HVAC FAQ’s
HVAC FAQ’s
HVAC – FAQ’s
There are many different types of heating and cooling systems available, each with its own unique properties. Some of the most common types of heating and cooling systems include:
- Furnaces: Furnaces are the most common type of heating system. They use a variety of fuels, including natural gas, propane, and electricity, to heat air.
- Air conditioners: Air conditioners are the most common type of cooling system. They use a refrigerant to cool the air.
- Heat pumps: Heat pumps can be used for both heating and cooling. They use electricity to transfer heat from one place to another.
- Mini-splits: Mini-splits are a type of heat pump that is designed for smaller spaces. They are typically installed in individual rooms or zones.
- Air handlers: Air handlers are part of a heating and cooling system that distributes air throughout a home or building. They are typically connected to a furnace or air conditioner.
- Ductwork: Ductwork is the system of pipes and channels that carries air throughout a home or building. It is typically used to distribute air from a furnace or air conditioner to different rooms.
There are many benefits to different heating and cooling systems. Some of the most common benefits include:
- Comfort: Heating and cooling systems can help to keep your home or building comfortable, regardless of the outside temperature.
- Energy efficiency: Some heating and cooling systems are more energy-efficient than others. This can save you money on your energy bills.
- Health benefits: Heating and cooling systems can help to improve air quality in your home or building. This can help to reduce the risk of allergies and asthma.
- Convenience: Some heating and cooling systems are more convenient than others. For example, mini-splits can be installed in individual rooms, so you can only cool or heat the rooms you are using.
The cost of different heating and cooling systems will vary depending on the type of system, the size of your home or building, and the cost of labor in your area. In general, heating and cooling systems cost between $1,000 and $10,000.
- The size of your home or building: The size of your home or building will affect the size of the system you need.
- The climate in your area: If you live in an area with extreme weather conditions, you will need a system that can handle the extremes.
- Your budget: Heating and cooling systems can range in price from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars. Make sure to choose a system that fits your budget.
- Your energy efficiency goals: Some heating and cooling systems are more energy-efficient than others. If you are concerned about your energy bills, you may want to choose a more energy-efficient system.
- Your comfort needs: Some heating and cooling systems are more comfortable than others. If you are sensitive to temperature changes, you may want to choose a system that is designed to provide a more consistent temperature.
- The size of your home or building: The size of your home or building will affect the size of the system you need.
- The climate in your area: If you live in an area with extreme weather conditions, you will need a system that can handle the extremes.
- Your budget: Heating and cooling systems can range in price from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars. Make sure to choose a system that fits your budget.
- Your energy efficiency goals: Some heating and cooling systems are more energy-efficient than others. If you are concerned about your energy bills, you may want to choose a more energy-efficient system.
- Your comfort needs: Some heating and cooling systems are more comfortable than others. If you are sensitive to temperature changes, you may want to choose a system that is designed to provide a more consistent temperature.
Depending on the kind of filter you have, it varies. We advise replacing disposable filters, which are less expensive, every 30 days. We advise replacing pleated or poly filters every 90 days if you have them. Media filters or CleanEffects filters should be changed around once a year because they can last a little longer.
No, not always. It’s crucial to buy an air conditioner that fits your house properly. A larger air conditioner will cool your house more quickly, but it will also be less effective and less effective at removing humidity. There will be brief cycles in it. Although it cools the air rapidly, it won’t pump enough air across the indoor coil to drain water from your system before it turns off. As a result, there will be too much moisture in the air, which may cause mold and mildew to grow within your house.
Your system starting and stopping more often, may cause it to use more energy and wear down faster. Longer run cycles are more efficient.
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.
We recommend having your air conditioner serviced once a year. This will save you on energy and repair costs, keep your system running smoothly and efficiently, and make it last longer. The longer you put off AC maintenance, the worse your unit will perform, and the more likely it is that it will break down. Trying to save money by delaying maintenance may backfire by forcing you to pay more on energy bills, and potentially, on repairs if a serious issue arises with your system.
