Gary Parr, founder of HVAC Direct To You, suggests upgrading to the highest SEER rating you can afford. SEER stands for the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating and the minimum that can be manufactured today is 13 SEER. Ratings go as high as 18 SEER or higher.
“The higher the SEER rating, the more efficient the AC system will be,” said Gary Parr. Higher efficiency means less electricity used and lower utility costs.
“I also like to see the SEER and the EER ratings pretty close together,” said Parr. EER stands for Energy Efficiency Rating and is a good way to rate systems without factoring in the seasonal peaks. “I install a lot of RUUD systems because those two ratings are very similar,” said Parr.
Another important factor to consider is the proper sizing of the equipment. “Don’t let a contractor use a rule of thumb or an educated guess to determine the size of the system,” said Parr. “That’s the old fashioned way. Each home is different and the only way to accurately determine the heat load of the house is by doing a Manual J,” said Parr. A Manual J is a study of the house and its ability to retain heat. Factors checked in a Manual J include the orientation of the home, windows, doors, insulation, room sizes and ceiling heights. “Most AC systems are oversized and short cycle as a result,” said Parr. “The systems can’t run long enough to remove the humidity from the air and keep the home comfortable,” Parr said.
Gary Parr has been active in the HVAC industry for 20 years. He founded HVAC Direct To You in Houston and specializes in new construction and replacing whole house systems in existing homes. He works with homeowners to get the best and most efficient system for each home at the lowest possible cost.
Gary Parr hosts the “On The Air” radio show heard each weekend on AM 700, KSEV. The program airs each Saturday afternoon at 2:00 p.m.
HVAC Direct To You: 281-253-8231
Web link:
www.hvacdirecttoyou.com
Texas License Number: TACLB016302E
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