Heating and Air Questions and Tips
At Brunson Heating and Air Conditioning, we are here to help with all your heating and air questions. If you do not see your question below, feel free to contact us today.
Air Quality
How do you know what size air filter you need?
Answer: Filter type and size as well as filter construction can directly affect the efficiency of your system. Improper filtration can cause premature equipment failures as well.
Can mold cause health problems?
Answer: Generally, mold in the home is not healthy for humans. There are many different types of mold. Different molds affect people differently particularly when allergies are concerned. The best approach is to work on keeping a mold-free home. This is best accomplished by controlling humidity levels and also sterilizing the air with your home comfort system.
When should I change my UV sterilizer bulb?
Answer: There are many types of UV air cleansers. The bulbs should be replaced as per the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance schedule. The UV air cleanser we use has a three-year bulb life, however, the intensity diminishes (which reduces the sterilization rate) over time. The manufacturer recommends that the bulb be replaced annually to provide continual high-intensity UV rays and therefore maximum sterilization.
What is the fastest way to improve air quality in a home?
Answer: There are many products available to improve indoor air quality. Items such as energy recovery ventilators (ERV’s), mechanical air cleaners, ultraviolet light air cleaners, and also air purifiers are all offerings from our company. They deal with the introduction of fresh air, cleaning of the air, and sterilization of the air.
I have heard of air purifiers, do these replace the standard filter?
Answer: We recommend the Carrier Infinity air purifier. This product takes the place of the common filter as it is far more effective than a normal filter. Therefore the air purifier also diminishes the need for an ultra-violet air cleanser.
I have heard of people purchasing UV light to reduce illnesses, do they really work?
Answer: Ultraviolet Light products, when properly applied and selected can be very effective in sterilizing airborne organisms such as viruses and bacteria. These are often the culprits that make us sick.
My child has asthma, what type of filter should I use?
Answer: Only the best for a sick child! We can work to make life better for asthmatics by using the best in germicidal and particulate control which is the Infinity Air Purifier.
How do you stop mold from growing?
Answer: The best way to prevent the growth of mold is to maintain a relative humidity of less than 50% in the home. At less than 50%, the food source for mold has been removed and this dramatically reduces mold growth.
Does a UV Germicidal light take the place of my filter?
Answer: A UV germicidal light does not reduce the need for a filter. The UV light addresses the sterilization of living airborne organisms. It does not deal with particulate in the air.
Do tabletop or free-standing air cleaners work as well as whole-house systems?
Answer: Free-standing air cleaners often do not operate as a central product. None of these products can handle the volume of air that can properly be treated in a central system. The cost of a central system is less than the free-standing based on the volume of air treated.
How do I get rid of mold?
Answer: The first step in mold control and eradication is to eliminate the food source for the mold. This is completed by reducing the relative humidity to a level below 50%. Then the mold needs to be cleaned up which may be accomplished by the homeowner or by a remediation company depending on the situation. After proper clean-up, the relative humidity levels should be kept below 50%.
How does my air conditioner control humidity when I only have a thermostat controlling the cycling of the system?
Answer: The proper sizing of your system based on the design temperature for the city you live in will typically provide the proper length of run cycles to provide good dehumidification. This is where proper sizing is a key factor as we need the system to have longer run cycles to provide proper dehumidification.
Financing
Do you offer to finance on installation?
Answer: We do offer financing through an outside financing company. We supply the customer with a name and phone number. Upon approval, we provide the equipment information and cost to the finance company.
Mold
What is the best way to prevent the growth of mold?
Answer: The best way to prevent the growth of mold is to maintain a relative humidity of less than 50% in the home. At less than 50%, the food source for mold has been removed and this dramatically reduces mold growth.
How do I get rid of mold?
Answer: The first step in mold control and eradication is to eliminate the food source for the mold. This is completed by reducing the relative humidity to a level below 50%. Then the mold needs to be cleaned up which may be accomplished by the homeowner or by a remediation company depending on the situation. After proper clean-up, the relative humidity levels should be kept below 50%.
