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What does HVAC stand for?
HVAC is the acronym for Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning. As HVAC specialists, we have the experience and knowledge to diagnose and repair your heating systems and air conditioning. You may need a HVAC contractor when upgrading your home, moving into a new home, or any time you are experiencing climate issues in your home.

When should I replace my heating, cooling and ventilation system?
You should consider the age, efficiency, performance and frequency of system usage. An indoor weather system that is more than 10 years old is likely driving your energy costs up and should be replaced. Does your system break down often? Replacing parts to an inefficient system is not likely going to solve your problem. Systems operating in extreme weather conditions will need to be replaced more often than one that is not operating as often.

When should I repair my heating, cooling and ventilation system?
If your equipment is in good condition, repairing it may be the right thing to do. Deciding whether to replace or repair is always a tough decision, but our team of experts will be happy to assist you in making that decision. You should have your equipment serviced at least once (but preferably twice) a year to be inspected, cleaned and adjusted. It will reduce risks and allow a team of professionals to repair a problem before it results in system failure.

How can I reduce energy costs in different seasons?
At Lee Heating and Air conditioning, Inc. we can help keep homeowners cool in the summer and warm in the winter. In the winter you want to reduce heated air from escaping to the outside. You can do this by keeping your garage closed, using clean filters and lowering your thermostat by a degree or two to save on your heating bills. In the summer, set your thermostat as high as comfortably possible. The less difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower your overall cooling bill will be. Remember not to place lamps or TV sets near your air conditioning thermostat. Ceiling fans and whole house fans help cool your home by circulating air more effectively. Plant trees or shrubs to shade air-conditioning unit and it will use less electricity. If you're ready to improve the efficiency in your home, contact us and ask about an energy audit program to identify areas where homes waste energy and money.

Should I trust the Yellow Pages in searching for HVAC repair?
The Yellow Pages will not help you in the selection process for a contractor. The Yellow Pages is outdated and static. There is limited information offered, which will not help you distinguish between the different contractors. A website is informative and interactive. Check out your options on the web!

Is there anything I can do before calling Lee Heating and Air conditioning, Inc.?
Make sure that circuit breakers are ON or that fuses have not blown. Check your home or office's airflow. Air filters should be clean and vents should be open and uncovered. Look at your thermostat to make sure the system is set on the appropriate settings.

What does SEER stand for and how does it relate to me?
SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. Your SEER number measures the efficiency of air conditioners and heat pumps. The higher the number the greater your energy savings are. Manufacturers build systems with SEER ratings which need to have a 13.0 rating or higher.

What does Energy Star mean?
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has standards for heating and cooling products. The Energy Star marks high-efficiency and energy savings, and investing in such equipment can result in lower utility bills.

What is the average lifespan of heating and cooling equipment?
Most systems have a lifetime of 10-12 years, but we suggest you get your system inspected for efficiency and performance by a professional after 5 years. As your equipment gets older, its efficiency subsequently decreases and may need repairs more often. Preventative maintenance can prolong the life of the equipment.

How often should I clean my furnace?
It is highly recommended that you have your furnace cleaned and checked annually. It may need servicing more often if it is older. Carbon Monoxide can leak out of cracks that develop within a furnace over time. For your safety, it is important to have a professional eye maintain your furnace.

Should I have my ducts cleaned?
Yes. Dirty air ducts can make you sick, impact your utility bills, make your house dirtier and eventually cause system failure. Mold buildup, rodents, dust, debris and other particles can contaminate your ducts. Lee Heating and Airconditioning, Inc. suggests cleaning your ducts every 3-5 years. Schedule an appointment immediately if members of your household experience unusual symptoms that may be related to the environment within your home. Read Environmental Protection Agency's Indoor Air Quality: An Introduction for Health Professionals and The Inside Story: A Guide to Indoor Air Quality for preventable tips for IAQ problems.

What is duct cleaning?
Duct cleaning generally refers to the cleaning of various heating and cooling system components of forced air systems, including the supply and return air ducts and registers, grilles and diffusers, heat exchangers, heating and cooling coils, condensate drain pans (drip pans), fan motor and fan housing, and the air handling unit housing.

What are the benefits of a humidifier?
A humidifier will reduce the discomfort people experience with dry air, such as itchy skin and a hard time breathing. Dry indoor air can also inflict damage on your furniture. A humidifier, when used properly, can reduce your energy bill.

Can I plant or garden around my outdoor unit?
Yes, actually shaded units use less electricity than the same ones operating in the sunlight. Make sure you plant the trees or shrubs far enough away so that they do not obstruct airflow.

How often should I change the filters in my home or building?
Replace the filters as often as instructed, but regularly inspect them. Most filters need to be changed every month. Dirty filters will limit the airflow and increase the cost of your utility bills.

