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Central Air Conditioning Homeowners Guide
Complete Air Conditioner Homeowner Guide
How to Compare & Recognize the Good Deals From the Bad
There are many types of air conditioners including wall & window units but this guide
deals specifically with central air conditioners that share the duct work with your
furnace. Here is what you can expect to find in this guide:
1.
2.
3.
4.
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6.
7.
8.
9.
Central Air Conditioner Basics (how it works)
Why chose central air conditioning over a cheaper window unit
Comparison Guide – which Brands are better
The 6 Critical Comparison Points
Add on features – what is good to have & what is a waste of money?
Comparing Quotes – 7 Tips to make it easy to decide
Other things to consider when shopping
Actual Rebates & Rebate Myths
Specials
FREE Information Guide
Provided by:
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Email address: [email protected]
613-825-3427
www.FrancisClimateCare.com
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Central Air Conditioner Basics:
All air conditioners use the same refrigerant cycle of compression, condensation,
expansion, and evaporation in a closed circuit. The same refrigerant (in the pipes) is
used to move the heat from one area, to cool this area, and to expel this heat in another
area then repeats again and again.
It may seem a bit complicated for the average person (how it goes from hot to cold and
cold back to hot) but it really isn’t essential to know this - the only thing you really need
to know is the components used to make the air conditioner work (if you want to
understand how the chemistry in an air conditioner works just ask for a copy of our
Working AC Guide).
There are three main components to a central air conditioner: the compressor, the
condenser & the evaporator coils. To make these components work you need a
controller which you operate through your thermostat.
The air conditioner compressor & condenser are outside your home (both are in the big
box) – the refrigerant travels in an insulated pipe from the outside box through the wall
to your furnace where it goes to the evaporator coils which are installed over your
furnace fan. The air conditioner then uses the furnace fan to blow across the coils
which pushes cold air through your ductwork.
Because the central air conditioner uses your furnace fan & ductwork it also uses the
furnace air filters & any additional air purifying equipment you may have. High efficiency
air filters help improve air quality in your home year round and since the fan runs more
often with air conditioning (and at a higher fan speed) good filtration means more dust
can be captured in the furnace filter when the air is moving which also reduces air born
dust throughout your home thus causing you and your family less issues with allergies,
respiratory & other health related conditions.
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The furnace filter needs to be changed regularly to keep dust, lint & pet dander out of
your duct work but that filter does more than just eliminate blowing dust & debris.
Your furnace filter is also critical to your air conditioner running properly - the indoor
evaporator coils are wet from condensation (part of the cooling process) and any dust,
debris or pet hair not captured by your furnace filter ends up stuck to these wet coils –
this build-up of wet dirt & debris blocks the coils completely (see photo) making it
impossible for air to pass through - this meaning you get no cold air and an expensive
air conditioning repair to clean the system & get it working again.
A dirty coil or air filter can also cause the evaporator coil to freeze up with ice blocking
the air from cooling your house. Blocked air filters and dirty evaporator coils are a
common cause of AC failure.
This is why filter changes before cooling season are critical to air conditioning
operations.
We recommend changing standard furnace air filters every 3 months (4x per year)
unless you have pets – then we recommend changing them monthly (12x per year)
If you have a high end MERV air filter system then you only need to change the MERV
filter roughly every 10 months (minimum 1x per year), if you have pets then we
recommend changing the MERV 2 times a year – right before heating season and right
before cooling season.
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So why chose central air conditioning over a window unit:
Central air conditioning is much more energy efficient than other forms of air cooling
equipment and use LESS electricity per square foot to cool a house (window units are
notorious for using a lot of electricity for a small area). In addition central air conditioning
cools your entire home where as window units are limited to a smaller area where the
unit is installed which means most people with window units tend to have more than one
(increasing the already higher costs to run) and it still doesn’t cool the entire home.
Central air conditioners are quieter inside the home (since the compressor is outside
instead of humming and rattling inside your window).
When paired with a digital programmable thermostat you can reduce your energy
consumption even more by controlling exactly when your air conditioner turns on and off
(new Wi-Fi thermostats give you even more control as you can adjust them from
anywhere on your smart phone, tablet or computer).
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Central air conditioning used to be a luxury feature but it has become critical during heat
waves where the temperatures and poor air quality conditions outside (smog) can cause
all kinds of health issues. Those at greater risks are the obese, those with heart
disease, diabetes and respiratory conditions (asthma, allergies, etc.) as well as those
who don't have air conditioning, said the heat-stress risk study released in the Canadian
Medical Association Journal. Of course the highest at risk are the older population.
People over 60 are 82 to 92 per cent more likely than the average person to die as the
result of a heat wave, says a University of Ottawa study (as reported by By Joanne
Laucius of the Ottawa Citizen).
With skyrocketing health care costs it is no wonder that the government is offering
rebates for people switching to high efficiency air conditioning – it isn’t just for the
energy it saves, it also saves lives & medical expenses!
AC Comparison Guide – Which Brands Are Better
Before comparing Brands we need to clarify a few things – names can be misleading.
Below is a sample list of manufacturers and the brands they make – keep in mind that if
a company is making air conditioners they will typically use the same parts they are
manufacturing for each similar unit to save on manufacturing costs and to increase their
distribution (they are in the business to make money and by using similar parts they put
more money in their share holder pockets).
Some examples of manufacturers with different brands are the following:
Lennox makes: Ducane, Aire-Flow, Armstrong
Johnson Controls makes: York, ClimateCare, Coleman, Luxaire
Trane makes: GE, American Standard
ICP (international comfort products) makes: Carrier, Bryant, Keeprite, Comfort
Maker, Heil, Tempstar, ArcoAir, Kenmore, Day & Night
Rheem makes: Rudd
Daikin makes: Goodman, Amana, Janitrol
This means that these units may often be the same with only minor modifications to
differentiate their brand lines such as different cabinets or colours (and in some cases
higher quality components).
