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Air Conditioning & Heating Questions
HVAC information.
Product Questions
Q: What does the air handler do for my system?
A: An air handler is a combination of the fan from a furnace and the coil system from an evaporator coil. An air handler can also be called a fan coil. They are primarily used in homes that use a heat pump or an air conditioner only, and they are responsible for pulling air from your home, and forcing it through the indoor coils to either heat or cool the air before it is sent back into the home via ductwork. Homes that have a furnace, do not need an air handler because the furnace fan combined with an evaporator coil do the same thing.
A: Yes, especially in modern homes that have been sealed well for energy efficiency. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), your exposure to air pollutants can be much higher indoors than outdoors. GM Air - Air Conditioning & Heating offers our customers a suite of IAQ products that renew, filter and protect your indoor air. Learn more: indoor air quality.
A: A programmable thermostat can save you money on utilities by helping you only use your furnace or air conditioner (or heat pump) when you needed. Homeowners can save more than the cost of the thermostat when they are installed and used correctly. Call GM Air - Air Conditioning & Heating at 760-346-9425 to get more information about an updated thermostat that can save you money and offer time saving features such as remote access.
A: Besides proper load testing and system design, the other most significant component is ductwork. The ducts for your home can be made of either metal or fiberglass. Ducts need to be properly sized to deliver the right amount of air to each room. A central cooling system uses supply and return ducts. The supply duct is attached to the outlet of the furnace or air handler and delivers air to individual zones in your home. The size of the ductwork going into a space is determined by the amount of air that needs to be delivered to that particular area in your home. Poor ductwork design and installation can cost significantly in comfort and energy savings. Contact us at 760-346-9425 to have your HVAC installation done right.
A: Aside from the placement of the new equipment, we will inspect several items and determine whether they need to be supplied or replaced. Some of the items include: ductwork, insulation, refrigerant piping, electrical service, wiring, thermostat, condensate piping, flue piping, flue terminations, chimney liner, slabs, filter, driers, registers, grills, drain pans and the evaporator coil. It is typically better to replace multiple component at once to realize the possible energy cost savings of new equipment.
A: GM Air - Air Conditioning & Heating is here to make sure you get the ideal system for your specific needs. This involves proper load calculation and design. Then we assess other unique needs for your home. For example, some products can reduce air stratification and uneven temperatures from room to room. Or if you have allergies, an indoor unit with an variable speed fan and an advanced air cleaner will allow you to circulate the air in your home continuously, and filter out microscopic particles including polling and bacteria. Finally, we'll apply your needs to your budget parameters to make final recommendations. Often, the energy savings on a new system will offset most or all of the cost of the equipment and installation.
A: Many factors affect the cost of an air conditioner or heat pump, including the size of your home, the type and condition of the ductwork installed, and accessories you might need such as a thermostat or an electronic air cleaner. You do not want to purchase a system that is too large as that will actually cost you in efficiency instead of help you save. As your trusted, local HVAC contractor, we will do proper load testing and provide you with different options that will fit your budget.
A: You may wish to consider replacing your air conditioning or heating system if it is old, inefficient or in need of repair. Today's systems are as much as 60% more efficient than systems manufactured as little as ten years ago. In addition, if not properly maintained, wear and tear on a system can reduce the actual or realized efficiency of the system. If your monthly utility bill is high, or if you are faced with an expensive repair, it might be time for a replacement. The utility cost savings of a new unit can provide an attractive return on your investment. If you plan on financing the purchase, the monthly savings on your utility bill should be considered when determining the actual monthly cost of replacing the system. Sometimes are customers are able to bump up to an even higher efficiency by keeping these facts in mind.
A: Contact us at 760-346-9425 for help with obtaining replacement parts.
A: When replacing your air conditioner or heat pump, the answer is most likely yes. The efficiency ratings that are advertised for an air conditioner or heat pump are based on the performance as part of a matched system. If only the outdoor portion is changed, the efficiency and savings could be less than that of a matched system. Not sure what an indoor coil does? Read more: heating and air conditioning explained.
A: If you are on a GM Air - Air Conditioning & Heating scheduled maintenance plan, industry averages suggest that an air conditioner should last 12-15 years (coastal applications may be less), and a gas furnace should last 20-25 years.
A: The products we offer our customers are top of the line, and typically come with a 10 year warranty on parts, as that is the standard time period from most manufacturers. Some components are even covered with a life time warranty.
We are happy to answer any more questions you may have. Either use our contact form, or call us at 760-346-9425. If you would like to learn more about GM Air - Air Conditioning & Heating, please visit our about us page.
A: An air handler is a combination of the fan from a furnace and the coil system from an evaporator coil. An air handler can also be called a fan coil. They are primarily used in homes that use a heat pump or an air conditioner only, and they are responsible for pulling air from your home, and forcing it through the indoor coils to either heat or cool the air before it is sent back into the home via ductwork. Homes that have a furnace, do not need an air handler because the furnace fan combined with an evaporator coil do the same thing.
