Frequently Asked Questions
Before reading the following frequently asked questions, please take the time to read these quick tips…
- The most common repair problem you may find with your heating/cooling system is a clogged air filter. Check your air filter in accordance to the manufacturers’ instructions before calling a service technician.
- Keep plants, fences, and other objects at least two feet away from all sides of the air conditioner/heat pump. The unit needs this space to pull in the surrounding air, and propel it out the top.
- Keep mulch, dirt, gravel, and other materials below the top of the pad that the air conditioner/heat pump sits on. This allows condensation, rain water, and snow to drip away.
- When in doubt about the proper performance of your heating/cooling equipment, do what feels right, have a service technician come out, and give and experienced, educated report on your equipment.
The knowledge how to perform repairs should be left to a trained professional for safety, health, and efficiency. DO NOT ATTEMPT cleanings, inspections, adjustments or repairs.
Question / Answer Section
Q: How often do I need the air conditioner/heat pump/gas furnace/air handler cleaned and inspected?
A: Once for the heating season per year. Once for the cooling season per year.
Q: My furnace doesn’t keep up at night (heat properly), but by early afternoon it catches up?
A: Check and replace your air-filter as necessary. The cause is typically blocked air flow.
Q: My furnace doesn’t keep up whenever the temperature outside is below 30 degrees?
A: The cause may be improper air flow, but often indicates that the furnace needs a service technician to repair and adjust it.
Q: I have never serviced my air conditioner/heat pump/gas furnace/air handler before, and I have had no problems. Why should I start now?
A: Not servicing an air conditioner/heat pump/gas furnace/air handler will shorten the maximum number of years it could have been used. An inspection will discover installation mistakes, unseen melted wires, blocked air flow, and repairs that could be done so that other parts of the unit are not damaged. The most common maintenance repairs are due to the lack of annual maintenance.
Q: How often should I change my air filter?
A: That depends on the size of your air filter or if you have three or more cats or dogs living in the house. If you have three or more pets, we suggest checking the air filter more frequently.
- One inch filters: Change once a month
- 4 to 5 inch filters: Change every 6-12 months
- Electronic air cleaners: Clean every 1-2 months
- One inch electrostatic filters: Change filters once a month
Q: How often does refrigerant need to be added?
A: Never. The refrigerant is sealed inside copper tubing. Any loss of refrigerant means the system is leaking, and needs to be repaired.
Q: How long does a typical air conditioner/heat pump/gas furnace/air handler last?
A: It will typically last 12 to 15 years with little to no problems as long as it is serviced regularly.
Q: A service technician said that my air conditioner/heat pump/gas furnace/air handler is very old, and it should be replaced. Should it be replaced?
A: If it is not broken then, “No”. If the cost of repair or sum of repairs is hefty then it would be more advantageous to purchase a new unit.
Q: How does a heat pump work?
A: A heat pump is an all-in-one heating and cooling system. It heats a home in winter and then cools it in summer. A typical heat pump installation consists of two parts: an indoor unit which may be an air handler or typical furnace and an outdoor unit similar to a central air conditioner. A compressor circulates refrigerant that absorbs and releases heat as it travels between the indoor and outdoor units. Think of a heat pump as a heat juggler. Even in air that’s below freezing temperatures, heat energy is present. When it’s cold outside a heat pump extracts this outside heat and transfers it inside. When it’s warm outside, it reverses directions and acts like an air conditioner, removing heat from your home.
Q: How does a geothermal heat pump work?
A: Geothermal heat pumps are similar to ordinary heat pumps, but use the ground instead of outside air to provide heating, air conditioning and, in most cases, hot water. Because they use the earth’s natural heat, they are among the most efficient and comfortable heating and cooling technologies currently available.
Q: I have water pooling around the bottom of my furnace?
A: Shut off your furnace, and call a service technician.
Q: My air conditioner/furnace has a white frost or ice on the copper lines. What should I do?
A: Shut off your air conditioner, and call a service technician.
Q: The air conditioning feels good, and keeps up until it reaches about 83 degrees outside and above. Then it won’t keep up. Should I let it go until next year?
A: No. Call a service technician. Somewhere along the use of your air conditioner, you may have lost up to 50% of its efficiency. Which means your equipment is running longer and harder than normal. That equates to a higher electric bill, and equipment damage.
Q: The air seems to cool in my house, but it still feels humid. Is that normal?
A: No. First check your air filter, and replace it, if it is clogged. If the air filter is good, call a service technician. Most likely you will need a thorough cleaning/tune-up. Cold, humid air is never healthy.
If you have a question, and you did not find an answer on this page, please call us at: (304) 232-3040 or 800-627-5312
