Daizuki’s High Tech Mini-Split Systems
- September 15, 2017
Daizuki is a relatively new brand compared to HVAC giants like Trane and Goodman, but customer reviews are positive across the web.
According to the company’s website, Daizuki was created “to offer green technology and beautiful design in Air Conditioners worldwide.” In pursuit of this goal, Daizuki offers a line of ductless mini-split systems run on only clean R-410a refrigerant. Blue Fin anti-corrosion technology—an air-dry coating providing protection to coils within the product—extends equipment life of every unit and maintains operating efficiency.
All Daizuki products are certified through the Air-conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute, and all products bear Intertek’s ETL Mark. This indicates that Daizuki units have undergone extensive independent testing and comply with all North American safety standards.
State of the Art Products
Daizuki produces a line of ductless mini-split systems featuring the latest in DC Inverter technology. In these units, an adjustable electrical inverter is used to control the speed of the unit’s compressor and heating/cooling output. This control allows the unit to continually regulate the temperature in your home, keeping it as cold or hot as you’d like. These inverter systems tend to last longer than traditional systems and operate more quietly. Though they can be costly, inverter systems are also more efficient, and pay for themselves in as little as two years. Daizuki offers inverter systems in a range of efficiencies, from 15.5 to 23 SEER. Units of 20 SEER and above include WiFi connectivity options.
Daizuki’s WiFi-enabled systems come with a range of consumer features, including iFeel, a function that works with a remote control sensor to adjust your unit. The remote can sense your presence as you sit near it and set the unit to the most comfortable mode for you. Standard Daizuki models boast their own upgrades, including self-cleaning and anti-fungus functions.
Registering Daizuki products for warranty is also fairly straightforward. Customers simply fill out a questionnaire online and send it in to the company. Warranty covering manufacturing errors extends for two years and compressor warranty extends for five. Exceptions and rules for the warranty are listed on the company website and only take up a page, unlike some other complicated warranty agreements.
R-410a Refrigerant
Daizuki’s commitment to R-410a refrigerant is part of a movement by all HVAC companies away from R-22 refrigerant, usually called Freon. In 2010, the U.S. government officially banned the manufacture of new HVAC models using R-22, a process that will continue through 2029. Not only do R-22 refrigerant and other alkly halide refrigerants contribute to depletion of the ozone, they are also less effective in general. R-410a refrigerant allows for higher SEER ratings, which lowers energy consumption and substantially lessens greenhouse emissions. R-410a has also been shown to extend the life of some appliances by reducing vibrations and break downs.
[HVAC] Should You Replace or Repair?
- July 28, 2017
If you’ve started to notice that your home isn’t quite as cold (or hot) as you want it to be, your HVAC system might be on the fritz. Maybe over the last few years you’ve had it fixed a handful of times and you’re just not sure if you want to shell out any more money to fix it again. Do you pay to have your system repaired, or is it time to buy a new unit?
Well, that depends:
The age of your system should play a big part in your decision to replace or repair. If your current, broken system is more than six years old you will benefit from a technological update. Older systems won’t function the same after years of use, and some homeowners can expect hefty savings after purchasing a new system.
According to the National Association of Homebuilders, air conditioners have a life span of about 15 years, so if your system is older than that, it’s time to replace. Professionals also say to replace a system when the cost of repair multiplied by the age of the unit exceeds the cost of a new system.
So if your 10-year-old system’s repair cost is around $700, it’s time to replace with a new system for up to $7,000
Still, the age of a system before the 10 or 15-year mark is no reason to replace it altogether. Often, old systems may be working just fine but need a minor fix. If this is your air conditioner’s first repair, it probably isn’t time to purchase something new. Replacement, in these cases, would be much costlier than repair.
A special case:
Most old A/C units run on the now-outdated R-22 Refrigerant, Freon. R-22 is slowly being phased out by a newer refrigerant called R-410a which is said to be more environmentally friendly. Because new units run on R-410a, R-22 is harder to come by and much more expensive. If your old air conditioner is leaking R-22, it’s better to replace the system than continue topping it off.
This is where preference comes in:
Though not necessary, many homeowners upgrade old systems to make their homes more energy efficient. If you have an older system that runs well but are planning to stay in your current home for many years, investing in a new air conditioning or Geothermal system could be beneficial.
Upgrading to a new Geothermal system can drive your energy bill down, as it is one of the most efficient systems on the market. Geothermal systems work through underground components that share heat with earth. The system leeches heat from underground in the winter and moves heat away from your home in the summer.
