Frequently Asked Questions
Indoor Air Quality
I thought pollution was outside. Why should I be worried about my air indoors?
We spend 90% of our time every day indoors. Plus, today's efficient, airtight homes are excellent at conserving energy, but that also makes them better at trapping potentially irritating particles inside the home. With the rising number of people who suffer from allergies and asthma, indoor air quality has become more and more important to our general health and well-being.
What kinds of things are in my home air that might be affecting my family's health and comfort?
A wide range of particulate matter can be in your home's air, including:
Dust
Pollen
Animal hair and dander
Dust Mites
|
Mold spores
Cooking grease
Smoke
Bacteria
|
I keep my home very clean. Could the air in my home still not be clean?
Yes. Consider that the average home generates 40 pounds of dust for every 1500 square feet of space. While regular home cleaning is an excellent measure to reduce exposure to irritants and pollutants, it's simply impossible to remove enough of the material by hand to make your home's air as comfortable as it can be.
What can be done to help make my home's air cleaner?
1) You might want to consider having your ducts cleaned.
2) Keep your filters clean and change them regularly.
3) Install a High Efficiency air filter.
How does a whole-home air cleaner work as part of my system?
Whole Home Air Cleaners are designed to perfectly fit as a component of your total home comfort system. Unlike many air cleaners that are situated in a single room of the house, Whole Home Air Cleaners are installed and operated through the same duct work that your furnace or air conditioner might use. So even though it’s attractively designed, it operates out of sight of most living spaces to provide up to 99.98% cleaner air throughout your entire home.
How often should I change or clean my filters?
Filters should generally be replaced every month when the system is running. Replace filters with the same kind and size as the original filter. If your filter is not disposable, follow the manufacturer instructions for cleaning. Failure to clean or replace the filter can negatively impact the performance and life of your equipment.
Where is my filter located?
Your air filter should be located in either the blower compartment of the furnace, in an attached filter case, or in a return air grille in a wall or ceiling of your home. If you cannot find the air filter, contact Oliver for assistance.
Where can I purchase filters?
If you are unable to find the appropriate-size air filter at your local hardware outlet, contact Oliver for assistance.
Residential Installations
Why is a matched system so important?
A matched system is important for a variety of reasons. One is comfort. When all your components are properly sized to your home, you can control exactly how much heating or cooling you need so you can relax.
Also, a properly sized matched system enables every component to perform as designed, meaning proper cycle times are maintained, humidity is controlled, and system sound is minimized.
Another reason matched systems are important is efficiency. Most systems people buy are too large for their homes, meaning they pay to heat and cool space that isn’t even there. A matched system outlined by a dealer who has completed a load calculation for your home provides just the right amount of heating and cooling you need so you get the most value for your utility dollar.
What are the advantages of units with variable speed fans?
Variable speed fans operate on a simple principle: they are able to spin at different speeds depending on the heating and cooling needs of your home. Usually, they operate at lower speeds, delivering a steady, reliable stream of warm or cool air to your home. This helps control humidity levels, utility costs and system noise. When conditions become more extreme, the fan speed increases so that the system can meet increased demand, guaranteeing that on even the hottest days or coldest nights, you’re comfort needs will be met.
What is a SEER rating and how does it impact my energy costs?
SEER means Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. Like its "mpg" counterpart in the automotive industry, the SEER gives an indication of the performance efficiency of the system. The higher the SEER, the more efficient the unit will be. And, the more efficient the unit, the lower the operating costs.
Experts say that by purchasing a system with a high SEER, you'll use less energy to cool your house, resulting in lower electric bills. In many cases, these savings are enough to partially or fully offset the cost of the new equipment within a few years.
What do all those rating numbers mean?
The federal government requires all air conditioning and heating equipment to be rated for efficiency. The higher the rating, the more efficient the model will be.
Gas furnaces are rated for AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency). This defines the amount of heat used to warm your home from the burned fuel. A 90% furnace will use 90% of the available heat to heat your home. 10% of the heat is vented outdoors. Many older gas furnaces are only 60% efficient. The other 40% is vented outdoors. You can see that a new high-efficiency furnace will require much less fuel to heat your home.
For air conditioning, the rating is SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio). This rating is based on general design criteria such as the compressor and outdoor coil. SEER ratings are for comparison purposes only, so that homeowners will know how they can compare different brands of products with similar efficiency ratings. The rating for the outdoor unit will reference a general efficiency range, such as 14 SEER. The actual efficiency rating for a specific system will depend on the combination of the outdoor unit and the indoor coil. These ratings are available from your dealer and the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute's Energy Guide. A variable-speed indoor blower unit will increase the efficiency rating of the system, as well.
