Frequently Asked Questions
Q: I
know you guys service air conditioners, but do you install new
systems?
A: Absolutely.
We routinely install new
A/C systems Monday thru Friday and even on Saturday if required.
Q: I
just saw a Tune-Up advertised for $29.95. Why do you
charge nearly twice as much?
A: Ahhhh.
My favorite question. With the cost and overhead of
running a business today, a contractor WILL LOSE MONEY if they
charge only $29.95 for a tune-up. We often
see dishonest companies use a teaser rate like $29.95 to entice
you to let them in your home. Once there, they usually
"find"
several things wrong with your system. Your $29.95 tune-up can quickly turn into a $295.00
call. Many of these companies send out untrained,
commission-based "technicians" to do these tune-ups. The
more they "find" wrong, the more money they make. Beware of
all deals that seem too good to be true. It is much better
to find an honest contractor that charges a fair price for their
work and isn't looking to gouge you. Air
Factor would like a chance to earn your trust. Try us and see.
Check our references.
Q: What
brands of Air Conditioners do you service?
A: Air
Factor technicians are qualified to work on ALL MAKES AND
MODELS.
Q: After
my air conditioner runs for a while, ice forms on the big pipe
outside and it stops cooling. What could be the problem?
A: More
than likely, it’s either low on refrigerant or low on airflow.
As a homeowner, replace your filter and allow the unit to thaw
out. If the problem reoccurs, call Air Factor to schedule
service on your system. We recommend having annual maintenance
performed to keep your systems in peak operating conditions. Ask
your Air Factor representative about our energy saving Maintenance Agreement program.
Q: How
big of a furnace or air conditioner do I need for my home?
A: The
only way to size a furnace or air conditioner for your home is
to do a heat load calculation and to inspect your duct work and
air distribution system. The capacity needed is based upon how
quickly your home gains or loses heat, not by square footage
alone. Manual J is an industry-approved method that Air Factor
uses to insure the proper system is selected for you and your
home.
Q: What
does SEER and AFUE mean?
A: SEER
stands for “Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio”. Basically it
tells you how efficiently it converts electricity to cooling
comfort. The higher the SEER rating, the more efficient the
system. By federal law all units must be a 13 SEER or higher. The SEER rating is similar to
fuel efficiency of a car. The higher the miles per gallon
(SEER), the less you spend on gasoline (electricity).
AFUE stands for “Annual Fuel Utilization
Efficiency”. This rating tells you how much of your heating
dollars are converted to heat energy put into your home and how
much is lost up the flue pipe. Most older furnaces are 50% to
60% efficient. That means that for every dollar you spend for
gas from your utility company, $.40 to $.50 cents are being sent
up the flue pipe to the outdoors. Federal law mandates that all
furnaces being produced today be at least 80% efficient. (example: With
80% efficiency, that means that
for every dollar you spend on gas from the utility company $.80
is converted to heat your home and only $.20 is sent out the
flue pipe.)
Q: During
the winter the fan occasionally shuts off on my heat pump
outside unit, then restarts with a big puff of smoke. What is
wrong with it?
A:
Nothing is wrong with your unit. What appears to be smoke is
actually
steam from the outdoor coil after it completes a defrost cycle.
After extended run times the outdoor unit will start to build
frost or ice on the coil. The system is designed to go in a
defrost mode when needed to clear the ice away and keep the
efficiency level up.
Q: My
furnace and air conditioner are both new, do I really need to
have it cleaned?
A: Even though your system is new, it still
should have
annual maintenance performed. Most manufacturers require regular
maintenance by qualified people to keep the warranty
in effect. Keeping your system maintained will give
you assurance that it is operating at peak efficiency and
safety. Air Factor offers Maintenance
Agreements Plans that allow you to completely forget about maintenance
hassles. We will automatically schedule the maintenance
for you each year and take care of everything.
Q: Where
should my thermostat be located?
A: To
assure accurate temperature control, the thermostat should be
mounted on an inside wall in a frequently occupied space that
best represents the building’s temperature. The thermostat
should be mounted at least 18” from any outside wall and
approximately 5’ above the floor. DO NOT place the thermostat:
- Behind doors, in corners or
other dead air spaces
- In direct sunlight or near
lamps, appliances or other sources of heat
- On an outside wall or a wall
exposed to an unconditioned space (e.g., garage, etc.)
- In the flow path of a supply
register, in stairways or near outside doors
- On a wall where concealed
pipes and/or ductwork will affect the thermostat
- Near sources of electrical
interference such as arcing relay contacts
Still have a question? Send us a note by
clicking here.
We may not always have the answer, but we know where to find it.
We will do our best to answer your question ASAP. You can
also call us at 480-706-3333.
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