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In addition all compressors in EVERY air conditioner come from only 1 of 3
manufacturers in the world… so you really are getting the same components
regardless of the brand.
Let’s face it comparing brands isn’t straight forward or simple.
One of the best websites on the web for comparisons “Consumer Search”
(http://www.consumersearch.com/central-air-conditioners/brands-vs-brands) makes this
statement:
“According to experts, a central air conditioner's performance depends at least as
much on how well it's installed and maintained as on the equipment itself.
Moreover, because every home is different, there's no all-purpose standard for
comparing how well units work. Thus, we weren't able to compare either specific
models or brands of central air conditioners in terms of actual performance.
One factor that can be measured, based on feedback from users, is reliability.
We didn't find any sources that evaluate the durability of specific air conditioner
models, but we did find a couple of sources that compare the reliability of air
conditioner brands as a whole.
A major survey of homeowners with central air conditioning found that most of
these brands are about equally reliable. Between 11 and 13 percent of
homeowners reported that their air conditioners broke down during a five-year
period for most brands.”…
Another comparison website Furnace Compare (www.FurnaceCompare.com) made this
statement:
The editors of FurnaceCompare.com suggest that “Goodman's low ratings have
less to do with the company's products than with the quality of the
contractors who install them”…
Contractors who have contributed to the website say the problems they find with
Goodman units are usually due to faulty installation, rather than defective
parts concluding, "If you buy a Goodman air conditioner from a skilled
contractor... it will be as reliable as any other brand."…
Still people turn to these charts made by these comparison sites that show how one unit
compares to another based on nothing more than speculation because there is no way
to equally compare units based on performance when installation has such a major
impact on how well the unit works.
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So Which Are The Best Brands?
The best brands according to ALL the comparison sites are all 20 to 24 SEER (SEER
means Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio – this is the efficiency levels based on how
much electricity it uses converting electricity to cooling) – but homeowners in Ottawa,
Ontario are not buying units with those higher energy rating efficiencies.
Those 20+ SEER units are actually designed for use in southern states where they have
longer & hotter cooling seasons (like Texas, Arizona & Florida) – we have a very short
cooling season in Ottawa making the purchase cost of these giant high efficiency air
conditioners impractical.
If we aren’t buying the best (highest efficiencies) – what are we buying in Ottawa?
The minimum requirement for a central air conditioner in Ontario is 13 SEER. (13 SEER
air conditioners are also the least expensive to buy.) EER (Energy Efficiency Ratio) is
also another method of rating cooling efficiency.
To qualify for energy rebates on your air conditioner in Ontario it needs to be:
14.5 SEER & 12.0 EER (for Tier 1) which qualifies the homeowner to $250 OPA
rebate
15 SEER & 12.5 EER (for Tier 2) which qualifies the homeowner to a $400 OPA
rebate
Since the 14.5 SEER isn’t drastically more expensive than the 13 SEER, most
homeowners are choosing to go with the 14.5 SEER (this has become the typical
installation standard for Ottawa). Some homeowners are opting or the 15 SEER which
are typically quieter, have higher efficiencies & offer higher rebates.
That being said anything higher than 15 SEER can potentially be a waste of money
because the energy savings will be minimal due to our short cooling season. There are
other benefits to choosing a higher efficiency unit such as noise reduction, higher quality
components, longer lasting exterior finish on cabinets, soundproofing, variable operating
levels based on load etc. Higher SEER & EER levels can be reached in combination
with various types of ECM (Electronically Commutated Motor – DC verses AC)
equipped furnace motors.
According to our research (research documentation available upon request):
The average saving is approximately $10 per year to go from a 13 SEER to a 14.5
SEER for 1.5 ton to 3 ton (you do save a bit more with larger size air conditioners for
example a 5 ton will save you up to $30 per year).
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In the lifetime of an AC unit (just like cars they use to average 15-20 years but the new
average lifespan is 10 to 15 years before they need replacing – most people are
changing them around year 12) you are looking at a total saving of approximately $120
(based on 12 year lifespan)
Below is a simple chart that outlines the savings:
How much can you save for each SEER increase over 13 SEER
*Savings based on the average 1.5 to 3 Ton AC unit which is standard for Ottawa
*Lifetime savings based on the expected 12 year lifespan of the unit (units typically last 10-15 yrs)
*Excludes annual increases in utility costs over the life of the unit
Note: Actual savings may vary depending on age & efficiency of previous equipment
13 SEER
14.5 SEER
15 SEER
16 SEER
17 SEER
18 SEER
19 SEER
20 SEER
Minimum Efficiency
Saves $10 p/year ($120 lifetime savings)
14.5 SEER Savings:
So if you are going to buy at 14.5 SEER AC and it saves you $120 PLUS gives you a
$250 OPA Rebate – the total savings for going from a 13 to a 14.5 SEER = $370.00
15 SEER Savings:
If you are going to buy at 15 SEER AC and it saves you $168 PLUS gives you a $400
OPA Rebate – the total savings for going from a 13 to a 15 SEER = $568.00
16 SEER Savings:
You still only get $400 in OPA Rebates added to the $216 energy savings = $616.00
This means the 16 SEER is only $48 better in savings than the SEER 15
When you add in the additional cost increase to buy the more expensive higher
efficiency unit the savings simply aren’t enough to give you a payback on your
investment. It is unfortunate – but it is the truth. In most cases homeowners in Ottawa
will rarely need anything more than 16 SEER. Please note this is very different from
furnaces where there IS a payback in some of the higher efficiency furnaces.
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So which Brand is the best?
They are all pretty much the same in reliability
and performance provided you have them
properly installed and maintained.
So in summary so far:
Brand doesn’t make a real difference as stated by ALL of the legitimate central
air conditioner comparison websites & research companies that we viewed.
