Warm Weather is Here! Is your AC System Ready?

Warm Weather is Here! Is your AC System Ready?

As the weather warms up, it’s time to think about your central AC system - soon, it will be more essential than ever! No one wants to be stuck in a humid home with an outdated cooling system that won’t make it through the dog days of summer.

Before it’s time to switch the thermostat over to COOL, upgrade your AC system and save $500 on a new high-efficiency central AC equipment! Investing in a new system pays off in the long run, especially with the improved energy efficiency that will result in lower electric bills. New systems come with a higher SEER rating, meaning they use less energy to cool your home.

Consider these stats:

• If your AC was installed before 2006, the average SEER was 10. Now due to age, that same piece of equipment has a SEER of 7 or 8.

• The minimum SEER allowed to be installed today is 13.2. According to our Comfort Specialists, customers have been upgrading to a minimum of 16 SEERs for the last two years.

• For every increase in SEER, you should see a 4-6% decrease in your electricity costs.

If your air conditioning unit is more than 10 years old, it probably uses R22 refrigerant, which has been phased out due to its negative impact on the environment. Now is a great time to replace your unit to keep your home cool and eco-friendly with the newest refrigerant, R-454B. Stay tuned for more information on additional industry-wide changes to the refrigerant used in your AC systems.

Call 860.583.4609 today or visit quinoco.com/ac-savings to schedule an in-home consultation with one of our Comfort Specialists.

The Push & Pull Of Heat Pumps

The Push & Pull of Heat Pumps

Heat pumps have been getting a lot of buzz recently due to government rebates and the push to electrify. The name alone is a little deceiving leaving many homeowners confused. So what is a heat pump exactly and how can it be used to heat AND cool your home? Let’s break it down…

How does a heat pump work?

In the summertime, a heat pump and an air conditioner are essentially the same thing: they both take heat from inside the house, transfer it through a refrigerant and deposit it outside, leaving the inside cool. In the cooler months, a heat pump can be reversed to push heat into the home.

• Efficiency is key when it comes to heat pumps to see savings on your electric bill and qualify for rebates.

• Versatility is a plus as heat pumps can be installed with both traditional ducting or without ducts.

• Pricing on heat pumps can run higher than more traditional heating/cooling systems, especially the higher efficiency units. And, if your home doesn’t have the electrical amperage required for a heat pump system, electrical upgrades can be an added cost.

• Back up heat for winter is necessary with a heat pump system but they work well for supplemental heat in the shoulder months.

If your air conditioning is due for an upgrade this year, then a heat pump can be an option to consider. Our Comfort Specialists are here to walk you through the options to best meet your needs and budget. Click here to learn more and schedule an appointment.