Q 1. How long should my heating and cooling system last?
A1. According to the ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers) white sheet TC 1 8, their handbook states that the average life of an Air Conditioning/Heat pump system is 15 years on a properly maintained system. A more important question may be “How much is my old, inefficient system costing me to operate? New high efficiency heating and cooling systems today consume as little as half the energy of systems made less than 10 years ago. With the Governments new tax stimulus program for high efficiency heating and cooling equipment, there has never been a better time to replace your inefficient comfort system. Call Allen Kelly & Co, your HVAC expert, to find out more.
Q2. Why is my thermostat located in such a conspicuous place? Can’t it be moved to a location that works for me?
A2. The location of your system’s thermostat is key to the comfort that your system delivers. Thermostats are most often in an area that is close to a system return grill. The reason for this is because it allows the thermostat to measure the temperature of air that has been mixed well inside the space that it controls. There is a solution. New wireless thermostat technology allows for flexibility in thermostat locations and the option for a hand held remote that can also be the system sensor. This allows you to make any location in your home be the focus of comfort. Call Allen Kelly & Co, your HVAC expert, to find out more.
Q3. How often should I have my heating and cooling ducts cleaned?
A3. This question brings several issues into play. The amount of debris and/or dust in a duct system is largely determined by the quality of the system’s air filter, how often it is changed and how well the duct system is sealed. If your duct system is more than 8 years old it may be more cost effective to replace it with new duct rather than to pay to clean it. The R value (rating of insulation) on older ducts is most likely R-4 or less. New codes are requiring an R-8 rating for ducts being installed today. Heating and cooling losses from inefficient and ineffective duct insulation can be as much as 30%. That means for every dollar you spend for comfort 30 cents is wasted! This causes the system to operate longer than necessary, therefore shortening the life of the equipment. Furthermore, duct systems that are not properly sealed can waist even more. Investing in a new high efficient dust system will allow your home to be more comfortable and avoid wasting those hard earned dollars. Its also a great time to install a high efficient whole house air filtration system like the Trane CleanEffects that removes 99.98% of airborne allergens and dust. Call Allen Kelly & Co, your HVAC expert, to find out more.
Q4. Does the new government Tax Stimulus plan allow tax credits for new heating and cooling systems?
A4. Yes. On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed a stimulus bill (The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009) that made some significant changes to the energy efficiency tax credits. You can visit CEE High-efficiency Specification for Residential HVAC Systems for details. It can be confusing; however, this is a great time to consider replacing that inefficient system. In most cases systems that meet the requirements will get a tax credit of 30% of the installation cost up to $1,500. Considering that applicable tax credits and the customer’s net cost, we are installing 15 SEER systems at a cost lower than 10 SEER systems installed back in 2005. There’s never been a better time to upgrade to higher comfort and lower utility costs. Call Allen Kelly & Co, your HVAC expert, to find out more.
Q5. I am hearing about a new Hybrid HVAC system. Is it a gas fired system or is it a heat pump? Is it efficient?
A5. Yes, Yes and Yes. This is one of our most popular systems. The Hybrid (aka Dual Fuel) system is the best of both systems. In the heating mode it works as a heat pump until the temperature drops below a predetermined (economic balance point) outdoor temperature. At this point the system then operates as a gas fired furnace. For customers heating with gas alone this offers substantial utility savings opportunities. These systems meet the requirements for the tax stimulus credit and make it the best time ever to consider installing this wonderful system in your home. Call Allen Kelly & Co, your HVAC expert, to find out more.
Q6. Should I have any type or routine maintenance performed on my heating and cooling system?
A6. Yes. Every type and brand of heating and cooling equipment requires routine maintenance. These systems must be maintained by a certified HVAC technician to keep the system operating at peak performance and keep the system operating safely. Think about your automobile. Everyone knows that avoiding routine maintenance here will cost you big down the road. Heating and cooling equipment is no different. In fact did you know that your HVAC system operates 10 times longer than the average family automobile in the course of a year when measured in hours! The most cost effective way to have your system maintained is to purchase an annual maintenance agreement. This includes 2 precision tune-ups per year, offers inflation protection, gives you priority service status and earns you a 15% discount off of any required service repair. Don’t put off today that which will cost you more tomorrow! Call Allen Kelly & Co. or contact us online to find out more information from your HVAC expert