| Q. |
Why is changing my filter monthly important? |
| A. |
A dirty filter can raise energy
usage and cause a system failure. |
| Q. |
Why is there so much dust in my
home? |
| A. |
A typical 1” filter is designed to
stop dust from entering the system but it is not designed to
help the air quality in your home. |
| Q. |
Why is my house so dry in winter? |
| A. |
A home in winter can be drier than
the Sahara desert because the heat from your system removes
the moisture as it cycles. A humidifier is the best solution
to this problem. |
| Q. |
Why does my AC seem to run all the
time? |
| A. |
Check your filter, make sure your
Vents are open and not blocked in your home. If this doesn’t
work you need to call a Service Technician. |
| Q. |
When the temperature outside goes
over 90 degrees my unit doesn’t cool, why? |
| A. |
Most systems in the south are
designed for temps up to 90 degrees, and for every degree
over 90 your house will probably gain one or two degrees. |
| Q. |
How can I reduce my energy usage? |
| A. |
The best way is to replace your
unit with a higher efficiency model. Setback Thermostats,
clean high quality filters may help and regular maintenance
on your system. See our maintenance section for more info. |
| Q. |
What is SEER and how does it affect
me? |
| A. |
SEASONAL ENERGY EFFICIENCY RATIO –
before 1992 minimum was 8.0 after 1992 minimum was 10.0 and
in 2006 minimum will be 13.0. (Example: a 10 seer unit is
approximately 20% more efficient than the 8) |
| Q. |
How long should my Air Conditioner
last? |
| A. |
The EPA estimates a lifespan of 18
years, however it is common in the Southern US to expect
only 8 to 12 years. Some units may need replacement even
sooner depending on conditions, usage and considerations for
energy efficiency. Remember a heat pump runs twice a much as
an Air Conditioner with Gas heat and further reduces the
lifespan. |
| Q. |
What is most important in choosing
a contractor? |
| A. |
Look for a licensed and insured
contractor who represents quality in your own mind. The
contractor should be identifiable by uniform and signs on
his truck. Ask what brand of equipment he recommends and
why? If you have never heard of the brand, choose carefully.
|
| Q. |
What is most important in choosing
the equipment for my home? |
| A. |
Ask what efficiency level is being
offered and what brand. The warranty is very important and
should be valued in the price. Look for a brand name that
makes you feel comfortable. Ask if the unit is quiet
relative to other brands. Remember the contractor you
choose is just as important as the brand of equipment. |
| Q. |
Do I need a service contract? |
| A. |
Service contracts should provide
you with a more energy efficient operating system, extend
the life of your system and priority service in case of
failure. |
| Q. |
Do High Efficiency Filters Really
Work? |
| A. |
Of course they do! But be sure
about what you are buying. There are many products which
claim many things so don’t be fooled. A filter should be in
the air conditioning system and be part of the airflow in
your home. A quality product should be between 75% and 99%
effectiveness. |
| Q. |
If I set my thermostat lower will
it cool my house faster? |
| A. |
No. The thermostat does not control
the actual temperature of the air, only how long the ac is
running. The system is either off or on and there is no in
between. |
| Q. |
I turn my ac off when I leave for
the day and it doesn’t seem to work well when I get home,
what’s wrong? |
| A. |
Probably nothing is wrong. You
should set your thermostat back a few degrees during the day
while you are out, but not completely off. As the heat
builds in your home it is absorbed into the carpet, drapes,
furniture and everything else. It takes much more energy to
remove all this heat than to simply maintain a reasonable
temperature for a longer period. |
