Frequently Asked Questions

I heard that an air conditioning system is typically responsible for the largest chunk of energy consumed by a home. Are there ways or products available that will help reduce power consumption. Saving me money and the environment too?

There are some things that you can do to conserve energy, the environment and the cost for your air conditioning system. First, use a programmable thermostat so that you can adjust your usage and use the natural heat of the day, or cool temperatures at night.

In the summer, make sure to limit the sunlight that shines into your home, and possibly open windows at night when the outside temperatures are cooler. In the winter, keep all blinds and draperies open to utilize the sunlight and pile on the blankets at night so that you don’t have to keep the system running continuously. Keep the thermostat set to the warmest temperature that you can stand in the summer and the coolest temperature that you can stand in the winter.

Make sure that your filters are clean. A dirty filter will reduce the efficiency of an air conditioning unit in the summertime. It will cost you less money to run your system if the filters are kept clean. Check the filters monthly, and you will most likely change the filters every three months. Have your system maintained annually in either the spring or the fall. Your service provider will check both the heating and the cooling systems. This will ensure that your systems are running efficiently and will most likely catch any problems before they happen. This will help with your utility bill as well.

Your company didn’t install my air conditioning system. Will you still do repair work for me?

The short answer – YES! We will service any make or model, whether we initially installed it or not.

My child suffers from pollen, dust and mold allergies. I’ve been noticing an increase in his symptoms of late, is there anything I can do to improve the quality of air in my home?

Have your home inspected for mold periodically. It can be inside the walls and never been seen. This is the best way to ensure that your family does not become sick or develop lingering health problems from any unseen mold in your home. Air filtration systems will take many of these allergens out of the air inside your home. You must have a good filtration system that will remove most of these harmful allergens.You can also take a look at your organic pollutants that may be inside your home. Things such as carpet, building materials, plastic, varnish, cosmetics, cleaning materials, air fresheners, paint, pesticides and even furniture can affect the air quality inside your home without you ever even realizing it. Take a good look at ingredients before you use a new product inside your home.Finally, having a UV light installed that destroys many allergens and/or cleaning and sanitizing ducts, will also help reduce allergens and particles circulating through your ac system.

We are first time home-owners and the property isn’t exactly new, where do we start?

Air out your new (previously loved) home, especially when there are noticeable odors or you start coughing or sneezing when coming indoors. Some indoor pollutants are harmful to breathe and may need more specialized attention such as a change in AC, or maintenance to the current system. Whenever a home is purchased, there should be some assessments and testing done before move-in day. A professional can make an assessment based on where the home is located, exactly how old it is and other factors.Have an indoor air quality assessment done that can identify any unknown and harmful chemicals in the air. Some sources of these could be new paint, potpourri, or brand new carpeting, but there may also be some other harmful pollutants in the air.Unseen mold may be a problem in your new home. Sometimes when this is hidden from view, it may not be caught in a full home inspection. These assessments can help you find and remove any issues found in the home. Aside from common organic pollutants, other problems such as carbon monoxide, lead and asbestos may be a problem in an older home.

We are moving into a new construction home, should we have any concerns about the air conditioning system?

Yes. Although your AC is brand new and wont need replacement or repair, it may not have a UV light and ducts can still be sanitized. Doing this and letting the system circulate for a few days can help eliminate indoor pollutants floating in the air. It might surprise you that a brand new home can have more air quality concerns than an older home. Whenever a new home is purchased, whether new or old, there should be some assessments and testing before move-in day.

During the building process, many chemicals and materials are being used. Things are being cut, painted, sprayed, drilled and so forth. New carpets are being installed and builders often use harsh industrial cleaning products to clean up the mess. All this dust and debris can settle in numerous nooks and crannies that may not be easily spotted and chemicals and other allergens floating in the air is not visible to the naked eye. In older homes a lot of this has settled and been cleaned over time

Are there steps I can take, or things I can look for, before calling out a technician?

There are several things that you can do before calling a technician to come out to your home. Always check the filters before doing anything. If they are extremely dirty, they could be compromising your system. By simply changing the filters, you could be fixing a problem with your unit, and you may not need to make that service call.

If the filter does not appear to be the problem, assess the system. Does it run, but not blow out the desired temperature air? Is it not blowing at all? Is it completely frozen over? You will need to answer some of these questions if you do end up calling for a service repair person.

Make sure everything is plugged in. Then check your circuit breakers. Sometimes these can be easily overloaded, and this could be a simple fix. Check your thermostat to make sure that you have it set to the desired setting. Inspect your blower for debris that could be causing it to not function properly.

Also check the coils to see if they are frozen or have debris in them as well. After these checks have been made, it may be time to call a service person. Regular maintenance checks by a certified technician can sometimes eliminate any problems that may occur with your system.

During the peak of summer, my electricity bill is almost double. Is there anything I can do to reduce this spike during the summer months?

There are many ways you can conserve energy and energy costs during the hot summer months. First, close all your blinds and drapes during the hottest part of the day. This will allow you home to stay cooler longer and you won’t need to run your air conditioning as much throughout the day.Also, remember that hot air rises, so downstairs vents should remained closed through the summer months, while upstairs vents all remain open, forcing the majority of the air to cool the upstairs.Think about your appliances that use a lot of energy and create a lot of heat. Try drying your clothes on a clothesline outside. Your clothes will smell fresh, yet you won’t be using up all of the energy that a dryer uses. If you need to use the dryer, run it only at night when the temperatures are cooler.Try using your oven and stove as little as possible, and when you do, use the lowest temperatures. Higher heat in the oven will quickly heat up your home.Try to keep cool air from escaping. Don’t leave doors or windows open, allowing the cool out and the warm in. Remember that any energy/heat that you produce inside will cause the temperatures to rise. Try do have your workouts outside, or do any major labor outside as well.Take advantage of early morning cooler temperatures by putting a box fan in the open window to cool down a room. This will allow a lot of naturally cool air to come inside the home and the fan doesn’t use as much energy as your air conditioning.Keep your thermostat on “on” instead of “auto”. By running the fan even when your system is not cooling, it will circulate the air in the home without having to constantly turn itself on and off.

