Regional Efficiency Standards: A Settlement Has Been Reached

Recently, regional efficiency standards for HVAC equipment have been changed by the industry and the Department of Energy. Let's go over what this means for your household.

In 2006, the standard SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) for air conditioners and heat pumps was raised from 10 to 13. In 2010, equipment manufacturers partnered with efficiency specialists to develop new regional efficiency standards, accounting for different climate conditions throughout the US. In the South and Southwest, SEER requirements were raised to 14, while they remained at 13 in the North.

Equivalent regional efficiency standards and adjustments have also been set for other equipment, such as gas furnaces.

However, the proposed January 2015 adjustments posed a few issues for manufacturers and distributors, so a new agreement has been reached with the DOE. It affects different equipment and regions in different ways.

Before we jump into the new rules, let’s go over a few terms. SEER we’ve already discussed. HSPF is related to heat pump efficiency, and stands for Heating Seasonal Performance Factor. AFUE is for furnaces, and stands for Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency.

These new regional efficiency standards apply to all equipment manufactured after January 2015.

• Split system air conditioners: SEER 14 (This number applies specifically to the South, including Oklahoma.)

• Single package air conditioners: SEER 14

• Split system heat pumps: SEER 14, HSPF 8.2

• Single package heat pumps: SEER 14, HSPF 8.0

• Small-duct, high-velocity systems: SEER 13, HSPF 7.7

• Space-constrained air conditioners and heat pumps: SEER 12 (Heat pumps must meet an HSPF of 7.4.)

• Gas-fired furnaces: AFUE 80%

While these numbers will become regional efficiency standards as of January 2015, there’s an 18-month grace period for distributors to sell through equipment manufactured before then.

These developments don't mean you’ll be forced to upgrade your equipment. They do mean that if you purchase new equipment made in 2015 or later, it will comply with these standards, saving you money and reducing your impact on the environment.

Let us know if you have questions. Air Assurance has been serving the Greater Tulsa metro area since 1985, and we’ll be happy to help.

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

Insulation: Do Your Numbers Add Up?

When choosing insulation for your home, you need to understand its R-value. An R-value is a measure of thermal resistance: it indicates an insulation’s capability to resist heat flow, and how well it will heat and cool your house. The higher an insulation’s rating, the more effective it is.An R-value is contingent on the type of insulation, its thickness, and its compactness. How effective your insulation's resistance to heat flow is will also depend on how and where it is installed. A wall or ceiling’s overall R-value will be slightly different from the insulation’s R-value, since some heat flows around the insulation through the studs and joists. That’s why it is important to correctly install your insulation to attain its maximum R-value.Here are some other things you should know about R-values:

• Different types of insulation vary in thickness, but those of the same R-value should insulate your home equally.

• On average, the recommended R-value for basement insulation is R-12.

• The R-value of blown-in cellulose house insulation is 3.70 per inch; the R-value of expanded polystyrene house insulation is 4.00 per inch, and fiberglass house insulation is 3.14.

• Compressed insulation does not afford its full rated R-value.

• An inch of insulation is equivalent to 30 inches of concrete.

• The average R-value for house insulation changes depending on weather and temperature.

• The R-value in house insulation is considerably lower if your home has air or moisture/water leaks.

• When determining the R-value of a multi-layered installation, you must add the values of each layer. Installing extra insulation in your home will enhance the R-value and the resistance to heat flow.

The U.S. Department of Energy can help you choose the right insulation R-values for your home. Simply select your zone, heating system and where you plan to insulate and look for the matching R-value range.Air Assurance is proud to serve the residents of Oklahoma. We are happy to answer your questions concerning insulation and provide free estimates to you if you are interested in better insulating your home. We are always ready to provide the information you need to take better control of your home comfort.Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information, click here. Air Assurance services Tulsa, Broken Arrow and the surrounding areas. To get started, check out our website or see our current promotions.

If This Winter Taught Us Anything, It Was The Importance Of Insulation

Oklahoma residents have seen their fair share of snow, ice and cold temperatures this winter. The season called to mind the importance of being prepared for storms and respecting nature’s fury. Most of all, it’s probably taught you the value of your home’s insulation.While insulation falls into the category of “out of sight, out of mind,” it remains absolutely necessary for maintaining a warm, comfortable home. Not only that, energy efficiency increases with proper insulation, which directly impacts your heating and cooling bills. With the right amount and the proper installation of insulation, you can potentially save about 20 percent on your total heating and cooling utility bills.To get the maximum efficiency and comfort, you have to have the right kind and the right amounts of insulation. Insulation is rated according to “R-Value,” which indicates how well the insulation restricts the flow of heat from inside your home to the outside. Higher R-values mean that insulation has a greater ability to restrict the flow of heat.The majority of Oklahoma residents live in zone 3 for R-value, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. In this zone, homeowners should use different types of R-value insulation for various areas of an existing home:

• Attic, uninsulated: R30-R60

• Attic with existing insulation: R25-R38

• Floors: R19-R25

• Walls: R5

Most homes should have insulation in the following areas:

• Unfinished attics

• Exterior walls

• Floors that are directly situated above (unheated) garages and crawl spaces

• Spaces surrounding all windows and doors.

To figure out how much insulation your home needs, you should first determine how much existing insulation you have. Use this equation:(Thickness in inches) x (R-value in one inch) = Insulation’s R-value TotalNow, you can calculate how much insulation you need to add, using this equation:(R-value recommended for your zone) – (existing R-value Total) = The amount of R-value you need to add.If you’re unsure about your home’s insulation, the professionals at Air Assurance are happy to assess your home’s insulation and offer recommendations for improvement. Now is the time to prepare for next winter.Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information, click here. Air Assurance services Tulsa, Broken Arrow and the surrounding areas. To get started, check out our website or see our current promotions.