Air Conditioner Installation Ottawa
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Air Conditioner or Heat Pump?
The choice between an air conditioner and a heat pump primarily depends on your budget and your existing heating system.
It is often thought that air conditioners cool a home by producing cold air, but they actually cool your home by pumping heat energy from inside to outside, just like a heat pump does when operating in cooling mode. In fact, if looking at the outdoor unit of an air conditioner and heat pump system, it would be very difficult for the average person to tell them apart. So, from a cooling perspective, minus a few technical details, heat pumps and air conditioners are essentially the same when operating in cooling mode, with no significant difference in operation, efficiency, or energy costs.
The main difference is that heat pumps also operate in a heating mode.
In Canada most air source heat pumps are rated to operate from -20 to -30 degrees Celsius. In Ontario however, it is still law to have a backup heat source and your back up heat source can offer better energy efficiency in extreme cold. Heat pumps utilize communicating thermostats which seamlessly switch heat source from heat pump to back up source (such as your gas furnace) to determine the best sources of heat. This technology allows for reduced fossil fuel usage and greenhouse gas emissions.
The utility costs for running a heat pump vs a central air conditioner for cooling should be the same, assuming we are comparing similar models of both. A heat pump will cost more money upfront to install compared to a central air conditioner however, on average it is less expensive to heat your home with a heat pump and gas backup so you will see further overall utility savings having a a heat pump vs an air conditioner. Utility bill savings will be particularly noticeable if you heat your home with propane or oil. A 2022 federal study showed that homeowners with oil furnaces could see utility bill savings of up to $3500 per year per year with the addition of a cold climate heat pump.
Refrigerants are changing
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R-22
R-22, also referred to as Freon was introduced to North America in the 1950’s. It was the common refrigerant used for air conditioners and heat pumps up until 2009. It was discovered thatR-22 is an Ozone Depleting Substance and the government has since signed on to environmental commitments to protect the ozone layer. Beginning January 1, 2020 R-22 is no longer allowed to be produced or imported into North America.
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R-410A
In 2010 when R-22 was initially phased out, it was replaced by 410a. 410a refrigerant has an Ozone Depletion Rating of 0. Though this was a huge advancement on an environmental front in comparison to R-22, it was later given a GWP (Global Warming Potential) rating of around 2088. It is because of this environmental concern that we are once again shifting to a new refrigerant system, beginning in 2024.
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A2Ls
There are two new refrigerants being used across North America due to their lower environmental impact; R-32 and R-454b. R-32 has been used for the last decade across Europe with a GWP of 675. R-454b is new to the market but boasts a GWP of 466.
You may have heard these refrigerants are flammable. They are considered “mildly” flammable, meaning if you placed a source of ignition such a BBQ lighter directly at the refrigerant, it would spark. However, as soon as the source of ignition was removed, the flame would go out. In comparison, natural gas and propane are true flammable substances and are commonly used in homes every day. The use of these substances is highly regulated to keep everyone safe and comfortable.
Best Air Conditioners Ottawa
Goodman GLXS3B Air Conditioner
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R32 Split System Air Conditioner
Up to 14.5 SEER2
Cooling Capacity: 18,000 - 60,000 BTU/h
500-hour salt-spray approval
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It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.
Amana ALXS3B Air Conditioner
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R32 SPLIT SYSTEM AIR CONDITIONER
UP TO 14.5 SEER2
COOLING CAPACITY 18000 - 60000 BTU/H
HIGH DENSITY FOAM COMPRESSOR SOUND BLANKET
500 HOUR SALT SPRAY TESTED
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Limited 10 year parts
Amana ASXS6 Air Conditioner
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S-SERIES AIR CONDITIONER
UP TO 17.2 SEER2
INVERTER DRIVEN SIDE DISCHARGE SPLIT SYSTEM AIR CONDITIONER
HIGH DENSITY COMPRESSOR SOUND BLANKET
500 HOUR SALT SPRAY TESTED
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See full details here.
Goodman GSXV9 Air Conditioner
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Split System Air Conditioner
Up to 22.5 SEER2
High-efficiency variable-speed swing and scroll compressors (tonnage dependent)
High-efficiency variable-speed ECM condenser fan motor Inverter Driven
ComfortBridge Communications System compatible
Energy star “2023 Most Efficient”
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It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.
Amana ASXV9 Air Conditioner
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High Efficiency SPLIT SYSTEM AIR CONDITIONER
UP TO 22.5 SEER2
COOLING CAPACITY 22600 - 52000 BTU/h
Variable-speed swing and scroll compressors
HIGH DENSITY FOAM COMPRESSOR SOUND BLANKET
500 HOUR SALT SPRAY TESTED
Energy Star Certified
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Limited 10 year parts, lifetime unit replacement
Read full warranty details here.
What air conditioner is right for you?
How long are you staying in your home?
If you are planning to move in the next few years or the home you are installing an air conditioner in is a rental, then you might not want to invest extra money into the cost of your conditioner. In Ontario our main energy efficiency rating is called SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating). SEER is determined by dividing the total cooling achieved over a year divided by the amount of energy used to generate that cooling. In Canada the lowest allowable SEER rating is 13SEER2, with ratings typically going up to 25SEER2. Any rating of 14.5 or higher is generally ENERGY STAR rated and this is what we recommend you aim for when selecting your air conditioner.
In Ottawa it gets hot but our summers are short. This means you aren’t actually running your air conditioner for much of the year so you may not get back the extra money you invest into a more expensive air conditioner through utility savings in this amount of time.
Though you may not see much more in utility savings, the side discharge units are homeowners most preferred air conditioner units because of how quiet they are and because they are able to maintain a much more consistent indoor temperature, leaving you more comfortable all summer long.
If you expect to stay in the home for a long time, you may want to consider a heat pump. Because heat pumps are used all year long, they offer greater energy and year utility savings. You can learn more about heat pumps here.
