A/C FAQs

Should I cover my outdoor A/C or Heat Pump unit?

No, a cover will hold in the moisture that can lead to early system corrosion. Modern condensers resist winter conditions without one.

Is Two-Stage cooling better?

A two-stage air conditioner or central heat pump operates at either a partial or maximum capacity. This improves the efficiency and comfort delivered by your system by offering longer, gentler cycles, lower sound levels, improved humidity control, and more even indoor air temperatures.

What’s a Variable Speed Compressor? Do I need one?

Variable speed compressors allow your system to run anywhere between 30% and 100% capacity. Variable speed compressors provide the most comfortable climate as they have the longest cycles, best humidity control, are even quieter, and ensure the highest efficiency possible.

Heat Pump? Is that some sort of vacuum?

Central heat pump systems operate like a traditional A/C but can provide year-round comfort, cooling in the summer, and efficient heating in the winter.

In the winter, your heat pump removes heat from the cold outdoor air and transfers it indoors.

In the summer, the system operates conversely, pulling heat from inside your home to the outdoors, effectively cooling your space.

There are three basic types of heat pump systems, central, ductless, and water or ground source.

1. Central heat pumps work alongside an air handler which takes the place of a furnace. Modern central heat pumps offer efficient and reliable performance.
2. Ductless heat pumps, also known as mini-splits, are much different than central systems. Requiring no ductwork, these systems are great options for retrofitting your home, or as a flexible, super-efficient whole house HVAC system.
3. Water or ground source heat pumps operate similarly to air source heat pumps but instead of using the air outside to regulate indoor temperatures, geothermal heat pumps generally use fluid-filled coils installed either in horizontal fields or in vertical boreholes and a pump to transfer thermal energy.

What’s zoning & why is it important?

Zones are independently conditioned predetermined areas within your home. The benefit of having a zoned system is the ability to select what portions of your home are cooled or heated whenever you see fit.

Zoning puts utility savings in your control by allowing you to choose which rooms are conditioned and to what temperature thereby reducing wasted energy.

How is my Central A/C system sized?

A lot of real science and mathematics are included in the methods of calculation when selecting the right size central air conditioner for your home. For instance, one of these methods is a Residential Load Calculation.

Improper system sizing is a very common cause of consumer unhappiness with their AC system. A factory-trained technician from our team will always perform a room-by-room heat loss/gain calculation to acquire an accurate air conditioning load and will size your system based on this data.

A Warning Before You Start Sizing Your Air Conditioner: Buying an A/C that’s too large is a Big Mistake! Installing an air conditioner too large for a space, a ‘short cycle’ occurs. This is when the air compressor doesn’t run long enough to dehumidify the area you’re trying to climate control. A short cycling A/C system isn’t the only concern; in most cases, the system will cycle on and off more often, which translates to an increase in operating costs and an overall reduction in the system’s life.

Proper air conditioner sizing is critical to optimize performance.

Can I add a Central A/C to my existing home?

If your home has ductwork there is a high possibility that a central split A/C can be installed.

If your home does not have existing ductwork installing a central air conditioner is not possible – but there are other options. Ductless heat pumps provide both heating and cooling and are perfect for retrofits and homes without ductwork as their 3” diameter linesets are far less invasive than the installation of traditional ducting.

How long can I expect my A/C to last?

Modern air conditioning systems can operate efficiently for 15 to 20 years when they receive annual preventative maintenance.

How is my A/C efficiency quantified?

Central air conditioning system efficiency is measured by the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio or SEER. SEER ratings are acquired with a simple formula: annual estimated BTU cooling output divided by the electric energy input. The higher the ratio, the more efficient your air conditioning system is.

Is my AC system EnergyStar rated?
EnergyStar is an efficiency program operated by the US Department of Energy. Any central AC system with a SEER rating greater than or equal to 15.0 is EnergySTAR rated.

When should I consider replacing my old A/C?

It depends on a few items, how old your A/C is, what type of refrigerant it uses, and will your A/C system make it through another cooling season.

If your air conditioner was installed in 2004 or before it most likely operates on R22 refrigerant which has been found to erode the earth’s Ozone layer. As a result, should your R22 based AC require any type of compressor service, it will be necessary to change it out.

If your air conditioner is 10-15 years old or older it is most likely closing in on the end of its service life. This becomes apparent when your system starts to become more unreliable or you notice operating costs are beginning to creep up.

If your AC system is showing signs of age but can make it through to the end of the cooling season you may want to consider planning an off-season replacement as planned unit replacements are less costly.

Should I have my indoor coil replaced when my outdoor air conditioner is?

Modern central air conditioning systems are most effective when paired with a matching coil allowing for maximum efficiency. In almost all cases you will want a new matched indoor coil at the same time as you are replacing your outdoor unit.

How frequently should I have my A/C system serviced?

All air conditioning manufacturers recommend that your AC is regularly serviced by a trained HVAC professional. If used as part of a complete heating and cooling system, it should be regularly serviced in both the spring and the fall.

A comprehensive annual maintenance schedule, including a detailed examination and cleaning of the parts that are most prone to failure, namely the air filter, the outdoor fan, the condenser fan, the refrigerant lines, and any condensation removal systems will ensure safe operation, extend machine life, and reduce the chances of unexpected failures.

Can I take a whack at fixing my AC?

If you are experiencing cooling problems, there are a few things you can check before calling us!

Check your AC system’s power:

• Take a look at the circuit breaker panel to ensure that your heating system breaker is “ON”.
• Check your outdoor discount, generally mounted near you outdoor unit to make sure it is “ON”.
• Check your indoor furnace or air handler system switch. Make sure your “SYSTEM SWITCH” is set to “ON”. This switch is typically a traditional toggle switch that may have a RED cover plate.
• What’s the status of your thermostat?
• Ensure your thermostat is “ON”, is set to “COOL”, and the desired room temperature is set lower than the ambient temperature.
• Is your thermostat battery powered? Have you changed your batteries recently? Swap them out to make sure that’s not the issue.
• When was the last time you changed your indoor filter?
• Is your furnace or air handler filter clean? Change your furnace filter and restart your system.
• Take a look at your registers around the house to make sure they are not obstructed.

Other possible issues:

• Modern AC systems have a time delay function, so if your thermostat was off then wait a few minutes before checking again.
• If your system is blowing cool air, but not cooling as well as it should, check your outdoor unit to ensure there is nothing blocking air flow through the outdoor coil. PLEASE NOTE: Be very careful not to damage the fins on your outdoor coil and call us if you need help!
• If your AC system utilizes a condensate pump, take a look to ensure that it is not completely full or water. If it is check the power to the condensate pump. Then if possible empty the condensate pump. If the AC system restarts you may need to have a professional AC tech replace the condensate pump.

Why does my air conditioner run for a prolonged period causing frost/ice to form on the indoor coil and refrigerant lines?

The frost/ice is caused by a lack of airflow across the indoor coil during cooling operation.

To eliminate this issue change your furnace or air handler filter, make sure all registers in your home are open and unobscured, and if either item is the culprit then turn your AC system to fan only to for a while to help speed the thawing process before re-starting your cooling function.