Why clean and service your HVAC unit?
Having your HVAC unit cleaned is like changing the oil in your car. By having it done you extend the life of your unit. A dirty coil impedes air flow that is vital to your unit's operation. A dirty coil will drive up your unit head pressures and could possibly damage your compressor. That would be a costly major repair.
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Is ice forming on my unit normal?
If you have a heat pump and are in the heating mode, a light frost may appear. This is normal. If the layer of frost becomes a thick coating of ice, then you have a problem that needs to be looked into. If you are in the cooling mode and have ice forming, you also have a problem that needs to be addressed.
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What does the SEER rating mean?
The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio is the energy efficiency rating for air conditioners. The higher the SEER rating, the better the energy performance, the more you will save on your energy bill. As of January 2006, the minimum SEER rating is 13 SEER.
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Is it ok if I put mulch around my unit to make it look nice?
This is a very bad idea. Your unit sits outside year round through all kinds of weather. Just a little wind is needed to blow some of the mulch up against your unit. The unit could suck it into the coil where it then clogs the unit's air flow and that could cause a problem.
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Why is it important to have your gas unit checked prior to the heating season?
This is a matter of life and death. The heat exchanger in your unit could have a hole(s) in it, or maybe a crack. This could possibly cause your unit to emit carbon monoxide. This is a odorless, tasteless, gas that can and will kill you if the levels are too high. We recommend a carbon monoxide detector should be installed in homes with gas heating.
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How do I know what size unit my house should have?
A good rule of thumb is this. For each 600 square feet of living space = 1 ton. So if you have a 2400 sq ft home, you would most likely need a 4 ton unit. There are other factors involved, such as a house with lots of windows, or high ceilings. We suggest that you have us come out and give an exact evaluation of your home.
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REPAIR OR REPLACE?
How do I weigh replacement costs versus making a costly repair?
A good rule of thumb is to take the repair costs and multiply it by the number of years old your unit is. If your total is $4000.00 or more, then you should replace it. This mainly pertains to major repairs such as compressor or heat exchangers.
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What does AFUE mean?
AFUE = Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency- A furnace efficiency in converting gas(natural or L.P.) to energy, the higher the rating the more efficient. With an 80% furnace, 80% of each dollar you spend on gas stays in your home and 20% goes up the flue. EXAMPLE: If you change from a 80% to a 93% you will add 13% more heat to your home, and only 7% is going up the flue.
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