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.
All About Goodman
- August 8, 2017
Goodman Manufacturing was founded in 1975 by enterprising HVAC dealer Harold V. Goodman. The company first made flexible air ducts and plastic blade registers for consumers in San Antonio, Texas and the surrounding areas.
Since its inception the company has expanded and become a member of the world’s largest HVAC manufacturing group, Daikin. Today, products are now sold all over the U.S. and Canada, with manufacturing plants in their home state of Texas and in Tennessee.
Products
Goodman offers a range of both domestic and commercial products including heat pumps, packaged systems, furnaces, air handlers and air quality control equipment.
Daikin, Goodman’s new parent company, also manufactures a line of ductless units for single rooms and small homes. Customers can choose between traditional mini A/C units or ductless heat pumps if they wish to forgo a ducted HVAC system.
On top of HVAC equipment, Goodman gives customers integrated A/C control options via its ComfortNet™ technology. The ComfortNet™ control thermostat includes a large display screen with both inside and outside temperature readings. From the control panel, customers receive advanced system diagnostics and can program a continuous fan control.
Goodman ComfortNet™ customers also enjoy integrated whole-home dehumidification and remote-control options. ComfortNet™ systems may be controlled by Google Home or Amazon’s Alexa through voice control. Customers may also monitor and control their ComforNet™ system from any tablet or smartphone with the free Honeywell Total Connect Comfort app.
Warranty
Limited Warranties are included with all residential Goodman equipment, though products must be registered through Goodman’s online product registration system. According to their policy, Goodman will replace any part “that is found to be defective due to workmanship or materials under normal use and maintenance” free of charge under warranty.
If you wish to change HVAC professionals at any time, maintenance under warranty doesn’t have to be completed by the installing dealer. According to Goodman, any licensed contractor may complete work as long as it is in accordance with the policy.
Homeowners may also wish to purchase additional coverage, as the Goodman limited warranty does not cover weather damage, faulty installation or damage from improper use and maintenance. Goodman’s Asure Extended Service plans offer several levels of additional coverage for up to 99 years depending on your budget.
Some extended service plans also include labor coverage, which isn’t included in the limited warranty.
If you would like to learn more about HVAC or the process of purchasing a new unit, check out this great HVAC guide on Goodman’s website, or call us at Go Direct Appliance and we will be happy to help.
Shop Our Selection of Goodman Products
[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.
What’s Right for Me? Package Unit vs. Split-System
- May 19, 2017
Your old air conditioning unit is on its last legs and you’re looking for a new one. The problem is, you don’t know what type of HVAC system will best suit your home. How do you decide?
The Options
HVAC units can be purchased and installed two separate ways, packaged or split.
As the name implies, a packaged unit will arrive at your home in one metal cabinet. The cabinet holds all of the air conditioning equipment and the furnace. This unit is installed on the roof of the home or outside on a concrete slab.
Split-systems come in two parts: a metal cabinet installed outside of the home on a concrete slab containing the compressor and the condenser, and a cabinet installed inside of the home in an attic or closet containing the evaporator and the furnace.
How to Decide
Before you purchase, take a look at the system in your home and decide if it meets the needs of your family.
Usually, a smaller home comes with a packaged system, as it may simply lack the space for a split-system unit. Note that packaged units often have shorter lifespans than split-systems. A packaged system is more exposed to the elements and therefore more likely to rust. It also makes a warm home for animals in the winter, who will sometimes nest inside of the cabinet and chew through the electrical work.
The installation of a package system, though, is more cost effective than that of a split-system. The package system comes ready to be installed, with HVAC professionals only having to create a single hole into the home to connect the system to the duct work. Package system installation comes with little chance of error, as all of the machinery comes together ready to be used. This means that the system will run as effectively as the supplier claims.
Split-systems, however, take much more care. Because a spilt-system contains two separate units, multiple connections link the units and the duct work in the home. Any error in installation will directly affect the efficiency of a split-system. If a split-system is not installed by a knowledgeable professional, it may not work to cool or heat your home at all.
If your concern is long-run cost efficiency, a split-system is still the best choice. Though installation error can affect these systems, they are more efficient than packaged systems overall. Split-systems can be purchased with SEER ratings as high as 25, while packaged systems’ SEER ratings typically range from 13-18.
Your choice comes down to the size of your home and the efficiency that you desire. If you are unsure, call the experts at Go Direct Appliance and we will help you in your selection process.
[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.
Purchase the Perfect Air Conditioning Unit By Understanding The SEER Rating
- March 7, 2017
The terms retailers and manufacturers use when describing air condition systems can seem foreign to the everyday buyer, making purchasing a new air conditioner a daunting task. One common term, the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, or SEER, rating, is important to understand before you make a purchase.
The SEER rating tells you how efficient your system will be. The higher the rating, the less electricity your system will need to cool your house. The rating is derived from the ratio of cooling output to electrical energy used by your system over a cooling season.
When looking at SEER ratings, be aware that a cooling season has varying temperatures from 60 to 100 degrees, and the SEER rating reflects the overall seasonal efficiency of your air conditioner, not the everyday efficiency of your system.