Can mold cause health problems?
Answer: Generally, mold in the home is not healthy for humans. There are many different types of mold. Different molds affect people differently particularly when allergies are concerned. The best approach is to work on keeping a mold-free home. This is best accomplished by controlling humidity levels and sterilizing the air with your home comfort system.
System Maintenance
How often should my germicidal light central air cleanser bulb be replaced?
Answer: There are many types of UV air cleansers. The bulbs should be replaced as per the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance schedule. The UV air cleanser we use has a three-year bulb life, however, the intensity diminishes (which reduces the sterilization rate) over time. The manufacturer recommends that the bulb be replaced annually to provide continual high-intensity UV rays and therefore maximum sterilization.
How does my air conditioner control humidity when I only have a thermostat controlling the cycling of the system?
Answer: The proper sizing of your system based on the design temperature for the city you live in will typically provide the proper length of run cycles to provide good dehumidification. This is where proper sizing is a key factor as we need the system to have longer run cycles to provide proper dehumidification.
How do I find a good HVAC company?
Answer: Carrier Factory Authorized dealers are among the most highly trained people in the industry in taking care of homeowner’s home comfort needs. They have NATE certified service technicians and reliable management. Typically they are companies that will be around for a long time. They often have unique offers for their customers that are only available through Factory Authorized Dealers. They offer a 100 % satisfaction guarantee on complete new installations which is backed by The Carrier Corporation.
I have heard of air purifiers, do these replace the standard filter?
Answer: We recommend the Carrier Infinity air purifier. This product takes the place of the common filter as it is far more effective than a normal filter. The air purifier also diminishes the need for an ultra-violet air cleanser.
How often should I change my filter?
Answer: Filter change intervals are dependent on the type of filter and the amount of system run time. Some filters should be changed monthly while others can be changed once a year.
Are HVAC maintenance contracts worth the money?
Answer: A Service Agreement for your system is recommended by the manufacturer in the owner’s manual for your system. We have found that routine maintenance helps to ensure proper operation and performance of the system so that the most efficiency is provided. The efficiency, as well as the longer life of a well-maintained system, makes the Service Agreement well worth the investment.
Does the type of filter affect the efficiency of my system?
Answer: Filter type and size as well as filter construction can directly affect the efficiency of your system. Improper filtration can cause premature equipment failures as well.
When leaving home for the day what should I set my thermostat on?
Answer: This is different for every home. The idea is that if you want to conserve energy, you can turn your thermostat back (to reduce run time) while you are away for the day. You should only turn your thermostat back as far as you can recover to your normal setting when you return in about 30 minutes. This means that during extreme outdoor temperatures, you may not be able to turn your thermostat back as far as you would in more moderate weather.
System Replacement
If my house is comfortable except on the days that are over 100 degrees, should I get a larger unit?
Answer: Systems in the Savannah, Georgia area are sized based on ASHRAE standards. The cooling design temperature for Savannah is 93 degrees F. Days that are warmer than 93 degrees are days that exceed design and some drop off in cooling capability will occur. This should only occur rarely and comfort should be achieved most of the year.
Is it ok to get a larger system because I want to add-on later?
Answer: A typical central system should not be oversized in anticipation of expanding the residence. This creates an issue with too much capacity which does not allow for proper dehumidification and therefore decreased comfort. Often additions to your home do not take place as quickly as planned and the oversized issue becomes prolonged and comfort is never really achieved.
Why is it important to choose a Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer?
Answer: Carrier Factory Authorized dealers are among the most highly trained people in the industry in taking care of homeowner’s home comfort needs. They have NATE certified service technicians and reliable management. They are typically companies that will be around for a long time. Often they have unique offers for their customers that are only available through Factory Authorized Dealers. We offer a 100 % satisfaction guarantee on complete new installations which is backed by The Carrier Corporation.
