FAQ
Many things that happen to an HVAC system can be remedied by the homeowner WITHOUT a service visit. Such as:
• Dirty filter. Check the filter. A dirty filter can either stop or compromise your systems ability to perform.
• Breaker box. Sometimes it’s simply a matter of a tripped breaker. If that’s the case, switch the breaker back on and in most cases you’re good to go.
• Thermostat Batteries. When is the last time you checked the batteries in your thermostat? If it’s been awhile, a simple replacement could be your solution.
Your system is still not responding? Give Airflow a call to schedule a technician for same day service at 434-979-4328.
Visit our Performance Program page for more details. (link to performance program page)
HERS stands for the Home Energy Rating System. The index is a nationally recognized scoring system for measuring a home’s energy performance, sort of miles-per-gallon sticker for houses. Many certification programs require a specific minimum HERS score. A HERS score identifies a number of issues problems with energy efficiency. These include:
• Amount and location of air leaks in the building envelope
• Effectiveness of walls and ceilings insulation
• Amount of leakage from HVAC distribution ducts
• Any existing or potential combustion safety issues
• Amount and location of air leaks in the building envelope
• Effectiveness of walls and ceilings insulation
• Amount of leakage from HVAC distribution ducts
• Any existing or potential combustion safety issues
Most likely YES. There are several reasons:
• Design advances. In recent years, indoor blower coil units have undergone numerous design advances, especially in the areas of air handling performance, filtering efficiency and operating sound levels. A new outdoor unit will also include the latest design advances.
• Higher cooling and heating efficiency. The cooling and/or heating efficiency rating assigned to a given air conditioner or heat pump is based on matched system performance. While you may gain higher efficiency by replacing only the outdoor unit, the efficiency levels (and savings) are not as high as with a matched system.
• Equipment age. If an air conditioner or heat pump outdoor unit is 10 years old and needs replacement, the indoor unit is just as old and has been subjected to the same amount of wear and tear. Replacing both units means you won’t have to replace the indoor unit in a short time—you’ll have years of service from both units.
• New warranty. A new unit also gives you a new product warranty. Replacing the indoor unit at the same time as the outdoor unit gives you added peace of mind, knowing the new warranty covers the entire system.
• Cost savings. Replacing only an air conditioner or heat pump outdoor unit may appear to be a bargain. That is, until you consider the lower efficiency, decreased reliability and high cost of ownership associated with single-unit replacement. It may cost more to replace an entire system, but this gives you more efficiency, reliability and comfort.
• Design advances. In recent years, indoor blower coil units have undergone numerous design advances, especially in the areas of air handling performance, filtering efficiency and operating sound levels. A new outdoor unit will also include the latest design advances.
• Higher cooling and heating efficiency. The cooling and/or heating efficiency rating assigned to a given air conditioner or heat pump is based on matched system performance. While you may gain higher efficiency by replacing only the outdoor unit, the efficiency levels (and savings) are not as high as with a matched system.
• Equipment age. If an air conditioner or heat pump outdoor unit is 10 years old and needs replacement, the indoor unit is just as old and has been subjected to the same amount of wear and tear. Replacing both units means you won’t have to replace the indoor unit in a short time—you’ll have years of service from both units.
• New warranty. A new unit also gives you a new product warranty. Replacing the indoor unit at the same time as the outdoor unit gives you added peace of mind, knowing the new warranty covers the entire system.
• Cost savings. Replacing only an air conditioner or heat pump outdoor unit may appear to be a bargain. That is, until you consider the lower efficiency, decreased reliability and high cost of ownership associated with single-unit replacement. It may cost more to replace an entire system, but this gives you more efficiency, reliability and comfort.
Zoning divides your home into separate comfort areas to cool or heat only areas that need conditioning. For example, a living room with large windows may stay too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter. A zoning system will send more conditioned air to the living room to make up for the heat gained or lost through the windows. Zoning uses only one comfort system to control the temperature for each zone. Installing a comfort system with a zoning system costs quite a bit less than installing two systems, and the yearly maintenance is also less expensive.
