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~ ~~ ~ Just the F.A.Q.s ~ ~~ ~
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Most people have either never shopped for a heating
and cooling system, or they have not done it in a long time and the
technology has changed. Either way, looking for a
new heating or cooling system can be pretty
intimidating. To help make this task easier this
simple guide provides tips on what to look for.
In this day of energy conservation and cost
consciousness, it’s nice to know there’s
still an economical way to invest in a comfort
system. Whether you’re buying a system for
your home or office, you will enjoy high
efficiency energy saving comfort, exceptional
value and a fair return of your investment. The
federal government requires all air conditioning
and heating equipment to be rated as to
efficiency. The higher the rating, the more
efficient the model. For cooling, the rating is
SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating); heat
pump heating is HSPF (Heating Seasonal
Performance Factor) and gas furnaces are rated
with AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency).
All of these ratings can be compared through
reliant energy or referencing the ARI Directory.
Even the lowest efficiency systems currently
allowed by the U.S. Government will almost always
cost less to operate than a system that was
installed some time in the last millennium. Most
manufacturers offer higher efficiency models
which will add to your savings on monthly utility
bills. Typically, higher efficiency systems will
cost more initially, so it's important to look
for the right balance between first cost and long-term
savings. No matter how efficient your system is,
the way you manage system operation can affect
your heating and cooling costs. Naturally, you
want to feel comfortable when you're home. But do
you really need all of that comfort when you're
NOT home? Do you need to run your system at full
force while everybody's in bed, sleeping? By
remembering to "set back" the
temperature on your system's thermostat during
times when you don't really need as much comfort,
you can save significantly more on your monthly
utility bill then if you spent hundreds of
dollars upgrading to a 13 or 15 SEER air
conditioner. This type of temperature control can
be done automatically with a programmable
thermostat. Zoning systems can provide even
greater efficiency and comfort by dividing the
home into comfort "zones" and providing
differing temperatures for each zone. For a
variety of reasons, newer homes are more energy
efficient than older ones. They are built to keep
conditioned air inside so you are not paying to
heat and cool air that easily finds its way out
of your home. As a home gets older, settling will
cause some of that air-tight construction to
loosen up. Regardless of your home's age, you can
do some simple maintenance that will help to make
sure you keep the conditioned air inside, where
it belongs. Be sure your home is adequately
insulated. Adding insulation to attic areas is
usually pretty easy. Other areas, such as outside
walls, provide a more challenging project if
extra insulation is needed. Check the seals
around windows, doors, electrical outlets or any
other potential sources for escaping air. Seal
these areas using a good quality caulk, and be
sure to re-examine your handiwork every few years.
Inside your home, weather stripping around moving
parts of windows and doors can help seal off
potential areas of leakage or drafts. Storm doors
and windows can provide additional energy savings
by preventing air loss and by creating an
insulating layer of air. With the proper
maintenance and care, your equipment will
continue to 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.
remember SAFETY FIRST. Before you perform any
kind of maintenance, consider these important
safety precautions. 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 twice a year by us.
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. We
will 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. Of course AIRKO sells and
sevices all makes and models but I would like to
take a moment to tell you how the RUUDŽ story
started in the 1880s when Edwin Ruud, a Norwegian
mechanical engineer, came to America and
developed the first successful automatic water
heater. Incredibly reliable, Ruud's water heater
was eagerly accepted by the public as the symbol
of modern living and convenience. That early
success marked the beginning of a tradition of
innovation and value that led to the introduction
of RUUD heating and air conditioning equipment in
the 1950's. Today, RUUD manufactures some of the
most reliable Air Conditioners, Furnaces, Package
Units and Accessories in the industry.
1 ) Disconnect all electrical power to the unit
before removing access panels to perform
maintenance. Please note that capacitors retain a
charge and there may be more than one power
connection switch!
2 ) Take special care when you handle parts or
reach into units to prevent injury from sharp
edges. Fan blades are very hazardes and can be
virtually transparent at high speed
3 ) Always be on the look out for 'nests' in the
machine
Covering the unit is not necessary. Air
conditioners are manufactured to withstand all
possible climate changes. In fact, rain helps
keep your unit clean. Of course, because heat
pumps run all year long, they should never be
covered. 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. Filters should
generally be replaced every month when the system
is running. whenever you get your Reliant bill,
remember, your bill IS connected to your filter.
Replace filters with the same kind and size as
original filter. If your filter is not
disposable, follow the manufacturer instructions
for cleaning. 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 AIRKO 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, be
very careful not to damage any of the fins while
cleaning. If the coils appear clogged or the
drains cease to flow, call AIRKO. 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 us and
do not operate your furnace.
FOR OUR GALVESTON CUSTOMERS
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 some new 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. If you notice that water or
ice collects beneath the unit call us.
When the gremlins hit, equipment downtime . . .
LABOR GUARANTY : The labor charged for service is
guaranteed 30 days. Airko does not guaranty parts
other then those we install. If repairs become
necessary due to other defective parts they will
be charged separately.
PARTS WARRANTY : All parts Airko installs are
warranted as per manufacturer specifications,
excluding vandalism, pest damage, pilot light
outages, freon or water leaks, drain line stops,
tripped breakers, power failures, burnout of
electrical equipment from over or under voltage,
fire, flood, acts of God, similar occurrences and
any resulting damage.
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