In addition the Brand comparison charts that are available are ALL based on the
highest efficiency models which are NOT used in Ottawa as they are
unnecessary and too expensive for our short cooling season in Ottawa.
We also know that most central air conditioners are made by the same few
manufacturers and the components are made by even fewer manufacturers.
We know that energy efficiency (SEER) has pay-back limits due to our shorter
cooling period in Ottawa and the rebates currently available.
We also know that most homeowners in Ottawa are not buying top of the line
models as found on the internet instead they are buying what they actually need.
Get the right installation and most models can work perfectly for many years with
minimal care (annual maintenance & regular filter changes)
The 6 Critical Comparison Points to Look For
Keep in mind they are ALL typically the same so the only real differentiators are
Sound
Size
Parts
Warranties
Installation
Maintenance
That’s it. There are only 6 critical things you need to look at when considering buying a
central air conditioner. Of course there are lots of up-grade features which we will get
into shortly but when it comes to the air conditioner itself, these are the things that
matter most.
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How Quiet Is an Air Conditioner?
Sound is measured in dB (decibles). Each model on the market will list the dB in their
manuals – when in doubt ask. Most models run around 65 to 75 dB – which isn’t very
loud – although some will vary none are silent.
It’s a fact - ALL air conditioners make noise – but how much noise you hear inside your
home is impacted by a few things. The biggest issues with sound are usually caused by
improper installation or installations that are installed in the wrong place.
Where is the air conditioner installed? Under a bedroom window is never a good place
to install an air conditioner, but neither is at the end of your property line. When it comes
to air conditioning you want:
the shorted piping possible to maximize your efficiencies this means as
close to your home as possible – it also means the unit is close to the
house for the electrical hookup too
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bushes or trees around the unit can help absorb sound but you need to
make sure these are not blocking air flow which is critical to operations –
always leave space around the unit for air flow. The more space around
the unit the better the unit can operate & don’t forget to leave space for the
service technician to actually perform maintenance & repairs on the unit (it
is not uncommon for technicians to charge extra for difficult access to
units which delays the completion of their work).
don’t install it under your neighbours window to avoid ugly wars
Is the unit securely mounted and level? Any vibration in the unit can increase the sound.
If the unit is not level the fan will suffer strain which can cause it to become noisier too.
Bearings on fans are designed to spin effortlessly when level with minimal up-keep.
Are the pipes going to the house properly insulated? The main reason for insulation is to
keep the cold pipe cold in hot weather but the insulation also reduces sound which can
carry in pipes.
Some of the higher end efficiency models are actually designed for quieter operations
but you have to weigh out the cost differential to see if it is worth spending more and the
sound reductions may be minimal. If you are extremely sensitive to sound it may be
worth spending more for the higher efficiency unit but most homeowners tend to not
notice the sound any more than listening to the refrigerator running.
Air Conditioning Size:
Your air conditioner (and furnace) needs to be sized appropriately for your home.
Undersized air conditioners will not be able to provide sufficient cooling capacity or
comfort meaning you will be hot during the summer months even with the unit running
24 hours a day (which also means higher energy bills and a shorter lifespan for the
unit).
Oversized air conditioners will cost more money to operate and will be less effective
dehumidifying the air in your home. In extreme cases serious issues with humidity
control that can lead to mold problems in the home potentially damaging the structure of
the home & causing health issues to your family.
You want to make sure that whoever you hire does a proper load calculation for the job
and understands the math behind the calculations.
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Parts:
Probably the biggest issue with air conditioners is when people buy units on the internet
then can’t get parts to repair them when they break down. That cheap deal they got is
now worthless if the unit cannot be fixed.
Going with a reputable model/brand that has a presence in our city, that has been in
business for a long time (ideally over 20 years) and that carries parts locally are vital to
the successful ongoing operations of your air conditioner.
There is nothing worse than buying a unit and within a few years can’t find parts for it.
Ask your contractor what parts they typically carry or have access to in order to know if
your new unit is going to have parts available if you ever need them.
Warranties:
WARNING – Not all warranties are the same. Here is what you need to know.
Many warranties are not worth the paper they are written on, so you really do have to
read the fine print if you want something you know will be covered against product
failure (especially the terms & conditions). As more and more materials are purchased
overseas it is not uncommon for parts to get damaged in the shipping so the
warranty can be the only thing that protects the end buyer from getting something that
doesn't work as promised.
When you are reading warranties you want to look for the words “pro-rated” or “limited”.
When you see pro-rated or limited it usually means that the warranty depreciates in
value over time just like a car meaning the warranty value drops for each year you own
the unit. A full value warranty maintains its value for the full duration of time of the
warranty.
The only way to really know what you are getting is to read the fine print – ask
questions, get a copy of the terms & conditions, ask what the astrix stands for and have
the representative put it in writing with his signature next to it.
Ask for it in writing: if the installer is offering you something more than just the
manufacturer warranty tell them to put it in writing on your contract to avoid future
issues. The only thing the courts want to see in a legal battle is the paperwork should
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you get ripped off, so get it in writing every time (verbal promises do not hold up in a
court of law).
There are 3 parts to central air conditioner warranties:
Warranty on the compressor
Warranty on the parts
Warranty on the labour
Warranties on the compressor: usually include replacing the compressor if it breaks
down during regular use within the warranty years. WARNING: just because the
manufacturer gives you a compressor to replace your dead one does NOT mean that
they will pay for the diagnostic fee to find the problem, nor do they pay for the shipping
or installation of the the replacement compressor. They simply give you a new
compressor if it breaks down and you pay for the rest (unless you have an extended
labour warranty where the replacement labour is included).
Warranties on the parts: range from 5 to 10 years but are typically 10 years in Ottawa
– they, like the compressor, only cover the actual parts. So you still pay the diagnostic
fee from the technician to find out what failed PLUS you pay the installation of the
warranty part once the manufacturer provides you with that part. Your part warranty
may not save you much without a good labour warranty.