It might make things more clear to think of a SEER rating like the miles per gallon of a car. Though a car can run at 20 MPG, the true MPGs the car gets depends on road conditions and traffic. Just like that, a SEER rating can fluctuate day-to-day depending on how your unit is running.
Deciding what SEER rating is right for you
Once you know what a SEER rating is, it’s time to look at your home.
Take stock of how often you run your air conditioner and at what temperature. If the desired temperature in your home is often set several degrees below the outside temperature, or if you live in an older, draftier home, springing for a higher SEER rating may be ideal for you.
In the Southeastern United States where temperatures are elevated for a larger portion of the year, a higher SEER rating is recommended. Starting in 2015, ducted air conditioning units and smaller, mini-split systems installed in this area have a required SEER rating of at least 14.
So, how high is high enough? If you want to go by cost alone, you might need to do some math.
Online and in store, you may have noticed the “3-ton” or “5-ton” label on each unit. This number is not a weight description, but shorthand for Refrigeration Ton, the amount of energy it takes to melt one ton of ice.
Your bill measures your electricity use in a unit called kilowatt-hours, which comes from a different measure of energy called the British Thermal Unit (Btu). One Btu is enough energy to raise the temperature of a pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. There are 12,000 Btu’s per hour in one Refrigeration Ton.
It can seem complicated but stick with me, this is where the math comes in. Let’s say you have an older 3 Ton 12 SEER unit (bellow the currently required SEER rating).
First, we must convert to the proper units:
3 Tons X 12,000 Btu = 36,000 Btu/h
Next, we use the SEER value:
36,000 Btu / 12 SEER = 3,000 Wh (watt-hours)
Now we must convert watt-hours to kilowatt-hours, the unit your provider uses.
3,000 Wh/1000 = 3 kWh consumed every hour of operation
We will say you run your unit about 2,500 hours annually.
2,500 hours x 3 = 7,500 kWh consumed yearly
Time to calculate your yearly cost of operation.
7,500 kWh x 10 cents per kWh = $750
You will need to substitute your own hours of operation and the rate you pay per kWh, but using this equation will allow you to see the difference in savings for each SEER rating.
You’re not done yet, though.
It’s time to think about how long you’ll be living in your current home. Air conditioning units are expensive, and you can’t take them with you when you move. A higher efficiency machine won’t bring a return on your investment in one cooling season, so you must consider how many seasons of use you will get out of your system. Using the calculations above, think about your savings per year and the cost difference between each efficiency rating. This will tell you how long it will be before your system pays for itself.
If you set time aside to do these calculations and think about the condition of your home, you will become a more informed buyer and will be able to decide what SEER rating is right for you.
Difference Between a Package and a Split HVAC System? [Overview]
- February 13, 2017
This is probably the most asked question I get from customers who know they need a new HVAC system and even know what tonnage (Tonnage Rating is the common term in the HVAC Industry to refer to the cooling handling capacity of an air conditioner of any kind) they need but can’t tell me exactly what system they need. This is vital information, whether you buy your system from www.GoDirectAppliance.com or somewhere else, you will need to know. Some companies will just sell you any old air conditioner type, or whatever you say you want to buy and if it’s wrong you may end up stuck with a pricey $$ system and no use for it! We strive to make sure all of our customers order the correct system by asking the right questions, but its still important that you know key differences in units to make sure you get the right system. An error like this will have result in extra freight charges to fix the mistake and loose a lot of very precious time. That is why I hope you read this to make your sure you order what you need.
Split Systems
Below you will see a drawing of a split system and this will explain it best. Basically it is a “condenser” or “heat pump” outside, with a “gas furnace & coil” or an “air handler” inside, depending on your application. These two units are connected together by copper refrigerant lines.
- The typical central air conditioning system is a split system, with an outdoor air conditioning, or “compressor-bearing unit” and an indoor coil, which is usually installed on top of the furnace in the home.
- Using electricity as its power source, the compressor pumps refrigerant through the system to gather heat and moisture from indoors and remove it from the home.
- Heat and moisture are removed from the home when warm air from inside the home is blown over the cooled indoor coil. The heat in the air transfers to the coil, thereby “cooling” the air.
- The heat that has transferred to the coil is then “pumped” to the exterior of the home, while the cooled air is pumped back inside, helping to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature.
Package Units
Package units are all-in-one systems that hook up directly to your duct work outside. All the components, including the compressor, coil, and blower, are inside of this unit and are already fully charged with refrigerant. While they do sell for a tad bit more than a complete split system the install is much easier and usually less expensive. Below is a diagram of what a packaged unit looks like when seen next to a home.
- Packaged units are all-in-one systems that supply both cooling and heating equipment in one “package.” These units sit on the ground or rooftop outside of your home or business.
- Packaged units come in three forms:
I hope this helps you in determining which system you need for your home. If you are still confused don’t hesitate to chat with us online or gives me a call at (229) 316-1266. We would love to talk with you.
