Tag Archive for: Understanding HVAC

Top 7 Ways You Can Keep Your Home Cool This Summer

/by

Summer is the hottest season of the year. Even though the sun goes down at night, the high-angle summer temperatures remain relatively constant, with no signs of change. Heat is dangerous — and sometimes deadly. Published research shows that overheating can lead to heatstroke, which is a life-threatening condition.

It’s important to keep your house cool this summer to prevent overheating, heat exhaustion, heat cramp, and heat rash. Therefore, you should mitigate the effects of excessive heat in your home by looking at ways to keep your home cool this summer.

7 Ways to Keep Your Home Cool This Summer

1. Air Sealing

Air sealing represents a superior solution for keeping your house cool and your HVAC systems efficient. When you air seal, you prevent the loss of conditioned cool air and heat entry. This, in return, increases the coolness of your interior space and promotes the efficiency of the cooling systems. The HVAC doesn’t have to work as hard to retain the conditioned cool air and prevent hot or warm air.

2. Insulation

Insulation works through a similar mechanism as air sealing. Usually, insulating your windows and doors prevents the entry of warm air and keeps the cool air inside. Insulation works as a barrier, preventing the escape of conditioned cool air and hindering hot air from outside.

3. Check for Air Leaks

It’s advisable to check for air leaks and seal them. Common areas to look out for include door frames, windows, sockets, baseboards, pipes, and electrical outlets. You can use caulking or weather stripping to seal small cracks or tiny openings between doors and windows. You can use foal sealant to cover cracks and holes in ceilings, floors, walls, and windows. Use door sweeps to prevent outside air from accessing your indoor space.

4. Ventilation

Ventilation, commonly known as airflow, allows the exchange of stale indoor air with fresh outside air, thus creating a healthier and more welcoming indoor space. Proper ventilation helps eliminate poor, polluted air containing moisture, cook fumes, and volatile organic compounds (VOC), which can all contribute to discomfort. You can achieve proper ventilation through cross-ventilation. This process involves opening windows on opposite sides to allow air to flow in one window and flow outside to the other.

5. Effective Use of Air Conditioning

Air conditioning can reduce your energy expenditure because air conditioners improve indoor air quality, reducing energy and electricity expenses. Reducing energy usage from air conditioning minimizes carbon emissions, thus improving your environmental carbon footprint. Regular cleaning of A/C units and regular maintenance improves your indoor air quality. Clean air filters have fewer allergens, less dust, smoke, and other contaminants likely to be distributed by the air conditioning system.

Here are a few energy-saving practices when using air conditioning:

  • Use natural cooling methods: Before turning on your air conditioner, open your windows during hot hours to allow cool, fresh air. In addition, use fans when necessary and take advantage of natural temperature changes.
  • Maintain proper insulation: Effective air sealing prevents heat loss and heat gain, improving the performance and functioning of your air conditioning system.
  • Zone cooling: If possible, utilize zone cooling by using portable air conditioners or adjusting your vents and pipes. Use zone coolers in specific areas of your home instead of cooling the entire space.

6. Outdoor Shading and Landscaping

Outdoor shading prevents direct sunlight from reaching your windows, doors, and walls, ensuring optimal indoor temperature. Shading acts as a passive cooling method because it diffuses direct sunlight, eliminates the need to use mechanical cooling techniques, and saves energy.

Here are tips for strategically shading your outdoor space:

  • Tree placement: Strategically identify the sun’s path during the day and plant trees on the eastern and western sides of your walls and windows to prevent direct sunlight from hitting your home.
  • Shade structures: Install pergolas and awnings on your outdoor space and south-facing windows to prevent the high-angle summer sun from hitting your windows and walls.
  • Deciduous trees: If you live in an area with distinct climatic patterns, you can opt for deciduous trees which shed their leaves during winter to allow direct sunlight radiation to reach your home.

7. Energy-Efficient Lighting

Lighting is essential for every home, but inefficient lighting can lead to higher energy bills. Traditional incandescent bulbs and other inefficient lighting alternatives contribute to carbon emissions with devastating environmental footprints.

Some tips for energy-efficient lighting:

  • Replace traditional lighting: Replace all incandescent bulbs with LED bulbs for more efficient lighting.
  • Identify lighting requirements: Assess the lighting requirements for each room and evaluate the appropriate bulb wattages and color temperatures to minimize energy consumption.
  • Dimmer switches and timers: Install timers to automatically switch off the lights when they’re not in use. Use dimmer switches to adjust the light according to your needs.

