Atlantic Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, Inc. Blog: Archive for August, 2014

The Benefits of Heat Pumps

Wednesday, August 27th, 2014

These days, homeowners have a lot of choices when it comes to choosing an air conditioning system for their home. In fact, there are so many choices, it can be difficult deciding which system will work best for you. Working with a trained professional, like the ones at Atlantic Refrigeration, can help with the decision-making. One of these choices is a heat pump, and we’ll explain below some of the unique benefits of installing one.

Benefits of a Heat Pump

There are several benefits to installing a heat pump:

  • Both heats and cools – heat pumps provide both heating and cooling because of the reversing valve. This valve allows the heat pump to switch between modes.
  • Excellent energy efficiency – heat pumps do not use fossil fuels because they don’t create heat. Instead, they transfer heat, so they only need a small amount of electricity to run.
  • Very “green” – because heat pumps do not need fossil fuels, they do not emit greenhouse gases.
  • Long lifespan – the average lifespan of a heat pump is 15-20 year with good maintenance.

Types of Heat Pumps

There are 5 main types of heat pumps: (NOTE: ask Atlantic Refrigeration about which ones we carry)

  • Central heat pump – this kind of heat pump works in conjunction with an air handler that delivers air through ductwork.
  • Ductless heat pump – this kind of heat pump delivers cooling (and heating) via ductless blowers.
  • Ground source/geothermal heat pump – this kind of heat pump is part of a geothermal system in which heat is extracted from the Earth’s natural, steady temperature below the frost line. When cooling, it pulls heat from your indoors and deposits it into the ground.
  • Air source heat pump – the most common kind of heat pump, these kinds of heat pumps transfer heat from one place to another.
  • Hybrid heat pump – this kind of system allows you to use a heat pump as the main source of heating, but will trigger the use of a furnace for the very coldest days, as heat pumps can struggle to provide adequate heat on their own below 32 degrees.

Heat pumps in Middletown can be a great choice for your home.

If you think a heat pump may be right for you, Call Atlantic Refrigeration today and schedule an appointment with one of our experts.

 

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What Are Energy Recovery Ventilators?

Wednesday, August 20th, 2014

Having an energy efficient home is important for you, your family and your wallet. However, some homes can be too airtight, which can cause problems with proper ventilation. No one wants to throw open a window in the middle of summer or winter to allow fresh air into the home, and with an energy recovery ventilator in Dover, you don’t have to. An energy recovery ventilator (ERV) from Atlantic Refrigeration can help you properly ventilate your home while also reducing your energy usage.

How Does an ERV Work?

An ERV is a component that attaches directly to your HVAC system, and is used year-round. ERVs capitalize on a law of thermodynamics that states energy will spontaneously move from areas of high energy to low energy. As such, when two different temperatures meet, the heat, which is energy, transfers from the higher temperature to the lower one. Additionally, ERVs transfer moisture in a very similar way to heat. Inside every ERV is a heat exchanger that allows moisture to transfer between incoming and outgoing air. As with heat, high levels of moisture move to lower levels of moisture.

How Does It Differ Seasonally?

Here is how an ERV works during summer and winter:

Winter – upon expulsion from your home, the warm, humidified indoor air transfers moisture and heat to the cold, dry incoming air, preheating it and adding needed moisture as it enters your HVAC system.

Summer – the cool, dehumidified air is expelled, and as the fresh, more humid air enters, the expelled indoor air absorbs the excess heat and moisture from the incoming air before leaving the system. This pre-cools and dehumidifies the incoming air before it enters your system.

Benefits of an ERV

  • Greater energy efficiency – the pre-treating of incoming air reduces the amount of work your HVAC system has to do, which helps reduce the amount of energy it uses
  • Better indoor air quality – the constant stream of fresh air increases your indoor air quality
  • Better moisture control – the transfer of moisture helps maintain balanced humidity levels in your home year-round

Installing an energy recovery ventilator to your Dover home is an easy way to increase your energy efficiency and comfort.

For more information on this technology, call Atlantic Refrigeration today and speak to one of our experts to see what an ERV can do for you.

