February 04, 2010
Folks in Atlanta know the weather they live with every day. There was a day, way back when, that we had no clue about ozone depletion and global warming. The energy was cheap, and we could not conceive of the idea of running out of resources. That was five billion people ago. We have become a little smarter about these things, but there is still a lot of room for improvement. These days government and industry are taking a sober look at where we are heading, and it’s apparent that we are all going to have to learn to be grownups where it comes to the environment. Something so seemingly small as choosing an Atlanta air conditioning contractor that provides Earth-friendly solutions can have a big impact on the local environment and for the planet as a whole.
Air conditioning, in particular, is such an important issue to Atlantans because it affects the amount we pay for electricity use in the summer. The electric utilities have to design their systems to be able to handle the peak demand which happens during summer because of the power it takes to operate air conditioners. The cost for building and upgrading these delivery systems is eventually passed on to the ratepayer.
An Earth-friendly Atalanta air conditioning contractor will be properly trained to help you choose an energy-efficient climate control solution for your home. They will have the expertise to inform you about the proper capacity for your size home and design a system that will not only keep you comfortable but may also reduce your monthly utility bills. They will be up-to-date with the latest Earth-friendly technologies and will not offer you a solution that doesn’t fit your needs or is worse for the planet. What would you think of a contractor that installed a system that was less efficient than what you already had, because it was too big for what you needed or was technologically obsolete?
One of the things you want to look for is NATE certified technicians. NATE stands for North American Technician Excellence. This means that the contractor’s technicians have to pass a test to make sure they understand and adhere to environmentally friendly practices as well as demonstrate a high level of technical competence. NATE certified technicians understand how to properly handle air conditioner refrigerant so it does not escape into the atmosphere unnecessarily. They are responsible for making sure that if your air conditioner has a deductible refrigerant leak, it will be properly repaired.
Another thing to check for is the availability of air conditioners that utilize newer, more Earth-friendly refrigerants. The old type of CFC and HCFC refrigerants are being phased out-indeed, they will be virtually banned by the year 2010. One of the new refrigerants has been developed by Carrier and goes by the brand name Puron. Carrier is not the only manufacturer that makes air conditioners that use the new type of refrigerant, however. Your Earth-friendly air conditioner contractor will be able to identify such a solution for your home if one is available.
By choosing an Atlanta air conditioner contractor that has the training and resources to provide more ecologically sound solutions, the impact you can make will be local and immediate. However, it will also help us to be able to manage our resources and environment far into the future. It is time for us to become responsible stewards for our planet.
Bardi Heating, Cooling & Plumbing is an Atlanta area HVAC contractor specializing in the design and installation of air conditioning systems for residential and commercial projects of any size.
