HVAC FAQ's
- What is the average life expectancy of equipment?
- Can I replace the outdoor unit on an older system to save money?
- Will a bigger-sized system perform better?
- Why is a system with matched components so important?
- Why should I switch to a high-efficiency air filter?
- How often should I change my air filter?
- Should I have my furnace and air conditioner serviced every year?
- Why should I purchase a service agreement?
- How can I reduce allergens and improve the air quality in my home?
- I am concerned about mold growth what should I do?
- What is duct cleaning?
- What do SEER, AFUE, and HSPF ratings mean to me?
- How can I reduce my energy costs?
- Why should I buy ENERGY STAR labeled equipment?
- What is a heat pump?
- What is a Hybrid Heat Dual Fuel system?
- What are the advantages of equipment with variable speed fans?
- How does 2-stage cooling or heating work?
- What temperature should I set my thermostat?
- My system doesn’t work well in a couple of rooms, what do I do?
- Is R-22 as a refrigerant, being discontinued?
- My ac is very loud when I entertain outside, what can I do?
- Can carbon monoxide build up in my home?
What is the average life expectancy of equipment?
Most systems have a lifetime of 10 to 20 years. As your equipment gets older, its efficiency can decrease dramatically. You may notice that it gets noisier and needs repairs more often. When a unit begins to show its age, you have two choices: You can overhaul the system or replace it. Because heating and cooling technologies improve over time, a new system designed with newer, more energy-efficient equipment makes sense, especially if your system is ten plus years old. We can estimate the cost of a new system as well as a payback schedule that will show you how newer technology will pay you back in lower energy usage.
Can I replace the outdoor unit on an older system to save money?
No. Replacing only the outdoor unit will lower the efficiency of the unit. In fact, you can lose up to 15 percent of the unit’s efficiency! Even worse, your system may fail sooner than normal and most manufacturers’ warranties will be voided. You should always replace the indoor cooling coil with the outdoor unit.
Will a bigger-sized system perform better?
No. You don’t want your air conditioner to be too big. Air conditioners control the comfort level in your home by cooling the air and by removing humidity. An oversized air conditioner will cool your home faster, but it will use more energy and will not remove humidity adequately. A unit that is too big for your home will have short run cycles. It may take only a short time to cool the air, but the unit shuts off before enough air blows across the indoor coil where moisture condenses into water and drains from your system. Too much moisture left in the air can lead to mold and mildew problems. These short-run cycles also mean your system starts and stops more often, which uses more energy and causes a lot of wear and tear. An air conditioner operates more efficiently during long run cycles. The same holds true with heating systems. An oversized furnace will warm the house quicker, but it uses more fuel and causes greater temperature swings in the home.
Why is a system with matched components so important?
A matched system is important for a variety of reasons. One is comfort. When all your components are properly sized to your home, you can control exactly how much heating or cooling you need so you can relax. Also, a properly sized matched system enables every component to perform as designed, meaning proper cycle times are maintained, humidity is controlled, and system sound is minimized. Another reason matched systems are important is efficiency. Most systems people buy are too large for their homes, which uses more energy than needed for your home. A matched system outlined by a dealer who has completed a load calculation for your home provides just the right amount of heating and cooling you need so you get the most value for your utility dollar.
Why should I switch to a high-efficiency air filter?
Proper air filtration is just as important to the health of your heating and cooling system as it is to the health of your family. Without proper filtration, dust and dirt can build up on your system, which impacts operation and efficiency. A high-efficiency filter will remove more dust, dirt, pollen, mold, and other particles from the air. If you suffer from allergies or other respiratory problems, you should strongly consider a high-efficiency filter. No matter what type of filter you have – make sure you change it regularly.
How often should I change my air filter?
At the risk of telling you something you’re tired of hearing, replace the air filter in your furnace on a regular basis. Dirty air filters reduce the amount of air flowing through a system and make the furnace work harder to maintain the temperature. How often you change the filter depends on the type of filter you use, if you have pets and the size of your equipment. Please give us a call and we can give you proper guidance.
Should I have my furnace and air conditioner serviced every year?
