Heat Pumps vs. Standard Air Conditioners: Comparing the Prices of Split Systems

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If you are looking to upgrade the air conditioning system in your home or office, one of the decisions that you might have to face is whether to buy a standard air conditioning system or a heat pump system. While a standard split system air conditioner provides familiarity and reliable performance, heat pump split systems also have a wide range of benefits, including a higher degree of energy efficiency. As you weigh the options, one of the things that might be on your mind is price. Read on to look at side-by-side comparisons of air conditioner split systems and heat pump split systems from one of the top retailers in the industry.

Current Prices for Rheem Split Systems

Rheem is one of the top HVAC retailers in the industry, providing both electric split system air conditioners and heat pump split systems. Take a look at the prices for some of their comparable products:

 

1.5 Ton / 14 SEER / R410A / Air Conditioner Split System: $1,637.05

1.5 Ton / 14 SEER / R410A /Heat Pump Split System: $1,945.44

 

2 Ton / 15.5 SEER / R410A / Air Conditioner Split System: $1,713.41

2 Ton / 15.5 SEER / R410A / Heat Pump Split System: $2,079.56

 

3 Ton / 15 SEER / R410A / Air Conditioner Split System: $1,978.41

3 Ton / 15 SEER / R410A / Heat Pump Split System: $2,041.74

 

4 Ton / 15 SEER / R410A / Air Conditioner Split System: $2,505.42

4 Ton / 15 SEER / R410A / Heat Pump Split System: $2,649.36

 

Analyzing the Prices of Rheem Split Systems

As you can tell, there are multiple factors that affect the price of Rheem split systems. One of the most noticeable takeaways from this side-by-side comparison is that heat pump split systems are slightly more expensive than air conditioner split systems. However, it is important to note that a heat pump split system might save you more in the long run by cutting down on your energy bill.

Other factors that can affect price include cooling capacity and SEER rating. Also, if you haven’t bought a new air conditioning system in a long time, you should take note that all new split systems use the R410A refrigerant, which is much more environmentally friendly than the refrigerants that were previously used — another great reason to upgrade your system!

National Air Warehouse offers a wide range of air conditioner split systems and heat pump split systems, including many manufactured by Rheem. Contact us today to find the product that is right for you!

 

When to Consider a Ductless Air Conditioner: A Guide for Home Remodelers

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During a home remodeling project, there are lots of decisions to make, but when it comes to the climate of the home you are working on, the type of air conditioner you choose can make a huge difference. On many projects, one of your options is a ductless air conditioner system (also known as a mini-split). These systems are relatively easy to install, and they are ideally suited to certain types of projects. Here are some of the situations in which you might want to consider installing a ductless air conditioner:

 

  • Single-Room Additions. Ductless air conditioner systems are most commonly used in single-room additions like sun rooms, garages, and apartments. It is often much easier to install a ductless system than to add on to existing air conditioning system for the rest of the house. Plus, homeowners often prefer single-room additions to have a climate that is different from the rest of the house — For instance, the garage does not need to stay as cool as the bedroom during the summer, and the renter of an apartment may want to have control over the heat in their living space.
  • Downsizing Remodeling Projects. Not every home remodeling project is about expansion. Sometimes, owners of large houses realize that they are not using most of the rooms, and they want to downsize. This is an especially common scenario for empty-nesters — after the kids move out, it no longer makes sense to run the air conditioner on high to keep the entire house cool all summer. One option is install a ductless air conditioner system in the most commonly used rooms — like the living room, the kitchen, and the master bedroom. That way, the thermostat for the main air conditioning system in the house can be kept on low, resulting in both cost and energy savings.
  • Solving Temperature Discrepancy Problems. Sometimes, one room in the house gets a lot warmer than all the others. A small kitchen might become unbearably hot after running the oven for only a few minutes, or a bedroom with south-facing windows might get so hot during the day that it becomes impossible to sleep at night. In these cases, homeowners have to choose between running the air conditioner so high that the other rooms in the house become frigid, or they have to accept that they will break a sweat whenever they cross the threshold into a certain room. A ductless air conditioner resolves the dilemma by making it possible to control the temperature specifically in an unusually warm room.
  • Adding Air Conditioning to Existing Homes Without Ductwork. If you are working with a homeowner who wants in-home air conditioning but lives in a house that has no existing ductwork, it can be extremely expensive to have it installed. Depending on the size of the house, installing multiple ductless air conditioner systems — one for each room — can sometimes be the more cost-effective option.

National Air Warehouse offers a variety of ductless air conditioner systems. Contact us today to find the one that is right for your home remodeling project!

Distinguishing Between Run Capacitor Options

As you might guess from the name, the run capacitor plays a key role in keeping your HVAC system up and running. As a result, there’s never a good time to find out that you have a faulty run capacitor. Furnaces, air conditioners, and heat pumps all rely on run capacitors to work properly. The capacitor holds the electric charge that powers the fan motor in your HVAC system, so when the capacitor stops working, you have to get a replacement.

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Choosing a new run capacitor can be harder than you think. Browsing the options can be confusing, since many capacitors look similar, and the distinctions between them can be hard to navigate: What do Single and Dual mean? What do MFD and VAC mean? As you consider different run capacitors, it can be helpful to understand these terms so that you can identify the run capacitor that is most compatible with your system.

Single vs. Dual Capacitors

As you look at the different run capacitors on the market, one of the most important things to note is whether the product you are considering is a single unit run capacitor (often shortened to “single” in product descriptions) or a dual run capacitor (often shortened to “dual”). When you are replacing the run capacitor in your unit, you should make sure that the type you purchase is the same as the one you are replacing.