Should I turn the air off when I am not home?
No, just turn the temperature up a few degrees to be closer to the outdoor temperature. The AC unit will not have to work as hard when you return as it would if you turned it completely off.

How do I know what size system I need?
There are important factors to be considered when determining the system size for your home. Our team will consider the local climate, humidity, shade, insulation, occupants, appliances, windows, and square feet to be cooled. A system that is too large for your home will cool or heat your house quickly, but maybe too quickly, which can result moisture/mold issues. A system that is too small will not be able to meet your needs, especially in extreme weather conditions.

How do I protect my home or building from Carbon Monoxide pollutants?
Because you cannot see or smell Carbon Monoxide, it is important to understand where it comes from and some of the symptoms. At low levels, the deadly gas can cause headaches, dizziness and fatigue. Most people find themselves more at risk in the winter months. Please be careful with space heaters, gas stoves, and fireplaces. We also recommend you allow plenty of air flow in rooms where these items are used. Ask us about getting carbon monoxide detectors installed in your home.

How do I know if my home or building has poor air quality?
Are you often uncomfortable with the indoor climate? Identifying what it is about your current system that makes you uncomfortable will help you resolve it with our specialists. For example, let us know if the air in your home is too cold, overly hot, overly humid, has lingering odors or you suffer from indoor allergies.

What equipment requires preventative maintenance?
All of it! At least once a year heat pumps and air conditioners require inspection by a professional. We recommend scheduling at least one tune-up on your equipment every year. We recommend getting boilers, chimneys, ductwork, dampers, the gas meter, furnaces, pipes, pumps, the oil tank, radiators and valves inspected. The compressor, coils, fan and refrigerant lines require inspection as well. Contact us if you have questions on a particular part of your HVAC unit and important preventative maintenance.

What are the symptoms of an unhealthy home or building?

• Eye, nose and throat irritation
• Sinusitis, Sinus Infection, Bronchitis and long-lasting Headaches
• Fatigue, Irritability
• Reduced Concentration
• Asthma
• Dry Skin

How much are preventative maintenance services going to cost?
Contact us about the rates of our services and products. Lee Heating and Air conditioning, Inc. will help you find the most efficient and affordable solution to your HVAC needs.

 

These hints, brought to you by Lee Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc., can help homeowners save money and energy all year long. Following these tips will help you maintain maximum comfort and prevent your equipment from overworking itself no matter what month or season it is.

Please contact Lee Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc. if you would like more information on reducing the operating costs of your home appliances and HVAC system.

General Tips for All Seasons

• Consider a programmable thermostat to save you money and maintain a consistent climate in your home.
• Keep your HVAC system well-maintained.
• Turn off lights when you leave a room for more than a minute or leave the house entirely. Use compact fluorescent lights for longer lasting bulbs.
• Close all doors and windows to keep your system operating economically.
• Use the sunlight to your advantage. In the winter, keep curtains and shades open. In the summer, reduce the amount of direct sunlight by keeping shades closed.
• Use ENERGY STAR® equipment to guarantee operational efficiency.
• Use the dishwasher when it is fully loaded only.
• Clean the lint out of the dryer after every load so the machine does not have to waste energy.
• Use cold water instead of hot when doing loads of laundry; the change in temperature will positively impact the amount of energy used.
• Keep your refrigerator, freezer and oven doors shut so as not to let cool or hot air escape.
• Opt for a shower over a bath if you want to save gallons and gallons of hot water.
• Install fans throughout your house to cut your energy bill dramatically.
• Keep your heating and a/c filters clean. Ask us at Lee Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc. what the proper filter is for your home!
• Fix any leaks. A drop of water every second can result in 165 gallons per month!
• Install shower head and faucet features that conserve water.
• Do not block vents inside the house with rugs or furniture.
• Set the thermostat as close to the outside temperature as comfortably possible. 78 degrees for the summer and 68 degrees for the winter are ideal.

Summer Tips

• Have your equipment inspected by Lee Heating and Air conditioning, Inc. before the first heat wave comes.
• AC units can only cool down an area so quickly. Make sure you do not wait until your home is unbearably hot before turning it on.
• Install an attic fan - it can cool your attic by nearly 30°!
• In order not to increase the demand on your AC unit, use the microwave or outside grill as often as possible during the day and avoid running the dishwasher, washing machine and other appliances during the day.
• Install fans and run them to keep you comfortable in the summer months. During the summer, your blades should face forward to blow air downward.
• Keep your blinds and curtains closed to keep excess heat out.
• White blinds and window treatments will reflect the sunlight away from your house.
• Plant trees and shrubbery around your outside unit to keep it shaded. Your system will use 10% less electricity than a unit in the direct sunlight.
• Keep debris away from outdoor unit and keep the AC coils clean.
• Planting trees around your house and windows will limit the direct sunlight and improve operational costs.
• Do not put lamps and electronic devices that produce heat too close to a thermostat, because it may cause the thermostat to think the house is warmer than it actually is.
• Have your air conditioning system checked by a professional to make sure it is running efficiently.
• Do not overly adjust your thermostat. Raising it a couple of degrees while you are away will help you reduce energy consumption by around 4%.
• Set your thermostat to "fan on" status when cooling your house to keep air circulating.

