Do it Yourself: Re: [DIY] Heat Pump Correction

09 May 2012

Re: [DIY] Heat Pump Correction

The SEER is the Btu. per hr. heat absorption rate per

watt of power required to operate the air conditioner.

Conventional air conditioners have an SEER around

13 to 14 Btu. per hr. per watt.

High efficiency air conditioners may advertise have an SEER near 20. The high efficiency air conditions are to save you money by giving you more Btu. removed per watt-hr. of energy consumed by the Compressor. However, the high efficiency air conditions require a

larger investment for their initial purchase. The high efficiency air conditioners have a more complicated operating mode and often need more maintenance and repair costs. The larger initial investment and maintenance/repair costs may exceed the energy saved.

From: Mike Shoaf <mike.shoaf@yahoo.com>
To: "DoIt_Yourself@yahoogroups.com" <DoIt_Yourself@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Tuesday, May 8, 2012 8:04 PM
Subject: Re: [DIY] Heat Pump Correction

SEER is not used to size the heat and air system, it is an efficiency rating. the higher the SEER, the less it costs to operate. get quotes from local contractors- preferably at least 3 different ones, and make sure they give you a 'load' estimate. the load estimate takes into account the square footage, age, type of construction, insulation, number of windows and doors, etc. to determine how many btu's it will take to heat and cool your house. there is no longer a good rule of thumb of btu's per square foot with the high efficiency units out there on the market. if the contractor won't do the load estimate and share it with you, find another one! high efficiency units are only as good as their installation-the highest efficiency unit installed incorrectly is worse than the least expensive unit installed correctly.

From: vsnbs5 <vswartz5@aol.com>
To: DoIt_Yourself@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tuesday, May 8, 2012 8:28 PM
Subject: [DIY] Heat Pump Correction

Maybe closer to 1200 sq ft