Yes. Keeping your system properly maintained will lower energy and repair costs, prevent breakdowns and prolong the life of your equipment. Neglecting necessary maintenance ensures a steady decline in air conditioning performance while energy use steadily increases.
Why should I purchase a service agreement?
Without warranty coverage, a breakdown can mean significant expense in parts, labor, or both. However, with one of our service agreements, you avoid that unexpected significant expense. While no warranty can guard against every possible problem, we can explain the broad range of protection our service agreements afford.
How can I reduce allergens and improve the air quality in my home?
With a high-efficiency air cleaner, you can remove up to 99 percent of the pollen and spores that find their way into the home. There is also a great reduction in household dust, dirt, smoke, and other air pollutants. Your indoor air will become cleaner and fresher while reducing the allergens and dust that circulate throughout the house. With a whole-house humidifier, you can relieve the irritating discomfort of dry indoor air. The humidifier reduces itchy skin, scratchy throats, static electricity, and damage to your furnishings and woodwork. Since humid air feels warmer than dry air, you do not have to set the thermostat as high to feel the comfort you want. A lower thermostat setting will reduce the costs of your energy bill. We offer a complete line of indoor air quality products to meet your needs. Click here to see our complete offering.
I am concerned about mold growth what should I do?
When humid air passes over chilled cooling coils, water condenses and drips through the coils into a collection pan, from which it continuously drains. Problems with these systems may occur when this water collects and becomes stagnant when it becomes blocked, either on the coils or in the drip pan. The pan will grow mold that can infect your home with dangerous mold spores very quickly. Problems also exist when the HVAC ducting contains microscopic mold spores that stay continually present and blow contaminants around the home or office often caused by mold in other parts of your home. You can do three things to prevent mold growth in your system:
- Preventative maintenance will ensure that the collection pan under the indoor coil stays clean and
clog-free. - Install ultra violet lights next to the cooling coils to kill any mold or bacteria growing on the
coils or collection pan Click here to view the UV lights we offer. - Keep your ductwork clean by using our duct cleaning service and use a high-efficiency filtration
system to keep your entire HVAC system clean.
What is duct cleaning?
Duct cleaning refers to the cleaning of the various heating and cooling system components of forced air systems, including the supply and returns air ducts and registers, grilles and diffusers, heat exchangers heating and cooling coils, fan motor and fan housing, and the air handling unit housing.
What do SEER, AFUE, and HSPF ratings mean to me?
SEER, AFUE, and HSPF are all measures of energy efficiency. Air conditioners may look similar, but their Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating (SEER) can vary widely. Higher SEER numbers save more money spent on electricity. A 13 SEER air conditioner, the EPA ”current minimum standard“, uses 23 percent less energy than a 10 SEER unit (EPA standard up until Jan. 2006). Even though 13 SEER is the minimum efficiency available, we currently offer a line of air conditioners that start at 13 SEER and go all the way up to a 20 SEER. Depending on your average usage, higher SEER air conditioners can significantly reduce your electric bill. Heat pumps have SEER ratings like air conditioners and Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF) ratings for measuring heating efficiency. Higher HSPF ratings mean greater energy savings. The HSPF scale range is 7.5 to 9.0. Today’s new high-efficiency furnaces can save up to 50 percent in operating costs over a ten-year-old furnace. Many 1990 and earlier model furnaces have Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) ratings of 65 percent or less. The minimum AFUE rated furnace that can be sold in the United States today is 80 percent. Our current product offering starts at 80 percent AFUE and goes all the way to a very efficient 96.6 percent AFUE rating. Depending on your average usage, higher AFUE rated furnaces can significantly reduce your gas bill.
How can I reduce my energy costs?