Check Out Our Selection of Geothermal Systems
Your preference may be based almost entirely on your climate and typical energy usage. If your current system only runs a few times a year, an upgrade may not be important or even ideal for your home. Still, if you live in a climate that requires you run your HVAC system for months at a time, an upgrade could be worth it.
Your decision:
When it comes down to it, your HVAC system can continue to be repaired for as long as you’d like. But, when you’re trying to choose between repairing and replacing, you only need to consider a few things.
- The age of your system & number of repairs
- The price of the repair
- The type of refrigerant your unit takes
- Your climate and energy usage
- Your preference
After you’ve taken these things into account, you can get a second opinion from a godirectappliance.com sales representative or your local HVAC professional and move forward with the best course of action for you.
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[How-To] Determine The Perfect AC Unit Size For Your Property
- July 10, 2017
Purchasing the right size air conditioning unit for your rental property is extremely important. There’s a “goldilocks” sized A/C unit on the market for your property that will work the most efficiently and save you the most money, but you have to know how to find it. If your A/C unit is too large, it will rapidly cool your home and then shut itself off, only to turn on again as your home heats up. A too-small unit will spend all day cycling, trying to catch up to where it should be. Both options expend much more energy than necessary.
But, what does “size” mean?
A/C units are measured in tons. This measurement tells you how many tons of ice your unit could melt in a 24-hour period. You may also see A/C units measured in British Thermal Units or Btu. A Btu is the amount of energy needed to raise the temperature of a pound of water by one degree. a one-ton air conditioner cools at a rate of 12,000 Btu an hour. So, a three-ton unit would be rated 36,000 Btu/hour, and would be able to melt three tons of ice in a day.
A/C unit sizes increase by half-tons and, for homes, generally range between 1.5 and 5 tons. Units above 5 tons are generally reserved for commercial purposes. If your home requires a unit of 5 tons or more, you’ll have to install multiple, smaller units to work in tandem.
How do I decide what I need?
Finding the correct size A/C unit for your property depends on many factors: The number of rooms, the area of walls exposed to the sun, the number of windows and their condition, the age of the property and the property’s insulation. For this reason, it can be hard to know which size is correct.
You can calculate approximately what size A/C unit your rental property needs with an equation, but you won’t be able to take in to account the climate around your home, or any of the conditions listed above.
For an average 2,000 square foot property, the equation would look like the following:
- 2,000 x 30 = 60,000
- 60,000 / 12,000 (Btu/hr) = 5 tons
- 5 tons – 1 ton = 4 tons
The property would require an A/C unit of about 4 tons. Again, this number does not account for the climate in your area. If you live in a hot or humid climate, your property will need a larger unit. Those with property in hot climates may wish to forgo the final step in the equation, leaving them with an A/C unit of about 5 tons. If you’re only trying to find a ballpark number, this equation is your best bet.
If you’re looking for an exact number tailored to your specific property, you’ll want to contact a professional. Go Direct Appliance has the knowledge needed to work with your unique property so give us a call at (229) 316-1266. We can properly take in to account all the factors listed above to tell you exactly what size A/C unit will work for you.
The “Smart” Choice
- June 28, 2017
These days, it seems as if every device is “smart.” You might own a smart phone, a smart TV or a smart watch, but what about a smart thermostat? The first smart thermostat hit the market in 2010 and is now the corner stone of the new “smart home.” Still, to most, the devices are a mystery.
What the smart thermostat does:
Modern smart thermostats are comprised of three different components: a device attached to your A/C’s boiler unit, the traditional wall display unit, and a downloadable app.
These three components work together to produce a smart system that allows you to see and control your A/C system in a new and more in-depth way. From the app, owners can see data about their system in real time and control the temperature settings within their home remotely. This is extremely beneficial for people with hectic schedules and homeowners who want to know more about their energy usage.
Some types of smart thermostats, like the Nest learning thermostat, can monitor your home on their own. These thermostats collect humidity and temperature level data throughout the day, saving you the most energy without you doing anything at all. A smart thermostat can even use app connectivity to detect when you’re on your way home, learning your schedule to keep you comfortable at all times.
My current thermostat is working fine:
If you check your current digital thermostat every day, adjust the settings to accommodate the weather, and turn up the temperature every time you leave, you may be fine sticking with what you have.
For the micro-managing homeowner, a smart thermostat can seem like a frivolous purchase with no payback, but the data it collects is invaluable. Though you may monitor your digital thermostat like a hawk, your home’s atmosphere is a mystery when you leave. A smart thermostat is a treasure trove of information that can be used to drop your energy bill even lower.
