FAQs
Q: What does HVAC stand for?
A: You may have heard this term before. It is often used in the niche to refer to your heating and cooling system. It literally stands for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning.
Q: What kind of care do I have to do on my heating and air conditioning system?
A: The most effective method to keep your unit performing correctly is by ensuring that it has proper air circulation. When you have unclean air filters, obstructed registers or air vents, or debris around your outdoor unit, then you are not adequately taking care of your unit. Make sure that, as a property owner, that you are very aware of this and keep your system clean. Don’t forget to schedule a tune-up in the preseason. One ought to be set up in the early spring for your cooling system and another ought to be arranged in the fall for your heating system.
Q: How do I comprehend when my AC, furnace, or HVAC system is still under warranty?
A: Figuring out whether your warranty is still active or not will help you know if a needed repair job will be covered. The age of your unit commonly determines if it is covered by your warranty. If it is less than 5 years old, then your manufacturer’s warranty is ordinarily still active. If it is more than 5 years old, then it, more than likely, is not. This, naturally, depends on the manufacturer and the company that installed your system. You can always call SOS XTREME Comfort®, a certified New Hampton HVAC company, to let you know the standing of your warranty.
Q: Should a loud noise coming out of my cooling system and heating unit be something that worries me?
A: A loud heating and cooling system can be bothersome to you and your neighbors. Whether or not your system seems to be running decently, no one needs to know when your system is kicking on or off. This is certainly the situation when your unit is in close vicinity to a bedroom window. Also, sound pollution is a real concern and a loud HVAC system definitely adds to it. The reason that your equipment is so rackety is frequently because of the following:
- Your unit is older
- The type of unit you have
- Your compressor-insulted or not
Fortunately, new systems have sound ratings that you can review. Most present day units are manufactured to be quieter than their earlier counterparts. Sound ratings will direct you as to which model might work best for you. A quieter model will be more suitable if there is a bedroom close by.
Q: What does IAQ mean?
A: IAQ is a term that property owners should understand. It is a term that stands for Indoor Air Quality. In the news reports and media, outdoor air pollution is a familiar theme. That being said, indoor air pollution presents more of a hazard to homeowners than outdoor air pollution. Indoor air pollution is determined as the quantity of pollution that exists within a structure including your home. Exposure to these pollutants is more prevalent than you might realize. Newly constructed houses are built so that there is not enough airflow or exchange between outdoor and indoor air. This is great for energy efficiency but it does lead to a challenge for air quality. A property owner can minimize this challenge by having a system that is made to make improvements to air quality.
Q: What are the sources of indoor air pollution?
A: Indoor air pollution is a concern that should be dealt with by all homeowners. This is particularly the case for property owners who have a newly constructed home. These homes are built so tightly that they do not aerate as well as older homes do. A tightly built home allows the best energy efficiency. However, it implies that homeowners really should have a whole house ventilation system to prevent being exposed. Factors to indoor air pollution are:
- Carpeting
- Home furniture
- Drapes or window curtains
- Upholstery
- Chemical cleaning products
These items give off fumes and gases that accumulate. The build up of these gases and fumes is the leading reason for indoor air pollution.
Q: What should I turn my thermostat to: on or auto?
A: You need to choose the ‘auto setting’. This means that air will be circulated throughout your house on an ‘as need’ basis. It is the more energy efficient setting of the two. When you set your thermostat to the ‘on’ position, it runs all the time. Although this produces a balanced temperature all throughout your home, it also uses a lot more power. It is a good idea to use the ‘auto’ setting so that you don’t have steep home cooling and heating expenses.
Q: I have bought a new furnace and cooling system. How long should I expect it to last?
A: Ordinarily, a new furnace or air conditioner can last about 10-20 years when it is appropriately maintained. Nevertheless, some homeowners elect to remove and replace them faster than that given that as a system ages, it becomes less efficient. Life spans of HVAC systems are different. Correct installation and maintenance are the primary components that affect the life span of a HVAC system. By thoroughly taking care of it, you will make sure that your system runs more efficiently. Make sure to choose a New Hampton HVAC company, like SOS XTREME Comfort®, to maintain your heating and air conditioning system.
Q: How can I make my unit work more efficiently without having to upgrade it?
A: The greatest method to help keep your system running effectively is by just caring for it. You will need to AC your AC serviced in the spring right before you start to use it constantly in the summertime. Additionally, you want to have your heating unit serviced in the fall season before the cold winter season shows up. Research studies verify that house owners who do not maintain their system twice a year, have less efficient systems by nearly 5% -10%. Additionally, as a property owner , you have to replace your filters as often as needed. Be sure to work with filters that have high efficiency ratings in order to keep your system clean. Your system must breathe so do not block off your register or vents. Keep debris away from your exterior unit. You need to enable proper circulation.
Q: I need to invest in a new heating/cooling system. How do I select the appropriate one for me?
A: Most importantly, you will need to think of the size of the unit. Don’t be tempted to buy an over-sized unit, thinking that it will heat or cool your home a lot quicker than a smaller sized one. Some property owners expect that a smaller unit will minimize their home heating and air conditioning expenses. A unit that is too little will not save money on your electric expenses. Some people have the misconception that size is a choice. In reality, it is not. The size of your unit needs to match the size of your ductwork. Otherwise, your home will not feel comfortable and your electric statements will increase. A New Hampton, New York HVAC service provider will be able to help you identify what size your home needs in order to do its job effectively. A carefully sized unit will keep your home comfortable and in an energy efficient manner. Make sure to ask your HVAC expert about operating costs for the brand-new system that you have an interest in. Be sure to select one that pays itself off. New systems are so energy efficient that you will definitely see a difference on your energy bills and that is how you get a return from your investment decision.
Q: I just bought a new cooling and heating unit. Should I have a programmable thermostat put in as well?
A: Property owners are becoming more attentive of the electric use in their homes. A simple product, such as a programmable thermostat, is assisting house owners become more aware of their home heating and air conditioning expenses. It makes it possible for property owners to regulate the temperature of their house based on their necessities and agendas. This saves them a great deal of money given that they do not need to keep in mind to turn the thermostat up or down prior to getting out of the house or just before going to bed. In the hustle and bustle of life, most people forget to do this. As an example, you can set your thermostat to heat up your house right before you rise in the daytime as opposed to waiting for you to get out of bed to do it. You can also do this before you get home from your job. It is quite a convenient, money-saving device.
Q: Will a new New Hampton HVAC system lower my electrical bills?
A: New HVAC units are more energy efficient than their previous equivalents . By requirement, they need to have a 13 SEER or Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. This indicates that they are exceptionally energy efficient. There are also styles that have a higher SEER rating than 13. The higher the rating, the more energy efficient that it is. With a 13 SEER, you can save as high as 50% on operating costs.
Q: The temperature inside of my house is fine but my unit’s fan seems to be working all of the time. What should I do?
A: Check your thermostat. People mistakenly set it to the on position rather than the auto position. The on setting makes your fan to blow continuously which uses more energy.
Q: Can I close off doorways and vents to rooms that aren’t ordinarily used?
A: There is a widespread mindset among homeowners that if you close doors or vents to rooms that are not typically used, then you will reduce your energy bill. This is absolutely incorrect. Your unit is installed to match the ductwork on your property. When you close off an air vent or door, then the air needs to go somewhere. It produces a lot of pressure which then your blower, or the heart of your HVAC system, will need to compensate for. It works harder and spikes up your utility expense.
