FAQ

A: The size of your furnace can have a large impact on both your home’s comfort and your utility bills. Therefore, before purchasing a new heater, it is important to have the size and heating needs of your home assessed by a reputable and trusted professional.

Signs your furnace is too big or small:

• Your furnace constantly cycles on and off (too big)
• Your furnace is always on (too small)
• Your home is never warm enough, even though the furnace is always running (too small)
• Your utility bills are extremely high (could be too big or too small or a number of other problems)

A: Carbon monoxide is a deadly odorless and colorless gas that results from incomplete combustion. To protect your family, install a carbon monoxide detector if you have any gas appliances, including a stove, water heater, dryer, fireplace or furnace.

Second, maintain your appliances. Follow the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance on your other gas appliances and get annual tune-ups for your furnace and water heater to make sure they are not leaking any of the dangerous gas into your home.

A: We live in the desert so dry air is just part of the deal. However, the air in your home can become even more dry and uncomfortable in the winter. This is because cold air cannot hold as much moisture as warm air. So although your heater does not remove humidity, it decreases the relative humidity by heating the air.

Dry air is not only uncomfortable but can also cost you money by damaging your home furnishings and increasing your energy bill. For Phoenix area residents struggling with dry air, we recommend a whole-home humidifier.

A: Uneven temperature distribution is a common problem in many Arizona homes and there can be numerous reasons for the problem. Your best solution is to contact a HVAC professional who can diagnose your system. Here are few of the ways they may suggest fixing the problem, depending on your circumstance.

• Seal your ducts – If your air ducts are leaking, the rooms farthest from your heating and cooling equipment will not be getting the air they need.
• Zone your home – A zoned system lets you control the temperature of each area of your home individually using multiple thermostats.
• New ductwork – Improperly designed ducts may not be delivering the correct amount of air throughout your home. Or insufficient return ducts could be suffocating your heating and cooling equipment.
• New air conditioner/heater – Your equipment may be sized incorrectly and not able to adequately heat or cool your whole home.

A: The scientific community is in agreement: the quality of the air you breathe affects your health. Health problems like heart attacks, strokes, cardiovascular disease and respiratory complications have all been linked to poor air quality. It is part of the reason that such strict air pollution guidelines have been handed out by the federal government.

However, did you know that the quality of the air in your home could be up to 100 times worse than the worst outdoor air? So while the government is working to clean up the air outside your home, are you making an effort to do the same in your home? You should be concerned about your home’s indoor air quality because it affects you and your family’s health.

A: If there is water leaking around your furnace when your air conditioner is running, you probably have a clog in your drain line or a hole in your drain pan. It is normal for water to collect (condensation from your air conditioner dehumidifying your home’s air), but the water should be draining outside your home through a drain line.

Make sure you get the leak fixed promptly as even a small leak can cause water damage or lead to mold and mildew growth. 

A: Changing your HVAC system’s air filter is one of the easiest and cheapest things you can do to keep it running correctly. We highly recommend that you check your air filter at least once a month (or every 30 days).

Clean or replace your air filter whenever it is visibly dirty. A dirty air filter restricitcs airflow to your air conditoner and heater, resulting in higher energy costs, more repairs and a shorter system lifespan.

A: This is a question we get fairly regularly during the summer. Without a comprehensive analysis of your home, it is difficult to pinpoint one specific cause of your high air conditioning bills. However, here are some of the top reasons:

• Old, unsealed home
• Insufficient attic insulation
• Leaking ductwork
• Incorrectly sized air conditioning unit
• Old cooling equipment

For more specific information on how we can help you reduce your air conditioning costs, contact us online.

A: It is normal for air conditioning systems to leak refrigerant over time. Some systems may lose several ounces a year, which means after several years it is not unusual for your air conditioner to need some additional refrigerant. If your AC is blowing warm air or just not cooling your home as well as it used to, it may need to be recharged with additional refrigerant. Many homeowners may not be able to tell their air conditioner is in need of refrigerant, but the low charge could be affecting its efficiency. Also, poor cooling could be a result of something else. Therefore, it is recommended that a skilled professional with the proper equipment tests your system and diagnoses your air conditioner. If you have a maintenance agreement, this is part of your annual air conditioning tune-up.

A: By zoning your home, you have more control over different areas of your home without the need to regularly adjust the thermostat to reach a desired level of comfort. Rooms inside your home that are traditionally warmer than others are easy to control without placing extra strain on your HVAC system.

A: Regular maintenance is vital to the performance and lifespan of your heating or cooling system.

Benefits of regular maintenance include:

• Help system perform efficiently and cut down on high energy costs
• Prolong the life-span of the equipment Help eliminate the risk of unexpected and costly repairs
• Maintain manufacturer’s warranty
• Ensure system is running without risk to your health or safety

A: Programmable thermostats allow you to customize your temperature settings based on your needs and lifestyle. With programmable thermostats, you can create custom schedules so your home is comfortable when you need it to be. When you’re not running your heating or cooling system excessively, the energy savings are enormous.

A: It is normal to notice an odor because dust collects on the heat exchanger over the summer, and when you turn on the furnace, it is burning that dust off. When you run the furnace for he first time, you can open your windows to air out the odor. Carbon monoxide is odorless so you have nothing to be worried about there. It is always a good idea to use a carbon monoxide detector to ensure your safety. To be certain your furnace is running clean and safe, it’s best to schedule maintenance before the heating season kicks into full gear.

A: The air duct system is an important component to your overall home heating and cooling system. Ducts control the distribution of air throughout your home. Poor duct performance contributes to uneven distribution of air and inconsistent levels of comfort from room to room. Air Ducts that are damaged, improperly installed, the wrong size or leaking can diminish the ability your system has to perform at it’s best.

A: Heat pumps are great for climates with moderate heating and cooling needs and offer energy-efficient alternatives to more traditional heating and cooling methods. Heat pumps work by transferring heat from one location to another rather than generating heat. During the winter, heat pumps move heat from the cool outdoors into your home and in the summer months heat is transferred from inside your home, outside.

A: Heat pumps are great because they can warm or cool your home depending on the time of year.

Benefits of using a heat pump to warm or cool your home include:

• Year-round cost savings
• Enhanced humidity and temperature control
• Provides even temperatures throughout your home
• Uses less energy to heat or cool your home
• Not dependent on fossil fuels which leads to price fluctuations