Smart thermostats don’t come cheap, though. A smart thermostat can set you back $500 and some models require a contractor’s installation. Still, the EPA found that programable smart thermostats can save up to $128 a year in electricity. Long-term homeowners or renters looking to take their thermostat with them will see returns in their investment over time.
What’s on the market:
The three biggest names on the market, Nest, Honeywell and Ecobee are popular for a reason. Each company offers its own unique system to suit a variety of homeowners.
The Nest Learning thermostat has a minimalist design that will learn your schedule. This thermostat is easy to install— all assembly parts come with the thermostat, including a screwdriver and a plate to cover any marks left by an old display—but Nest also connects customers with reputable installers to make the process even easier. Not to mention, Nest has been creating smart thermostats since 2011 and have been improving their product for the past six years.
Honeywell’s Wi-Fi smart thermostat is the perfect answer to Nest’s smart system. Homeowners looking for a larger, more interactive display can find it at Honeywell for only $200. Though this thermostat may not “learn” like the Nest, the programable device is great for people who want to stay in control and is pre-set to save you money. It’s display panel sleek and easy to use, allowing homeowners to connect more directly with the system itself.
Ecobee systems are the cheapest on this list, but work just as well. Each Ecobee thermostat comes with a step-by-step installation guide that the website claims only takes 30 minutes to follow. You can also save a purported 23 percent on heating and cooling each year, with free monthly reports sent directly from Ecobee to help you save even more.
[Advice] On or Off? What to Do With Your A/C When You’re on Vacation
- June 19, 2017
Now that summer is kicking in to high gear, you’re probably packing your bags to beat the heat with a well-deserved vacation. Before you leave, you might be wondering if you should turn off your home’s A/C to save energy. You aren’t the only thing that’s in the summer sun, and the answer depends on a few factors.
Electronics
Your home is much more than a set of rooms, and the things inside of it have to be considered when you leave for vacation. Most computers and TVs are set to operate at the same temperatures as the human body. If your home becomes too hot, electronics inside of it may be ruined. Repetitive heating will lessen the battery life of your computer and could ruin the delicate parts inside. Your cooling appliances, like your refrigerator and freezer, will also have to work harder as your home heats up.
Vacation Time
No matter what, turning off your air conditioner will save you money. But, the energy saved from a short trip (think: one or two days) will be negligible compared to the energy your unit will have to expend rapidly cooling your home when you return. Instead of turning off the A/C when you leave, try turning your thermostat setting up a few degrees while you’re gone. Your unit will be working less during your trip, and it won’t have to work as hard to cool your home when you return.
During longer vacations, turning off the A/C may still be preferred. The energy saved during the extended trip will most likely outweigh the energy needed to cool your home when you return.
Environment and Efficiency
Depending on your home and your location, you might need to keep your A/C running regardless of how long you’ll be gone.
Not only does air conditioning keep your home cool, it also keeps humidity levels low. If you live in an area with high humidity, turning off your A/C will leave your home vulnerable to mold and musty smells. Wooden furniture and some indoor paints are also vulnerable to humidity and can warp or peel if left alone long enough.
In less extreme climates, checking the extended forecast can be enough for your trip. If no extreme temperatures are on the horizon, switching the A/C off may be just fine.
Temperature and humidity also depend on your home’s insulation. If your home has been efficiently insulated and is well sealed while you’re away, the inside will stay cool and dry.
You’ll save money whether you decide to turn up your thermostat or turn off your A/C while you’re away, but the best choice relies on your home. Take stock of your home and listen to your local weatherperson before you set off on your next vacation. You’ll be able to make the best choice when you are the most informed.
[Comparison] Your Window Unit Verses A Central Heating and Air System
- May 6, 2017
When deciding how to cool and condition their houses, most new homeowners have two options: central air conditioning through an HVAC system, or a window unit in each room. Each method has its own strengths, but a full HVAC system instillation is the best option for those looking to cool their whole home.
For a house with multiple rooms, central heating and cooling will use less energy than several window units. Though a single window unit uses less energy and is more efficient overall than a central unit, several window units would be needed to cool an entire home. With a central system, the air moves through one venting system to one unit that uses a single power source. In a large home, multiple window units would be needed, sapping power from multiple sources within the home.
Central units are also able to store more hardware than window units. Being larger, a central unit is able to hold advanced machinery, allowing them to process air more efficiently. This amount of machinery also allows for greater user interface with a central unit than a window unit. Users can control the speed at which a central unit cools their home, with most thermostats having an “auto” option. Window units only have two options, “off” and “on.”