Cooling:
- Upgrade to a High-Efficiency Air Conditioner – Swapping your old, inefficient air
conditioning system for a high-efficient one can cut electricity bills by one-third. Consult one of
our professional technicians to ensure your system is the right size for your home, and you aren’t
over- or under-cooling for your space needs. - Turn up the Temperature – To save electricity during the summer, set the temperature above
25 degrees as every degree below this will add an extra three to five percent to your energy bill. - Install Ceiling Fans – Change the direction of airflow on your ceiling fans. In the summer,
the blades should operate in a counter-clockwise direction as a way of creating a nice, gentle wind. - Have Annual Maintenance Performed – Having annual maintenance performed on your air
conditioner by a licensed technician will help ensure it operates at its peak efficiency and catches
any potential breakdowns before they occur. - Don’t Block Vents in Well-Used Rooms – Keep your supply and return air vents free of
objects like blinds, carpets or furniture so your air conditioner can operate efficiently and there
is even cool air distribution. - Close Vents in Less-Used Rooms – By closing the vents, you won’t be spending money cooling
rooms that are used less.
Heating:
- Upgrade to a High-Efficiency Furnace – New high-efficiency furnaces use up to 50 percent
less fuel than an older system. It can save you up to 25 percent of your home-heating costs in one
year, and within a few years, you’ll have recovered the initial cost of replacing/upgrading your
furnace. Choosing a model with an energy-efficient motor can save 20 to 50 percent of the energy
needed to continuously operate a fan motor. Let us show you the advantages of replacing your old
furnace today. - Have Annual Maintenance Performed – Having an annual maintenance performed on your furnace
by a licensed technician will help ensure it operates at its peak efficiency and catches any
potential breakdowns before they occur. - Install a Programmable Thermostat – A programmable thermostat enables you to control your
home’s temperature when you’re away or asleep. For every one degree you lower your thermostat for
seven hours per day, you save one percent on your heating bill. - Don’t Block Vents in Well-Used Rooms – Keep your supply and return air vents free of
objects like blinds, carpets or furniture so your furnace can operate efficiently and there is even
heat distribution. - Close Vents in Less-Used Rooms – By closing the vents, you won’t be spending money heating
rooms that are used less. - Install Ceiling Fans – Change the direction of airflow on your ceiling fans. In the winter,
the blades should operate in a clockwise direction helping to push the warm air from the ceiling
down into the room.
Why should I buy ENERGY STAR labeled equipment?
The average home spends about $1,900 annually on energy bills. Heating and cooling account for as much as half of a home’s energy use. The EPA provides important recommendations for energy-efficient equipment, including proper sizing, quality installation and maintenance, and other home improvement considerations to help you get the most out of the heating and cooling products you purchase, save energy, and save as much as 20 percent annually on your total energy costs. ENERGY STAR qualified products prevent greenhouse gas emissions by meeting strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).
What is a heat pump?
Heat pumps are a great solution for your home comfort system because they work to provide both heating and cooling. Heat pumps have SEER ratings like air conditioners and Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF) ratings for measuring heating efficiency. Higher SEER and HSPF ratings mean greater energy savings. Heat pumps are a very efficient alternative to electric heat. A heat pump works the same as an air conditioner in the summer, but it runs in reverse in the winter to heat your home. The system will be matched with a backup heating source, most often electric heat for those extremely cold days of winter.
What is a Hybrid Heat Dual Fuel system?
With a traditional heating and cooling system, if you wanted to save more, you had to use less. But a Hybrid Heat system combines the benefits of intelligent control for both gas and electric heating to create an intuitive system that can actually react to changing conditions. No matter what the temperature is outside, a Hybrid Heat system will automatically select the fuel source most efficient for your home, which means you’ll stay warm in the winter, cool in the summer and save money all year long. To design a Hybrid Heat system for your home, we professionally match one of our heat pump units with a natural gas furnace. Contact us to see how much energy you can save over your existing system.
What are the advantages of equipment with variable speed fans?
Variable speed fans operate on a simple principle: they are able to spin at different speeds depending on the heating and cooling needs of your home. Usually, they operate at lower speeds, delivering a steady, reliable stream of warm or cool air to your home. This helps control humidity levels, utility costs, and system noise. When conditions become more extreme, the fan speed increases so that the system can meet increased demand, guaranteeing that on even the hottest days or coldest nights, your comfort needs will be met.
How does 2-stage cooling or heating work?
