FAQs

Why is Heating and Cooling System Maintenance Important?

Heating and cooling systems work constantly to regulate the temperature in your home. Between starting, stopping, and continual running, these units can breakdown unexpectedly. Preventative maintenance can help keep your system in proper running order and save you money on major repairs. Maintenance inspections can alert you to soot, rust, rot, and corrosion that signal the end of life of your heating or cooling system. This may give you time to prepare your budget for a replacement unit.

What Size Air Conditioner Do I Need?

Air conditioners come in different sizes based on their ability to cool your home. The units used to indicate capacity are British Thermal Units or BTUs. A professional HVAC technician can perform the load calculation for your home or business. Most homes require a unit with a capacity between 12,000 and 21,000 BTUs.

What Ratings Should I Look for When Choosing an Air Conditioner?

SEER, MERV, and other ratings give you a good idea of the performance of different HVAC systems’ energy efficiency. Here are the main ratings to look for when shopping for new heating and cooling units:

• SEER stands for seasonal energy efficiency ratio. This rating expresses how much energy you need to produce cool air. Due to regulations, new units must have a minimum SEER rating of 14. However, models vary between 14 and 21, with 21 representing more efficient systems.
• MERV stands for minimum efficiency reporting value. MERV ratings measure how well your air purifier is doing its job. A top score of 20 means you have a highly effective system that removes most air pollutants from your home.
• HSPF stands for heating seasonal performance factor. This measurement tells you something about the performance of heat pumps. Heat pumps with a rating of at least 8 runs efficiently.
• AFUE stands for annual fuel utilization efficiency. AFUE measures fuel wastes due to inefficiency when creating heat. Expressed as a percentage, an AFUE of 80% means that your unit wastes 20% of available fuel. Similarly, an AFUE 0f 60% indicates a 40% fuel loss.

How Can I Tell if There’s a Warranty on My HVAC system?

Most furnaces, AC’s, and other HVAC systems come with a warranty for a certain number of years. If you still have the receipt, you can check the bill of sale. You may also be able to contact the manufacturer online to find out if you have a warranty and when it expires. If you kept the owners’ manual, you should be able to find warranty information there. When calling the manufacturer or researching the warranty length, you will need the model number and serial number of your unit. They may also ask for the installation date.

Do I Have to Replace Both the Indoor and Outdoor Units at the Same Time?

If your air conditioning system breaks, you may need to replace either the indoor or outdoor unit or both of them. It all depends on where the problem lies. Call One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Dallas, TX to set up an inspection to diagnose the trouble with your AC. We can provide an accurate diagnosis and give you an estimate of the cost to replace or repair the defective parts. In some cases, it’s a good idea to replace both units simultaneously for optimal performance.

What Is the Best Type of System in Dallas, TX?

You may wonder whether you should go with a ductless heat pump or central air set up. To give you the best advice for what kind of unit to install, we need to see the architecture, size, and usage pattern for your home. Ductless systems and heat pumps run more efficiently than central air units. If you do not already have ductwork in your home, you may want to choose one of these systems. Heat pumps cool the house in summer and heats it in the winter. They work well in areas with mild to moderate winters.

How Long Can I Expect My Air Conditioner to Last?

Modern air conditioners last between 10 and 12 years on average. However, there are a lot of variables that impact the efficiency and longevity of your system. To prolong the life of your unit, schedule regular maintenance services with our HVAC technicians. This can keep your unit running at optimal performance longer.

How Can I Achieve Better Indoor Air Quality?

If you have poor air circulation in your home, allergens, dust, and germs can accumulate. An air purification system keeps the air moving and filters out dust and debris. Ask us about air purification systems that connect directly to your current system so your family can breathe more easily.

What Can I Do About My AC Turning Off and On Constantly?

If your AC continually turns off and on, it may be an electrical problem. Ensure that you have consistent power running to the outlet where you plug in the unit. You can also check the plug to make sure it is firmly seated in the outlet. As part of our regular maintenance service, we clean dirty coils and top off refrigerant to keep your unit running efficiently. Leave maintenance on your air conditioner to the experts.

Who Does My AC Sometimes Drip Water?

As your air conditioning unit draws the warm air from outside, the air comes into contact with the cooler evaporator coils. This can cause beads of moisture to form. These beads sometimes form leaks that drip from your unit. If water is dripping inside the house, it may be an installation problem. When installing a new air conditioner, the technician should angle the unit away from your home to prevent water damage. We train our AC pros to perform installations correctly to avoid structural damage to your home.

Contact One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating for HVAC and air improvement services for your home in Dallas, TX.