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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS |
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How
are the sizing capacities of heating and cooling systems
measured?
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The heating and cooling systems are sized according
to their tonnage. One (1) ton equals 12,000 BTU/H.
Residential systems can range from 1 to 5 tons. |
What
size HVAC system should I have?
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Contrary to popular belief there, is no rule of
thumb for sizing a system to a home. Depending upon
the construction of your home, one (1) ton of air
conditioning can cool anywhere from 300 to 800
square feet of home. The only way to insure the size
of the system you purchase will be large enough to
cool your home, but not any larger than you need, is
to have your home's individual heating and cooling
needs evaluated by a licensed professional. |
How
is the efficiency of heating and cooling equipment measured?
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The S.E.E.R. (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) is
the amount of cooling your system will deliver per
dollar spent on electricity. For example, a 3-ton
unit may have a S.E.E.R. efficiency rating of 13,
14, or 15. The higher the S.E.E.R. the more
efficient the system will be. The S.E.E.R. rating of
any given unit can range anywhere from 13 to 17. |
How
can I increase the efficiency and life of my home's heating
and cooling systems?
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The most important thing you can do is clean and
replace your filters frequently. Also, a system
heats and cools more evenly when the blower is in
the "on" position. The blower provides constant air
movement throughout the home, and allows for better
filtration. Finally, shades, drapes, shutters, or
screens should be installed on windows that are
exposed to extreme sunlight. |
Is a
system with more capacity better?
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No. A larger system with more capacity delivers less
comfort and costs more to operate. An air
conditioner is at its least efficient when first
turning on. A system with too much capacity will run
in numerous short cycles, turning on and off
repeatedly, therefore causing it to be less
efficient. Also keep in mind that an air conditioner
only removes humidity when it's running, so a system
with shorter run cycles doesn't remove humidity from
the air very well. |
How
long should my system run in a cycle?
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There is no exact answer for how long your system
should run during each cycle. The average air
conditioner is sized to remove the heat from your
home as fast as it comes in, on a 110° day.
Therefore, ideally, on a 110° day the system should
be able to keep up with the incoming heat, but not
gain on it and be able to turn off. The cooler it is
below 110°, the more the system will cycle on and
off. |
Should I try to keep my system from running too much?
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Every time your system starts up, it will use a lot
of electricity and not produce much cooling. Usually
a system that is too small to cool the home is more
economical to run but delivers less comfort. Even
though it runs nonstop, it will usually consume less
power than a larger system that cycles on and off.
As a rule of thumb, a unit that is either on or off
is less expensive than one cycling on and off. |
What
air temperature should my air conditioner produce?
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The air temperature your system produces depends on
the temperature of the air going into the system.
Generally, the air produced should be 18°-20° below
what enters the system. So if the air entering the
system is 80°, the air exiting should be about
60°-62°. However, that only works on a system that
has been running at least 15 minutes on a warm, dry
day with a home that is about 80° inside. On a mild
day, with an indoor temperature in the low 70's, or
during humid conditions, the air coming out may only
be 15°-17° cooler than what enters. |
What
temperature should I set my thermostat?
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Obviously the time of year becomes a big factor for
desired temperature settings. In the summer months
the average temperature setting is 78°-80°, in the
winter 70°-72° seems to be the most common setting.
Remember, when leaving your house; try to avoid
drastic temperature changes. Do not set your
temperature back more than 5°; this will cause your
unit to work harder to achieve the desired
temperature setting. |
What
are the advantages of a programmable thermostat?
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Different programmable thermostats offer many
different features. However, because they are
electronic, they are all more accurate and efficient
than thermostats that contain mercury. With
programmable thermostats you can control the
temperature in your home at different times of day
without ever touching your thermostat. Because
everything is automatic, you will never forget to
change the setting on your own. |
How
often should I replace my filters?
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For
optimum efficiency and filtration, we recommend that
you replace your disposable filters at least once a
month. If you have washable filters, they should be
cleaned once a month. |
What
maintenance should I do on my air conditioner?
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The most important maintenance you can do is to
change your filters regularly. Ground mounted
outdoor units need to be kept clear of debris,
clutter; weeds or landscaping that can grow too
close and reduce the airflow to the unit. Also, keep
pets away from the unit because pet urine can cause
expensive damage. Use caution with a weed trimmer
around the unit to prevent damaging control wiring.
Any additional maintenance should only be performed
by qualified personnel. |
How
often should I have maintenance done on my air conditioner?
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You should have maintenance done on your air
conditioning system twice a year. This not only
ensures maximum efficiency, it enables us to foresee
any possible problems that may occur in the near
future. Our Comfort Assurance Program (CAP) plan is
specifically designed to keep your air conditioning
system running at its peak efficiency year-round. |
Is
there anything I should check prior to calling for service?
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Yes. Check to be sure that the air handler or
furnace is plugged in. Check that the breakers and
the disconnects are turned on and be sure the
thermostat is set correctly. |
How
much does a new replacement system cost?
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Due to the many different makes, models and customer
needs, price is an issue that can only be solved by
doing a thorough evaluation of your home and
existing equipment. There is no charge for an
in-house replacement proposal. |
Are
there any air conditioning systems that are safe for the
environment?
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Yes. Several manufactures have developed new systems
that contain the environmentally friendly R410A, or
Puron, refrigerant. Visit our products page to view
our entire line of Puron products. |
Do
electronic air cleaners really work?
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Yes, they can actually play a big part in your
complete home comfort. We have a variety of
whole-house filtration devices. Some electronic air
cleaners can even remove dust particles and pollen
as small as .10 micron. Visit our products page for
more information about the electronic air cleaners
we offer. |
Should I close the registers and doors to areas of the home
that I do not use on a regular basis?
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No. Closing the registers will decrease the systems'
airflow and efficiency. Every system is designed to
cool a certain number of square feet. By closing
registers and doors in certain rooms, you disrupt
the airflow and cause your air conditioning system
to work harder to distribute air to other areas of
your home. Your system will work harder, to cool
less space, making it cycle more and become less
efficient. |
Why
are humidifiers used more in heating than cooling?
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When cool outdoor air enters a home it tends to dry
out as it warms up, which increases the static
electricity in the home and causes sinus problems.
Adding a humidifier with help to add moisture back
into the air and limit sinus problems. In the
summer, even with outdoor relative humidity hovering
around the single digits, the humidity in your home
tends to be around 40%. The average comfort range
for relative humidity in a home is from 35 to 45%. |
During the heating season, my heat pump delivers warm air,
but not hot air, and will operate for long periods of time.
Is that normal?
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Yes, this is normal. A heat pump generally produces
air that is 80°, which is considered warm, and will
heat the house evenly. However, 80° may feel cool to
your hand, which is usually closer to 90°. |
During the heating
season, my heat pump makes a "whooshing" sound and I feel
cool air coming from the supply registers. Is that normal?
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Yes. During the cold weather months, frost will
accumulate on the outdoor coil. This will cause the
heat pump to go into a defrost cycle anywhere from
1-10 minutes, depending on the amount of ice on the
coil. The system will return to the heating mode
once the ice is gone. |
How
do I know if my A/C unit is big enough?
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Before purchasing a replacement system you should
always make sure your system is sized properly. Our
representative will provide a heat load calculation
to determine the proper size and make the
appropriate recommendation. Remember, bigger is not
always better. |
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