FAQ
Think of your air conditioner and furnace as part of a total system. That system will work better, longer and more efficiently if all of its components are matched in capacity and efficiency. By the same token, a mismatched system – one that mixes old technology with new – could decrease system performance and overall comfort.
For example, your new air conditioner will be capable of reaching a certain SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio). Because SEER is determined by a complete system combination, if your existing furnace and indoor coils are older or don’t match in efficiency and capacity, you might not get the efficiency level you paid for or be able to receive accurate information on what your rating actually is. Plus, an older indoor coil may even be dirty and clogged with particles, meaning more energy will be required to push air through the system
For people who suffer from allergies, we recommend American Standard Heating & Air Conditioning’s AccuClean™ Whole-Home Air Filtration System. It can clean up to an astonishing 99.98% of allergens from the filtered air that you family breathes. With AccuClean™, the majority of irritating particles, like dust, pollen, pet hair and dander, dust mites, mildew, lint, fungus, most tobacco smoke, cooking grease, and even bacteria, will be removed from the filtered air. In fact, AccuClean™ removes 100 times more allergens than the standard 1-inch throwaway filters that come with most systems.
One of the first things Shelburne Heating & Air will do is conduct a complete energy analysis of your home. By measuring windows and checking insulation, ductwork and building materials, and reviewing a variety of other factors, we can determine the right size system and equipment for your home. We’ll even ask you questions about your existing comfort challenges, and make recommendations.
That depends. There are many factors that must be considered. These include:
- The efficiency of the equipment
- The size of your home
- Whether the current ductwork installed is in good condition
- Whether you will need a thermostat or an electronic air cleaner
In most cases, replacing your whole system, including both indoor and outdoor components, will result in a more efficient, longer-lasting system, but will also cost a little more.
Rating numbers indicate the efficiency of heating and air conditioning equipment and are directly related to the amount of energy a specific model uses. The higher the rating, the more efficient the product, and the lower your heating and cooling bills can be. The federal government established rating guidelines and sets minimum efficiency levels. For cooling, the rating is SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) and for heat pumps, the rating is HSPF (Heating Seasonal Performance Factor). Gas furnaces are rated with AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency).
We spend about 90% of our time every day indoors. Today’s efficient, airtight homes are excellent at conserving energy, but that also makes them better at trapping potentially irritation particles inside the home. With the rising number of people who suffer from allergies and asthma, indoor air quality has become more and more important to our general health and well-being.
Controlling energy costs starts with your thermostat. You can save about three percent of your heating costs for every degree you lower your thermostat during the winter. And for every degree you raise your thermostat in the summer, you can cut cooling costs up to six percent.* Adding a programmable thermostat can also help you save energy, by allowing you to set different temperature settings depending on the time of day.
Just as important, your system’s components should have the highest possible energy efficiency ratings. Make sure you components meet the following minimums:
- Air Conditioners: SSER ratings of 13 or higher
- Furnaces: AFUE rating of 80 or higher
- Heat pumps: HSPF ratings of 7 or higher
*Potential energy savings may vary depending on your personal lifestyle, system settings, equipment maintenance, local climate, actual construction and installation of equipment and duct system.
2020 Update – Further Consolidated Appropriations Act
The Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 amended Internal Revenue Code section 25C, which provides a tax credit for the purchase and installation of Qualified Energy Property, which includes residential heating and cooling equipment meeting certain energy efficiency requirements. There are several important requirements and limitations homeowners must meet to qualify for the section 25C tax credit, such as the Qualified Energy Property must be installed in the homeowner’s primary residence. American Standard recommends that homeowners consult a qualified tax professional to ensure they meet all requirements.
As part of the recently passed American Tax Payer Relief Act of 2012, Congress modified and extended its energy efficiency tax credits for appliances, new homes and retrofits to existing homes, which includes the 25C heating and cooling equipment tax incentive for 2012 through 2016. Thanks to the federal legislation retroactively extending previously available tax credits, homeowners may be eligible for a tax credit if they purchase certain types of heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, water heating equipment, or make other energy-related improvements to their homes between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2017. The new legislation extends the cumulative cap of a $500* maximum tax credit.
American Standard is committed to meeting the needs of homeowners in a very dynamic environment and offers many products under this new law. Depending on the type of system or product purchased, it may be possible to qualify for a 25C tax credit of up to $500* on your income tax return. IRS form 5695 will need to be filed with your return. To find a dealer near you, click here. *Maximum 25C tax credit amount is $500 and is available for respective products in the following amounts: $300 maximum for a qualifying air conditioning system, heat pump or packaged system, $150 maximum for a qualifying furnace, and $50 maximum for a qualifying product with an advanced circulating fan. The tax credit is effective for all qualified systems installed from 1/1/2012 through 12/31/2016, and is only valid to taxpayers that own their home and use it as their principal residence. Information from American Standards company.
Geothermal tax credits are also available for home owners who install geothermal heating and cooling systems through the Energy Improvement and Extension Act of 2008 (H.R. 1424). H.R. 1424 offers a onetime tax credit of 30% of the total investment for homeowners who install residential ground loop or ground water geothermal heat pumps that meet or exceed Energy Star requirements and are installed after December 31, 2007. The tax credit is available through December 31, 2016. Consult your local tax professional for advice on taking advantage of this tax credit. Information from ClimateMaster company.
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