Myth 1: Buying an efficient air conditioner will automatically reduce my energy bill.
Fact: This true to some extent, but you will not realize all the possible savings if the equipment is not sized or installed properly. Studies have shown that typical air conditioner installed with wrong ductwork design will consume up to 1/3 more energy than a properly designed system. New equipment needs to be designed and installed properly. The very first thing that must be done is a load calculation of your home based on the construction materials in your home, orientation to the sun, and number of occupants. Rule of thumb sizing and load calculations are the worst ways to calculate the size of equipment for your home. Have your contractor measure and draw your house in a software program designed to do load calculations. Then you can expect to see the savings with your new high efficiency equipment.
Myth 2: The higher my Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) the more I will save on my electric bill.
Fact: If it is not designed correctly it will not make a difference. In fact a badly installed 21 SEER machine will deliver energy savings equal to a 10 SEER machine. As the outside conditions change the air conditioner designed to work at full load (95 degrees outside and 75 degrees inside) will start to lose capacity as the temperature outside reaches its design temperature. Poorly designed ductwork leaking will cause capacity to drop off dramatically. Here is a quick check measure the outlet leaving your air conditioner and measure it at the farthest supply grille. Then measure the return and subtract it from the supply. Here is an example return temperature 87 degrees supply 63 degrees = 24 degrees across the equipment. Supply grille 68 degrees (68-63 =7) 7 divided by 24 = .29 or 29% duct leakage.
We are proud to offer our customers Residential Premium Services. As a way to save our customers time, we can coordinate the following services including the ability to help you arrange financing:
ü Air Conditioning
ü Whole House Fans
ü Solar
ü Automation
ü Alarm Systems
ü Construction Repair
ü Painting
ü Drywall
ü Landscape Design
ü Equipment repair
ü Appliance Repair
ü Concrete Work
Today there are many new systems available to commercial clients that take advantage of advances in technology. Many of these advances are based on making systems more efficient and cost effective with today''s high energy costs.
We can also test your current system. Here is a picture of a commercial flowhood test.
Sixty-seven (67%) percent of all air conditioning installed today does not perform to its maximum potential, wasting energy and money.
Our 30 point home Energy Audit shows you every way possible to save money.
Today as the price of oil continues to rise, electricity rates are increasing as well and more and more homeowners are looking for ways to save money. Residential Energy Audits are one way some homeowners are fighting rising costs.
Here's a photo showing one of the ways we analyze your current system using a flow hood test.
We recently completed two unrelated jobs, one in Ewa and the other in Kaneohe that were on $2 million dollar homes. This is the type of work we can do for you.
The best way to reach us is via phone or e-mail.
Phone: 808-780-1461
E-mail: CMS4Hawaii@aol.com
CMS4Hawaii was formed out of my desire to offer Hawaii businesses and residential clients professional engineering services related to AC systems and energy audits.