Heat pumps are rated by SEER for cooling efficiency and by HSPF (Heating Seasonal Performance Factor) for heating efficiency. As with other ratings, the higher the HSPF, the less energy it will take to warm your home.
All of these ratings can be compared by asking your local dealer or utility provider, or referencing the ARI Directory.
Who can recommend a home comfort system to meet my needs?
Our Comfort Consultants can explain the advantages of different types of systems for your home, as well as select the right products to meet your personal comfort needs. They can also discuss the benefits of higher efficiency, variable-speed airflow, Humidifiers and whole-house air cleaner, programmable thermostats, two-stage heating and air conditioning, and other reliable, durable products.
I need a new outdoor unit, but my indoor unit works fine. What are the advantages of replacing my whole system at the same time?
We recommend that your replace the indoor coil or air handler when replacing the outdoor unit. Both of these components are integral to the closed refrigerant loop and together determine the capacity and efficiency of your system. If you do not replace the indoor unit, there will be no test data available for the new combination to establish the expected capacity or efficiency of your system. Also, the indoor system may be partially blocked by particles that will decrease efficiency, and you may be faced in the near future with replacing the indoor unit after it fails and having to pay to have the closed refrigerant system opened again. It would be expensive and be another opportunity for contamination. You end up paying more. If your whole system is replaced, you will be less likely to need service in the near future.
What noise factors do I need to consider when selecting an air conditioner or heat pump?
The industry sound rating numbers are complicated and often difficult to understand. Sound rating is just one of these areas. A difference of 6 decibels (such as between 72 dB and 78 dB) is technically a four-fold increase in compressor sound when rating air conditioners or heat pump units. However, it takes a difference of 10 decibels to double the loudness. It is also noted that it takes approximately 3 decibels for the average human ear to discern any difference in loudness at all. In many cases, the sound rating isn't as significant a determiner of sound difference to listeners as is the sound characteristics or quality. One type of sound with a lower sound power rating may be more offensive to a homeowner than another with a higher sound power rating. There are other important considerations, such as location, when considering the effects of sound. Our overall product line offers homeowners significant choices
How much will my new air conditioning system cost?
That depends. There are many factors that must be considered. These include:
- The efficiency of the equipment
- The size of your home
- Is the ductwork installed and in good condition?
- Do you need a thermostat or electronic air cleaner?
In most cases, replacing your whole system, including both indoor and outdoor components, will result in a more efficient, longer-lasting system but will also cost a little more. Please contact us for equipment recommendations and your total investment based on a load calculation performed on your home.
Will anything help control the humidity in my house?
Humidity is a problem in many areas. The best way to control excessive humidity is to have a system that runs longer at lower speeds. Variable-speed air-handling equipment runs at very low speeds, which keeps the air circulating against the cooling coil and removes much more moisture than conventional systems. At these low speeds, the variable-speed motor also uses much less electricity than conventional motors.
What is a load calculation and why is it so important?
A load calculation determines what the proper size system is for your specific home. Completed by your Comfort Consultant, it factors in a number of criteria used to determine what size components you should include as part of your total comfort system, things like square footage, number of windows, and year-round weather concerns.
A load calculation is important so that your system operates at maximum efficiency, with optimum performance. Most homes have systems that are oversized, so you end up paying more than you should to heat and cool your home. Also, systems that are improperly sized tend to cycle too quickly or too slowly, and that can lead to maintenance problems, uneven temperatures, and an inability to control humidity. A properly sized system based on a correct load calculation can help ensure you enjoy long-lasting, reliable comfort whatever the season.
What size system do I need for my home?
It is important that new or replacement equipment is not sized by "Rule of Thumb" or by duplicating the existing equipment capacity. The only accurate way to determine the correct capacity of heating and air conditioning equipment for your home is to have a load calculation performed on your home. There is a specific method available to do this calculation. This will give you the heat gain and heat loss design data for your home. These figures can then be used to select the appropriately sized air conditioning or heating system for your home, based on equipment-performance data.
Many factors determine the size (capacity) system your home requires. Some of these are:
- square feet to be cooled and heated
- climate
- humidity
- number of windows
- insulation factors
- which direction your home faces
- heat producing appliances, and
- the number of people who will be in the home
Oversized air conditioning systems will not remove adequate moisture from the indoor air due to short cycling. Also, oversized systems quickly cool the indoor air temperature, but they do not run long enough to remove the humidity.
