FAQ’s for Your AC System
Q. When should I replace my air conditioner?
A. The life expectancy of an air conditioner varies from climate to climate, the average age at replacement is 13 years. Your personal threshold for discomfort in sticky weather may cause you to replace your system every 10 years, or even when a major repair is needed. Medical conditions, empty or uncomfortable areas or your home, and a few other factors cause many homeowners to add a supplemental ductless heating and cooling system and see how many years they can get out of their central cooling system.
Q. Why is my AC system leaking water?
A. The primary function of an air conditioner is to remove sticky water from the air and put it into a drain. When sized correctly, the cooling effect is often secondary or incidental. Many times, the drain can become obstructed from dirt, especially if the air filtration system is poor.
The other reason an ac leaking can be more serious- ice! When refrigerant levels are low and/or airflow is restricted the AC coil by your furnace or air handler freezes. When this happens, water collects & turns to ice and grows larger than the drain system, then defrosts. This water can infiltrate dark places and grow mildew, or even affect electronic components, damaging your HVAC system. Inspect carefully with the power off and good a flashlight to see where the water is starting from. Many times, a hand from an HVAC pro can save you lots of frustration.
Q. Is it necessary to service my AC every year?
A. Servicing the AC every year is the best way to stay ahead of any problems or major repairs. A malfunctioning system in extremely hot temperatures is not only uncomfortable but it is also unsafe. An annual tune-up by a professional & licensed HVAC contractor ensures your system is clean & is operating both efficiently & safely.
Q. How often should AC coils be cleaned?
A. AC coils should be cleaned every year during the spring/summer months to prevent any pricy repairs or problems. During an AC Cleaning a licensed HVAC technician will check the coil for cleanliness, leaks & refrigerant levels. All gas & electrical components are inspected for safety & performance. Your technician will inspect & change your filters, but it is also important to regularly change your filter every month in between seasonal tune-ups of your HVAC system.
Q. What is the best time to buy an air conditioner?
A. It’s probably time to consider replacing your air conditioner if you are investing a lot of money into repairing it. It’s best to replace your air conditioner before the extreme temperatures arrive to ensure continued comfort & safety.
Q. How can I save money on my AC?
A. If you are purchasing a new AC be sure to request a few estimates from professionally licensed contractors. When comparing quotes take into consideration the following: 1. Research the HVAC Contractors' reputation, skill & background 2. Study the reviews & quality of the manufacturer who makes the Equipment 3.Compare pricing & find the best balance between a qualified contractor & quality equipment. It’s not every day that you purchase an AC so think of what you are actually receiving when making this investment. Don’t try to save money by doing it yourself or hiring a handyman or anything but a licensed professional HVAC contractor, this will only cost you more money and will void your manufacturer warranty. Hiring a professional will save you money on your AC & will be sure to keep you cool & comfortable all summer long.
Q. Do air conditioners need to be serviced?
A. For optimal performance air conditioners need to be serviced every year to ensure proper operation & efficiency. An AC tune-up will include cleaning condenser coils, testing the refrigerant levels, inspecting the indoor blower motor & wheel & checking for leaks & debris. Neglecting annual maintenance could result in decreased performance & efficiency & can also lead to pricey repairs.
Q. Do split system air conditioners need servicing?
A. Yes, annual maintenance is strongly recommended for split system air conditioning systems. It’s important to keep the outside unit clean & clear of any debris. Changing the filters, cleaning the coil & condenser as well as checking all electrical components & refrigerant lines will ensure your system is operating at peak performance.
Q. What are split system air conditioners?
A. Split system air conditioners or ductless systems allows you to create a comfortable indoor environment in spaces where adding ductwork might be impractical, inefficient, or too expensive. High-quality, low-cost wall-mounted units provide zoned comfort solutions. Split systems are the perfect solution for sunrooms, hot or cold rooms, media rooms, lofts, garages, basements, bonus rooms, offices, additions & any older homes without existing ductwork. Ductless heat pump systems pump cooled or heated refrigerant directly to air-handling units through small pipes. Each living space has its own air-handling unit, and each unit has its own wireless electronic temperature controller.
Q. What AC unit is best for my home?
A. It’s important to receive a quote from a professional, licensed HVAC Contractor to ensure proper & accurate measurements can be used to calculate the proper size AC Unit to install. It’s also best to consider how long you will be staying in your home. If you have no plans on moving in the near future you should make the initial investment in a high efficient AC unit so that you will benefit from the energy savings on a monthly basis. If you do not plan on staying in your home, or are trying to sell your house in the near future, you may want to go the less expensive route & go with a basic model since you will not be receiving the benefits of the initial investment of energy savings on a monthly basis.
Make sure to purchase a quality name brand like Trane products to allow peace & comfort knowing your AC has undergone rigorous testing & guarantees high-quality performance & reliability. Installing a high-end brand ensures you will not experience your unit breaking down or requiring expensive repairs in the near future. Going with a higher-end brand also comes with great warranties from the manufacturer so in the event your unit does require a repair, your manufacturer will cover the parts warranty.
Q. How long do AC units last?
A. On average an AC unit that is properly maintained will last 10-15 years. Neglecting to perform annual, routine maintenance tune-ups by a certified HVAC Contractor will significantly decrease the lifespan of the unit. Similar to getting regular maintenance & oil changes on a car, if you do not properly attend to it you will be sure to experiences the equipment will break down frequently which leads to expensive repairs.
Q. Should I cover the outdoor unit of my system during the fall and winter?
A. When covering the ac, it is important to do it with a breathable cover. All we are really looking to protect is the fan and the blades from ice and snow buildup.
Q. How do I clean my air conditioner filter?
A. Depending on the type of air filter you currently have you may need to change it every month or 3 months – some filters only require a clean/replacement every 6 months. The best way to find out the method to clean your air conditioner is to contact a professional HVAC contractor so they can perform a thorough cleaning & properly maintain your air conditioner.
Q. How does air conditioning actually work to cool my home?
A. With a traditional central heating & cooling system, your air conditioner cools the air in your home through the ductwork & provides a process drawing out the warm inside air, removing the heat. The outdoor unit, otherwise known as the condensing unit, then turns the refrigerant vapor back into a liquid removing any heat & filling the room with cool air.
Q. Do I need an indoor or outdoor AC unit?
A. You need both the indoor unit & the outdoor unit in order to successfully operate & promote the cooling benefits of your air conditioning system.
Q. Where is the best place to install an AC unit for maximum coolness in most rooms of a house?
A. Every home is different; therefore, each home has it’s own unique “best place” to install an AC unit for maximum coolness… It’s best to have a professional, experienced comfort specialist come to your home to provide you with an estimate for your replacement system that best suits your home’s specific needs. Our Comfort Specialist will properly test, assess & provide recommendations based on a Manual J Load Calculation. This calculation incorporates things like the square footage of the home, the year your home was built, the materials your house was built with, the draft coming from your windows & doors, the direction your walls face, along with many other items that will be used to determine the very best heating & cooling equipment to fit your specific home’s capacity & needs.
Q.How long does it take to install an AC unit?
A. On average, a direct replacement & installation of an air conditioning unit takes around 4 – 6 hours. Additional time may be required depending on factors such as if the installation team is replacing the coil, disconnect, lineset, flushing the lines, replacing the ac pad, setting the ac on brackets, etc. along with any other variables that may have been included in the agreement for the AC installation.