FAQs: Heating and Cooling
What should you look for in a good contractor?
Make sure the contractor is licensed, bonded and insured. You can check a contractor's status on the state's website.
The contractor should use name brands.
Technicians should be certified.
Contractor must file city permits for all installation work.
Contractor should make you feel comfortable.
Contractor should have excellent references.
Heat Exchanger Crack, is it Dangerous?
Yes, of course, a crack in your heat exchanger is dangerous. Just how dangerous and what are the dangers? Many cracked heat exchangers do not cause the
occupants of the home to become ill or die from carbon monoxide poisoning, but some do.
Numerous customers complain about shortness of breath and flu like symptoms when they are home, but do not seem to have them away from the home, this is a sure sign of carbon monoxide poisoning.
CO poisoning isn’t the only problem with cracks in the heat exchanger. Most of the time the air from the blower compartment gets pushed into the
burner chamber and this causes a problem called flame rollout. This happens when flames in the burner compartment get pressurized from behind as the crack grows (and they all grow!) they then can be pushed out in the open area of the furnace where the gas valve is and the electrical controls are. This can start a fire
that can burn down the home. We see this type of flame roll out quite regularly during the busy heating season. Cracks in the heat exchanger are a major source of this problem.
Are those little cracks dangerous? Yes, it is time to replace the heat exchangers if the system is under warranty or replace the furnace.
Your heat exchangers may be covered under warranty. That means that the customer pays for labor, and not for the parts. If not under warranty, you can still replace the heat exchangers, but the cost is significantly high and a better idea to replace the furnace.
If the technician finds cracks in the heat exchangers they will turn the system off due to liability. They will also show you the cracks before they leave, so you know they are cracked. If the heat exchangers are not visible, the technician will test the system with a combustion analyzer and determine if the system needs to be shut down and print off a report from the analyzer. Typically the technician will shut the system down if they find more then 100ppm of CO in the exhaust and recommend a heat exchanger diagnostic to better determine the exact reason for the high CO output.
What is an energy-efficient furnace?
Simply, if you have an 80% efficient furnace, it basically means for every dollar spent on fuel, 80 cents is used to heat the home and 20
cents is lost up the chimney.
Furnaces are rated with efficiency levels. What does this mean?
Furnaces are rated with Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE). The minimum AFUE number is 80. The efficiency improves with a higher
AFUE number.
What is the difference between an 80% efficient furnace and a 90% efficient
furnace?
Both furnaces will heat the home equally well, but the 90% furnace is more efficient, saving you approximately 10% in operating costs.
80%- furnaces typically vent up a chimney because they have high exhaust temperatures that remove products of combustion.
90%- furnaces have such a low exhaust temperature that they have to be power-vented directly outside in PVC pipe.
What is a chimney liner and why is it needed?
A chimney liner is made of metal and it is placed in an existing brick chimney so everything vents properly. If you are replacing an old, inefficient furnace with an 80% or 90% efficient furnace, you will need to have the chimney liner replaced as the old chimney flue is too large for new vent requirements. If the chimney is metal, it usually does not need a liner.
Do all chimneys need a chimney liner?
Almost all brick chimneys need a liner because the flues are generally too large. Metal chimneys usually do not need a liner.
How often should I change my furnace filter?
If your furnace has a standard (replaceable) filter, change it once a month. If you have an electronic cleaner, clean it every three months. If you have a whole
house HEPA cleaner, you need to replace it once a year.
Another company installed our furnace. Now, they won’t come out and service it. Will you?
Of course. We do charge a diagnostic fee. If we discover a problem that needs correcting, we'll explain it to you and quote a flat fee to do the work. If we do, there is never any obiligation for you to have us do the repair. It is 100% completely up to you. That fee will include a one-year parts and labor guarantee. We'll do the same with air conditioning and other products installed by companies that won't follow up
with maintenance service.
My furnace won't start - and we're getting cold.
Reset the furnace - the reset switch looks like a light switch that's on your furnace. To do this, turn the switch "off" for 20 seconds, then back on. Even if this works,
be sure to call us to check your furnace. The fact that it did not start on its own indicates a problem.
I'm sure we need a new furnace, and our air conditioner is about the same age. Is it worth getting both at the same time?
Definitely. We can save time - which saves you money by sending our installers only once.
Furnaces are rated with efficiency levels. How are air conditioners rated?
Air conditioners use a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER). The minimum is 10 SEER, but should be 13 SEER. The efficiency improves with a higher SEER number. Every time the rating increases by one point, the efficiency increases by approximately 10%. Beginning January 22nd 2006, all newly manufactured equipment will require a minimum SEER of 13.
Is it true that the government is phasing out Freon (R-22) for central air conditioners like it did for Freon (R-12) that was used in window units, refrigerators and automobiles?
Freon (R-22) central air conditioners cannot be manufactured after the year 2010. The Freon (R-22) refrigerant cannot be manufactured after 2020. Since Freon (R-22) will be made on a limited basis, it will become very expensive, just like Freon (R-12).
What is replacing Freon (R-22)?
410A is the refrigerant of choice to replace Freon (R-22). It is environmentally friendly and cools equally to R-22. You may have heard it called PURON–the brand name from Bryant.
What's the best way to get my air conditioning running in the spring?
Remove the air filter on the furnace and clean it.
Turn the damper on the furnace to "Summer."
If you have a humidistat, turn it from 35% to 0%. Twenty-four hours before starting your air conditioning, turn the disconnect
back on.
Wash the condenser unit (that's the unit outside your house). Set your hose nozzle for a fine spray of water and spray from the top down.
Turn on your air conditioning and enjoy the cool comfort inside.
How often should I have my air conditioner checked?
Both Furnaces and Air Conditioners should be checked yearly to ensure warranty and guarantee highest efficiency. View our Maintenance Plan.
How do I clean an electronic air cleaner?
Spray it with Fantastic or 409 cleaner, let it dry and reinstall it. Or put it in your dishwasher. Use a soap that leaves no film and be sure to protect the thin "piano" type of wires in the cleaner from the spikes in the dishwasher tray. One way is to set the cleaner on top of glasses that are placed over these spikes in the dishwasher.
What can I do to improve my indoor air quality?
1. Keep windows and doors closed during prime ragweed season.
2. Ventilate your home. Use exhaust fans when you cook or shower.
3. Filter the air with an air cleaner and make sure you clean the filter regularly.
4. Treat the air with an ultraviolet air treatment system.
5. Maintain the right relative humidity between 45%-65% as recommended by the EPA.
What is Carbon Monoxide?
Carbon Monoxide is a tasteless, colorless and odorless gas that is highly poisonous. It is the byproduct of unburned fossil fuels and is responsible for several hundred deaths in the United States each year.
That is why it is very important to have your gas furnace checked each year. If Carbon Monoxide is detected during a service inspection, the furnace is rendered inoperable and should be shut down. A new furnace should then be installed. We recommend installing Carbon Monoxide detectors on each level of your home (you
can find them at your local hardware store).
What is a heat exchanger?
The heat exchanger in a gas furnace is the component within the gas furnace that transfers the heat from the burning of the fuel to the air in your home. It is
the main component responsible in making your home feel nice and warm during those cold winter nights and days.
Heat exchangers should be checked annually to insure that they are functioning safely and properly.