Briggs HVAC – Your Expert in Indoor Cooling Solutions

Briggs HVAC in Northern Virginia is your expert in residential and commercial indoor cooling. The company sells, installs, repairs, and maintains air conditioners, helping homes and offices meet indoor cooling needs. Briggs HVAC specializes in different HVAC brands, including Trane, Daikin, Carrier, Aprilaire, and Goodman.

Contact Briggs HVAC for superior indoor cooling solutions to keep your home cool this summer.

How to Save Money on Your Energy Bills with HVAC Upgrades

/by

From the pancakes in your pan to the gas in your car, everything seems to be getting expensive these days. The rising cost of energy has been driven by climate change and increased demand for carbon fuels. Luckily, with clean energy, things seem to be getting into place. Upgrading your HVAC system can help you save money on your energy bills.

Here’s how you can save money on your energy bills with HVAC upgrades:

1. Insulating Your Indoor Space

Statistics show that homes and commercial establishments consume 40% of the energy consumed in the United States. And, of the $2000 households spend on energy annually, a whopping $200 to $400 could be going to outdated heating and cooling systems.

Sealing air leaks in your floors, fireplaces, ceilings, and floors is a great way to ensure you save significantly on lost energy. Most importantly, upgrading your HVAC system ensures that your cooling and heating systems function optimally, thus saving you significantly on energy bills.

2. Investing in a New System

Old or outdated HVAC systems can cost you significantly in energy costs. Understanding how technology has changed can help you step up and leverage the best-in-class heating and cooling systems.

For instance, the SEER rating continues to change, with changes targeting higher energy efficiency and lower heating costs. Therefore, investing in a new HVAC system can help you take advantage of new technologies in HVAC systems and ultimately help you save money on your energy bills.

3. Retrofit an Old HVAC System

Retrofitting an old HVAC system implies adding modifications to your system. HVAC systems tend to age with time, posing significant cost concerns to home and office owners.

However, adding modifications such as replacing an old PSC fan with an ECM drive, replacing burners, and upgrading to a programmable thermostat are all ways of making the HVAC more efficient. In addition, you can add dehumidification and improve the filtration of the entire system. All these represent critical retrofits to improve the energy efficiency of your systems and save money on energy bills.

4. Higher Efficiency and Performance

Newer air conditioners have higher SEER ratings than your typical 20-year-old system. That’s simply because newer air conditioners have higher Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratings (SEER). This rating explains the amount of energy necessary for removing extra indoor air temperatures. The higher the rating, the less energy you need to get rid of excess temperature indoors. HVAC upgrades typically guarantee higher SEER ratings, ensuring you spend significantly less on electricity and energy bills.

5. Purchase Incentives

The most obvious disadvantage of a system with a higher SEER rating is that it will be typically more expensive to purchase at the onset. However, air conditioners with excellent SEER ratings will offer better purchase incentives. Indeed, some utility companies will offer you rebates for upgrading to energy-efficiency systems, including HVAC systems. This also applies to some states which offer tax breaks for energy-efficient air conditioners. So, ensure to check out with your respective state and utility company to see whether you qualify for these exciting offers.

6. Energy and Cost Savings

You’ll notice significant energy and cost savings immediately after upgrading your HVAC unit. Variations in SEER ratings contribute to energy and electricity savings. And even if your HVAC system has a decent SEER rating, there’s always room for improvement.

You can upgrade it to a higher SEER rating to bring energy consumption to an optimum. For instance, upgrading your SEER rating from 16 to around 19 can bring your energy savings to somewhere between 25% to 40%. HVAC upgrades contribute significantly to your energy and cost savings, whether you’re a residential property or a commercial establishment.

Additional Tips to Save Money on Your Energy Bills

It’s important to recognize that huge energy bills come because it takes a lot of electricity to get rid of excess temperature in your indoor spaces. On the same note, higher electricity and energy bills are directly attributable to the amount of electricity you need to heat your home. This underlying understanding of nuances in energy use can help you save money on your energy bills.

Here are additional tips to save money on your energy bills:

  • Cover your windows and other open spaces: This helps prevent unnecessary loss of heat and entry of cool air, keeping your indoor temperatures constant.
  • Throw shade around the house: Planting indoor flowers or trees can help block direct sunlight and thus keep your house cooler.
  • Change your thermostat: It’s advisable to get creative about your thermostat and upgrade it to a programmable one. A programmable thermostat helps you adjust your indoor temperature at certain hours of the day.
  • Deploy ceiling fans: If possible, install ceiling fans on your house’s upper level and open the windows on the lower level. If you’re living in a one-story apartment, open windows far from the fan and close windows near the fan. This helps to regulate the indoor temperature and keep the energy utility bills to a minimum.

