Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Looks like the DOE is setting new efficiency standards on furnace motors, and it looks like furnaces will require ECM motors. This could be either a fixed speed X13 motor or a variable speed motor. This not only increases the efficiency of the blower itself, but if attached to an air conditioner increases the SEER of the air conditioner.
Note that this rule excludes heat pump air handlers.
I've been contemplating replacing my nearly 20 y.o. HVAC system before summer. Heat is fine, A/C has issues and appears to be at end-of-life. So should I get it done before this new spec? What do you experts think? BTW, I do have a trusted HVAC company but I always like to be informed so I can discuss these things intelligently with them. Thanks in advance for your thoughts.
I've been contemplating replacing my nearly 20 y.o. HVAC system before summer. Heat is fine, A/C has issues and appears to be at end-of-life. So should I get it done before this new spec? What do you experts think? BTW, I do have a trusted HVAC company but I always like to be informed so I can discuss these things intelligently with them. Thanks in advance for your thoughts.
Remember though that with ECM blowers your cooling SEER will be greater than with a standard PSC blower.
Remember though that with ECM blowers your cooling SEER will be greater than with a standard PSC blower.
they also keep the humidity at a comfortable level .... they run at low speed early on letting the coil pull a lot of moisture out of the air , then they ramp up to cool that air .
I don't see anything in that article but vague assertions about the actual increase in cost. I'm not sure manufacturers having to abandon $50 Chinese-made motors with efficiency stuck somewhere in the 1950s is a bad thing, not for an appliance found in every home and building in the US. I'd also suspect that immediate cost levels would decline as the market for a specific subset of the market spikes and then replaces the older design.
This is similar to Bush's light bulb regulations.
I am stocking up on traditional motors.
I'll take that as humor, but I don't see anyone banning brush motors. Just not allowing them in new HVAC installations. The motors now used are everywhere in appliances and light industrial equipment; they are not as universally replaceable with an arbitrary alternative as light bulbs.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