Window units are also especially ill suited for humid climates. Owners of these units cannot seal the window where the unit is placed; meaning warm air and humidity can seep in through the cracks. The unit is also likely to accumulate condensation when it’s working hard to cool a room. This condensation can move inside from the outside of the window, introducing more moisture. A dehumidifier would have to be purchased to supplement the conditioning power of any window units where moisture is a concern.
This is where the fundamental difference between a window unit and central air is important. A window unit works by cooling a small amount of air—usually in one room—very quickly and to a more extreme degree than its larger counterpart. A central air conditioning unit, however, processes all of the air in a home. It cools air little-by-little, continually decreasing the temperature in small increments until the desired setting is reached. The gradual cooling and shifting through the unit dries the air in the home, eradicating any problems with humidity.
If you live in a family home in a humid climate, central air conditioning is a more reliable, efficient way to cool your home. Purchasing a central unit will save you money and the hassle of tending to multiple devices. If window units or an out-of-date central cooling system currently cools your home, contact Go Direct Appliance to discuss your situation. Our expert HVAC sales team will be able to recommend the best way to update your home’s heating and cooling equipment.
[Ideas] Five Ways to Beat the Summertime Spike
- April 24, 2017
Summertime brings both the good and the bad. Warm weather usually means grilling and days in the sun, but it can also mean something else: a seasonal spike in your electricity bill. Here are five ways to keep your bill down and pocket that money for your next vacation.
#1 Become a fan of your ceiling fan
It’s easy to forget how comfortable a fan can make your home. Instead of turning your A/C on full blast, turn on the ceiling fans in your home. A good fan will keep the air circulating, preventing rooms from feeling stagnant. In addition, fans set high enough can create a wind chill effect that will keep you cool.
#2 Utilize your windows (and vents) the right way
Heat can easily seep in through cracks in the insulation around windows and doors. Check that all of your windows are properly sealed and keep them closed during the day. Rooms that get little use should also be closed off. Shutting vents in guest bedrooms and other low-use rooms will keep your A/C from working harder to cool them.
When the temperature drops at night, you can open windows on opposite sides of your home to create a cooling cross-breeze. Create your own air conditioning system by grabbing a stand or box fan and positioning it out of one window. This will suck the hot air from the day out while allowing cool air to filter in to your home from other windows.
#3 Check the thermostat and your appliances
It’s time to turn the setting on your thermostat back up. You’ll already be wearing your summer clothing, so you should be able to comfortably set your thermostat somewhere between 76 and 79 degrees. Remember, experts say that every degree you set your thermostat above 78 degrees can save you eight percent of your total energy usage (eight dollars on a hundred-dollar bill).
Make sure to move appliances away from your thermostat as well. TV’s, lamps and other house-hold appliances sap electricity and give off heat that can leave the air around them several degrees warmer than the ambient air in the room. This heat will keep your thermostat from accurately gauging the temperature inside your home, meaning your A/C unit will have to work harder, burning more energy in the process.
#4 Install curtains
A big part of keeping your home cool during the summer is keeping the sun out. Install light-filtering curtains and keep your blinds closed as much as possible while the sun is up. This simple measure will act like a second insulation for your home, keeping the cool air in and the boiling rays of the sun out.
#5 Maintain your unit (Regularly change filters, keep dust off returns and vents)
Unit maintenance is perhaps the most often over-looked strategy for lowering energy bills. Ridding your system of dust by changing your air filter and by dusting the return vent in your home will keep air flowing like it should. Scheduling a deep cleaning with an HVAC company in your area is also a good step to take before the hot season begins. A specialist can clean, inspect, and tune-up your unit, ensuring that it will work at its maximum efficiency for the entire summer.
[Explanation] Is Air Conditioner Maintenance Really Necessary???
- April 13, 2017
Every year for the past seven years, I have received a letter in the mail from my landlord informing me that they have scheduled a local air conditioner company to come to my house and service my AC unit. I have the same reaction every time – I roll my eyes, think to myself, “Is this really necessary?” and then start clearing out my tiny laundry room so that the poor man that has to do the work can actually get to the air conditioner around my pile of junk. Although I question it every time, especially since the air conditioner seems to be the only thing that my landlord ever pays any attention to in my thirty-year old house that is desperately in need of repair, I have never really concerned myself with it. However, after listening to the complaints of several friends whose air conditioning units have recently been out in the midst of a not-so-rare southern winter heat wave, I began to wonder if maybe I shouldn’t be grumbling every time that they send someone out to service my AC unit.
