Home Heating & Air Conditioning FAQ

Please enjoy this home HVAC FAQ from Akron Heating & Cooling. If you don't see your question answered below and would like help with your heating and cooling system in the Akron area, don't hesitate to contact us. Our friendly staff is happy to answer your questions.

What is an ENERGY STAR furnace?

If it's time to replace your furnace or air conditioner, you'll be interested in an Energy Star appliance.

ENERGY STAR is a program that was created by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to help businesses and individuals make energy efficient purchases.

This program places the ENERGY STAR label on a furnace, a small blue and white logo, which means the furnace meets superior energy efficiency standards. This label provides an easy way for consumers to identify quality, high-efficiency products.

What manufacturer makes the best heating systems?

Heating is a matured technology so most of the popular brands work well. Many of them use parts made by the same manufacturers. So, the main considerations are the price, warranty, attractiveness, noise, etc. Some manufacturers offer anywhere from a 10-12 year warranty on all parts while others offer only 1 year.

Whatever you decide, the most important consideration is the heating contractor you use. For your protection, make sure you use a licensed contractor for your installation.

A licensed contractor using best refrigerant practices and procedures can save you time and money! You may buy the best system in the world but if it is not properly installed, you will actually be buying nothing but a big headache for years to come.

What is the average life-span of an HVAC system?

Most systems have a lifetime of 10 to 15 years, with gas furnaces lasting 20-25 years. As your equipment gets older, its efficiency can decrease dramatically. You may notice that it gets noisier and needs repairs more often.

If you live near bodies of water or the ocean, your system's life expectancy may be drastically shortened due to the harsh environment. If your system is over 10 years old, you should have your system checked for maintenance or replacement.

How often should I replace or clean the filter on my Air Conditioner?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer. The frequency one should clean or change their A/C system's filter is highly dependent on many factors:

1) The type of filter being used

2) How much traffic the home/office experiences

3) Presence of pets

4) How much your heating and air conditioning system operates

Always start by checking your system's filter(s) once a month. If your home/office has remote filters in the wall/ceiling, do not forget to check and replace as indicated. For best practice, always follow the filter manufacturer's recommendations for cleaning or replacement. If you are unsure, please ask our trained service technicians.

We can help taking care of your new heating and cooling system. Enroll in our Service and Maintenance Program, and our Customer Care Specialists will send a technician to your home when it is time to check the whole system per manufacturer's guidelines to make sure it is safe to use and performs at peak efficiency and while they are there, they can check, clean and/or replace your filter, if available.

Why is regular maintenance so important for my home comfort system?

You wouldn't buy a brand-new car and expect to never have to put air in the tires, change the oil and check out any unusual noises, would you? In the same way that an automobile requires periodic maintenance for optimal performance, a home comfort system should be regularly inspected by a qualified technician.

What is an Air Handler?

An air handler is usually a large metal box containing a blower, heating or cooling elements, filter racks or chambers, sound attenuators, and dampers. Air handlers usually connect to a ductwork ventilation system that distributes the conditioned air through the building and returns it to the AHU.

In some instances, with a ductless mini or multi-split the air handler may NOT require a duct system at all, therefore the name, ductless.