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.