Since I am by no means an expert on anything to do with air conditioners, I decided to do some of my own research about their maintenance. Turns out, that yearly service call actually serves more of a purpose than just forcing me to throw away some of the junk in my closet. Most experts recommend that homeowners get their AC units serviced once a year, typically in the spring, to catch any problems before it gets heavily used in the summer. While I have always thought that once a year seemed a little excessive, it turns out that there is actually a lot that can happen to your AC in a year’s time (which I should have probably already known since just last year, my AC serviceman found some algae buildup in my unit that had to be cleaned out). Throughout the year, essential AC parts such as coils and filters build up dust and dirt, which, if left unchecked, can lead to the unit being inefficient, struggling to cool, and eventually in need of major repairs. Proper maintenance can help extend the life of a unit and lower the cost of using it. Since I’m always looking for ways to save money, I enjoyed reading this – I need all the help I can get with lowering my electric bill, especially during the summer months!
In addition to keeping costs down, I found that servicing your AC unit every year actually has some health benefits, as well! A poorly maintained air conditioner can lead to buildup of dust, algae, mold, and other contaminants that can be harmful to your health. Even though most of us know that it is important to change our air filters frequently (apparently, once a month is the recommended amount of time for keeping an air filter, as opposed to the once-every-few-months-or-whenever-I-think-about-it timeframe that I am bad about keeping….oops!), the majority of homeowners never think about the consequences of not maintaining the rest of the unit. Some seemingly normal problems like congestion, headaches, skin irritation, drowsiness or fatigue, and difficulty breathing could stem from poor air conditioner maintenance. An AC maintenance person will be able to make sure that the moisture and condensation caused by the unit is being properly routed away so that it does not lead to the buildup of contaminants that can lead to these potentially serious health problems.
After studying the benefits of proper air conditioner maintenance, I can finally answer my own question – yes, it really is necessary! For homeowners looking to extend the life of their AC units, proper maintenance once a year should be as essential as changing the oil in your car. Even tenants such as myself shouldn’t complain about their annoying, paranoid landlords (not that I would ever do such a thing!) when they get letters about maintenance appointments in the mail; if letting someone in my house for about 30 minutes once a year will save me money in electricity and also keep my skin from breaking out into hives, I think it’s well worth the time (also, it really is a good reminder to throw out some of the junk that’s accumulated in my storage room in the past year). So this year, when I get that letter in the mail about my upcoming maintenance appointment, I promise to try to refrain from rolling my eyes and instead, thank my lucky stars that my landlord actually cares enough to ensure that I have a working AC unit, especially in the middle of a hot south Georgia summer!
[Bad Idea] Turn Your AC System All The Way Down To Cool Faster
- April 12, 2017
Many homeowners turn their air conditioner off during the day to conserve energy and save money on their electricity bill, but at the end of the billing period they see no return for their efforts. This discrepancy is the result of a common misconception many people share about their thermostats. This misconception happens when a homeowner comes home to a hot house after a hard day of work and immediately turns their thermostat down well beyond their desired temperature. They do this in a bid to cool their home faster, but instead they’re wasting the energy savings they’ve accumulated during the day.
In reality, your air conditioner can only cool your home so fast. Your A/C unit works at a set cooling and heating pace no matter how low you set the temperature of your home. Once your A/C unit turns on, air collects in the return and goes through the unit. The stagnant air in your home is cooled by set increments as it is conditioned, and this cooling cycle continues until the air in your home matches your thermostat setting. The unit will skip right past your desired temperature if you set it lower, and the constantly shifting temperature will make you more uncomfortable than if you had left it alone.
Even worse, setting your thermostat lower than your desired temperature will put stress on your air conditioner. This is especially true if the temperature difference between the inside of your home and the outside is very high. This stress from extended cooling can cause your A/C unit to use even more energy than it would normally, further negating efforts you may be making to conserve energy. Prolonged cooling periods will also increase the wear of your system, shortening its lifespan and putting the machinery in danger of damage.
Some Better Ideas
Instead of turning your thermostat all the way down to cool your home, try turning on the ceiling fan. Ceilings fans aid your A/C unit by moving stagnant air, and can create a wind chill effect that will cool you down while your unit works. You should also regularly change your air filter and keep up with system maintenance. Having your air conditioner properly checked once a year can ensure it’s working at its highest efficiency. Simple maintenance can also prevent costly repairs down the road.
If you’re having serious problems cooling your home, don’t rely on your air conditioner alone. Go a step further and look at the insulation around places where cold air can escape. Windows, doors and attic spaces are often under-insulated, and should be fixed.
During the summer, a comfortable temperature for most homeowners is between 79 and 74 degrees, depending on the home and the factors mentioned above. With all this in mind, remember nothing is more important and more often overlooked than setting the thermostat to the desired temperature, not below it.
