HVAC FAQs
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No matter what your HVAC questions are, the experts at Pen Pals Cooling Heating Plumbing in Albuquerque have answers. Whether you have questions about picking new HVAC equipment to best practices on care and maintenance, we can help. Our online FAQs answers offer a rapid response for your convenience, but if you want to know more on any topic, don’t hesitate to give us a call at 505-317-9598.
Why is regular maintenance important?
Just like you need to take your car in to the shop for regular tune-ups, such as oil changes or looking at possible problems, your home comfort system should be subject to the same kind of attention. Routine maintenance by a skilled technician provides numerous benefits to your HVAC equipment, which can help your systems operate efficiently and prevent costly breakdowns.
How much should I expect to pay for a new heating and air conditioner?
The cost can range depending on the equipment size and different features, so we recommend contacting Pen Pals Cooling Heating Plumbing at 505-317-9598 to receive a quote.
What is two-stage heating?
Two-stage heating enables the furnace to heat at two levels of output: high for cold winter days and low for mild ones. Around 80 percent of the time, your homes heating requirements can be met when the furnace is set on the low setting, permitting your two-stage unit to run for longer periods of time. Two-stage units also offer more even heat distribution, fewer temperature swings, quiet operation, increased air filtration and energy efficiency.
What sort of technology comes with the HVAC systems that we carry?
Pen Pals Cooling Heating Plumbing has an assortment of brands and models that are more efficient than ever and make it easier to find the right fit for your home. There are innovative systems that make heating or cooling your home more automatic, operating similar to cruise control to make small adjustments to help meet your comfort demands with energy efficiency. Give us a call at 505-317-9598 to learn more about the technology we offer.
Will my new furnace work differently than my old one?
Depending on how old your previous furnace was, you could experience a host of differences. Furnaces today are created to give more even and efficient heating than ever before. Modern furnaces also better regulate temperature and air flow, moving more air over the heat exchanger than older furnaces.
Additionally, new furnaces are crafted to integrate with other high-efficiency HVAC products, such as air conditioners. The air conditioner blowers offer your heating system an extra lift so it can deliver cool air around your home efficiently. Special features like variable speed motors will also help decrease noise associated with operating your equipment and easily meet your family’s airflow needs.
What is the energy efficiency standard for air conditioners?
The Department of Energy recently increased the minimum efficiency levels for air conditioners, heat pumps and packaged units created after Jan. 1, 2015, since heating and cooling contributes significantly to a homes total energy usage. The requirements vary by region, so call Pen Pals Cooling Heating Plumbing for the efficiency standards for Albuquerque.
How can I reduce my energy costs?
Pen Pals Cooling Heating Plumbing offers a number of HVAC products with high-efficiency ratings, which can help reduce the amount of energy they require to operate. Aside from picking products that have received Energy Star® certification or achieved high SEER ratings for air conditioners or AFUE ratings for furnaces, you can consider the following:
- Making certain that your system receives regular maintenance by a trained technician can keep your system operating at its top performance.
- Zoning systems enable you to heat or cool only specific areas of your home, so you wont have to pay to heat or cool spaces that you aren’t using.
- Having a programmable thermostat allows you to set the temperature in your home around your schedule.
- They can be programmed to give you the comfort you desire when you’re home and increase or decrease the temperature while you’re not around, helping you save on utility costs.
Why should I buy from you?
Pen Pals Cooling Heating Plumbing is well-known in the Albuquerque area and you can rely on them to provide quality home comfort products. We feature a variety of innovative and high-quality products. We are dedicated to providing customers high-quality service and will make sure you find the right solution for your home.
How can I improve my home's indoor air quality?
Improving your home’s indoor air quality starts with four basic strategies:
- Poor indoor air quality leaves your home full of air pollutants floating around. So, to enhance IAQ, the first step is to get rid of as many pollutants as possible. You can easily do this by cleaning and vacuuming at least one time during the week, frequently washing linens and storing cleaning products safely.
- Proper insulation is ideal for keeping your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer, but it also makes it difficult for airborne pollutants to escape. We offer products that help swap stale air for fresh, filtered outside air.
- Good ventilation and routine cleaning are a start, but air filters, germicidal lights and purification systems take your IAQ to the next level by capturing microscopic particles, killing germs and eliminating particles while destroying chemical vapors.
- Programmable thermostats will help control the humidity levels and temperature to help stop particles and germs from building up while also keeping your home comfortable.
How do I know which indoor air quality product will work best for my home?
We recommend that you meet with one of the professionals at Pen Pals Cooling Heating Plumbing and have them assess your home and current indoor comfort system. We can help you choose which equipment will be best suited to meet your needs.
How does an air conditioner work?
Lots of homeowners believe that air conditioners make your home cooler, but it actually removes the heat from inside your home, directing the hot air outside. That hot air goes across a cold indoor coil where refrigerant in the lines sends the heat to the coil in your outdoor unit, releasing it outside. This cycle continues until the indoor temperature reaches the temp that was set on your thermostat.
What is the minimum energy efficiency standard for air conditioners in my state?
Due to the amount of energy used by heating and cooling systems, the Department of Energy (DOE) increased the minimum efficiency levels for air conditioners, heat pumps and packaged units manufactured after January 1, 2015. These levels are determined by region and carry varying requirements based on your location. Pen Pals Cooling Heating Plumbing can help answer any questions you may have regarding these minimum requirements and let you know what choices are available when you’re looking for a replacement system.
