AC-Appliance Pros
Air Conditioning
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Ask questions to ensure quality service
Most people take for granted the comfort provided by their central
air conditioner, heat pump or furnace - until something goes
wrong and the unit needs to be serviced or replaced. When this
happens, it is important to contact a contractor who is knowledgeable,
skilled and qualified to do the job.
The heating and air conditioning industry is highly technical
and can be confusing to those who know nothing about how the
equipment in their home works. It is important for consumers
to ask the right questions about the products they are buying
or having serviced. The first step is to understand what is required
of the contractor - by law - and by ethical standards. Ask the
following questions to ensure that you get the quality service
you deserve:
Q: Is
he or she licensed and EPA-certified?
A: Texas requires all
heating and air-conditioning contractors to be licensed. Don't
take their word for it, ask to see a copy of the license or ask
for the license number. State law also requires that contractors'
license numbers be displayed on service trucks. In addition,
federal law requires any technician servicing air-conditioning
equipment to be EPA-certified. Ask to see your contractor's certification
card. The law requires that he carry it.
Q: Does
he or she carry the proper insurance required to do the work?
A: If the contractor
is licensed in the state, this should not be a problem.
Q: Is
he or she going to give a quote in writing on a printed form?
A: The form will outline
the contractor's responsibilities and costs. Make sure the quote
includes the same type of equipment or services you are requesting.
Q: Does
he or she perform warranty service throughout the warranty period?
A: Some contractors will
install equipment, but will not service it.
Be sure to ask about the warranty and service policies of your
contractor.
Q: Can
he or she provide references?
A: Don't consider price
only. Find out if other customers are satisfied.
Q: Is
central air conditioning better than a window unit?
A: This depends largely
on individual circumstances - how large the area to be air conditioned
is, how large the family is, what temperatures are required,
how well the house is insulated, where the house is located,
etc. In most cases, if more than three large rooms need air conditioning,
it is best to consider central air conditioning.
Q: What
is the average life of a central air conditioning system?
A: It can vary, depending
on how much the system is used and how regularly it is checked
or serviced. Generally, the average life of cooling units built
in the 1970s and '80s is about 15 years, but individual units
may last longer, depending on use and how well they are maintained.
Heat pumps have about the same life span. Newer units are expected
to last even longer.
Q: If
my air conditioner is no longer cooling properly, what is, most
likely, the problem?
A: It could be as simple
as a fuse that has blown or a circuit breaker that has to be
reset. If an electrical problem isn't the cause, and the system
still runs but does not cool properly, the cause may be low refrigerant.
If the problem involves a major part, such as the compressor,
you probably would hear strange noises similar to those heard
in any mechanical equipment that is not running correctly, or
the unit might not run at all.
Q: Can
homeowners repair their own air conditioners?
A: In most cases, the
answer is no. Cooling systems today are too complicated to service
and usually require expert attention in order to comply with
federal regulations. An EPA-certified air-conditioning contractor
or service technician should be called at the first sign of trouble.
Remember, anyone working on air conditioning units must be licensed.
Q: In
hot weather,should I turn my thermostat up when I leave for work
in the morning?
A: If your house is going
to be empty for more than about four hours, it's a good idea
to turn your thermostat up to about 82 degrees instead of 78,
which is usually recommended. When you come home, don't set the
thermostat any lower than the temperature you actually desire.
Your air-conditioning system won't cool any faster and can easily
waste money by cooling your home more than is needed.
Q: What
do I set my thermostat to?
A: The most economical
operation of your system comes from setting the thermostat properly.
Set the thermostat properly. Set the thermostat at the highest
summer setting or the lowest winter setting at which you are
comfortable. Typical settings are 78 degrees for summer cooling
and 70 degrees for winter heating. When cooling, your operating
costs increase from 3% to 8% for each degree your thermostat
is lowered. When heating, your operating costs increase for each
degree your thermostat is raised.
Q: How
often should I change the air filter in my system?
A: Typically, filters
should be replaced or cleaned once a month. Check it at least
every month during peak use, and replace it when it looks dirty
enough to significantly impair the air flow through it. Some
filters, such as media filters or electronic air cleaners, are
washable; others are disposable and must be replaced. Disposal
filters should be replaced with filters of the type and size
as the original filter.
Q: If
I'm buying a house, how can I make sure that the air-conditioning
system is in good working order?
A: Turn on the system
and listen for unusual sounds while feeling how cool the air
is and how strong the air flow is from the vents. Go outside
and listen to the condensing unit as well. The best way to be
certain there are no problems, however, is to hire a contractor
to inspect the system. It is a small expense, and it can save
you lots of money in unanticipated future repairs.
Q: How
easy is it to install central air conditioning in an older home?
A: Often it is fairly
simple, particularly if the older home has existing duct work
or plenty of room for adding duct work. For homes without air
conditioning ducts, you can consider non-ducted systems, which
also provide the advantage of cooling only selected areas very
effectively. An important consideration is how well the older
home is sealed and insulated.
Q: What
do rating numbers mean?
A: To help consumers
make informed choices, the U.S. government requires an efficiency
rating of all air conditioning and heating equipment. The rating
is meant to reflect the percentage of energy used efficiently.
A high rating indicates high efficiency. There are various names
for the efficiency ratings of varying types of equipment. Air
conditioning equipment is rated by the Seasonal Energy Efficiency
Rating, or SEER. Heat pump equipment is rated by the heating
seasonal performance factor, or HSPF. Gas furnaces are rated
according to their Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency, or AFUE.
Q: Should
outdoor units be covered in winter?
