PROFESSIONAL GUIDE TO HEATING AND COOLING EQUIPMENT
Alpine Heating and Cooling • January 8, 2021
Your heating and cooling system can be different from your neighbors'—it all depends on what is important to you.
To make sure you get the one that’s perfect for your home, build your system according to what’s most important to you: comfort, efficiency, quiet operation or extreme reliability.
For greater efficiency, look for:
- Products with efficiencies no less than:
- 90% AFUE for furnaces
- 15 SEER for air conditioners
- 9.50 HSPF for heat pumps
- ENERGY STAR® qualification
- Variable speed motors
- Multi-stage operation
- AHRI-matched systems
For greater comfort, look for features such as:
Variable speed motors
- Reduce hot and cold areas throughout the home
- Improve year-round humidity control
- Improve indoor air quality; helps reduce dust and other allergens because of constant air movement
- Lower monthly utility bills*
Multi-stage operation
- Rather than being "all on" or "all off," your furnace can adjust its heat output based on conditions inside and outside your home.
- Get two air conditioners in one—high-efficiency products with multi-stage compressors will run on the first stage of cooling when temperatures are mild. The equipment will use less energy more often.
- When outdoor temperatures reach extremes, the equipment will utilize the additional stage, but will still operate efficiently because of the higher SEERrating.
- Lower monthly utility bills*
For the quietest operation, select the following:
HEATING
Products featuring Quiet Combustion technology
- Small Btu inputs per burner
- Gradual start-up avoid whoosing air and duct work “popping”
- Insulated cabinets
COOLING
- Products with Sound Reduction Technology
- Advanced fan blades
- Heavy-duty sound blankets
HEAT PUMPS
- Products that include QuietShift™ Technology
For the greatest reliability, look for:
Armstrong Air EHX heat exchanger technology
- Made of stainless steel for corrosion resistance and maximum strength against thermal fatigue
- Longer heat exchanger life
- Specially shaped surfaces to direct airflow more efficiently, and transfer heat more effectively
Armstrong Air MHT™ cooling technology
- Specially designed fan shroud for optimal air flow over the coil
- Louvered coil fins have more surface exposure for greater heat transfer
- Rifled refrigeration tubes
- 10-Year Limited Warranties on parts
- Lifetime Limited Warranties on the heat exchanger
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If you’ve heard people talking about “new refrigerant rules” for air conditioners and heat pumps, you’re not alone. Homeowners are wondering if their current AC system is suddenly outdated or impossible to repair. The simple answer is no — you do not need to replace your air conditioner just because refrigerant rules have changed. What Changed With HVAC Refrigerants? The HVAC industry is moving away from higher-GWP refrigerants, including R-410A, and toward newer refrigerants with lower environmental impact. Under the EPA’s refrigerant transition rules, many new residential air conditioners and heat pumps manufactured after January 1, 2025 must use lower-GWP refrigerants. Existing systems can still be serviced, and parts used to repair existing systems are not subject to the same restrictions as new equipment. For homeowners, that means your current air conditioner or heat pump does not automatically need replaced. Can My Current AC Still Be Repaired? Yes. If your system uses R-410A, it can still be serviced. The bigger question is whether a repair makes financial sense. As older refrigerants become less common over time, certain repairs — especially refrigerant leak repairs — may become more expensive. That does not mean every older system should be replaced, but it does make the repair-versus-replace decision more important. When Should You Consider Replacing Your AC? You may want to consider replacement if: -Your system is over 10–15 years old -You are facing a major repair -Your AC has a refrigerant leak -Your energy bills keep climbing -Your home has uneven temperatures -Your system uses older equipment that is no longer under warranty If your system is newer, running well, and only needs a minor repair, replacement may not be necessary. Don’t Panic — Get Honest Advice The new refrigerant rules are a real change in the HVAC industry, but they should not be used to scare homeowners into replacing equipment before they need to. At Alpine Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Refrigeration, we help homeowners understand their options clearly. Whether your system needs a simple repair, a refrigerant leak check, or a full replacement estimate, our goal is to give you honest information so you can make the best decision for your home. Have Questions About Your AC System? If you’re unsure whether to repair or replace your air conditioner, contact Alpine today. Our team can inspect your system, explain your options, and help you prepare for the future of home comfort. 📞 Schedule a Comfort Evaluation OFFICES Wooster: (330) 263.0013 Ashland: (419) 289.1616 Mt. Eaton (330) 359.7114 Email: sales@alpine-services.com. Website: https://www.alpine-services.com/contact
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