Winter Tips

• According to the U.S. Department of Energy, you'll save one percent of your total heating bill for each degree your thermostat is set back in the winter.
• Don't wait to turn your heating system on. Make sure it works and the filters are changed before the temperature drops. Contact Lee Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc. if it is not working properly.
• Turn back the temperature on your thermostat when you leave home.
• Open blinds on sunny days to bring in additional heat, especially the blinds on the south side of the house.
• Check your entryways for drafts, look for cracks in and around your windows where you may be losing heat, and correct them.
• Shut the doors of rooms and closets that are not in use.
• Set your fans in reverse so that the warm air is circulated around the room.
• Ask professionals to inspect the condition of the insulation. It should have at least 6 inches of good insulation and enough air pockets to contain cold air.
• A humidifier can help add needed moisture to your home during the wintertime as well as improve health issues.
• Close your fireplace's damper and kitchen vent when they are not being used. An open damper or vent can waste a lot of warm air.
• Have your fireplace chimney cleaned and inspected regularly.
• Install glass doors on the fireplace for additional insulation.
• Have your furnace looked at by Lee Heating and Airconditioning, Inc. to make sure it is operating optimally.
• Space heaters are dangerous and expensive to leave running. Avoid using space heaters if possible.

For your convenience, here are some links to the "Energy Star" tax credits you may want to take advantage of if you are remodeling or replacing your system. At Lee Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc., we suggest homeowners replace their system every 10 years. Your HVAC system is a major investment and consumes nearly half of the energy in your household. Why not save energy and money? Consider these tax credits. Read about the qualifications at http://www.energystar.gov/ or http://www.energysavers.gov/.

At Lee Heating and Airconditioning, Inc., we believe it can be very helpful for our customers to understand the many terms and acronyms in the HVAC industry. You may find that it is easier for you to communicate with a HVAC professional and explain your indoor comfort needs after learning these terms. Thanks for your interest in your HVAC investment!

Courtesy of the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (http://www.acca.org/)

13 SEER
This is the new minimum efficiency standard (effective January 2006) for an air conditioner or heat pump. All new units must now meet this standard. Previously manufactured equipment may be used, sold, and installed. SEER is defined later.

ACCA
The Air Conditioning Contractors of America, a national trade association that represents heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration contractors.

AIR HANDLING UNIT
Equipment with a heating element and/or cooling coil and other components in a cabinet or casing.

AHRI
Air-Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute, a non-profit, voluntary organization composed of heating, air conditioning and refrigeration manufacturers. AHRI publishes standards for testing and rating heat pumps and air conditioners.

BALANCING or AIR BALANCING
Adjusting an air conditioning system so that the right amount of air is delivered to the right places in your home in order to achieve the right heating or cooling effect.

BTU
British Thermal Unit, the measurement of heating and air conditioning capacity. A BTU is the amount of heat that must be added to one pound of water to raise its temperature one degree Fahrenheit.

CFC
Chlorofluorocarbons, used as a refrigerant in air conditioners and heat pumps, linked to the depletion of the ozone layer.

COP
Coefficient of performance, an efficiency ratio that compares the amount of heat delivered to the amount of energy used. As with MPG on a car, the higher the score the more energy efficient the equipment is.

COIL
A heating or cooling element made of pipe or tubing, usually with plates or fins.

COMMISSIONING
The final step in installing a heating or air conditioning system. Every component is checked and tested for compliance with codes, ACCA manuals, manufacturer requirements, and occupant needs. After commissioning, the technician will: provide documentation of testing, provide all equipment manuals, and show the homeowner how to operate the system.

CONDENSER (HEAT EXCHANGER)
The outside unit of a heating or air conditioning system. Here the refrigerant condenses from a gas to a liquid and hot or cold air from the building is released to the outside.

DEHUMIDIFIER
A device that removes excess moisture from the air.

DOE
The U.S. Department of Energy, the federal agency that sets industry efficiency standards.

DUCT
Conduits used to carry air. They can be round or rectangular, sheet metal or fiberglass or vinyl tubes. In air conditioning systems they carry air from the home to the air conditioning system or furnace and back to the home.

