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February 2006
2005 Energy Act Policy w Matched System Components Energy Policy Act & Tax Credit Program The Energy Policy Act of 2005 provides valuable federal tax credits for consumers who make certain specified energy-efficiency upgrades to their homes. The government defined the incentive as a tax credit not a tax deduction. This means that the value of the incentive is returned to the homeowner in the full amount rather than just lowering the taxable income. Efficiency requirements and incentive amounts:
Click here to view the Qualifying Ruud Furnace Models. Click here to view the Qualifying Ruud Air Conditioning Systems. These links provide additional information on the new energy law:
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13 SEER Matched Systems If system components don’t match everybody loses. Mis-matched coils and condensing units can cause a variety of issues – a noticeable drop in system capacity, substantial loss in efficiency, inadequate moisture removal, and worse yet - compressor flood back. Considering the steep costs of call backs and warranty repairs, installing a properly matched system the first time around makes good sense. 13 SEER condensing units are much larger than the previous 10 SEER systems we were all used to installing. The larger condenser also means a larger refrigerant charge. Will the existing 10 SEER indoor coil be able to hold the complete charge? Probably not. What will happen is the technician will adjust the refrigerant charge lowering the system efficiency and capacity just to get the system working - and if its a heat pump the cooling charge most certainly won't work in the heating mode. How about the metering device? A TXV is designed control the superheat - is it sized and adjusted (considering it is an adjustable TXV) correctly for the lowered pressure drop of a 13 SEER outdoor unit? And if the indoor coil has a piston "flo-rator"? Don't even consider it. The flo-rator of a 10 SEER is designed for a higher pressure drop and will starve the indoor coil of refrigerant and the compressor of the necessary refrigerant to cool the windings. 10 SEER coils will have less surface area the a typical 13 SEER. The surface area of an A/C coil will directly affect the suction temperature of the refrigerant. This will change the dew point or the moisture removal capacity (latent heat) of the coil. This should be a consideration when changing out system components.
Follow this link to ARI's website of certified manufacturer matched systems.
Degree Days According to the average NYS recorded degree days both 2004 and 2005 were very mild winters. Both years were approximately 225 heating degree days short of the normal 6116. 2006 is off to a slow start, already the month of January is 220 degree days behind the normal 1188 heating degree days. If weather has anything to do with furnace sales - Mother Nature is not on our side!
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