Is it time to replace my HVAC system? How Powerful An Air Conditioner Do You Need? How do I select the right size water heater? Heat Pump Quiz

Appliance Energy Usage Appliance Typical wattage Average kwhs used monthly Average monthly cost Air Conditioner 12,000 btu window 1,400 336* $28.56 Air Conditioner 2.5 ton central 3,500 840* $71.40 Clothes Dryer 4,900 83 $7.06 Clothes Washer 512 9 $0.77 Coffee Maker 1,000 10 $0.85 Dishwasher 1,200 30 $2.55 Fan - furnace 300 63 $5.36 Fan - window 200 14 $1.19 Freezer 12 cu. ft. manual defrost 241 96 $8.16 Freezer 12 cu. ft. frost free 321 144 $12.24 Freezer 15 cu. ft. frost free 440 14 $1.19 Fry Pan 1,200 9 $0.77 Hair Dryer 1,000 4 $0.34 Iron 1,100 5 $0.43 Microwave Oven 1,450 16 $1.36 Range 12,200 100 $8.50 Refrigerator 12 cu. ft. manual defrost 241 65 $5.53 Refrigerator/Freezer 15 cu. ft. frost free 615 155 $13.18 Refrigerator/Freezer 18 cu. ft. frost free 720 188 $15.98 Television - B&W 55 10 $0.85 Television - color 200 37 $3.15 Toaster 1,400 4 $0.34 Toaster Oven 1,500 6 $0.51 Vacuum 650 4 $0.34 Water Heater 4,500 405 $34.43 Water Pump 1,000 15 $1.28 Lighting 40 watt bulb 60 watt bulb 75 watt bulb 40 60 75 5** 7** 9** $0.43 $0.60 $0.77 * assumes 8 hours of use daily               ** assumes 4 hours of use daily

Is it time to replace my HVAC system?
On average central air conditioners and heat pumps last 15 years. However, today's high efficiency units may be worth the investment before your current unit gives out depending upon the unit's operating efficiency. Your existing unit can be worth fixing under certain conditions. That's why we suggest you call several contractors for an estimate before making a final decision. Keep in mind that when replacing the outdoor condensing unit on an older unit (which includes the compressor) you should also have the indoor coil replaced. Matching a new high efficiency condensing unit with an old indoor coil would not result in optimum efficiency. Keep in mind that room additions dramatically change your home's heating and cooling needs and a new, larger unit is not always the answer. Instead ask your contractor about an add-on heat pump.

How do I select the right size water heater?

Estimate your family's peak-hour demand. To do this, estimate what hour of the day (morning or evening) your family is likely to require the greatest amount of hot water. Add up all the hot water tasks that take place during that one hour using the measurements in the table to the right. Total the tasks and you have your family's peak hourly hot water demand. For example, if your family's expected hot water use is in the morning, the usage might be: 3 showers, 1 shave and 1 hand dishwashing. Your arithmatic would look like this: 60 gallons + 2 gallons + 5 gallons = 67 gallons/hour. Therefore a 67 gallon tank would meet your needs without any change in routine.

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