HEATING HARDING COOLING 1-866-YOU-WARM (968-9276) "For Your Comfort" |
| FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS |
Why should I purchase a new heating or air conditioning system?
At Harding's, we realize that purchasing a heating or cooling system is no small
matter. However, if your existing system is old, in need of repair or simply inefficient,
purchasing a new unit, one which can be as much as 60% more efficient than a
system purchased just 10 years ago, can turn into a long term benefit. Rather than
continuing to pay for ongoing maintenance and costly monthly bills, invest in a new
system today that will save you money for years to come.
How do I find the system that's right for me?
There are many heating and cooling systems to choose from today. By contacting
Harding Heating & Cooling, you have access to a vast array of heating and cooling
knowledge and experience to help you decide which system best suits your specific
needs. The size and age of your home, as well as the number of rooms, climate, local
and regional costs, degree days and utility incentive programs are all factors that will
effect selection of your system. Harding Heating & Cooling, utilizing the latest
technology, consider all of these factors along with your input in assisting you in
choosing the best system for your home.
Consumers seeking to replace an existing system often choose a new unit with equal
or higher efficiency ratings as compared to their old system. Replacing a unit that is
older than 10 to 15 years old may reduce gas and electricity costs from 30 to 50%.
Contacting Harding Heating & Cooling can help you to define your initial cost,
warranty protection, service options, maintenance options and operating costs. Once
you have chosen a system, it is important to remember that proper installation is a
major factor in maximizing its operating efficiency and your comfort level.
How do I determine the size, or capacity, of my HVAC system?
Factors affecting the size of your new system include:
size heating or cooling unit for your home and your lifestyle.
What goes into installing a new system?
Beyond the new equipment being installed, the ductwork is the most important
component. Ductwork is composed of two parts, supply and return. Supply duct is
attached to the outflow of the new system, delivering air to each zone in a home. The
amount of air reaching each zone is determined by the size of the supply ductwork
connecting it to your system. Harding will help you determine the size of all the supply
ductwork in your home. The second part of the ductwork, the return duct, attaches to
the inlet of the new system and draws air out of the spaces to be heated or cooled.
Attached to the return duct is the filter. The filter should be placed as near to the
furnace or air handler as possible. Ductwork can be either fiberglass material or metal
and must be properly sized in order to evenly distribute the proper amount of air to
each room.
What happens when I replace my old system?
To install the most efficient HVAC system in your home, a detailed inspection should
first be performed by your installation contractor. The inspection by your contractor
should include, at least, the inspection of your home's ductwork, insulation, refrigerant
piping, electrical service, wiring, thermostat, condensate piping, flue piping, flue
terminations, chimney liner, slabs, filter, driers, registers, grills, drain pans and
evaporator coil.
How long will my system last?
Maintenance and service play a huge role in the life cycle of a heating or cooling
system. If all recommended maintenance and service actions are taken, it is believed
that an air conditioner should last 12-15 years and a gas furnace should last from 20
to 25 years.
Do I need to change my indoor coil?
It is generally a good idea to replace the indoor coil if you are also replacing your air
conditioner or heat pump. There is a correlation between the efficiency of your heating
or cooling system and the performance of the indoor coil. So when you change the
outdoor side of the system, you should also replace the indoor side of the system in
order to maximize the efficiency and savings potential of the total system.
Where can I locate my air handler or furnace system?
The system can be located in several different places. A system with up-flow
application might be located in a basement, while a system with a horizontal
application might be found in the attic. A self-contained, or single package unit, could
be located on a slab or on the roof. A garage could house an up-flow, down-flow or
horizontal system.
What is an air to air heat pump?
An air to air heat pump is a device used for either heating or cooling by transferring
hot and cold between outside air and inside air. A heat pump can act like an air
conditioner, transferring heat from inside to out, or like a heater as it transfers exterior
heat to the interior. A winter day with a temperature of 32 degrees Fahrenheit still
produces enough heat to warm a space when the air is transferred by heat pump.
What is a geothermal heat pump?
A geothermal heat pump acts the same as the above air to air except it uses a water
solution to transfer energy at a more constant differential temperature which make it
much more efficient.
What can I do to reduce the humidity levels in my home?
Humidity levels can be reduced by operating a variable speed air handling system in
your home. Variable speed units run longer, at lower speeds, allowing air to constantly
circulate against the cooling coil and remove more moisture. Variable speed motors
also use less electricity than regular motors, reducing your energy costs.
