Thursday, March 28, 2013

Product Feature: Kool Kap

Keep the leaves out of your outdoor unit
Protect your air conditioner year round with a Kool Kap. Day in and day out, your air conditioner’s condensing unit is subjected to the sun, rain, snow, ice, leaves, dirt, sticks and other debris. This debris collects in the bottom your condensing unit and traps water, snow and ice. All this trapped moisture causes your system to prematurely rust and corrode, damaging your system. By keeping your condensing unit clean, it will run at peak efficiency saving you money on your utility bills. Once a Kool Kap is installed, you never have to fuss with it. The Kool Kap remains on your condenser year round, so put it on, let it work and forget about it.

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Product Feature: York Affinity 5T Series 15+ SEER Air Conditioners

 
The Affinity Series is the premier York line of residential central air conditioning units. The Affinity Series is also the only unit on the market to offer a choice of seven designer colors. The Affinity 5T Series is up to four-times quieter and 60% more energy efficient thanks to its two-stage compressor technology.

Innovative Design for Superior Quiet, Reliability, and Performance

  • Up to 15+ SEER efficiency (Minimum standard is 13 SEER)
  • 7 designer colors to complement your home’s exterior
  • Durable, powder-painted steel to withstand the elements
  • Quiet, ultra-reliable, efficient operation from a state-of-the-art two-stage compressor and fan guard design
  • Added protection and peace of mind with Comfort Alert™ compressor monitor
  • Quieter operation and energy efficiency made possible by the QuietDrive™ system
  • Coil protected by a coil guard and polymer mesh screen

Warranties
York backs every Affinity system with one of the best limited warranties you'll find: 10 years on parts* and 10 years on the compressor. And for extra peace of mind, our optional YorkCare™ comfort plan offers up to 10 years of total parts and labor coverage. And, if you purchase our Affinity 5T or 8T model with a matching Affinity gas furnace, coils, or air handler, you'll receive our Total Package Warranty program: A 10-year limited parts warranty and a lifetime limited compressor warranty.

*Must be installed after May 1, 2009, and registered online within 90 days of installation—otherwise the parts warranty reverts to a 5-year limited parts warranty.

ENERGY STAR
Earning the ENERGY STAR means products meet strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy. When compared to standard models, ENERGY STAR products are between 15 and 25% more efficient. This model meets ENERGY STAR requirements for energy efficiency.

Good Housekeeping
For almost 100 years, the Good Housekeeping Seal has been a symbol of quality and trust. This model is proud to have earned the Good Housekeeping Seal.

NATE
York encourages professionalism through North American Technician Excellence, Inc.(NATE). NATE is the leading certification program for technicians in the heating, ventilation, air-conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC/R) industry, and is the only test supported by the entire industry.

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Product Feature: Mitsubishi Single BC Heat Recovery Controller


Simultaneous Cooling and Heating Air Conditioner
The BC Controller is the technological heart of the CITY MULTI R2-/WR2-Series. It works in unison with the outdoor unit to provide simultaneous cooling and heating, something no other two-pipe system can do. The Single BC Controller is connected to the outdoor unit by two refrigerant pipes, and to each indoor unit by a series of two pipes, depending on the indoor unit count. A Single or Main BC Controller is required for all CITY MULTI R2-/WR2-Series installations. The BC Controller model and size selected depends on how many indoor units will be operated from each outdoor unit, your total capacity requirements, and your installation needs. Each set of ports supports up to 54,000 Btu/h of capacity per indoor unit.

Single BC Controller:
Used when only one BC controller is required. For systems with up to 120,000 Btu/h nominal cooling capacity.

Compare Items:
 
Item # Item Name Number of Branches Power Input - Cooling Power Input - Heating Current (208/230V) - Cooling Current (208/230V) - Heating
CMB-P105NU-G Single BC Controller 5 73 W 33 W 0.35/0.32 A 0.16/0.14 A
CMB-P106NU-G Single BC Controller 6 86 W 40 W 0.41/0.37 A 0.19/0.17 A
CMB-P108NU-G Single BC Controller 8 112 W 53 W 0.54/0.49 A 0.25/0.23 A
CMB-P1010NU-G Single BC Controller 10 138 W 66 W 0.66/0.60 A 0.32/0.29 A
CMB-P1013NU-G Single BC Controller 13 178 W 86 W 0.86/0.77 A 0.41/0.37 A
CMB-P1016NU-G Single BC Controller 16 217 W 106 W 1.04/0.94 A 0.51/0.46 A

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

FAQ: Why Should I Invest in a 13 SEER or Higher Unit?