Q: Should I be concerned about Indoor Air Quality?
A: Yes, especially in modern homes that have been sealed well for energy efficiency. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), your exposure to air pollutants can be much higher indoors than outdoors. GM Air - Air Conditioning & Heating offers our customers a suite of IAQ products that renew, filter and protect your indoor air. Learn more: indoor air quality.
Q: What is the best thermostat to use with my system?
A: A programmable thermostat can save you money on utilities by helping you only use your furnace or air conditioner (or heat pump) when you needed. Homeowners can save more than the cost of the thermostat when they are installed and used correctly. Call GM Air - Air Conditioning & Heating at 760-346-9425 to get more information about an updated thermostat that can save you money and offer time saving features such as remote access.
Questions on purchasing an HVAC system
Q: What is involved in installing a new system?
A: Besides proper load testing and system design, the other most significant component is ductwork. The ducts for your home can be made of either metal or fiberglass. Ducts need to be properly sized to deliver the right amount of air to each room. A central cooling system uses supply and return ducts. The supply duct is attached to the outlet of the furnace or air handler and delivers air to individual zones in your home. The size of the ductwork going into a space is determined by the amount of air that needs to be delivered to that particular area in your home. Poor ductwork design and installation can cost significantly in comfort and energy savings. Contact us at 760-346-9425 to have your HVAC installation done right.
Q: What is involved in replacing an old system?
A: Aside from the placement of the new equipment, we will inspect several items and determine whether they need to be supplied or replaced. Some of the items include: ductwork, insulation, refrigerant piping, electrical service, wiring, thermostat, condensate piping, flue piping, flue terminations, chimney liner, slabs, filter, driers, registers, grills, drain pans and the evaporator coil. It is typically better to replace multiple component at once to realize the possible energy cost savings of new equipment.
Q: How do I select the right heating and air conditioning system?
A: GM Air - Air Conditioning & Heating is here to make sure you get the ideal system for your specific needs. This involves proper load calculation and design. Then we assess other unique needs for your home. For example, some products can reduce air stratification and uneven temperatures from room to room. Or if you have allergies, an indoor unit with an variable speed fan and an advanced air cleaner will allow you to circulate the air in your home continuously, and filter out microscopic particles including polling and bacteria. Finally, we'll apply your needs to your budget parameters to make final recommendations. Often, the energy savings on a new system will offset most or all of the cost of the equipment and installation.
Q: How expensive is an air conditioner or heat pump system?
A: Many factors affect the cost of an air conditioner or heat pump, including the size of your home, the type and condition of the ductwork installed, and accessories you might need such as a thermostat or an electronic air cleaner. You do not want to purchase a system that is too large as that will actually cost you in efficiency instead of help you save. As your trusted, local HVAC contractor, we will do proper load testing and provide you with different options that will fit your budget.
Q: Why should I replace my existing heating or cooling system?
A: You may wish to consider replacing your air conditioning or heating system if it is old, inefficient or in need of repair. Today's systems are as much as 60% more efficient than systems manufactured as little as ten years ago. In addition, if not properly maintained, wear and tear on a system can reduce the actual or realized efficiency of the system. If your monthly utility bill is high, or if you are faced with an expensive repair, it might be time for a replacement. The utility cost savings of a new unit can provide an attractive return on your investment. If you plan on financing the purchase, the monthly savings on your utility bill should be considered when determining the actual monthly cost of replacing the system. Sometimes are customers are able to bump up to an even higher efficiency by keeping these facts in mind.
Maintenance Questions
Q: Where do I get replacement parts?
A: Contact us at 760-346-9425 for help with obtaining replacement parts.
Q: Should I change my indoor coil?
A: When replacing your air conditioner or heat pump, the answer is most likely yes. The efficiency ratings that are advertised for an air conditioner or heat pump are based on the performance as part of a matched system. If only the outdoor portion is changed, the efficiency and savings could be less than that of a matched system. Not sure what an indoor coil does? Read more: heating and air conditioning explained.
Q: How long can I expect a new system to last?
A: If you are on a GM Air - Air Conditioning & Heating scheduled maintenance plan, industry averages suggest that an air conditioner should last 12-15 years (coastal applications may be less), and a gas furnace should last 20-25 years.
Q: What is covered in my warranty?
A: The products we offer our customers are top of the line, and typically come with a 10 year warranty on parts, as that is the standard time period from most manufacturers. Some components are even covered with a life time warranty.
We are happy to answer any more questions you may have. Either use our contact form, or call us at 760-346-9425. If you would like to learn more about GM Air - Air Conditioning & Heating, please visit our about us page.