That leaves you feeling stuffy and uncomfortable. Control of your home's climate is rarely achieved with oversized systems and electricity consumption is higher than with a properly sized system.
An oversized furnace is similar to an oversized air conditioning system. The furnace run time is short, creating uncomfortable air stratification and less air filtration. Also, the frequent cycling of the unit on and off can cause undue wear and tear on internal working components.
An undersized air conditioning system will not adequately cool your home on the hottest days and an undersized furnace will not adequately heat your house on the coldest days.
Do you offer financing options for equipment purchases?
****If you don't have ample cash or credit available at the time of purchase, Oliver has some options that can help. Ask about our “Six Months Same as Cash” program.
How much will my new system cost?
That depends. There are many factors that must be considered. These include:
- The efficiency of the equipment
- The size of your home
- Is the ductwork installed and in good condition?
- Do you need a thermostat or electronic air cleaner?
In most cases, replacing your whole system, including both indoor and outdoor components, will result in a more efficient, longer-lasting system but will also cost a little more.
Equipment
The air coming from the registers feels cool when my new heat pump is set for heating. Is there a problem?
While a heat pump is perfectly capable of effectively heating your home, the temperature of the air coming out of the registers confuses some people. The air is heated to about 90 to 95 degrees, depending on the outdoor temperature. This temperature is approximately 20 to 25 degrees warmer than the indoor air temperature and will warm your house. It is, however, below body temperature (98.6 degrees) and can feel cool when someone puts their hand in the airflow.
What is a hot surface igniter?
Unlike older-model gas furnaces that used a standing pilot light to ignite the burners on the furnace, many of today's models use an electronic ignition system. This includes a Hot Surface Igniter, sometimes referred to as a glow plug or glow stick. When there is a call for heat, the igniter receives electrical current in order to heat its surface and ignite the burners in the furnace.
What are the differences in a single-stage, 2-Stage, and variable-speed gas furnaces?
A single stage furnace will deliver the same amount of heat and airflow no matter what the temperature is outside. A 2-stage furnace with a 2-stage thermostat will begin in first stage (low burner, low airflow) and only go to second stage if the indoor temperature drops during first stage. This makes the furnace run longer, providing greater air circulation, temperature distribution, and air filtration. This also provides a more consistent indoor environment. The second stage will only come on when the need is there and then it will be able to run longer and maintain the comfort level. The more your system starts and stops, the less control you will have of your home's environment - and the less efficiently it works, partly due to duct heat loss. The advantage of a 2-stage, variable-speed furnace is it has an Enhanced mode. This allows the coil to cool quickly and the blower to slowly ramp up and ramp down or operate at 50 percent of the cooling air speed in the FAN ON position. This provides greater humidity control, quieter operation, and maximum air circulation, temperature distribution, and air filtration.
What is an air handler?
The major components enclosed in an air handler's cabinetry are the blower and motor, controls, heater compartment, and an evaporator coil. This is why it is also sometimes referred to as a fan coil. A standard air handler, like the single stage furnace, delivers the same amount of airflow no matter what the temperature inside. Variable-speed air handlers have an Enhanced mode, like our variable-speed gas furnace, allowing the coil to cool down quickly and the blower to slowly ramp up and ramp down or to operate at 50 percent of the cooling air speed in the FAN ON position. This provides greater humidity control, quieter operation, maximum air circulation, temperature distribution, and air filtration for greater control of your home's indoor environment.
What is a heat pump?
The heat pump is an air conditioner that reverses the process of removing heat from the inside of the house in summer to absorbing the heat from outside air and moving it inside in winter. It is effective by itself down to temperatures around 25 to 30 degrees Fahrenheit. At that point, either a gas furnace or an air handler with supplemental electric heat will kick in and help heat your home. The Auxiliary Heat light on your thermostat will light. The heat pump will continue to operate along with the electric auxiliary heat. It will shut off when a gas furnace is energized. Emergency heat is a manual override option in the event your heat pump needs service.
What is the purpose of auxiliary heat?
Under normal operating conditions, the auxiliary heat is brought on automatically by the thermostat when the indoor temperature drops during heat pump operation. There are also times during cold, wet weather when the outdoor coil may ice up and your heat pump will go into a defrost cycle. This is nothing more than reversing the process back to cooling mode. Cooling mode makes the outdoor coil hot and melts any ice. The defrost cycle should only last a few minutes and then return to heating mode. During the defrost cycle, your comfort system is in cooling mode and the supply air is cool. To offset this cool air, the auxiliary heat will be energized during defrost. A mist or fog may be visible from the outdoor unit during defrost.
