HVAC Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I service my HVAC system?

A: We recommend two professional checkups each year—one in spring and one in fall. This timing makes sure your system is tuned to manufacturer specs and running efficiently before the summer heat and cooler winter nights. Regular tune-ups help catch small issues early, prevent breakdowns, and can lower energy use. Our HVAC maintenance program includes two seasonal visits and comes with valuable benefits like priority scheduling, and member savings.

How often should I replace my air filters?

A: Most homes in a mild climate should replace standard 1-inch air filters every 2–3 months. Check monthly and replace sooner if you have pets, allergies, or the filter looks gray or clogged. A clean filter improves airflow, helps lower energy bills, and protects your system from wear. Our maintenance program includes seasonal visits with filter replacements, so you don’t have to remember on your own.

Why is my AC so loud?

A: A loud air conditioning system usually means something is loose, dirty, or worn. Common causes include a clogged air filter, debris around the outdoor unit, or loose panels. Try replacing the filter and clearing debris; if the noise continues, schedule one of our qualified service technicians to check it out. Our maintenance program includes two seasonal visits where we clean, tighten, and test your system so it runs quietly and efficiently.

Should I cover my outdoor unit when I’m not using it?

A: You usually don’t need to cover your outdoor AC unit when it’s not in use. Full covers can trap moisture and invite rust, mold, or pests; if debris is a problem, use a breathable top cover only and leave the sides open. Before turning the system on for the first time each season, schedule a qualified service technician to check the unit.

Do heat pumps work when it’s cold outside?

A: Yes, modern heat pumps work in cold weather by pulling heat from the outdoor air. Manufacturer charts show many systems keep their efficiency at certain low outdoor temperatures and run very quietly. A properly sized and properly installed heat pump delivers steady, reliable heat even on chilly nights.

What is a mini split?

A: A mini-split is a heating and cooling system with one outdoor unit and one or more indoor units that serve specific rooms. Mini-splits can be ductless, ducted, or a mix of both in the same home, giving you flexible options. They use inverter technology that adjusts output to match your needs, so they run quietly, save energy, and keep steady comfort in every room of your home.

Why does my furnace smell like its burning when I first turn it on?

A: That burning smell the first time you turn on your furnace each season is usually dust that settled during warmer months heating up and burning off. It should fade within 30–60 minutes. Replace the air filter and crack a window to help the smell clear faster. If the odor is strong, smoky, or chemical, or if it doesn’t go away, turn the system off and schedule a qualified service technician to check it.

What is SEER rating?

A: SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) tells you how efficiently an air conditioner or heat pump cools over a season—higher numbers mean it uses less energy and can lower your bills. You’ll often see SEER2 now; it’s the updated 2023 test that matches real-home conditions, so it makes comparing models more accurate. In a mild climate, a mid-to-high SEER2 unit usually gives the best balance of comfort and cost. One of our qualified comfort advisors can help you choose the right efficiency and size so you get the savings you expect.

How can I improve energy efficiency with my original system?

A: Start with simple steps: replace 1-inch air filters every 2–3 months, keep vents clear, and use steady, moderate thermostat settings. Clear leaves and clutter around the outdoor unit and seal obvious air leaks at doors and windows to keep conditioned air inside. Schedule a qualified service technician for spring and fall tune-ups—or use our maintenance program with two seasonal visits—to clean, test, and set the system to manufacturer specs. You’ll improve comfort, lower energy bills, and reduce surprise repairs while keeping your current system working its best.

What is the 20-degree rule?

A: The 20-degree rule is a simple guideline: the air coming from your vents should be about 15–20 degrees cooler than the air going into the system. It isn’t a strict rule or a hard limit on how cool your home can be; the exact number can change based on your filter, ductwork, and how hard the system is working. If the vent air isn’t much cooler and comfort is poor, replace the air filter and schedule a qualified service technician to check it. Understanding this helps you set realistic thermostat goals, save energy, and prevent bigger repairs.

What is an AHRI certified system?

A: An AHRI certified system means your specific outdoor and indoor units were tested together by an independent organization to confirm the listed efficiency and performance. This helps ensure you get the comfort and energy savings you were promised and can make you eligible for rebates, tax credits, and solid warranty support. When you’re looking to replace your system, ask your comfort advisor for the AHRI certificate or number so you know you’re getting what you’re paying for.

What is AFUE?

A: AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) is your furnace’s efficiency score—the percent of fuel that turns into heat for your home over the whole heating season. A 95 AFUE model turns about 95 cents of every fuel dollar into warmth and loses about 5 cents out the vent. Higher AFUE usually means lower gas bills and can qualify for rebates. You’ll find the AFUE on the unit label or paperwork; our comfort advisor can help you choose the right efficiency for your home and climate.

What is HSPF?

A: HSPF (Heating Seasonal Performance Factor) is a heat pump’s heating efficiency score—it shows how much heat you get for each unit of electricity over the whole season. The newer HSPF2 rating (2023) uses stricter, real-world testing, so it’s a more accurate way to compare models. Higher HSPF/HSPF2 means lower winter electric bills and can open the door to rebates or tax credits. Our comfort advisor can help you pick the right HSPF2 for your climate so you get reliable, steady heat and real savings.

What is a heat pump?

