
Frequently Asked Questions
1.
What makes my home comfortable
2.
What kind of system is right for me?
3. What factors affect my choices in making my home
comfortable?
4.
How can I save money?
5.
What maintenance can I do myself?
6. What routine maintenance do I need help with?
7. Can I troubleshootbefore calling landry's?
8. Should
I repair or replace old equipment?
1.
What makes my home comfortable
The four biggest factors in your home's comfort are:
- Temperature
To most
people, temperature is both the beginning and the end of any discussion
involving comfort. To Landry's Heating and Air Conditioning, simple
temperature management is only the beginning. To achieve superior
indoor comfort, you've got to start with the basics -- heating or
cooling -- as the foundation for your system. We offer four main product
families for heating and cooling: Furnaces, Heat Pumps, Air Conditioners,
Package Units.
- Cleanliness/freshness
of air
Dusty, dirty homes at any temperature can cause feelings of discomfort
to many people, especially allergy sufferers. And, the air in today's
tightly-sealed, well-insulated and energy-efficient homes can become
stale as the same indoor air is circulated and re-circulated. The
fact is, with dust, pollen, pet dander, mold, skin flakes, chemical
fumes, cigarette smoke, Radon gas and more, the air inside your home
can be even more polluted than the air outside. Landry's Heating and
Air Conditioning can alleviate these problems and therefore add another
level of comfort with air cleaners and ventilators.
- Humidity
Humidity is a funny thing. In the winter, dry air can cause static
electricity, itchy skin, damage to home furnishings and more. Adding
humidity is a good thing because it makes the air feel warmer and
more comfortable while minimizing damage to furnishings. In the summer,
it is preferable to remove humidity so indoor air feels cooler and
less sticky. Landry's answer? Improved comfort through humidity control
with humidifiers and dehumidifiers.
- System
Control
Some of the common comfort complaints from homeowners include: inconsistent
temperatures from one room to the next, up and down temperature swings,
constantly adjusting the thermostat, and more. System controls of
varying degrees of sophistication can help with these issues, offering
straight temperature control, programmability that allows setting
a "comfort schedule," temperature and humidity control combined,
and dividing the home into zones which can be controlled separately.
Landry's Heating and Air Conditioning provides this kind of control
with thermostats and zoning systems.
2.
What kind of system is right for me?
The system that is right for you will depend on a number of factors:
your budget, your comfort expectations, physical factors such as what
type of system currently exists in your home, the unique features of
your home, and more. Below, you can explore the system options available
and some of the key factors that affect your choice.
- Types of
systems
For the basics
of heating or cooling temperature control, you typically will have
three system options. Below is a list of those options followed by
the approximate percentage of U.S. homes using that particular system.
- Gas Furnace/Air
Conditioner (60% of homes)
- Heat Pump
(25% of homes)
- Small Packaged
System (5% of homes)
- Key Accessories
Additional comfort comes from having clean, fresh air as well as proper
humidity levels inside. These products will fine-tune your system
to help improve your overall comfort and the efficiency of your indoor
comfort system.
- Air Cleaners
- Ventilators
- Humidifiers
- Dehumidifiers
- System
Control
Most people are familiar with the basic thermostat. But, system control
is more than picking a temperature and walking away. It includes being
able to program a comfort schedule for different times of day, setting
humidity levels, and even setting different temperatures for different
areas of the home. Here's how:
- Humidifiers
- Dehumidifiers
- Zoning System
3. What factors affect
my choices in making my home comfortable?
Some of your home comfort decisions will be made for you based on some
of the physical considerations involved, including:
- Your home
Everybody's home
is different. Some are big, some are small. Older homes are not as
tightly sealed as new ones, which means efficiency is reduced. The
number and size of windows, what direction the home is facing, number
of mature trees in the yard and many more factors can affect your
comfort, and may play a part in deciding what type of system is best
for you. Your local heating and cooling contractor should have the
expertise to assess any unusual circumstances surrounding the specific
needs of your home.
- Your existing
system
If
you are replacing an existing system, there are physical and financial
reasons to stay with the same type of system. For example, if you
currently have a boiler, it will be very expensive and physically
challenging to install the ductwork you need for a forced-air furnace
or heat pump.If you want a new type of system because you were dissatisfied
with your comfort, remember that a new system will bring newer comfort
technology and energy efficiency. Also, your comfort problem could
be related to other issues, such as improper ductwork, system balance,
cleanliness or freshness of air, humidity control and system control.
