Heating & Air Conditioning Frequently Asked Questions
Heating and Air Conditioning units are very durable devices. Most run several hours per day and have a useful life of 15 years or more. Considering their workload and the fact that the units are exposed to wind and rain and hot and cold temperatures outside, that’s pretty impressive.
When homeowners’ air conditioners aren’t working properly, they get curious about how these devices that they often take for granted work. Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about heating and cooling units:
Q: How often should I service my Heating and Air Conditioning system?
A: To keep your HVAC system running in tip-top shape, we recommend a maintenance appointment twice a year (once for heat, once for air conditioning). This way, a TRS technician can check your filters, coils, wiring, housing, motor, and more to make sure you’re getting the most out of your system. Learn more about our Annual Maintenance Program.
Q: What happens when I need a repair on a holiday or weekend?
A: Don’t worry! Whether your problem happens at three in the morning or on the 4th of July, our HVAC service experts are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to get your system back up and running. Just give us a call at 716-825-9911.
Q: What’s the warranty like on a new HVAC system?
A: At TRS, most of our HVAC systems come with a 10-year manufacturer backed warranty, so you can enjoy your system for years to come. We also have great maintenance plans to help you lower your utility bills and extend the life of your equipment at the same time.
Q: Which HVAC System is right for my Home?
A: To answer that best, you’ll need an appointment with one of our HVAC service experts. We’ll come to your home and evaluate its size, heating and cooling needs, environment, and the work we’ll need to do. Then, we can recommend the best system for you and install it quickly.
Q: How do I know if I need a new furnace or air conditioner?
A: If your HVAC system requires constant repairs, is 15 years or older, or can’t heat or cool your home properly, we recommend you replace it. When an HVAC system ages, it doesn’t operate as efficiently and could actually end up costing you more money than it should. Let TRS take a look and provide you a fair assessment and the best advice.
Q: What can I do to lower my energy bills?
A: There are plenty of things you can do to lower your heating and air conditioning bills, such as:
- Install a programmable thermostat so you don’t waste air conditioning or heat when you’re not at home or asleep.
- Switch your incandescent light bulbs to more energy efficient light bulbs, such as compact fluorescents (CFLs) or LEDs.
- Install ceiling fans and, when weather climate allows, use them instead of your air conditioning to cool you down.
- Unplug any appliance that you’re not using. While it may not be turned on, it will still use power from your electrical outlet.
- Make sure windows and doors are sealed properly so that they don’t let air in and make your HVAC system work harder.
- Purchase energy efficient appliances and heating and cooling equipment that are right-sized for our home. Trained technicians will be able to advise you on appropriate equipment based upon your home’s size and location.
How often do I need to change my air filters?
Depending on the outside surroundings and air quality of your house we recommend changing your filter 1-3 months. Once a month is a pretty good rule of thumb for most people. Depending on where you live and how much dirt, pet dander, and other contaminants are present, the answer could be more or less. Check your filter frequently to determine if it’s dirty. If it is, change it.
What size unit do I need?
There’s no easy answer for this one. A lot of factors will go into what size heating and cooling unit you’ll need. The type of house you own, its walls, insulation, attic space, and more can go into determining what size unit is required. A system that is too large could result in a home that’s too humid, causing problems with moisture and mold. A system that is too small will run constantly, running up your energy bill. Only a qualified heating and cooling technician can determine what size unit is best for your home.
If I replace my outdoor unit, do I need to also replace my indoor unit?
In most cases, the answer is yes. There are a variety of reasons why you should replace both the outdoor and indoor units simultaneously. For starters, air conditioner and heat pump outdoor units are manufactured to work with a matched indoor unit. When you mix and match units, it can result in reduced efficiency and performance.
Also, if you bought your indoor and outdoor units at the same time, your indoor unit will probably be approaching the end of its useful life at about the same time as the outdoor unit. By not replacing the indoor unit too, all you’re doing is delaying the inevitable and likely paying higher energy bills at the same time.
By purchasing indoor and outdoor units simultaneously, you’ll get a warranty covering the whole system, meaning that you won’t have to cover the full cost of any needed repairs to your unit during the warranty period.
Should I cover my unit in the fall and winter?
While covering your unit can prevent unwanted debris from accumulating on the unit, it can also cause problems if you try to operate it with the covering in place. If you’re going on a long trip and plan to turn the unit off while you’re gone, feel free to cover it up. Just make sure you disconnect the power source before leaving. We recommend using a piece of plywood to cover the TOP of your unit in the winter months. This will prevent any ice/ icicle damage and rodents getting inside your unit.
