Frequently Asked Questions
What is HVAC?
HVAC stands for “heating, ventilation, and air conditioning.” It’s the system(s) used to provide heating and cooling to homes. Any type of furnace including natural gas, liquid propane (LP), Hybrid Heat or electric would fall under this category. All air conditioners together with heat pumps and evaporative coolers are HVAC systems as well. Likewise, this also covers all types of home air filtration including electronic purifiers.
Why is regular maintenance important?
Regular maintenance is crucial because it keeps your HVAC system running smoothly, and can prevent costly repairs, saving you money in the long run. It can also keep your utility bills to heat or cool your home down. Most homes only need a tune-up or safety inspection spring and fall. The homeowner can contribute to these services by simply regularly cleaning or replacing their air filter. Also by making sure their ground mounted unit is not getting air blocked by plants or trees can really help boost system efficiency.
Are all HVAC filters the same?
No. Filters for residential spaces are generally smaller than larger ones used in commercial buildings like businesses and hospitals. Choosing the right air filter has an important impact on your system efficiency. We’ll help you find the right one for your space.
Should you install a programmable thermostat on your heat pump?
Only if you install a smart thermostat with an algorithm that can compute recovery time so as not to make the heat pump inefficient. Heat pumps run longer than other heating systems and therefore use less power to do their job. With a standard thermostat, a heat pump works most efficiently by leaving the thermostat at a set temperature in the winter. To save a little extra, you will need a programmable thermostat that can figure out the time needed to get up to the normal temperature without turning on the inefficient electric strip heaters and therefore use more power. This depends on the heat pump size, the outdoor temperature, your home’s heat loss, and the system’s general recovery time. If you are a mechanical engineer, you may be able to figure it out, if not, just replace it with the right thermostat.
Can you replace your mobile home furnace with a standard furnace?
Definitely not! Most homeowners and unfortunately some contractors think that if it heats up your home, any good brand of furnace can be installed in a mobile home (manufactured home) safely. All mobile home gas furnaces, whether natural or LP gas, must be HUD (Housing and Urban Development) certified for mobile home use. Why is this important, you may ask?
- Due to their mostly wood construction, it is harder to put out a fire that has started in a mobile home because of its flammability. All mobile homes require the furnace to be a sealed construction type furnace. This means that it operates with no open flame, no matter if the open flame is facing inwards towards the interior of the home or outwards to a door on the outside of the home.
- All mobile homes are constructed with small ductwork. That is just their design, to save as much space as possible. This means that these systems will require increased air pressure (static pressure) to be able to circulate the warm air properly. Mobile home furnaces come with high static pressure blower assemblies.
If you must replace the furnace in a mobile home, just make sure that you purchase a HUD certified furnace and have a knowledgeable licensed contractor to do the job correctly, (like Heatwave for example) After all, you or your survivors would not want to have your claim denied by an insurance adjuster because you had an unsafe and illegal furnace installed, would you?
Can indoor air be hazardous to your health?
Indoor air can be hazardous to your health if it contains harmful pollutants like carbon monoxide for example. Your gas furnace should be checked yearly to insure that it is not leaking this odorless and deadly gas into your home.
How often should I check my air filter?
You should be checking your air filter about every 30 to 90 days depending on the number of persons and furry friends living in your home. For best results, arrange regular check-ups with us to make maintenance a breeze.
When should I have my air conditioner repaired?
As soon as you notice anything like strange noises or unusal smells emanating from your system. An air conditioner is not going to fix itself. The longer you wait to repair it, the greater the possibility of a more expensive repair is possible.
What size heating and air conditioning system do I need?
The size of the HVAC system you need depends on the type of property you have (residential or commercial) and your individual needs. Schedule a free consultation with Heatwave Air Conditioning and Heating for insight on what your property requires.
Why is the temperature uneven in my property?
Clogged air filters or a broken HVAC system are possible causes of fluctuating temperatures. Schedule an assessment with Heatwave Air Conditioning and Heating to learn what’s troubling your HVAC system.
How is the efficiency of heating and cooling equipment measured?
We use multiple systems to determine the efficiency of your HVAC equipment. We employ everything from the SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio), HSPF (Heating Seasonal Performance Factor) to AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency). Call us now to learn more.
How much does a replacement system cost?
The total cost will depend on the size and configuration of the system needing replacement. Call us now at 520-623-1855 for a free quote or estimate, or to schedule a consultation session.