A good reputable HVAC company will often get the warranty replacement part for you
(and quickly if you bought your air conditioner from them since it will be a standard part
for that company). They typically take care of everything for you so you don’t have to be
involved. But if you bought your central air conditioner from a different company (or had
your buddy do it for you) then replacement parts could take much longer to get (if you
can even get them).
Some HVAC companies will require that you the homeowner get the part from the
manufacturer (you pay all shipping charges), then you have to hire a technician to do
the installation – and some manufacturers require the faulty part be returned for
verification (you pay return shipping & they bill you for the part IF the part wasn’t faulty).
When trying to get your air conditioner fixed always go with a company that is certified &
trained by that manufacturer - this means they typically have quicker access to the parts
you may need if any and they are backed by the manufacturers technical support team
for troubleshooting which can save you hundreds in lost labour hours trying to diagnose
the problem.
Warranties on the labour: is where the big differences are in warranties.
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Companies that are not well known (usually no labels on white trucks) are often referred
to as “trunk slammers” because as soon as they get paid & get their tools loaded (the
trunk slammed) the warranties are over. The good news is there are fewer of these in
Ottawa thanks to more stringent regulations and licensing requirements.
Manufacturers do not give warranty on labour since they have no control over how well
their units are installed (or if they are even installed correctly at all). This means the
labour warranty comes from the HVAC contractor (AC installer) personally.
For this reason you want to make sure that you hire a good company that has been
around for a long time (80% of new businesses fail within their first 3 years of business).
You need to know they are going to be there past the installation date to provide
ongoing maintenance and service & repairs if needed.
Typical labour warranties for air conditioners are 1 year in Ottawa (again make sure
they are full value warranties and not pro-rated or limited labour warranties).
Some companies offer extended warranties (usually up to 10 years) that are available
for an additional cost – when it comes to central air conditioners we recommend getting
the extended parts & labour warranty when offered because even minor glitches caused
by shipping vibrations can end up costing you for repairs (often in excess of the
warranty costs). But you still have to be cost aware so you aren’t over spending.
When it comes to small ticket items (like headsets for your computer) most of these
extended warranties are a waste of money – but when it comes to big ticket items, you
want to limit any additional out of pocket expenses possible and these extended
warranties can help.
Don’t forget – when it comes to warranties & contracts you MUST read the fine print.
Ask for a copy of the terms and conditions, see if the company posts their terms and
conditions right on their website. Know what you are buying before you buy it and more
importantly know what you are signing before you sign it. If you can’t get a copy of their
terms and conditions odds are there is something there they don’t want you to know
about. You have rights – don’t let unscrupulous companies compromise your rights.
The quality of the installation
There are some very basic things that are essential to a good installation and 90% of
the time when an air conditioner breaks down it is either because of a blocked filter or
an improperly installed air conditioner (or AC furnace combination). To avoid these
costly issues here is the basics you need to know about.
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Outdoor installation:
Location – you want the shortest & straightest pipe run as possible. The more
turns the piping has & the longer the piping has to travel means restrictions in
flow which affects your cooling output. You also don’t want the unit directly under
your bedroom window when moving it 5 feet over will resolve sound issues.
Location is important.
Level – the unit has to be level to operate with ease; un-level footing causes
more wear and tear to the unit and shortens the unit’s lifespan. If the installer
doesn’t have a level to check the patio stone or footing before putting the air
conditioner on it you may want to remind them of this important part.
Secured – the unit should be fastened down securely if the unit is mounted on
brackets. This prevents the unit from moving when the fan causes vibrations, it
also keeps the unit firmly anchored in bad weather.
Landscaping – the air conditioner outside must have un-restricted air flow, make
sure that the area immediately around the air conditioner is clear of bushes,
plants and other landscaping features & leaves enough space for servicing.
The piping has to be well insulated going into the home (and in many cases it
needs to be secured to the outside of the house and inside). Usually if the
insulation looks bad it is because it is a rush job and the installer has been lazy
or rushed. This has to be done right; it also keeps the pipes from condensing and
dripping in your walls.
The hole in the wall where the pipes run needs to be properly sealed to prevent
insects, water and cold drafts from entering the home.
The unit must have an outdoor electrical disconnect switch
The contractor is legally required to pull a permit from the Ontario ESA (Electrical
Safety Authority). This is required on ALL central air conditioners, no exception! It
is then up to ESA if they decide to do a site inspection. Contractors who fail
inspections repeatedly are eventually denied pulling permits in the future as their
work must be in compliance with all legal regulations (this is what keeps
handymen from burning your house down due to faulty wiring installation). If a
contractor is unwilling to pull a permit there may be more serious problems with
their work.
Indoor Installation:
The unit comes with an evaporator coil that is typically installed above your your
furnace inside the plenum (the metal box above the furnace). This coil must have
a slight slope towards the coil drain to ensure quick drainage and to reduce
stagnant water as it drips condensation continuously. An improper installation coil
could drip water onto your furnace heat exchange, fan or even worse the
electrical components.
The evaporator coil and metal coil support must fill the entire space between the
plenum walls; air that can pass around the evaporator coil does not get cooled
down before being pumped into the house air ducts.
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The evaporator coil must be secured (firmly anchored) to prevent movement –
don’t forget the fan is blowing against it which can dislodge coils not properly
anchored in place.
The condensation must be able to run off into a drain pan which then allows
gravity to dump the excess moisture into a ¾” drain which must flow to either the
city drain or into the storm sumps – the drain cannot go into the foundation!
A condensate pump is not required on all units but may be required if the floor
drain is not close to the furnace. These pumps are usually extra so talk to your
contractor if they or you think you may need one.
