also has a feature that determines the optimal temperature based on humidity and the weather outside. The only negative aspect to the Lyric Thermostat is that its app may prove a bit difficult to use, especially for those who are not exactly technology literate.

2. Nest Learning Thermostat [$249]

The Nest Learning Thermostat was actually one of the first products in its category to emerge on the market, as early as the end of 2011. Here was a product that combined home security with automation, all with environmental protection in mind. By far the most unique aspect about this thermostat, which actually comes with a higher price than the Lyric Thermostat, is that it will come to learn your preferences in time – hence its straightforward name. It’s well designed and comes with a great help and support team; there’s really just one snag to it, which detracts from its potential and has it pegged at number 2 on our list. It has a two year warranty, which is shorter than the industry average.

3. Ecobee3 [$249]

The Wi-Fi-ready Ecobee3 thermostat will give you a hint as to what its manufacturer’s priorities are. This is a company that is genuinely cares about protecting the environment and this is also easily noticeable from the design and features of its flagship programmable thermostat. The Ecobee3 comes with not 3, but 4 temperature control stages. It also has a remote sensor, which will allow you to better manage the energy expenditure of your home heating system. The central user interface has a slightly different design from that of most other products in the same category, but this is not to say that it is at all worse. It’s simply in a league of its own in this respect. The only problem with this otherwise great thermostat is that it does not provide geofencing support (i.e. changing the temperature in your home based on the location of your home).

4. Radio Thermostat CT-80 [$169.99]

Unlike the previous three entries on our list, this one comes from a less known brand. However, it performs so well in most respects that we just had to include it. With it, you have complete control over your home environment and the device is also Wi-Fi ready. It can also be programmed via the user-friendly interface and, although it comes with a lower number of thermostat sensors than the other contenders in this chart, it still provides great temperature control in three distinct stages. It also supports geofencing, which can be adjusted to best suit your needs. However, just like with the Nest Learning thermostat, there’s a problem in terms of warranties with this device. Its manufacturer only offers buyers a one year guarantee.

5. Ecobee Smart Si [$159.54]

Unlike the Lyric Thermostat from Honeywell and most of the other brands on our list, the Ecobee Smart Si comes with no light and motion sensors. In plain English, this means that the thermostat can only be used to adjust your heating and cooling system and does not, in fact, allow you to program other things in your house. Indeed, it does a very good job at this, by collecting data from your specific HVAC systems and adjusting its settings based on it. Also on the plus side, the Ecobee Smart Si thermostat has an awesome mobile app, which has been clearly designed with the consumer in mind. The app and the design of the thermostat’s user interface make this one of the friendliest and easiest to program thermostats out there.

7 DIY Furnace Parts – Maintenance Tips

Furnace repairs are complex, but maintenance is a different story altogether. Though it can never hurt to know a lot about furnace parts, you won’t typically need to know more than the few simple concepts explained below. Air filters, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and leaks in your ductwork are all important and need to be properly taken care of. Check out what else you can do, in order to make sure your furnace is in good working order for as long a time as possible.

1. Prepare for heating season

Don’t put this off until winter has taken over and you have no choice but to a) freeze; or, b) power on the heating system. First off, check out the weather forecast. A couple of days before it’s time to turn on the furnace, perform a check-up and address all the issues that crop up. First, make sure your thermostat is in good working order. Then, insulate small problem areas on the exterior of your house by sealing holes with foam. Check the ductwork for holes that may cause air to escape and seal them, too, but either with duct tape or with aluminum foil. Make sure the weather strips and caulking around your windows is in good order.

2. Give the furnace a good yearly clean-up

While more serious furnace troubleshooting work should always be left to the pros, there’s no reason why you can’t perform a good yearly furnace cleanup yourself. All you need is a vacuum – ideally one that’s fitted with a long attachment. Take off all access panels on your heating unit and vacuum out all the debris, dirt, muck, and dust that has piled up on the furnace parts within the last year. Don’t allow that grime to pile back up on the floor: immediately clean up the areas that surround the furnace.

3. Clean out the ductwork

4. The efficiency of your furnace depends on how well you treat it

Needless to say, if there’s a major fault with your heating unit, it’s always best to leave it up to the professionals to handle. However, you, too, can contribute to having a more efficient furnace. Here are a few simple maintenance chores you can perform on the regular, to this end:

Trying to save energy? Turn the thermostat down by a slight difference, no more than a couple of degrees. You may be worried that you’ll be cold but, in all likelihood, you’ll barely even notice the change. Meanwhile, you’ll be saving a ton on your heating bills.
Make sure your ducts are not leaking. Call a technician whenever you discover the source of air leakage and seal the problem area with tin foil until they arrive.
Make sure your registers and vents are not jammed by furniture, rugs, and other items. If air cannot flow freely, your furnace will not work properly. Similarly, place no rugs or furniture within at least a 3 foot radius of your furnace.

