A/C Repair FAQ’s

You may wish to consider replacing your air conditioning or heating system if it is old, inefficient or in need of repair. Today’s systems are as much as 60% more efficient than those systems manufactured as little as ten years ago. In addition, if not properly maintained, wear and tear on a system can reduce its efficiency. If you are concerned about utility bills or are faced with an expensive repair, you may want to consider replacing your system rather than enduring another costly season or paying to replace an expensive component. The utility cost savings of a new unit may provide an attractive return on your investment. If you plan on financing the purchase, the monthly savings on your utility bill should be considered when determining the actual monthly cost of replacing a system. The offsetting savings may permit you to purchase a more efficient system.

Many factors affect the cost of a heating or air conditioning system, including the size of your home, the type and condition of the duct work installed and accessories you might need such as a thermostat or an electronic air cleaner. We have a complete range of systems and accessories available to meet all your needs, including your financial ones!

First, make sure the unit is properly sized. We will provide a load calculation for your home and an energy analysis to determine operating cost. Next, consider any comfort issues in the home. Some products can reduce air stratification and uneven temperatures from room to room. If you have allergies, an indoor unit with an ECM motor will allow you to circulate the air in your home continuously while filtering the air for about the same cost as operating a standard light bulb. Finally, know your budget parameters and the efficiency of the system being proposed. Does the system offer a payback? In other words, will the monthly savings over time offset the cost of the new unit or efficiency option being considered?

Aside from the placement of the new equipment, we will inspect several items and make a determination of whether or not these items need to be supplied or replaced. Some of the items include: duct work, insulation, refrigerant piping, electrical service, wiring, thermostat, condensate piping, slabs, filter, driers, registers, grills, drain pans and evaporator coil.

If a system is being added to the home for the first time, most of the items noted in the previous question and answer may be required to install the new system. Besides the equipment, the most significant component is duct work. The duct work can be either metal or fiberglass duct work. The duct work needs to be properly sized to deliver the right amount of air to each room. The duct work consists of supply and return duct work. The supply duct is attached to the outlet of the air handler and delivers air to individual zones in your home. We will help you determine the size of the duct work going into a space by the amount of air that needs to be delivered to the space.

If you have a qualified technician perform regular preventative maintenance and service suggested for your unit, industry averages suggest that an air conditioner should last 15 years.

With the proper attention, heating and cooling systems can keep you comfortable year-round. Air conditioning and heat pumps need a yearly professional tune-up. A close inspection will uncover leaks, rust, rot, corroded electrical contacts and frayed wires. A check of the heat pump should include an inspection of the compressor, fan, indoor and outdoor coils and refrigerant lines. Indoor and outdoor coils should be cleaned, and the Freon pressures should be checked.

When replacing your air conditioner or heat pump, the answer is most likely yes. The efficiency ratings that are advertised for an air conditioner or heat pump are based on the performance as part of a matched system. If only the outdoor portion is changed, the efficiency and savings could be less than that of a matched system.