- Your geographical
region
Although there are exceptions to every rule, geography can play a
role in what type of system will work best in your home. Here's the
general idea:
- Colder regions
- Furnace or Boiler/Air Conditioner combo
- Warmer regions
- Heat Pump or Air Conditioner w/ supplemental heat
- Regions with
land or space issues - Small Packaged Rooftop systems
- Energy sources
available
- Some systems
simply won't work if the proper energy source isn't available
or too expensive to consider. The three most likely energy sources
for your comfort system are electricity, gas or oil.
- Energy
sources available
Some systems
simply won't work if the proper energy source isn't available or too
expensive to consider. The three most likely energy sources for your
comfort system are electricity, gas or oil.
- Electricity
If you have no gas or oil service, you will need to go with an
all-electric system, which means a heat pump or air conditioner.
You may be able to have a gas line installed at your home, but
that could be an additional cost. In some areas, electrical rates
are so low that an all-electric system can still be the best option
even if gas or oil are available.
- Gas
If natural gas is available, furnaces and boilers become options
for you. You may still opt to have an all-electric system if that
suits your home or your personal preference.
- Oil
If natural gas is available, furnaces and boilers become options
for you. You may still opt to have an all-electric system if that
suits your home or your personal preference.
4.
How Can I Save Money?
Shopping for bottom line price is easy. But, will the lowest priced
system end up costing you money in the long run with higher operating
costs or by needing to be replaced sooner? Will the lowest priced system
provide the comfort you expect?
Comparing energy
efficiency of different brands of heating and cooling equipment is relatively
easy. Although the rating systems are standardized, allowing you to
make a fair comparison, there are three different rating systems used.
Each rating is used for a specific type of product (in other words,
all furnaces use the same system, heat pumps use a different system,
an so on). The ratings are:
- AFUE (gas heating)
- SEER (cooling)
- HSPF (heat pump
heating)
- AFUE (gas heating)
The efficiency of
a furnace is measured in a rating known as AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization
Efficiency). A lot like your car's miles per gallon rating, AFUE tells
you how efficiently the furnace converts fuel (gas or oil) into heat.
An AFUE of 80% means that 80% of the fuel is used to heat your home,
while the other 20% basically goes up the chimney.
The government mandated
a minimum AFUE rating for furnaces installed in new homes is 78%. (In
contrast, many furnaces manufactured before 1992 had AFUE ratings as
low as 60% - so nearly half the fuel was being wasted.) Furnaces with
AFUE ratings of 78% to 80% are considered "mid-efficiency";
those with ratings of 90% or higher are known as "high efficiency."
The maximum furnace efficiency available is around 96.6%.
In general, a higher
efficiency furnace usually means two things:
1. higher price
2. lower monthly operating cost
If you have an
older furnace (with an AFUE of about 60%), you could save up to 60%
on your heating bills by replacing it with a new high-efficiency furnace.
So the cost to replace your old, inefficient furnace is paid back through
lower utility bills.
- Payback
If you live in a cold climate, you could see a payback in a few short
years. If you live in a moderate climate, it might make more sense
to purchase a mid-efficiency furnace. Landry's Heating and Air Conditioning
can use heating data from your area to help you determine about how
long it would take you to recover the additional cost of a high-efficiency
model in energy savings. (Of course, after the payback, you continue
to save on your energy bills for the life of the system.)
- SEER
(cooling)
Cooling efficiency for air conditioners and heat pumps is indicated
by a SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating, which tells you
how efficiently a unit uses electricity. The higher the number, the
greater the efficiency. The typical SEER rating of units manufactured
prior to 1992 is about 6.0.Now, the government mandated minimum is
10.0 SEER. High-efficiency units have a SEER of at least 12.0; the
maximum available is about 17.
- HSPF
(heat pump heating)
Heat pumps also have heating efficiency ratings, indicated as an HSPF
(Heating Seasonal Performance Factor). In general, the higher the
HSPF rating, the less electricity the unit will use to heat your home.
The government
mandated minimum heating efficiency standards for new heat pumps is
6.8 HSPF. Most heat pumps manufactured before 1992 have HSPF ratings
below 5.0. Today, an HSPF of 7.5 or higher is considered "high-efficiency";
the maximum available is 10.0.
- Matching
Your System for Optimum Efficiency
There's one other factor that affects the efficiency of your air conditioning
or heat pump system: the indoor coil. (Your heat pump or air conditioner
is a "split system," which means that there is an outdoor
unit, or condenser, and an indoor unit, or evaporator coil.) If your
condensing unit is not matched with the proper indoor coil, it may
not give you the stated SEER and/or HSPF ratings and could even develop
performance problems. (It's kind of like putting two new tires on
one side of your car and leaving the old, worn-out ones on the other
side. You'd probably be disappointed with both the performance and
the miles per gallon you get.) When you're replacing an existing system,
make sure you replace both units so your new condensing unit will
give you optimal performance, efficiency and comfort.
