HVAC Frequently Asked Questions

We charge a $199 diagnostic fee. This fee covers many quick fixes that do not require additional parts, refrigerant, etc. If your technician needs to order a part or conduct a more major repair, he/she will provide you with a detailed estimate for you to review and approve before work begins.

Yes! We understand that heating and cooling purchases are not always convenient. To learn more about our HVAC financing programs, call today or visit our Financing page! Rest assured: your Conditioned Air investment will improve your home’s value and bring years of trouble-free indoor comfort!

The best way to ensure long-term performance of your HVAC system is to schedule regular inspections.

Conditioned Air recommends servicing your HVAC equipment twice per year to ensure that systems are performing safely and efficiently. Neglected systems require more repairs, and airflow may be restricted due to dirt and debris buildup. Proper HVAC maintenance improves the lifespan and energy efficiency of your equipment.

During your heating and cooling inspection, Conditioned Air's technicians perform the following comprehensive services:

• Check thermostat operation
• Clear condensation drains
• Clean condensing coils
• Examine electrical components
• Change or clean filters
• Check motors & compressor amperage
• Lubricate moving parts
• Ensure overall system operation
• Check for proper refrigerant charge

Regular filter replacement ensures that your system operates at peak efficiency, allowing residents to enjoy clean, circulating air that is free of dust, dirt and allergens. If your filter is not disposable, it should be carefully cleaned every one to two months. Cheap disposable filters should be changed every one to two months, and premium filters should be changed every two to four months. As a helpful reminder, mark all required filter changes on your calendar.

Besides scheduling routine, semi-annual service and changing your filter regularly, there are many things you can do to improve system efficiency and reduce the risk of costly repairs:

• Use blackout blinds and curtains to prevent your home from heating up during daylight hours, especially if you’re at work during the day.
• Seal all windows and cracks to prevent cool and warm air loss.
• Trim back plants and shrubs growing around your exterior AC unit. Adequate clearance improves airflow and prevents grass clippings and other debris from clogging the unit.

If your HVAC system is over 10 years old, it is time to consider replacement. New, high-efficiency systems deliver significant monthly savings, and your comfort and utility budget could benefit from new, energy-efficient equipment.

Many home and business owners don’t realize that their old AC or heating system is up to 60 percent less efficient than today’s HVAC equipment. In addition, wear and tear or neglected maintenance can also contribute to reduced efficiency. Your Conditioned Air technician may recommend replacement of your HVAC system if:

• You are facing a big repair that may not be worth the cost.
• Your utility bills are continually increasing while your system is becoming less efficient.
• You are building on to your home or facility, and require a larger AC unit.

When you replace your system with Conditioned Air, you’ll enjoy premium, year-round temperature control while saving monthly on utilities. This attractive return on investment may have you wondering why you didn’t replace your system sooner!

There is no cut-and-dried answer to this question. It depends upon your home’s age, square footage, construction type, and insulation type, as well as the performance rating of the system you choose. Conditioned Air's indoor comfort experts will evaluate your cooling and heating needs and conduct a whole-house energy analysis to determine which system will improve your comfort for years to come.

You may have noticed the ENERGY STAR symbol on some of your appliances, including your furnace and AC unit. HVAC systems that have the ENERGY STAR symbol meet stringent energy efficiency guidelines set forth by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy, and are designed to be more eco-friendly than comparable products. Many ENERGY STAR-rated products may also qualify for tax rebates and incentives, so check with your tax specialist to find out more.

When you install a new, energy-efficient HVAC system, you’ll not only reduce monthly energy bills, but you could also receive manufacturer rebates and federal tax credits. The Conditioned Air team knows which products come with these valuable incentives, and we will help you gather the manufacturer certifications required to file for rebates and tax credits. At Conditioned Air, we make it easy to save money while enjoying high-performance home comfort!

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), indoor air may be two to five times and up to 100 times more polluted than outdoor air. Newer homes may suffer from high levels of indoor air pollution because they are tightly sealed and insulated. While this helps with heating and cooling costs, it does not allow your home to "breathe," so it traps contaminants inside. Children, elderly residents and people suffering from allergies and asthma may be at a higher risk for respiratory symptoms when indoor air quality is poor.

The SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) is how the efficiency of your heating and cooling equipment is measured. The SEER is the amount of cooling your system will deliver per dollar spent on electricity, as compared to other systems. For example, a 3-ton unit may have a SEER efficiency rating of 13, 14, or 15. The higher the SEER the more efficient the system will be. The SEER rating of any given unit can range anywhere from 13 to 21.

Each split system cooling unit has a nominal SEER rating. This rating can be increased with the upgrade of the same series indoor unit. The SEER rating of a system is based on the combination of equipment installed in the home. The outdoor equipment (heat pump or air conditioner), as well as the indoor equipment (evaporator coil and furnace, or air handler), play a vital role in the total rating.

Your heating and cooling systems work incredibly hard to perform their functions for your home everyday. The constant stopping, starting and continual operation can wear down any machine if the proper care and maintenance is delayed. However, by performing regular maintenance, you can maximize the lifecycle of your heating or cooling unit and guard against many common equipment failures. Preventive maintenance inspections performed on a regular basis can uncover leaks, rust, rot, soot, frayed wires and corroded electrical contacts. You should have maintenance completed on your system regularly to ensure maximum efficiency and prevent possible problems that may occur in the near future.

Heat pumps and air conditioners require a professional tune-up twice a year; in the spring and fall. Inspections on boiler and furnace systems should include ductwork, pipes, dampers, valves, the chimney, registers, radiators, pumps, blowers, fuel lines, oil tank and every part of the actual furnace and boiler. Meanwhile, heat pump and air conditioning unit inspections should also include inspections of the fan, compressor, indoor coils, outdoor coils, and refrigerant lines.

Since they are electronic, programmable thermostats are more accurate and efficient than thermostats that contain mercury. With programmable thermostats you can control the temperature in your home at different times of day without ever touching your thermostat. Because everything is automatic, you will never forget to change the setting on your own.

Standard filters work to keep your system and its ductwork clean, but they don't really improve indoor air quality. To do that you need a media air cleaner. The media filter rests between the main return duct and the blower cabinet and will improve dust and particle removal up to seven times that of a standard filter. However, upgrading to a pleated media filter will remove everything from dust to airborne viruses from the filtered air. Always choose a filter that matches your blower's capacity. For optimal efficiency and filtration, we recommend that you replace your disposable filters at least once a month. If you have washable filters, they should be cleaned once a month.