Frequently Asked Questions.....

How often should I check my filter?

I pay for a service tech to check my heating and air system two times a year. I don't need to be concerned about filter changes, do I? 

What is SEER?

What is AFUE?

Should my outdoor unit be covered in winter?

Can shrubs and flowers be planted around an outdoor unit?

Should the thermostat settings be positioned to the "auto" or the "on" position? 

How long should an air conditioner last?

I have a very old air conditioner, but it still runs well. When is the best time to replace it?

1. How often should I check my filter?
Whether you have disposable, pleated, electrostatic, or electronic filters, one thing they all have in common: they must be kept clean! This is the most common cause for pre-mature failure of air conditioners. You should check them monthly and clean or replace them when it is apparent they are no longer allowing air to pass through them freely.



2. I pay for a service tech to check my heating and air system two times a year. I don't need to be concerned about filter changes, do I?
To keep your house smelling fresh, a clean filter is required more often than 6 months. Imagine 6 months of dirt and debris from dog hair to virus germs to pollen in your filter. Change or clean your filters often and decide for yourself.



3. What is SEER?
The Department of Energy requires an efficiency rating of all air conditioning equipment. A Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating. The basic SEER rating is 10, this is the basic efficiency, higher efficiency units will be rated at 12, 14, 16 and even 18.



4. What is AFUE?
Similar to SEER, the AFUE, The Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency rates the percentage of actual heat being produced maintained in the conditioned area.



5. Should my outdoor unit be covered in winter?
NO! Air conditioners are made to last for years in the outdoors. Atlanta's strange weather makes it nearly impossible to predict and if you forget to uncover it, you could cause serious damage. Heat pumps run nearly year round, and make no sense to try to cover them.



6. Can shrubs and flowers be planted around an outdoor unit?
Yes. However it is recommended that plants be no closer than 18" from the coiled sides of the unit and 36" from the service door, to allow ample room for routine maintenance.



7. Should the thermostat settings be positioned to the "auto" or the "on" position?
When you place the thermostat to the auto position, the fan will cycle on when the heat or cool mode comes on. When the fan is placed in the on position, the fan runs continuously. This is beneficial when an even temperature throughout the house is desired and it also reduces airborne dust and pollen.



8. How long should an air conditioner last?
The average life of an air conditioner/ heat pump in the sub-tropic climate of the Atlanta, GA area seems to be from ten to fifteen years, depending on a variety of particulars such as, care, usage, and probably the most important, a correct installation at the beginning. In northern climates an air conditioner will last longer, simply because they have a much shorter cooling season. On the other hand, our furnaces seem to outlast the furnaces in the north.



9. I have a very old air conditioner, but it still runs well. When is the best time to replace it?
A new air conditioner can save you as much as 50%-60% of the energy consumed by your old unit. You as the home owner must make the final decision. The new units are designed to remove humidity as well as perform quietly and efficiently.