SEER means Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. Like its "mpg" counterpart in the automotive industry, the SEER gives an indication of the performance efficiency of the system. The higher the SEER, the more efficient the unit. And, the more efficient the unit, the lower the operating costs. According to the experts at Trane Home Comfort Institute, purchasing a system with a high SEER rating means you'll use less energy to cool your house, resulting in lower electric bills. In many cases, these savings are enough to partially or fully offset the cost of the new equipment within a few years.

We recommend that you replace the indoor coil or air handler when replacing the outdoor unit. Both of these components are integral to the closed refrigerant loop and determine your system's capacity and efficiency.

New or replacement equipment mustn't be sized by the "rule of Thumb" or by duplicating the existing equipment capacity. The only accurate way to determine the correct capacity of heating and air conditioning equipment for your home is to have a load calculation performed on your home. Butler Heating & Air used the heat gain and heat loss data from your home to select the appropriately sized air conditioning or heating system for your home based on equipment-performance data.

There are many factors used to determine the capacity or size system your home requires. 

• Some of these are:
• Square feet to be cooled and heated
• Climate
• Humidity
• Number of windows
• Insulation factors
• Which direction your home faces
• Heat-producing appliances, and
• Number of people who will be in the home

By not figuring a load calculation, you run the risk of having equipment installed that will not run efficiently and could potentially cost you more in the long run. Over-sized air conditioning systems will not remove adequate moisture from the indoor air due to short cycling. Also, oversized systems quickly cool the indoor air temperature but do not run long enough to remove the humidity. 

• An oversized furnace is similar in that its short run time creates uncomfortable air stratification and less air filtration. Also, the frequent cycling of the unit on and off can cause undue wear and tear on internal working components

• An undersized air conditioning system will not adequately cool your home on the hottest days, and an undersized furnace will not adequately heat your house on the coldest day.

The heat pump is an air conditioner that reverses the process of removing heat from the inside of the house in summer to absorbing the heat from the outside air and moving it inside in winter. It is effective by itself down to temperatures around 25 to 30 degrees Fahrenheit. At that point, either a gas furnace or an air handler with supplemental electric heat will kick in and help heat your home. The Auxiliary heat light on your thermostat will help heat light. The heat pump will continue to operate along with the electric auxiliary heat. It will shut off when a gas furnace is energized. Emergency heat is a manual override option in the event your heat pump needs service.

The heat pump is effective in many geographies. The heat pump may consume less energy in all-electric applications than an electric furnace or air handler using resistance heat. Why? Because it can deliver the same amount of BTUs as electric heaters using less electrical input than electric heat. In moderate climates, the savings that natural gas yields may not be as advantageous as in colder climates since the furnace is less frequent in milder climates. Of course, the heat pump can be matched with a gas furnace where preferred. The heat pump can operate in milder temperatures when the gas furnace may tend to short-cycle.

Filters should generally be replaced every month when the system is running. Replace filters with the same kind and size as the original filter. If your filter is not disposable, follow the manufacturer's instructions for cleaning.

While a heat pump is perfectly capable of effectively heating your home, the temperature of the air coming out of the registers confuses some people. The air is heated to about 90 to 95 degrees, depending on the outdoor temperature. This temperature is approximately 20 to 25 degrees warmer than the indoor air temperature and will warm your house. It is, however, below body temperature (98.6 degrees) and can feel cool when someone puts their hands in the airflow.

A single-stage furnace will deliver the same amount of heat and airflow no matter what the temperature is outside. A 2-stage furnace with a 2-stage thermostat will begin in the first stage (low burner, low airflow) and only go to the second stage if the indoor temperature drops during the first stage. This makes the furnace run longer, providing greater air circulation, temperature distribution, and air filtration. This also provides a more consistent indoor environment. The second stage will only come on when the need is there. The more your system starts and stops, the less control you will have of your home's environment and the less efficiently it works, partly due to duct heat loss.

That depends. There are many factors that must be considered. These include:

• The efficiency of the equipment
• The size of your home
• Is the ductwork installed and in good condition?

In most cases, replacing your whole system, including both indoor and outdoor components, will result in a more efficient, longer-lasting system but will also cost a little more. Butler Heating & Air can provide you with an in-depth, no-obligation quote while addressing your questions and concerns.

The major components enclosed in an air handler's cabinetry are the blower and motor, controls, heater compartment, and evaporator coil. This is why it is also sometimes referred to as a fan coil. A standard air handler, like the single-stage furnace, delivers the same amount of airflow no matter what the temperature inside. Trane's variable-speed air handler has Comfort-R Enhanced mode, like Trane's variable-speed gas furnace, allowing the coil to cool down quickly and the blower to slowly ramp up and ramp down or to operate at 50 percent of the cooling air speed in the FAN ON position. This provides greater humidity control, quieter operation, maximum air circulation, temperature distribution, and air filtration for greater control of your home's indoor environment.