HVAC
It's generally recommended to schedule HVAC maintenance twice a year, once in the cooling season and once in the heating season.
Regular maintenance can improve energy efficiency (saves you money), extend the lifespan of your equipment, prevent costly breakdowns, and improve indoor air quality.
You can improve efficiency by scheduling regular maintenance, changing air filters regularly, sealing air leaks around doors and windows, using programmable thermostats, and ensuring proper insulation.
Signs include rising gas or electric bills, inconsistent temperatures, frequent repairs, loud noises, and an aging system (typically 10-15 years old for furnaces and AC units).
The size of the HVAC system depends on factors like your home’s square footage, insulation, ceiling height, windows and local climate. A professional HVAC technician can perform a load calculation to determine the right system size.
AC Repair
Potential issues include a dirty air filter, low refrigerant levels, a malfunctioning compressor, a frozen evaporator coil, a failing fan, a problem with the thermostat and more.
Signs of low refrigerant include warm air blowing from the vents, ice forming on the indoor or outdoor unit or refrigerant lines, and higher than usual energy bills. Refrigerant should only be handled by a qualified technician.
Turn off the AC unit and call a qualified technician immediately. Strange noises can indicate a serious problem. If ignored, the problem could grow and cost more to repair.
Generally, you should change your AC filter every 1-3 months, or more frequently if you have pets, allergies, or live in a dusty area. Some specialty filters (4" or electronic air filters) can last for up to 6 months. It really depends upon the air environment in your home and how often you run the system.
Warning signs include weak airflow, unusual noises, frequent cycling, leaks, high humidity, and increased energy bills. If you notice any of these, schedule a repair service.
Most HVAC companies place their repeat, loyal customers above someone who is calling multiple companies. You will get the best service and fastest response time by establishing a relationship with one HVAC company.
Excessive moisture is the main cause of corrosion on an Air Conditioner or Heat Pump. Moisture from rain, condensation, humidity can cause the metal to corrode. Another surprising source of corrosion is urine from pets. If you keep pets in the same area as your Air Conditioner or Heat Pump, you should create a barrier so your pets cannot access the unit.
AC Replacement
A standard AC replacement typically takes 4–8 hours, but this can vary depending on the complexity of the installation and whether ductwork modifications are needed.
Costs vary based on unit size, efficiency rating, and installation requirements. On average, AC replacement costs range from $3,500 to $8,500, including installation. The upper end of the range always includes replacement of both your outdoor AC and your air handler.
The best time is during the off-season (spring or fall) when HVAC companies offer discounts and have more availability.
You may need to replace your AC if it’s over 10–15 years old, requires frequent repairs, struggles to cool your home, has high energy bills, or uses outdated refrigerant (R-22 and 410-A).
AC Installation
If your AC is over 10–15 years old, requires frequent repairs, struggles to cool your home, or your energy bills have increased significantly, it may be time for a replacement.
A standard AC installation typically takes 4–8 hours. If ductwork modifications or additional work are required, it could take longer.
The correct AC size depends on your home’s square footage, insulation, ceiling height, window sizes and local climate. A professional HVAC technician will perform a load calculation to determine the right size.
Clear the installation area, ensure easy access to the unit’s location, and secure pets. The HVAC team will handle the rest, including removing your old system.
AC Maintenance
A typical AC maintenance service includes cleaning the condenser and evaporator coils, checking refrigerant levels, inspecting and tightening electrical connections, lubricating moving parts, testing the thermostat, and replacing the air filter.
A clogged condensate drain line, frozen evaporator coil, or low refrigerant levels can cause water leaks. Regular maintenance helps prevent these issues.
To prevent freezing, regularly change air filters, ensure proper airflow by keeping furniture and objects away from the return air vents, clean the evaporator coils, and check refrigerant levels. If freezing occurs, turn off the unit and call a professional.
AC maintenance plans are well worth the money spent. Oftentimes, the cost of the plan is recouped in lower utility bills. In addition, most companies offer their maintenance customers priority service and discounts on repairs.
Heating Services
Common causes include a dirty filter, thermostat issues, blocked vents, or a malfunctioning component. If the issue persists, a professional inspection is recommended.
Common issues include a malfunctioning thermostat, a faulty igniter or pilot light, a dirty flame sensor, a clogged air filter, and problems with the blower motor. Also check that you have propane if that is your fuel source.
Keep the thermostat set to a reasonable temperature, insulate exposed pipes, and seal any drafts near pipes. Install a smart thermostat that you can view from your phone so you know when your heat is not working. If you will not be home for an extended period of time, turn your water off at the water main and drain all your pipes.
