Frequently Asked Questions
Should I have my furnace and air conditioner checked every year?
Yes.Having the units checked every year means less breakdowns and extends the life of the condenser and furnace or boiler.In the case of older furnaces,safety becomes more of a concern,as well.
Do I need a humidifier?
Yes.The range of comfort for humans is 45-55% humidity.Levels of humidity drop in the winter to as low as 10%.Low humidity promotes disease and ill health and causes cracked,dry skin and chapped lips.Low humidity is also not desirable for pets, furniture,woodwork,wood floors,electronics,etc....
What does SEER mean? AFUE?
SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating.The higher the rating,the more efficient an air conditioner is.Higher rated SEER units cost more initially,but pay for themselves much quicker in the form of lower energy bills.Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) is the comparable rating for furnaces and boilers.Again,the higher the rating,the more efficient a furnace or boiler is.SEER ratings range from 13 to 20 SEER and AFUE ratings range from 78% to 96% AFUE.
What's the best furnace to purchase?
There are many quality brands available.But a higher efficiency is more desirable because again, the unit will recoup it's cost much quicker than a lower efficiency unit.We recommend a 90%+ efficient furnace or boiler.The percentage translates roughly to a home owner getting 90-95 cents worth of heating for every heating dollar spent.
How often should I change my furnace filter?
Every house is different.But a good rule of thumb is every 2-3 months,every 1-2 if you have multiple pets and/or many occupants in the house.Also,use the high performance "pleated" filters,as they filter smaller particles and remove much more matter than the standard "blue" furnace filters.Another tip is when you are vacuuming,cleaning house or have large groups of people over,turn your fan switch on your thermostat from the "auto" position to the "on" position.This will in effect turn your furnace into a large "air cleaner",removing dust and dander kicked up by a vacuum cleaner or houseguests.This will not affect the operation of the furnace or air conditioner.Just remember to return the fan switch back to "auto" when you are done cleaning or your guests have left!
How can I lower my energy bills?
A good way to start would be to schedule a free,hvac energy audit by Air King.We can show you how to lower your energy bills by as much as 30% (results vary from house to house).This is done by locating and correcting deficiencies in your heating/cooling system,insulating pipe and ductwork and in some cases upgrading your furnace,boiler or air conditioner.Other factors to be considered are the types of insulation,windows,doors and construction materials used.Another way to contribute to lower energy use is to install a digital setback thermostat,which will control the on/off cycles of your furnace or air conditioner much more efficiently than a snap-acting or mercury switch thermostat.
