How long will my system last?
While the life of the system can vary, the typical life of a system is between 10-15 years. If your system is 10-12+ years old and needs costly repairs, it may be time to upgrade. A new system will be much more efficient and save you money in the long run.
The life of your system can be broken down into three factors.
Installation – 70% of the life of your system is based solely on how well it is installed. Was your system professionally installed? If not, it may already be at a disadvantage.
Maintenance – When a system is left to run without being cleaned or checked for weakness, it can break down quickly. Dirty coils and being out of tune can reverse all the efficiency gains the new system provided as well.
Brand – Okay, we’re going to let the cat out of the bag. The brand of equipment only makes up 4% of the life of your system. WHAT?! However, we believe that every advantage we can get in the war against discomfort is one we will gladly take! Filters should be regularly changed to optimize system efficiency–especially during heavy use. Check your filter every month when the heating or AC is running regularly, and change the filter every 3 to 4 months as needed. Consider a higher quality allergen reduction filter if your family suffers from allergies or upper respiratory conditions.
How often should I have my system checked?
We recommend that your system be fully inspected twice a year. Typically systems are checked once in the spring and once in the fall. These routine inspections and cleanings can save you about $32.00 a month.
How often should I change my air filter?
Changing your air filter has many different factors. Do you have a lot of infiltration in your home? Do you have pets? Have you been renovating your home? How often your filter needs to be changed can vary from season to season, but is very important. Some filters are only made to last for 30 days while high efficiency filters can last an entire year! Not sure what type of filter you have? Give us a call or let us take care of it for you!
I change my filter regularly, but my house is still dusty and my allergies are terrible! What can I do to make this better?
When dust abounds and allergies have you explaining that “I’m not crying, it’s just my allergies”, then it’s time for a filter upgrade. Common throw away filters don’t provide enough filtration while the 1” pleaded filters reduce air flow. A high efficiency filtration system reduces allergies in your home, cuts down on dust and allows adequate airflow across your evaporator coil.
What temperature should I leave my Thermostat on?
The easy answer is “whatever makes you comfortable!” However, if you want to know what the most efficient temperature settings are, we can answer that. During cooling season, it is typical to set a thermostat between 74-78 degrees. The higher the set point during cooling season, the less energy you consume. During the heating season, it is typical to set a thermostat between 68-72 degrees. The lower the set point, the less energy or gas is consumed by your heating system.
Why does everyone talk about the “dangers” of gas furnaces?
The two dangerous elements of a gas furnace are:
A Flame – yes, your gas furnaces is a controlled fire. It is very important to make sure that all the safeties that keep that flame in check work properly!
Carbon Monoxide – also deemed the “Silent Killer”, carbon monoxide can strike without warning. Routine checks of your heat exchanger, tests of the safeties and having a carbon monoxide detector in your home or ductwork could literally save your life.
Why does my air conditioner leak water?
The word “conditioner” is the key to this answer. Your air conditioning system is conditioning the air to your comfort level. This means that it is removing the heat and humidity from your home. As it pulls air across the evaporator coil, it is absorbing the heat out of the air and condensing the moisture, too. This moisture is drained into a pan which the drains out of your home via a condensate drain, usually made of PVC.
What can I do to protect against water leaks in my system?
Water leaks from your air conditioning system are usually something that can be prevented with routine maintenance. During maintenance, the drains are cleared of debris, the condensate pan is cleaned and a 6 month treatment is applied to your condensate drain system. However, when water is present, anything is possible. Having a condensate safety switch can make the difference between having a roof over your head or a roof in your lap!