We can answer any questions you may have about our services or how these products work. Read a sample of commonly asked questions below.
When should I have my furnace and air conditioner serviced/cleaned?
It is recommended by all manufactures that you have your HVAC system serviced and cleaned once a year by a qualified HVAC professional. Many manufacturers have “proper maintenance” as a condition of the warranty. It is best to have your air conditioner serviced and cleaned in the spring and your furnace serviced and cleaned in the fall. Heat pumps should be serviced in the fall and the spring. It is important to do regular maintenance. A clean system is more energy-efficient, has fewer break downs, and will help extend the life of your equipment. Wright Mechanical Services offers an affordable service plan that can give you piece of mind and keep your HVAC system working to its optimum potential.
How do I know if the warranty on my heating or air conditioning system is still valid?
Locate the label on the outside of the unit and look for a manufacture date. If the equipment is less then five years old then most likely the equipment is still covered under the manufacturer’s warranty. Warranty terms and conditions change depending on the manufacturer and the installing company. Wright Mechanical Services can verify the status of the warranty of any of your HVAC equipment.
What steps can I take to lower my heating bill?
There are several steps that you can take. I would start with the least expensive and work my way up. Be sure to check your furnace filters. If the filters are dirty then the furnace has to work harder to pull air through. A programmable thermostat is another inexpensive fix. Why heat or cool your home when there is no one there? The furnace should be cleaned and serviced once a year. That will detect any small problems before they become large problems. Check your windows and doors for air flow. Those little cracks and crevices can begin to add up and become a costly problem. Adding insulation to your attic can be the biggest bang for your buck. It is pretty simple and the materials are not very expensive and you will surely save money even if you pay someone a reasonable fee to do it for you. If your furnace is over ten years old it may be a good idea to consider upgrading to a more energy efficient model. Replacing the furnace would be my last step because it will not matter how efficient the furnace is if the home is not insulated correctly. Always seal the home up tight first and then consider replacing equipment.
How do I determine what size of a furnace I would need for my home?
There are a lot of factors that determine what size furnace you would need. The home needs to be measured and a heating and cooling load will need to be calculated. A calculation based on window size and direction, ceiling height, insulation, and other measurements will be used to determine the proper size. If you are not absolutely sure what you are doing it would be best to call a HVAC professional to calculate the load.
How can I improve the energy efficiency of my heating system without replacing the furnace?
The most important thing you can do is regular maintenance. Studies have shown that a lack of cleaning and maintenance will reduce the energy efficiency of a typical gas furnace or heater by as much as 5% to 10%. The HVAC system needs to be cleaned and serviced at least twice per year. In addition, the filter needs to be replaced or cleaned at a minimum of every 90 days. If you have pets then it should be every 30 days. A programmable thermostat is an excellent idea that will lower utility cost. Only program in 8 hour blocks and no more of a temperature adjustment of 7 degrees.
What is the difference between a boiler and a furnace?
The principle is the same. The major difference is that a boiler uses water instead of air to heat the home. A circulator pumps hot water through a system of pipes to radiators, baseboards, or air handlers to distribute heat through the structure. Some boilers are designed to use steam which is pumped through the home with pipes to steam radiators.
What kind of warranty does York offer on furnaces?
AffinityTM, LX Series, and LatitudeTM series furnaces offer lifetime limited warranties on heat exchangers, 10-year limited parts warranties, and 1-year limited parts warranties. These are warranties offered by the manufacturer and not Wright Mechanical Services. For more information or clarification please contact York. If you would like more information about other warranties for York products visit their website at: http://www.york.com/for-your-home/why-buy-york/warranties