5. What Maintenance Can I do Myself?
With the proper maintenance and care, your equipment will operate economically
and dependably. There are a few simple, routine maintenance operations
you can do to help ensure the best performance and comfort from your
system. SAFETY FIRST: Before you perform any kind of maintenance, consider
these important safety precautions.
- Disconnect
all electrical power to the unit before removing access panels to
perform maintenance. Please note that there may be more than
one power connection switch.
- Proceed
with caution.
Although
Manufacturers takes special care to prevent sharp edges in the construction
of our equipment, it's best to be very careful when you handle parts
or reach into units.
- Check the
air filter in your furnace or fan coil every 3 to 4 weeks. A
dirty filter will cause excessive strain on your furnace, air conditioner
or heat pump. Replace your filter when necessary, or clean it if you
have the reusable type. (If you have a reusable filter, make sure
it's completely dry before you re-install it.) The prefilter and collection
cells of an electronic air cleaner should be cleaned at least two
or three times per year
- Clean dust
off of your indoor coil. With a vacuum cleaner and soft-brush
attachment, you can remove any dust from the top and underside of
the coil. Make sure you only do this when the coil is dry. If you
can't get the coil clean this way, call us for service.
- Keep your
outdoor condensing unit free of debris.
If you keep grass clippings, leaves, shrubbery and debris away from
your outdoor unit, it should only require minimal care to operate
properly. Check the base pan (under the unit) occasionally and remove
debris, to help the unit drain correctly. If the outdoor coil becomes
dirty, use a brush or a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment
to clean the surface. To clean dirt that is deep in the coil, contact
Landry's Heating and Air Conditioning.
- Take special
care of outdoor condensing units in ocean environments.
If your unit is located near a sea coast, you can help preserve its
optimal condition with a little extra care. Ocean mist and sea breezes
carry salt, which is corrosive to most metals. Although new Carrier
units are made out of galvanized metal and are protected by top-grade
paint, you can add life to your unit by washing all exposed surfaces
and the coil approximately every three months. (Ask your installing
contractor about the appropriate interval in your area.)
- Make sure
your outdoor unit stays in a level position.
If the support for your split-system outdoor unit shifts or settles
and the unit is no longer level, re-level it promptly to make sure
moisture drains properly out of the unit. If you notice that water
or ice collects beneath the unit, arrange for it to be drained away
from the equipment.
- Inspect
your furnace's combustion area and vent system before each heating
season. If you find dirt, soot or rust, your system may not
operate properly or at its peak efficiency. Call Landry's Heating
and Air Conditioning and do not operate your furnace until it is professionally
inspected and/or repaired.
- Have oil-fired
boilers inspected annually. Call Landry's Heating and Air
Conditioning before each heating season to replace your oil filter
cartridge and conduct a thorough inspection of the unit's operation.
- Clean your
humidifier at the beginning of every heating season. Review
your owner's manual for the proper procedure to clean the external
and internal components of your unit. The evaporator pad should also
be replaced before each heating season. If the water in your area
is hard or has high mineral content, you may need to clean or service
your humidifier more frequently.
- Clean the
core and air filters on a ventilator at least every three months.
You can vacuum the core of an energy recovery ventilator as long as
it is dry and the outdoor temperature is between 60 F (16 C) and 75
F (24 C). Heat recovery ventilator cores can be soaked for three hours
in a solution of warm water and mild soap and then rinsed. Ventilator
air filters are washable: just use a vacuum to remove the heaviest
accumulation of dust and then wash them in lukewarm water. Replace
them after they are completely dry.
6.
What Routine Maintenance do I Need Help With?
Think about how you take care of your car. Sure, most people can handle
the little stuff - checking and topping off fluids, keeping tires inflated
to the correct pressure, changing the wiper blades. But, to keep your
car operating at its best, you need an occasional tune-up from a trained
professional.
Your heating and
cooling system is no different. To get the most performance and longest
life from your system, it's a good idea to have a professional perform
routine checks in the spring and in the fall.
- Spring
maintenance
In the spring, Landry's Heating and Air Conditioning can typically
check a heat pump or air conditioner for all or some of the following:
- operating
pressures
- refrigerant
charge
- filter condition
- compressor
- fan motor
- capacitors
- belts
- crankcase
heaters
- coils cleaning
- lubrication
of moving parts
- Fall maintenance
In the fall, you can expect Landry's Heating and Air Conditioning
to check your furnace in the following areas:
- burner and
pilot assemblies
- cracks in
the heat exchanger
- check the
pilot thermocouple
- examine the
filter and check vent piping
- test the
electronic ignition
- test the
fan
- test the
limit switch
- burner adjustments
- measure manifold
gas pressure
- measure temperature
rise
- carbon monoxide
test
- set the heat
anticipator
- check and
adjust belt tension
- examine the
draft diverter
- lubricate
the fan motor
7. Can I Troubleshoot Before Calling Landry's?
The answer is, "Yes." Here are some simple procedures you
can perform before going to the expense of a service call:
- Check disconnect
switches
(indoor and outdoor if you have a split system). Make sure that circuit
breakers are ON or that fuses have not blown.