A single unit run capacitor hooks up to a single motor, and it is more commonly used in smaller HVAC systems, like small air conditioners. A dual run capacitor incorporates two capacitors into a single unit. With a dual run capacitor, you can power two electric motors. That makes dual run capacitors ideal for for larger HVAC systems, like large air conditioners and heat pump units that have both a fan motor and a compressor motor.

Comparing Electrical Ratings

Run capacitors can be described by two electrical ratings: MFD and VAC. The first rating, MFD, refers to the unit’s capacitance, which is given in microfarads (MFD). The capacitance is the amount of charge that the capacitor can store when a particular voltage is applied. The second rating, VAC, is an indicator of the supply voltage for which the unit is rated. Most run capacitors on the market today are either 370 VAC or 440 VAC. You need to make sure that you choose a capacitor that matches the supply voltage for your system, because if the voltage applied is too high, it can cause your capacitor to fail prematurely.

National Air Warehouse offers many different run capacitors. You can choose between over 30 single unit capacitors and over 50 run capacitors, with a wide range of capacitance levels (MFD). Depending on your needs, there are also both 370 VAC and 440 VAC products to choose from. Contact us today to find the run capacitor that is right for you!

The Rise of R410a Refrigerant

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If it’s been a long time since you last replaced your air conditioner and you’re on the market for a new one, you might realize that new air conditioners with R22 refrigerant are no longer available. Instead, all new air conditioners use R410a refrigerant. The good news for buyers is that R410a refrigerant provides a lot of benefits that R22 did not. When you purchase a new air conditioner with R410a refrigerant, you can expect cost savings in the future, and you can feel good about making a more environmentally friendly choice for your air conditioning system. Read on to learn more about what the rise of the R410a refrigerant can mean for you.

Comparing R410a Refrigerant to R22 Refrigerant

R410a refrigerant is a hydrofluorocarbon (HFC). Unlike R22 refrigerant, which a hydrofluorocarbon (HCFC), R410a refrigerant does not contribute to the depletion of the ozone layer. Even better, R410a refrigerant absorbs and releases heat more efficiently than R22 refrigerant. There are several key benefits that result from the higher energy efficiency of R410a refrigerant. Specifically, air conditioners that use R410a refrigerant:

  • Save homeowners money in the long run.
  • Contribute less to energy-use-related environmental problems like climate change.
  • Are less likely to overheat, which can reduce the risk of compressor burnout and the long-term deterioration of the air conditioning system.

Legal Regulations Surrounding R410a and R22 Refrigerants

Starting in 2010, all newly manufactured air conditioning systems sold in the United States were required to use R410a refrigerant rather than R22 refrigerant. Beginning in 2015, R410a refrigerant officially became the new standard for residential air conditioning systems in the United States.

However, it is important to note that you can still order replacement parts for air conditioning systems that use R22 refrigerant. Some of the products on the market that are compatible with older air conditioning systems that use R22 refrigerant include:

  • Vertical evaporator coils
  • Horizontal evaporator coils
  • Front return upflow air handlers

Of course, since it’s been so long since R22 refrigerant was used in AC systems, you may want to consider replacing your old air conditioning system altogether and investing in a new one. Whether you decide to opt for a replacement part or make the switch to a newly manufactured air conditioning system that offers the environmental and economic advantages of R410a refrigerant, you can find what you need at National Air Warehouse. Contact us today to learn more about the products we offer!

Choosing an Air Conditioner with the Right Heating Capacity for Your Home Building Project

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As a home builder, choosing the right air conditioner can make or break the success of your project. If you make the right choice, you can ensure an optimal climate for the home without busting the homeowner’s wallet. With the wrong air conditioner, the new house might remain uncomfortably warm, even when the AC system is running at full capacity, and and it can significantly increase the homeowner’s energy bills.

Some of the aspects of air conditioning systems that home builders have to consider include heating capacity, cooling capacity, cooling efficiency, heating efficiency, air flow orientation, price, and brand. Read on to learn more about choosing a system with the right heating capacity for your project.

Understanding Heating Capacity Measurements

For HVAC equipment, heating capacity is measured in British Thermal Units (BTUs). Formally, one BTU is defined as the amount of energy that is required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. In the context of an air conditioner, the heating capacity is the amount of energy that it takes to remove a certain amount of heat from the surrounding air. For air conditioners than are intended for entire homes and buildings (rather than single rooms), you will typically see BTUs ranging from about 40,000 to over 115,000.

Factors Affecting Air Conditioner Heating Capacity Needs

At the most basic level, the number of BTUs you need the air conditioner to have depends on the size of the home you are building. Put simply, a larger home needs an air conditioner with a higher heating capacity. However, there are also other factors that can affect the needs of the home. These include:

  • Window type, size, and location. Windows affect the amount of sun the home gets in the summer, which in turn impacts the amount of heat that must be removed from the air by the AC system.
  • Insulation type and quality. If the home has excellent insulation, you may be able to get away with an air conditioner with a lower heating capacity.
  • Height of the ceilings. The height of the ceilings affects the overall amount of heat that must be removed from each individual room, and it also impacts how much heat is retained within each room.
  • Location of the home. If the home is located in a cool climate, the necessary heating capacity for the AC system is lower than it would be for a house of the same size in a warmer climate.

At National Air Warehouse, homebuilders can find air conditioning systems that work for any project. Contact us today for more information!