• Why zone? Today’s families have different lifestyles and comfort needs. Maybe you have a home office that needs extra conditioning during the day, and none at night. Or you only use the upstairs bedrooms when guests visit. Whatever your needs, zoning can keep each area of your house at the perfect temperature with the most economical operation.
• When to install zoning. If you are replacing your air conditioner, furnace or heat pump, it is an excellent time to install a zoning system and achieve precise control and comfort everywhere in the house. Zoning is also excellent for new homes, since it is installed during construction. If you are buying a new home, check with a your builder about a zoning system. It could make the difference between enjoying your new house and being truly comfortable in it!
• Zoning alternatives. Installing more than one comfort system can work to keep temperatures comfortable, but multiple systems are expensive. Typically, in a two-story home, one comfort system is installed for the downstairs, and one for the upstairs. This way, when hot air rises, the upstairs unit can keep it cool upstairs, even in the summer. And in the winter, the downstairs unit can keep that area warm.
• Why zone? Today’s families have different lifestyles and comfort needs. Maybe you have a home office that needs extra conditioning during the day, and none at night. Or you only use the upstairs bedrooms when guests visit. Whatever your needs, zoning can keep each area of your house at the perfect temperature with the most economical operation.
• When to install zoning. If you are replacing your air conditioner, furnace or heat pump, it is an excellent time to install a zoning system and achieve precise control and comfort everywhere in the house. Zoning is also excellent for new homes, since it is installed during construction. If you are buying a new home, check with a your builder about a zoning system. It could make the difference between enjoying your new house and being truly comfortable in it!
• Zoning alternatives. Installing more than one comfort system can work to keep temperatures comfortable, but multiple systems are expensive. Typically, in a two-story home, one comfort system is installed for the downstairs, and one for the upstairs. This way, when hot air rises, the upstairs unit can keep it cool upstairs, even in the summer. And in the winter, the downstairs unit can keep that area warm.
Ductless, mini-split systems (also called more simply, mini-splits) are typically used in multifamily housing or as add-ons to houses with “non-ducted” heating systems, such as hydronic (hot water heat), radiant panels, and space heaters (wood, kerosene, propane). Mini splits are also a good choice for room additions and small apartments that lack ductwork. The main advantages of mini splits are their small size and flexibility for zoning or heating and cooling individual rooms. Some models can have as many as four independently controlled zones connected to one outdoor unit, allowing for greater flexibility and more energy efficient conditioning. Further details are available at Energy.gov.
For more information on a Mini-Split system, give Airflow a call at 434-979-4328.
For more information on a Mini-Split system, give Airflow a call at 434-979-4328.
Homeowners need to take several precautions before attempting to salvage or restart their cooling and heating equipment after a severe storm or flood.
• Be cautious. Don’t be too quick to get things back to normal after a storm improper maintenance and preparation can cause problems years later.
• If the storm caused flooding…Open equipment and, if possible, get some air circulation going to speed the drying process. Don’t start equipment until you are certain there is no water inside any components. If you’re not sure, don’t start it.
• Restoring electrical power. If the power company gives you approval to turn on the electricity, but you think you may have a problem with your cooling or heating equipment, have the service company disconnect the equipment from the electrical source and call Airflow before resuming use.
• Be cautious. Don’t be too quick to get things back to normal after a storm improper maintenance and preparation can cause problems years later.
• If the storm caused flooding…Open equipment and, if possible, get some air circulation going to speed the drying process. Don’t start equipment until you are certain there is no water inside any components. If you’re not sure, don’t start it.
• Restoring electrical power. If the power company gives you approval to turn on the electricity, but you think you may have a problem with your cooling or heating equipment, have the service company disconnect the equipment from the electrical source and call Airflow before resuming use.
