Heating and Air Conditioning FAQs

Here are some of the most common questions we hear from home owners about heating and air conditioning systems; just click on a question to go directly to the response. If you don't see your question answered, feel free to contact Rodman's Heating and Air Conditioning – we can help you out.

1. How important is the air filter in my heating and air conditioning system?
   
   
2. After my air conditioner runs for a while, ice forms on the big pipe outside and it stops cooling. What could be the problem?
   
   
3. What do SEER and AFUE mean?
   
   
4. What size air conditioner do I need for my house?
   
   
5. My gas furnace and air conditioner are both new; do I really need to have them cleaned?
   
   
6. Should I repair or replace old heating or air conditioning equipment?
   
   
7. Why do I need Extended Warranty Protection for my heating and air conditioning system?
   
   
8. Do I need a new heating and air conditioning system in order to purchase extended warranty protection?
   
   
9. What do the Extended Warranty Plans cover?
   
   
10. Could there be any charges for service under an Extended Warranty Plan?
    
    
11. How do I pay for this protection?
    
    

How important is the air filter in my heating and air conditioning system?

It's a fact: the trapped air we breathe in our homes can be loaded with dust, pollen, plant spores, and other pollutant particles. In many cases, it's worse than the air outside. This indoor pollution can be especially problematic if you suffer from allergies. Having an efficient filter for your gas furnace or air conditioner is crucial if you want to improve indoor air quality.

After my air conditioner runs for a while, ice forms on the big pipe outside and it stops cooling. What could be the problem?

More than likely, your air conditioner is either low on refrigerant or low on air flow. As a homeowner, replace your filter and allow the unit to thaw out. If the problem reoccurs, call Rodman's Heating and Air Conditioning today to schedule service on your system. We recommend having annual maintenance performed on your air conditioning system to keep it in peak operating condition.

What do SEER and AFUE mean?

SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. It is calculated by taking the total cooling of an air conditioner during its normal annual usage period for cooling, and dividing it by the total electrical energy input in watt-hours during the same period. SEER is a good guide for comparing air conditioners. Generally speaking, for each point of improvement in SEER, you will receive five to 10 percent improvement in electric usage for that air conditioner.

BTU stands for the British Thermal Unit. It is a unit of heat energy in the inch-pound unit system, which is common today in North America. The BTU is defined as the amount of heat necessary to raise the temperature of one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit from 58.5 to 59.5. A BTU is commonly used to indicate the heating and cooling capacity of a system, as well as heat losses and heat gains. To give an example of system capacity, a 10,000-BTU window air conditioner is capable of removing 10,000 BTUs of heat per hour. To give an example in terms of heat gains, the typical heat gain added to a room by a person at rest is about 230 BTU per hour.

What size air conditioner do I need for my house?

Sizing a residential heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system depends on such variables as geographic location, orientation to the sun, construction details, insulation values, window area and type, etc. Undersizing a system may lead to warmer or cooler temperatures than desired by some occupants. Oversizing the system may lead to humidity or moisture control problems in the space.

My gas furnace and air conditioner are both new; do I really need to have them cleaned?

Yes! Even though your heating and air conditioning system is new, it still needs to have annual maintenance performed. This will help keep the warranty in effect. All HVAC equipment manufacturers state in the terms of their warranty that annual maintenance must be performed by a qualified technician. Keeping your heating and cooling system maintained will give you assurance that it is operating at peak efficiency and safety.

Should I repair or replace old heating or air conditioning equipment?

When you're frustrated with the breakdown of your gas furnace or air conditioner, 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 many not give you the most value, or cost you the least in the long run. Paying for repairs to an old or inefficient heating or air conditioning system often simply prolongs the inevitable. It's almost like putting a bandage on a serious injury. An older HVAC 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.

There's also an ongoing energy cost factor to consider. Restoring your old heating or air conditioning 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 air conditioners are considered inefficient by today's energy efficiency standards. So are most furnaces built before 1980. You could save up to 60 percent on your energy bills with new, high-efficiency equipment. That's why installing a new heating and air conditioning system can actually pay for itself in energy savings within a relatively short time.

Why do I need Extended Warranty Protection for my heating and air conditioning system?

Parts and labour costs continue to go up. One service call to replace a minor part can easily cost $200 or more. With Extended Warranty Protection, you can avoid large heating and air conditioning repair bills and unbudgeted expenses.

Do I need a new heating and air conditioning system in order to purchase Extended Warranty Protection?

No! Along with extended warranties designed for new heating and cooling systems, Rodmans Heating and Air Conditioning offers extended warranties for existing gas furnaces and air conditioners that are up to 20 years old.

What do the Extended Warranty Plans cover?

The Extended Warranty Plans cover labour and parts for heating and air conditioning products which fall under normal wear. The plans do not cover normal gas furnace or air conditioner maintenance.

Could there be any charges for service under an Extended Warranty Plan?

Yes. The extended warranties offered do not cover maintenance of or damage to your heating or air conditioning system due to external causes.

How do I pay for this protection?

You pay for this protection at the time of purchase. This is a one-time charge for the life of the warranty you purchase for your heating and air conditioning system.

Disclaimer: Rodman's Heating and Air Conditioning Technical Services Staff responds to technical inquiries and has compiled answers to the above consumer frequently asked questions (FAQs) about HVAC systems. Answers to consumer FAQs are provided as a service specifically for homeowners and the general public. While every effort has been made to ensure their accuracy and reliability, they are advisory and provided for informational purposes only, and in many cases represent only one person's view. They are not intended and should not be relied on as an official statement of Rodmans Heating and Air Conditioning.