In 1982, A-Plus Air Conditioning & Home Solutions helped develop the “whole house” concept. The Whole House concept is designed to help residents and businesses save energy by doing multiple energy-saving “repairs” instead of just one.
We’re a registered Austin Energy contractor and can help you with everything from energy audits and ECAD audits to home weatherization services.
Our ‘Whole House’ Background
Back in the 80s, you might have been told to replace your cooling system with a new, high-efficiency, two-speed air conditioner with a 10 SEER energy rating. You were probably also told to increase the size of your system because “bigger is better.” If you wanted a more energy-efficient home, you added more insulation. At A-Plus Air Conditioning & Home Solutions, we were convinced increasing a building’s energy efficiency was more complicated, requiring a broader approach. We set out to find a more comprehensive way to help homeowners save on their energy bills.
We weather-stripped doors, windows and pipe penetrations, sealed building “air leaks,” reduced air leakage from AC ducts, replaced damaged ducts, blocked solar gain through windows and skylights, increased attic ventilation and more. Interestingly, we discovered that homes and businesses with smaller, properly sized, air conditioners, required less electricity usage and provided better overall heating and cooling. We also realized that an undersized unit works hard, while an oversized unit doesn’t remove enough humidity.
Is Your HVAC System Properly Sized?
What does this all mean? At A-Plus Air Conditioning & Home Solutions, developing the Whole House concept led us to the discovery that proper sizing is key. We came to realize homes with smaller, less “demanding” AC systems, using less electricity, provided better comfort than homes with older, oversized cooling systems. The concept was so simple.
Imagine standing in the cold, with only part of your body properly clothed. Only the sufficiently-clothed part will be comfortable. Now imagine it’s 0 degrees outside. You’re wearing shorts and a t-shirt. You’ll need a large fire to keep warm. Add layers of clothing (insulation and weather stripping in your home’s case), and now a smaller heat source is necessary to keep you warm. If your building is properly “dressed,” it needs less cooling and heating—thus, our “whole house” energy conservation concept.
Our job is to help keep your home safe and your energy bills low. One way to do this is by keeping your ducts properly sealed with timely duct sealing and repair services.
What Does the Whole House Concept Include?
A whole house approach takes multiple variables into consideration to achieve the most energy-efficient solution for your home:
- Have an energy audit of your home
- Weatherize the building evenly
- Proper insulation types and levels
- Duct sealing and duct replacement
- Solar screens management on windows and skylights
- Proper HVAC replacement with the correct size
- Your lifestyle
A-Plus Air Conditioning & Home Solutions will help you determine the proper steps for conserving energy, lowering your utility bills, and achieving higher levels of home comfort.
