Guide to Understanding Manuals J, D, and S

During an HVAC system installation, there are several important technical elements that must be taken into account to ensure the system is correct for your home and that it will work at its best. The Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) publishes three technical references that provide all the guidance, procedures, and best practices that your HVAC professional will need for a successful installation. Here is a brief introduction to Manuals J, D, and S, and what they cover.

Manual J — Residential Load Calculation

Manual J provides all the technical guidance necessary for a residential load calculation. Each building has a heating or cooling load, which is the amount of heating or cooling needed to keep the inside spaces at the temperature the residents prefer. A load calculation takes into consideration multiple thermal and physical characteristics of the building to determine its load. Once your HVAC professional knows the building's load, he can easily guide you to the type of HVAC equipment that has the functional capacity to satisfy that load.

Manual D — Residential Duct Systems

Manual D covers the ductwork in residential settings. The HVAC system ductwork is the network of pipes that directs heated or cooled air from your HVAC equipment to the inside of your home. Ductwork must be properly designed, installed, sealed, and insulated to ensure it carries conditioned air without loss of energy and without wasteful air leaks.

Manual S — Residential Heating and Cooling Equipment Selection

Manual S includes detailed technical specifications and performance information on multiple brands of air conditioners and heat pumps. This type of data helps your HVAC pro choose the best equipment for your particular needs. Manual S also provides additional information on equipment sizing, ventilation, and air distribution.

With more than three decades of experience in the HVAC industry, Air Assurance brings top-quality sales, installation, maintenance, and repair to customers in Tulsa and the neighboring communities. Contact us today for more information on Manuals J, D, and S and how these important technical references are used to ensure the best possible HVAC performance in your home.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). Credit/Copyright Attribution: “Tang Yan Song/Shutterstock”

5 HVAC Installation Tips That Save Money, Headaches Down the Road

Whether you're installing an HVAC system in a new home or updating your existing equipment, you're going to rely on its heating and cooling capabilities to keep you comfortable for many years. The following HVAC installation tips can help ensure that you reap the greatest benefit from this major investment.

• Hire a trustworthy contractor. A reliable, reputable contractor will have North American Technician Excellence (NATE) certification, and the skills and experience to install your new HVAC equipment correctly. Take the time to research and locate an HVAC contractor who'll install equipment that matches your needs, and who'll stand behind his work with a guarantee. If you base your choice of contractor solely on price, you may end up paying more down the road if the work performed is sub-standard.

• Ensure correct system capacity. Your contractor should assess your home based on square footage, insulation level, window type, and a number of other critical factors. Then, he or she should calculate the needed equipment capacity using the Air Conditioning Contractors of America's (ACCA) Manual J. Inaccurately sized HVAC equipment won't keep your home comfortable, and could result in higher energy bills due to inefficient operation.

• Take insulation into account. Your home's insulation plays an important role in both comfort and energy savings. You won't benefit from an energy-efficient system that's correctly sized and properly installed if you're lacking sufficient insulation in your home.

• Consider your ductwork. Your new, ultra-efficient HVAC system won't effectively heat and cool your home if your ducting design isn't adequate, if the connections aren't sealed, or if it's not insulated properly. Your ductwork is a key factor that should be considered in the planning stage of an HVAC purchase.

• Get your new installation inspected. Once your contractor has completed the job, make sure you schedule an inspection through your municipality. A building inspector will check that your new system is installed correctly, and that the work meets all local codes.

To learn more helpful HVAC installation tips for your Broken Arrow area home, contact us at Air Assurance. We've been providing outstanding service to our customers since 1985.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). 

Image courtesy of Shutterstock

5 Reminders for Saving Energy During Tulsa's Hot Summer

5 Reminders for Saving Energy During Tulsa's Hot Summer

Rather than letting your utility bills skyrocket during hot weather, learn a few key tips for saving energy and money. Check your refrigerator, along with other appliances, and enjoy contributing to a greener planet in addition to keeping energy bills down. 

• Lightbulbs: Switch to more energy-efficient lightbulbs, such as LEDs and CFLs, both of which use about 75 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs, and generate a lot less heat. Energy-efficient bulbs also last longer and will save you about $6 per year in energy costs.

• Appliances: Unplug appliances, especially those you do not use frequently. Most appliances use energy when plugged in even if not in use, so be sure to unplug or use devices that will "power down" these items. Unplugging appliances and utilizing devices such as game consoles and set top boxes can save up to $100 a year in energy costs.