How can I confirm the model and serial numbers for my cooling unit?
These numbers can be found on a nameplate or sticker that is near your systems service panel. The sticker is white with black letters and have both of these numbers located near the top of the sticker. M/N signifies model number while S/N is your serial number.
How do I estimate what size equipment I should purchase?
There are a couple ways to determine what size system is the best fit for your home, but the most reliable way to size a system is by having your local Pen Pals Cooling Heating Plumbing technician come out and perform a load calculation. This calculation considers your homes: square footage, insulation value, amount of insulation, and a number of other factors.
Can frost, ice, dirt or other debris keep the outdoor unit of my cooling system from operating effectively?
The short answer is Yes. Dirt and other debris can impede your systems ability to work efficiently. For heat pumps, it is not unusual to have frost or ice on them during the winter, but they also feature defrost controls to ensure they work efficiently in those kinds of weather.
What is two-stage cooling?
Two-stage cooling means that your cooling unit has two levels of operation. When summer is in its hottest weeks, the high setting is used, and when its cooler or more mild, it operates on the low setting. Typically, the lower setting is able to take care of your cooling needs, but even when the high setting kicks in, you may not realize it because it can produce such even temperatures for your comfort. This can also mean a quieter cooling system, greater efficiency and improved humidity control.
Why is my cooling unit freezing up?
When your cooling unit freezes up, there are a variety of reasons why it could be doing so. The most common reasons include: dirty filters, low refrigerant, a dirty evaporative coil and a faulty blower motor or relay. A dirty filter is something you can fix as a homeowner, but the others need to be done by a professional like those at Pen Pals Cooling Heating Plumbing. Contact them at 505-317-9598 with any additional questions.
What is the best thermostat to use for my cooling system?
Choosing the best thermostat for your cooling system comes with a lot of considerations. Thats why its nice to have such a big variety of choices from Pen Pals Cooling Heating Plumbing. Whether you’re looking for a programmable or non-programmable thermostat or want to join the smart home trend, there are a number of thermostats that you have to select from. Some thermostats will depend on what type of heating and cooling system you have, but the pros at Pen Pals Cooling Heating Plumbing will be able to help determine what options meet your needs and your budget.
What is a heat pump?
Heat pumps can be a little confusing due to their name, but they actually cover both your heating and cooling needs all year. When its hot outside it operates like an air conditioner in that it removes heat from your home, but when it cools off, the process gets turned around and it collects heat from outside and brings it inside. Heat pumps are also very efficient, and might produce up to two or three times more heat than the energy it uses.
When replacing the outdoor unit, should the indoor unit also be replaced?
Of course we suggest you also replace your indoor system, but this is why:
- All outdoor cooling systems have a matching indoor unit that they are intended to work with to ensure efficient performance. When they aren’t paired with the other piece as a total system, efficiency can be affected.
- As with many products, advancements have brought about newer, more efficient ways of doing things. Heating and cooling systems are no different. These improvements most importantly include better heating and cooling efficiency, but also involve improved air handling, filtering and noise pollution reduction to name a few.
- Heating and cooling systems that are more than 10-15 years old usually need to be replaced. Not only do they consist of outdated technology, but they are also less efficient than more recent models. Getting a new indoor unit at the same time means you’ll have a matched system to provide you with even more comfort and efficiency for years to come.
How will I know if my solar HVAC system is performing to its potential?
The communication module on your home energy system may send the system’s performance records for each module to a website. You may visit this website to learn more about the system’s status, energy production and environmental benefits. The site also shares carbon offsets as it happens.
Should I clean my solar modules?
In most areas, rain will naturally clean the solar modules. If you are located in a dusty or industrial area, periodically spraying the modules with water could help improve performance. However, detergents and high-pressure hoses should never be used to clean solar modules.
What is the best thermostat for my heating and cooling system?
The best thermostat for you depends on your heating and cooling equipment. Pen Pals Cooling Heating Plumbing has programmable and nonprogrammable thermostats that can help improve the efficiency of your HVAC systems. Browse our available products or contact us at 505-317-9598 to learn more.
How can I control my energy expenses?
Heating and cooling can make up a large part of your utility bill. The innovative and high-efficiency heating and air conditioning products available from Pen Pals Cooling Heating Plumbing can help lower these costs. If you’re shopping for a new heating or cooling system, look for products with high SEER ratings for air conditioners and AFUE ratings for furnaces. SEER and AFUE are a measure of system efficiency, and the larger the number, the more efficient the product. Besides purchasing a new home comfort system, consider these additional factors:
- Is your system regularly maintained? Whether it’s a furnace or air conditioner, HVAC systems will run more efficiently after regular maintenance checks.
- Could your home use a zoning system? If there are rooms in your home that are rarely used, a zoning system will allow you to heat or cool only the most used areas of your house.
- Does your home have a programmable or smart thermostat? According to the U.S. Department of Energy, programmable thermostats may lower your heating costs by up to 35 percent, and your cooling costs by up to 25 percent.
What are the benefits of zoning systems?
Zoning your home allows you you the the comfort of sectioning portions of your house and control the thermostat differently in each area. Zoning equipment is best for when you have parts of your home that are seldom used or when you and your family are often in disagreement of what the temperature in each area of your home should be. Zoning systems are quiet and efficient, giving you more control over the comfort of your house. Discover more about the equipment available from Pen Pals Cooling Heating Plumbing.