A: A heat pump is a system that moves heat to keep you comfortable year-round. In cooling mode, the refrigerant flows one way to pull heat from inside and release it outdoors; in heating mode, the flow reverses to bring outdoor heat into your home. Because it transfers heat instead of burning fuel, it runs efficiently, keeps temperatures steady, and can lower your utility bills. Our high-efficiency, variable-speed options are quiet—our comfort advisor can match the right setup to your home and budget.

What is a condenser?

A: A condenser is the outdoor part of your AC or heat pump—the unit with the fan and coil. In cooling mode, it releases indoor heat to the outside; on heat pumps in winter, that same unit can pull heat from the outdoor air. Keeping it clear of leaves and cleaning the coil helps it run quieter, cool better, and lower energy bills. Our maintenance program includes seasonal cleaning and testing so your system runs to manufacturer specs and lasts longer.

What is the MERV rating of the filter?

A: MERV is the filter’s efficiency score printed on the frame or box—higher numbers mean it catches smaller particles and cleans your air better. As a guide, MERV 8 captures about 70–85% of common dust and pollen (3–10 microns), MERV 11 grabs roughly 65–80% of finer particles like mold spores and pet dander (1–3 microns) while still ≥85% of larger particles, and MERV 13 captures ≥50% of very fine particles (0.3–1 micron) and ≥85% of 1–3 microns—helpful for smoke and some bacteria. The benefit to you is cleaner air and fewer allergy triggers; just note higher MERV can restrict airflow if your system isn’t set up for it. We’ll confirm the right MERV for your equipment and install it during your seasonal visit so you get cleaner air without stressing the system.

What does an air purifier do?

A: An air purifier cleans the air as it cycles through your HVAC, capturing fine dust, pollen, pet dander, and smoke that standard filters often miss. Many also reduce germs and odors using high-efficiency media, UV-C, or electronic charging. The payoff is easier breathing, fewer allergy flare-ups, and less dust settling on surfaces. It can also keep your HVAC components cleaner, helping your system run more efficiently and last longer.

How can I protect my family from germs?

A: We use a layered approach—high-MERV filtration, UV-C lights, and whole-home purifiers/air scrubbers—installed in your HVAC to reduce germs and improve indoor air. Filtration captures dust, pollen, and many airborne particles; UV-C at the coil prevents mold growth, and in-duct UV-C can inactivate airborne microbes as air moves through. Purifiers/scrubbers tackle finer particles and odors/VOCs; we recommend ozone-free, third-party-tested options for safe, real-world results. The benefit to you is cleaner, fresher air and a cleaner system that runs efficiently; we size, install, and maintain the right solution for your home.

Why is one room in my house hotter or colder than the rest? 

A: One room being hotter or colder usually means uneven airflow—common causes are a dirty filter, blocked or closed vents, leaky/undersized ductwork, or extra sun and poor insulation in that room. Start by replacing the filter, opening and clearing all vents/returns, and keeping interior doors open. If it persists, we can perform an airflow test, seal or resize ducts, add a return, or adjust/install balancing dampers or zoning to fix the hot/cold spots. You get even comfort in every room and lower energy use because your system doesn’t have to work as hard.

How do you know you’re installing the proper size HVAC equipment for my home?

A: We size your system with a room-by-room Manual J load calculation that factors in your home’s size, insulation, windows, orientation, and local weather—not just square footage. We check ducts (Manual D) and select the right equipment (Manual S) so it’s not too big or too small. On install day, we commission the system—verifying airflow, static pressure, and refrigerant settings—and provide the AHRI match. You get even temperatures, better humidity control, quieter operation, lower energy bills, and strong warranty/rebate eligibility.

Is a whole house fan worth it?

A: A whole-house fan quickly flushes out hot, stale air and pulls in cool evening air, so your home cools fast and your AC runs less. It works best where nights cool down, with a few windows cracked; avoid using it on smoky, humid, or high-pollen days. Because it brings in unfiltered outdoor air, it may not be ideal for allergy/asthma sufferers or during wildfire season—if that’s a concern, we can pair it with better filtration or suggest other cooling options. We’ll size and install the right unit and verify attic venting and safety.

How can I provide fresh air exchange without losing efficiency?

A: Use balanced ventilation with a heat recovery ventilator (HRV). It brings in filtered outdoor air while transferring 60–80% of the heat from the outgoing air to the incoming air, so you get fresh air with minimal energy loss. We can tie it into your HVAC or install it standalone, then size, balance, and program it to run only when needed. You’ll breathe cleaner air, keep temperatures steady, and often qualify for rebates—without driving up utility bills.

Why should I use a Diamond Certified contractor?

A: Diamond Certified contractors earn their status through rigorous, independent customer satisfaction research and verified licensing/insurance—only top performers qualify. For you, that means a proven company that’s monitored year-round, not just self-promoted. You also get extra protection with Diamond Certified’s help and a performance guarantee if something goes wrong. It’s less risk, better results, and peace of mind from start to finish.

How do I know when it’s time to replace my HVAC system?

A: It’s time to consider replacement if your system is 10–15+ years old, needs frequent or pricey repairs, struggles to keep rooms comfortable, or your energy bills keep rising. A good rule of thumb: if a repair is 30–50% of the cost of a new, warrantied unit—or there’s a major issue like a cracked heat exchanger or failing compressor—replacement usually saves money long-term. We’ll run a Manual J load calculation and give you a clear repair-vs-replace comparison with any rebates and financing. You get quieter, more efficient comfort, fewer breakdowns, and lower monthly costs.