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Question:
Why
is the pipe over my window/door/patio dripping?
Answer:
There
is a drain pan under the inside unit to collect condensation from
the evaporator coil. The drain for this pan is usually either
run outside of the house and drains on the lawn, or is tied into the
home's sewer system. There should be a secondary pan under the
primary pan. The purpose of the secondary pan is to catch any
overflow from the primary pan should the primary become clogged with
sludge or develop a hole. The drain for the secondary
pan is usually run over a window/door/patio (someplace visible).
The reason for this is to notify the homeowner of a problem. The only time the
secondary pipe should be draining is if there is a problem with the
primary drain. You should call for Service immediately.
Question:
I am finding black soot in my home and
wonder where it is coming from. Answer:
The
furnace
itself does not produce soot. The soot you see is most likely being
circulated by the furnace but comes from an alternate source.
Today's new construction homes are so air tight that systems may end
up operating on a negative pressure. From the information we have
come across, the most common cause is candle burning, but it may not
necessarily be the case in your situation.
Question:
Do
I need to cover my outdoor unit in the wintertime?
Answer:
Carrier
units are designed to withstand the elements i.e. snow, wind, rain,
sun, extreme heat/cold. You should take care to protect the unit
from damaging items such as ice that may drop from the eaves (simply
putting a piece of plywood on top of the unit would be helpful).
Question: How
often should I change or clean my filters? Answer: Filters
should generally be replaced every month when the system is running.
Replace filters with the same kind and size as original filter. If
your filter is not disposable, follow the manufacturer instructions
for cleaning. Top
Question:
Will
anything help control the humidity in my house?
Answer: Humidity
is a problem in many areas. The best way to control excessive
humidity is to have a system that runs longer at lower speeds.
Variable speed air handling equipment runs at very low speeds, which
keeps the air circulating against the cooling coil and removes much
more moisture than conventional systems. At these low speeds, the
variable speed motor uses much less electricity than conventional
motors. Top
Question: Is
there any advantage to setting my thermostat fan to "ON"
so the fan runs constantly? Answer: There
are a couple of advantages in running the fan constantly during the
warmer months. One is that you get constant filtering of the air in
your home. The other is that because the air is moving, you have a
more even temperature throughout. We
do not recommend running the fan during the Heating season unless
you have
a two story house with an open loft that becomes too warm due
to natural
heat rise from heating the first floor. Top
Question: How
close to the outdoor unit should I plant shrubs or flowers? Answer: Manufacturers
generally agree that plants should not be closer than 18 inches. Air
conditioners need to take in and exhaust air to operate efficiently.
If air cannot circulate, the unit could build up heat and require
service. Top
Question: I
need a new outdoor unit, but my indoor unit works fine. What are the
advantages of replacing my whole system at the same time? Answer: Air
conditioners are designed as matched systems, with an efficiency
rating given for the whole system. If you replace only one part, you
do not get the advantage of many technology changes that make the
system work efficiently to ensure comfort. Also, the indoor system
contains a cooling coil which may be partially blocked by particles
that will decrease efficiency. Further, if your whole system is
replaced, you will be less likely to need service in the near
future. Top
Question:
My
house is so dry in the wintertime. Do I need a humidifier?
Answer: Yes.
In many cases the air inside your home is drier than a desert. Dry
indoor air can cause damage to woodwork, dry nasal passages, cause
eye irritation, and cause itchy and dry skin. By adding moisture to
the air inside your home, the quality of the air that you breathe
improves. Top
Question:
I
have an older humidifier, and it doesn't seem to work well. What is
wrong?
Answer:
Humidifiers
do need servicing. The water panels need changing at least once a
year. Regular maintenance will assure your unit is working
properly.
Top
Question:
My
house is so dusty. What can I do?
Answer:
We
have electronic and mechanical air cleaners available that can reduce the dust in
your house. They are also good for allergies. Indoor air can have up to
four times more pollutants than outside air.
Top
Question:
Do
I need to have my furnace cleaned annually?
Answer:
Yes.
The furnace can become dangerous if not checked annually. The
furnace should be checked for cracks, cleaned, and checked annually
for maximum efficiency.
Top
Question:
Do
I need my air conditioner cleaned annually?
Answer:
Yes.
The outside condensing unit gets dirty as it operates. The outside
coil needs cleaning, as well as the freon level checked, and motors
oiled. If the air conditioner is not maintained properly, your
electric bill will be higher.
Top
Question:
Why
are my electric bills so high?
Answer:
Air
conditioners made more than 10 years ago, are not as efficient as
today's units. also, as units age they lose some of their cooling
ability. The newer models available now can significantly reduce
your electric bills. You may also experience higher bills
when your system is not properly maintained. The cost of having
maintenance performed
on your system is often paid for with lower utility bills.
Top
Question:
My
air conditioner is only 5 years old and it is not working like it
used to. What is wrong?
Answer:
The air conditioning unit
should be cleaned and checked. A dirty unit runs longer using more
energy and runs at a lower capacity.
Top
Question:
My
gas bills have gone out of site. What can I do to lower my
bills?
Answer:
We
have furnaces that are up to 96% efficient. The old furnace can be
as little as 60% efficient. You can also install more insulation in
the attic.
Top
Question:
Can
programmable thermostats really save energy?
Answer:
Yes,
programmable thermostats can save energy and save you money on
utility bills. According to the the U.S. Department of Energy, a
programmable thermostat can reduce heating costs by up to 35% and
cooling costs by up to 25%. Your savings will largely depend on the
length of your energy saving program periods and the temperatures
set. For example, an energy saving period of 10 hours with the
temperature set back 10° will save more than a 5 hour energy saving
period with the temperature set back 5°.
Top
Question:
What
does a programmable thermostat do?
Answer:
Programmable
thermostats automatically change the thermostat's set temperature
between comfort levels and energy saving levels at specified times,
according to the programs you set up. Generally, to save energy, you
would set up 4 program periods for each day - 2 comfort programs and
2 energy saving programs.
Top
Question:
Do
I really need a Preventive Maintenance Service?
Answer:
A
yearly Preventive Maintenance Service on your system is recommended
for several reasons:
1. Increases the life of your system.
2. Decreases energy costs.
3. Problems may be discovered and actions
taken before serious
damage occurs.
Top
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