Tuckers Air Conditioning, Heating & Plumbing Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Air Conditioning Installation’

What to Consider Before Your Air Conditioning Installation

Wednesday, June 5th, 2013

Do you need a new AC before the heat and humidity of summer officially arrive? Are you concerned about the frequent repairs and age of your current AC? There are many reasons to call for professional Rockville, MD air conditioning installation services. But whether you need a comprehensive cooling solution for your new build or a replacement of your current system, you need to consider a few things before your installation begins. In today’s post, our techs would like to share with you a handful of such things. Most importantly, however, you need to ensure that you’re entrusting the future of your home comfort with an HVAC expert.

  • Type: Among the various decisions you’ll have to make in consultation with your AC contractor is what type of system to install. If you’d merely like to replace your system with the same type you had before, then this shouldn’t really be an issue. But if you’re looking to improve your home, then you might want to consider something a bit different. If you have ductwork and previously had central air, you might want to take advantage of the year-round comfort of a heat pump. Or, if you’re looking to improve indoor air quality and energy efficiency, you might wish to avoid your ductwork entirely with a ductless split air conditioning.
  • Size: Bigger is not always better, when it comes to your air conditioner. Your AC needs to be properly matched to your home in terms of cooling output. If your AC is too small, it will overwork itself and become energy inefficient. On the other hand, if it is too large, then it will frequently turn on and off, and you won’t be able to accurately control the temperature. It will also suffer from increased wear and tear.
  • Options: You may also want to improve energy efficiency and climate control with a digital, programmable thermostat or a zone control system. Both of these cost-effective options can help your new AC achieve even better performance and energy efficiency.

Call Tuckers Air Conditioning & Heating today for thorough Rockville, MD air conditioning installation services.

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Air Conditioning Question: Why Install a Ductless Air Conditioner?

Monday, August 20th, 2012

If you are in the market for a new AC system, ductless air conditioners are a great option.  The benefits of ductless air conditioning systems are many, and the AC experts at Tuckers Air Conditioning & Heating want to help you understand these benefits.

Benefits of Ductless Air Conditioning Systems

Ductless air conditioners offer flexible zoning options, high energy efficiency, a variety of design options, and reduced operating noise.

Easy zoning capability allows you to individually maintain temperatures in zones throughout a building. The outdoor compressor unit connects to multiple indoor air handling units.  Each of the indoor units can be placed in different sections or rooms of a building, allowing for each specific zone to have its own unique temperature settings.

By utilizing a zone control system, ductless air conditioners can make your cooling practices more energy efficient.  Run the air conditioning only in rooms which are in use, rather than cooling an entire building in which only one or two rooms may be occupied.  Unnecessary cooling of unused spaces accounts for a lot of energy waste, and by eliminating this you can save not only energy but money as well.  Without the use of duct systems, which can be quite inefficient if they are not maintained, you eliminate the heat loss associated with them and can save even more energy.

Indoor air handling units on ductless air conditioning systems can be installed in a variety of places and this can make them easier to incorporate into any given room’s design.  They can use inconspicuous covers or be mounted flush to the ceiling or wall to avoid being an eyesore.

The noisiest components of a ductless AC system are kept outside, and there is no air being forced through ductwork.  This means that the indoor units are quieter, using a nearly silent evaporator and fan to blow the cooled air, and thus offering a cooled space without the noise associated with other types of air conditioners.

Ductless systems not only cool the air, they can heat it as well.  This means that with the installation of one single system, you are able to enjoy year-round indoor comfort.  You don’t have to worry about installing an additional heating system.

The AC technicians at Tuckers Air Conditioning & Heating work with ductless air conditioners every day and can help you with your ductless AC installation in a quick and efficient manner. If you’re in the Germantown area and need AC service, call Tuckers today at 301-670-0034!

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AC Question: What is the Difference Between Duct and Ductless Air Conditioning Systems

Monday, June 18th, 2012

If you are going to buy a new air conditioning system in Gaithersburg, you have a few different options. Today, both ductless and duct air conditioning systems are available, and they each of their own benefits that might make them the right solution for your home depending on your specific needs.

Ductless systems have recently grown in popularity for a number of reasons. They are more energy efficient than central air conditioning systems, and they have none of the energy loss that usually occurs when you use ducts to transport conditioned air. Their installation is also usually much easier than a forced air system because you don’t need to install ductwork, which can be a lengthy process.

Ductless systems use a conduit to connect the indoor air handlers to the outdoor unit. Connecting the indoor components only requires a small hole to be made in your wall. Ductless systems are easy to zone with multiple indoor units, and they can be used to bring air conditioning to parts of the home it would be difficult for ducts to reach.  All of the indoor units can be connected to the same outdoor compressor, and they can be controlled individually by different thermostats. Zoning your air conditioning can help you save energy and make your home more comfortable.