There are 13 reasons why you should purchase a heat pump/air conditioner carrying a 13 SEER rating or higher:
  1. 13 SEER or higher units are significantly more efficient than 10 SEER units, saving you energy dollars through every season of the year.
  2. They are much quieter than 10 SEER units, which makes your home a more pleasant place to live.
  3. They have a 5 to 10 year compressor warranty and up to five years full parts, labor, materials and freon warranty, which ensures that the costs to run this unit are low. (Ask your contractor for details)
  4. They are built better and have a much nicer fit and finish.
  5. 13 SEER or higher units are fitted with much better controls and protective devices to protect the unit if a problem occurs (bad power, refrigerant loss, etc.).
  6. 13 SEER or higher units have a new high tech scroll compressor which is extremely reliable and provides warmer feeling heat.
  7. They have a 5 minute time-delay to keep heat from turning on and off during storms, or if someone is tampering with the thermostat.
  8. They have commercial grade service valves to keep service costs down and equipment life high.
  9. They have compressor sound and fan insulation systems that are attractive and significantly reduce the sound of the outdoor unit.
  10. They have a much better blower than the standard system which enhances performance and comfort.
  11. They have an expansion valve that adjusts the refrigerant flow which allows the unit to provide a higher level of comfort and better humidity control.
  12. 13 SEER or higher units have an accumulator which catches extra refrigerant and helps protect the compressor.
  13. And lastly, the Department of Energy says so! In January 2006, the DOE raised the minimum cooling efficiency on residential air conditioners and heat pumps to 13 SEER from its older minimum of 10 SEER.
Questions? Ask a Sales Consultant.

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Product Feature: Water Furnace Legend Series – 18.5 EER / 3.8 COP


Overall Efficiency, Peformance & Features:
  • Meets or exceeds Energy Star® guidelines
  • 18.5 / 3.8 COP (ARI 13256-1 GLHP)
  • Ultra Quiet operation

WaterFurnace Legend Series units benefit from the technology we’ve refined through four generations of products, and offers it at a great price. The Legend Series represents some of the highest efficiency units available and is a great choice for years of reliable energy savings and comfort.

Legend owners will enjoy dramatically lower bills, increased comfort and more importantly, a smaller impact on the environment. Because Legend is about what you leave behind.

Features and Benefits:
  • Energy Star Rated/AHRI Certified/ETL Listed
  • Hot Water Assist: With an optional hot-water generator, the Legend preheats water in your water heater to save money.
  • Blower Motor: A 5 speed X13 ECM blower motor allows the unit to provide precisely controlled comfort, quiet operation and energy savings. (PSC motor available).
  • Coated Air Coil: Our exclusive FormiShield™ coating on the air coil resists corrosion and increases equipment life. Its large size improves efficiency and dehumidification.
  • Insulated Coaxial Heat Exchanger: Our exclusive ThermaShield™ foam insulation takes the place of traditional taping and increases both efficiency and consistency of our heat exchangers.
  • R-410A: Environmentally friendly, non-ozone-depleting refrigerant that enhances efficiency and savings. 

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

When Building a New Home - A Guide to Indoor Air Quality, Part Twenty-One

Welcome back to our Guide to Indoor Air Quality series. Last time, we talked about carpeting. Time for part twenty-one... 

When Building a New Home

Building a new home provides the opportunity for preventing indoor air problems. However, it can result in exposure to higher levels of indoor air contaminants if careful attention is not given to potential pollution sources and the air exchange rate.

Express your concerns about indoor air quality to your architect or builder and enlist his or her cooperation in taking measures to provide good indoor air quality. Talk both about purchasing building materials and furnishings that are low-emitting and about providing an adequate amount of ventilation.

The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) recommends a ventilation rate of 0.35 ach (air changes per hour) for new homes, and some new homes are built to even tighter specifications. Particular care should be given in such homes to preventing the build-up of indoor air pollutants to high levels.

Here are a few important actions that can make a difference:

Use radon-resistant construction techniques. Obtain a copy of the EPA booklet, Model Standards and Techniques for Control of Radon in New Residential Buildings, from your state radon office or health agency, your state homebuilders' association, or your EPA regional office. (You can also visit EPA's Radon Resistant New Construction (RRNC) site.)

