How do I know when it is time to replace my unit?
IAll Comfort recommends replacing any unit where the age of the unit in years times todays repair costs is greater than $4,000.
What is a BTU?
I(British Thermal Unit) A unit in which we measure heat.
What does a 2-ton air conditioner or heat pump mean?
IThis is also a unit in which we measure the air conditioners ability to cool. There is 12,000 BTU's per ton so 2 tons X 12,000 BTU = 24,000 BTU capacity
What does AFUE stand for?
Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency. If you get a bill for $100.00 for using just your furnace, which is 60% efficient, you put $60.00 worth of heat in your home $40.00 worth of heat up your chimney to keep the starlings warm.
What does SEER stand for?
Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. The higher the SEER number on your equipment, the less money you give the electric company.
What size furnace, Ale or heat pump do I need and how much will it
cost?
We offer free whole house estimates to determine the size and provide a no
obligation proposal. Please stop in and see your furnace, AIC or heat pump working prior to installation.
I have allergies, what is the best filter?
Developed during W.W.II to remove radioactive particles from the air in
manufacturing plants, a HEPA filter would be superior. Our HEPA will remove 99.97% of all particles 0.3 microns or smaller that pass through it.
IHow often should I clean or change my furnace filter?
How often you change your furnace filter will depend on the type of filter you use, and how you operate your furnace. Select the type of filter you use from the list below to find out what you should be doing?
DISPOSABLE FILTERS - Disposable filters should be changed every 6 to 8 weeks. Alot of people try cleaning these filters but they are not really meant to be cleaned and may actually become even less efficient. Disposable filters are not very efficient and provide only a basic amount of air cleaning. If you run your furnace fan continuously, cleaning should be performed every 3 to 4 weeks.
WASHABLE FILTERS - Washable filters should be cleaned every 6 to 8 weeks for normal use. If you run your furnace fan continuously, wash filters every 3 to 4 weeks. When you wash your filter be sure to inspect it for wear and tear.
HAMMOCK - Hammock filters are not meant to be washed and should be replaced every 8 to 10 weeks. When~you purchase a replacement hammock filter it may be a "'-- little larger than the metal frame it's attached to. Install the filter on the frame and then trim off the excess.
ELECTROSTATIC AIR CLEANER - Electrostatic air cleaners must be cleaned monthly. To clean them first vacuum the nylon media and then rinse the filter with water. Be sure to rise the filter in the opposite direction from the air flow. Electrostatic air cleaners are very difficult to get very clean so as your filter gets older, clean it even more often. When cleaning inspect it for damage and wear and tear.
ELECTRONIC AIR CLEANER (EAC) - The most important thing to remember about electronic air cleaners is to keep them clean. EACs are very efficient until the cells get dirty and then lose a lot of their efficiency. When cleaning the cells be careful not to break any of the thin wires that run along the outside of the cells. If one of these wires break, the cell current will be broken and will not work. Do not forget to clean the small prescreens as well.
LARGE PLEATED MEDIA FILTER - This is the easiest filter to clean. All you have to do is replace the media cartridge annually. Arrange to have your cartridge replaced at the same time as you have your annual maintenance performed.
What is the life expectancy of a typical air conditioner?
Life expectancy is one of those things that will vary widely from location to location. Obviously a heat pump or air conditioning units in warm climates will probably need "'-- to be replaced more frequently than units in cooler climates. How close you are located to the ocean will also be a factor.
Generally speaking units in the Memphis region tend to last 10 to 12 years.
II have had several quotes for air conditioning and the contractors are recommending a 2 ton unit for my home. Should I have a 2'1/2 ton unit installed, just to be sure?
NO
There is sometimes a tendency to believe that BIGGER is BETTER. Sometimes that maybe so, but not in air conditioning units. Actually with central air conditioners, SMALLER is SMARTER. The first thing an air conditioner has to do to cool your home is to remove humidity from your home. If the air conditioner is too large, the air is supercooled before the humidity is removed. This will make you feel cool and clammy, much like a rainy fall day. An oversized air conditioner will also come on more often for shorter periods of time. When this happens it is very hard on the compressor and can lead to premature burnout.
What is the most important thing to look for when I buy a air
conditioner ?
The most important thing to look for when purchasing new equipment:, has nothing to do with the actual equipment and everything to do with the contractor you choose. The best piece of equipment, if installed incorrectly, will not give you the comfort you deserve.
HVAC equipment, and cooling equipment in particular, requires that great skill and care be taken during the installation process. If just one braze or shoulder joint is not correct it could lead to leaks of refrigerant into the atmosphere, and potential contamination in the refrigerant system. These items could be costly to repair, not to mention time consuming and an aggravation for you.
What do I do if the refrigerant is leaking out of my air conditioner?
Turn your air conditioner OFF.
Call your service contractor immediately. Refrigerant leaking is no simple matter. Gone are the days when it was more economical to just add more refrigerant to the unit and ignore the leak. Today it is against the law to knowingly allow an air conditioner to leak, and it is also very expensive.
I would like to landscape around my central air conditioner how close can I put shrubs and other plants?
This will depend on the type and make of your central air conditioner, however all central air units require some clearance from trees and shrubs to allow for air flow around the condensing coil. Generally speaking you should try and keep any items that may interfere with air flow at least 30" from your unit. To keep dust from getting inside the delicate coils, try and keep a ground cover around your air conditioning unit. Ifyour unit is near a flower bed, a heavy mulch on the bed will keep dust down.
Is it necessary to have my air conditioner or heat pump maintained
regularly?
Absolutely! Annual maintenance on your air conditioner or heat pump can mean big savings on your cooling bills. Some studies have shown that proper annual maintenance can save you up to 30% on your energy bills. A well maintained unit will also last longer and break down less, saving you more money in the long run.
When choosing a contractor to perform your tune-up there are some things you should keep in mind.
• Make sure you get a written checklist of the work performed
• A comprehensive tune-up should take half an hour to perform, anything less
and you may not be getting value for your money.
• Ensure that your contractor is licensed to work with refrigerants. Most states now require that technicians take special refrigerant training.
In addition to professionally performed annual maintenance you also play an
important part in keeping your system operating efficiently by making sure your furnace air filter is kept very clean. A dirty filter will affect the efficiency of a central air conditioning system much quicker than a furnace. Clean or change the filter regularly!
