Step 1 for purchasing a quality home comfort system that's Built To Last™

South Bay residents depend on their home air conditioning. When an HVAC system is on the fritz, the prospect of buying and installing a new one can be intimidating.

Red Apple Air understands this apprehension, and that's why we believe it's necessary to take some of the mystery out of the complex subject of HVAC maintenance. We've developed a 3-step process that explains how customers should approach a new cooling and heating installation:

1. Selecting the equipment
2. Smart system design and installation
3. Choosing the right contractor

In this blog post and the two that follow it, we'll explain each step in detail to help you get an HVAC system that's built to last in Long Beach CA.

Knowing how cooling and heating units work and relating that knowledge to what your home needs are extremely helpful in making the right purchase and service decisions.

Every A/C and heating unit has four distinct components:

1. An indoor coil unit and furnace
2. Return and supply air ducts
3. An outdoor coil and compressor unit
4. A thermostat

The indoor and outdoor units are connected by refrigerant lines and must be compatible with each other. Otherwise, the system won't operate as efficiently. If one coil unit needs to be changed out, the other one should also be replaced at the same time.

To cool a home, the outside coil uses an attached compressor to move air through the refrigerant lines to the indoor coil. That sends the air to a cooling unit, which in turn circulates the cool air throughout the house through the ducts. Hot air is exhausted outside.

For heating, an ignited furnace draws in unconditioned, combusted air. The furnace fan pulls the cold air over a heating exchange, then pushes the hot air through the home's air ducts. 

Air conditioning equipment is evaluated for its energy efficiency. A/C units with higher ratings are more efficient. Three of the most common efficiency rating standards are:

• SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) – An A/C unit's cooling efficiency
• AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization efficiency) – Efficiency of a gas or oil furnace's heating
• HSPF (Heating Season Performance Factor) - How efficient pumps are in heating mode

These ratings relate to HVAC operating costs. For example, a 4-ton A/C system with a SEER rating of 13 saves a house $1100 every year. One with a SEER rating of 20 can save $2000 annually.

Brand reputation and pricing are important considerations when selecting A/C equipment, but they can't be the only criteria you use. A customer should also look for:

• Reliability - Quality parts that work all year
• Aesthetics – Fitting in with the look and style of your home
• Warranty – Parts and service coverage for as long as possible
• Tech support - Thorough customer service and repair
• Part Replacement - Easy and quickly accessible components

Customers can improve their indoor environment with a few accessories:

• Programmable thermostat - Scheduled temperature control for different times of the day can slash utility costs.
• Humidifier – A humidifier adds air moisture to improve indoor conditions and protects valuables from humidity-related wear and tear
• Carbon monoxide detectors - For increased safety, there should be one on every level of the home.
• Air cleaners and filters - Carbon extended media filters and certified HEPA filters are much better than temporary filters at trapping dust, smoke, and particles.
• Air purifiers - An air purifier attacks bad odors, mold, and other organic matter that's harmful to your health.

Think about all your options for equipment brands and accessories before deciding. Red Apple Air is always happy to guide you through the selection process.

Next month: Smart design and installation of an HVAC system.