Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most important thing I can do for my air conditioning system?
Proper, regular maintenance of your air conditioning equipment is the single best thing that will keep an air conditioning system running efficiently and increase the life of the system. Your air conditioner and heater, just like your car, need to be checked, serviced, and maintained by a professional technician in order to work as efficiently as possible for the longest time practical. Check out the facts from these experts:
Texas A&M University
a 23% refrigerant undercharge can result in 52% efficiency loss
Louisiana State University
consumers save approximately $30 per month for the life of the air conditioning system if it properly cleaned and serviced on a regular basis
US Department of Energy
typical duct systems waste 20%-40% of their heating or cooling capacity through leaks or improper insulation
What is the best type of filter and how often should filters be changed?
In general, pleated filters are better than many of the cheaper, woven fiberglass filters, and, in most applications, filters should be changed monthly. There are several filter systems that use new technology that increase both the filter’s efficiency and lengthen the period between changes. The best type of filtration system for your home, your lifestyle, and your needs can only be determined through an evaluation by an experienced technician.
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What makes up the perfect home environment?
A number of factors, not just the temperature, work together to make your home comfortable. Air temperature accounts for only about 25% of your comfort level. Humidity levels, air flow, and the quality of the air being circulated in your home all play important factors in whether or not you are comfortable. A well designed and maintained comfort system will keep temperature, humidity, air flow and air quality in proper balance to keep you more comfortable and operate efficiently.
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What manufacturer makes the best air conditioning and heating equipment?
Every manufacturer has its strengths and weaknesses. That is one of the reasons we service and sell all brands. The best equipment depends on your particular needs and your budget. The equipment best suited to your home should be based on a load calculation and the space limitations for placement of the equipment. These determinations should be made after a thorough on-site examination of your home by a seasoned, technical, advisor who can offer you a range of options that best meet your needs.
Do I need to get three bids for any work to be done or before replacing equipment?
While getting multiple opinions or estimates may seem practical, it only works if you get bids on exactly the same thing. Quality and efficiency can vary greatly between different system configurations. If a company offers you a bid on equipment without doing an on-site examination of your home and your needs, their equipment may not be the best system for your home. Never buy until you are happy with the quality of what you are receiving and you are sure that the contractor who is doing the work is reputable.
Should I have my ducts cleaned?
Many duct cleaning systems that are advertised utilize mechanical devices that beat the interior surfaces of the ducts to break loose any dust, dirt, or other contaminates that may be stuck there. This process can be very damaging to the flexible duct systems that are used in most of the homes in our area. In addition, such agitation loosens the contaminates that have been secured to the sides of the ducts and injects them into the air flow to the home’s interior. This aggravates the problems and does not to prevent their recurrence. An evaluation of your system, including the ducts, by an experienced technician can determine problem areas and recommend the products or solutions that will correct them and keep them from coming back.
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Should I get a bigger system?
Bigger is not always better. The new, high-efficiency systems that are now available are very effective at keeping you comfortable. It requires a determination of what size system is needed for your particular home based on a load calculation, an evaluation of your existing duct system, and your budget. You should be leery of any company that recommends a larger system without first running a loan calculation on your home.
What is SEER rating?
The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) rating, as defined by the Air Conditioning And Refrigeration Institute, is the measurement of a system operational efficiency. Another way to think about it is like miles per gallon on your electric bill. A system with a higher SEER rating operates under the same conditions more efficiently than a lower rated system. Federal restrictions currently require all new systems produced to have a 13 SEER rating or higher.
What is the new refrigerant?
The new refrigerant, commonly called R-410A, is a more environmentally-friendly substance that allows an air conditioning system to function. It contains chemicals that are less harmful to the environment than the types of refrigerant used in the past. Manufacturing of the old refrigerants is being increasingly restricted, and supplies of old refrigerants have already become more limited and more expensive. This trend will continue in the future.
I am building a new home, what should I look for?
First and foremost, you should find out what the efficiency rating (see SEER above) of the equipment is and what the warranties are. You should also look for indoor air quality features Read More and any other options that are included or offered with the system.
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What is a heat pump?
Heat pumps are comfort systems that use refrigerant to both cool and heat a house. When cooling and working as an air conditioner, the heat pump transfers heat from the inside of the house to the outside, making the interior of the house cooler. When the outside air is cold, the heat pump reverses itself and transfers heat from the outside (even when it is cold outside there is still warmth available to transfer) to the inside of the house. Heat pumps often utilize electric heat strips to supplement the transfer of heat and warm the interior of the house faster.
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