Many HVAC units will have an average lifespan of 15 to 20 years. When the unit begins to fail or operate inefficiently, you might notice a spike in your electricity costs. You may also notice that the heat never quite gets to where you want it to be. It is important to have a professional and reliable technician come and inspect your system to help you decide if it is better the repair or replace your unit.

Before having just any HVAC contractor come out, you should also make sure that you are working with a heating and cooling company you trust and can rely on for their expertise. The following are good things to keep in mind when picking the company you want to entrust your HVAC system with.

Is the company listened and insured?

When finding a contractor to work on your HVAC system, it’s useful to make certain that the company has the right licenses. Make it clear that the company’s license is up-to-date and that the paperwork is current as well. It is important that they are both licensed and insured to work on your system so that you know that your system is being handled properly and that any accidents that may occur and damage your unit are covered. Some manufactures may even void the warranty of your system if the unit is not worked on by a properly licensed technician.

Will they be able to handle all your need?

Before you hire a heating repair company, review the services it offers. For now, you might need it only to repair your unit. However, you may want to decide to have that company perform a variety of services. Having a company that can handle all the possible services you may need will ensure that you have someone who is familiar with your HVAC unit and can better suggest the possible benefits of additional services like seasonal cleanings. If a company has a history with your system they may also be better able to tell if repairing or replacing a unit is the better option.

How experienced are they?

There are over a lot of companies in operation specializing in heating and air conditioning. Some companies may have more experience than others, but it’s always best to start looking for an experienced company. Ask how long the company has been working in your area. The longer a company and their team has been working on homes like yours the better they will understand the needs your home and common problems to keep an eye out for specific to your area. A veteran company and experienced staff are both good signs that you will be well taken care of.

At American Air we have more than 20 years of experience of working on homes like yours in the Asheville, NC area. Contact us today to schedule one of our licensed and experience technicians to take care of your HVAC needs.

Are you thinking about buying a completely new furnace for your residence? If the estimated cost of repairs for a furnace exceeds 40% of the cost of brand new equipment, it may be wiser to simply replace them with a brand new heating system.

Let’s take a look at what benefits there may be for you to replace your existing heating system with a new one instead of continuing repairs.

Reliability you can count on

A new central heating system ensures you are safe and cozy, because your residence will be warmed with energy efficiency and a reliable unit. A sturdy furnace provides confidence from cold months along with assurance about its efficient operation. Energy-efficient gas furnaces are designed for heating your home no matter the present conditions. Newer systems will have Higher AFUE Rating (Annual Flue Utilization Efficiency)  and end up costing less to run than your current system.

If your current furnace is over 15 years old, it is probably not working as efficiently as it once did. If your electrical bill is higher than in previous years, it could be due to an old furnace. Installing a new furnace will help lower your home’s energy bills.

Older systems may operate around 65% AFUE, or annual fuel utilization efficiently. AFUE is a measurement of the thermal efficiency of any combustion equipment such as a furnace, boiler, or water heater.

When a heating system has a 65% AFUE rating, it produces 65 BTU’s of useful heating for every 100 BTU’s of natural gas, or heating oil output. A high-efficiency or condensing gas furnace has AFUE ratings of over 90%. The energy savings can pay for the initial investment of new equipment in only a few years.

Variable Speed Blowers

Most gas furnaces have two heat exchangers, a sealed combustion chamber, and a variable-speed blower. Once the heating system’s heating cycle begins, the blower can be set to heat your home at an efficient rate. If it heats your home too slowly, the blower speed can be increased. Your system will only use the minimum power needed to properly heat your home and avoid wasted energy.

Safety

If a professional HVAC technician has found a cracked heat exchanger in your existing equipment – take this very seriously. If this happens, the gasses in your heating system, such as carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and nitrous oxide, could leak into your home, causing illness, or in extreme cases death. If enough combustible gas builds up in your home, it can lead to a furnace fire. Proper and regular maintenance appointments will be able to check your system for any damage or potential points of concern.

