Tag Archive for: Understanding HVAC

Should You Consider a Heat Pump Alternative to Traditional HVAC Units?

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\Over recent years, most regions of the world have experienced extreme changes in seasonal climatic conditions. Summers have been extremely hot and during the winter it becomes extremely chilly. Well, all this can be attributed to climate change and global warming. Having the right HVAC system in your home can save you the agony of these extreme climatic conditions.

Just like the traditional HVAC units, a heat pump is also a type of HVAC system. So, if you are looking to replace the HVAC system at your home it is important to be aware of the difference between traditional HVAC units and modern heat pump systems. Both systems have their pros and cons. It is only after analyzing both systems that you can decide the best option for cooling your home. Let’s dive into what a heat pump is and if you should consider a heat pump alternative to traditional HVAC units.

What is a Heat Pump?

A heat pump is a type of centralized HVAC system that uses electricity to cool and heat your home. When it comes to cooling, a heat pump works similarly to a normal air conditioning system. It cools the home by pumping the heat from inside the house to the outdoors. When it is cold, a heat pump will heat your home by collecting heat from the outdoors surrounding and distributing it inside your home.

A heat pump system has an outdoor unit and an indoor air handler. It uses refrigerant gasses for heating and cooling. When air is pulled into the coils connecting the outdoor unit and the indoor air handler, the refrigerant cools or heats the air depending on whether the pump is in cooling or heating mode.

What is a Traditional HVAC Unit?

Traditional HVAC systems comprise several independent components that ensure the temperatures in your home are at desired levels. An HVAC unit has a furnace for heating, air conditioning for cooling, and a ventilation system to distribute the heat and cool air. This involves a lot of ductwork to ensure that cool air and warmth are distributed throughout the home.

The air conditioning system cools the air inside by pumping the heat outside in a similar operation as a heat pump. The furnace on the other hand uses either electricity or gas to generate heat which is then circulated through the house.

Heat Pump vs Traditional HVAC

1. Heating and Cooling

A heat pump is an all-in-one heating and cooling unit you only have to switch between the heating or cooling mode. On the other hand, a traditional HVAC unit must have a furnace and an AC to heat and cool.

2. Cost

Buying and installation cost

  • The cost of buying and installing a heat pump ranges between $4000 to $10000 depending on the type and the size of your home.
  • The average cost of buying and installing a traditional HVAC unit is between $3500 – $5000

  Operational cost

  • Heat pumps are generally cheaper to operate and maintain compared to traditional HVAC systems. The traditional HVAC rack up higher operational costs than a heat pump due to heat generation. Furnaces use either electricity or gas to generate heat while heat pumps absorb heat from the surrounding area and circulate it. Research shows that the operational costs of traditional HVAC can be twice or thrice higher than a heat pump.

3. Energy Efficiency

The standard unit for energy efficiency in cooling systems is SEER (seasonal efficiency energy ratio). It is the ratio of heat energy removed from the home to the energy consumed by the cooling system. Heat pumps are more efficient than traditional HVAC units while in cooling mode.

This is because heat pumps use less electricity to cool spaces. In optimal climates, the efficiency of heat pumps is also high when in heat mode because it does not generate heat but instead absorbs it from the air.

However, in extremely cold climates, where temperatures dip below 30 degrees, heat pumps are unable to heat. This is because there is little to no heat to be absorbed into the heat pump coils.

As a result, you will need a supplemental heating element which might use more electricity compared to a furnace. Hence in such regions, a traditional HVAC unit is more efficient compared to a heat pump.

4. Durability and Longevity

Market studies show that traditional HVAC units last longer than heat pumps. The reason behind the longevity difference is the fact that a heat pump will work throughout the year while HVAC systems use the AC in hot weather and a furnace during cold times. The average lifespan of a heat pump is >15 years while an HVAC unit will last for 15-20 years. This can vary depending on the climatic conditions and maintenance.

Should You Consider a Heat Pump Alternative to Traditional HVAC Units?

From the comparative analysis above, the benefits of a heat pump are undeniable. An all-in-one cooling and heating system, with high energy efficiency, and lower operational and maintenance costs. Some heat pumps don’t need any ductwork as they can work ductless. Those that use ducts take up much less indoor space compared to traditional units.

So, if you are considering changing or upgrading your HVAC system, a heat pump is a good choice if you live in areas with optimal temperatures, where it doesn’t get extremely cold.

