HVAC Frequently Asked Questions
WHEN IS IT TIME TO REPLACE MY OLDER AC SYSTEM?
By following these
simple guidelines, you can estimate whether or not fixing vs. repairing is the right decision. On average the lifetime of:
- an
air conditioning unit is 12-15 yrs
- a furnace is 15-20 yrs
- a boiler is 15-20 yrs
However, these
are guidelines. If a unit has been repaired several times, or has had higher than average wear, then even if it's before the
average lifetime of a typical system, it might make sense to replace it.
Some systems can cost just $4,000 to replace,
so if you take into account the age of the system plus the cost of a repair at $500, it probably makes more sense just to
replace it.
HOW DO I KNOW IF THE SYSTEM IS WORKING
PROPERLY?
Is it starting to make noises? Is it cooling and/or heating all areas of the house sufficiently?
Have your utility bills gone up for no apparent reason? Has it been taking longer to cool down or heat up the space?
Any
of these are signs that you may need service to avert any further serious damage to your system as well as keep your home
or business comfortable for the people and pets in it.
WHAT IS A SEER RATING?
SEER stands for
Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. The higher the SEER number, the more efficient the system is and the less it will cost in
the long run to own and operate it.
DO I NEED A MAINTENANCE
AGREEMENT?
Maintenance agreements are an easy and inexpensive way to protect your home, your family
or your business from sudden failure of your system.
The A. J. Struss Company offers our trademarked
25 point service called the SMART PLANTM.
You always want to be sure that your system is up and running when
you need it on that first hot or cold day of each season!
With our maintenance agreements, you'll enjoy twice yearly
annual season tune-ups and as a maintenance customer you receive discounts on parts as well.
HOW MUCH DOES A SERVICE AGREEMENT COST?
Annual service agreements
start at just $175 per year, per unit. A very inexpensive way to protect your system from sudden failure and discomfort when
the seasons change.
And, our service agreements are transferable and may increase the value of your home if you sell
it!
WHAT IS R410A?
R410a is the
earth friendly "green" coolant that is replacing Freon or R22. Beginning in 2010 Federal law requires that
Freon is no longer produced.
The A. J. Struss Company have been been ahead of this environmental curve and
has been using R410a for almost a decade.
ARE YOUR
PRODUCTS GUARANTEED?
Yes.
ARE
YOUR SERVICES GUARANTEED?
Yes. We stand by our service and guarantee to get it right.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO INSTALL A REPLACEMENT SYSTEM?
On
average, once the equipment is delivered, an in-house installation will take approximately 3-5 hours. Commercial installations
may take longer depending upon the size of the system.
HOW
DO I KNOW WHAT KIND OF SYSTEM I NEED?
If you are considering installing a central air conditioning
or heating system you will want to consider efficiency ratings, cost of system as well as the cost of maintaining it. Remember,
central air conditioning and heating systems always increase the value of your home. EMAIL US for details and our
experts will be happy to give you a free, professional, no obligation estimate.
I HAVE HEARD ABOUT TAX CREDITS FOR HOMEOWNERS, DO YOU OFFER THEM?
Yes, but it is the Federal
Government that issues these tax credits. There are two new initiatives to help you improve the energy efficiency and environmental
conservation in your home.
As part of a landmark energy bill, new Federal income tax credits are available for homeowners
who install high efficiency heating and cooling equipments.
HOW DO I CLAIM MY FEDERAL TAX CREDIT?
Contact your tax professional for more details and specific
instructions.
HOW DO I KNOW IF MY NEW SYSTEM WILL QUALIFY
FOR A TAX CREDIT?
CONTACT US for more information regarding specific systems. Once you choose the eligible
tax credit system that's right for you, we provide you with a verification certificate.
SHOULD I USE MY TAX CREDIT TO UPGRADE MY OVERALL SYSTEM?
This tax
credit was developed to encourage homeowners to install higher efficiency heating and cooling systems, but you should consider
these facts before deciding:
Is your current system nearing or older than its average lifespan? A system that is 15
years old is probably costing you more than you realize in utility and energy costs.
How much longer will you be in
your home? If you think you will be living in your home for a few more years, it probably makes sense to replace it with a
high efficiency system. This will also increase the value of your home when you sell it!
Have a question? Enter it below and maybe we'll answer it right
here on this page.
