FAQ’s

How often should regular maintenance be done on my heating and air conditioning system?

Your heating and cooling system should be cleaned and serviced twice a year, Preseason (fall and spring time) are the best times to conduct a tune-up. We recommend that you change or clean your filter every three months or every change of season is a good way to remember this. Depending on the type of filter you have or if you have pets in your home it may have to be done more frequently. Changing your filter regularly can eliminate many of the most common problems that need repairing and can significantly reduce the likelihood of a serious breakdown. By joining one of our Club Membership Service Plans you will peace of mind knowing that your comfort system is operating efficiently and safely.

What should I check for before calling for service?

Check your thermostat settings, your thermostat batteries, Check your circuit breakers and Check to make sure all switches are on (this includes the one at the top of the basement steps) Check your oil tank gauge

Is the right size of heating and cooling equipment really that important?

Sizing HVAC equipment is very important from the standpoints of both comfort and energy use. Heating and cooling equipment that are over-capacity will not run as frequently or as long when it does run, the result poor humidity control that will give you a cold clammy home instead of a cool dry home, temperature differences or short cycling. An over-sized system will not be as efficient as a properly matched one. The other side of the coin, equipment that is under-sized will obviously result in loss of comfort during temperature extremes.

What’s a BTU ?

BTU-British Thermal Units are how we measure heat, The British thermal unit (BTU or Btu) is a traditional unit of energy equal to about 1 055.05585 joules . It is approximately the amount of energy needed to heat 1 pound of water 1 degree. ( rule of thumb- 1 candle burning will produce 1 BTU/H) Air Conditioning systems are sized by their tonnage. 1 ton equals 12,000 BTU/H Home cooling systems can range from 1.5 to 5 tons.

What does HVAC stand for?

HVAC- Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning.

I have a central air conditioner, what does the SEER rating Mean?

SEER -Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio: This ratio tells you the amount of cooling your system will deliver per dollar spent on electricity. The SEER rating of any unit can range anywhere from 13 to 17. The higher the SEER the more efficient the system will be and the less it will cost in the long run to own and operate.

I have a heat pump, what does the HSPF rating Mean?

HSPF -Heating Seasonal Performance Factor: Like the SEER, it measures the efficiency of the of a heat pump when in its heating mode. HSPF ratings range from 6.8 to 10; high-efficiency units have efficiencies of 7.5 HSPF or above.

I have a gas furnace, what does the AFUE rating Mean?

AFUE -Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency ratio : This measures the percent of heat produced by a furnace or boiler for every dollar of fuel consumed. The higher the AFUE rating, the lower the fuel costs. The federal government mandates that all furnaces manufactured today must meet at least 78%. Older furnaces (10 – 15 years or older) may fall below this minimum. Furnaces with AFUE ratings from 78% to 80% are considered mid-efficiency; ones with AFUE ratings above 90% are considered high-efficiency.

Why does my furnace air filter have a MERV rating?

MERV -Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value: A filter rating system relating to the size of the holes in the filter that allow air to pass through. The higher the MERV rating, the smaller the holes and the higher the efficiency in capturing contaminants. MERV rating range from a low of 1 to a high of 16.

Why does a Energy Star appliance mean ?

ENERGY STAR: Environmental Protection Agency designation for to HVAC equipment that meets or exceeds guidelines for high-efficiency performance above the standard government minimums.

Why does my second floor not cool as well as my first floor?

This is a problem in a lot of older homes and homes that have no attics or poorly vented attics. If your home is an older one. (duct designed for heating only) It could be a matter of not enough return ducts to the second floor or if you have an attic it could be the result of the sun overheating the space and needs to be properly vented. There are solutions like installing more cold air returns or attic ventilators, we also could look into zoning your first and second floor systems this would give your lower utility bills and premier comfort levels

How cold should the air coming out of my ducts be in the summer time?

The temperature of the air coming out your vents depends on the indoor temperature of your home. We measure the difference between the return duct and the supply duct and look for a temperature difference of 20 degrees. So when you come home after being away on summer vacation and your home is 85 degrees and your turn on your a/c system the air coming out should be 65 degrees, as the room temperature drops so will the air coming out the vents.

What is the difference between variable speed blower motors and standard blower motors?

Variable speed blowers use less energy than standard(PSC Motors) multi-speed blowers. They also give you better comfort levels of cooling because we can zero in and control the relative humidity settings along with the temperature settings of your home by utilizing a thermidistat instead of a thermostat.