Briggs HVAC — Your One-Stop Destination for Residential and Commercial Cooling

Briggs HVAC offers diverse solutions in air conditioning, heating, and HVAC maintenance. Whether you’re looking for air conditioning solutions, heating services, or HVAC maintenance, we can help you bridge any gaps in residential and commercial cooling and heating.

Contact us for residential, commercial, and industrial heating and cooling.

What’s the Difference Between High Efficiency and Low Efficiency Units?

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The United States Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported that Americans used 98 Quadrillion British Thermal Units (Btu) in 2015. The top energy uses were electricity generation, transportation, commercial, residential, and industrial.

Energy demand will increase to 4,000 billion kWh in 2023 up from 3,930 billion kilowatts in 2021. The Energy Information Administration estimates that more than a third of electricity in the United States will come from hydropower, wind, and solar.

In response to the growing demand for power in the United States, the Department of Energy has emphasized more efficient appliances. Air conditioning systems are one of the leading electricity users in most American homes. That’s why it’s important to buy high-efficiency air conditioners because they consume far less electricity than standard or low-efficiency HVAC.

Energy Efficiency Ratings

The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio is a measure of an HVAC’s overall efficiency. This ratio measures the cooling efficiency of standard air conditioners and measures how efficient or inefficient a conditioner is in cooling or heating.

Beginning in 1992, the U.S. Department of Energy set a minimum SEER rating for all HVAC. During this time, all HVAC had to meet a minimum SEER rating of 10. And in 1997, a new minimum was set at 14 SEER.

Over the years, a new SEER rating has been adopted for more efficient air conditioning systems:

  • 1992 – 10 SEER
  • 2006 – 13 SEER
  • 2015 – 14 SEER
  • 2023 – 15 SEER

According to the Department of Energy, new, more efficient air conditioners will reduce utility bills by 40%. And by upgrading from mid-range to high-efficient AC equipment, homeowners in southern states will get a huge return on their investment.

So, what precisely is the difference between high-efficiency and low-efficiency units? The next section of this post looks at the factors that distinguish high-efficient units from low-efficient AC units.

High-Efficiency Units

High-efficient HVAC units are new systems than their predecessors because they’ve leveraged new technology. High-efficient units operate with exceptional variable compressors because they reduce and adjust the levels of coolness and warmth without necessarily turning on and off.

The secret to an environment’s comfort lies behind three fundamental factors:

  • The outdoor condensing unit
  • Indoor variable speed blower
  • The intelligence of the controller

New air conditioners are efficient because their compressors can variably control the airflow and refrigerant flow. This seamless control and variability in airflow mean that homeowners get the capacity they want when they need it. Nothing more and nothing less.

In addition, high-efficient air conditioners control your room’s temperature with minimal energy consumption. The conditioners keep the temperature consistent over a long period.

Cycling on and off an air conditioner only causes wear and tear and doesn’t necessarily keep your house consistently cool the way you want it. In addition, regular cycling on and off causes large bursts of expensive energy.

Therefore, it’s good to keep investing in newer air conditioners.

The Benefits of Newer ACs are as follows:

  • Cost-efficiency: Newer units are more efficient in turning hot air into cold, keeping your energy bills significantly lower.
  • Variability: Newer ACs feature variable air speed adjusters that give the system more control and better efficiency.
  • Better filtration: High-efficiency ACs have thicker, larger-surface media filters which means the air circulating in your room is a lot cleaner and less dirt makes it into your AC system.
  • Sound reduction: There are up to 58 decibels in some air conditioners due to upgraded blades and compressor sound blankets.
  • Continuous blower system: A fundamental bonus of a high-efficient AC is the continuous nature of air circulation in the AC. Lesser efficient models have irritating on/off cycles, but high-efficient ACs provide continuous air circulation regulating humidity and reducing random air bursts.

Low-Efficiency Units

Low-efficient units are cheaper to buy but more expensive to maintain. These systems are not efficient in turning hot air into cold and do not have optimal humidity and temperature controls. Low-efficient units are single-stage models of ACs with irritating on/off cycles and are considerably louder than their high-efficient counterparts.

Which Units Should You Buy and Install

Although high-efficient air conditioners cost more in the short term, they end up costing less in the long term. High-efficient units last longer cost less to maintain and utilize less electricity.

Investing in a quality air conditioner is an important part of keeping your family safe and sound. In addition, a high-efficient unit can help you maintain your home and reduce energy utility bills.

