FAQ

Questions:

1. My air conditioning system is new, do I really need to have it cleaned?
2. During the winter the fan occasionally shuts off on my heat pump outside unit and restarts, why?
3. Why is the upstairs of my house always hotter in summer and cooler in the winter?
4. How big of an air conditioner do I need for my home?
5. What does SEER and AFUE mean?
6. After my air conditioner runs for a while, ice forms on the big pipe outside and it stops cooling. Why?
7. How important is an air filter in my cooling and heating system?

Answers:

1. My air conditioning system is new, do I really need to have it cleaned?

Yes!! Even though your system is new, it still needs to have annual maintenance performed. This will help keep the warranty in effect. Most all equipment manufactures state in the terms of their warranty that annual maintenance must be performed by a qualified technician. Keeping your system maintained will also give you assurance that it is operating at peak efficiency and safety.

2. During the winter the fan occasionally shuts off on my heat pump outside unit and restarts, why?

Nothing is wrong with your unit. What appears to be smoke is steam from the outdoor coil after it completes a defrost cycle. After extended run times the outdoor unit will start to build frost or ice on the coil. The system is designed to go in a defrost mode when needed to clear the ice away and keep the efficiency level up.

3. Why is the upstairs of my house always hotter in summer and cooler in the winter?

Heat rises, thus the reason it’s hotter in the summer. Assuming the system was sized and installed correctly, you should consider installing a zone system if possible. Sometimes the addition of return air duct work will help improve air movement and help make upper levels more comfortable.

4. How big of an air conditioner do I need for my home?

The only way to size an air conditioner or furnace for your home is to do a heat load calculation. The capacity needed is based upon how quickly your home gains or loses heat, not by square footage alone.

5. What does SEER and AFUE mean?

SEER stands for “Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio”. Basically it tells you how efficiently it converts electricity to cooling comfort. The higher the SEER rating, the more efficient the system. By federal law all units sold must be a 13 SEER or higher. ACU-TEMP recommends having a Comfort Consultant to come to your home and perform a heat load calculation to insure the proper size unit is installed. This is a free service to our customers that may help you save money and increase your indoor comfort.

AFUE stands for “Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency”. This rating tells you how much of your heating dollars are converted to heat energy put into your home and how much is lost up the flue pipe. Most older furnaces are 50% to 60% efficient. That means that for every dollar you spend for gas from your utility company, $.40 to $.50 cents are being sent up the flue pipe to the outdoors. Federal law mandates that all furnaces being produced today be at least 80% efficient. ACU-TEMP offers several different sizes of furnaces up to 96% efficient. That means that for every dollar you spend on gas from the utility company $.96 is converted to heat your home and only $.04 is sent out the flue pipe.

An ACU-TEMP Comfort Consultant can visit your home, perform a heat load calculation and recommend the proper system to keep you comfortable and save you money. In many cases homeowners have saved enough on their utility bills to more than cover the investment of a new comfort system.

6. After my air conditioner runs for a while, ice forms on the big pipe outside and it stops cooling. Why?

More than likely, it’s either low on refrigerant or low on airflow. As a homeowner, replace your filter and allow the unit to thaw out. If the problem reoccurs, call ACU-TEMP to schedule service on your system. We recommend having annual maintenance performed to keep your systems in peak operating conditions. Ask your ACU-TEMP representative about our energy saving Comfort Care Maintenance Plan.

7. How important is an air filter in my cooling and heating system?

It's a fact: the trapped air we breathe in our homes can be loaded with dust, pollen, plant spores, and other pollutant particles. In many cases, it's worse than the air outside.