• Refrigerator: Prevent your refrigerator from working harder during heat and humidity waves by keeping coils and gaskets clean. Refrain from having the door open while deciding on food and drink as well. Cover food and drinks, which release moisture when left uncovered, as the unit's compressor works harder as a result. Ensure the fridge is not pushed up against the wall, which will prevent air from circulating and therefore dispersing heat from the condenser. Avoid overloading the unit as well, as this will make it work harder to stay cool.

• Air Conditioner: The right-sized air conditioner is important for removing humidity as well as heat. Research unit sizes for saving energy.

• Thermostat: Raise your thermostat a few degrees any time you are not at home to save energy and money. Programmable versions are best for keeping costs down, because you can set the thermostat for a higher temperature when you're away from home or sleeping.

For more expert advice on saving energy and keeping your Tulsa home comfortable, please contact us at Air Assurance. We have proudly served the Broken Arrow and Tulsa areas since 1985.Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). Image courtesy of Shutterstock

HVAC Contractor Hire Seem Daunting? It Needn't Be

HVAC Contractor Hire Seem Daunting? It Needn't Be

Selecting the right HVAC contractor to install your new air conditioner or furnace is just as important as the equipment you choose. Proper installation is required for optimal safety, efficiency and reliability. Don’t be daunted by the task of hiring the right HVAC contractor. Instead, use this guide to aid you in your selection.

• Ask friends and neighbors for recommendations: Their experience with a reputable contractor is a great place to start.

• Call the contractor: Pay attention to how you’re treated on the phone. Reliable contractors are professional, prompt and courteous. Look for these features as they make their first impression.

• Look for professional affiliations: North American Trade Excellence (NATE) is an organization that trains and certifies HVAC technicians. Trust the job to a NATE-certified tech for the best experience possible.

• Seek estimates: This provides you with a price comparison. However, don’t give your business to a company that attempts to provide an estimate over the phone, since a load calculation must be performed before equipment size, and therefore cost, can be determined. In addition, think twice before accepting the lowest bid. Remember, you get what you pay for.

• Ask about sizing techniques: With the cost estimate in hand, ask the HVAC contractor what sizing method they used to produce this estimate. If the contractor’s response is that they used the square footage alone to determine equipment size, wave them out the door. This rule of thumb is not accurate enough to give you the best results. Look for a contractor who uses formal sizing techniques found in Manual J.

• Get everything in writing: A trustworthy HVAC contractor will provide a written proposal with details about the job at hand, such as the work to be done, labor costs and overall project price. The contractor will insist you sign a contract before work begins and ensures all changes are added and initialed as needed.

Please contact Air Assurance Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing to work with a qualified HVAC contractor who can meet or exceed your expectations in every way. We have proudly served the Broken Arrow community since 1985.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  Image courtesy of Shutterstock

How Manuals J and D Help You Get the Right Size HVAC

How Manuals J and D Help You Get the Right Size HVAC

When HVAC professionals size the cooling and heating system for your home, they use software called Manuals J and D. These software applications eliminate the guesswork involved with HVAC sizing. Manual J covers the size of the equipment, while Manual D addresses the ductwork design and its capacity. The longevity of the system, your energy bills and comfort are driven by the correct size for both.Manual J takes into account the conditioning load of your home, which includes these factors:

• Cubic footage

• Floorplan layout

• Number of windows, their orientation to the sun and efficiency

• Insulation levels in the walls and attic

• Air infiltration levels

• Heat-producing appliances and your lighting types

• Preferred indoor temperatures

• Number of household members and their ages

• Landscaping factors.

Once the contractor completes Manual J, he or she moves onto Manual D to determine the ductwork configuration and size you need. The layout of your home makes a difference in ductwork design, especially if you have an open floorplan or high ceilings. Another benefit of starting the HVAC replacement process with the load calculation using Manual J is seeing how improving insulation levels and sealing air leaks would lower the size of the HVAC system you need.Using Manuals J and D eliminates the risk of installing too large or small a system. When they're too small, they won't be able to keep up with the conditioning load during weather extremes. Systems that are too large short-cycle, which means they run for short periods more frequently.Short-cycling causes higher energy bills and more wear and tear on the system. During the summer, air conditioners that run for brief periods won't remove as much humidity or airborne particulates, like pollen, dust and pet dander. In the winter, the heating system won't run long enough to thoroughly warm solid objects in your home, which causes the furnace to turn on more frequently.If you're searching for a new HVAC system and would like to learn more about Manuals J and D, contact Air Assurance. We've provided HVAC services in the Broken Arrow and Tulsa areas since 1985.Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). Image courtesy of Shutterstock