What causes AC units to freeze up?
There are a lot of reasons why your air conditioning system might freeze up, and all of them require help from a professional technician to resolve, as only they have the training and correct tools to fix the problem.
Ironically, low refrigerant can cause your system to freeze up. Over time, wear and tear to your system can result in leaks that cause the system to lose refrigerant. When your unit loses refrigerant, it causes the system to freeze up because of low pressure inside the system.
When freon levels are low, the refrigerant still is forced to expand to the same amount. The more that expansion occurs, the cooler the temperature is produced. The colder temperature will cause moisture in the air around your unit’s evaporator coil to freeze, eventually icing up the coil and impeding its function.
Dirty evaporator coils can cause units to lose airflow and, eventually, cause the system to freeze up. Defective blower motors can also cause freezing.
How often should I have my unit serviced?
Heating and air conditioning units need to have scheduled check-ups to make sure everything is operating properly. HVAC experts recommend an annual inspection and service call by your heating and air conditioning company. Technicians should inspect your system, lubricate components, and repair or replace any malfunctioning components.
Why are my ducts making a popping sound when the furnace starts or stops?
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.
What is a zoning system?
Zoning Systems separate your air conditioning system’s ductwork into different segments, allowing you to exercise temperature control in each segment, thus allowing for more targeted and efficient air conditioning.
For example, you may have a room with many windows that gets hot in the summer and which may need more air to cool down, while you may also have a rarely occupied guest room on the other end of the house. With a zoned air conditioning system, you can direct more cold air to the many-windowed room and less air to the unoccupied room. This allows for more efficient use of your AC system and more comfortable home.
What can I do about indoor air quality?
Indoor air quality is a major concern, as many studies show that air pollution is much worse indoors than outdoors. You can improve your indoor air quality with frequent dusting and vacuuming, and you can also have a qualified technician install devices such as UV light units, special air filters, and electronic air cleaners to improve indoor air quality. Poor indoor air quality has been linked to many illnesses, so improving your home’s air quality is an investment worth making.
How do I find out if my unit is under warranty?
Check the label on the outer surface of your equipment to determine its manufacture date. If it’s less than five years old, there’s a good chance that your equipment is covered by a warranty. Contact the manufacturer for more details. Any new equipment purchased from TRS Heating & Air Conditioning, INC offers an outstanding warranty program and will be offered with your purchase.
What’s the best way to extend the life of my unit?
Heating and air conditioning units are a big investment, so it’s understandable that you’d want them to last as long as possible. Reducing usage is always helpful, so turn the thermostat up or down, as needed, to reduce use when you’re not at home. Changing air filters will prevent clogs. Regular maintenance check-ups can also help you ward off any potential trouble spots. TRS offers a great maintenance member plan and can be added on to your service plan or product purchase to lengthen the life of your equipment.
Electrical Frequently Asked Questions
Electrical troubleshooting with your systems and appliances can be a pain. The electrical systems in homes are fundamental to our daily lives, powering everything from lights and appliances to heating and cooling units. These systems are designed to be reliable and long-lasting, often providing uninterrupted service for many years. Considering their constant usage and the critical role they play in maintaining a comfortable and functional home, their durability and resilience are quite remarkable.
When homeowners encounter electrical issues, they naturally become curious about how these essential systems work. Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about residential electrical systems:
Is it normal for my lights to blink or flicker?
Occasional flickering is normal, especially in older homes, however constant flickering should be investigated due to the possibility of loose wires in the light or possibly the service panel.
Is it ok that my dimmer switch feels warm?
Yes it’s normal for switch to feel warm to the touch while in use, but it shouldn’t feel extremely hot. If it does have it checked out.
Why does my gfi outlet trip?
There are a few possibilities, such as a faulty appliance plugged into the outlet or an outlet down circuit. The outlet could be improperly installed or you could have loose or corroded wires or connections.
Do I need a bigger service for my house?
Very rarely does a house need a bigger sized service. You can get an upgrade with newer equipment and keep same breaker size. One of the only reasons that would come into play would be that you added major square footage to the house.
Why do my light bulbs keep blowing out?
There are a few reasons, such as overheating caused by replacing with wrong size. It could be a faulty light or connection, or vibrations from closing or slamming doors can cause filament in bulb to break.
Is that something my husband can do?
There are some minor things that can be done but the majority of electrical tasks should be done by an experienced electrician.