It’s recommended to have your heating system inspected and maintained at least once a year during the heating cycle to ensure efficiency and prevent breakdowns.
Warning signs include strange noises, weak airflow, frequent cycling, uneven heating, higher energy bills, and unusual odors like burning smells.
Heat Pumps
Heat pumps are energy-efficient, provide both heating and cooling, reduce carbon emissions, and can lower utility bills compared to a straight AC with gas furnace.
With proper maintenance, most heat pumps last between 10 to 15 years. High-quality systems and regular servicing can extend their lifespan.
Yes, but its efficiency decreases in very cold temperatures (below 25–30°F). Some models, like cold-climate heat pumps, are designed to operate efficiently in freezing conditions. All heat pumps installed in the North Georgia Mountains needs a backup heating source due to extremely low temperatures at times.
Heat pumps can be up to 300-400% efficient, meaning they deliver 3 to 4 times more energy than they consume. This is much higher than conventional heating systems like furnaces, which typically operate at 80-95% efficiency.
In cooler temperatures, it is normal to have a temporary, light frost on your heat pump. If operating normally, the heat pump should go into defrost mode approximately every 30-90 minutes and remove the frost. If thick ice forms and does not go away, call a qualified technician. There may be a problem.
Depending upon your thermostat, you may see EHeat or AUX appear on the screen or when scrolling through the mode button. Both are the same thing and indicate that your backup heat is on. Backup heat will come on during defrost mode and when the temperature outside is lower than 35 degrees (or the temperature your installing company tells it to come on).
Your Heat Pump will still work without the backup heat but will most likely not keep your home at the temperature you set on the thermostat until the backup heat is repaired. How well your heat pump heats without the backup unit depends upon the outdoor temperature and insulation in your home..
Yes, you can turn the backup heat on exclusively. Go to the Mode button on your thermostat and choose AUX heat or Emergency Heat. Just remember to turn it back to HEAT mode once your Heat Pump is working again.
The temperature at which your heat pump turns on the backup heat can only be adjusted by a qualified technician. It was set at installation and can be changed.
Heat Pumps go into "defrost" approxitely every 90 minutes and you may notice cold air blowing through your vents. When the Heat Pump enters defrost mode, it sends warm refrigerant to the outdoor unit to defrost the coil. At the same time, it sends cold refrigerant to the indoor unit. To compensate, the backup heat comes on during defrost. This is normal and ends as soon as no frost is detected on the outside unit, usually 5 to 15 minutes.
Your outdoor unit will last longer if you keep it clean and protected. Avoid bumping or poking the outdoor unit with sharp objects and wash it off frequently.
Yes, you can use a water hose to clean your outdoor unit but do not use a nozzle on the hose. Only spray your unit with low pressure water. A high pressure garden nozzle can bend the fins of the coil or worse, rupture the coil. Bent fins decrease the efficiency of the unit and a rupture requires a complete coil replacement.
Dirt or mude on the outdoor unit causes the Heat Pump or Air Conditioner to work harder to heat or cool your home, thus increasing your utility bills.
Heat Pumps will not come on if the outdoor temperature is lower than the set point for back up heat programmed by your installing company. Only the backup heat will come on - either heat strips or a gas furnace.
In our area, every Heat Pump has a backup heat source that comes on when the temperature gets below a certain level. The certain level is determined and set by your installing company. Once the outdoor temperature goes below this temperature, the Heat Pump will not come on. Only the backup heat will come on, either electric heat strips or a gas furnace. You will not have heat if the temperature is below the set point, you have a gas furnace, and you are out of propane.
Furnace Repair
Turn off the furnace and call a qualified technician. Banging noises can indicate a serious problem that can damage many components.
It is recommended to have your furnace inspected annually by a qualified technician, ideally during the heating season.
Signs include a yellow or flickering pilot light, soot buildup, and the presence of carbon monoxide. A cracked heat exchanger will give off a strong, unpleasant odor often described as similar to formaldehyde, a chemical smell, or a metallic odor. A cracked heat exchanger is a serious safety hazard and requires immediate attention from a qualified technician.
Most furnaces last between 15–20 years with proper maintenance. If your furnace is approaching this age and experiencing frequent issues, it may be time to consider a replacement.
If you smell gas, leave your home immediately and call your gas provider or emergency services. Do not use electrical devices or open flames. Avoid turning on light switches which could create a spark that ignites the gas.