- Check for
sufficient airflow. Make sure air filters are clean and that
supply-air and return-air grilles are open and unobstructed.
- Check the
settings on your thermostat. If you want cooling, make sure
the temperature control selector is set below room temperature and
the SYSTEM switch is on the COOL or AUTO position. If you want heat,
make sure the temperature control selector is set above room temperature
and the SYSTEM switch is at HEAT or AUTO. The FAN switch should be
set at ON for continuous blower operation or AUTO if you want the
blower to function only while the unit is operating.
In addition to the
routine maintenance you perform, your home comfort system should be
inspected at least once a year by a properly trained service technician.
Landry's Heating and Air Conditioning can make sure your system operates
safely and gives you the best performance at the lowest cost. You may
also want to ask us about an economical service contract that covers
seasonal inspections for a flat fee.
8. Should I Repair or Replace Old Equipment?
Three main factors to consider are:
- Life expectancy
- Operating cost
- Looking at the
big picture
- Life Expectancy
of Current System
When you're frustrated
with an equipment break-down, it can be tempting to find the least expensive
"quick fix" to get on with your life in relative comfort.
That "quick fix" may be the least expensive now, but it may
not give you the most value - or cost you the least - in the long run.
Paying for repairs
to an old or inefficient system often simply prolongs the inevitable.
It's almost like putting a bandage on a serious injury. An older system
that breaks down once is likely to break down again ... and again. That
means more emergency service calls or, worse yet, the risk of damage
to your home or to other components of your heating and cooling system.
Operating Cost
There's also an
ongoing cost factor to consider. Restoring your old system will only
bring it back to its current level of energy efficiency. After you've
recovered from the repair bills and the frustration of system breakdowns,
you still won't save on your energy bills.
Even six-year-old
heat pumps and air conditioners are considered grossly inefficient by
today's energy efficiency standards. So are most furnaces built before
1980. So you could save up to 60% on your energy bills with new high-efficiency
equipment. That's why installing a new heating and cooling system can
actually pay for itself in energy savings within a relatively short
time.
Looking at
the Big Picture
When
one component of your system breaks down unexpectedly, it's easy to
just focus on repairing or replacing that component. But each part of
your system works with the others to boost efficiency and reliability,
so it helps to keep the big picture in mind.
Replacing your old
furnace with a new higher-efficiency model but leaving your old mechanical
thermostat in place, for example, won't allow you to enjoy all the efficiency
advantages the furnace has to offer. Likewise, if you install a new
furnace but don't get a humidifier, the air may seem cooler, forcing
you to operate your new system at a higher temperature to be comfortable.
Plus, you can often save on installation costs if you have several components
of your system (for example, a furnace and an air conditioner) replaced
at the same time.
Hot Weather Preparation
Things a homeowner can do during extreme hot spells:
- Keep grass clippings
and leaves away from the outdoor unit. This keeps dirt and debris
from getting into the system. It also keeps the airflow path clear.
- Keep furniture
and carpeting away from grills and ductwork. If you block your air
conditioning system's ability to deliver air, you rob yourself of
the cooling necessary to keep your home comfortable.
- Keep the west-facing
drapes, shades or blinds drawn in the afternoon. Keeping the sun out
will keep your home cooler.
- Run your dishwasher,
washing machine and dryer in the evening hours.
- Don't use your
oven.
- Keep your fan
running. It helps to keep the air moving.
- Don't overrun
an exhaust fan. It pulls the air conditioning out of the home.
- Use a programmable
thermostat. This allows you to cool your home only when you need it.
- Zone your heating
and cooling system. If you spend most of your time in one part of
your home or if different people in your home want the temperature
at different settings, then zoning can help you be more comfortable
and save money on your utility bills.
- Use an attic
ventilator. By pulling hot air out of your home, you keep your home
cooler in the summer.
- Have your cooling
system checked at least once per year by an ACCA member contractor.
Your equipment works more efficiently when it is clean and running
properly.
Going on Vacation?
DO NOT turn off your air conditioning unit!
Set your thermostat at 85 degrees. This keeps the air circulating in
your home. High temperatures and humidity can cause damage to your home,
your workplace and your health! Humidity can cause wallpaper to peel,
floorboards to warp, and most importantly, mold and fungus to form in
bathrooms, on furniture and in your air conditioning ducts.
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