A central air conditioning system also has indoor and outdoor components. Ductwork distributes cool, air conditioned air throughout your home and it’s a great option for many home that already have ducts in place. The ducts are hidden, so unlike ductless systems, you usually can’t see the indoor components.  Central air conditioners come in many different sizes and energy efficiencies, so they usually present the most options for homeowners to choose from. Central air conditioning systems can also be zoned with dampers to divert the air through the ducts to where is it needed most.

Both central air conditioning and ductless systems can keep your home cool and comfortable this summer. Which one is right for you depends on your current system, your budget, and your personal preference. Call Tuckers Air Conditioning & Heating today at 301-670-0034 if you would like to learn more about which type of system would be right for your home.

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Air Conditioning Question : How Much Cooling Capacity Do We Need Per Square Foot of Our Home?

Monday, June 11th, 2012

When you are purchasing a new air conditioner in Gaithersburg, make sure you speak with one of our air conditioning technicians to ensure that you get the right size. The size of the unit will affect the performance and the comfort of your home. Call Tuckers Air Conditioning & Heating if you have questions.

The cooling capacity for an air conditioning system is measured in BTUs (British Thermal Unit), or in “tons.” There are several factors to consider when determining how many BTUs you’ll need per square foot of your home. The general rule of thumb for a home in a moderate climate is one ton (12,000 BTU) per 500 to 1000 square feet. However, this also depends on other factors.

These factors include but are not limited to the following:

  • Geographic location and amount of direct sunlight.
  • The amount of insulation and air sealing quality.
  • The number of rooms and windows.
  • The number of occupants in the home.
  • Ceiling height and air circulation.
  • Condition of other HVAC components, such as ductwork.

If you buy an air conditioner that has more BTUs than you need for your specific home and cooling preferences, the system will lower the indoor temperatures too quickly. This will cause a shorter cooling cycle than is needed to reduce the indoor relative humidity levels. In addition to cycles that are too short, the constant cycling on and off will affect comfort levels and put more stress on the components of the system, which may shorten the life of the AC system.

If you are purchasing a new home, remember that most home inspections do not include the specific calculations that are necessary in determining whether or not the cooling capacity for the home is up to par; however, inspectors are required to provide the capacity on the current system, provided that the home has an AC system in place.

Call Tuckers Air Conditioning & Heating if you need any help choosing the best air conditioning system for your home comfort needs and your budget. Call us at 301-670-0034 today!

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Window Units vs. Ductless Splits for Air Conditioning

Tuesday, May 29th, 2012

If you cannot afford or do not have duct work to support a central air conditioning system, there are two options – window units or ductless units. But, which is better? It depends largely on your budget, whether you rent or own and if there are any risks inherent in either choice.

Window Units

First let’s look at window units. Window units are the least expensive form of air conditioning on the market and don’t require any work on your home to install. They are good for single rooms and smaller apartments as well, and they can usually be installed by one or two people without professional assistance.

The downside of a window unit is that it cannot cool your entire home, even in an apartment. Also, window units tend to block an entire window and they pose a security risk, especially on the first floor. They are easy to remove from the outside and therefore should only be used in extreme circumstances if the window is easy to access.

Ductless Systems

Ductless systems offer benefits that counter all of the downsides of a window unit. Specifically, they don’t block the windows and are mounted inside on the walls. They are also more efficient than window units, using 30% less energy on average than a comparable window unit. They can be sized to cool your entire home and they still don’t use ductwork so extreme installation methods are not needed.

However, a ductless system costs more than a window unit. They are more efficient, quieter, and less obtrusive, but they require a professional installation. Another issue to consider is whether you rent or own your home. Renters may not be permitted to have a system installed like this as it takes up more space and requires some work that could alter the building.

Which Is Better?

So, which should you choose? It depends on the specific needs of your home. If you have two or more zones to cool and can want to have a ductless system installed, it is a great long term solution. To learn more about how a ductless AC system would work in your home, call Bethesda HVAC contractor Tuckers Air Conditioning & Heating at 301-670-0034!

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Ductless vs. Duct Air Conditioning Systems

Monday, May 21st, 2012

When it comes time to pick out a new air conditioning system in Bethesda, you will have to make the choice between ductless and duct models. While both of these types of systems have their advantages, the specifics of your situation will go a long way to determining which one is right for you.

Ductless air conditioning systems are becoming more and more popular these days for a number of reasons. For one, they are generally considered more energy efficient than their ducted counterparts. Also, ductless systems are often cheaper and simpler to install, particularly in a house that does not already contain ductwork.

These types of air conditioners use refrigerant lines to connect the indoor unit or units to the outdoor compressor. The refrigerant lines take up much less space than ducts do and they also are much easier to install. Refrigerant lines can also reach into areas of your house that ducts may not be able to, making it possible for you to bring the benefits of air conditioning to places that did not have access to it before.