What is HVAC?

HVAC is short for Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning. HVAC is most oftenused to depictthe whole heating and cooling system consisting of the duct work, air filters, humidification controls, and registers.

What regular maintenance do heating and air conditioning systems need?

The most important part of HVAC maintenance aspect is maintaining unrestricted air flows. Dust, dirt, and debris are an HVAC system’s worst enemies. Whether it’s an indoor or outdoor unit, you must keep all filters clean and heat exchangers and coils free of restrictions.

We recommend that your heating and cooling system be checked and serviced twice a year; ideally a spring and autumn tune-up. Also we recommend that you change your filter regularly, depending on the type of filter you have. This alone can eliminate many of the most common problems that need fixing and can significantly reduce the likelihood of a serious breakdown.

How do I know if I have an existing warranty on my furnace, air conditioner or HVAC system?

Locate the label on the outer surface of the equipment for a manufacture date. If the equipment is less than five years old it may have a warranty, but also may not based on the model. Warranty terms and conditions change by the manufacturer and the installing company. AirPro Experts Heating & Air Conditioning can verify the warranty status of your heating and cooling system via Get Warranty form.

Why do I need to change my filter regularly?

Regular filter replacement helps your heating and cooling system operate at peak levels and improves indoor air quality. It is important to change filters regularly to ensure proper air flow and to keep your home free from dust, allergens and germs. Depending on the type of filter you have, you may require weekly or monthly filter replacements. Your AirPro Experts service or installation technician will recommend the ideal filters and replacement schedules for your unit(s).

Is sound an issue for heating and air conditioning?

Yes. Loud heating and cooling equipment contribute to sound pollution. Although no financial savings are tied to lower sound levels, the sound rating of a cooling system can have a considerable effect on comfort and enjoyment of your home. The sound level of an air conditioner or heat pump depends on a variety of factors, such as the age and make of the unit, and whether the compressor is insulated or not can contribute to the amount of noise it makes.

At what temperature should I set my thermostat?

Is it making strange noises? Is it cooling or heating all areas of your home sufficiently? Has it been taking longer to cool down or heat up? Have your utility bills been rising for no apparent reason? Any of these are signs that you may have a problem that needs service. In most cases, the longer you delay, the worse any underlying problems will get. So be sure to contact Horizon Services to check out your system whenever you notice anything out of the ordinary.

How do I know if my A/C unit is big enough?

Bigger isn’t always better; its performance and efficiency that count. Before purchasing a replacement system you should always make sure your system is sized properly to match your needs and budget. Your AirPro Expert will thoroughly assess your home and comfort requirements to determine the proper size and make the appropriate recommendation.

How can I increase the efficiency and life of my home’s heating and cooling systems?

A few quick tips:

• Clean and replace your filters frequently.
• Your system will heat and cool more evenly when the blower is in the “on” position. The blower provides constant air movement throughout the home, and allows for better filtration.
• Install shades, drapes, shutters, or screens on windows that are exposed to extreme sunlight to keep room temperatures at moderate levels.

How can I eliminate indoor odors?

You may have tried to cover up indoor odors by spraying air fresheners or lighting candles. Unfortunately, these tactics only mask the odors, they don’t get rid of them. These remedies may in fact negatively affect indoor air quality from chemicals that cause allergic reactions or eye irritation for homeowners.

Bacteria, dust mites, animal dander, cat saliva and mold may also be roots of your home’s odor problem. One method to purify the air is integrating germicidal (UV) lights in your home, which helps kill odors and inhibit the growth of biological contaminants, sterilizing surfaces in the HVAC system. They also purify the air, preventing the growth of contaminants. The UV lights are installed to work with your home comfort system.

Sometimes poor ventilation contributes to unpleasant odors. Moisture condensation on walls windows and stagnate air are signs of poor ventilation. A qualified Service Experts technician can inspect your home comfort system to determine if this is an issue that should be addressed. The technician can also inform you how to solve the ventilation system’s ability to correctly circulate and ventilate indoor air.

How do I know which indoor air quality product is right for me?

Every person and every home entails a different comfort need. The threshold of irritancy and triggers that affect people’s health and comfort combine to determine the proper solutions. High threshold levels may require simple solutions like a better air filter. Low threshold levels may require an air purification system for the reduction of triggers and irritants. With a Home Health Report Card, Service Experts can help you decide which indoor air improvement products are right for you.

How healthy is my indoor air?

According to studies created by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, exposure to air pollutants indoors can be 100 times higher than outdoors. Frequent dusting and vacuuming can help reduce the amount of dust and dust mites present in your home. However, not all airborne particles can be eliminated. Filtration devices can help eliminate particles that are too small to be caught by a vacuum. Some filtration devices include UV light units, air filters, energy recovery ventilators (ERVs), heat recovery ventilators (HRVs) and electronic air cleaners.

At what temperature should I set my thermostat?

Temperature settings depend on the time of year and your personal preferences. In the summer, the average temperature setting is 75°-80°. In the winter 68°-72° is the norm. Remember, when leaving your house; try to avoid drastic temperature changes. Do not set your temperature back more than 5°; this will cause your unit to work harder to achieve the desired temperature setting.