Furnaces & Air Conditioner FAQ
How often should my furnace be inspected? Can a propane furnace convert to natural gas? What is carbon monoxide? How do I turn on my furnace's pilot?
How Often Does a Furnace Need a Check-Up?
Manufacturers recommend that all furnaces be maintained annually by a qualified service technician. This is necessary for gas furnaces to operate safely and efficiently. Oil furnaces require annual tune-ups due to their sensitive fuel burn cycle and need for more frequent maintenance. Modern oil furnaces that are not maintained can reduce efficiency by up to 50% and 60% within two years. Clogged fuel filters can cause fuel pump failure. An expensive chimney cleaning is required if a dirty burner causes soot buildup and heat exchanger damage. A tune-up every year can help keep your oil furnace running at its best and prevent costly repairs.
Can a Propane Furnace be converted to Natural Gas?
Yes. Most furnaces can be used with natural gas. The installers will convert the furnaces to propane when they arrive. In case of shortages, the furnace will have the natural gas components stored inside. You can order the HVAC parts you need if they are not available.
What is Carbon Monoxide?
The chimney removes CO (Carbon monoxide), which is produced by a furnace. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, poisonous gas, which can be produced by any gas or propane appliance in small quantities. The amount of CO produced by a gas stove should not pose a safety risk. When an appliance fails, CO can become a problem. An appliance malfunction can lead to CO buildup. A bird could become stuck in a chimney, and within minutes, a furnace or water heating system could cause a fire. The CO detector saved lives and woke families when a furnace failed.
How can you light the pilot on the Furnace?
There are many ways to relight a pilot light. Each furnace has its method. You must print the instructions on your furnace door. Sometimes a strong downdraft can blow out a pilot light. A dirty or defective thermocouple can cause a blown pilot. These repairs should only be made by a professional for safety. Modern furnaces don't have standing pilots. It can be dangerous to attempt to light the furnace manually. Modern furnaces are equipped with either an electronic ignition system (hot-surface ignitor) or an automatic spark to relight their pilots.
FAQ AIR CONDITIONERS
Q: Why is my indoor AC coil/pipes/compressor covered with ice?
A: A frozen indoor coil means that either the refrigerant level or the air filter is low. The coil will become colder and colder until it turns to ice. This can cause severe damage to your air conditioner and can lead to a malfunctioning compressor. The air conditioner will need service if the filter is blocked.
Q: Is my air conditioner using a freon? Is freon illegal?
A: The current law prohibits the use of R-22 in NEW systems. The law also limits R-22 production. This will lead to higher prices and tighter supply. R-22 should always be available for service on your air conditioner.
Q. How can I repair or fix hot spots?
A: Temperature variation from room to room can be caused by incorrectly sized ductwork. Our technicians can sometimes rework the system to increase airflow.
You can also replace windows in hot rooms with Low-E glass or tint existing windows. A lower sun load will help cool the room and conserve energy.
Q: I have just had my air conditioner diagnosed with a bad compressor. Do I need to repair it or get a brand new one?
A: Compressors can fail for many reasons. Burnout is one of the most common. This is when acid and burnt varnish can be spread throughout the system, contaminating both the outdoor/indoor coils and the refrigerant pipes. It is expensive and difficult to remove this acidic oil, which will cause a shortening of the compressor's life expectancy and contaminate it.
The homeowner should consider the age of the AC and the savings in energy with a high-efficiency AC. If the compressor is experiencing severe burnout, replacing the whole system (indoor and outdoor) to ensure long-term reliability and durability is recommended. A warranty is also an option.
Q. How does excellent geothermal work?
A: Geothermal cool uses the temperature of the earth to cool your house. The earth's upper 10 feet holds a steady temperature of 50deg to 60degF (10deg and 16degC). Coils are buried underground to draw heat energy from them and then transfer the cool temperatures to a warmer location.
Two methods can be used by geothermal cooling to cool a house: water-to-air systems and water-to-water systems. Water-to-air systems can replace central air conditioners by using liquid coolants to transfer energy into the air. Water-to-water systems spread liquid through pipes throughout the building to maintain a constant temperature.
Q. Should I buy a central AC unit or a ductless system?
A. It depends on your home's structure, location and personal needs. A ductless system is best for older homes. Mini splits can be used if one half of your family prefers their bedroom to be cool and the other likes it warm. A central air conditioner is the best option for larger homes.
Q. Do you have a question for us?
A. Please feel free to contact Five Star Mechanical for answers to any questions you might have. Day in and day out, the trained and dependable commercial heating technicians are here for your heating and air conditioning needs.
Q. What is the difference between a mini-split and a heat pump?
A: The main difference between the mini-split and traditional systems is that they don't contain ductwork. If you add indoor units to your home or business, each indoor unit can be placed in the area you want to heat or cool. The fan inside each indoor unit controls the airflow in its space. This makes it an excellent option for Seattle homeowners who only need a few rooms cooled or heated. Mini splits don't require any ductwork and are therefore more efficient in terms of energy consumption.