Frequently Asked Questions

What does SEER mean?

SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. The higher the SEER rating, the more energy-efficient the equipment is. A higher SEER can result in lower energy costs.

Why should I perform preventive maintenance?

Heating and cooling systems work incredibly hard to perform their functions for your household. The constant stopping, starting and continual operation can wear down a machine quickly and unexpectedly if the proper care and maintenance is delayed. However, by performing preventive maintenance, or servicing your system regularly, you can maximize the lifecycle of your heating or cooling unit and guard against many unexpected failures.

What is the most efficient way to run my heating and cooling system?

Here are several tips to help you keep your system running at its most efficient level:

Keep your thermostat at a constant temperature; the recommended temperature is 78º, even when no one is home.

Change your filters every month.

Check the outside condensing unit regularly for any grass clippings or leaves stuck to the coil. If it is dirty:

Disconnect the power at the circuit breaker FIRST!

Use a shop-vac with a brush attachment to vacuum off the debris.

Run water from a garden hose through the coil until the water passing through it is clear.

Turn the power back on.

What type of filter should I use?

Standard furnace filters work well to keep your system and its ductwork clean, but they don’t really improve indoor air quality. To do that you need a media filter. The media filter rests between the main return duct and the blower cabinet and will improve dust and particle removal by seven times that of a standard furnace filter. However, upgrading to a pleated media filter will remove everything from insecticide dust to airborne viruses from the filtered air.

A media filter can have a life exceeding two years, and its only drawback is that its tight fiber weave can cause your furnace to have to work harder to blow air through the house. Always choose a filter that matches your blower’s capacity.