An HVAC system plays a pivotal role in the comfort, health, and wellness of those in your Oviedo home or business. The following are some questions you may have about your HVAC system, and our technicians from American Air, Plumbing, and Electrical would be happy to answer them.
Q: What Does HVAC Stand For?
A: HVAC is an acronym for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. Combined, these three components influence your home’s air temperature, airflow, and safety. Your home’s HVAC system is complicated, requiring professional installation and maintenance.
Q: How Can a Person Reduce Their Electric Bill During the Summer?
A: You can do several things, including adjusting your air conditioner. It’s recommended that you keep your home at 78 degrees Fahrenheit. Each degree you lower the thermostat, you could increase your monthly energy expenditure by between 6% and 8%. Regular maintenance is key to keeping your air conditioning unit working its best during the summer. Our HVAC professionals at American Air, Plumbing, and Electrical can schedule annual maintenance to help ensure your system is as efficient as possible.
Q: How Frequently Should I Have My HVAC System Serviced?
A: Most professionals recommend having your HVAC system serviced twice each year. It is preferable to do this during the spring to ensure that your air conditioning unit is functioning at peak efficiency before the hot summer months and then again in the fall to prepare your AC unit for the winter and ensure that your heater will keep your house warm. Part of biannual maintenance includes inspecting vents and ensuring that the different elements of the HVAC system will function safely.
Q: Why Is My Air Conditioner So Noisy?
A: It could be something relatively minor, such as small debris caught in the unit, or something more complicated, such as a motor that is about to die. When your AC unit makes unnecessary noises, it’s best to contact the team at American Air, Plumbing, and Electrical for inspection. Don’t try to repair the unit yourself, as you could damage the unit further or put your safety at risk.
Q: Should I Be Concerned About Indoor Air Quality?
A: Absolutely. Indoor air quality regulates your home’s purity, freshness, temperature, and humidity. It impacts how clean the air is that you and your family breathe. If your indoor air quality is damp or polluted, it can have lifelong effects on your health. Having your home’s indoor air quality tested when your HVAC system is serviced is key to keeping your family healthy.
Q: What Are the Signs That I Should Replace My Air Conditioner?
A: It can be hard to gauge when an air conditioning system needs minor repairs or needs to be replaced entirely. However, if you schedule regular AC maintenance, our technicians will be able to let you know when the cost of a repair outweighs the cost of replacing your AC system. If your AC system is near the end of its lifetime, getting a new unit not only improves your home’s comfort but could also save you money on your energy bill. If you see a constant increase in your utility costs with your current AC system and it is no longer keeping your home comfortable, these are indications that it’s time to have the unit inspected and possibly invest in a new AC.
Q: Should I Consider a Ductless Heat Pump?
A: A ductless mini-split system could be the right solution if your home does not have central air ducts. With a ductless mini-split, one part of the unit is attached to the outside of your home, with smaller units mounted on the walls in different rooms inside your home. The system pulls air in from the outside, cools it, and distributes it throughout your home without installing ductwork. The nice thing about most ductless heat pumps is that they can work in reverse during the winter, keeping your home warm when it is cool outside.
Q: Is There a Benefit to Considering a Programmable Thermostat?
A: There’s a reason why more homeowners are using programmable thermostats. They can save money by allowing you to customize and schedule heating or cooling based on your routine. Automation means convenience and savings because a programmable thermostat does the work for you. The right programmable thermostat can optimize your home’s HVAC system, help you cut costs with zoning, alert you when there is an issue with your HVAC system, and allow you to control the temperature of your residence using Wi-Fi from wherever you are.
Q: How Often Should Air Filters Be Replaced?
A: The answer will vary depending on the air quality in your home, the health of your home’s residents, and the quality of the air filter you purchase. Generally, the recommendation is to change the filter in your home every 30 days if you’re using cheaper fiberglass filters, whereas high-end pleated filters may be good for up to six months. The longer a filter is in place, the more allergens, dust, and debris will accumulate on it. If you have pets, if someone in your home has allergies or asthma, or if you have younger children, you may want to consider having your filter changed with greater frequency.
Q: How Long Will My Furnace and Air Conditioner Last?
A: The answer will vary based on how well you maintain the unit and how frequently it is used. If your HVAC system is regularly maintained, it could last between 12 and 20 years. Although rare, a high-quality unit with pristine maintenance can reach up to 30 years or more.
Q: What Does SEER Mean, and Is It Important?
A: SEER stands for seasonal energy efficiency ratio. This measurement lets you know how efficiently your AC unit is working. The higher the SEER rating, the less energy your unit uses. You can compare it to the system for reading a car’s fuel economy. When you see that a vehicle gets 30 miles to the gallon on the freeway, you have a rough idea of how much fuel it uses in ideal conditions. The same is true with the SEER rating. It gives you a rough idea of how much you should expect to spend on energy if your unit is working in peak condition.
Q: What Size Air Conditioner Is Right For My Home?
A: When buying an air conditioning unit, consider its size and efficiency. The idea is to have approximately 20 BTUs of cooling power per square foot. This means that if an area is 1,000 square feet in size, it requires at least 18,000 BTUs. Depending on other factors, a higher capacity may be recommended. You will need to consider the height of the ceiling, the number of windows, and how your home is orientated to the sun.
Providing Quality HVAC Service for Oviedo and Surrounding Communities
At American Air, Plumbing, and Electrical, we pride ourselves on furnishing outstanding results and conscientious customer service. We consistently deliver both quality workmanship and courtesy. As a family-owned business, we are focused on integrity, and we’re staffed with experienced NATE-certified technicians who have been with us for years. We maintain an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, and we’ve won the Lennox Centurion award four times.
Our services include HVAC installation, repair, and maintenance, duct cleaning, thermostats, and indoor air quality testing and improvement. Contact us at American Air, Plumbing, and Electrical today for the best HVAC service in the Greater Oviedo area.
