You have questions about your HVAC equipment, and we have answers. At HVAC Express, it’s our goal to provide you with exceptional heating and cooling services whether we’re on the job or not—that’s why we’ve answered some of our most frequently asked HVAC questions.
Make sure to check back soon because the HVAC FAQs page will be updated regularly—and contact us if you don’t see your question here!
General Questions
The short answer? So important! Your indoor air quality can be as much as 100 times worse than the outdoor air. That means pollutants, allergens, dust, and mildew can be circulating in your home affecting your family’s health and wellbeing. Improving and maintaining your indoor air quality is vitally important to your home and family.
HVAC systems generally last 10 to 15 years. However, your system becomes less efficient and performs worse as it gets older. Therefore, after about 10 years, you may want to start looking for a replacement. Even if you are not having any major problems, modern HVAC systems will save you money on your energy bills because they are more efficient. Plus, they generally come with 10-year warranties, so you won’t need to worry about replacing them for quite a while.
It varies depending on the type of filter you have. If you have cheaper, disposable filters, we recommend changing them every 30 days. If you have pleated, or poly, filters, we recommend changing them every 90 days. Media filters or CleanEffects filters can last a little longer and should be replaced about twice a year.
Probably not. Most older systems use Freon R-22, which has been phased out and replaced with Freon R-410A, also known as Puron. Puron is more environmentally friendly and more efficient. In addition, the minimum SEER rating or efficiency that we can use today is 13 SEER (most older systems are 10 SEER and below). The refrigerant and efficiency rating of your indoor coil and outdoor unit must be the same, so you have to replace the whole system at once.
Proper air filtration is crucial to the health of both your HVAC system and your family. Air filters prevent dust and dirt from building up in your system to keep it performing at its best. High-efficiency filters do a better job of this and remove dust, dirt, mold, and more from the air. This is especially useful if you have allergies or respiratory issues.
High-efficiency filters are better, but not 100% necessary. Whether or not you choose to use them, remember to change your filters regularly.
Installing a programmable thermostat in your home helps you take control of how much energy you use for heating and cooling. If used effectively, a programmable thermostat can help you improve energy efficiency and save money on your utility bills.
Zoned HVAC allows for better comfort control, decreased energy bills, and higher energy efficiency (energy waste is reduced because your HVAC equipment won’t have to work as hard to regulate the temperature throughout the house).
A little bit of variation in temperature between rooms is normal, especially if you only have one thermostat. However, it can also be a sign of poorly designed ducts or air filtration issues. Schedule a free consultation so we can identify the problem and offer solutions to fix it.
A ductless mini-split system is an alternative to traditional heating and cooling like central air. Ductless HVAC works similarly to central heating and cooling, except that it doesn’t require ductwork. Your mini-split system will have an indoor and outdoor unit, but it will only require a small hole to be cut through the exterior wall—just big enough for a tube of refrigerant to pass through. Inside your home, the air will be conditioned and returned into the room by the same unit.
Matched systems ensure maximum performance, maximum efficiency, and maximum comfort.
A matched system will maintain proper cycle times and manage humidity properly for your home. In addition, a matched system will prevent you from paying too much on your energy bills. Your system will run at peak efficiency, with no energy wasted due to improper size.
Variable speed equipment is typically more efficient and creates a more comfortable environment for you. Traditional systems only read temperature and only use one-speed fans. Variable airflow systems have variable-speed fans that are more efficient because they run at lower speeds when higher speeds are not necessary. They also read both temperature and humidity. Therefore, these systems remove more moisture than traditional systems do, increasing your comfort when it is hotter outside. Finally, variable-speed fans are typically quieter because they are able to run more slowly when appropriate.
Cooling Questions
You should have maintenance done on your air conditioning system bi-annually. This doesn’t just ensure maximum efficiency, it enables us to potentially catch possible problems that may occur in the near future. Our Proactive Package Membership plan is specifically designed to help keep your air conditioning system running at its peak efficiency year-round.
- What Size Heating/Cooling System Do I Need?
A system that’s too large may make your home uncomfortable, and in some cases, it can cause moisture issues. On the other side, too small a system for your building will not be efficient enough to fill your home. Technical analysis of your home’s building envelope is necessary to determine the proper size air conditioning system. To determine the proper size system for your home call Fox Service Company now to schedule a free in-home estimate.
Yes. R-22 is no longer allowed in new equipment due to environmental regulations. Since many existing residential air conditioning units still use it, R-22 is still produced. However, it is gradually being phased out. By January 1, 2020, the production of R-22 will be reduced by 99.5%. It will become expensive and difficult to find. Therefore, if your system uses R-22 refrigerant, you may want to consider switching to a newer system.
A dual zone air conditioning system is a network of thermostats and duct dampers that regulates the amount of cooled air each zone (one or more rooms) receives throughout the day. Zoning Technology allows homeowners to cool only the occupied areas of living space at any time or to set different temperatures in different areas of the home.
Saving money on your monthly electric bills in the summer is important—so what is the best thermostat setting during the hottest season of the year? We recommend keeping your thermostat set to 72 degrees (at the lowest) with the fan set to AUTO rather than ON.
When your AC freezes up, either inside or at the outdoor unit, you have a problem. When your AC is frozen, you could subject your system to serious damage if it isn’t addressed promptly.
First things first, you shouldn’t attempt to fix your noisy air conditioner on your own! Unless you have professional knowledge of HVAC electrical system layouts and the proper meters to test all the working components of your AC, you are putting yourself and your air conditioner at a significant risk for harm.
Heating Questions
If your heater needs constant repairs, is 15 years or older, or can’t heat your home properly, we advise replacing it. When a heater or HVAC system is old, it can’t operate as effectively and might end up costing you more money than it should.
There are a number of factors that contribute to needing a furnace replacement. How old is your furnace? If it’s over 10 – 15 years old, it’s likely time for a furnace replacement—simply because this will improve your energy efficiency. Other factors include: how well it’s heating your home, how often it requires repairs, how much it costs to heat your home, etc.
It is important to keep the area around the furnace free of debris, dirt, and any miscellaneous items. Keeping the area clear will also help keep the equipment more accessible for repairs or an inspection.
Heat Pump Questions
A heat pump works by transferring heat energy from one source to another. In the winter when your heat pump is acting as a heating system, it extracts heat energy from the outside air (even in near-freezing temperatures), and transfers it into the air in your home. When summertime rolls around, it’s as easy as flipping a switch to change your heat pump to cool mode.
Heat pumps are one of the most energy efficient HVAC systems available on the market because they don’t burn fuel to provide heat. In addition to their high efficiency, they can operate as both a heating and cooling system, thus reducing the number of systems that require maintenance, repairs, and replacements.