The irony of the old process is that, no one would know that there is a problem. The installing contractor with lack of tools, knowledge, and testing procedures would honestly not realize the issues. The unsuspecting homeowner that believes that when you hire an H.V.A.C. contractor to install a 13 S.E.E.R. air conditioner, “that you will get the efficiency you paid for” (this is the greatest misconception in our industry today). There is documentation attached, and on this website to support that claim and so much more available. But not to despair! “There is a better way!”

To understand the solution to the problem one must understand the problem, and that is capacity. You see, those of us in the business know that an air conditioner, when it’s operating,  has a rated amp draw and corresponding kilowatt usage. This amount is dependent on the size and efficiency of the unit but that is not important to this discussion. What is important is the kilowatt usage “that you pay for”, or all intense purposes, “does not change,” even though the capacity can be reduced to zero. That’s right your air conditioner could be removing no heat, running all day, and still drawing the same electricity it would if it were removing its full capacity. No lie, no exaggeration. And that lack of capacity can exist from the day it’s installed. As a matter of fact, it WILL exist by probability if the capacity is not checked. “There is a better way!”

Let’s go back to the great misconception that if you buy a 13 or 14 S.E.E.R.  air conditioner that’s what you get. This is so untrue, and we can’t go into the massive reasons why you should be so careful in choosing a competent contractor. Because this is not like buying a refrigerator that you plug in and it works like it should. This is a trade made up of the very competent and the very incompetent and unfortunately you need to find the right contractor or you will find out about the great misconception the hard way. But again, to help you to understand why the capacity problem is so prevalent “estimates show as many as 65% of the existing units installed are lacking capacity” we can look at the major issues that cause the problem and they are airflow, refrigerant charge, sizing, and ductwork leakage. Without in-depth discussion of each suffice it to say that oversized units, undersized ductwork, and altitude are all causes of a lack of airflow in Colorado and air flow is a major factor to obtaining capacity, and that is just one issue. We know what issues cause the problem and some contractors have the tools, knowledge, and concern to check the capacity of a unit after it’s installed to prove its capacity and insure its efficiency into the future and certify that performance. “there is a better way and you should demand it” because even 15 % loss of capacity would result in 30 % more run time, 30% more operating cost, and the unit would not keep you cool on a hot summer day. That’s a lot to pay for just blindly believing in the old process and a contractors competence, the new way is to check the capacity of your air conditioner to be sure you are getting the efficiency that you paid for.

2. The new design of furnaces is such that without maintenance FAILURE IS PREDICTABLE WITHIN 5 YEARS.

3. It is logical that a furnace is more likely to fail at night because it must work harder when its colder. (Average emergency service call is over $200.00)

ISN’T SERVICE REALLY THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE WHEN BUYING A FURNACE?