FAQ
What does HVAC stand for?
HVAC (pronounced h-vack or spelled out) stands for Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning. The three functions of heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning are closely interrelated. All seek to provide thermal comfort, acceptable indoor air quality, and reasonable installation, operation, and maintenance costs. HVAC systems can provide ventilation, reduce air infiltration, and maintain pressure relationships between spaces. Your heating and air technician goes by the name of HVAC contractor, and can provide heating repair expertise.
How does my heating and air conditioning system move air throughout my home?
A fan draws indoor air in through vents called return grills located throughout your home. The air travels through ducts that run to your systems’ air handler, where it is returned into the conditioned space through supply vents or registers in your wall, ceilings or floors.
How often should I replace the filter?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The frequency of filter changes is driven by how much your heating and air conditioning system operates, which is also driven by your individual climate.
Start by checking the system’s filters at least once a month. Hold the used filter up to the light and compare it to a clean "spare." When light is obscured by captured dust and dirt particles, the old filter should be changed. Keep a record for one year and then replace the filter on that basis. At a minimum, it is always a good idea to change filters at the start of the heating and cooling seasons and then in between according to your need. Also, it is a good idea to have your heating and air system checked at the beginning of heating and cooling season to insure proper operation. Also the best recommendation to change filter is to inspect visually (whenever it’s dirty)
Why should I replace my working furnace or air conditioner?
Although your present furnace or air conditioner may be working, if it is more than 12 years old you should consider replacing it with a new high efficiency system. A new heating and air conditioning system could save up to 50 percent on energy costs, and save you money in the long run on heating repairs. While these products save you money on your utility bills, they also offer a better degree of comfort within your home.
What is meant by a 'ton' of refrigeration?
Confusingly, the unit has little to do with weight, as used in everyday language. One ton of refrigeration is the term used to refer to 12,000 B.T.U.s/hour (British Thermal Units/Hour) of cooling effect. Thus, a condensing unit with a cooling capacity of 60,000 B.T.U.s/hour is said to have a capacity of 5 tons.
What is a SEER/EER?
Since January 2006, all residential air conditioners sold in the United States must have at least a 13 SEER. SEER is the abbreviation for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio and it is a U.S. government standard energy rating and reflects the overall system efficiency of your cooling system. An EER is short for Energy Efficiency Ratio and doesn’t take into consideration the time of year, but rather the system’s energy efficiency at the peak operating use. Both ratings should be considered in choosing cooling products. The rating is a ratio of the cooling output divided by the power consumption and measures the cooling performance of the system. The Federal government developed an ENERGY STAR program for high efficiency central air conditioning systems that in order to qualify must have a SEER of at least 14.
How does the Clean Air Act impact heating and cooling systems?
The portion of the Clean Air Act that applies to the Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) industry encourages the development of ozone-friendly substitutes for chemicals that contain ozone destroying chlorine, which are called hydro chlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs). The chemical refrigerant of choice for more than four decades, referred to as R-22, is in the HCFC category. R-22 is widely used in heat pumps and AC condensing units to heat and cool homes. Today, a refrigerant called R-410A is used because of its ozone-friendly properties.
What is radon?
Radon is an invisible, radioactive atomic gas that results from the radioactive decay of radium, which may be found in rock formations beneath buildings or in certain building materials themselves. Radon is probably the most pervasive serious hazard for indoor air quality in the United States and probably responsible for thousands of deaths from lung cancer each year. Proper testing can be done for the presence of radon and measures taken to minimize it affects.
Tax Cuts
Tax Credits on Heating and Air Conditioning Installations
We can install a qualifying energy-efficient heating and air conditioning system and Federal Government will pay 30% of the price up to $1,500 as a tax credit. To take advantage of this offer, you must purchase your qualifying high-efficiency comfort system before December 31, 2010.
Your savings won't be limited to a one-time tax credit. You'll continue saving every month with reduced monthly cooling and heating bills.
Slash Your Taxes
The reason many homeowners are so excited about this program is because tax credits, unlike deductions, are subtracted directly from the total amount you owe on your personal income taxes. For example, if you complete your tax return and calculate that you owe the IRS $2,000, a tax credit of $1,500 will reduce your tax bill to only $500. Of course, be sure to check with your tax adviser on how to best take advantage of the tax credits.
More About Your Tax Savings and Energy Savings
To reduce dependence on foreign sources of energy and our carbon footprint, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 provides a tax credit to help offset the costs of making energy efficiency improvements to your home. Some key details of the program are as follows:
- The tax credits apply to qualified Heating and Air Conditioning equipment (including installation costs).
- The amount of the credit is equal to 30% of the installed cost of the qualifying equipment, up to a total of $1,500.
- If a qualifying purchase is not large enough to qualify for the maximum credit of $1,500, the remaining available tax credit can be claimed for additional qualifying purchases.
To learn how you can take advantage of these savings, call us today at
(818) 257-2222 |