Therefore, before embarking on your journey of purchasing an HVAC unit, it’s important to weigh the investment, the duration of time you’ll remain in the building, and the cost you’ll save on your energy utility bills.

Briggs Heating and Cooling Company — Your Ultimately Comfort Advisor

A professional HVAC provider can help you weigh your options. So, if you’re looking for the most efficient commercial and residential cooling, Briggs Heating and Cooling Company is your ultimate comfort advisor.

5 Air Conditioning Myths Debunked

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In these days of super-fast communication media, it takes very little time and effort for misinformation to spread. Misinformation can then be taken as fact by large numbers of people. Unfortunately, half-baked ideas and misconceptions about air-conditioning are common—getting in the way of making good decisions about home HVAC systems. Take a look at these five air-conditioning myths, debunked so that you can separate fact from fiction about your home AC.

1. Air-conditioning Causes Respiratory Problems

This is a myth not backed up by health research. When AC equipment is used correctly, it helps prevent and minimize health issues. By filtering out harmful airborne particles—bacteria, viruses, fungi, pollen, dander, and other allergens, cleaner air circulates indoors. As a result, asthma and hay fever sufferers can breathe easier, particularly if high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters are used.

However, if you don’t service your air conditioner regularly, the air filters will eventually become dirty and clogged, lowering the air quality in the home. So, this is a case of a myth deriving from homeowners’ neglect of their equipment.

2. The Bigger the AC Unit, the Better

While it seems to make sense that a large, powerful AC unit is best for cooling down rooms, that’s not necessarily the case. Equipment needs to be sized for the space it’s expected to service.

An undersized AC unit will have to work harder to meet set temperature levels, making it less energy efficient, and costing you more in energy bills. Similarly, an oversized unit will need to turn itself on and off to maintain set temperatures, also using more energy than the right-sized equipment would. The result in both cases is higher equipment wear and tear, along with higher energy costs. Additionally, the lifespan of the equipment will be shorter, requiring earlier replacement.

3. Keeping Vents Closed Keeps Air Cool

Many air-conditioning myths seem to start from a logical position but don’t hold up due to a lack of technical knowledge. For example, it’s a popular misconception that if you close off vents and doors in lightly used rooms, chill air will circulate in a smaller area keeping the home cooler.

Unfortunately, home HVAC systems don’t work optimally with vents closed. Air pressure builds up in the air ducts, putting strain on the equipment, lowering energy efficiency, and raising energy costs. Vents should be open so that air is evenly distributed through your home, which is how your AC equipment was designed to be used.

4. AC Equipment Isn’t Efficient for Heating

An expensive fallacy held by many homeowners is that reverse-cycle air conditioning isn’t as efficient as dedicated heating appliances. Gas or electric wall attached or portable plug-in heaters are used rather than AC. However, the heating method used by reverse cycle AC units actually results in lower heating costs per hour than typical plug-in heaters.

Reverse cycle air conditioners draw in heat from outdoor air to indoors. Then, the drawn-in air is heated to set thermostat temperatures through a refrigerant process. This energy-efficient method of heating works even in freezing weather.

The energy cost savings from a reverse cycle air conditioner can be more than 50% less per hour compared to radiant and panel heaters. Of course, this depends on specific appliance models and their energy input levels. Check the Energy Star ratings for your AC and heating appliances. You may be shocked at the difference in running costs and how much this can add up to over winter.

5. ACs Are Bad for the Environment

This is one of the most disingenuous air-conditioning myths. It’s propagated upon the notion that any use of power is bad for the environment and that AC is particularly to blame. However, heating and cooling are essential requirements of modern life for most people. Moreover, as with Myth Number 4, reverse-cycle air conditioning can be much more efficient than standard heating appliances. As such, the lower energy use of AC appliances benefits the environment.

Using reverse-cycle AC results in roughly one-third fewer emissions being released into the atmosphere. Some of the most efficient appliances produce only one-fifth the level of emissions by standard heaters. Technical improvements in refrigerants are also reducing greenhouse gas levels. Human ingenuity can be expected to achieve even better results in future years.

Keep Your Air Conditioning Equipment at Peak Efficiency

At Briggs HVAC, we love helping debunk AC myths. Talk to us about a system maintenance plan to keep your AC in top condition and reduce energy emissions and costs. We service Northern Virginia and nearby counties.