Question 1

When should I have my heating and cooling equipment serviced?

Accepted Answer

Your HVAC systems should be serviced before the start of each heating and cooling season. So, your air conditioner should have regular maintenance performed at the end of winter or the beginning of spring, while your heat pump or furnace should have its regular maintenance performed at the end of summer or the beginning of fall.

Question 2

How often should I replace my HVAC air filters?

Accepted Answer

Your air filters should be replaced every one to three months, depending on usage. This is vitally important to the performance of your HVAC systems and your indoor air quality.

Question 3

How important is my indoor air quality?

Accepted Answer

The short answer? So important! Your indoor air quality can be as much as 100 times worse than the outdoor air. That means pollutants, allergens, dust, and mildew can be circulating in your home, affecting your family’s health and well-being. Improving and maintaining your indoor air quality is vitally important to your home and family.

Question 4

What are the benefits of a programmable thermostat?

Accepted Answer

Installing a programmable thermostat in your home helps you take control of how much energy you use for heating and cooling. If used effectively, a programmable thermostat can help you improve energy efficiency and save money on your utility bills.

Question 5

What is a ductless mini-split system?

Accepted Answer

A ductless mini-split system is an alternative to traditional heating and cooling like central air. Ductless HVAC works similarly to central heating and cooling, except that it doesn’t require ductwork. Your mini-split system will have an indoor and outdoor unit, but it will only require a small hole to be cut through the exterior wall—just big enough for a tube of refrigerant to pass through. Inside your home, the air will be conditioned and returned into the room by the same unit.

Question 6

How does a ductless heat pump work?

Accepted Answer

Many people use ductless mini-split systems for cooling, but we usually recommend installing heat pump systems so that they can be used for both heating and cooling. This can help improve your overall energy efficiency! A ductless heat pump is an efficient zonal heating and cooling system that doesn’t require ducts. It comprises just an outdoor compressor unit and one or more indoor air handling units linked by a refrigerant line.

Question 7

What are the benefits of HVAC zoning?

Accepted Answer

Zoned HVAC allows for better comfort control, decreased energy bills, and higher energy efficiency (energy waste is reduced because your HVAC equipment won’t have to work as hard to regulate the temperature throughout the house).

Question 8

What should I do about my frozen AC?

Accepted Answer

When your AC freezes up, either inside or at the outdoor unit, you have a problem. When your AC is frozen, you could subject your system to serious damage if it isn’t addressed promptly.

Question 9

How do I know when it’s time for an AC replacement?

Accepted Answer

Many homeowners have a difficult time deciding whether to keep pouring money into their aging air conditioning system for costly repairs or to upgrade to a new, more efficient AC.

Question 10

What’s wrong with my noisy air conditioner? Can I fix it myself?

Accepted Answer

First things first, you shouldn’t attempt to fix your noisy air conditioner on your own! Unless you have professional knowledge of HVAC electrical system layouts and the proper meters to test all the working components of your AC, you are putting yourself and your air conditioner at a significant risk for harm.

Question 11

What is dual zone air conditioning?

Accepted Answer

A dual zone air conditioning system is a network of thermostats and duct dampers that regulates the amount of cooled air each zone (one or more rooms) receives throughout the day. Zoning technology allows homeowners to cool only the occupied areas of living space at any given time or to set different temperatures in different areas of the home.

Question 12

What is the best thermostat setting for summer?

Accepted Answer

Saving money on your monthly electric bills in the summer is important—so what is the best thermostat setting during the hottest season of the year? We recommend keeping your thermostat set to 72 degrees (at the lowest) with the fan set to AUTO rather than ON.

Question 13

How can I lower my electric bill this summer?

Accepted Answer

Money is always a big concern for homeowners all over the country—but how can you lower your electric bill this summer without sacrificing comfort? There are a few things you can do to lower your energy usage, from raising the temperature to closing the curtains.

Question 14

Why is R-22 being phased out?

Accepted Answer

HCFC-22, commonly called R-22, has been a common refrigerant used in residential heat pumps and air conditioners for more than 40 years. But releases of R-22, such as those from leaks, contribute to ozone depletion, and the making of R-22 results in a byproduct that contributes to global warming. This refrigerant is now being phased out by the EPA. By January 2020, chemical manufacturers will no longer be able to produce R-22.

Question 15

When should I replace my furnace?

Accepted Answer

There are a number of factors that contribute to needing a furnace replacement. How old is your furnace? If it’s over 10 – 15 years old, it’s likely time for a furnace replacement—simply because this will improve your energy efficiency. Other factors include: how well it’s heating your home, how often it requires repairs, how much it costs to heat your home, etc.

Question 16

Do I really need a furnace cleaning every year?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Not only does a furnace cleaning improve the performance and efficiency of your system, most manufacturer warranties require annual service to maintain the warranty.

Question 17

How can I have lower home heating fuel prices?

Accepted Answer

With home heating fuel prices on the rise, many homeowners are concerned about their growing utility bills! Find out what you can do to lower your costs!

Question 18

Do I need to replace my boiler?

Accepted Answer

Since boilers have very few moving parts, they tend to be incredibly durable and reliable throughout the course of their life. However, even the most dependable appliances will reach the end of their life eventually.

Question 19

What is the difference between a gas and oil boiler?

Accepted Answer

Gas boilers can be more affordable to operate, but there are also differences in utility line requirements and fuel storage (natural gas has no onsite storage needs).

Question 20

What do I do when the heat goes out?

Accepted Answer

We have a few tips on what you should do when the heat goes out, including layering your clothes, calling the power company, and more.

Question 21

What is hydronic heating?

Accepted Answer

Also called radiant heating, a hydronic system circulates hot water or another heated liquid through plastic piping installed beneath the floors, in baseboards, or through radiators. Hydronic heating allows you to precisely control the temperature in specific zones throughout your home.

Question 22

How does a heat pump work?

Accepted Answer

A heat pump works by transferring heat energy from one source to another. In the winter when your heat pump is acting as a heating system, it extracts heat energy from the outside air (even in near-freezing temperatures), and transfers it into the air in your home. When summertime rolls around, it’s as easy as flipping a switch to change your heat pump to cool mode.

Question 23

Why are heat pumps more efficient?

Accepted Answer

Heat pumps are one of the most energy efficient HVAC systems available on the market because they don’t burn fuel to provide heat. In addition to their high efficiency, they can operate as both a heating and cooling system, thus reducing the number of systems that require maintenance, repairs, and replacements.

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