Answers & Information
How do I choose a heating and air conditioning repair company?
- Make sure you are working with a long-term, established company that is licensed, bonded, insured, and has the experience to get the job done.
- Get a referral from your friends and neighbors.
- Choose a company that uses Energy Star products.
- Make sure the company’s technicians have passed a thorough background check and are clean and courteous.
- Ensure that they give you a written itemized estimates.
- Make sure you get a money-back guarantee in writing.
- Don’t go with the cheapest estimate, they may be leaving important parts out!
President of American Air Conditioning and Heating, James Smith, talks about what to watch out for when getting estimates for your HVAC system. Usually when companies price for less, they are leaving things out. Most consumers don’t understand exactly what goes into installing and servicing your heating and cooling systems so companies who price really low take advantage of this. Finding a company that is reputable and offers a 100% money back guarantee is your best bet!
How often should I change my heating and air conditioning filter?
James Smith recommends changing your HVAC filter at least every two months. Dirt and dust can wear out your HVAC equipment as well as hurt your family’s health. If you don’t replace your filter, not only will your home be dustier, but your system will wear out.
How often should I have my heating and air conditioning unit serviced?
Industry experts and utility companies both recommend a service every 6 months. There are components within your unit that need cleaning etc. If you do not keep up with service it will cause bigger problems down the line.
When is it time to replace my heating and air conditioning system?
It may be a good time to call American Air Conditioning and Heating if any of the following applies to you:
- Your heat pump or air conditioner is more than 10 years old. Our energy star qualified equipment uses 20% less energy than standard models.
- Your furnace or boiler is more than 15 years old.
- Your equipment needs frequent repairs and your energy bills are going up.
- Some rooms in your home are too hot or too cold.
- No one is home for long periods of the day and you do not have a programmable thermostat.
- Your home has humidity problems, or the air is too dry.
- Your home has excessive dust.
- Your heating or cooling system is noisy.
How do I choose the right size air conditioning and heating unit for my home?
Sometimes to protect themselves, contractors end up recommending a larger HVAC system than you home needs. Getting a system that is too big for your needs can cause all sort of problems, as in increased utility bills, constant stopping and starting of your unit, and excess draftiness. It is important that your heating and air contractor does heating and cooling load calculation and then has a money-back guarantee.
Are tax credits and rebates available if I get a new HVAC system?
Yes there are federal, state, and local tax credits and rebates are available for select models. For federal energy efficiency tax credits here is a resource to see what is available. Also, here is a site for additional state, local and utility incentives. Also, feel free to contact us and we can help you decide.
What does HVAC mean?
HVAC stands for Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning
What is a SEER Rating?
Here James Smith explains and simplifies SEER ratings. SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. He explains that SEER ratings are just like miles per gallon ratings for your car. The higher the SEER rating, the more efficient your unit is and the less energy it uses.
