FAQ
Got Questions? We Have the Answers.
How often should service be performed on the heating and cooling system?
Manufacturers suggest that maintenance twice a year on a heating and cooling system will optimize performance and reliability.
Should my heat pump smoke in the winter?
No, but what you are probably seeing is steam from the defrost cycle instead of smoke. This is perfectly normal.
Should my gas system smoke in the winter?
No, what you are probably seeing is steam coming from the exhaust. This is perfectly normal.
Should my heat pump run continuously in the winter?
Yes, heat pumps are designed to run a lot on very cold days to maintain a constant temperature rather than heating up fast and cycling off. Although they sometimes don't cut off for days, they are still very economical to operate.
What if my heat pump runs continuously but doesn't get the house warm?
The system either isn't sized properly or it has a service problem. If the problem is servicing, then you will need to call for service.
What should I look for when shopping for a new heating and cooling system?
- A reputable company with a qualified service department
- A quality product with a good warranty
- High-efficiency for lower operating cost
Which HVAC system is less expensive to operate (gas or heat pump)?
In most cases, in the winter a high-efficiency heat pump will be less expensive to operate in this part of the country, due to the rising cost of natural gas and propane versus the rising efficiency of heat pumps.
Is it OK to run my fan on my heating and cooling system all the time?
Yes, it constantly mixes the air in the home to provide a uniform temperature throughout the entire house; plus, it constantly filters the air in the home too.
Sometimes a terrible odor comes from our system. What is it?
Manufacturers refer to this odor as "Dirty Sock Syndrome." It occurs sometimes in the heating cycle, mainly in the high-efficient heat pumps.
What can be done for the terrible odor that comes from my system?
The only known remedy so far is to sanitize the evaporator coil and install an ultraviolet light in the system to prevent any bacteria from growing in the unit. In addition to this an ozone generator can be installed in the ductwork to neutralize the odor.
Is my home making me sick?
This is a question many of our customers ask, and now we have an answer! People are concerned about their family's health due to the recent surge of publicity concerning poor indoor air quality. The American Lung Association claims indoor air can be over 100 times worse than the air outside, and the EPA says it can be up to 70 times more polluted.
More than 5 million children have asthma. Over the last twenty years, asthma among children up to four years of age has grown more than 160%, with adult statistics increasing 75% during the same period. One person out of every five in the United States has some significant breathing problem caused by allergies, asthma, chronic sinus infections or other respiratory conditions.
Adverse health effects resulting from poor indoor air quality has led manufacturers to produce a flurry of new products claiming to be the answer for cleaning a home's air. Poor indoor air quality results from many sources, such as mold, bioaerosols, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), bacteria and viruses. Conflicting advice on how to deal with indoor air quality (IAQ) problems is perplexing to most professionals, to say nothing of the typical homeowner.
Our desire to provide you with the most current and accurate information on solutions for a healthy indoor breathing environment prompted our recent certification by one of the most knowledgeable IAQ organizations in the country, HealthyAir. We are now in a position to offer our customers a whole-house solution for indoor air problems!
Only Certified HealthyAir Companies are able to offer this unique and exclusive system that creates the type of indoor environment recommended by the EPA and other leading national research centers. HealthyAir has chosen our company to distribute this system because of our reputation for excellence in customer service and our upstanding position in the community.
Air filtration is only one part of the comprehensive solution to today's indoor air quality problems. Providing a "HealthyAir Breathing Environment" involves: 1) fresh air ventilation; 2) air filtration; 3) humidity control; and 4) preventing further infiltration of contaminants through positive pressure and other methods. Maintaining optimum humidity levels (40% - 50%) prevents many harmful organisms, including bacteria, viruses, dust mites and mold spores. By introducing fresh, filtered outdoor air, pollutants are diluted and stale air is replaced. The HealthyAir system does it all!
A recent article published by The Mayo Clinic states "practically all chronic sinus infections are caused by mold." Dust mites are the #1 allergen affecting people in their homes. This HealthyAir system was engineered to inhibit the growth of mold and eliminate dust mites!
Before you spend money on a "partial" solution, call us and get the facts about what is required to provide a healthy indoor living environment. Obviously, we're not doctors and are not qualified to determine the cause of an illness. We can, however, create the type of clean air environment professionals recommend for patients suffering from the respiratory problems which result from breathing contaminated indoor air.
Why not call our office today and arrange an Indoor Air Quality Audit for your home? Be assured, we are continuously educating ourselves on the latest advancements concerning air conditioning, heating and indoor air purification products in order to provide the very best service possible to you and your family. Thank you for your continued patronage.