The first step to improving your air quality is to prevent unwanted air from entering your home. To do this, seal your duct system. Then you can focus on either cleaning your existing system or installing a more efficient air filtration system.
t depends on your specific home. In some cases, adding insulation will help. In some cases, replacing your HVAC system or other appliances will help. Sometimes replacing your windows can help. Take your entire home into account to figure out what makes the most sense for you.
There are plenty of ways to improve the cooling efficiency in your home. First, you could replace your existing air conditioner with a newer, more efficient one. This will significantly lower your energy bills and cool your home much more effectively. Schedule a consultation so we can help you find a unit that fits your home.
If you aren’t ready to upgrade your air conditioner, you can improve efficiency by setting your thermostat to a higher temperature. During the summer, set your thermostat to 75 degrees or higher. Every degree counts: just 1 degree below 75 degrees will cause your energy bill to go up 3 to 5%.
Another small way to increase your home’s cooling efficiency is to avoid blocking vents. Move any furniture or curtains to evenly distribute air throughout your home. However, if there are rooms in your home that you rarely use, consider closing the vents to avoid wasting energy.
Once again, the most effective, but most expensive solution is to replace your furnace with a newer, more efficient furnace. Modern high-efficiency furnaces could save you 25% on your energy bills, which means the expense of purchasing a new furnace should pay for itself fairly quickly.
Just as you can set your thermostat to a higher temperature for greater efficiency in the summer, lowering the temperature on your thermostat for at least a portion of the day can save you money on your energy bill in the winter.
Just like in the summer, avoid blocking your vents to ensure that heat is evenly distributed throughout the house. Save energy by closing vents in rooms that you rarely use.
While it may seem counter-intuitive, ceiling fans can help heat your home in the winter, if the blades spin clockwise. Therefore, install ceiling fans for improved energy efficiency in both the summer and winter.
Finally, annual furnace maintenance will ensure that your furnace is running smoothly and efficiently and catch any potential issues.
Additionally, you can install ceiling fans. The U.S. Department of Energy says that a single ceiling fan “will allow you to raise the thermostat setting about 4 degrees with no reduction in comfort.” As we already mentioned, every degree will save you money on your energy bill.
Finally, make sure to get annual maintenance from a licensed technician to ensure that your system is running as efficiently as possible, and to fix any potential issues.
A heat pump is a combination of a heating and air conditioning systems. You can install a heat pump with a variety of indoor systems, including all-electric and dual-fuel, to keep you comfortable all year.
In the winter, a heat pump takes the heat from the cold outside air and brings it inside to heat your home. However, sometimes this is not enough heat for your desired warmth, so generally, people use an electric heater or gas furnace to supplement the heat pump.
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.
As the name suggests, a two-stage compressor operates in two stages. Some two-stage compressors have one compressor with two stages, while others have two separate compressors. In either case, the unit runs in the lower stage, which is less than full capacity, the majority of the time. However, on the hottest days, it utilizes stage two, which operates at full capacity. Since the system is not running at full capacity all the time, it is quite efficient, which will save you on energy bills.
An alternative to two-stage compressors is variable-speed compressors, which run at even lower capacity, meaning greater efficiency.
A dual-fuel system involves a heat pump, an indoor coil, and a gas furnace working together to heat your home. The heat pump does most of the work, but the furnace is used as a backup. If the temperature drops below a certain point, the heat pump will not be able to meet your needs and the furnace will take over. This is a very efficient system that may save you energy. Schedule a consultation to decide if a dual-fuel system is the best option for your home.
In terms of energy efficiency, the general rule is, that in summer: the higher, the better, and in winter: the lower, the better. However, the point of air conditioners and furnaces is to keep your home comfortable. Therefore, you need to find the right balance for you between comfort and energy efficiency. For energy efficiency and lower bills, we recommend keeping your thermostat around 78 degrees in the summer and 68 degrees in the winter.
In addition to your personal preferences, your home’s efficiency in terms of insulation, ducts, air filters, whether you have ceiling fans, whether your vents are blocked, and other factors can affect the optimal temperature for your home.
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 little 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.
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