As the seasons change and HVAC technology evolves, Nash Mechanical will be posting answers to our customers most frequently asked questions. Please also preview the main informational areas of our website by using the sub navigation menu above. Additional information can be found by going to the the following industry related websites:

How Air Conditioners Work - www.HowStuffWorks.com

What does SEER stand for?
SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. The higher the SEER rating, the more efficient the system utilizes electricity. SEER ratings of 6.0 were common just over a decade ago but modern systems usually offer SEER ratings of 10-14 and as high as 17.

I have just purchased a high efficiency system but my utility bills continue to rise.
Aside from rapidly increasing energy costs, many consumers use their new energy efficient systems a great deal more than their previous systems. Such increased usage can easily cost more than operating older, less efficient systems on a sparing basis. Energy ratings are however, a good indicator of where a system ranks within its class of air conditioning and heating units. All things being equal, a 14 SEER, or high efficiency system, will cost less to operate than a 10 SEER, or less efficient system. The difference in purchase price most often results in considerable energy savings over the life of the system. A knowledgeable technician can help you make an educated decision about which system to invest in.

What are Ultron® air conditioning systems?
Amana Ultron® air conditioning systems utilize a refrigerant known as 410a as opposed to R-22 (commonly known as Freon - Freon is actually a brandname but the name has been adopted much like referring to a tissue as Kleenex). Competing companies also market 410a systems under different names, all with a little twist on the "on" portion of the name. 410a was designed to prevent damage to the ozone layer by eliminating the chlorine found in its chemical composition. 410a systems generally utilize less electricity than regular systems but operate at extremely high pressures as compared to their R-22 counterparts.

What does AFUE stand for?
AFUE stands for Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency. AFUE measures the efficiency of a furnace by indicating the percentage of the fuel (usually natural gas) that is converted into heat used to warm your home. Government regulations require systems to have 78% AFUE, but Nash Mechanical usually sells furnaces with 80+ AFUE ratings. As natural gas prices continue to rise, a higher AFUE rating will provide a greater return on investment in a shorter period of time.