Air Conditioning in Kelowna
Anyone that has spent some time in the Okanagan over the summer months knows how important a functioning Air Conditioner is. We service, repair and install both commercial and residential cooling systems to keep your home or office comfortable even in the heat of July.
How much does it cost to install an Air Conditioner?
The cost to install central air conditioning, including the unit, ranges from around $2,900 to $4,800 on average. The price to install a central air conditioner varies because there are different levels of efficiency available (SEER Ratings) and units with quieter features. There may be an additional cost to install an Electrical Disconnect on the outside of your home if you do not already have a central Air Conditioner.
Older Air Conditioner units are usually 8-10 SEER so the cost savings of upgrading is:
13 SEER vs 10 SEER - Saves approx. 23 cents/dollar
17 SEER vs 10 SEER - Saves approx. 41 cents/dollar
What is a good SEER rating for an Air Conditioner?
SEER or Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio is the maximum efficiency rating, which is calculated over the span of the entire cooling season. The minimum standard SEER for an air conditioner is 13, mid-range rating: 16/17 and premium units: 20/21. This rating is a maximum available under ideal conditions, the current ductwork, age of the furnace, size of your home and other variables can effect the overall efficiency of the system.
What is the average life expectancy of an air conditioner?
An average central AC/heating system lasts anywhere between 10 - 15+ years.
The better it is taken care of the longer it will last. Regular tune-ups/servicing make a big difference in the lifespan of your heating and cooling equipment. Often homeowners decide to replace their mechanical equipment after about 10 years for new, more efficient models. In the long-run, replacing the system every 10 or so years is more economical in terms of maintenance fees and high energy bills.
Annual Air Conditioner Maintenance. What's Included?
An annual tune-up keeps your air conditioning system in good working order. It includes:
Inspection of coolant levels, pressure, and temperature drop. Inspection and cleaning of the condenser and condensate drain (if applicable). Inspection of the outdoor disconnect, condenser fan motor, bearings & blades and inspection of the furnace fan for proper air flow. Annual AC Maintenance can be booked online, or by calling the office at 778-821-2665.
R22 Refrigerant Phase out, January 1st, 2020.
Remember in the 1980's when it was discovered that there was a hole in the ozone layer caused by the usage of CFCs? The chemical's phase out began then and recently HCFCs (aka R22) was also banned for the same reason. As of January 1st, 2020, R22 refrigerant (part of the Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFC) family) will become illegal and can no longer be manufactured or imported into Canada.
What does that mean for you? Do you have to replace your R22 equipment?
The short answer is: No. If you have an Air Conditioner that was installed before 2010, it's likely that it uses R22. It is not mandatory that you replace it, as the old saying goes "If it's not broken, don't fix it." But if your Air Conditioner is not working properly replacement should be considered because now that R22 refrigerant will not be manufactured, it has become extremely expensive and harder to locate.
The Air Conditioner is not working!
Having problems with your Air conditioner not turning on or worse, its turning on but blowing warm air is a frustrating situation.
There are a few things you can check yourself before calling a technician, have a look at the Air Conditioner Troubleshooting Checklist.
Ductless Mini & Multi Splits
Units can be mounted high on a wall, on the floor or as a ceiling cassette and do not require ductwork, which increases energy efficiency. These systems come in a variety of sizes and can be used as single zone or multi-zone systems.
Electronic Air Handlers
Air handlers or AHU's are part of a ducted ventilation system that dispurses heated or cooled air throughout a building.
AHU's can be installed to maintain even airflow by using small terminal units for small rooms or full size AHUs for entire homes.
Electric Heat Pumps
These units use electricity and ductwork to distribute cool air throughout your home. A heat pump absorbs ambient heat from inside air and moves it outside, providing air conditioning. During the winter months, the system reverses and removes the heat from outdoors, and moves it inside.