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MERV: What It Stands for and Why It’s Important

Wednesday, August 13th, 2014

Indoor air quality is a big part of your comfort, but it’s also a big part of your overall health. The average time a person spends inside his/her house is over 85%, and, if that air isn’t healthy, neither are you. One way to help improve your indoor air is to add an air filtration system from Atlantic Refrigeration to your Berlin, MD property. However, there are a variety of filtration systems from which to choose, and each has its own capability for capturing particles. The best way to understand how effective a given filtration system will be is to look at its MERV rating.

What Does MERV Stand For?

MERV is an acronym for minimum efficiency reporting value, and it is a scale designed by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) that rates the effectiveness of an air filter.

What Is the MERV Scale?

The scale runs from 1 to 20, with 1 being the least effective and 20 being the most effective. Residential filters typically land in the 5-12 range. Different particles are captured at different ratings:

  • 1-4: pollen, dust mites, cockroach debris, sanding dust, spray paint dust, textile fibers, carpet fibers
  • 5-8: mold, spores, cat and dog dander, hair spray, fabric protector, dusting aids
  • 9-12: legionella, humidifier dust, lead dust, auto emission particulates, nebulizer droplets
  • 13-16: bacteria, droplet nuclei (from sneezing), cooking oil, most smoke and insecticide dust, most paint pigments
  • 17-20: virus, carbon dust, sea salt, smoke

Why Is MERV Important?

MERV is important in understanding the capability of a given filter. For example, if you have allergy sufferers and want to reduce the amount of allergens in your home, the MERV rating you’d need would be at least a 5. One item to note about MERV: if you are looking to install a filter with a MERV over 12, consult with a professional first. Filters with very high MERV ratings can restrict air flow, which is not good for your air conditioning system.

If you are concerned about your indoor air quality and are interested in possibly installing an air filtration system to your Berlin, MD air conditioner, make sure you work with experts to ensure you purchase a system that fits with your needs. Call Atlantic Refrigeration today and schedule an appointment.

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Indications That You Need Air Conditioning Replacement

Tuesday, August 5th, 2014

The average lifespan for an air conditioning system is 10-12 years, so it is likely that you will need to replace yours at some point. Replacing your air conditioner offers you the opportunity to install a system that is more energy efficient, better for the environment and can better meet your cooling needs. Atlantic Refrigeration has helped many customers in Dover with air conditioning replacement, and, as such, we know the signs of a failing system. Here are some more common ones of which to be aware:

  • Your home isn’t comfortable – do you have a hard time keeping your home cool, or are there hot and cold spots throughout? This could be the sign of an aging or incorrectly-sized system. In either case, your comfort is compromised, which negates having an air conditioner at all.
  • Your air conditioner is more than 10 years old – according to EnergyStar.gov, today’s air conditioners can be as much as 60% more efficient than ones from just 10 years ago. Part of the reason for this is that in 2006, federal guidelines mandated that the minimum SEER number be raised from 10 to 13. Considering you can save up to 5% per SEER point in energy costs, upgrading your system can lead to substantial savings.
  • You’re facing expensive repairs – if you are facing a repair that financially would cover a large part of the cost of a new system, it may be time to consider full replacement. 
  • Constant repairs – is your air conditioner constantly breaking down? Are you calling for air conditioning repair frequently because another problem has developed with your system? Repair costs can add up, and it may not make sense to keep paying for them on an aging unit.
  • You air conditioner uses R-22 (Freon) – R-22 is being phased out by the federal government; for now, if your AC uses with Freon, you can recharge it if needed, but prices on it are rising rapidly. Additionally, if your air conditioner uses Freon, you’ll have to replace the system by 2020 because Freon will no longer be available. As such, if you’re having continued problems with your R-22 refrigerant, you are probably paying more money for the repairs simply because it’s R-22. Both problems may make it worthwhile to replace now.

When It’s Time to Replace, Call an Expert

Choosing, sizing and installing a new air conditioner take into account many important factors, which is why it’s important to work with a trained professional from start to finish.

If it’s time for air conditioning replacement in your Dover home, call the people you can trust: Atlantic Refrigeration.

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