Protection with Warranties

Most HVAC contractors guarantee their work and the installation for 1 year after the installation is performed. The warranty covers malfunctions of the equipment resulting from the installation.

In most instances, HVAC manufacturers offer homeowners services like a warranty for their equipment for as long as they register it through the manufacturer, unlike an unregistered warranty which may not be as long.

Is a new system right for you?

If you choose to purchase a new furnace in the past, remember to keep in mind the cost of repairs that could be prevented with a new furnace, plus the length of time of a warranty on the new system.

The professionals at American Air will be able to give you the best insight for what is the best and most economical option for you and your home.

Contact us today for a free quote, and discuss the options that best fit your needs.

Heat pump systems are popular because they offer efficient, compact operation for both heating and cooling. Much like a refrigerator, heat pumps use electricity to move heat from a cool space to a warm space.

Since heat pumps move heat rather than generate heat, they provide excellent comfort much more efficiently than the operation of a traditional central heating system. As long as the components can keep the refrigerant colder than the outdoor air, it can produce indoor heat.

However, when outside temperatures dip below 30 degrees, a heat pump system begins to lose efficiency and uses a supplementary heat source, such as a gas furnace or electric heat strips to maintain a comfortable temperature.

But what if it gets really cold outside and your heat pump doesn’t seem to be heating well? You could have one of these issues with your equipment. Reach out to us at American Air Heating & Cooling, if you have concerns about your heating system.

Your Auxiliary heat strips or back up heat may be undersized or not working at all

During extreme cold temperatures, a heat pump system uses heat strips to compensate when the system cannot maintain a set temperature. An auxiliary heat strip consists of metal coils which use electricity to generate heat, however, they use more energy than the rest of the heat pump equipment.

That is why they should only be activated when outdoor temperatures dip below freezing. When initiated, it appears on your thermostat as “auxiliary heat,” or “emergency heat.”

The size of your home and the further north you live determine the heat strip size needed for optimum comfort. If you turn on the auxiliary strips but the system is not blowing warm air, the heat strips could be damaged. If you turn on the auxiliary strips and you feel warm air but the thermostat is not satisfying, you could have undersized heat strips.

The number of windows, ceiling height, and sun exposure are all factors when properly sizing auxiliary heat for a heat pump system. Also, insufficient insulation or weatherstripping can affect the efficiency of heat strips.

If you have an issue with your heat strips, it is best to consult a local HVAC service company like American Air Heating & Cooling in the Asheville area to inspect your system and make recommendations.

Undersized Heat Pump Systems in Asheville, NC

An undersized system is not large enough to provide optimum comfort in your home. The unit may never shut off causing your electric power bill to soar. A properly sized heat pump also helps control humidity, even in the wintertime. A consistent humidity level inside the home prevents condensation on windows. Excessive condensation on windows can result in mold issues.

A load calculation will measure the heat gain and loss of a structure. A professional HVAC installer will measure the heat gain and loss of your home by doing a load calculation. Roofing materials, windows, doors, insulation, appliances, and other heat sources will be considered when determining the proper size unit for your specific needs.

Older less efficient units may not keep your Asheville home comfortable?

Since a heat pump functions as an air-conditioner during the summer and reverses the refrigeration cycle to pump heat into your home during the winter, you want to make sure your system is operating at optimum levels all year long.

The average life expectancy of a heat pump system is about 12 years. With steady use and a proper maintenance schedule, the equipment will eventually start to wear down.

By keeping a close eye on your energy bills, you should be able to identify if your system is losing efficiency. Whether you are in the market for a new system or you’re hoping to keep your existing equipment working as efficiently as possible, consider calling an licensed HVAC service company.

American Heating & Cooling has been serving the Asheville area for almost two decades.  We have the experience and the trained technicians to solve your problem or simply answer you question.  Please contact us, we are ready to help!