CheckMe!® Analysis Precisely Checks for problems with heat pump or air conditioner refrigerant charge and air flow. Refrigerant charge is the amount or level of refrigerant in your heat pump or air conditioner.  The air flow is the amount of air that is being blown by the ventilation fan, through the duct work in your house.  The more precisely an heat pump or air conditioner is diagnosed for these two potential problems, the better the indoor air quality and comfort level in the home, the more efficient and less expensive the heat pump or air conditioner is to operate, and the longer it will last with fewer repairs. Incorrect refrigerant charge is a common problem with residential air conditioning systems across the country.  And contrary to most consumers' expectations, frequently even newly installed air conditioning systems are incorrectly charged. Most Residential Heat pumps Or Air Conditioners Do Not Have The Correct Refrigerant Level Since refrigerant is not consumed by the heat pump or air conditioner and does not otherwise degrade, the problem of refrigerant charge in older units likely existed from the time of installation.  

It may also have occurred subsequent to installation as refrigerant was added or lost during service, when some traditional methods of approximating the refrigerant charge might have been used. Even New Heat pumps Or Air Conditioners May Be Charged Incorrectly New Heat pumps or air conditioners frequently have this problem because, when installing an heat pump or air conditioner, tubing must be run from the outside unit to the indoor unit.  should i cover my air conditioner unit in the winterMost Heat pumps or air conditioners come from the factory charged with enough refrigerant to accommodate twenty five feet of tubing.  how much does a central ac unit costIf the length of required tubing is less than or more than twenty five feet the refrigerant charge level must be adjusted to compensate for the difference in length.  best ac unit portable

If the tubing length is less than twenty five feet, then refrigerant must be removed. If the tubing length is longer than twenty five feet, then refrigerant must be added. The Refrigerant Charge Problem Is Widespread In a recent study, for Arizona Public Service, heat pump or air conditioner systems were tested for their refrigerant level.  The study results are indicated in the graph below.  Only eighteen (18%) percent of all the units were properly charged (green bar).  Seventy-eight (78%) percent of the units were under charged (yellow-red bars).  While four (4%) percent were over charged (red).  These results are consistent with previous industry research, from new home construction studies in California. Clearly, only a small percentage of Heat pumps or air conditioners are properly charged with refrigerant.  The cost is real.  As little as 10% undercharge will reduce the heat pump or air conditioner's capacity as much as 10%. Incorrect Air Flow Leaves Humidity, or Never Sufficiently Cools the Air

Almost all Heat pumps or air conditioners are designed to have 400 cubic feet per minute of air flowing across the indoor coil of the heat pump or air conditioner unit, for every ton of cooling capacity.  When the air flow is more than the manufacturer's recommendation, then the humidity of the air will tend to be high.  If the air flow is less than manufacturer's recommendation, then the heat pump or air conditioner will not cool the air sufficiently. Twelve different energy studies have been conducted on air flow in the past several years.  Each study found that on average seventy percent (70%) of all home Heat pumps or air conditioners have inadequate air flow.  The average home heat pump or air conditioner's air flow is twenty percent (20%) below the manufacturer's recommendation. CheckMe!® Analysis Precisely Checks for these Two Critical Heat pump or air conditioner Problems Prior to energy efficiency studies and the development of CheckMe!® software, precise computer analysis and calculations were not available to the infield service and installation technicians.  

And more significantly, prior to these government and utility funded energy efficiency studies, less precise analysis was believed to be adequate. Obviously, any professionally conducted heat pump or air conditioner diagnosis is better than none, but CheckMe!® air conditioning diagnosis is currently the best, most precise, approach available for heat pump or air conditioner diagnosis and tune-up.  The more precisely an heat pump or air conditioner is diagnosed, the better the indoor air quality and comfort level in the home, the more efficient and less expensive the heat pump or air conditioner is to operate, and the longer it will last with fewer repairs. Dallas, TX – (March 22, 2012) – Three-phase nitrogen-charge split system air conditioners and heat pumps are now available from Lennox. Offered as replacement units for 3- to 5-ton equipment that currently uses R-22 refrigerant, these nitrogen-charged products are designed to accommodate ambient temperatures up to 125ºF.

The units feature a nitrogen-charged, high-efficiency scroll compressor that is grommet-mounted for quiet operation and protected internally against high-temperature motor overload conditions. Enhanced aluminum fins and copper tubing coils offer high efficiency and capacity; a raised design prevents debris from collecting in the bottom of the coil, preventing loss of airflow. Both the air conditioner and heat pump units are built with a heavy-duty galvanized steel cabinet coated with a baked polyester paint finish for maximum durability. The design also includes a full metal louvered panel coil guard and rounded safety corners. Controls located in the corner post and external gauge ports offer easy installation and service. Finally, a raised base pan with ports installed with the air conditioner offers excellent water and debris drainage. Additional features of the new nitrogen-charged split system air conditioners and heat pumps include a discharge muffler for quiet operation, and a bi-directional filter drier for long-lasting durability and system protection.

Easily accessible service valves allow quick installation and easy cleaning and service, while a low-pressure switch protects against loss of charge. Trade-available components are offered on both air conditioner and heat pump units. Finally, the heat pump unit is also equipped with a reliable, solid-state, time-initiated, temperature-terminated defrost system with a field-selectable defrost cycle in 30-, 60- or 90-minute increments. The system is also equipped with Quiet-shift™ capable defrost control, short-cycle compression protection and built-in diagnostics to help contractors save time on the job. A 1-year warranty on parts and 5-year compressor warranty are included. A worldwide leader in residential and commercial heating and air conditioning systems, Lennox Industries Inc. is based near Dallas, Texas. Deeply committed to helping consumers and businesses reduce energy needs and lessen their environmental impact, the company offers a wide range of resources for improving efficiency, including a selection of ENERGY STAR® qualified products.