| Terms Used in our Industry AFUE - Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency. This is a measure of a gas furnaces efficiency in converting fuel to energy. The higher the rating, the more efficient the unit. For example: A rating of 90 means that approximately 90 percent of the fuel is used to provide warmth to your home, while the remaining 10 percent escapes as exhaust. BTU - British Thermal Unit. This is the amount of heat it takes to rise one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit. For your home, it represents the measure of heat given off when fuel is burned for heating or the measure of heat extracted from your home for cooling. CFM - Cubic Feet Per minute. A standard measurement of airflow. A Typical system requires 400 CFM per ton of air conditioning. Capacity - The output or producing ability of a piece of cooling or heating equipment. Cooling and heating capacities are referred to on BTUs. Comfort-R™ Airflow System - An exclusive feature of a high efficiency home comfort system Trane. This method of ramping airflow gives you greater humidity control in cooling and provides warmer air during heating startup. Compressor - The heart of an air conditioning or heat pump system. It is part of the outdoor unit and pumps refrigerant in order to meet the cooling requirements of the system. Condenser Coil or Outdoor Coil - In an air conditioner, the coil dissipates heat from the refrigerant, changing the refrigerant from vapor to liquid. In a heat pump system, it absorbs heat from the outdoors. Damper - Found in ductwork, this movable plate opens and closes to control airflow. Dampers can be used to balance airflow in a duct system. They are also used in zoning to regulate airflow to certain rooms. Ductwork - Pipes or channels that carry air throughout your home. In a home comfort system, ductwork is critical to performance. In fact, its as critical as the equipment. Evaporator Coil or Indoor Coil - The other half of your air conditioning system located inside your home in the indoor unit. This is where the refrigerant evaporates as it absorbs heat from the air that passes over the coil. Gas Furnace Heat Exchanger - Located in the furnace, the heat exchanger transfers heat to the surrounding air, which is then pumped throughout your home. HSPF - Heating Seasonal Performance Factor. This rating is used in measuring the heating efficiency of a heat pump. The higher the number, the more efficient the unit. Package Unit - A heating and cooling system contained in one outdoor unit. A package unit is typically installed either beside, on top of the home, or sometimes in the attic. Refrigerant - A chemical that produces a refrigerating effect while expanding and vaporizing. Most residential air conditioning systems contain R-22 refrigerant. R-22 is regulated by international controls under the Montreal Protocol and in the United States by the Environmental Protection Agency. It is scheduled to be in production until the year 2020. It's used in approximately 95% of air conditioning equipment manufactured in the US today. SEER - Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. A measure of cooling efficiency for air conditioners and heat pumps. The higher the seer, the more energy efficient the unit. The government's minimum SEER rating is 10. (Its similar to comparing miles per gallon in automobiles.) Split System - The combination of an outdoor unit (air conditioner or heat pump) with an indoor unit (furnace or air handler),. Split systems must be matched for optimum efficiency. Thermostat - A thermostat consists of a series of sensors and relays that monitor and control the functions of a heating and cooling system. Ton - A unit of measurement used for determining cooling capacity. One ton is the equivalent of 12,000 BTUs per hour. Zoning - A method of dividing a home into different comfort zones so each zone can be independently controlled depending on the use and need FREON FACTS - The industry isn't consuming the amount of R-22 currently being produced.
- R-22 will be produced until the year 2020.
- All manufacturers will discontinue use of R-22 in new equipment by year end 2010
- R-22 will be recycled and will be available to service equipment forever.
- R-22 will never go away as it is "Feed Stock" for the production of Teflon.
- Trane has R410A units available for sale today. Trane leads the industry with highest efficiency using R-22 and 410!
Remember! A Leak Free System has zero ozone depletion. COMFORT TIPS - Have your system inspected twice a year.
- Vacuum return registers regularly.
- Remove all debris from around your outdoor condensing unit.
- Check air filters monthly and replace if necessary.
- Make sure all your supply and return vents are open.
ENERGY SAVING TIPS:
HEATING: - Set thermostat at lowest comfortable setting and leave it there.
- Locate thermostat on an inside wall away from drafts or heat sources.
- Lower thermostat when entertaining a group of people.
- Leave draperies open on sunny days, closed at night or when it's cloudy.
- Close damper when fireplace is not in use.
- Adjust ceiling fans to rotate counterclockwise.
- Remove window air conditioners in winter to reduce air leakage around unit.
ENERGY SAVING TIPS:
COOLING - Install a heat pump or central air conditioning with a SEER of 11 or greater.
- Choose a heat pump or air conditioner that is sized to meet the heat gain of your home.
- With central air conditioning, don't close off unused rooms or vents - your system only works harder.
- Adjust ceiling fans to rotate clockwise in summer.
- Set thermostat at highest comfortable setting and leave it there.
