General HVAC Questions

What is the best HVAC system for my home?

Answer: The best residential HVAC system that we try to install in every home is a high-efficiency system. This high-efficiency system has a 96%-98% furnace, with a 16+ SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ration) Condenser. We recommend installing these high-efficiency systems so you can see a great ROI on your newly installed system. Systems original to the home are typically 80% furnaces with 13 SEER condensers. Meaning on the 80% furnace, you are losing at least 20% of the heat you pay for out of the exhaust pipe in the roof. The 13 SEER condenser is considered the “Builders Grade Equipment” (aka the cheapest). With a 16 SEER condenser, it helps cut your energy bill almost in half during those hot summer months.

New HVAC Installation

How much is a new residential HVAC system?

Answer: Installations for a new HVAC system costs vary quite a bit depending on what type of system you are looking for. While we typically recommend a high-efficiency system, this type of system installation can be rather pricey due to the different motors. These systems use all of the energy in gas, rather than wasting the energy out of the exhaust pipe. Some homes may not be able to make the upgrades to the high-efficiency system due to budget, or the customer will not be in the home long enough to see the ROI. Our technicians are highly trained to make sure every customer has the best system to suit their needs.

How do I know what HVAC system my home needs?

Answer: Our technicians are highly trained to inform the customer of the system that they will need, and our technicians teach them about the variety of systems on the market. We not only work with what system is best for our customer’s home but for what is best for their budget as well.

How do I size my home for a new HVAC system?

Answer: HVAC systems are sized by the amount of tonnage and BTU’s per home. Homes typically need about 1 ton per every 600 sq. ft of home (excluding the basement).

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Answer: Supply vents are typically installed near the far wall of the room; however cold air returns are installed up high on the walls on the opposite side of the room. They are installed like this so your conditioned air (coming from supply vents on the floor) is pulled across the room.

How many HVAC returns do I need for my home?

Answer: Typically, we like to install at least one return in each room. Reason for this is so we can circulate air through the whole home and keep the same air pressure in each room (when doors are closed)

 

HVAC System Replacement

What does it cost to replace my HVAC system?

Answer: Cost for replacing an HVAC system varies on a variety of things such as size, SEER rating, efficiency rating, and a large variety of system add-ons. System upgrade items or add-ons can include humidifiers, dehumidifiers, upgraded filters, programmable thermostats, smart thermostats, air purifiers, UV lamps, etc.

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Answer: The manufacturer’s life expectancy for systems typically is around 12-15 years. With proper maintenance, you can extend this life expectancy. When systems begin to need yearly repairs it typically turns into what we call “the snowball effect”. The snowball effect is when parts keep breaking every year. Around this point is when we really want to start recommending replacement. Usually, your system is not only costing a fortune to run every month on your energy costs, but the breakdown costs add up as well.

How often should an HVAC system need to be replaced

Answer: HVAC systems should be replaced at least every 15-20 years; every system is different though depending on the climate and how hard it is run. When repair costs or energy costs begin to get out of control, you need to start considering to budget for replacement.

HVAC Service

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Answer: Your HVAC system should be serviced at least twice a year. We have a Club membership program for our customers that offers “well maintenance” packages from twice a year to four times a year depending on how hard you run your furnace and air conditioning. The most important time to service your air conditioner is in the spring before you start to run your AC for warmer temperatures, and in the fall before temperatures drop and your turnover to your furnace.

What is included in a routine servicing for my residential HVAC system?

Answer: Routine preventive maintenance saves you money. Our routine services consist of replacing your filters, checking your thermostat to ensure that it is calibrated correctly, inspecting all connections, measuring the voltage and the current on the motors, and several other checkpoints. Our technicians are highly trained to look for issues that could potentially cause issues in the future and will go over these issues before any repairs are made.

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How much is an HVAC Service Call?

Answer: A Standard service call fee is $85. Each call is different depending on the issues. Our technicians are trained to handle every call with the utmost importance.

How often should I have my HVAC system filled with freon?

Answer: HVAC systems are sealed systems and should only need freon one time when installed. Sometimes systems acquire leaks and do need to be topped off. If your system needs freon, the real issue of the leak should be addressed first. Our technicians are trained to find the leak and repair if possible before adding any refrigerant.

HVAC Air Filters

How many air filters should a house have?

Answer: Homes typically only have 1 air filter located on the return side of their furnace or air handler.

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Answer: While it’s possible to run to the local hardware store and pick up a filter, we always recommend first talking to a tech that knows your system to recommend the correct filter. There are also several types of filters, fiberglass, pleated, or electrostatic filters, these all depend on your home’s indoor air quality needs.

How often should HVAC filters be replaced?

Answer: Air filters should typically be replaced every 2-3 months to achieve the best airflow for the home. There is a lot of variables that go into this though. How many pets the home has, the square footage of the home, how many people live in the home, the type of air quality you want to achieve, and the last time the inside of the ductwork was cleaned.

When do I know my air filter needs to be replaced?

Answer: You will know your air filter needs to be replaced when the filter is beginning to get a build-up from airborne pathogens you will notice it sticking on your filter. We recommend checking it once a month or two months. When it begins to get some build up that starts to restrict airflow, it is time to replace the filter.

HVAC Energy Rebates

What are energy rebates?

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Answer: Ameren offers rebate programs for high-efficiency systems and smart thermostats that are installed. These rebates are based on reaching an AHRI efficiency rating that qualifies you through them.

How do I qualify for energy rebates?

Answer: You can qualify for energy rebates when the new high-efficiency system or smart thermostat is installed. Your technician will supply you with an AHRI number that will make you eligible for the rebates through Ameren’s website.

How much are energy rebates?

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Answer: Rebates range from $50 for a smart thermostat to anywhere up to around $700 on a high-efficiency HVAC system install.

Residential Air Purifier

How much is an air purifier?

Answer: There is a large variety of ways to purify your home’s air, it is best to have a tech come to your home and do an air quality test to know which option would work best for your home. Once an air quality test is completed, you can discuss prices on the option of your choice.

How do I know what size of air purifier I need?

Answer: The size of air purifier that you need depends on the square footage of the area you are wanting to purify. You may also want to consider the type of air quality you are wanting to achieve. Specifics needs can include allergies, asthma, smoke, pets, etc.