Frequently Asked Questions
From Heating or Cooling questions to questions about Indoor Air Quality in your home, read our frequently asked questions to find the answer! Contact the professionals at Underwood AC LLC today to learn more or to request a service!
- How Often Should I Have My HVAC System Serviced?
- How Often Should Air Filters be Changed?
- What Type of Air Filters Should I Use?
- Why is a Programmable Thermostat Important?
- What Is The Best Size HVAC Unit for My Home?
- How Can I Lower Energy Usage in My Florida Home?
- How Important is My Indoor Air Quality?
- When Should I Replace My HVAC System?
- How Do I Know Which Indoor Air Quality Product Will Work Best for My Home?
- What Can I Do to Control the Humidity Level in My Home?
- Is it Better to Have a Heat Pump or a Split AC and Heating System in Florida?
- Do I Really Need HVAC Maintenance in Florida?
- How Can I Prevent My AC System From Needing Costly Repairs?
- What Does SEER Mean and Why Is It Important?
How Often Should I Have My HVAC System Serviced?
Your system should be serviced once or more a year, especially before the summer and winter months. Getting your system checked regularly means you will be less likely to have mechanical issues in the future. Doing so will keep your unit at peak efficiency as well as expand its lifespan and save on repair costs and higher energy bills.
How Often Should Air Filters be Changed?
It all depends on several factors, including the type of air filter you have, the size of your home, and if you have pets. For your average home air filter, changing it every 30 to 60 days is probably your best bet. If you have one pet, it’s better to change it out after 60 days, and if you have more, 20 to 45 days is often best.
What Type of Air Filters Should I Use?
There are several types of air filters you can use, like HEPA, UV, and electrostatic filters. The best on the market is the High-Efficiency Particulate Air filter as it can remove 99.97 percent of pollutants and allergens. It is rated with the highest rating protection for your home.
Why is a Programmable Thermostat Important?
Yes, as it offers you max customizability and efficient comfort for your home. It helps save you money by allowing you to set heating and cooling schedules as it automatically switches over to the desired temp when you want it. This way, you won’t need to worry if you forget to manually change the temperature.
What Is The Best Size HVAC Unit for My Home?
The size of the unit you need will depend primarily on the square footage and other factors relating to your home’s makeup. Checking your square footage will tell you roughly how many BTUs (British Thermal Units) you will require for your home. The most accurate estimate can be done by professionals with a manual j calculation and will give you the most precise measurement.
How Can I Lower Energy Usage in My Florida Home?
There are several easy ways to lower your energy usage like adjusting your thermostat, using your ceiling fan and turning off your lights. You should set your thermostat to 78 degrees in the summer as well as use your ceiling fans to help keep things cool. You can also turn off the lights in rooms when you are not using them and shade your windows so your rooms won’t be as hot.
How Important is My Indoor Air Quality?
It’s important because better indoor air quality prevents allergies and helps against certain illnesses. You can change out your air filters like with your vents or ac unit. You should also check your air ducts to see if they are installed properly, making sure that contaminants are not leaking through. Lastly, an air filter or humidifier will help clean the air and make your home’s humidity more comfortable.
When Should I Replace My HVAC System?
You should replace your HVAC system after ten years due to the system’s efficiency starting to deteriorate during this time. If you have continually rising energy bills or it costs more to repair your system than it does to replace it, it might be time to switch. Also, if you continually have bad air quality, hear strange sounds or notice bad smells, that can be an indicator too.
How Do I Know Which Indoor Air Quality Product Will Work Best for My Home?
It will all depend on what you particularly need for your home, whether it be an air cleaner, humidifier, or UV lamp. An air cleaner helps your HVAC unit by allowing it to capture more dust than your regular air filter. A humidifier will allow you to control the humidity in your home so it’s never dry and a UV lamp works with your system to remove airborne contaminants. It’s best to speak with an expert to determine the best gameplan to keep your IAQ at the highest levels
What Can I Do to Control the Humidity Level in My Home?
Getting yourself a whole-home humidifier is the best way to control the comfort in your home. They are typically very low maintenance and you’ll be able to control the indoor humidity no matter what it is outside. It also reduces airborne contaminants and allergens, so you’ll be able to have a healthier indoor air quality.
Is it Better to Have a Heat Pump or a Split AC and Heating System in Florida?
Due to the generally warmer climate in Florida, an electric heat pump is usually the smarter choice. For example, they are the most heat efficient, according to the department of energy, and allow you to quickly control the coolness or heat in your home. They are also more eco-friendly because they don’t internally burn anything to work.
Do I Really Need HVAC Maintenance in Florida?
Absolutely. It’s recommended that you have your HVAC system tuned-up and checked once a year, especially before the summer hits. If you don’t, you carry the risk of your unit breaking down at the worst time, so having it maintained will save money in the long run.
How Can I Prevent My AC System From Needing Costly Repairs?
Scheduling professional maintenance is the best thing you can do for your system as it helps prevent the need for repairs. You should also regularly change your filter out and keep the unit clean so dirt and other grime don’t gunk it up. It would also be good to make sure your home is properly sealed so the cold air doesn’t leak out and lead to it running longer.
What Does SEER Mean and Why Is It Important?
SEER stands for seasonal energy efficiency ratio and is the maximum efficiency of a system. A higher number means better home comfort along with lower energy bills. The number will generally vary a bit depending on the size and general makeup of your home.