5. Keep your air filter clean

Make sure the air filter in your system is clean at absolutely all times. Though you were probably told this when your first purchased your heating system and had it installed, we’ll grant you this one reminder, because it’s absolutely essential to how well (or not) your furnace works. At the very least, you should replace the air filter in your furnace twice every year. You should actually do it more often, if you live in a particularly dusty area. As far as furnace parts go, this one is the most important, because an air filter that’s clogged with dust and debris will cause the fan inside your furnace to go into overdrive, trying to supplant the lack of air. This way, not only will it consume more energy, but it will also risk breaking down earlier than necessary. And furnace parts and repairs are not cheap, as you may already know.

6. Stay safe no matter what

Never attempt to do maintenance work on your furnace before you turn off the system. The same goes for whenever you call in a technician for repairs. For total safety, power off the furnace via the main electrical panel in your home: either flip the switch on it, or remove the fuse that provides the furnace with power. Remember that some furnace models are powered via a completely separate power panel, which may or may not be located close to your main one. Make a point out of marking the date when the batteries needs to be replaced on your CO and smoke detectors and test them every once in a while, to make sure they’re working properly.

7. Remember: Not all furnaces were created equal in terms of life span

One of the most frequently asked questions that homeowners pose to furnace repair technicians is about the life span of their heating unit. This is an entirely legitimate question, since heating systems in general and furnaces in particular are major home improvement investments. However, as you may have already guessed after reading all of the above tips, there is no single answer to this question. The life span of a furnace depends on how well it is maintained and how intensely it is used. At the same time, it’s worth mentioning that condensing furnaces (just like condensing boilers, for that matter) will use condensation for heating and are hence more fuel efficient and likelier to have a longer life span. For the most part, furnaces will last 12 to 15 years on average, while condensing units may last for about 15 years longer.

5 Fun Facts about Freon

Most non-professionals would never guess that a chemical substance used as a refrigerant by the vast majority of the HVAC industry can hide so many interesting facts. However, there’s a lot to be said about Freon – from its complex history to its unclear future to its effects on humans and the environment.

1. Freon was never really banned

Some online sources state that Freon was banned in 1955, while others explain that they were taken out of use in the 1930s. In fact, it’s all a mix up, which involves the complex history of this substance, as well as the various environmental protection protocols in use today. Freon is a generic word used to signify most refrigerants nowadays, but, in actuality, it is a trademarked brand name, which belongs to a General Motors subsidiary. All Freons initially contained CFCs and the most commonly used refrigerant for AC today, the one we usually call Freeon is Freon-22, also known as R-12, or CFC-12. The Montreal Protocol, first signed in the 1970s has, indeed, banned CFCs from use, since they deplete the ozone layer. HFCs under various names are replacing CFCs as ‘Freeon’ today, but they too have a major issue: they are greenhouse gases. Until a better, non-polluting, non-flammable, and non-toxic option comes along, though, humanity will continue to use HFCs as Freon.

2. Freeon can cause asphyxia

If you’ve ever had a HVAC technician discover a Freon leak in your A/C system, fridge, or freezer, you may have also heard them telling you to be wary of exposure to this substance. Some actually believe that a Freeon leak will always cause you to asphyxiate. Yet science tells us that this volatile, colorless gas, can only cause adverse effects when present in a concentration of 11 per cent or more. Typical effects include dizzy spells, the inability to concentrate, a depression of your nervous system, and, worst case scenario, heart arrhythmia. Indeed, Freeon leaks can cause asphyxia, but only in completely confined spaces.

3. Propane should never be used as an AC refrigerant

The Environmental Protection Agency of the U.S. government specifically prohibits the use of propane as an A/C refrigerant. That’s because this substance is highly flammable and toxic. Not only can it cause major harm when inhaled excessively, but it can also be at the root of unexpected explosions or house fires. Replacing A/C refrigerants is a complex task and should never be handled by non-professionals and, in any case, propane should never be used. It may be a gas, just like all types of Freeon out there, but that alone doesn’t make it suitable.

4. We still don’t have a completely eco-friendly A/C refrigerant

The Montreal and Kyoto protocols have imposed specific standards and benchmarks with respect to the use of ozone depleting substances, as well as for greenhouse gases respectively. This is actually the main reason why R-22 was largely phased out by the HVAC industry in the 1990s: research revealed it was damaging the ozone layer. It was replaced with R-134a, but this type of Freeon also has its issues. First off, it’s not compatible with the type of oil that older R-22 systems use. At the same time, R-12 is no longer being produced since the 90s and even back when production stopped its price skyrocketed from $89 per 30lbs to more than $1,000 for the same amount. R-22, the type of Freeon currently being used for most residential and small commercial A/C systems has also gone out of production is 2009 and needs to be completely phased out by 2020.

