October 20, 2005 • ISSUE 38 / VOLUME 1

Carrier Hawaii: Providing cool comfort for kama'aina

Carrier Hawaii's Infinity System keeps you cool while lowering overall energy costs.

Kama'aina have discovered that Carrier Hawaii is the only local distributor of air conditioning equipment in the state with a full range of air conditioning products and systems.

Among Carrier Hawaii's products are simple room air conditioners and package units, split systems, commercial chillers and equipment used to control working areas in large buildings.

"We've received hundreds of inquiries from Island residents interested in installing central air conditioning in their homes," says Carrier Hawaii president John Arizumi. "But there's some confusion as to what central air conditioning actually is."

The most economical form of comfort cooling is the room air conditioner. "It's very inexpensive, you can install it yourself and enjoy instant cooling the same day," Arizumi explains. "However, room air conditioners can be noisy, they drip water on the outside of your home and they hang out the window, which makes them architecturally displeasing."

The original type of residential central air conditioning was a ducted system usually installed in the attic of the home with ductwork distributing air to different rooms of the home.

The equipment could be a package unit installed on the ground outside, or a split-system unit that includes an outside condensing unit on the ground and a fan coil unit in an attic or crawl space where ductwork is connected.

The thermostat for temperature control is generally placed in a common area of the home — usually near the return air so it could sample the "average temperature" of the home.

"The disadvantage of this system is that each room could be at a different undesirable temperature, depending on its occupancy and orientation with respect to the sun," Arizumi says. "This system is always energy inefficient because you have to cool your entire home, even if you're only occupying one room."

The most popular perception of a central system today is the duct-free split system. This includes a fan coil unit that hangs on the wall without ductwork and free-blows air into living areas.

Connected to an outdoor condensing unit, this system only cools the room it's installed in. As a result, this system requires the installation of multiple-units to cover several rooms of the home.

The advantage of a duct-free system is the minimal disruption time for installation. Since most installations in Hawaii occur when the homeowner is already occupying the home, the duct-free split can be installed more easily and more quickly. A hole is drilled through the wall to accommodate the piping and electrical workthrough.

The indoor unit hangs on the wall and the condensing unit is installed outside of the home and hooked up to the electrical portion of the unit.

"With a free-duct system, there is very little construction work within the home and it keeps the homeowner at ease without cutting/patching and dust," notes Arizumi. "Another advantage is pricing. With so many different brands on the market to choose from, pricing is very competitive."

The ultimate central system is the ducted zoning system, which is much like the original central system, except there are air dampers installed in the ductwork for each room that's controlled by its own thermostat.

With introduction of digital-microprocessor controls, it's easy to coordinate the system so everything works in harmony with the equipment.

Each room can has its own temperature setting, or it can be turned off completely when not in use.

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"This provides comfort control in every room as well as superb energy efficiency, because only the occupied spaces of a home are being cooled," Arizumi says. "In addition, it's aesthetically pleasing since each room has only an air diffuser in the ceiling, versus a big clunky unit hanging from the wall.

"It's also ultra-quiet since there are no moving parts in the room, and there is a minimal amount of air conditioning equipment, usually just one split system or maybe two if it's a larger home."

With fewer parts to service and maintain, these systems can also be provided with premium indoor air quality components such as UV-C light for microbial control and electronic filters for pollen and dust.

While it's usually better to have these components installed during the construction of a home, installations are done in aftermarket properties, as well.

However, the homeowner is often inconvenienced with the installation of the indoor portion of the system and the total time needed for installation.

The most energy efficient system available is the Carrier Infinity System, which includes a two-speed outdoor condensing unit and matching Infinity zoning controls. This system is also capable of remote monitoring by the service contractor so he/she knows when problems arise and can respond immediately.

For more information on the Infinity System or a price quote, call one of Carrier Hawaii’s listed dealers:

• Air 1 Air Conditioning: 836-3461
• American Air Conditioning: 847-0851
• A/C General Air Conditioning: 833-5687
• T&S Air Conditioning: 839-2025
• Aloha State Refrigeration: 842-0095
• Pacific Island Air Tech: 845-2345.