What can I do before calling someone to service my system?
Professional services can be costly, but there are some things you can do before
hiring a professional to inspect your system:
Have the FAN switch on for a continuous vent
What is AFUE?
AFUE is the abbreviation for Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency ratio. AFUE is used to
rate furnace efficiencies by dividing the ratio of heat output by heat input. This
measurement describes how well fuel, gas or oil is consumed to produce heat by a
furnace. As the AFUE rate increases, the efficiency of your furnace also increases,
lowering your fuel costs. Furnaces manufactured in the United States are required to
have at least an 80% AFUE.
What is HSPF?
HSPF is the abbreviation for the Heating Seasonal Performance factor. This factor
rates the efficient operation of the heating portion of the heat pump.As the HSPF
increases, the unit functions at a more efficient level. New units in the United States
have HSPF ratings from 7.0 to 9.4.
What is Freon R-22?
R-22 is the common name for hydro-fluorocarbon (HCFC). R-22 has been used as a
refrigerant by HVAC manufacturers for over 40 years, but studies in the past decade
have shown that HCFCs contain chlorine, an ozone-depleting agent. For this reason,
the United States Clean Air Act has set a target date for January 1, 2010, on which
HVAC manufacturers must cease the production of products that use R-22.
What is R-410A?
R-410A is the common name for an emerging hydro-fluorocarbon (HFC) that is being
used as a refrigerant in the HVAC industry. R-410A is more environmentally friendly
than R-22 and is being seen as the most likely replacement for HVAC manufacturers.
At the beginning of 2010, the use of alternative refrigerant will be required in HVAC
manufacturing.
What is ENERGY STAR?
ENERGY STAR is a program that was created by the US Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) to help businesses and individuals make energy efficient purchases.
This program places the ENERGY STAR label, a small blue and white logo, on items
that meet superior energy efficiency standards. This label provides an easy way for
consumers to identify quality, high efficiency products.
At Harding's, we realize that purchasing a heating or cooling system is no small
matter. However, if your existing system is old, in need of repair or simply inefficient,
purchasing a new unit, one which can be as much as 60% more efficient than a
system purchased just 10 years ago, can turn into a long term benefit. Rather than
continuing to pay for ongoing maintenance and costly monthly bills, invest in a new
system today that will save you money for years to come.
How do I find the system that's right for me?
There are many heating and cooling systems to choose from today. By contacting
Harding Heating & Cooling, you have access to a vast array of heating and cooling
knowledge and experience to help you decide which system best suits your specific
needs. The size and age of your home, as well as the number of rooms, climate, local
and regional costs, degree days and utility incentive programs are all factors that will
effect selection of your system. Harding Heating & Cooling, utilizing the latest
technology, consider all of these factors along with your input in assisting you in
choosing the best system for your home.
Consumers seeking to replace an existing system often choose a new unit with equal
or higher efficiency ratings as compared to their old system. Replacing a unit that is
older than 10 to 15 years old may reduce gas and electricity costs from 30 to 50%.
Contacting Harding Heating & Cooling can help you to define your initial cost,
warranty protection, service options, maintenance options and operating costs. Once
you have chosen a system, it is important to remember that proper installation is a
major factor in maximizing its operating efficiency and your comfort level.
How do I determine the size, or capacity, of my HVAC system?
Factors affecting the size of your new system include:
- The climate in your region
- Humidity levels
- The number of windows in your home
- The number of heat producing appliances in your home
- The type of insulation you have
- The number of people that live in your home
size heating or cooling unit for your home and your lifestyle.
What goes into installing a new system?
Beyond the new equipment being installed, the ductwork is the most important
component. Ductwork is composed of two parts, supply and return. Supply duct is
attached to the outflow of the new system, delivering air to each zone in a home. The
amount of air reaching each zone is determined by the size of the supply ductwork
connecting it to your system. Harding will help you determine the size of all the supply
ductwork in your home. The second part of the ductwork, the return duct, attaches to
the inlet of the new system and draws air out of the spaces to be heated or cooled.
Attached to the return duct is the filter. The filter should be placed as near to the
furnace or air handler as possible. Ductwork can be either fiberglass material or metal
and must be properly sized in order to evenly distribute the proper amount of air to
each room.
What happens when I replace my old system?
To install the most efficient HVAC system in your home, a detailed inspection should
first be performed by your installation contractor. The inspection by your contractor
should include, at least, the inspection of your home's ductwork, insulation, refrigerant
piping, electrical service, wiring, thermostat, condensate piping, flue piping, flue
terminations, chimney liner, slabs, filter, driers, registers, grills, drain pans and
evaporator coil.
