ATLANTA AIR CONDITIONING & HEATING CONTRACTORS

Read our reviews on Atlanta air conditioning and heating contractors

Sizing a system

Correctly sizing a gas furnace system, air conditioning system, or heat pump system is extremely important.  If the system is too small, it will not adequately control the temperature of the house on especially cold and especially warm days.  If the system is too large, it will cycle on and off frequently, creating excess noise, lower efficiency, and potentially decreased humidity control.  Since operating inefficiencies occur as the system cycles on and off, additional cycles waste energy.  Because the air conditioning and heating contractor selling the system also sizes it, it is vital to buy systems from reputable companies.

Refrigerant and the environment

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined that CFC refrigerants harm the environment by contributing to ozone destruction.  Therefore, CFCs have been phased out of automobile air conditioning systems and are being phased out of home heat pump and air conditioning systems.

Refrigerant leaks on CFC systems. Refrigerant leaks on CFC systems.  Without refrigerant, a heat pump or air conditioner cannot pump heat.  In addition to damaging the environment, a leaking system loses its charge and becomes very inefficient.  An air conditioning system that has lost 10% of its refrigerant is 30% more expensive to operate.  Of course, recharging the system results in further cost.  However, any system losing its charge within one year should be repaired and recharged, not simply recharged.

Environmentally friendly systems. Most major manufacturers now produce systems that do not use CFCs.  These systems use alternative refrigerants, such as R-410A, that do not harm the ozone.  If you purchase a new system, consider installing an environmentally friendly alternative. 

Zoning

As the name implies, zoning involves dividing up the heating and air system into different areas or zones.  To increase comfort and reduce energy consumption, the system uses programmable thermostats and dampers strategically placed in ducts to vary the temperature in zones of the house.  For example, to ensure a comfortable sleep in the middle of a hot summer night, the bedroom zone maintains a cooler temperature than the unoccupied living and dining rooms.

Mold issues

Mold can create serious problems, especially if it infiltrates ventilation systems, which can help distribute airborne mold allergens.  (See the duct cleaning section for more information.)

Next page >>>

More about Atlanta heating and air conditioning