Choose building materials and furnishings that will keep indoor air pollution to a minimum. There are many actions a homeowner can take to select products that will prevent indoor air problems from occurring - a couple of them are mentioned here. First, use exterior-grade pressed wood products made with phenol-formaldehyde resin in floors, cabinetry, and wall surfaces. Or, as an alternative, consider using solid wood products. Secondly, if you plan to install wall-to-wall carpet on concrete in contact with the ground, especially concrete in basements, make sure that an effective moisture barrier is installed prior to installing the carpet. Do not permanently adhere carpet to concrete with adhesives so that the carpet can be removed if it becomes wet.

Provide proper drainage and seal foundations in new construction. Air that enters the home through the foundation can contain more moisture than is generated from all occupant activities.

Become familiar with mechanical ventilation systems and consider installing one. Advanced designs of new homes are starting to feature mechanical systems that bring outdoor air into the home. Some of these designs include energy-efficient heat recovery ventilators (also known as air-to-air heat exchangers).

Ensure that combustion appliances, including furnaces, fireplaces, woodstoves, and heaters, are properly vented and receive enough supply air. Combustion gases, including carbon monoxide, and particles can be back-drafted from the chimney or flue into the living space if the combustion appliance is not properly vented or does not receive enough supply air. Back-drafting can be a particular problem in weatherized or tightly constructed homes. Installing a dedicated outdoor air supply for the combustion appliance can help prevent backdrafting.

Next in this series... Do You Suspect Your Office Has an Indoor Air Problem?



*Content provided by the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Environmental Protection Agency. CPSC Document #450. This document is public domain.*

Thursday, March 7, 2013

Product Feature: Ultravation Photronic Multistage Whole House Air Purification


A revolutionary whole house air treatment system that is effective against all sources of indoor air contamination!

Photronic addresses every critical source of air contamination to dramatically improve indoor air quality with a single, easy to install system. It conditions circulating indoor air and HVAC equipment simultaneously to reduce biological and particulate air contamination for an entire household. A Photronic™ integrated air quality system, professionally installed, will outperform even complicated multi-component systems because of its balanced design. Each stage is engineered to compliment the others in a way no "pieced together" system can. And the whole system occupies little more space than most standard HVAC media air cleaners.
Photronic™ whole home air purifier systems
Combines top performing ProgressiveMedia filtration with UltraMAX germicidal UV treatment and ReFresh household odor reduction.

It’s the ultimate solution for improving indoor air. A whole house solution that reduces airborne particulates, allergens, bacteria, viruses and chemical pollutants and odors.

Stage 1: ProgressiveMedia filtration extracts airborne dust and dirt particles from your home’s air, capturing allergens—including 99% of pollen!


Stage 2: ReFresh™ Photocatalytic Odor Reduction UV powered, this stage harmlessly breaks down hundreds of household odors. It works on the same principle as an automotive catalytic converter.

Stage 3: UltraMAX UV Germicidal HVAC surface and air treatment prevents mold and other bio-growth on HVAC components and kills millions of airborne bacteria and viruses on contact.

Fits All HVAC Systems
  • Straight Through Design
  • Right Angle Design
  • Support Box Design
  • Compact Slimline Design
  • Vertical Horizontal for Air Handlers

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

All About Air Ducts: What to Expect of an Air Duct Cleaning Service Provider

If you choose to have your ducts cleaned, the service provider should:
  • Open access ports or doors to allow the entire system to be cleaned and inspected.
  • Inspect the system before cleaning to be sure that there are no asbestos-containing materials (e.g., insulation, register boots, etc.) in the heating and cooling system. Asbestos-containing materials require specialized procedures and should not be disturbed or removed except by specially trained and equipped contractors.
  • Use vacuum equipment that exhausts particles outside of the home or use only high-efficiency particle air (HEPA) vacuuming equipment if the vacuum exhausts inside the home.
  • Protect carpet and household furnishings during cleaning.
  • Use well-controlled brushing of duct surfaces in conjunction with contact vacuum cleaning to dislodge dust and other particles.
  • Use only soft-bristled brushes for fiberglass duct board and sheet metal ducts internally lined with fiberglass. (Although flex duct can also be cleaned using soft-bristled brushes, it can be more economical to simply replace accessible flex duct.)
  • Take care to protect the ductwork, including sealing and re-insulating any access holes the service provider may have made or used so they are airtight.
  • Follow NADCA's standards for air duct cleaning and NAIMA's recommended practice for ducts containing fiber glass lining or constructed of fiber glass duct board.