How long will my system last?
Maintenance and service play a huge role in the life cycle of a heating or cooling
system. If all recommended maintenance and service actions are taken, it is believed
that an air conditioner should last 12-15 years and a gas furnace should last from 20
to 25 years.
Do I need to change my indoor coil?
It is generally a good idea to replace the indoor coil if you are also replacing your air
conditioner or heat pump. There is a correlation between the efficiency of your heating
or cooling system and the performance of the indoor coil. So when you change the
outdoor side of the system, you should also replace the indoor side of the system in
order to maximize the efficiency and savings potential of the total system.
Where can I locate my air handler or furnace system?
The system can be located in several different places. A system with up-flow
application might be located in a basement, while a system with a horizontal
application might be found in the attic. A self-contained, or single package unit, could
be located on a slab or on the roof. A garage could house an up-flow, down-flow or
horizontal system.
What is an air to air heat pump?
An air to air heat pump is a device used for either heating or cooling by transferring
hot and cold between outside air and inside air. A heat pump can act like an air
conditioner, transferring heat from inside to out, or like a heater as it transfers exterior
heat to the interior. A winter day with a temperature of 32 degrees Fahrenheit still
produces enough heat to warm a space when the air is transferred by heat pump.
What is a geothermal heat pump?
A geothermal heat pump acts the same as the above air to air except it uses a water
solution to transfer energy at a more constant differential temperature which make it
much more efficient.
What can I do to reduce the humidity levels in my home?
Humidity levels can be reduced by operating a variable speed air handling system in
your home. Variable speed units run longer, at lower speeds, allowing air to constantly
circulate against the cooling coil and remove more moisture. Variable speed motors
also use less electricity than regular motors, reducing your energy costs.
What can I do before calling someone to service my system?
Professional services can be costly, but there are some things you can do before
hiring a professional to inspect your system:
- Disconnect your indoor and outdoor switches
- Make sure your circuit breakers are in the ON position
- Make sure your filters are clean
- Open supply and return vents and make sure they are unobstructed
- Double check both indoor and outdoor disconnect switches
- Check the settings on your thermostat
Have the FAN switch on for a continuous vent
What is AFUE?
AFUE is the abbreviation for Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency ratio. AFUE is used to
rate furnace efficiencies by dividing the ratio of heat output by heat input. This
measurement describes how well fuel, gas or oil is consumed to produce heat by a
furnace. As the AFUE rate increases, the efficiency of your furnace also increases,
lowering your fuel costs. Furnaces manufactured in the United States are required to
have at least an 80% AFUE.
What is HSPF?
HSPF is the abbreviation for the Heating Seasonal Performance factor. This factor
rates the efficient operation of the heating portion of the heat pump.As the HSPF
increases, the unit functions at a more efficient level. New units in the United States
have HSPF ratings from 7.0 to 9.4.
What is Freon R-22?
R-22 is the common name for hydro-fluorocarbon (HCFC). R-22 has been used as a
refrigerant by HVAC manufacturers for over 40 years, but studies in the past decade
have shown that HCFCs contain chlorine, an ozone-depleting agent. For this reason,
the United States Clean Air Act has set a target date for January 1, 2010, on which
HVAC manufacturers must cease the production of products that use R-22.
What is R-410A?
R-410A is the common name for an emerging hydro-fluorocarbon (HFC) that is being
used as a refrigerant in the HVAC industry. R-410A is more environmentally friendly
than R-22 and is being seen as the most likely replacement for HVAC manufacturers.
At the beginning of 2010, the use of alternative refrigerant will be required in HVAC
manufacturing.
What is ENERGY STAR?
ENERGY STAR is a program that was created by the US Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) to help businesses and individuals make energy efficient purchases.
This program places the ENERGY STAR label, a small blue and white logo, on items
that meet superior energy efficiency standards. This label provides an easy way for
consumers to identify quality, high efficiency products.
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| Larry Harding "Captain of Comfort" |
24 HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICE e-mail us at harding-heat-cool@sbcglobal.ne LOCAL: 330-823-8461/ 330-332-4688/ 330-455-5432/ 330-298-9000 |
24 HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICE e-mail us at harding-heat-cool@sbcglobal.ne LOCAL: 330-823-8461/ 330-332-4688/ 330-455-4321/ 330-298-9000 |