FAQ's - Air Conditioning
How often should I have my A/C equipment inspected?
Hydro Air Inc. recommends that your A/C equipment should be
checked out once a year. We recommend preventative
maintenance in the spring to improve the longevity of your
equipment and to make sure you are ready for our hot New
England summers. Contact us to schedule your appointment!
How often should filters be cleaned or replaced?
Typically, filters should be cleaned or replaced once a
month. However, if you have inside pets you need to check
your filter more frequently. Dirty filters lead to
restricted air flow, which can ultimately reduce the amount
of cooling capacity from your unit.
What do rating numbers mean?
The U.S. government requires an efficiency rating of all air
conditioning equipment. The rating reflects the percentage
of energy used efficiently. A high rating indicating
high-efficiency.
What is a SEER?
Air conditioning equipment is rated by the Seasonal Energy
Efficiency Rating, or SEER. The higher the SEER rating, the
more energy efficient the unit. The government now requires
a SEER rating of no less than 11.
Should my thermostat be set to "auto" or "'on"?
“Auto” is the most used and the most efficient setting for
your equipment. On that setting, the fan operates only when
the temperature requires it.
Can an A/C coil freeze?
Absolutely. It is never normal to see ice in the summer
anywhere on a central air conditioner. It is possible to
ice-up the coil if the air conditioner is running in very
cold weather or if the thermostat is turned down extremely
low. When the coil is frozen, your air conditioner will no
longer be cooling. Often you can actually see ice on the
coil. Hydro Air recommends never turning the thermostat
below 70 degrees. If your coil freezes turn the fan setting
from “auto” to the “on” position and turn off the cooling
setting. Once the coil has thawed, your system can be turned
back on and should work properly. If your air conditioning
system does not start cooling, there most likely is a
problem and you should call for service. If air conditioning
is needed during the winter, than a “low ambient kit” is
required and can be installed by a service technician.
If I replace my old air conditioner with a new one, will
it lower my energy bill?
Absolutely! If you have an old unit with a low SEER rating,
you can replace it with a new 13 SEER unit and you can
drastically cut your cooling energy bill! The indoor coil
must also be replaced at the same time in order to get the
advertised SEER rating of the new unit providing the rest of
the system be in proper working order.
How much will it cost to install a new air conditioner?
It is impossible to quote a price without first checking
conditions at your home or office. Hydro Air Inc. cannot
determine what the price will be without this first step.
Price will be influenced by the size, SEER rating, and
location of the new unit as well as whether or not the
existing furnace, electrical panel, and ducts are suitable
for air conditioning or if they must be replaced. Contact us
today for a free estimate.
After I have a new air conditioner installed will it
require any maintenance?
Yes. Keeping the system clean is your best bet. As the coils
and blower wheels begin to get dirty the efficiency of the
system falls, your energy bill climbs, and your comfort
level drops. Regular annual service can extend equipment
life and can help to minimize mechanical break downs.
What size of air conditioner do I need for my house?
Air conditioners are rated in "tons" of cooling capacity.
This phrase comes from the days when ice was used for
cooling. One ton of air conditioning is equal to the amount
of cooling you would get from one ton of ice melting in your
home in one hour. One ton of cooling is equal to 12,000
BTU’s (British thermal units).
Determining the size of the air conditioning system is not
done based on the square footage of the home, such as one
ton of A/C for every 500 square feet. This formula does not
allow for important variables. The proper size can only be
determined from the results of a heat load calculation on
your home. The calculation takes into account the area of
exposed walls, the glass area and whether it's single or
dual pane, the insulation levels in floors, walls, and
ceilings, any exterior or interior shading, the requested
indoor temperature, and the volume of the house in cubic
feet.
The proper size system equals maximum comfort and savings on
your energy bill. Oversized units cost more to operate and
will short cycle so much that your house may become humid
and uncomfortable. Undersized units run all day long and
still won't cool your home.
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