- Close draperies during the hottest part of the day.
- Lighter-colored draperies reflect light/heat away from the windows.
- Be sure your attic is properly ventilated to release excess heat.
- Shade home's south and west exposure with trees, awnings and shutters.
- Run heat-producing appliances (e.g., dishwasher, clothes dryer) in the late evening.
HEATING AND COOLING TIPS FOR YOUR HOME -
- Upgrade insulation to meet these R-values; ceilings, R-30; walls, R-12; floors, R-19.
- Install storm windows and doors
- Keep registers or return vents free from furniture, draperies or rugs.
- Change filters monthly.
- Seal doors and windows with weather-stripping and caulking.
- Make sure ducts are insulated and permanently sealed.
HEAT PUMP INFORMATION Why a Heat Pump? Today's high-efficiency heat pumps are among the safest, most efficient heating and cooling systems you can buy. A heat pump can also be an ideal add-on to a natural gas, propane or oil furnace. How A Heat Pump Works. During the summer, a heat pump works like any air conditioner. It pumps the heat out of your home, allowing your system to circulate cool air throughout your home. On a cool winter day, a heat pump works in reverse. It pumps heat into your home, allowing your furnace to circulate ware air. On many North or South Carolina winder days, a heat pump can be more cost-effective to operate than your furnace. On a cold winter day, especially when the temperature drops into the teens, a heat pump can still provide warmth, but you may prefer to use a supplemental system. A properly installed system like this will have a control that automatically directs your heating/cooling system so it operates on the fuel that offers you the most comfort and efficiency. If you want to keep your electric bills low while you stay comfortable, a heat pump can be one of your best buys. Sneezing and Wheezing?. In the Summer 2000 issue of REGIONAL healthWATCH , published by High Point Regional Health System, Eric Fletcher, Editor, there is a wonderful article that we would like to share with you. Stop Spring Sneezing and Wheezing After suffering through a cold, damp winter, most people can't wait for the return of sunny days and warm spring breezes. Everybody but allergy suffers, that is. Airborne pollen is one of the most annoying and common allergens, and it causes 35 million people to suffer from upper respiratory allergy symptom each year. A little over 5 million of these people suffer from spring seasonal tree pollen allergies. Pollen allergy is one of the most common chronic diseases in the United States. Allergies are hereditary, but the tendency to become allergic may skip a generation or not show up until later in life. The seasonal variety of pollen allergies is commonly referred to as "hay fever" (which has nothing to do with hay or with fever), and many doctors reserve this term for the specific allergy to ragweed. Most people are aware of their seasonal sensitivity but may not know what the specific cause is (e.g. tree pollen, grass pollen or molds). Each spring, microscopic oval and circular tree pollen particles are released to hitch a ride on currents of air. Their mission is to fertilize other trees of the same species. Insects do this for some trees, but for most the wind is the method of transportation. Because the airborne pollen can travel so far, it does little good to remove the offending tree - - pollen can drift in from miles away. When a specific pollen to which you are allergic is introduced into your system, your body identifies it as an antigen and sets to work producing anti antigen and sets to work producing antibodies to defend itself, which leads to the release of histamine or related substances that cause the allergic reaction. Runny nose, sneezing and watery eyes are among the most common symptoms. So if you can't totally escape pollen, are there at lease some steps you can take to deal with it? Fortunately, yes. Staying indoors reduces exposure, particularly if electrostatic air filters are used to help keep the air clean. If you're not a "morning person," that's good, too - pollen levels tend to be highest in the morning and gradually subside as the day goes on. For those who are not willing or able to stay indoors, there is still relief available. Prescription antihistamines, decongestants and anti-inflammatory meditations act to reduce symptoms. Immunotherapy (allergy shots) acts to head allergies off at the pass by reducing the body's sensitivity to allergens over a period of time, but they may take time to work. The best first step to take when dealing with your allergies is an accurate diagnosis. OFTEN ASKED QUESTIONS Does the shape or brand of a heat pump affect its efficiency? No. Ask about the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER). The higher the SEER, the better. Also, make sure your heat pump is installed by an authorized dealer. Why is the supplemental heating system needed? The supplemental system helps maintain the indoor temperature when it is extremely cold outside. On average, the supplemental system is used less than 5 % of the time during a normal winter. Keep in mind, it is more efficient to allow the supplemental system to switch on automatically rather than to manually switch it on. Why does a heat pump run more frequently in winter? When it's very cold outside, the heat pump has to work a little longer to extract heat from the outdoor air. However, if your unit is running continuously in mild weather, you may want to have an authorized dealer check it. Is heat pump air cooler than air from other heating systems? A heat pump doesn't produce hot blasts of air like other systems. That's inefficient. Rather, it maintains a more consistent indoor temperature. The air coming our of the register is usually about 95 to 100 degrees F. | 
