Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I change my filter?
It depends on the type of filter that you have. Most store-bought filters need to be replaced monthly during the heating and cooling seasons. Outside of the seasons, typical filters can last two or three months. High quality filters (4" thick or more) can last up to six months or more.
What type of filters should I use?
The better question is, what am I trying to accomplish with my filter? A follow up question is, what type of filter can my HVAC system handle? Not every system can operate properly with high quality filters without some adjustments being made to the ductwork or to the indoor blower speed. If you want a filter to handle pollen, pet dander or smells, one of our trained HVAC technicians would need to take some system readings and evaluate your system to see if you're a candidate for high quality filters.
How often should my system be maintained?
Generally, HVAC systems should be maintained before each heating and cooling season. Proper maintenance prevents breakdowns, unnecessarily high energy bills, property damage, extends equipment life and increases comfort. To quote my high school auto mechanics teacher, "If it moves, it needs maintenance." We offer a variety of maintenance options to fit most any budget.
How do I know when my system needs to be replaced?
Think of your HVAC system like you think of your car. Is it dependable? Is it comfortable? Are my energy bills creeping up? How old is it? What is the average life expectancy of it? How often does it need repairs?
There are many variables that determine how long an HVAC system lasts. Some of the contributing factors are: name brand, quality of installation, regular maintenance, proper system size, geographical location, etc.
Here in the mountains of Appalachia, we commonly see systems that are in excess of 20 years old and are still running fine. They just need some regular TLC.
Is a bigger air conditioner better?
Junior Samples from the show Hee Haw once said, "“If bigger was better, a cow would outrun a rabbit.” I wonder if he was in the HVAC business? He was right! A bigger air conditioner definitely is not better. Air conditioners that are too large increase energy bills, decrease comfort, shorten equipment life expectancy and can cause bacterial growth.
Before we replace an HVAC system, we perform a Manual J Load Calculation as required by the code in order to ensure that we install the size of system that your house requires. We have discovered that approximately 70% of systems that we replace were too large for the house. Replacing the system with the smaller size addresses all of the previous issues mentioned plus reduces the cost of the new system.
Should I turn on my emergency heat strips when is gets really cold outside?
In short, no. The emergency heat option found on heat pump thermostats are just for... emergencies. That option was never meant to be used under normal operating conditions. A properly operating heat pump is much more efficient than resistive heat strips will ever be. No matter how cold you find our winter nights, your properly operating heat pump may not be able to satisfy the thermostat, but it is still a much cheaper heat than heat strips. The thermostat may bring the heat strips on for defrost or for some supplemental heat, but should only be the sole source of heat during... emergencies.
I have really high power bills in the wintertime. Do I need a new heat pump?
Not necessarily. We regularly find heat pumps that weren't installed correctly which cause high energy bills. These installation errors create high winter power bills that range from $500 - $1,000 a month. Sometimes, all it takes is a little cleaning and some minor adjustments to bring that electrical bill to a more expected level. It's not uncommon to see winter energy bills reduced by 50%. A 50% reduction is real cash that stays in your bank account.