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FAQ

FAQ’s:

Questions:

  1. My unit is not working. Is there anything I can do before I schedule a service call?
  2. How much is the service going to cost me?
  3. I used to have a gas furnace, but now I have a heat pump nd the air coming out of my registers doesn’t feel hot, is this normal?
  4. My outdoor heat pump develops a layer of ice in cold weather, is this normal?
  5. How often should I replace my air filter?
  6. Do I need to replace batteries in my digital thermostat?

My unit is not working. Is there anything I can do before I schedule a service call?

Answer #1:
Yes, there are a couple of things you can check. If you know where your circuit breakers are, you can check to see if they are tripped. A circuit breaker may not appear to be tripped but still could be. Turn the breaker off and back on just to make sure. Your unit should resume normal operation within a few minutes if that was the problem. If the unit trips the circuit breaker again shortly after you set it, you should schedule a service call.

Many newer units have sophisticated printed circuit boards that can lock-up for no apparent reason. Simply unplug your unit or shut the circuit breaker off. Wait ten seconds then restore power. If it was in this lock-up mode, your unit will reset itself.

Some units have reset buttons. If yours does, you can reset your unit by simply pressing the button or by following the instructions on the unit or in the units operation manual.

If you have a unit that runs on propane, check the tank pressure. If it is under 5% most units simply will not run. If it is low, call your propane company and have them fill your tank.

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How much is the service going to cost me?

Answer #2:
There is a $125.00 diagnostic fee to dispatch a technician to your home or place of business. When the technician arrives he will complete a thorough inspection of your system and ductwork. At that time he will give you a Quote for the price of any necessary or recommended repairs. We use a flat rate service manual. We do not charge by the hour, so you will know exactly how much it will cost to fix your unit up front. It is impossible to know how much it will cost until the service technician diagnosis the problem at the site.

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I used to have a gas furnace, but now I have a heat pump and the air coming out of my registers doesn’t feel hot, is this normal?

Answer #3:
It may seem cool to touch, especially when compared to other types of heat. Heat pumps provide heat at temperatures around 90 degrees. Because your body temperature is warmer then that, the air coming out of the vent may initially feel cool to the touch. But heat at approximately 90 degrees can heat your house comfortably. Gas furnaces heat approximately 120 degrees.

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My outdoor heat pump develops a layer of ice in cold weather, is this normal?

Answer #4:

Yes. Normal heat pump operation in the heating mode can develop up to a 1/2″ thick layer of ice on the outdoor coil. There are built in defrost controls to thaw the ice approximately every 1-1 1/2
hours. During the defrost cycle which can last up to ten minutes, you will experience cooler air out of your registers and notice the outside fan stopped rotating. The outdoor section may also sound different while operating during the defrost cycle and steam my come out of the top of the unit, this is sometimes mistaken for smoke. Do not turn the heat pump off during the defrost cycle, let it run the complete cycle.

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How often should I replace my air filter?

Answer #5:

It depends on the type of air filter you have and what time of the year it is. If you use a standard disposable filter, once every two months should be sufficient. If you have a washable filter, it is important to wash it frequently (once a month). These types of filters are typically very restrictive even when clean. When they get dirty they can harm your system and increase energy costs. Contact us for additional information on this subject. We have many solutions available to improve your indoor air quality.

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Do I need to replace batteries in my digital thermostat?

Answer #6:

Digital thermostats come in three types. Battery powered, 24-volt powered, and 24 volt powered with battery back-up. Most thermostats with batteries have a low battery indicator that will display on the screen for several weeks before your thermostat fails to operate. In general, don’t worry about replacing batteries unless you see a reminder on the screen. Contact us for any specific question on your thermostat. We are familiar with all major brands and types.

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