FAQ: Why Should I Replace My System?

Good News: you don't have to! We're serious. I know I would much rather spend my hard earned income on a nice beach vacation. We know that you want to "milk" every last ounce of useful life out of your system. And that is O.K.

We do not blame you for wanting to hold off. "If it's not broken, don't fix it." Right? Take the Repair Vs. Replace Quiz that we posted in November! It's an eye-opening experience, especially when the obvious hits you like that.

Howell's can do a few things to help:

1. Give you a Free (yes, free!) Home Comfort Survey. If we can spot a way to save you some energy dollars, we'll show you how.
2. Calculate the efficiency of your heating and cooling system now and how much a new one could save you.
3. If a new system makes sense, we want to offer you one with no money down. No pressure. Just solid money-saving advice!

Call us now! (804) 798-1371 now before it's too late. There's no obligation at all, besides would you rather find out now while your system is operating, or wait until the hottest day of the year when you will pay anybody anything to get some no-name brand in ASAP! Go ahead! Knowledge is power!

FAQ: Should I Repair or Replace My Old Furnace, Air Conditioner or Heat Pump?

Our company is committed to the technical excellence of the service we provide you and, therefore, require our 'champion' technicians to attend regular training sessions. Besides the technician who actually does the repair, Howell's has highly competent and experienced field supervisors who, although you may never see, provide valuable backup to the technician. So, should a second opinion ever be required about a technical question, you don't have to worry because the technician has highly qualified expertise to bring to each call.

(But who cares? The technician isn't living in your house day in and day out, right? He just wants to move equipment!) Wrong! Take a look for yourself whether you should repair or replace that system that is still "working fine"

Should I Repair or Replace My Old Furnace, Air Conditioner or Heat Pump?

(This is an example of a 10-year-old furnace and air conditioner system. Based on current repair at the home and potential replacement cost today.)

REPAIR TODAY	EXAMPLE: Compare a repair on a 10-year-old "no heat" furnace/AC by putting in a new blower motor VS replacing the furnace with a new, high-efficiency system	REPLACE TODAY
What is the cost of today's repair, i.e., $350 for a replacement blower motor.	TODAY'S COST	Ballpark investment for a high-efficiency model furnace/AC, i.e., $6,700 (Avg. price)
What is your best guess on repairs over the next few years until the furnace/AC must be replaced? I.E., $350	FUTURE REPAIRS	NONE! Your 5 or 10 year bumper-to-bumper warranty covers all that risk.
ASHRAE data shows that the expected furnace life is 18 years, so we have 8 years to go at (your guess) $1,000 per year. 8 x $1,000 = $8,000. Typical Air Conditioner life expectancy is 15 years at an average electrical cost of $700 a year. 8 x $700 = $5,600	ENERGY COST TO OPERATE FOR 10 YEARS	The new, high-efficiency model will save 30-40% of their heating & cooling costs, so figure $600 per year for heating. 10 x $600 = $6,000. And $450 per year for cooling. 10 x $450 = $4,500
At some point the furnace/AC must be replaced so this is the ballpark investment for the high-efficiency model, at a minimum 2% increase annually. i.e., $7,851.	COST TO REPLACE THE UNIT IN 10 YEARS*	NONE! It works great and the customers are happy!
NONE! Actually, you will also have the inconvenience of at least one more failure!	ADDITIONAL COMFORT BENEFITS	LOTS! More comfortable due to proper sizing, better technology, quieter, less worry, better filtration, and more!
In this example, the numbers add up to: $22,151	TOTAL COST OF OWNERSHIP FOR 10 YEARS	In this example, the numbers add up to: $17,200
AMOUNT SAVED BY REPLACING TODAY $4,951

*To calculate the cost to replace the unit in the future:
(Today's Replacement Cost) + (Inflation [avg 2% yearly] for X Years) = $ Future Replacement Cost

That wasn't so bad, now was it? At least now you have a clear picture of what your system is doing for you. Now it is up to you. Let us know how we can best serve you in the future. For more information, answers, or to get a no-obligation FREE replacement quote, visit our website!

Little Known Facts About Your HVAC System

These are third-party studies that we have compiled to emphasize the importance of looking at your HVAC system as an ENTIRE system, ductwork and all, and not just the equipment. Feel free to use these interesting facts to amaze your friends and family at your next get-together!

North Carolina Alternative Energy Corp. (non-profit organization) examined air conditioning manufacturers' efficiencies versus the actual efficiencies that resulted after installation.

