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Today’s cooling technology is better. And that’s good for business

Everyone loves summer until the air conditioner breaks down. From discomfort and costly repairs, to higher energy costs and new environmental laws, an unreliable old AC is just bad for business. Fortunately, today’s cooling technology is better for your building, the environment and your bottom line:

  • Better Refrigerant – Most older ACs contain R22, an ozone depleting refrigerant. Today’s systems contain R410a, an environmentally-friendly refrigerant which absorbs and releases heat, while reducing the risk of your system overheating1.
  • Better Energy Efficiency – Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, or SEER, is the maximum cooling efficiency of an AC. While systems 10-15 years old have a rating of 9 or 10, today’s ratings range from 13 to 25+.2
  • Better Fans – In the past, ACs only had one speed: maximum, resulting in overworked equipment. Variable speed technology runs on lower speeds on cooler days and higher speeds on hotter days, using less energy and making less noise.
  • Better Compressors – Older ACs typically have a single-stage compressor that can only operate at full capacity, making a lot of noise and using a lot of electricity. Newer systems have a dual-stage compressor that can run at a lower capacity when needed.
  • Better Ductless Heating & Cooling – Installing ductwork can be an expensive challenge. Ductless mini-splits are a great option for cooling spaces without ducts, with non-invasive installation and small air handlers in each room.

At Enercare, we have the expertise and finance options to help make getting a new cooling system a breeze.

How AC Works

How Air Conditioners work

 

 

  1. Air Conditioners remove heat and humidity from the indoor air and return cooled air into the indoor space.
  2. A chemical refrigerant moves through the four main mechanical components of your equipment; the compressor, condenser coil, expansion valve and evaporator. Working together, they quickly convert the refrigerant from gas to liquid and back into gas.
  3. The compressor raises the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant gas, sending it to the condenser coil where it is converted to a liquid.
  4. The refrigerant then travels back indoors and enters the evaporator coil, where the liquid refrigerant evaporates, cooling the indoor air.
  5. A fan blows indoor air across the cold evaporator coil, where the heat inside is absorbed into the refrigerant.
  6. Cooled air is then circulated throughout the space, while the heated evaporated gas is sent back outside to the compressor.
  7. The heat is then released into the outdoor air as the refrigerant returns to a liquid state.
  8. This cycle continues until the building has reached the desired temperature.

The AC Evolution

How cooling systems have evolved over the years

1902

Air Conditioning is invented
Willis Carrier invents “the Apparatus for Treating Air,” which blows air over cold coils to control room temperature and humidity. He later establishes the Carrier Air Conditioning Company of America.3

1906

The first central air system
The Buffalo Forge Company creates the first industrial “central station” humidifying system by applying Carrier’s “Apparatus for Treating Air” to a mill’s fan-heater ventilating system.4

1914

The first home AC installation
Carrier successfully installs air conditioning in the Charles Gates Mansion in Minneapolis, Minnesota.4 The unit was approximately 7 feet high, 6 feet wide, and 20 feet long.3

1926

The first Rooftop AC Unit
Carrier successfully installs multi-story cooling in the T.W. Patterson Building in Fresno, California. It had centrifugal chiller equipment in the basement, and air conditioning on the roof.4
Equipment Profile: Rooftop Units
About A rooftop HVAC system that provides heating, cooling or all-in-one. Also known as “RTU.”
Pros Variable speed for more precise temperature control and energy savings
Higher SEER ratings for better environmental impact
Having your system on the roof reduces operational noise and helps provide uninterrupted maintenance and service to your business
Cons Installation service required
A bigger up-front financial investment
Energy Performance Excellent

1928

The first building built with AC
The Milam Building in San Antonio, Texas, becomes the first skyscraper to have comfort cooling installed during construction.4

1931

Window Air Conditioning Units are invented
H.H. Schultz and J.Q. Sherman invent the first individual room air conditioner that sits on a window ledge.3
Equipment Profile: Window Air Conditioning Units
About Known affectionately in the industry as “window shakers”, the window air conditioner is a simple answer to fight heat and humidity.
Pros Cost effective
Good for cooling small spaces
Easy to install
Cons Lack of power and efficiency
Windows are not fully sealed, allowing heat to leak into the room
Energy Performance Fair

1973

Mini Split Ductless Systems are invented
Japanese company Daikin invents the first Mini Split Ductless System,5 known today as the perfect solution for buildings with no ductwork.

1982

VRF (Variable Refrigerant Flow) systems are invented
Also invented by Daikin, VRFs are a type of Mini Split Ductless System. Highly efficient, they offer energy savings of up to 55% over comparable equipment.5
Equipment Profile: Ductless Split Systems
About An increasingly popular choice, a ductless split system such as Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) provides zone-controlled heating and cooling.
Pros Perfect for buildings with no ductwork
Non-intrusive installation
Individual air handlers can be set and adjusted depending on the specific needs of that room
Energy savings since you’re only cooling the spaces in your business that are being used
Cost effective
Cons Installation service required
Energy Performance Excellent

1992

SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) law is introduced
As energy performance gained increasing importance, a law taking effect in 1992 required all new air conditioners have a minimum SEER rating of 10.2 Today, an ENERGY STAR® qualified central air conditioner must have a SEER rating of at least 12 or greater for a single-package unit and 13.0 or greater for a split system.6

1994

Freon gas (R22) is linked to ozone depletion
Freon gas R22 refrigerant, at the time used in nearly all AC units, is found to be damaging to the earth’s ozone layer and gets banned in several countries.3

2020

Environmentally-friendly ACs become law
R22 is slowly being phased out globally, with a complete ban going into effect January 1, 2020. Most AC units older than 10 years still use R22, a harmful ozone-depleting refrigerant, making now the best time to upgrade.7

Environmental Impact

Is your AC over 10 years old? It’s time to upgrade

  • Most AC units older than 10 years use R22, a harmful ozone-depleting refrigerant.7
  • Once released into the atmosphere, R22 causes irreversible damage to the environment.3
  • R22 has slowly been phased out globally, with a complete ban going into effect January 1, 2020.7
  • Once illegal, R22 can no longer be manufactured or imported into the country.7

Don’t wait until an irreparable breakdown – we’re here to help

  • If your AC system requires R22 and breaks down after January 1st, it can no longer be repaired by adding refrigerant to the system.7
  • Enercare offers cost-effective and energy-efficient alternatives to typical AC units.
  • From packaged Rooftop Units with variable speed for efficient and precise temperature control, to ductless split systems like Variable Refrigerant Flow, with non-intrusive installation and zone control heating and cooling, we have your solution.

Featured Products

Whatever your business, we have your cooling system

A new and properly-sized cooling system matched to the unique needs of your business will not only keep you comfortable, but it can also help you save on your energy bills.

Carrier WeatherExpert 48

  • Available with 3 to 23-ton cooling capabilities
  • Ultra-high efficiency model with SEERs up to 17.5
  • Multi-stage compressors and VFDs for better control and energy savings8
  • Recommended for: Restaurants, Multi-Residential buildings, Retail spaces

 

Daikin VRV IV

  • Available with 6 to 34-ton cooling capabilities
  • Heats and cools simultaneously
  • Integrated Energy Efficiency Ratio (IEER) up to 28
  • Design flexibility with piping lengths up to 3,280 ft total and 100 ft. vertical separation between indoor units9
  • Recommended for: Multi-Residential buildings, Large Commercial spaces

 

 

 

Enercare | Commercial Air Conditioners