The indoor unit of a ductless air conditioning system can generally handle the cooling load of one or two rooms, but if you want to cool a larger space, it will be necessary to install multiple indoor units throughout the house. All of these units can connect to the same outdoor compressor and they can also be controlled individually. That means that you can set different temperatures in different parts of your house and you do not have to pay to cool the entire space if no one is occupying certain parts at the moment.

A duct air conditioning system also involves indoor and outdoor components. However, these elements are connected to each other by a system of ducts rather than by refrigerant lines. In a duct system, cooled air is brought inside from the compressor and then circulated through various ducts by the air handler.

The latest duct systems are quite energy efficient as well, and they can also be coupled with zone control systems to create different climate zones within your house. Particularly if you already have some ducts in place, a central air conditioning system can be a great option for you.

For more information about what type of air conditioning system will work best in your home, give Tuckers Air Conditioning & Heating a call today at 301-670-0034!

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The Benefits of Ductless Splits AC in Gaithersburg

Monday, April 23rd, 2012

Ductless splits air conditioners are designed to eliminate the need for ductwork in a home where space is at a premium. Usually homeowners with older homes – those built before the 1970s – have very little space to work with when it comes to installing the ductwork a traditional central air conditioning system requires. These homes are often heated with radiant boiler systems and have window units to provide cooling in warmer weather. As a result, cooling costs can be extremely high each summer and the house usually isn’t comfortable during these months.

Ductless air conditioning offers a solution to most of these problems. Not only does the technology not require ductwork to be installed; it allows for multiple in-room units on a single compressor and it costs significantly less to operate compared to window AC units.

Ductless System Specifications

Ductless air conditioning systems consist of two major components: a compressor which is placed outside and indoor evaporators. With the use of inverter technology, these systems can support multiple evaporators – usually as many as four to a single condenser. This means you can have a single outdoor unit supporting cooling four separate rooms of your home at the same time.

Each of those indoor evaporators acts as a heat pump, allowing you to both heat and cool the room year round. And because the only connection needed between evaporator and condenser is a single refrigerant line, the installation is much simpler than it would be for a ductwork based central AC system.

Room by Room Benefits

While the primary benefit of a ductless system is the fact that it allows you to install air conditioning in multiple rooms of your house without the need for ductwork, there are other benefits. Not only do you get a much higher energy efficiency rating than you would with traditional window units (many ductless systems are rated at 16 SEER or higher while window units are frequently as low as 10 or 11), but you can control each unit individually. So if a room upstairs doesn’t need to be cooled during the afternoon hours, simply turn off the thermostat in that part of the house and save money.

There are some factors to consider when installing a ductless system. How many rooms do you need cooled? How warm does it get in the summer? Will the system be used for heating in the winter? These are all things you may want to discuss in greater detail with your contractor when you call for an estimate. For more information about having a ductless split air conditioning system installed in Gaithersburg, give Tuckers Air Conditioning & Heating a call at 301-670-0034!

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Heating Installation Question: What Is a Load Calculation and Why Is It Important?

Wednesday, February 8th, 2012

An integral part of designing and installing a heating, ventilation and cooling system in our Olney home is the load calculation. Calculating the load of a room, home, or building essentially consists of determining how much heat is lost and gained within that area. A proper load calculation is critical to installing an appropriate HVAC system, as well as ensuring maximum efficiency or diagnosing problem areas of an existing system.

The Load Calculation Process

When conducting a load calculation for your home or office, a professional will consider several factors that can affect heat loss and gain. First among these is the construction of the building. This includes not only cubic footage, but also the type of material making up the walls, ceiling and floor, as well as any duct work. A professional performing a load calculation will examine the entire building envelope, including whether the walls are wood or masonry, if there are cathedral ceilings, what type of insulation is installed, and so on.

Secondly, load calculation takes into account doors and windows, as these can affect heat gain and loss. The number of doors and windows, as well as the size, shape and material of each one is included in the load calculation. This includes skylights and sliding glass doors, as well as the type of material shading any windows. A professional will look at pane thickness, number of panes in each window, if there are storm windows installed, any drafts in door installations, and even what kind of drapes are on the windows in order to accurately calculate load.

Additional Factors

There are other factors an Olney professional must take into account, including appliances and occupants. Heavy appliances tend to give off heat, as does having a lot of people in a space, so these must be considered in order for an HVAC system to properly regulate temperature and airflow. Last but not least, of course, is the matter of desired temperature change. By how much do you want to raise and lower the temperature of your home or office?

Calculating load prior to installing a new HVAC system is a vital part of the process. It is also a good idea to perform a calculation with current systems, as it may reveal already existing inefficiencies or deficiencies. An inefficient HVAC system not only results in unsatisfactory heating and cooling, but also unnecessary cost due to wasted energy. As you can see load calculation is an elaborate and complex process, but it is necessary for a properly functioning HVAC system.

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