Most companies offer ten-year parts and labor warranty, should I purchase one?
Answer: We provide the option for 10 years of parts and labor factory warranty coverage. It is a good product for those wanting to contain or limit their exposure to potential repair costs down the road.
Can you replace only the outside AC unit?
Answer: You do not necessarily have to replace both units if only one is bad. This is where your Brunson Heating and Air Comfort Consultant becomes extremely valuable as they are trained to know which units will work properly with each other. This is where many mistakes can be made unless great care is taken. Mismatching can cause premature failures and reduce operating efficiency as well as capacity.
Why should I go to a higher efficiency unit?
Answer: There is only one reason to buy a high-efficiency system – operational cost savings. Many times, other great features are standard on high-efficiency systems helping to make the decision. If we look at efficiency alone, we should evaluate how much you would save over the next 10-12 years (normal equipment life expectancy) on your utility bill and compare that to the additional cost for the higher efficiency equipment to see if you would get a return on your investment (ROI).
Should I convert to Puron if I need a new system, or is Freon ok?
Answer: The federal government has mandated that manufacturers of air conditioning cease the manufacture of all systems using “Freon-22” by January 1, 2010. This means that “Freon” systems will soon be obsolete. The new refrigerant that will be used most is R-410-A or “Puron”. We have been installing Puron systems since 1996. We have long since stopped offering “Freon-22” systems as we want to properly take care of our customers.
Does the brand of heating and cooling system matter?
Answer: Brand matters for many reasons. The brand you purchase should have a local distributor and also technical service manager readily available for repair parts and product support. Some brands are leaders in research and also product development in the areas of efficiency and environmental concerns. Lastly, brand matters for the longevity of your purchase.
How long should an HVAC system last?
Answer: Air conditioners (condensing units) and evaporator coils are typically 10-12 year products. Carrier furnaces are usually 20-year products. Unfortunately, some furnace brands are only 7-10 year products.
When should I replace instead of repair?
Answer: Life expectancy is different for different equipment, but when repair costs are high and the system is also reaching the later years of life expectancy, it should be replaced rather than repaired. We want to avoid the “unintended” money pit. Therefore your Brunson staff can advise you on a case-by-case basis.
Troubleshooting
If my house is comfortable except on the days that are over 100 degrees, should I get a larger unit?
Answer: Systems in the Savannah, Georgia area are sized based on ASHRAE standards. The cooling design temperature for Savannah is 93 degrees F. Days that are warmer than 93 degrees are days that exceed design and also some drop off in cooling capability will occur. This should only occur rarely and comfort should be achieved most of the year.
Why is it important to choose a Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer?
Answer: Carrier Factory Authorized dealers are among the most highly trained people in the industry in taking care of homeowner’s home comfort needs. They have NATE certified service technicians and also reliable management. Typically they are companies that will be around for a long time. Often they have unique offers for their customers that are only available through Factory Authorized Dealers. We offer a 100 % satisfaction guarantee on complete new installations which is backed by The Carrier Corporation.
How do I unfreeze my AC unit?
Answer: The system should be turned off at the thermostat. To expedite thawing, the system fan should be turned to the on position at the thermostat. Therefore a service call should be placed in order to find out why the system has malfunctioned.
What is wrong when my heat pump is covered in ice/frost and smoking?
Answer: This condition is often perceived as a problem, but usually is not. When the outdoor weather conditions are just right, frost will form on the outdoor coil when the system is operated in heat mode. This is normal, but the frost should also clear every hour or so when the system automatically goes through a defrost cycle. This is when steam (often mistaken for smoke) comes from the unit as the defrost cycle nears completion.
Local Answers To Your Heating and Air Questions
Schedule your appointment today by contacting us. Let us help you ensure your comfort in all seasons.
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Our Service Area
Savannah | Richmond Hill | Rincon | Guyton | Ellabelle | Springfield | Bloomingdale | Port Wentworth | Garden City | Tybee Island