A: No. Heat pumps operate
year round and should never be covered. Air conditioners that
operate seasonally are built to withstand an outdoor environment.
There is no advantage to covering an air conditioning unit during
off seasons. In fact, rain helps to keep the unit clean.
Q: Should
a thermostat be set to "auto" or "on"?
A: When the thermostat
is set to "auto," the fan operates only when the temperature
requires it. This is the most used setting. However, there are
advantages to using the "on" setting. First of all,
the air in the house is constantly filtered through the unit's
air filter. Secondly, the constantly circulating air results
in an even temperature throughout the house.
Q: Can
shrubs and flowers be planted around an outdoor unit:
A: Yes. However, we recommend
that plants be no closer than 18 inches from the unit. This allows
plenty of room for air circulation in and out of the unit. Without
this room for air circulation, the unit could overheat, resulting
in a premature need for service. Do not build sheds or roofs
over the air-conditioner.
Q: If
an outdoor unit needs replacing, should the indoor unit be replaced,
too:
A: It is a good idea
to replace the entire system when a part of the system fails
to operate correctly. That's because air conditioning and heating
units are designed to operate as a complete, matched system.
The efficiency rating is based on the entire system. To gain
the maximum benefit of new, highly efficient technology, the
entire system should be replaced together. This ensures the system
is reliable and efficient.
Q: How
do you know what size system a house needs?
A: Which system is best
for a particular application is best determined by your local
Air Conditioning dealer. There are many variables to be considered,
such as square feet in the house, climate at the location, the
number and type of windows, insulation of the house, number of
people in the house, et cetera. The dealer will consider all
the factors in making a recommendation.
Q: How
do you choose a dealer?
A: Just as you choose
any contractor. If you know someone who has had a system installed,
ask them whether they'd recommend the dealer they used. Check
with the Better Business Bureau. Ask for references. Use the
dealer that inspires your confidence.
Q: What
can the Outdooor coils be cleaned with?
A: Outdoor coils
can be cleansed with a special solution of coil cleaner and water.
(Recommend non-foaming/non-acid type). Read the instructions
that came with your air-conditioner on how to clean the coil,
or call a technician. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CLEAN THE CONDENSER WITHOUT
TURNING OFF THE POWER.
Q: What
can the Indoor coils be cleaned with?
A: Indoor coils
may be cleaned using a special coil (evaporator) cleaner. A soft
brush may be needed. Read the instructions that came with your
air-conditioner on how to clean the coil, or call a technician.
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CLEAN THE CONDENSER WITHOUT TURNING OFF THE
POWER.
Q: Is
there ice on the pipes at the evaporator coil (the indoor portion
of the air-conditioner)?
A: If there is,
turn off the unit and call a technician. WARNING: DO NOT SET
THE THERMOSTAT BELOW 68 DEGREES. THIS CAN CAUSE A MULTITUDE OF
PROBLEMS WITH YOUR AIR-CONDITIONER, INCLUDING FREEZING UP.
Q: Why
do you keep doors and windows closed?
A: Close all doors
and windows to the outside. This will reduce the heating load
in winter and the cooling load in summer. Your system will operate
more economically as a result.
Q: Should
I keep vents and grills unobstructed?
A: Arrange your
furniture and drapes so that all output vents and intake grills
are free from obstruction. This will reduce the cooling and heating
load on your system for more economical operation.
Q: What
can I do about exhaust fans?
A: Excessive use
of kitchen or bathroom exhaust fans will make your system work
harder. This will increase energy consumption and costs. Keep
costs in check by making wise use of exhaust fans.
Q: What
can I do about sunlight?
A: Let the sun
in during winter. Keep the sun out during summer. In summer,
direct sunlight increases the load on your cooling system. Use
of window shades and awnings will reduce the amount of direct
sunlight and lower the cooling load. In winter, direct sunlight
reduces the load on your heating system. Open window shades and
awnings to increase direct sunlight and lower the heating load.
Q: Are
air ducts important?
A: Be sure all
air ducts are well insulated. Ducts also should be sealed with
a vapor barrier.
Q: Is
it important to keep an air-tight house?
A: Ensure maximum
retention of heated or cooled air by adding insulation to outside
walls and to the attic. Seal cracks and use storm doors and/or
insulated doors to prevent air leaks.
Q: Is
the clothes dryer vent location important?
A: Yes. Be sure
your clothes dryer is vented to the outside. Also ensure that
your clothes dryer is vented away from your outdoor unit.
Q: Can
my thermostat be close to my TV?
A: Make sure no
heat-generating appliances are near your thermostat. These include
lamps, TVs, stereo and computer equipment.
Q: What
does a Central Air Conditioning System consist of?
A: The system includes
a compressor, a fan, condenser coil, evaporator coil, and a refrigerant.
It extracts heat from indoor air and transfers it outside, leaving
the cooled indoor air to be recirculated. A central air conditioning
system uses electricity as its power source, and requires:
An outdoor section (the condensing unit).
A matching indoor gas or oil furnace with coil, or air handler.
Ductwork to transfer the cooled air throughout the home.
Q: What
is the rating called for air conditioning systems?
A: The efficiency
of central air conditioning systems is rated using SEER ratios.
If you don't know which firm to call, ask if the contractor
is a member of the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA).
consumers can call (972)247-5383 or 1-800-260-8041 to confirm
the contractor is a member or to locate a contractor who subscribes
to the organization's code or ethics.
©2007 AC-Appliance Pros All Rights Reserved
1701 North Greenville Ave. Suite 606
Richardson, Texas 75081
972-664-0055
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