FAQ

A maintenance agreement is a contract between you and us authorizing us to perform a complete tune-up of your heating or air conditioning system. You are entitled to two visits per year (1 per season), 10% discount on parts and priority service.

2. What advantages do I get with a maintenance agreement?

You get prescheduled, seasonal maintenance tune-ups (1 per season), discounts on parts, priority service, and lower utility bills. (Properly maintained systems cost less to operate).

3. What routine maintenance can I do myself?

Replace the air filter(s) every 4 weeks.

A dirty filter will cause excessive strain on your air conditioner, heat pump or furnace.

Keep outdoor unit clean.

Keep shrubbery, leaves, grass clippings and debris away from the outdoor unit. These cause excessive strain on the unit lowering efficiency, costing more to operate.

Keep outdoor unit level.

This allows proper moisture drainage from within.

Visually inspect your furnace combustion area and vent system.

If you find dirt, rust or soot, your furnace may not operate properly lowering efficiency and more important creating a safety problem. DO NOT operate your furnace under these conditions. Call for a complete inspection and/or repair to have the problem corrected.

4. What routine maintenance do I need help with?

Spring & Fall Maintenance Tune-ups See our checklist

5. When should I change my air filter?

We recommend changing disposable filters every month. Washable filters should be cleaned every month. Electronic air cleaner pre-filters should be cleaned every month. Some pleated high efficiency filters may last up to one year. Note: With indoor air quality awareness increasing, we urge you to "Keep those filters clean"

6. When should I have my system checked?

You should have your system checked at the beginning of each season. This helps insure increased efficiency, lower operating costs and safety.

7. What can I check before I call for service?

First, check your air filter to be sure it is clean. A dirty filter can cause your cooling system to freeze up resulting in no air flow and cause your furnace to overheat. Check your thermostat to make sure the system is turned on. Check breakers to make sure they are not tripped. If you find a tripped breaker, DO NOT try to use the system until the problem has

been corrected.

8. How do I help take care of my system?

Change or clean the air filter regularly, do not block returns or vents, keep outdoor units clean of debris and shrubbery and have seasonal tune-ups performed on your system.

9. When should I consider replacing my old system?

When repairs cost over $500.00.

When the system has had several failures in the past.

When the system is over 8 years old. (Due to efficiency)

10. How long does a system last?

Typically, air conditioners and heat pumps last around 15 years and furnaces around 20 years. Due to higher efficiency models available now, a new system should be considered if your system is over 8 years old. The new models may pay for themselves in just a short time in energy savings.

11. How can I reduce my energy bills?

Keep the air filter clean. Perform routine and seasonal maintenance. Consider replacing equipment over 8 years old. Consider a programmable thermostat. (Sets back temperatures while your away from home.)

12. How do I compare efficiencies of different equipment?

Air Conditioners use SEER - Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio to measure the efficiency of the unit. All air conditioners are tested and labeled with a SEER rating. The higher the number the higher the efficiency. The minimum allowed by law currently is 10 SEER. The minimum is due to be increased in the next few years.

Heat pumps use SEER for cooling and in addition use HSPF - Heating Seasonal Performance Factor for heating. Again, the higher the rating the more efficient the unit.

Gas Furnaces use AFUE - Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency. The minimum allowed by law is 78%. Again, the higher the number the higher the efficiency.

13. What is the difference between single and variable speed blowers?

A single speed blower only knows one speed during operation. Its either on or off. A variable speed blower will adjust itself to maintain the most efficient airflow. Several factors can determine the blowers speed as follows: Static pressures in the ductwork, compensation for restricted air flow due to dirty filter, blocked return vents, etc. and initial blower settings programmed at installation.

Variable speed blowers also aid in humidity removal and Indoor Air Quality by moving air over the filter at a slower rate in turn cleaning the air better.

14. What is a two stage furnace?

A two stage furnace utilizes two stages of heating as needed. With a two stage furnace, the furnace will run on low stage at approximately 50% capacity 80% of the time. When the low stage needs more heat to maintain the temperature in the home the high stage will come on. High stage is used only when needed to maintain the temperature in the home. In turn, the two stage furnace will use less gas to operate thus lowering utility bills. The addition of a variable speed blower to the two stage furnace is the ultimate in home heating efficiency.

15. What is a two stage Air Conditioner or Heat Pump?

A two stage air conditioner or heat pump utilizes two stages of cooling and heating as needed. With a two stage air conditioner or heat pump, the system will run on low stage at approximately 50% capacity most of the time. When the low stage needs help to maintain the temperature in the home the high stage will come on. High stage is used only when needed to maintain the temperature in the home. In turn, the two stage air conditioner or heat pump will use less energy to operate thus lowering utility bills. The addition of a variable speed blower to the indoor section is the ultimate in home cooling and heating efficiency.

16. What is a BTU?

A BTU (British Thermal Unit) is the amount of heat that will raise or lower one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit.

17. What is a ton of cooling?

One ton of cooling equals 12,000 BTU's.