HVAC FAQ INFORMATION

For heating, capacity is usually expressed in BTUs. For cooling, capacity usually given in tons and seers. The number of SEERS determines the efficiency, the higher the SEERS, the higher the efficiency. Heating and cooling systems are sized according to their tonnage. One (1) ton equals 12,000 BTU/H. Residential systems can range from 1 to 5 tons.

The approximate amount of energy used to cool a square foot of your home is roughly 25 BTUs, so multiply the number of square feet in your home by 25 to get the base BTU measurement. Third, account for high ceilings: If your home's ceiling is over 8 feet, multiply the base BTU amount by 1.25, or 25%.

For smaller equipment, the ratio is expressed as the energy efficiency ratio (EER), which is calculated by dividing the rated cooling output of the unit in Btu/hr by the watts drawn by the unit. Efficiency of cooling equipment varies depending on the conditions of the evaporator and the condenser.

Change Your Air Filter. Changing your air filter every month, or at least every three months, can make a huge difference to your HVAC system and your home.

Set Your Thermostat Properly- If you have a programmable or smart thermostat, be sure to use it to its fullest capacity. Setting your home's temperatures to accurately reflect your schedule conserves both energy and money. Be sure to turn down your heating or cooling at night while you are sleeping and when you are gone from the house.

Check Your Ductwork- If you have a forced-air system, the ducts in your home carry air to and from your heating-and-cooling system. If the ducts have leaks or are not sealed properly, air escapes, hiking up your utility bills and causing your HVAC system to work a lot harder to make your home comfortable.

Schedule Regular Maintenance- Your HVAC system needs to be cleaned and checked on a regular basis. We recommend at least once annually--in the fall for your heating system and then in the spring for your cooling system. If your system is older, it may require more frequent care.

Upgrade or Retrofit Your System- When your system is older, it cannot operate as efficiently as newer models. Technology continually marches forward, making improvements in the efficiency of HVAC systems. If your system is ten or more years older, you are spending more in energy than you could be. It might be time to upgrade to a newer, more efficient model. But if it just is not in the cards for you right now, think about talking to us about possibly retrofitting. This just means replacing portions of your system with newer parts. Retrofitting, obviously, is not the same as a new system, but it can help with your system's efficiency.

Capacity is determined based off the square feet your home area covers. If you choose a system with more capacity than you need, you may just be paying more than you should.

In mild weather, a correctly sized and functioning AC will run in cycles of about fifteen minutes each. This is approximately two to three times per hour.

Yes, you should keep your system from running too much. When you run the fan continuously, it causes the water to evaporate and puts it right back into your home. This means your home will not be effectively dehumidified, which makes it less comfortable. So, putting the fan in the "on" position compounds the error of having an oversized cooling system.

If the AC system is operating correctly, then the air coming out of your vent should be about 20-25 degrees cooler than the regular temperature inside. So, if you're cooling it and the house is 80 degrees, then you would ideally want the air to be about 60 degrees.

The coolest temperature Americans should keep their thermostats set to is 78 degrees Fahrenheit, according to Energy Star, a federal program aimed at energy efficiency and cost savings for consumers. When leaving on vacation -- usually more than three days -- set your thermostat to 50-55 degrees F in the winter to prevent against freezing pipes and to 85-90 degrees F (or even turn it off) in the summer.

With a programmable thermostat, your home immediately becomes more energy-efficient throughout all seasons. A more efficient home means you are utilizing your resources more effectively, better preserving your systems and appliances as time goes on.

Depending what type of filter you may use, MERV rating determines generally how often to change your furnace filter. MERV 8 filters should be changed every 3-4 months, MERV 10 & 11 filters every 6 months and MERV 16 filters every year.

The most important maintenance task that will ensure the efficiency of your air conditioner is to routinely replace or clean its filters. Clogged, dirty filters block normal airflow and reduce a system's efficiency significantly.

Experts suggest servicing your home air conditioning twice a year. Once in the spring for cooling, and once in the fall for heating.

Check air filter, check if inside unit is blowing air, and if fan and compressor are working. Check thermostat batteries, check your circuit breaker in the breaker box. Also check if line set is frozen; if any ice is identified.

The cost to replace an HVAC system averages $7,000, with a typical range of $5,000 to $10,000. This translates into $25 to $60 per square foot, depending on the brand and size.

Electrostatic air filter devices do work fairly well to filter allergens from the air because they filter particles like dust, pet dander, or mold, which are the usual suspects when it comes to allergies.

No, it is not recommended to close registers and doors even if you do not use that area of the home you do not use on a regular basis.

Humidifiers release dry air which is more effective in reducing humidity, as opposed to cooling.

Multiply the length times the width of the room or area to be cooled. Then, as a practical number, multiply that total times 25 BTU. This allows ample cooling, whether it is a rainy, moist day or a hot, sunny, humid day.