If you’re a homeowner looking to install or change up your cooling or heating services, it is not always easy to know the right move. Between selecting different companies, outdoor and indoor units, varying thermostats, and more, it can, in fact, be quite difficult to make informed choices. Finding the right AC unit should not be such a huge chore, so we are here to provide some answers to the most commonly asked questions people have about cooling services, heating services and more.
How Do I Find the Right Company?
If you have looked into replacing your home’s air conditioning unit or heater, you know that there are an abundance of choices for you to consult about the proper route for heating and cooling your home. It’s important to shop around, so call some local companies and find out if they will do free quotes and come out to your home to see what they recommend. If you have the time, do this a few times to make sure you get a good feel for what they agree upon. From there, compare prices for what you want between the companies in your area. Also be sure to check out local reviews, as they can be a hugely helpful resource in finding a quality company.
There Are So Many Acronyms, What Do They All Mean?
There are quite a few confusing acronyms used to talk about different things when it comes to a heating and air conditioning service. Terms such as SEER, AFUE, and HSPF have little meaning in layman’s terms.
SEER refers to the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating of a unit, which measures how energy efficient it is. The higher the number, the better.
AFUE stands for Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency. This number will be a percentage, and again, the higher the better here. It quantifies how much of your energy costs are actually converted into heat. Lower-end furnaces often have about 80%, but others can get as high as 95% or more.
HSPF means Heating Seasonal Performance Factor, and it’s a number that measures the efficiency of air conditioning units. Similar to the others, the higher the better here.
Another common acronym seen in the industry is HVAC. This one stands for heating, ventilation and air conditioning, and is often used to refer to the industry as a whole.
How Often Should I Replace My Air Filter?
This answers depends on how much use your system gets. Check your filter once a month. Hold it up to a light and see how much dust blocks the light. You want the light to be able to shine through the filter. If it’s blocked by dust and other debris, you’ll want to change the filter.
Do I Need To Worry About Radon?
Radon is a major cause of lung cancer due to its pervasiveness in many older building materials. It can be very beneficial to have your home tested for radon, especially if you have an older HVAC system.
Have you had your cooling or heating services replaced? How was your experience? Do you have any tips to share with others? Let us know your thoughts down in the comments!
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