The plenum should fit nicely with all joints sealed to prevent air leak. The tighter
the seals the more cool air is delivered to your vents. This is the one area where
quality of workmanship really shows – if the plenum looks like someone bent it all
up with dents everywhere that shows a lack of professionalism (or lack of
experience as they had to force the plenum to fit the space provided). When the
measurements the sales rep or installer took are precise and you get an
experienced installer – you end up with a professional looking finish.
Duct work going from the furnace is as air tight as possible. Note: the air
conditioner installer may not touch the original duct work, but we recommend you
ask that they at least look it over to see if there are any obvious defects (air
leaks) so they can be closed up to eliminate loss of cooling where you need it
most.
Thermostat installation: did they install it level (is it crooked on the wall), did they
show you how to operate the thermostat, did they test the thermostat to make
sure it is working properly with both the heating & cooling system? If you
purchased a wi-fi thermostat did the technician show you where to download the
app or how to use it? Most homeowners don’t read the manuals (if you do
congratulations you are already smarter than most your neighbours), so make
sure the technician walks you through the use.
Filter – when installing a new air conditioner it is important to change the filter,
this blocks any debris that may have been loosened during the installation. Make
sure the technician shows you how to change the filter yourself if you are unsure.
FREE TIP: Be sure to ask for spare filters too – most installers have them on
their truck so it saves you a trip to the store later. Some (most) will charge for the
extra filters, other companies may simply give them to you if asked. You have
nothing to lose from asking.
Upgrading to a high efficiency air filter will reduce the amount of dirt sticking to
the indoor evaporator coil, (dirty coils reduces cooling efficiency and increases
the frequency of coil cleaning maintenance which is an additional extra cost to a
standard air conditioner maintenance).
Last but not least – did the company clean up after themselves or did they leave
you a mess to deal with. A good company will never leave you a mess; you can
enjoy your new air conditioning immediately without having to take out a broom.
With the detailed information provided in this list, you get a really good oversight of what
a “great” installation looks like.
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Don’t forget that an improperly installed air conditioner voids the warranties.
How well is it maintained?
Just as important as the installation is the maintenance. All engines (like your car)
require regular maintenance to operate well. Failure to do the maintenance can cause
equipment to fail and actually shorts the life of the unit. There IS a cost to having regular
annual maintenance performed, but it is no different than the cost of having your oil
change in your car – it is a necessary expense so that you can enjoy your machine
without worry and minimize potential breakdowns.
New central air conditioners are not the same machines that were made even a
few years ago - they all have computer components now to minimize the electricity that
is used and to operate more efficiently. Taking care of these units through regular
annual maintenance is vital to keep them operating both efficiently and properly. The
last thing you need is for the air conditioning to fail on a sweltering hot day with the
outdoor air quality danger warning in effect. The whole reason you have central air
conditioning is to keep you and your family comfortable.
Want to know what to look for when getting maintenance done – be sure to ask for a
copy of our Air Conditioning Maintenance Guide (by phone or email).
On a final note: you need to make sure that any sitting water (condensation from the
evaporator coil) is draining properly to prevent bacteria, mold or spores from breeding. If
it is a concern the evaporator coil can be inspected to determine if the coil is draining
properly. If you have a humidifier it is critical you keep it clean to avoid breeding bacteria
that can cause all kinds of health issues (like legionnaires disease, mold allergies, etc.).
Keeping these things clean isn’t difficult; you just need to be aware of them so you can
maintain them regularly.
FREE Tip: Ask your maintenance technician to take a look at them in addition to doing
the annual maintenance on your air conditioner and furnace. Most companies charge
extra for this but it is usually inexpensive and worth the extra safety precaution.
Add on features – what is good to have & what is a waste of
money?
You will often hear HVAC technicians going on about IAQ accessories – IAQ simply
stands for Indoor Air Quality. The accessories (add ons for your air conditioner or
furnace) include many different types of air filters (like the popular MERV filter), UV
lights that kill bacteria in your duct work, humidifiers that put moisture back in the house
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in the winter, de-humidifiers that remove excess moisture from the air in the summer,
and more.
With so many different products on the market it is difficult to know what you actually
need and what is a waste of your hard earned money.
Like having an air conditioner itself – it is all about your comfort and the comfort of your
family. If you have a family member who suffers with allergies, dry skin, itchy eyes,
asthma, or other respiratory issues then upgrading to a better filter is essential.
How much of an upgrade you want to make should be based on how healthy your
family is.
For example if your spouse or child suffers with COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease) then you will want the best air filter system on the market – if you or a family
member has mild allergies then a Merv 11 may be all that you need to minimize allergy
irritations.
If you are doing dusty activities in your basement (like woodworking, sculpting,
renovations or other crafts) you may also need a better filter system and will have to
change your filters more frequently.
If someone in your family has a compromised immune system or is frequently sick then
you may want to consider a UV light to kill off germs & bacteria that can breed in your
air vents just for that added layer of protection. But for most people a UV light is an
unnecessary expense.
The 7 things you need to know before asking for an estimate:
Before you call for an estimate it is good to have the following information on hand.
1) What equipment do you currently have?
o Air Conditioner – Make, Model, & Year installed
o Furnace – Make, Model, & Year installed (if considering replacing both at
the same time which is recommended by most HVAC contractors since
both use the same duct work and fans).
FREE TIP: Here’s an easy tip for documenting this information, use your smart
phone or digital camera to take a photo of the label – once you have the photo
you can make it larger making reading the information so much easier and you
don’t have to twist your head around in dark places with a flash light trying to
read small print tucked away in awkward places.
2) How much are you currently spending on cooling (air conditioning)?
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Take all your hydro bills from the time you turned on your air
conditioning and total them then divide by the number of months
you ran the air conditioning to get the average monthly amount.
Take your hydro bill for the spring and fall when you are not running
the air conditioning and total them up then divide by the number of
months to get the average hydro bill not running air conditioning.