Is a heat pump the right choice for my home?
The heat pump is effective in many geographic areas. In all electric applications, the heat pump may consume less energy than an electric furnace or air handler using resistance heat. Why? Because it can deliver the same amount of BTUs as electric heaters using less electrical input than the electric heat. In moderate climates the savings that natural gas yields may not be as advantageous as in colder climates, since there is less frequent use of the furnace in milder climates. Of course, the heat pump can be matched with a gas or oil furnace where preferred. The heat pump can operate in the milder temperatures when the gas or oil furnace may tend to short-cycle.
To determine which system would serve your specific needs best, our Comfort Consultants will perform a load calculation on your home and then estimate the cost of operation for the different combinations of equipment.
What services need to be performed for preventative maintenance on my heating and air conditioning equipment? How often should this maintenance be performed?
We recommend that you have preventative maintenance before or during the winter heating season and before or during the summer cooling season. Oliver offers service agreements that include reduced rates on labor and parts and provide priority response. Service/maintenance agreements include cleaning indoor and outdoor coils, tightening electrical connections, checking supply voltage and operating current, checking refrigerant charge, measuring temperature differential at supply and return registers, cleaning blower wheel and motor, inspecting and adjusting burner, checking heat exchangers, cleaning drain lines and pan, checking ductwork for leaks and insulation, and checking the thermostat.
How close to the outdoor unit should I plant shrubs or flowers?
Manufacturers generally agree that plants should not be closer than 18 inches. Air conditioners need intake and exhaust air to operate efficiently. If air cannot circulate, the unit could build up heat and require service.
What are the average life expectancies for heating and air conditioning equipment?
The average expected life of an air conditioner is approximately 12-15 years. The average expected life of a heat pump is approximately 10 to 12 years, since it operates year round. The average expected life of a gas furnace or air handler may be longer. Units in corrosive environments, such as, but not limited to coastal installations, will tend to have shorter lives.
Is there any advantage to setting my thermostat fan to "ON" so the fan runs constantly?
Yes, there are a few. The first is that you get constant filtering of the air in your home. The second is that because the air is moving, you have a more even temperature throughout the home. However, continuous fan mode during COOLING operation may not be appropriate in humid climates. If the indoor air exceeds 60% humidity or simply feels uncomfortably humid, it is recommended that the fan be used in AUTO mode
Maintenance Agreements
Q: Why should I invest in a maintenance agreement?
Peace of mind. A maintenance agreement gives you priority service, professional annual precision tune-ups and increased savings and comfort. Systems usually break down on the hottest and coldest days. This usually causes a surge in calls to us that can mean service delays. A maintenance agreement gives you peace of mind because you know you’ll receive priority service and substantial savings on repairs, which we back with a one-year warranty.
Q: Why should I buy a Maintenance Agreement?
Your system needs an annual tune-up anyway. For just a little more per month, our Gold plan helps you avoid hundreds of dollars in repairs. You’ll have peace of mind knowing you won’t be hit with a big, unexpected repair bill. Our Silver plan gives 10% off parts and labor. Both plans include an annual precision tune-up, plus a host of other benefits and guarantees.
Q: Why are precision tune-ups important?
In one year, your heating and cooling units can run for as many 2,000 hours. When you neglect them, you pay a hefty price- in wasted fuel, shortened equipment life and inconvenient and expensive breakdowns. Having your equipment regularly tuned-up, results in fewer service problems, lower energy bills, a safer system and warranties that are kept valid.
Q: What do you mean by priority service?
Oliver maintenance agreement customers are always taken care of first! If you find yourself without any heating or cooling and call us by 12:00 p.m., we will respond the same day.
Q: Which maintenance agreement is right for me?
It depends on the level of protection you’re comfortable with. Most of our customers choose our Gold Maintenance Agreement because there are no charges for covered repairs. If you have new equipment, you may find that the Silver Maintenance Agreement provides you with sufficient coverage.
Q: Will I be charged extra for “after-hours” emergency calls?
Customers with our Gold or Silver Maintenance Agreement never pay overtime charges.
Q: Can I spread out my payments?
Yes, using our Hassle-Free credit card payment plan, you can spread out the annual cost of your maintenance agreement and have your credit card billed monthly. (We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover.)
Q: How do I get started?
It’s simple. Call our office , (800) 522-4884 and speak to one of our Service Representatives. Office hours are Mon-Fri 8 am to 9 pm and Sat 8 am to 4 pm |
