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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.
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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