2-stage cooling is a method of cooling that can better manage the cooling of your home while outdoor temperatures are changing. It can also better maximize indoor comfort and energy efficiency. 2-stage cooling systems are typically the most energy-efficient systems out there. 2-stage cooling can be done by having one unit with two compressors, one small and one large. The small one is typically capable of putting out about 50 percent the capacity of the larger one.
The second way to have 2-stage cooling is to have a single scroll unloading compressor. This compressor can unload its capacity down to about 66 percent of maximum capacity. Both these methods of getting 2-stage cooling to allow the unit to run at a lower stage when the high stage is not needed. By doing this, energy is saved.
2-stage heating has the same principle as 2-stage cooling. It allows the unit to adjust itself based on the amount of heating that is necessary. 2-stage heating is a good way to save on heating costs. A heat pump system would have two different sized compressors, a small and a large one. The compressor that is used at a given time would depend upon the need. If only a small amount of heating is necessary, the smaller compressor would be used to save energy. The large compressor would only be used when a large amount of heating was needed. A gas furnace that is 2-stage has a modulating gas valve that regulates gas flow depending upon the need.
What temperature should I set my thermostat?
Normal cooling settings are 75 degrees – 80 degrees. Normal heating settings are 68 degrees- 72 degrees. You should always set your thermostat to the highest possible setting that is comfortable for you in the summer, and the lowest comfortable setting in the winter. Setting your thermostat in this way will maximize your energy savings. On average, every one degree of temperature change is equal to about 10 percent energy savings. For example, changing your thermostat setting from 75 degrees to 76 degrees in the summer could result in about a 10 percent savings on your cooling costs.
My system doesn’t work well in a couple of rooms, what do I do?
This can occur for many reasons; uneven solar heat load through windows, an undersized system, improperly balanced or clogged system or a single system serving a two-story home with no zoning control. Each situation is different, usually requiring an onsite analysis with problem specific recommendations. Please call to arrange for us to see your home.
Is R-22, as a refrigerant, being discontinued?
An important change just around the corner is the phase-out of R-22. As of January 2010, the refrigerant R-22 will not be allowed to be used in the manufacturing of new equipment. R-22 has been used as the “standard” refrigerant for many years but has been found to be harmful to our planet by our government.
All new air conditioners and heat pumps will be required to use “environmentally sound” refrigerant, such as Puron® (commonly known as R-410A). R-22 is the most commonly used refrigerant in residential homes today. However, per the Montreal Protocol, caps have been established to eliminate the production of R-22.
In 2004, there was a 35% percent reduction; in 2010 there will be a 65% reduction; in 2015 a 90 percent reduction; and finally in 2020 a 99.5 percent reduction in the production of R-22. This means that during the time of these reductions with high demand, the price of each pound of refrigerant could potentially skyrocket. If you are considering replacing your existing air conditioning equipment, most higher efficiency products have already made the switch to R-410A, the more “environmentally sound” refrigerant.
My ac is very loud when I entertain outside, what can I do?
A difference of six decibels (such as between 72 dB and 78 dB) is technically a four-fold increase in compressor sound when rating air conditioners or heat pump units. However, it takes a difference of 10 decibels to double the loudness. It is also noted that it takes approximately three decibels for the average human ear to discern any difference in loudness at all. Great strides have been made in reducing the operating sound level of equipment. We will be happy to show you the difference in sound ratings with our product line.
Can carbon monoxide build up in my home?
Yes. Each year, more than 400 Americans die from unintentional Carbon Monoxide poisoning not linked to fires, more than 20,000 visits to the emergency room, and more than 4,000 are hospitalized, according to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention. Where does it come from? When carbon-based fuels such as gas, oil, kerosene or wood burn, they produce gases. When fuel combustion or burning isn’t complete, carbon monoxide enters the air.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) advises that carbon monoxide detectors are the only way to alert yourself to the presence of toxic gas in your home. If you wake in the night with a headache — and especially if another member of the family complains of a headache or is difficult to arouse — get out of the house fast and seek medical help. We recommend carbon monoxide detectors be installed in your home!
