FAQ

Good indoor air quality is one of the most significant benefits of getting your air ducts professionally cleaned. Ducts can harbor allergens like pollen and pet dander, which can re-enter your living space through the supply registers.

An HVAC diagnostics test typically includes a thorough scan of thermostats, electric connections, and all moving parts to ensure that they are functioning properly and not over worn.

Signs include visible dust buildup, mold growth, strange odors, and a decrease in indoor air quality.

Have your system inspected by a professional HVAC contractor in the spring and fall to coincide with the cooling and heating seasons. This will ensure everything from the blower (the internal motor) to the thermostat is running smoothly and your house will stay warm and cool when you want it to.

Change your filter every three months (each season) for 1-inch filters, or more frequently if you have pets, smoke or allergens in the house, all of which make filters work harder. Each house or unit has a different filter size (some have more than one filter), so check the filter size(s) before you purchase.

Popping noises are usually indicative of ducts that are too small to manage the airflow your system is generating. Qualified air conditioner repair specialists can evaluate your ductwork and make necessary adjustments.

Air ducts are the passages to connect and move the warm or cool air to the house. Ducts need to be professionally cleaned (so they don’t get contaminated.), insulated and sealed. Leaky air ducts lead to poor airflow and quality. Sealing ducts in unfinished spaces (attics, basements and crawl spaces) can improve efficiency by as much as 20 percent.

The professional will inspect the mechanics, but you should walk by the outdoor unit every few weeks to remove leaves, weeds and debris, which can collect around the machine and become blocked, causing damage.

Geothermal heating is the most natural heating source you can use. This type of heating draws the heat that exists under the earth’s surface and draws it up into your home. If you are looking to reduce your utility bills, geothermal heating could bring you savings of up to 70 percent.

The purpose of the condenser is to receive the high-pressure gas from the compressor and convert this gas to a liquid. It does it by heat transfer, or the principle that heat will always move from a warmer to a cooler substance.

A refrigerant is a working fluid used in the refrigeration cycle of air conditioning systems and heat pumps where in most cases they undergo a repeated phase transition from a liquid to a gas and back again.

Plenum is a box that connects to the HVAC system. It has a critical function and that is to bring in, distribute, and remove air. Each HVAC system typically uses two plenum boxes: a supply plenum and a return plenum.

When temperatures dip below 40 degrees, the heat pump is designed to run almost constantly to keep your home comfortable.

Clogged filters are one of the most common furnace problems during cold months. A clogged filter can cause reduced airflow and reduce your system's efficiency by up to 15%.

AUTO means that the fan turns on automatically only when your system is heating or cooling air. ON means that the fan is constantly on and blowing air when your HVAC system is not heating or cooling air.

The life expectancy of a heat pump depends on several factors, such as the type of heat pump, your location, and how well the heat pump is maintained. Heat pumps normally last an average of 15 years, though some can wear out after a decade.

Furnaces use gas to generate heat, so they can be dangerous just like a stove. Regular furnace maintenance reduces HVAC repairs or replacements.

A carbon footprint is a measure of the impact our activities have on the environment, and in particular climate change. It relates to the amount of greenhouse gases produced in our day-to-day lives through burning fossil fuels for electricity, heating and transportation etc.

You don’t have to sacrifice your comfort in order to reduce the carbon footprint in your home. Upgrading to a smart thermostat, investing in ENERGY STAR appliances, and installing a ductless system are all ways you could reduce your carbon footprint.

Also called radiant heating, a hydronic system circulates hot water or another heated liquid through plastic piping installed beneath the floors, in baseboards, or through radiators. Hydronic heating allows you to precisely control the temperature in specific zones throughout your home.

Poor airflow is usually the result of a poorly designed duct system. When your system isn’t sealed tightly enough, or an air leak goes undetected, airflow passes through your system unevenly.

If you only need to cool a small space, window units are much more cost effective than central AC units. If you're cooling more than five rooms, however, central air conditioning is your best bet.