Air Conditioning Manufacturers are Lying to You – Here’s HELP!! with the Truth!
HELP!! Explains how HVAC Manufacturers are Lying to Consumers
Summer is right around the corner, which is when families start to think about the high cost of energy bills. The only thing worse than paying large sums of money to escape the oppressive New Orleans heat is the possibility that our air conditioners might break down. This would leave us to sweat until we’re red in the face. The truth is, if your air conditioner is over 10 years old, you have a reason to be concerned. These worrisome possibilities even apply to your home during the chilly seasons. If your HVAC system is past its lifespan, it could be costing you more money than it’s worth to fix.
For readers considering an HVAC replacement, you have the exciting opportunity to choose which system is best for your home. I’m here to help answer some of the most common questions that arise during HVAC shopping:
- Which brand should I buy?
- What is a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) and which one is right for me?
- Which SEER ratings are the most expensive?
- Where can I go for good advice on which air conditioning unit to buy?
In answer to the last question, it’s been our experience that HVAC manufacturers have an ulterior motive when selling products to their consumers, which is why it’s important to surround yourself with good, verifiable information, like the one in this blog! Let’s get you started on the path to a great new HVAC system!
Most HVAC Manufacturers Use the Same Parts-Best HVAC Manufacturers
Every air conditioner manufacturer claims their units are best, but the reality is that most HVAC manufacturers use the same parts. The biggest players in the industry, such as Trane, Amana, Bryant, Lennox and Carrier all have similar slogans, boasting their brand superiority, but the reality is that these brands use parts that come from the same assembly lines.
For example, Trane and American Standard both come from the same assembly line but are built by Ingersoll Rand. Carrier and Bryant, which are essentially the same units with a different paint job also build Day and Night, Payne and Tempstar. Lennox builds Armstrong and Concord and finally, Amana and Goodman are all built by Daikin. All of these manufacturers use a lot of the same parts for their blower motors, fan motors, contactors, capacitors and even their compressors are the same in many of these units.
HELP!! Stats on HVAC System Efficiency Responsibility
The manufacturers only account for about 18.5% of how well a system will work. This includes equipment design, physical size, appearance, noise level and parts warranties.
That means, you the homeowner must play a part in having the best system possible. You are responsible for 7.4% of the air conditioning system, which includes maintenance and replacing the filters.
The responsibility of the other 74.1% falls onto your air conditioning installation company. They are responsible for the correct sizing, correct application (no two houses are the same), duct sizing, return grill sizing, refrigerant line sizing, condensation removal, proper venting, quality of installation, any and all warranties that may come with the system, insurance to protect you and your family if something goes wrong. Most importantly, your HVAC technician will able to service the system if or when a problem arises.
HELP!! HVAC Installation by Experienced Technicians
Now you know that even though they’re all a little different, there is no superior HVAC system brand. There is, however, superior HVAC System technicians responsible for the installation. Your technician will recommend an HVAC system based upon what they know about your house so you can rest assured you are making a well-informed decision based upon your personal needs, rather than a sales pitch.
Because of my own experience as an HVAC technician, I prefer a two-stage system, which involves a pump that moderates the temperature of your home through two levels of operation. The majority of the time, the low setting is enough to keep your house comfortable, causing the system to run longer and more efficiently. Before I switched to a two-stage system I would pay over $500 a month on my energy bills during the summer. That winter, I installed a two-stage system on my first floor and a highly efficient unit for the second floor. The next summer, my highest electric bill was $228.00. Talk about a return on my investment! Even with paying for all the new equipment monthly, I was still saving money over what my bills used to be, and my family was more comfortable in our home.
What is Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER)?
HELP!! Explains Energy Guide Ratings
I was able to make an advised HVAC system switch because I knew the truth about SEER ratings: The number you see is not always the number you get.
A SEER rating is the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating which, in short, means it is a measurement of the energy an AC unit will use throughout the year. The problem with the rating is that even if you buy a unit with a high SEER rating, you may actually be purchasing a substantially less efficient unity.
Sellers are allowed to advertise a unit as an 18 SEER air conditioning system when it is actually a 15.7 SEER system. This lie is made possible by the size of the unit you are buying. Manufacturers build air conditioners in sizes 2 ton, 2 ½ ton, 3 ton, 3 ½ ton, 4 ton and 5 tons. Typically, the lower the ton, the higher the SEER rating. If a manufacturer has an entire line of air conditioners and one of them reaches an 18 SEER rating, they are allowed to advertise the entire line of that model as an 18 SEER rating, despite the actual energy efficiency of the unit. Here at Help Service Co., we never use the term SEER because we never try to mislead our customers into thinking they are buying a higher quality system than they pay for.
“Save 50% On Your Utility Bill!” Truth or Fiction?
Heat pumps and furnaces came a long way in the past 10 years. In fact, a 1992, federal law forced the manufacturers to stop making inefficient units. Contractors and manufacturers will tell you that the savings on your utility bills will offset the cost of a new high, efficient system. Are these claims that you can save 50% on utility bills really true? They can be! It all depends on the quality of assembly. Proper installation is the key to getting the best performance from your new HVAC system. As a homeowner, you deserve to get the efficiency you pay for.
The takeaway of this whole story is, don’t be fooled by flashy advertising and deceitful SEER ratings. Talk to your air conditioning tech and ask him what he thinks is best suited for your home.
About HELP!! Air Conditioning
HELP!! Air Conditioning is a local family owned business that has been servicing the New Orleans metro and surrounding areas for 50 years. Kenny, Keith, and Korey Knobloch are continuing what their father started and that is providing great customer service while helping customers stay comfortable during our sweltering summers. Our Service and Installation Technicians are the best because we demand the best for you. Your satisfaction is our #1 Goal
