We answer Bruce’s Question:

Recommendation – 3-Phase is normally reserved for commercial applications, but sound like this is a good idea for Bruce. Andrew wants to take a site visit, but he thinks he has a fix for Bruce. Listen to make sure you understand the situation. Equipment will cost a little extra up front, but the bill should be about the same with the new high-efficiency units. He should start with a whole home energy audit.

• Bob – His Trane unit is 4 years old and it’s almost impossible to get the home down to 74 degrees. It takes forever.

Recommendation – Andrew would have a company other than the one that installed the unit come out to verify that everything was sized correctly. Most situations we find AC units to be over-sized, but it could be that he does have too small of a unit.

*We talk Mini-splits and the one downfall. They don’t filter the air like they do with standard AC units. Andrew recommends adding a filtration system.

Callers:

• Justin – He’s lives in a rental and the AC is not very efficient. Would it be possible to add a mini-split unit and then how hard would it be to take it with him when he moves?

Recommendation – No. Most of the cost is in the labor and we recommend picking up a portable unit instead.

• Rusty – He’s going to build a new home and is considering a geothermal unit, plus considering importing a unit from Dubai that is incredibley effiecient. Does that make sense?

Recommendation – Geothermal, in general, according to the experts is a bad idea in Arizona. We talk about all the reasons it is not cost effective. Finding parts for a unit that is all the way from Dubai is really hard and expensive.

Letters From Listener’s:

• Joe – He wants to cool his garage where he does woodwork. With what we said about how the mini-splits don’t filter the air, is that going to be a problem for him?

Recommendation – He’d need to wash out the filter after each time he uses the unit, but he’ll need to be diligent about cleaning the filter each and every time it’s turned on. It will damage the unit if the filter gets plugged.

• Is a 4 car garage too big of a space for mini-split units?

Recommendation – No, that should be fine. Not a problem!

*Second downside to a mini-split…..You are in the breeze or not. Andrew says some do rotate now to help eliminate that issue.

Caller:

• Pete – His 4000 square foot home has two units, but they were installed on one end of the home. The master bedroom on the opposite side of the home never gets above 88-90 degrees. He’s replaced the units and several have tried to change the ductwork and recently was told to put a package unit with a heat pump on his roof, but his H.O.A. doesn’t allow anything on the roof. What do we recommend?

Recommendation – Hot and cold pockets in the home are a major concern in AZ. Testing for leaks is the starting point and will show duct leaks. Registers need to be used to balance the air and a variable speed blower to fix it.

Caller:

• John – He has a cabin that gets warm for about 3 weeks every summer. Would a mini-split be a cost effective solution?

Recommendation – Yes! It would be a simple installation and a great application and most any AC experts can work on these.

• Rosie & Andrew discuss the trouble with finding qualified certified AC techs. If this is you, we need you! Call Andrew at Intelligent Design.

If you’re in the East Valley or Southern Arizona, contact Andrew at Intelligent Design Air Conditioning & Heating.

Join Rosie On The House Every Saturday Morning!!!