Carrier AC systems using Puron

It has been almost a year to the day since we replaced our 2.5 ton unit that services the down stairs living space in our home, and now the upstairs unit has taken its last breath so it is time to replace it.  Both units were the original TRANE systems that were ‘state-of-the-art’ back in the 1970s, so we definitely got more than the average lifespan out of them.  We attribute that not just to the quality of the units, but just as much to the regular maintenance of the overall systems.

The new unit installed is a Carrier Model 24ABC6 which is a 2 ton units with a 14.5 SEER rating that matches the 2.5 ton Carrier Carrier 24ABB servicing the ground floor.  We live in a 1,5 story home so the three bedrooms, game room, and full bathroom upstairs is about half the square footage of the main floor.  It makes good sense especially when living below the Mason-Dixon line to zone the house as much as possible to provide cooling where it is needed without throwing away money by cooling areas that are mostly unused.  When the house is mostly empty from 7am to 5pm during the weekdays, we use the ‘schedule’ feature on our Honeywell FocusPro TH6000 Series programmable thermostat to set the temperature to about 85 degrees during those hours.  The only time it will kick in is if we are having some extreme heat.  However, the same setting for the upstairs unit will have it running more often because of the nature of heat rising.  That’s when you really appreciate having a smaller unit to service the areas that are needed because the power consumption of a 2 ton units is almost 1/2 that of the 2.5 ton system.

Electric powered Heater/Blower

The house was custom built back in the mid 70′s and the original owners were very quality conscious which is evident by most of the building materials used, yet it is obvious that the upstairs air conditioner was an afterthought from the original design. The gas line for the furnace that is used  for the 2.5 ton units was not extended to the attic to service the 2 ton unit and to try and retro fit a gas line to that area would be costly and somewhat dangerous.  As a result, the heating portion of the original Trane system as well as the new Carrier system we installed is powered by electricity.  Not the optimal solution by a long shot, but given our set of circumstances it is the best solution for us.

Lastly, since we had to tear apart the old unit and everything that was connected to it, we felt that this would be the ideal time to replace the ducts.  We decided to go with the Thermaflex product with fiberglass insulation with an R-6.0 rating which is a step up from the standard R-4.2 that is used in most new construction.  The higher energy rating means moe insulation and less energy loss through the ducts in that steamy attic.

Flex Duct Installation

Here is what a properly installed duct job looks like when it is completed.  Here we see liberal use of support straps to prevent the ducts from making contact with any surfaces to minimize energy loss.

Poorly installed flex duct

Here is another picture found on the web of a poorly installed duct job.  There is a serious kink in the line which obstructs air flow and the duct is actually touching the roof at one point which will transfer heat into the duct by contact and further degree the cooling capability.  I shudder whenever I look at it!

All in all we are very pleased with the job we did and the overall system performance.  The one thing that you can’t control when buying a new air conditioner is the noise level.  Some will run loud and some will run quiet…it’s a crap shoot.  We got lucky with this one.  I can’t even hear when it kicks in!

Use Programable Thermostats

A programmable thermostat lets you establish different temperature settings based on the time of the day or in some cases the day of the week.  There’s no need to run your home air conditioners all day long while you’re at work, but turning it off or setting it to an uncomfortably low level during the day is not a good idea either.  You are not saving much if you have to run your air conditioner overtime when you get home to get the temperature and humidity back to a comfortable level.  Use the programing to save while you are away, then gradually lower the temperate back to comfort levels for the time you usually get home.

Zone your Home

By setting up ‘zones’, you will be cooling the occupied areas of your home and saving by not cooling the unoccupied areas.  Creating zones is most effectivly accomplished when installing a new system.  You can save money by installing multiple smaller units for cooling each zone rather than one large central unit for cooling your entire home.  Even if you are not in the process of installing a new system, you can still implement a zoning control system with your existing air conditioning unit by installing a zoning control system.  A zoning control system divides the home into multiplet zones, with a thermostat in each zone. The control system includes automatic dampers that fit into the ducts and a control panel that allows for the feedback of information between the programmable thermostat, indoor climate and damper positions.

Keep the cool air in

Air conditioning is most prone to escape through poorly sealed doors and windows.  Check for worn weather stripping.  Feel around your doors and windows from the outside during the heat of the day.  If you can feel the cool air then it is time to replace your weather stripping and/or caulking.

Keep the heat out
Use landscaping, awnings and overhangs to provide shade around the outside of your home. A shaded house is much easier to cool than one in direct sunlight.  Close your drapes and blinds to keep the sun out. Consider installing reflective films or solar shade screens on windows with the greatest exposure to the summer sun.

Maintain your Air Conditioning Units

Proper maintenance helps your air conditioner run more efficiently. Replace disposable filters or clean permanent filters every few months during the cooling season. It’s a good idea to have your entire system checked annually by a qualified air conditioning contractor.  Clean the outside condenser coils at the beginning and the end of the air conditioning season. Clean the coils with diluted detergent, then rinse them off. Trim back shrubs and remove anything that might obstruct air flow.

By following some common sense energy saving ideas revolving around your home air conditioner, you can effectively save 30% or more of your annaul operating costs.  Who doesn’t want to lower their utility bills?  Take a few dollars from the money you’ve saved by applying these tips and have a cold beer on us!