HVAC Briggs — Your Ultimate Destination for Indoor Heating and Cooling Savings in Northern Virginia

You can contact us for excellent indoor heating and cooling solutions. As a family-owned HVAC company in Northern Virginia, we provide excellent heating and air conditioning solutions for residential, commercial, and industrial establishments. We also provide AC repair, AC sales and installations, and AC maintenance solutions.

The Importance of Proper HVAC Ventilation in Indoor Air Quality

/by

Truth be told, indoor air quality is a critical element of our daily lives. Indoor air quality impacts our health, comfort, productivity, and well-being. One of the main factors that affect indoor air quality is the presence of a proper heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. Let’s explore the importance of proper HVAC in indoor air quality. But first, let’s take a quick look at what HVAC is.

What is HVAC

HVAC refers to a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems HVAC system. An HVAC system regulates the temperature, humidity, and air quality of a building, whether it’s a commercial set-up, an industrial set-up, or even a residential space. The purpose of an HVAC system is to provide a fresh, comfortable, and healthy indoor environment.

Now, let’s explore the importance of proper HVAC ventilation in indoor air quality:

1. Temperature Regulation

One of the main benefits of an HVAC system is to regulate the temperature of a living space, be it a residential house, a commercial office, or even an industrial shop floor. Proper temperature regulation is critical to the occupant’s health and overall productivity.

A poorly functioning HVAC system leads to poorly regulated indoor temperatures or fluctuating temperatures. These inconsistencies in temperature regulation can lead to health issues and discomfort.

2. Humidity Control

Building-related causes lead to high humidity levels in indoor spaces. Rising dampness, porous walls, and building leaks are all leading causes of structural moisture due to rising humidity levels.

High humidity levels can lead to mold growth and affect air quality, leading to cardiovascular health conditions such as heart disease, coronary syndrome, arrhythmia, and asthma. Low humidity levels can lead to dry skin, respiratory problems, and other health issues.

HVAC systems can regulate high humidity levels in a building. Well-functioning HVAC systems can adjust indoor humidity, ensuring optimal humidity levels important for the occupants’ health and well-being.

3. Air Filtration

Using a proper air filtration system leads to many benefits. These benefits include reduced risks of airborne diseases, eased asthma symptoms, and relieved allergies, among many other health benefits.

A proper HVAC system can replace an air filtration system by filtering out pollutants and allergens from your indoor air. A well-functioning HVAC system is an excellent air filtration system, thus removing particles such as pollen, dust, and gasses that can cause respiratory problems.

However, a poorly functioning HVAC system can circulate pollen, unwanted gases, and mold leading to respiratory health problems — asthma, tract infections, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

4. Ventilation

Proper ventilation is fundamentally significant for good indoor air quality. An excellent HVAC system can remove stale air and provide fresh air inside an enclosed building, whether an office, an industrial shop floor, or a home. On the contrary, a poorly functioning HVAC system affects your ventilation by circulating and accumulating stale air containing contaminants like gasses (formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, asbestos), pollen, mold, and dust mites.

Effects of Poor Indoor Air Quality

To understand why you need a properly functioning HVAC system, consider the overlapping health effects of poor indoor air quality.

Poor indoor air quality can have several health effects:

  • Respiratory problems: Poor air quality can lead to dangerous respiratory conditions such as asthma, allergies, and bronchitis.
  • Headaches and fatigue: Poor air quality can lead to headaches and fatigue, affecting productivity and well-being.
  • Eye, nose, and throat irritation: Poor air quality leads to the accumulation of contaminants that affect your eyes, nose, and throat, causing discomfort.
  • Cognitive impairment: Quality indoor air affects your mental and psychological well-being. However, poor air quality affects your cognitive functioning — concentration and memory.

You need a Properly Functioning HVAC System

A proper HVAC system is essential for maintaining good air quality. It regulates temperature, humidity, and air quality important for indoor air quality. As mentioned, poor indoor air quality can have serious health repercussions, including respiratory disease, fatigue, headaches, and cognitive impairments. Experts advise maintaining a well-functioning HVAC system to ensure good air circulation, contaminant removal, and a healthy indoor environment.

Briggs HVAC — A Trailblazer in Indoor Air Quality

We provide our customers with a properly functioning HVAC system for residential, commercial, and industrial air quality needs. Briggs HVAC offers excellent solutions in AC sales, maintenance, and repair.

In addition, you get to enjoy quality heating services and HVAC solutions tailored to your indoor needs. So, whether it is a small office space, residential development, or a busy shop floor, you can always contact us for indoor air quality solutions.

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

/by

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?

/by

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

/by

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.