The difference between the two will give you your average monthly
cooling costs. Again you may be shocked to find out how much you
are actually spending especially with older less efficient air
conditioners.
3) When was the last time you had the units maintenance performed?
o Typically it is done annually as per manufacturers recommendations but
often this maintenance gets poorly neglected during our regularly day to
day busy lives so this isn’t something the average home owner thinks
about until it the equipment breaks down.
o If you are one of those rare homeowners who has had the maintenance
done regularly then congratulations! You have been saving yourself
money and you prolonged the life of your equipment by limiting the
efficiency & performance decline from running unmaintained equipment.
4) When was the last time you had your duct work cleaned or inspected?
o Like equipment maintenance the duct work should be cleaned every few
years to minimize build-up of dust & air born pollutants. If you have pets or
anyone in the home with allergies the duct cleaning should be done
annually.
The more the pollutants (dust, pet hair, dander, smoke, etc.) build up you
have in the duct system the more restricted the air flow which means the
harder the unit has to work to achieve your preferred temperature settings.
5) When was the last time you changed your air filters?
o This should be done quarterly (minimum – monthly if you have pets) to
help block dirt, dust, pet hair and more from being pulled into your heating
and cooling air system (which shortens the life of your equipment) and to
minimize those same pollutants from being blown throughout your house
potentially causing more issues with allergies, asthma, and general health
related issues.
6) Check your home for cold or hot spots and document it.
o Although some systems were installed properly and balanced to maintain
a consistent temperature in the home, many homes have cold drafty areas
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(too much air conditioning) and/or hot spot areas where the temperature is
always uncomfortable. If you have areas of your home that are not
comfortable then document them so that if you do decide to either
upgrade and/or replace your current system you can make sure that these
areas are addressed in the future. These area’s may be costing you more
than just comfort as they can lead to higher wasted utility costs.
7) Humidity comfort too wet or too dry?
o If you find the walls are damp in the summer months with the air
conditioning running or if you are constantly suffering from static electricity
shocks in the winter you may have humidity issues. Document this so that
you can discuss it when you talk to a cooling expert. Your house should
be comfortably dry year round – in the summer and in the winter without
static shock or the need for drastic skin moisturizers to compensate for
season changes.
With this information at hand you are now ready to sit down with an expert to discuss
what your home has – what is working and what isn’t – and what your home needs.
Sometimes you don’t need a new system when simple maintenance and some minor
changes are all it takes to make your home comfortable for many more years to come.
Other times the cost savings in energy bills is potentially so much that it will make
changing your equipment a must have (especially with government rebates and
incentives lowering the overall costs to get the more efficient equipment).
At some point you will need to discuss your options with an expert trained and certified
in this industry.
Comparing Quotes – 7 Tips to make it easy to decide
Probably the most complicated and difficult decision a homeowner has to make is
knowing which quote to choose when shopping around. As previously discussed there
is so much more to a quote than just the price that it makes it very difficult to know
which is the best option for your budget and for your home.
Here are a few tips to help you in making your decision:
1) What does the quote include and what is excluded?
o Often times when a contractor is in a pinch and needs the job they will cut
corners to provide the cheapest price possible – this means re-using old pre-
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existing parts (or used parts) instead of replacing them with new ones during
the installation. Even if an old part is still in working condition it may not be the
right part to work with the new system thus creating stress points on the new
system to operate properly.
Think of it like replacing 3 of your tires on your car while using one old &
worn tire that still has some tread left on it – the new tires will wear
improperly because of that one differently shaped tire and thus cause the
new tires to wear down faster than if you had replaced all 4 tires at the
same time. When it comes to replacing a complete system – it is always
best to replace the whole unit so that the new system is exactly what the
manufacturer designed for maximum performance and longevity.
o Clean up – is it included? Nothing worse than having service men tear up
your basement or yard to install new equipment then leave you with a huge
mess to clean up afterwards. The clean-up should be part of the regular
installation which includes removal of the old equipment and safe disposal of
the old equipment (if it isn’t rented).
o Is duct cleaning included? If not, have they provided you with a separate
quote for the cleaning? Before having a new system installed the duct work
needs to be cleaned and inspected to make sure there are no air flow
restrictions or limitations that have to be fixed before the new system can be
operational.
Failure to clean the ducts before the install can result in air restrictions
causing mechanical stress on the new equipment or if they system has a
higher blower output could end up covering your entire house in a cloud of
dust, dirt and debris from your air vents. This is a huge problem for allergy
sufferers and those with asthma or other breathing related health issues
not to mention the big job of having to have the entire house cleaned from
top to bottom – curtains, drapes, furniture, carpets, dishes, the list goes on
and on.
o As important as what is included is what is excluded – make sure they put in
writing what the quote does not include so you are not stuck with any hidden
surprises at the end.
o Labour is not always the same – many contractors in order to avoid the more
expensive salaries of licensed technicians (plumbers, gas fitters, tin smith &
refrigerant licenses) are now using labourers to install equipment – you want
to make sure that whoever you hire is going to send licensed installers who
are manufacturer certified to install these units. When it comes to venting,
gas, electrical, refrigerant handling, etc. the last thing you want is someone
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tampering with these potentially life threatening components who isn’t
certified and licensed. Besides, it is the law!
2) How reputable is the company and how long have they been in business?
o Check with the BBB to see if they are accredited and if so what their rating is.
If they have an A+ rating you know you are picking a company with a good
reputation for taking care of their customers.
o Check online to see if there are any complaints posted on the internet – this is
an easy thing to check simply go to google and type in the company name
and the word “complaint” – if there are any, they will show up in the search.