You may have tried to get rid of odors in your home by spraying air fresheners or lighting candles. The problem is that they only mask the odors, they don’t get rid of them. In fact, they may even cause further contamination of the home with chemical ingredients.
To properly remove indoor odors, you need an air scrubber, a portable filtration system that removes particles, gasses, and/or chemicals from the air within a given area. The advantages include:
• Improves ventilation. Sometimes, poor ventilation in a home causes unpleasant odors. Moisture condensation on walls or windows and stuffy air are signs of poor ventilation. A qualified service technician can inspect your home comfort system to determine if this is indeed the problem, and the technician can also inform you whether or not your equipment is working properly.
• Purifies the air. Bacteria, dust mites, animal dander, cat saliva and mold may also be roots of your home’s odor problem. You can reduce these odor-causing contaminants with a germicidal (UV) light, which inhibit the growth of biological contaminants, sterilizing surfaces in the HVAC system. Germicidal lights are designed to work with your home comfort system.
• Activated carbon and microbiocide-treated filters can also purify your home’s air. Both the carbon and the microbiocide-treated filters remove odor and kill bacteria. The carbon filters are more effective at removing odor, and the microbiocide-treated filters trap bacteria as the air is pulled through, which inhibits biological contaminants from growing.
To determine which indoor air quality system best meets your needs, give Airflow a call at 434-979-4328 to schedule your Indoor Air Quality Evaluation today.
Visit our Indoor Air Quality Evaluation page for more details. (link to Indoor Air Quality page)
To properly remove indoor odors, you need an air scrubber, a portable filtration system that removes particles, gasses, and/or chemicals from the air within a given area. The advantages include:
• Improves ventilation. Sometimes, poor ventilation in a home causes unpleasant odors. Moisture condensation on walls or windows and stuffy air are signs of poor ventilation. A qualified service technician can inspect your home comfort system to determine if this is indeed the problem, and the technician can also inform you whether or not your equipment is working properly.
• Purifies the air. Bacteria, dust mites, animal dander, cat saliva and mold may also be roots of your home’s odor problem. You can reduce these odor-causing contaminants with a germicidal (UV) light, which inhibit the growth of biological contaminants, sterilizing surfaces in the HVAC system. Germicidal lights are designed to work with your home comfort system.
• Activated carbon and microbiocide-treated filters can also purify your home’s air. Both the carbon and the microbiocide-treated filters remove odor and kill bacteria. The carbon filters are more effective at removing odor, and the microbiocide-treated filters trap bacteria as the air is pulled through, which inhibits biological contaminants from growing.
To determine which indoor air quality system best meets your needs, give Airflow a call at 434-979-4328 to schedule your Indoor Air Quality Evaluation today.
Visit our Indoor Air Quality Evaluation page for more details. (link to Indoor Air Quality page)
It is now possible to exchange stale indoor air with fresh outdoor air without compromising the energy efficiency of your home. Heat recovery ventilators (HRVs) and energy recovery ventilators (ERVs) exchange stale, recirculated indoor air with fresh, filtered outside air, and no energy is wasted.
HRVs and ERVs are electronically powered units that circulate air throughout your home using the existing forced-air system or specially installed ducts. These units pump stale air out of your home and replace it with an equal volume of fresh outside air. An HRV is a compact unit that conditions the temperature of the outside air, while an ERV is a packaged unit that conditions both the temperature and humidity of the outside air. Because these units condition the air before it enters the home, your energy costs remain stable.
HRVs and ERVs are electronically powered units that circulate air throughout your home using the existing forced-air system or specially installed ducts. These units pump stale air out of your home and replace it with an equal volume of fresh outside air. An HRV is a compact unit that conditions the temperature of the outside air, while an ERV is a packaged unit that conditions both the temperature and humidity of the outside air. Because these units condition the air before it enters the home, your energy costs remain stable.