Heating & Air Conditioning Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it important to choose the right size HVAC system?
Ask your HVAC dealer for help when choosing a system that meets the heating and cooling demands of your home.
- Better technology shows that oversized systems don't work as well. They are inefficient, wasting money and energy. Undersized systems work too hard to heat and cool rooms. Either way, poorly sized HVAC systems will have more problems, a shorter life span and higher utility costs.
How can I keep my home safe from carbon monoxide pollution?
- Carbon monoxide is an invisible, unscented and at high levels can be a deadly gas. Lower concentrations of carbon monoxide can cause headaches, light headedness and fatigue. Winter months may pose health and safety risks with heating systems. Poorly maintained chimneys and flues may release carbon monoxide and other harmful gases into the air.
- Have your furnace inspected, precision tuned and cleaned by a certified technician before you turn on your heat. Also, you want to place all carbon monoxide detectors closest to the ground as this gas always rises and you want to have one alarm per level.
What does SEER mean?
- Seer stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating. The higher the rating, the more efficiently the system operates. The federal government requires a minimum Seer 13. Higher efficiency ratings save energy, causes less pollution in your home and saves money on electric bills. Significant savings can be realized on the service life of your system.
How is furnace efficiency measured?
- When choosing a new furnace, find out its AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency). AFUE is the term for describing a furnace's seasonal energy performance. By federal standards, new furnaces must have an AFUE rating of 78 percent. Given the rise in energy prices and uncertainty about future energy sources, your priority should be to lower your energy bills.
Will updating my home thermostat save money?
- A lot of people crank up the thermostat dial when they want more heat or drop it back for a blast of cool air. This method of heating and cooling wastes energy and money. You're also less likely to get the temperature you're comfortable with. Digital, tough screen and programmable thermostats allow you to pre-
set temperatures for every day of the week to match your schedule. You avoid high energy temperature swings and high utility costs.
When is it the time to invest in a new central air conditioner?
Ask yourself these questions:
- Does my air conditioner require frequent repairs?
- Is my air conditioner leaking Freon? Do I have to have a recharge every cooling season? How often does my system need recharging?
- Do I need to replace costly components, such as the compressor?
- In the long run, is it more affordable to replace my old system with a more efficient unit that will lower my monthly electric bills?
- Is my warranty still good? Many manufacturers now offer 10 year warranties.
Why is my home not heating well? Why are my energy costs so high?
- If your home is not heating well or your energy costs are increasing, the problem may not be your HVAC system. The source may be your home. Homes that are not insulated well or weatherized lose a lot of energy and raise power bills. Making home improvements can save energy costs and help heating and cooling systems run more efficiently.
What you should know about residential air conditioning system's refrigerants?
- The Clean Air Act has banned the production of ozone-
depleting refrigerants. Air conditioning refrigerants, popularly known as R- 22, has been the choice for residential heat pump air conditioning systems for more than four decades. Unfortunately for the environment, releases of R- 22, such as those from leaks, contribute to ozone depletion. In addition, R- 22 is a greenhouse gas and the manufacture of R- 22 results in a by- product that contributes significantly to global warming. Manufacturers are no longer making R- 22 equipment. As the manufacture of R- 22 continues to be phased out, supplies are decreasing and prices per pound are rising. Manufacturers of residential air conditioning systems are offering equipment that uses ozone- friendly refrigerants such as R- 410. Refrigerant R- 410 is now and for the future, the refrigerant of choice when considering replacing your heat pump and/or air conditioning system.
How do I maintain an efficient heating and cooling system?
- Call Dual County Heating and Air Conditioning in the Spring and in the Fall to have your system cleaned and precision tuned for optimum heating and cooling and to save energy costs. 717-
597- 9570 717- 369- 4355 301- 573- 1083