|
N. Carolina
Alt. Energy
Corporation |
|
Ø
90% of all
units tested
exhibited
some sort of
energy
wasting
problem |
|
Ø
50% of all
installations
had an
improper
refrigerant
charge |
|
Ø
40% failed
to meet the
minimum
requirements
for air flow
standards |
|
Ø
A 20%
reduction in
air flow
will reduce
SEER
about 17%
(12/9,
14/9,
18/14) |
|
Ø
A 15% return
air leak
from 120°
attic will
easily
reduce a 12
SEER to 6
SEER |
| |
|
APS (Arizona
Public
Service
Company) |
|
Ø
Improvements
to Duct
Leakage and
Insulation
can save 16%
on cooling
cost |
|
Ø
Properly
insulated
ducts and
efficient
units can
reduce
cooling
usage by 42% |
|
Ø
64% of units
tested had
air flow
less than
350 CFM per
ton) Ideal
CFM is 400) |
|
Ø
82% were
improperly
charged
(average
improper
charge
reduces
efficiency
31%) |
|
Ø
install
techs
frequently
do not
evacuate a
system
properly
with Micron
Gauges |
|
Ø
53% of units
tested were
oversized
causing wear
& tear &
higher
energy costs |
| |
|
SRP (Salt
River
Project) |
|
Ø
Lucky 7 rule
. . . A 12
SEER unit is
lucky if
it’s a 7
SEER after
installation |
| |
|
Texas A&M
University |
|
Ø
Determined a
23%
undercharged
unit will on
average lose
52% of it’s
efficiency |
| |
|
Pacific Gas
& Electric |
|
Ø
A 15%
savings when
one
disconnected
duct was
repaired |
|
Ø
A 7.5%
savings when
diffuser air
leakage were
repaired |
|
Ø
A 5.6%
savings when
air flow
circulation
was balanced
correctly |
|
Ø
A 18.4%
savings when
air leaks
were sealed
and
refrigerant
charges were
correct |
| |
|
Louisiana
State
University &
Gulf States
Utility |
|
Ø
Consumers
can save an
average $30
per month by
simply
keeping
their units
cleaned and
serviced
regularly
($360 in
savings a
year) |
| |
|
HVAC
Manufacture’s |
|
Ø
A 13 SEER
condenser
mismatched
with an
existing air
handler will
typically
lower SEER
to 9.2, a
30%
efficiency
loss |
