Q: How often should I have my HVAC equipment serviced?
A: You should have your air conditioner or furnace inspected and tuned up at the beginning of every heating and cooling season. Servicing prolongs the life, efficiency and safety of your equipment. All manufacturers require yearly service to maintain warranty status and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) recommends yearly inspections.
Q: How often should I check/change my furnace filter?
A: For the most part, you’re going to want to change or clean your filters monthly, unless otherwise noted. Having clean filters allows for maximum airflow from your HVAC system and will prevent it from breaking down during the heating or cooling seasons.
Q: Can I service my own heating and cooling equipment?
A: Technically yes, if you have all the tools to take your system apart, the skills to tune it up completely and the know-how to put it all back together in working order. In all seriousness, it is typically preferable to have it serviced by a qualified service technician. A certified technician is a professional who has been trained to work with the high and low voltage electrical and extreme pressures found on your system.
Q: Should I cover my air conditioner during winter months?
A: Yes, but only the top of the unit.
Q: What are the benefits of duct cleaning?
A: Studies have shown that home duct systems should be kept clean to reduce allergens and dust particles in the air stream of your home and prolong the life and efficiency of your equipment.
Q: What can help my allergy symptoms in my home?
A: Better filtration, humidification, ultra-violet lights and duct cleaning.
Q: How do I know if I need a programmable thermostat for my home?
A:
- Are you home during the day or night?
- Do you change your temperature settings many times during the day or night?
- Do you have a problem remembering to change your filter?
If you have answered “yes” to any of these questions, a programmable thermostat may benefit you.
Q: Is R-22 Freon really being phased out?
A: Definitely yes. The Clean Air Act of 1990 mandated a complete phase-out of R-22 and in 1996 a production cap was placed on its production. In 2004 production of R-22 will be cut by 25% and the manufacture of R-22 compatible equipment will be prohibited after 2010. Production of R-22 will be banned completely is 2020.
The replacement is a much more environmentally friendly coolant, R-410A.
Q: What do S.E.E.R., A.F.U.E. and H.S.P.F. mean?
A: S.E.E.R. stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rate; A.F.U.E. stands for Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency; and H.S.P.F. stands for Heating Seasonal Performance Factor. These are the most commonly used terms to describe equipment efficiencies. The higher the number, the better.
Q: Will Rick’s Heating’s service technician really come out at 2:00 a.m. if my system stops working?
A: YES!
Q: How does an air conditioner work?
A: An air conditioner seems as if it cools your home’s air, but in reality an air conditioner makes your home less warm by removing heat from the indoor air and transferring that heat to the outdoor air.
Heat is extracted from the home by passing indoor air across a refrigerant coil in the indoor unit. Refrigerant lines then carry the heat to the outdoor unit, where it is released into the outside air. The cooling cycle continues until the indoor temperature reaches the thermostat setting.
If you would like more information on heating or cooling products or services, , contact us today. One of our heating and air experts will discuss the heating and cooling products and services for your home or business.
