Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does HVAC stand for?
A: Heating, Ventilation, and Air Condition. Referring to the technology of indoor environmental comfort.
Q: My air conditioner does not seem to be cooling so I turned the thermostat down, shouldn't it work better if it is set to a lower temp?
A: No, turning the temperature down further will not make it cool any
better and may only compound a problem. If your air conditioner does not
seem to be cooling there may be a problem with its operation and a
professional should be called to check the system.
Q: Can I troubleshoot before calling for service?
A: The answer is "Yes". Here are some simple procedures you can
perform before going to the expense of a service call:
Check disconnect switches (indoor and outdoor if you have a split
system). Make sure that circuit breakers are ON or that fuses have not
blown.
Check for sufficient airflow. Make sure air filters are clean and that
supply-air and return-air grilles are open and unobstructed.
Check the settings on your thermostat. If you want cooling, make sure
the temperature control selector is set below room temperature and the
SYSTEM switch is on the COOL or AUTO position. If you want heat, make
sure the temperature control selector is set above room temperature and
the SYSTEM switch is at HEAT or AUTO. The FAN switch should be set at
AUTO.
Q: Should I repair or replace old equipment?
A: Three main factors to consider are:
Life expectancy
Operating cost
Look at the big picture
Life Expectancy of Current System
When you're frustrated with an equipment break-down, it can be tempting to find the least expensive "quick fix" to get on with your life in relative comfort. That "quick fix" may be the least expensive now, but it may not give you the most value-or cost you the least-in the long run.
Paying for repairs to an old or inefficient system often simply prolongs the inevitable. It's almost like putting a bandage on a serious injury. An older system that breaks down once is likely to break down again... and again. That means more emergency service calls or, worse yet, the risk of damage to your home or to other components of your heating and cooling system.
Operating Cost
There's also an ongoing cost factor to consider. Restoring your old system will only bring it back to its current level of energy efficiency. After you've recovered from the repair bills and the frustration of system breakdowns, you still won't save on your energy bills.
Even six-year -old heat pumps and air conditioners are considered grossly inefficient by today's energy efficiency standards. So are most furnaces built before 1980. So you could save up to 60% on your energy bills with new high-efficiency equipment. That's why installing a new heating and cooling system can actually pay for itself in energy savings within a relatively short time.
Looking at the Big Picture
When one component of your system breaks down unexpectedly, it's easy to just focus on repairing or replacing that component. But each part of your system works with the others to boost efficiency and reliability, so it helps to keep the big picture in mind.
Replacing your old furnace with a new higher-efficiency model but leaving your old mechanical thermostat in place, for example, won't allow you to enjoy all the efficiency advantages the furnace has to offer. Likewise, if you install a new furnace but don't get a humidifier, the air may seem cooler, forcing you to operate your new system at a higher temperature to be comfortable. Plus, you can often save on installation costs if you have several components of your system (for example, a furnace and air conditioner) replaced at the same time.
Q: What are heat strips?
A: Heat strips are wires that heat up with the passage of electric current (electric resistance heat). It is a similar process to those you can see in a toaster or electric oven these elements provide "auxiliary" heat in addition to or instead of the refrigerant based part of the unit.
Q: What temperature should I set my thermostat to for cooling and heating?
A: It is best to set the temperature to a setting that is comfortable
for your individual preferences. Typically, most people are comfortable
between 76-78° for cooling and 68-70° for heating.