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In most residential and commercial buildings, air conditioning is the #1 electricity expense during summer. Statistically, air conditioners account for around 6% of the total electricity produced in US, and one-third of all homes have air conditioning system. They not only account for the major part of energy consumption expenses, but also negatively impact the environment by releasing around 115 million metric tons of CO2. Air conditioning systems impose a heavy burden on the power grids in summers, as they are operating at full capacity in most buildings. An efficient air conditioning system design can greatly benefit all kinds of building including residential and commercial, and also utility companies. As new technologies emerge, the cooling requirements have dropped considerably over the years. Winter is an excellent opportunity to upgrade air conditioning systems as they are not being used. To understand the impact of an efficient upgrade, air conditioning costs over $29 billion to US homeowners. With an efficiency upgrade, you can cut down the energy consumption of air conditioners by 20% to 50%. AC System Inspection and Upgrades during Winter During winter, there is barely any need for air conditioners, which makes it the perfect opportunity for inspections and required upgrades. Also, with a drop in demand for equipment and components, urgent repairs can be taken care of immediately. On the other hand, the need for air conditioners is at its peak in summer and the availability of equipment and components drops down due to increased demand. Unlike homes and residential buildings, efficient air conditioning offers 2 types of savings in commercial buildings: Commercial buildings are subject to demand charges. An efficient AC system will draw less kilowatts at all times, even when operating at peak capacity, which can be subtracted from the demand charge. Companies consider highest demand peak for the last 1 year. This means, peak demand from summer will affect the energy bills for the entire year, including the months when cooling is not needed. Thus, an efficient upgrade will ultimately reduce the demand charges all year long. Understanding the Efficiency of Air Conditioning Systems The efficiency ratings of space cooling systems vary depending on the unit type. However, a simple logic applies in all cases i.e. higher efficiency means lower energy bills. Different units use different kinds of metric for measuring efficiency - Chillers use Integrated Part Load Value (IPLV), which describes the efficiency over a range of common operating conditions, instead of a single condition. Complete chiller plants use kilowatt/ton to describe efficiency. Packaged rooftops use Integrated Energy Efficiency Ratio (IEER) for describing efficiency over a range of normal operating conditions. Mini-split air conditioners use Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER). Geothermal heat pumps use Coefficient of Performance (COP) to measure efficiency as they don’t have a dedicated metric. Air conditioning upgrades are simpler when you upgrade to a more efficient unit of the same type, since there is no need to reconfigure the entire installation. However, there may be cases where switching to another cooling technology may pay off. For example, window-type and packaged terminal air conditioners (PTAC) offer limited efficiency, and savings of over 70% are possible with newer systems. To identify the best possible way of cutting down your energy bills and keeping the expenditure to the minimum, it is highly recommended to consult to an experienced team of HVAC engineers.

There is no other way to put it: FHA loan programs minimize the hassle of finding a mortgage with bad credit. Unfortunately, many borrowers consider such a versatile loan program as a need-based option. It is a need-based financing alternative for those who do not have enough credit scores. However, its identity holds far more importance than this only. The program was launched to encourage people to buy homes during the Great Depression. Things have taken different turns since then. Catering to the people in need reflects on its one target. More like, this is just the tip of the iceberg. The FHA government home loans bad credit in Texas look forward to helping potential borrowers willing to buy certain property types. Yes, it makes the process of purchasing much easier when your credit score dips below 620. But it can be difficult for a prospective borrower while so many myths and misconceptions are going around. The post-coronavirus housing market has just started seeing rates go up in months. And it might be a great time to land an FHA loan as well. While things are proceeding towards normal, make your mind myth-free. Let’s debunk the misconceptions and find out the facts about FHA loan programs in Texas. Myth #1: Only Borrowers with Bad Credit can Apply This is a common misconception that requires immediate attention. The minimum credit benchmark 500, but it does not mean anyone with more than 620 cannot apply for the program. FHA loans have two credit score requirements – 500 credit with a minimum 10% down payment and 580 credit with a minimum 3.5%. Also, borrowers who have a higher DTI ratio can apply. When the conventional loans do not allow more than a 40% DTI ratio, FHA loans follow a more lenient guideline. So, it is better to check there are no late payments for at last one year. Additionally, you should not have late mortgage payments for the past 6 months. Of course, remember, perfect FICO scores are welcome but not mandatory. Myth #2: It is Compulsory to Put down 20% of the Loan Value A large down payment leads to better equity on the home. It is understandable when you cannot make a large down payment. But this does not put an end to your dreams. FHA loans encourage low credit borrowers and the lowest down payment requirement is 3.5%. Unlike the VA loan programs, FHA government home loans do not offer zero down payments. With a 3.5% down payment, there is FHA mortgage insurance. However, the private mortgage insurance does not add up when you are putting down 10% or more. Therefore, you do not have to put down 20% and it is not a necessary requirement. Another thing that circulates around a lot: FHA loans are better than conventional loans. This could carry a little bit of truth; however, everything boils down to a borrower’s situation. So, research and understand where you stand. Only then make the ultimate choice for an FHA loan.