Air Conditioning

These days, air conditioning (AC) is no longer a luxury. When outdoor temperatures soar, you want the cool comfort an air conditioning system brings to your home.

At Reliant Heating & Cooling, our team of heating and cooling experts can help you manage the level of comfort you want. As a company, we stay current on our professional education and training to bring top technologies and techniques to you. You can rest assured we will recommend exactly what you need.

With our years of experience, you can rely on us for your air conditioner’s installation, replacement, repair, and maintenance. We work with all makes and models of air conditioners, so that is never a concern for you. Your satisfaction means everything to us.

What Is SEER?

SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. It measures an air conditioner’s cooling output compared to the electrical energy it consumes. The higher the SEER rating, the more efficient the air conditioner. For more information about SEER see this blog post.

New 2023 HVAC SEER Regulations

Beginning January 1, 2023, there were two SEER-related changes. First, the minimum SEER rating increased on heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment.

Additionally, the industry adopted the SEER2 standard. SEER2 is similar to its predecessor in that it measures the total heat removed from a specific space versus how much energy it uses in the process. The required testing conditions will change to better mirror real-life circumstances.

Starting in the 2023, test ratings moved from SEER, EER, and HSPF to SEER2, EER2, and HSPF2. These new ratings are more precise because new HVAC units will undergo more rigorous factory testing.

While the new 2023 HVAC regulations may not have an immediate impact on your home, it’s good to know what to expect.

How Do These New Efficiency Standards Benefit Me?

The new efficiency requirements and test rating systems are designed to help homeowners make better decisions when it comes to their home comfort. HVAC systems manufactured five to 10 years ago are much less efficient, costing homeowners more money in the long run.

With the new efficiency standards in place, you can rest assured knowing any new equipment manufactured after January 1, 2023, must adhere to these new requirements. That means if you decide to upgrade your HVAC equipment in the future, you’ll have access to the most efficient solutions.

Air Conditioning Refrigerant Regulations Update

Recently, the industry moved away from R-22 (Freon^®) toward R-410A (Puron^®) refrigerant. It’s less damaging to the environment and human health and doesn’t harm the ozone layer.

Next year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is likely to require another move to a class of refrigerants called A2L (A = Nontoxic, 2 = Flammable, L = Low burning velocity) by 2025. A2L has a lower Global Warming Potential (GWP) than alternatives, but it’s also mildly flammable.

HVAC manufacturers are already designing new technology to accommodate A2L.

What are the benefits of these new HVAC regulations?

As with any regulations, there are both pros and cons:

Pros

• Positive environmental impact
• Reduced utility bills

Cons

• More difficult to find replacement parts for older systems

Should I Upgrade My Old HVAC System?

If your HVAC equipment is in good condition and fulfilling your heating and cooling needs, there’s no need to buy a new one that meets the new industry standards. Be sure you’re scheduling spring and fall maintenance appointments to keep your system running at its most efficient.

As your system ages, it may be harder to find compatible parts, as dealers stock items that satisfy the new regulations.

When your system’s reached the end of its useful life or the cost of a repair exceeds the cost of a replacement, it’s time to consider new equipment that meets the current standards.

The average life of a standard air conditioning system, when properly maintained, is 15 to 18 years.

Signs It's Time to Replace Your Air Conditioning System

Though your air conditioner is still in working order, there are indicators when it’s time to replace it. Here are a few of the most common signs:

• Your system is already more than 10 years old.
• Your air conditioning unit breaks down frequently, even with yearly maintenance.
• Your energy bills have skyrocketed from previous air conditioning seasons.
• You have an older system that uses R-22 Freon. (Production of R-22 Freon stopped in January 2020 due to the negative impact on the environment.) While there is still R-22 Freon available to most contractors, once the supply has depleted, you will have no choice other than to replace your air conditioning system. That’s something that usually ends up happening on an 100ºF day!

How can you tell if your air conditioner is running inefficiently? A good indication is if your energy bills are increasing and your utility company’s rates remain steady.

This typically demonstrates it’s taking longer for your HVAC system to cool down your Pennsylvania home to your preferred comfort level. Your system is running longer and using more energy than it should in this case—an increase in energy costs.

Air Conditioning Installation and Replacement

If you notice any of these signs with your air conditioner, or if you suspect another reason for needing a replacement, talk to one of our Reliant Heating & Cooling team members. We will design a system best matched for your comfort needs and budget. Our experts are always here to help you.

If your air conditioner has reached the point where repairs no longer do the job or your home’s energy efficiency is at an all-time low, you may need a new system. When your home is ready for a new or replacement air conditioner, our Reliant Heating & Cooling professionals will install your cooling system without delay.

Air Conditioning Repairs

Not having your air conditioner working on the hottest of days in Pennsylvania can be exasperating. Whenever you need a repair, let our heating and cooling experts quickly remedy it for you.

There are many ways your air conditioner can stop working in its normal capacity. A few symptoms you could experience are:

• Hearing an unusual noise
• Smelling an unusual odor like burning
• Feeling warm air coming from your vents
• Noticing your air conditioner is frozen
• Leaking water

These symptoms mean you have an issue with your air conditioner. Ignoring problems usually only makes them bigger and more costly. Our recommendation is to have one of our Reliant Heating & Cooling team members promptly diagnose and repair the issue for you.

When you do need our professionals to make a repair, you can count on it staying repaired. We make our repairs right the first time—and only use the highest quality parts and materials when working on your system. Our experts are always here for you.

Air Conditioning Maintenance

Keeping your air conditioner in its best operating condition is your goal. You want your system inspected, cleaned, and tuned up on a regular basis to help avoid unexpected and costly repairs and breakdowns.

Routine maintenance by our trained and experienced Reliant Heating & Cooling team helps your air conditioner cool your home efficiently and reliably. With annual professional care, you may experience maintenance benefits such as improved energy efficiency, extended system life span, and decreased emergencies.

We recommend having our experts prep your air conditioner before you use it for the first time in the spring to give you consistent cooling all season.

To help you manage your maintenance, talk to us about our maintenance program, Reliable Care Maintenance Program. Your air conditioner tune-up and inspection are part of the plan, so call and speak with one of our educated and friendly team members about our program today.

Trust Reliant Heating & Cooling With All Your Air Conditioning Needs

We provide all the services needed to keep your air conditioner running smoothly. Call Reliant Heating & Cooling at 717-430-0900 or request service online today. We also offer several financing options to help if this is a concern. Contact us to discuss how our team can guide you through our process.