Then, R-134A has a huge index (1,300) for negatively contributing to the global warming phenomenon. In fact, it is no longer being used by European carmakers for auto A/C systems since 2011. This is an issue both for the U.S. HVAC industry, as well as for its Chinese counterpart – both countries had already made massive investments into R-134a plants. CO2 may be the refrigerant of the future, but time and research alone will tell.

5. Freon does not evaporate

Given the above issues with replacing pollutant refrigerants, current standards allow for the recycling and reclaiming of otherwise banned refrigerant substances. While they may no longer be produced or imported (except for restoring old systems, in the case of R-22), they can still be recycled and reclaimed. This way, the authorities hope to maximize the usage potential and increase the lifespan of these substances, without imposing replacements or retrofits on household consumers. Since it’s expensive to retrofit an older fridge or A/C system and since newer systems aren’t exactly affordable either, it’s important to keep the existing ones in good working order. That’s because if there are no leaks in them, the Freeon they use will never evaporate, dissolve, or otherwise disappear. The only way it can be depleted is via a leak – so make sure you have your HVAC technician spot the leak before it’s too late and you find yourself facing a massive bill.

Air Conditioner Noise: What It Means & How to Fix It

Where in your HVAC unit is the noise coming from?

The first step to solving a problem, any problem, is to identify its root cause – and this simple principle of life definitely applies when dealing with air conditioner noise, too. For this reason, we’ve listed the most commonly encountered sources of the annoying and potentially concerning sounds you’re dealing with.

The ductwork. Ductwork noises are at once one of the most common type of A/C unit noises, but they’re also some of the most difficult to pinpoint, track down, and ultimately fix. Some airc conditioning noises can originate from a source that has absolutely nothing to do with your equipment, but is simply being relayed to your home via the ducts themselves. In case you think the sounds are coming in from the ducts themselves, you can look into having vibration dampeners installed onto your HVAC unit.
Blower noises. Some so called ‘blower’ noises originate in what HVAC technicians usually refer to as the indoor air handler. That means that your indoor blower, i.e. cooling system.
Split system wall–mounted AC units. Fujitsu, one of the world’s best renowned HVAC system manufacturers has some recommendations for handling noises that come from inside split A/C systems mounted on one of the walls of your home. Their main point is that some such noises are absolutely normal and should cause any concern.

For instance, it’s absolutely normal to hear water flowing into the pipes of A/C unit, both while it’s on, as well as immediately after you shut it down. Also, since the front cover of the unit slightly expands and contracts while the unit is on, you may occasionally hear a minute squeak. The same goes for a muted sizzle, which is produced by the unit’s automatic defrosting system. Other sounds, such as bubbling or clicking may indicate actual faults in the system, such as AC refrigerant leaks, or problems with your thermostat. It’s important to have a trained HVAC professional diagnose these problems: self-diagnosis and ‘treatment’ is not recommended when it comes to AC systems, be they split system and wall-mounted or not.

Outdoor AC unit noises. These are tricky, because such air conditioner noise is usually indicative of a serious problem, which, in turn, will require a costly repair. Safety first: you are best advised not to open the unit’s front or side panels yourself. If you choose to do so, then at least disconnect the unit from the power supply, since the fans inside these units have been known to chop off unsuspecting homeowner’s fingers.

These are the most frequent causes of air conditioner noise and most HVAC technicians will go on endlessly hairsplitting them into various categories, such as clicks, whirrs, bubbling noises, and so on. While we advise you to always contact a pro when dealing with worrisome sounds which you cannot immediately identify, we will list some of the most usual noises that originate in the air handler section and the ductwork of your AC unit. Take the list below as non-exhaustive and binding in any way, but do use it as guideline for an initial diagnostic of your problem.

Ductwork air leaks

These will usually cause the ducts to roar or hiss. At this point in trying to identify the problem at hand, there are two options:

Your duct connections are causing air to leak out of the system and need to be replaced;
You may want to purchase vibration dampeners, in order to soundproof your ductwork (this is also applicable for furnace ducts, too). These devices need to be installed by professional HVAC technicians.

Bangs or clanks

If you’re keen on home improvement and are also reasonably sure that the banging noise coming from inside your AC unit does not point to a serious issue, you can choose to encase it in paneling or simply deflect the noise, by fencing one of its sides. Experiment with this and find out which variant is best at reducing the noise – or simply choose to purchase a newer AC unit, since such problems are usually caused by older, outdated, low efficiency A/C units. The alternative is that the banging and/or clanking is noise coming from your compressor condenser – a problem that needs to be addressed by a certified professional.