Like all information on the internet sometimes the complaints are fictitious –
other times they are real. Read them over and if you feel like the complaints
seem to be legitimate ask the company about it and how it was resolved. If
you see too many complaints and their BBB rating is poor you may want to
avoid doing business with them all together no matter how great their price.
o As for how long they have been in business – you want to make sure that
whoever you buy anything from is going to be in business down the road
when you need service or support. This is especially true for high priced ticket
items like air conditioners. Those warranties are only good if the company you
hired to install it is around to take care of any claims along the way. Although
there may be other companies who are willing to honor your parts warranty
they will not honor your labour warranty if they were not the company to install
the equipment. Again your check with the BBB will give you a good idea of
their track record and you should ask how long they have been in business.
A good rule of thumb is anything over 5 years is typically better but the best is
over 20 years in business (especially since most heating & AC systems can
last 10 to 15 years).
3) Where is the equipment from and how readily available are the parts?
o Equipment is manufactured from all over the globe these days and parts for
these may or may not be available locally. Always verify where the equipment
is coming from and how readily available the parts are and if there is a local
wholesaler who stocks them. Choosing a quote that costs a bit more may be
the wiser decision because if the parts are stocked locally it can end up
saving you serious nightmares (and costs) down the road that more than
make up for the additional price up front.
4) What is the warranty?
o As previously written you need to read the fine print including the terms and
conditions not usually included with the warranty paperwork.
Does the warranty only cover parts?
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Does it cover labour?
Does the company that sold you the unit offer additional warranties on
top of the manufacturer warranty?
Do the parts have to be shipped back before you can get replacement
parts?
Is the warranty transferable if you sell the house?
Understanding what is included can make all the difference in the world.
5) Has the salesperson addressed indoor air quality issues or questions?
o It is not uncommon for a salesperson to add on so many extras that the price
skyrockets to ridiculous – when it comes to extra features and accessories
that improve the air quality of your home ask questions and find out if that
extra is essential or simply a nice to have feature. You should consider air
quality for the health and safety of your family but make sure that the features
you are getting will actually contribute to their wellbeing at a price you can live
with without over spending. Some extras like better filters are definitely worth
the upgrade, other extras may be over-kill if your family is overall healthy
without long-term health issues like allergies or asthma or other breathing
related concerns.
6) May I see your license & insurance please?
o Don’t be afraid to ask to see their license – an HVAC installer must have a G2
(licensed gas fitter), 313D (is able to work on any air conditioner up to 5 tons),
and an ODP (is able to handle refrigerants used in air conditioners)
o Ask if the installer has WSIB insurance (workplace safety insurance board) –
if they don’t and they get hurt in your home working for you – you could end
up paying all their medical bills, lost wages, and more. If an installer doesn’t
pay for insurance don’t hire them! You wouldn’t drive a car without insurance,
don’t hire professionals without insurance.
o Ask if the company has liability insurance – the minimum they should have is
$2 million dollars. If they don’t have insurance, don’t hire them because if they
make a mistake you may get stuck paying which can get very expensive
when we are talking home damage repairs.
7) Trust – your gut instinct!
o Within each of us is a small voice that screams “danger” when we are
uncertain of someone’s motives. This “gut instinct” or inner voice is there to
protect you from getting ripped off – listen to it. If the sales person cannot
address your concerns or if they simply make you “feel” stupid or like you are
being talked down to like a child or being pushed to sign immediately – odds
are you are being manipulated to get the sale.
People should treat you & your home with respect and dignity.
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The sales representative should:
Respect your home and your privacy. This includes answering all
of your questions clearly and concisely with open honesty (this
includes letting you know what they don’t recommend and why).
Give you time to think over your decision if you are undecided or
want more time to think about it.
Support your decision and make you feel like you have made the
right choice when you finally make a decision.
Be there for you afterwards to answer any additional questions you
may have and to offer you support in operating your new system if
you have bought from them.
If you don’t trust them then go with another company where you feel
valued, respected and feel like you will be better cared for. After all only
you can decide; which is the best company to go with and which is the
best choice to make based on your research and your gut instinct.
Other things to consider when buying
Heating & Air Conditioning is more than just hot or cold air blowers.
It’s more complicated than people think when working with electric, gas, propane,
refrigerant, and other hazardous materials. Heaters and air conditioner systems
today require the use of the principles of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics and
heat transfer. The goal of the master technician is to provide even comfort and
acceptable indoor air quality and to install it within a reasonable installation,
operation and maintenance cost.
Replace the entire system, not just the air conditioner.
An air conditioner typically has two components -- the outdoor section and the
indoor section called a “split-system”. The indoor section is the coil box that sits
on top of your furnace. (Many homeowners think this is part of the furnace when
it is actually the indoor section to the air conditioner.) The furnace blower is used
to distribute cool air throughout the home.
It may be tempting to replace only the outdoor section but in order for your
system to achieve the efficiency you're paying for, you need to have a matched
system that includes a new indoor coil. Additionally, old indoor components can
adversely impact the performance of your air conditioner, and your new system
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warranty could be canceled if it was not installed with the proper indoor coil or air
handler.
Multi-zones
Our newer more complicated heating and cooling systems offer more variables
when it comes to keeping our homes comfortable. Adding different zones can
help save money (operating costs) by adding more heat (or cold) to areas of the
house you are most active in and restricting heat (or cold) to areas of the house
with the least activity. These multi-zones offer you different temperature settings
throughout the house giving you more control over your comfort and your
operating costs. But like all the other extras available these too come at a higher
price and can require modifications to your current venting which can mean
opening up walls or ceilings to access these vents – meaning more costs in
patching walls and ceilings, painting, and extras. In some homes (especially
older homes) the costs are simply prohibitive from adding multi-zones – in other
homes it makes sense to upgrade the system to improve efficiency and save on
utility costs.
Programmable thermostat:
A programmable thermostat will save energy by reducing the amount of work
your air conditioner must do when no one's at home. For each degree you turn
down the thermostat during an eight-hour period, you can reduce your cooling bill
by about 2 percent. Programmable thermostats can keep the house at a warmer
temperature when you're not home or at night when cooling isn’t critical.
