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According to the United States Department of Energy, heating and cooling your home likely accounts for about 50% of your overall energy use. If you want to reduce your carbon footprint and limit your monthly bills, the best way to start is by upgrading your HVAC system. However, installing high-efficiency HVAC equipment in your Chesapeake, VA, home could prove complex. The following is everything you can expect during this installation and some of the many benefits it will provide:
Installing a High-Efficiency Furnace
High-efficiency gas-fired furnaces have annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) ratings of 90% to 98.5%. The top heaters convert nearly all of the fuel they consume into heat energy. This is due in large part to their tightly sealed combustion chambers. However, it’s also the result of secondary heat exchangers.
When exhaust gases leave the primary heat exchangers of high-efficiency gas-fired furnaces, they’re routed into secondary units to have additional, residual heat extracted. Secondary heat exchangers leave fewer harmful emissions and allow these furnaces to heat homes both faster and at a lower cost.
However, having two heat exchangers makes these heaters larger than most mid-efficiency models. Unlike mid-efficiency furnaces that draw air in from around their perimeters, high-efficiency furnaces draw air in from the outdoors. To install these appliances, HVAC technicians must run two polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipes from these units to the exterior of the building. One pipe is used for air supply, and the other is used for exhaust release.
For most homes, this entails cutting into exterior walls and widening former storage areas. If your old, mid-efficiency furnace was installed in your attic or crawlspace, you may even need a new storage area. Fortunately, we carefully plan these projects to make them as minimally invasive as possible.
HVAC Ductwork Refinements
Your HVAC air ducts have a significant impact on the efficiency of your heating and cooling equipment. If you haven’t replaced these features in more than 15 years, now is a good time to do so. Whether you’re interested in replacing your ductwork or slightly modifying it, our technicians will ensure that it’s perfectly streamlined to suit your new equipment.
Smart Thermostat Installation
A smart thermostat is an excellent choice for supporting high-efficiency heating and cooling equipment. Smart and programmable thermostats allow for multiple, pre-set temperature adjustments. This way, you can easily lower or raise your thermostat setting before going to bed or leaving for work. Adjustments like these can create substantial energy savings each year.
HVAC Zoning
HVAC zoning isn’t a mandatory part of a high-efficiency HVAC upgrade. However, it can enhance your energy savings, limit stress on your new equipment, and increase your home comfort. Zoning divides homes into two or more service areas that each have their own thermostat. Residents can control temperatures in each zone independently. This eliminates the need to heat or cool unoccupied spaces and allows residents to create their preferred conditions within their immediate areas.
If you opt to have your HVAC system zoned, we’ll install duct dampers, bypass ducts, and a central control system. The central control system will respond to signals sent by each smart thermostat throughout the building to open and close bypass ducts, duct dampers, and route conditioned air where it’s needed.
Installing a High-Efficiency AC
If you’re installing an AC that has a seasonal energy efficiency (SEER) rating of 15 or higher, we’ll remove your current air conditioner’s indoor air handler and outdoor condenser unit. Then, we replace the concrete or composite pad that supports the condenser and put your new equipment in. As with all HVAC equipment, proper sizing is essential for optimizing efficiency. You can count on us to use the Manual J Load Calculation that accounts for factors like:
- Ceiling heights
- Insulation amounts
- Household sizes
- Window sizes, types, and location
- The layout of building interiors
After setting up your new cooling equipment, we’ll test it and show you how to use its functions and features.
The Benefits of Installing High-Efficiency HVAC Equipment
High-efficiency HVAC equipment is all-around better-performing than basic options. With a high-efficiency furnace, you can expect to cut your monthly energy bill by as much as 10% to 20%. Installing an air conditioner with a SEER rating of 16 or higher could lead to annual energy savings of up to $2,500. The U.S. DOE reports that HVAC zoning can provide up to a 30% reduction in home energy costs, and Energy Star reports that smart thermostats can further lower your bills by up to 8%. Best of all, these benefits go hand in hand with quieter HVAC operation, improved indoor air quality (IAQ), and solid equipment manufacturer warranties.
Simmons Heating & Cooling helps homeowners in Chesapeake reduce their carbon footprints and minimize their energy bills. With an emphasis on optimizing home comfort and supplying consistently superior workmanship, we provide exceptional heating, cooling, IAQ, and ductwork services. We also offer geothermal and radiant heating and backup generator installation. To schedule an appointment, contact Simmons Heating & Cooling today.