• 90% of the units tested exhibited some sort of energy wasting problem.
• 50% had an improper refrigerant charge.
• 40% failed to meet minimum air flow criterion. 20% were barely inside the range specified by manufacturers.
• A deficiency of 20% in air flow reduces the SEER rating by 17%.
• A 15% return air leak from a 120º attic could reduce a 12 SEER system to a 6 SEER system.

Texas A & M University found that a 23% refrigerant undercharge could result in a 52% efficiency loss.

Pacific Gas & Electric (CA.) found the average heating energy savings for:

• Repair of disconnected ducts was a 15% savings. 
• Repair of diffuser, or register, leakage was a 7.5% savings. 
• Correct low air flow was a 5.6% savings. 
• Repair refrigerant leaks and correct refrigerant charge was an 18.4% savings.

Lakeland Electric & Water (FL) and the Florida Solar Energy Center's researchers found that by repairing leaking duct work, cooling energy reduced by an average of 17.4%.

Honeywell Corp.

• A typical heat pump would lose almost 50% of its efficiency after 20 years, even if a typical "dust stop" filter had been installed.
• In 20 years, a 12 SEER system could degrade to a 6 SEER if it is not properly maintained. This would DOUBLE the energy cost, without sacrificing comfort.

Louisiana State University and Gulf States Utility found consumers could save about $30 per month just by making sure that their air conditioning system is cleaned and serviced regularly.

Industry Research shows:

• Every .01" of dirt on an evaporator coil can increase operating costs by 5%.
• A 10% refrigerant undercharge can increase operating costs by 20%.
• Up to 80% of all air conditioning and heat pump compressor failures could be eliminated if the problems that led to the failures were corrected in a timely manner, such as a routine maintenance schedule.

FAQs: Why Do Prices Differ from Contractor to Contractor on the Same Unit?

When consumers decide to buy toaster ovens, televisions and trash compactors, the process is typically to go out, check prices and buy the product with the best price. Price shopping makes the purchase easy: the price tells us who to buy from.

But, when it comes to buying a heating and cooling system, price may get you into deep trouble. Many consumers ask us: How can the price be different when all three contractors are quoting the same unit?

The answer is easy and difficult at the same time. Heating and cooling systems are not toaster ovens. They do not just come out of the box, plug in and operate. When a contractor estimates a system, the equipment itself is only 40% to 50% of the price. The balance is in design, labor, parts, materials, warranty, wiring, controls and other components.

So, when the consumer is presented with the price, they must know that a significant portion of the total bill is for things other than equipment. It's a fact that, when there is a difference in price on heating and cooling systems, there is always a difference in the scope of the job.

Consumers must take great care in educating themselves on the contractor and their sales representative, because bottom line, you are not just buying a heating and cooling system, you are buying a contractor. Always buy from the contractor in whom you have the most confidence. Period. Be sure that your contractor gets to know you and takes the time to discover how you live, your comfort problems and your plans for your home. All of this information will help him or her in the process of designing the system that is just right for you.

Still have questions? Feel free to give us a call at (804) 798-1371. We'd be happy to help!

10 Tips on How to Buy an Air Conditioner - Part 2

Last week, we gave you 5 of our Top 10 tips on how to buy an air conditioner. Here's the rest of that list!

To review, tips 1-5 were:

1. Find a licensed, insured and qualified contractor.
2. Ask questions.
3. Set an appointment.
4. Get a load calculation performed.
5. Have your ductwork inspected.

Now, on to tips 6-10!

Tip #6: Understand that you will need to make a sacrifice: Equipment, Service or Price.

In all my years as a consumer, I have never found a good quality product that is reliable and durable, that was installed by the highest trained company with a long parts and labor warranty, all for the cheapest price in town! Two out of three is the best anyone can hope for. So, what is most important to you? Do you prefer a high-quality, dependable product made with strong, durable materials, built to last a long time, or is it crucial for you to have a reliable, certified and efficient service company that takes pride in their work and your home to install it? Or you might just want to get the lowest price you can? There are no wrong answers because every situation is different. So, be prepared before your decision: which one of these three are you willing to sacrifice?

Tip #7: Do not pay in advance.

Some companies, or "friends in the industry," will demand that you pay in full prior to installation. Do not do this, no matter how good the deal is. In most companies, it is customary for a fractional down payment upon agreement, with payment in full upon completion of the job. There are also many financial programs available, such as deferred payment plans or Same As Cash plans, to help offset an emergency installation.

Tip #8: Important considerations: 13 SEER minimum efficiency standard and R-22 Refrigerant.