Buzzing and/or crackling

This is usually a problem caused by electric wiring and elements, such as relay switches and other electrical connectors. It’s best not to leave such problems unattended, since arcing at circuit breakers are major fire hazards down the line.

Clicking (or rumbling, rattling, clunking) noises

If this type of air conditioner noise is heard at startup, it usually means that some piece of the hardware has become loose. Check your fan to see if it has come loose or bent and is now hitting against some obstruction.

Duct noises

They can come in under the form of hisses, whistles, roars, clunks, or clanks from the ductwork, as it expands and contracts. It may be the case that some internal noises, such as those caused by a fan, are being relayed by the ducts or that the noises are originating in a completely different location, which has nothing to do with your AC unit. Finally, check to see if there are no small animals trapped inside your ductwork because this, too, can cause annoying noises.

What Changes to Expect from the New Minimum Efficiencies 2015 Standards

In this day and age, with the competitive service market and the state of the recovering economy, it can sometimes seem difficult to keep a home remodel business efficient. This situation is further confounded by the fact that late in 2014 industry standards were amended with the introduction of the minimum efficiencies 2015 standards. This is definitely a major change and if you’re serious about remodeling, you’re going to want to know all about this news. Read on to learn all there is to know about the new 2015 HVAC Efficiency Standards.

Educate your HVAC team on the changes to the minimum efficiency standards

The U.S. Department of Energy announced in April last year that starting from January 1, 2015, new HVAC efficiency standards for residential and commercial-grade air conditioning equipment would go into effect. Since at the time this article was written they have already been enforced for a month, it goes without saying that any remodeling company that wants to see a profit needs to make sure their staff understands the changes. Not only are these standards the golden rule in the eyes of the authorities, but meeting them is also a minimum requirement for making sure the clients’ needs are fulfilled. At the same time, an Emerson Climate Technologies polled revealed that nearly three quarters (74 per cent) of the companies in the remodeling industry were not aware in mid-2014 that the changes would even occur. Aside from training one’s staff in all the 2015 minimum efficiency changes, it is essential that service providers also meet the requisite inventory. As such, if you feel your work could benefit from this knowledge, read on to learn more about the main features of the new standards.

Essential changes in the 2015 minimum efficiency standards

The changes in standards outlined below apply to all AC systems and heat pumps installed on January 1, 2015 and after this. It’s important to understand that the minimum efficiencies will differ from one region to the other; while most regions will switch to the 14 SEER standard, 13 SEER equipment will still be sellable in the north.

All split-system heat pumps in all regions of the U.S. will see an upgrade in standards. The new minimum efficiency standard in this respect will move from 13 SEER, 7.7 heating seasonal performance factor (HSPF), to 14 SEER and 8.2 HSPF.
The yellow ‘hang tag’ efficiency label will also see some changes, due to the modifications operated in the FTC energy guide label. This label typically indicates how a particular model rates in terms of SEER and HPSF in comparison to similar models in the same range. From January 1, 2015 onward, this label will change from indicating a single point for split system heat pumps and air conditioners to a range. This range will represent the bottom and top SEER ratings for all certified coil combinations of the condenser. Since split-system AC units and heat pumps include both an outdoor condenser and an indoor coil, this new rule manes that both these main components will have to meet the new standards imposed by the D.O.E.

Minimum efficiencies effects on the HVAC industries

The regions remain the same in 2015.

Northern states: Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
Southern states: Alabama, Arkansas, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas.
Southwestern states: Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico.

At the time when the introduction of the new minimum efficiencies was announced, many wondered if this would bring on a build-ahead issue similar to the one caused by the 2005 to 2006 move from 10 SEER to 13 SEER. Most industry experts have managed to agree, however, that this would not be the case, since the cost hikes that the 2015 changes entail is much smaller. At the same time, 2015 will only bring about a move from 13 to 14 SEER, which is of a far smaller magnitude. Finally, as outlined above, 13 SEER HVAC equipment will still be up for sale in the northern area of the country, which means that it won’t be completely unsellable.

Meanwhile, in preparation for the changes, numerous companies in the United States amped up their offer of 14 SEER heat pumps. At the same time, others improved on their 14 SEER system designs, in order to make sure that the inventories for 2015 are properly stocked. Most of them also make use of the AHRI database, which can match just about any system model number to its forecasted performance parameters. Though sole responsibility for enforcing the new regulation does not fall with contractors alone, it’s still a good idea to check out the inventory above and to make sure your equipment and installation method of choice are up to par with the new minimum standards for efficiency. Finally, the D.O.E. will allow distributors around the country a further 18 months to sell off existing stocks, which institutes a grace period set to last until July 2016.