AC-Appliance Pros
Heating
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Ask questions to ensure quality service.
Most people take for granted the comfort provided by their 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: 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 systems are
in good working order?
A: Turn on the systems
and listen for unusual sounds while feeling how cool/hot the
air is and how strong the air flow is from the vents. Go outside
and listen to the condensing unit as well. Go listen to the furnace
unit. 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: 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: 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
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: 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 electric Heat Pump System consist of?
A: Like a central
air conditioning system, it includes a compressor, a fan, outdoor
coil, indoor coil, and a refrigerant. A Heat Pump uses electricity
as its power source, and requires:
An outdoor Heat Pump section
A matching indoor gas (natural or propane) or oil furnace with
coil, or air handler.
Ductwork to transfer the heated or cooled air throughout the
home.
Q: What
is the rating called for electric heat pumps?
A: The efficiency
of Heat Pumps is rated using SEER (for cooling efficiency) and
HSPF (for heating efficiency).
Q: What
does a Furnace System consist of?
A: The basic components
of a furnace system are:
A Burner, through which gas (natural or propane) or oil is delivered
and burned.
A Heat Exchanger, where the heat produced from the burning gas
is transferred to the air distribution system,ductwork, to transfer
the heated air throughout the home.
A Flue or Vent Pipe, to exhaust byproducts of combustion (such
as water vapor and carbon dioxide) to the outside. A gas furnace
uses natural gas, although some models can be converted to utilize
propane. An oil furnace uses heating oil. An electricity source
is required to run the control systems, blower and some accessories.
Q: What
is the rating called for furnaces?
A: The efficiency
of a furnace is rated using a percent of AFUE.
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
TACL B00027067E
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