New smart programmable thermostats can work with your smart phone, ipad or
computer to provide you access to your temperature settings from anywhere at
any time – for example if you are going to be working late and no one is going to
be home you can change the setting so the thermostat will cool the house later
than usual, if you are away on holidays you can adjust the temperature to
minimize utility costs until you return then turn it back on before jumping on your
flight home to come home to a perfectly comfortable place. You can also get
push notifications if there are problems (like a power outage or system failure)
which helps you protect your home. The options are changing drastically with
new smart phone technology.
Noise reduction:
Noise reduction features such as compressor sound blankets and swept-wing fan
blades minimize noise so that you don’t have to turn up the television every time
your air conditioner comes on. Ask about other features that help with noise
reduction.
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Increased Utility Bills
Hydro Ottawa is in financial trouble - this means that our hydro bills are going to
increase by over 40% over the next couple of years and that increase alone may
not resolve Hydro Ottawa’s current financial issues meaning more increases
down the road.
These increases are across the board and there is no energy source that isn’t
going up except wind and solar which are not yet at a price point (from an
investment standpoint) to make them a viable option.
What does this mean to the individual home owner in Ottawa? It means that we
will continue seeing our costs going up and up without limit. Our cost of living
increase in salary however don’t increase fast enough to keep up with the utility
rate increases meaning we will find it harder and harder to maintain the lifestyle
we are used to living. The only way to combat this is through reduction (using
less) – and that means switching to higher efficiency heating and cooling
solutions. The higher the efficiency the less fuel/electricity it uses to operate. Just
be aware that some higher efficiencies won’t actually save you enough to cover
the additional costs of purchasing.
BIGGER REBATE MYTHS SHATTERED:
If energy rebates are issued by the government then how do so many contractors offer
so many different energy rebates?
They actually DON’T! What you read in advertising is for very specific models that cost
more (your extra rebate money is usually included in those increased costs by the way).
How it works is the manufacturer gives a bit of a kickback to the contractor for selling
the more expensive unit which the contractor passes on to you in the guise of a rebate.
Sell more expensive models with specific features and the manufacturer gives bigger
kickbacks (usually based on the price of the unit NOT the efficiency – but since higher
efficiency units typically cost more these are the obvious units for those kickback
rebates). So you pay more so you can qualify to get a very small percentage of the
profit of your purchase back.
In addition there are add on products that you MUST buy in order to qualify for the
additional rebates – again you pay more so it is easy for the contractor to give you
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money back disguised as a rebate incentive. They sell you more stuff, they make more
money and they give you a small part of the profit back to you as a rebate.
There are some legitimate rebates that are not based on the homeowner buying the
most expensive units – they are typically bulk buying incentives. For example if my
company purchased 10,000 air conditioners instead of 10 air conditioners we would get
much better prices based on bulk purchases – we can then pass the savings differential
to the customer in the form of rebates or specials.
Every company is different when it comes to advertising – some companies are
unscrupulous in their marketing (leaving the terms & conditions hidden never to be seen
and rebates only implied without the full conditions shared), others are more honest and
up front explaining things to homeowners so they can make an informed decision based
on facts and not on misunderstandings. There are a rare few transparent companies
who post their terms & conditions right on their website for the whole world to see.
When a rebate looks too good to be true – there IS a catch. Ask to see “how to
qualify” for the bigger rebates and be sure to get a copy of the terms and conditions as
well. Legitimate companies will provide you with all the support documentation in writing
as requested.
If it isn’t in writing then it doesn’t hold up in a court of law – meaning you the homeowner
could end up fighting a losing battle if you are misled into thinking you bought one thing
but ended up with much less in rebates or incentives. Companies are not legally
required to give you rebates (especially since most rebates do NOT come from the
company but come from other sources) – it is up to each contractor to decide if they
want to participate in energy rebates and discount incentives and to what level they will
be involved.
A good company will tell you what you qualify for up front – they will fill out all the forms
for you, so you all you do is sign and wait for your cheque to arrive in the mail (or via
direct deposit in some cases). A great company will also keep you informed if there are
delays in processing a rebate or changes along the way.
Your HVAC contractor should be there to care for your home and you personally for the
lifetime of your unit and beyond. If you aren’t getting the care you deserve it’s time to go
shopping for a new HVAC contractor.
Other FREE documents available:
Tankless Buyers Guide
HVAC Terminology – understanding the technical language
The math behind the SEER rating energy savings
AC Troubleshooting Guide for Home Owners
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Looking for something specific that you can’t find – let us know and we will try to assist you
P a g e | 28
Want to know if you can upgrade your current furnace or air
conditioner to get a few more years use out of it?
Want to know if your current system is costing you more than
replacing it?
Shopping for options?
At Francis ClimateCare (a division of Francis Plumbing & Heating) we provide you with
a written quote upfront (no hidden surprises) and discuss all the details you need to
make an informed decision based on facts in writing not just verbal promises.
Already got a quote from someone else and want to know if what you
are getting is going to fit your home and personal comfort needs?
Give us a call, we will gladly schedule a time to review their quote with you and give you
an honest assessment of what they are offering you and if their quote is a good one that
we can’t beat we will encourage you to go ahead with the other company’s quote.
We know that may seem like a bad way to do business giving it to the other company
but our goal has always been customers’ needs first!
We want what is best for our neighbors and clients regardless of who provides the
service.
Our honesty and integrity has made us Ottawa’s first choice in home services which is
why many homeowners trust us to care for their heating, air conditioning & plumbing
needs personally.
Find out for yourself…
There IS more…
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MAINTENANCE & SERVICE PLANS
CALL TODAY & we will email you all the details 613-825-3427
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SPECIALS
Call or email today
To learn more…
613-825-3427
[email protected]
*Terms & Conditions available upon request
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