The 13 SEER minimum efficiency standard went into effect as of January 2006, raising the minimum efficiency of air conditioners from 10 SEER to 13. Also, the refrigerant of the past (R-22) is gone. Under the terms of the Montreal Protocol on ozone depletion, as of 1/1/2010, HVAC manufacturers were no longer allowed to produce equipment containing R-22 refrigerants. The new environmental safe refrigerant R-410A alternative is the new industry standard.

Tip #9: Get as many estimates as it takes.

We are all conditioned to get three estimates and then make our decision. But, what if you have picked three "bad" companies - which one do you pick? My point is that you should keep interviewing companies until you find that company that will provide the equipment and services, for a reasonable price, that meet your criteria. It may only take one, or it may take ten, but it will be worth it down the road. Spending the time now in this step will save you a lot of money down the road.

Tip #10: Make sure your system is on a maintenance schedule.

Customers tell me all the time, "The unit is brand new; I don't need to have maintenance!" Think about it this way: in one month an A/C unit in the Richmond heat will run the equivalent of 30,000 miles in your car. You wouldn't dream of going that far without an oil change, let alone a tune-up. Getting a new system serviced twice a year is just as important, if not more so. Dirt is the #1 cause for all system repairs and breakdowns. Make sure your investment lasts as long as you expect it to.

So, there you have it! Our top 10 tips for buying a new air conditioner. Questions? Feel free to give us a call at (804) 798-1371!

10 Tips on How to Buy an Air Conditioner - Part 1

You don't need the weatherman to tell you that it is hot in Richmond. And it feels great to come inside from summer's heat and feel the cool, dry air from your air conditioner. But what do you do when it breaks? You can only take off so many clothes before it is considered illegal.

I cannot tell you how many times I have heard homeowners say, "I will wait until it dies." The unfortunate thing is that an air conditioner usually "breaks" when it is running the hardest, or when you need it most. And on those 90+ degree days, these same homeowners would gladly give their right arm for air conditioning NOW!

And, it is at this moment, as the house begins to heat up, and the extra humidity swirls around you, a homeowner needs to be as calm and cautious as ever, before they make that decision (hopefully a good one!) that will last for the next 10 to 15 years.

Here are Tips 1-5 for buying an air conditioner. Check back soon for tips 6-10!

Tip #1: Find a licensed, insured and qualified contractor.

I know that seems like a no-brainer, but there is always a "friend who does this work on the side for so much less." It is not just the A/C system that you are buying. You are also purchasing the contractor's experience to do the job correctly, his insurance if there are any unfortunate accidents during the installation, and mostly his staff of employees. Ask friends, co-workers or relatives whom they have used and are comfortable with (besides, the good contractors love referrals!).

Tip #2: Ask questions.

There have been so many advancements in the HVAC industry over the last 20 years. And unlike the automobile industry, the consumer does not have the luxury to "test drive" a new air conditioner. So, the decision to replace your A/C system is one that, once the unit is installed, will last for the next 10 to 15 years. So, ask questions. Make sure it is what you want and need. If you are unsure about anything, a good contractor will welcome the questions and give you honest answers.

Tip #3: Set an appointment.

Do not get a quote over the phone! In order to get the best system for your needs and your home, a contractor must inspect the location of the equipment and the physical layout of the house. This tip alone can safeguard against any "hidden" charges after the installation has begun or any sizing issues.

Tip #4: Get a load calculation performed.

The size of an air conditioner is not arbitrarily chosen and put in a house. A qualified contractor will perform a Manual J load calculation standardized by the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA). This load calculation measures the heat loss and heat gain inside the building envelope. Knowing this, the contractor can size the system appropriately so it is not over or under sized. Keep in mind, if you have made any structural improvements (like new windows, adding insulation or a new addition), these can alter the original load calculation of the house.

Tip #5: Have your ductwork inspected.

If ducts are damaged, improperly installed or the wrong size, they can cut your system's ability to heat or cool by more than half on hot or cold days, when you need it the most. A 30% return duct leak on a hot or cold day can decrease your heating or cooling capacity by more than 50%! That may sound extreme, but it's not an uncommon condition. Some contractors will upsell high efficiency equipment to emphasize your comfort. If you install a 15 SEER A/C unit on a leaky duct system, it could be operating as low as 7 SEER.

Those are 5 of our Top 10 Tips for buying a new air conditioner. Stay tuned for tips 6-10, and let us know in the comments: have you run into any bad situations with purchasing a new a/c unit?