Cool Homes
Making a Smart Purchase
Buying a CAC or heat pump is a big decision, and there are several things you should know before you buy. ENERGY STAR®-rated central air conditioners have a higher seasonal efficiency rating (SEER) than standard models, which makes them more efficient. To make your smartest purchase, you should:
Understand energy efficiency ratings and our rebate to
make sure your unit qualifies.
All CACs and heat pumps have a SEER rating – i.e., a measure
of the system’s average efficiency over the entire summer. The
SEER rating measures the system’s efficiency on the hottest
summer days.
HSPF measures your heat pump’s efficiency when it is cold outside. In all cases, the higher the number, the better the efficiency of your unit.
You should realize that air conditioners with high SEER levels usually cost more than standard efficiency units, but the energy savings should more than make up the difference in just a few years. And LIPA’s rebates make this deal even cooler.
Make sure your contractor participates in LIPA’s Cool Homes
Program!
BBy choosing a Cool Homes participating contractor, not only
will you enjoy all the benefits of an energy efficient, correctly
sized and installed unit, but you will also be eligible for
a rebate. While LIPA can’t recommend specific contractors, we
want you to know that the work of any contractors who participate
in the Cool Homes Program is randomly inspected by expert technicians
we hire.
Have matching indoor and outdoor components.
Most central air conditioners and heat pumps have an outdoor
component (the compressor) and indoor components (evaporator
coil and blower). When replacing
an existing system, some contractors may suggest that you only
purchase a new outdoor unit – and retain the old indoor components
– to save money. However, the indoor and outdoor components
of central air conditioners and heat pumps are designed to work
together, and your old indoor evaporator coil probably won’t
match the new outdoor unit. Replacing both at the same time
will help assure the highest level of energy efficiency and
comfort for your home.
Have your contractor properly size the equipment using
ACCA (Air Conditioning Contractors of America) approved software.
If you simply select the same size system you have now – or
base the size of your new CAC on your home’s square footage
– you could be in for big problems. This is exactly why the
Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) developed a guideline,
known as “Manual J,” to help contractors determine the correctly
sized CAC or heat pump for any given home. Manual J is the best
way to determine your particular home’s needs – and to make
sure you end up with the right system to keep your home cool
and comfortable as efficiently as possible. To be eligible
for Cool Homes incentives, installations must be "right-sized"
using ACCA approved cooling load calculation software.
Make sure your contractor follows this important standard. Otherwise, you might be stuck with an oversized unit that could: cycle on and off excessively and noisily; cause humidity problems; increase maintenance costs; and, shorten the life of your equipment. Perhaps most importantly, an oversized unit can lower the efficiency of your system and increase your electric bills.
Is your existing heating/cooling ductwork adequate for
your new system
Your ducts are a critical part of your heating and cooling
system, so it’s important that they be in good condition. Have
your contractor look for:
- Leaks: Recent studies suggest that home ductwork typically leak 20 percent of the air that flows through them. Duct leaks are hard to see, but a well-trained contractor with the right equipment can locate and seal them for you.
- Insulating your ductwork: Even well-sealed H&C ductwork can lose a lot of energy if they run through areas like attics or crawlspaces that are not normally heated or cooled. Consider having your contractor insulate your ductwork.
- Properly sizing your ductwork: Some ductwork systems are too small to allow proper airflow through the CAC. While replacing ductwork can be expensive, it can pay for itself over time thanks to the annual energy savings.
Remember, you usually get what you pay for.
Don’t just look for the lowest price. Be open to paying
more for energy-efficient equipment and properly trained installers.
Any savings you reap from an inexpensive installation can easily
be lost – many times over – in the form of higher energy bills,
higher maintenance costs and lower comfort levels.
Tell your contractor you want to participate in LIPA’s
Cool Homes Program!
BBy participating in Cool Homes, you’ll enjoy all the benefits
of energy efficiency, and you’ll qualify for a rebate on an
efficient, correctly sized and installed unit. While LIPA can’t
recommend specific contractors, we want you to know that the
work of any contractors who participate in the Cool Homes Program
is randomly inspected by expert technicians we hire. LIPA also
encourages you to use licensed contractors to install your unit.