ERV
Energy Recovery Ventilator, a machine that draws fresh air into the home and exhausts stale air from the home. It uses a process to preheat or pre-cool (depending on the season) to reduce energy costs associated with conditioning the air.

ENERGY STAR®
A government supported branding used to identify energy efficient products. The branding was developed by the US Department of Energy and the US Environmental Protection Agency.

EPA
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

FAN COIL
See AIR HANDLING UNIT

FURNACE
A self-contained heating unit that is designed to deliver heated air to a home.

GAMA
Gas Appliance Manufacturing Association is a national trade association serving the interests of manufacturers of gas, oil, and electric appliances and equipment, components and related products used in residential, commercial, and industrial applications.

HCFC
Hydrochlorofluorocarbons, used as a refrigerant in air conditioners and heat pumps. HCFCs were thought to contribute to the depletion of the earth's ozone layer.

HEAT EXCHANGER
1. The part of a furnace that transfers heat from burning fuel to the air used to heat your home. Also, from a boiler to water for hydronic heating.
2. A device, such as a condenser or evaporator, in which heat is added or removed in order to heat or cool your home.

HEAT PUMP
A single refrigeration system designed to provide both heating and cooling. Compare to a furnace and an air conditioner, separate units that only heat or cool.

HRV
Heat Recovery Venilator, a machine that brings fresh air into a home through a process that preheats the air so it has less impact on your utility bill.

HFC
Hydroflorocarbon, used as a refrigerant in air conditioners and heat pumps. It has little or no effect on the ozone layer.

HSPF
Heating Seasonal Performance Factor, an equipment efficiency rating. As with MPG on a car, the higher the rating the more fuel efficient the equipment is.

HUMIDIFIER
A device that adds moisture to warm air for your home.

HVAC
Heating, ventilating, and air conditioning

HVACR
Heating, ventilating, air conditioning, and refrigeration

INFILTRATION
Air that enters your home through holes, gaps, and cracks, (e.g., plumbing or electrical holes, the heating and air conditioning system, doors, and windows).

IAQ
Indoor air quality

LATENT HEAT
The energy that suspends moisture vapor in the air.

LOAD CALCULATION
A mathematical determination of how much cooling and heating (BTUs) an HVAC system must deliver for occupant safety and comfort. It is based on a variety of factors: square footage, building orientation, number of occupants, size and placement of rooms, number and size of windows and doors, amount of insulation, number of floors, and climate.

MANUAL D®
An ACCA procedure covering the proper design, installation, maintenance, and repair of ductwork.

MANUAL J®
An ACCA procedure covering the method for calculating heating and cooling requirements (load calculation) for single-family detached homes and mobile homes.

MANUAL RS®
An ACCA publication covering the design, installation, and commissioning of a residential HVAC system.

MATCHED SYSTEM
An air conditioner or heat pump system composed of equipment that has been certified by ARI to work together to deliver the specified heating and cooling capacity at the stated efficiency rating.

MOLD
A natural byproduct of the fungi family that thrives when organic substances and water combine under certain circumstances. Mold reproduces via spores that can remain dormant, yet viable, for years. Many molds are beneficial. For example, they are the "bleu" in bleu cheese, and we use them to make wine, penicillin, and antibiotics. However, some molds can cause health problems.

NATE
North American Technician Excellence, the nonprofit organization that tests and certifies HVACR technicians.

PMA
Planned maintenance agreement, which provides regular maintenance of your HVACR system. Most ACCA member contractors offer PMAs, although they may use different names for them, such as Maintenance Inspection Agreement, Planned Service Agreement, Energy Service Plan, etc.

R-22
A refrigerant containing chlorine used in air conditioning systems. The EPA has mandated that R-22 cannot be manufactured after 2010 because it has been linked to the depletion of the ozone layer and global warming. Most commonly referred to by its trademarked name, Freon.

R-410A
The refrigerant that replaces R-22. It does not contain chlorine and is not hazardous to the environment.

REFRIGERANT
A fluid that absorbs heat at low temperatures and rejects heat at higher temperatures.

REFRIGERANT CHARGE (or, "charging the refrigerant")
The procedure an HVACR technician performs to ensure that the system has enough of the right kind refrigerant for peak operating performance.

RELATIVE HUMIDITY (RH)
The percent of moisture actually in the air compared to the maximum amount of moisture the air can hold at that temperature.

RETURN, RETURN AIR, RETURN SIDE
The path the air takes to get to an air-handling unit or furnace so it can be cooled or heated. It is the "return" path. The return side should be "balanced" with the supply side to ensure proper air flow and comfort.

SEER
Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, an equipment efficiency rating that measures how much energy it takes to cool the air. As with MPG on a car, the higher the number the more efficient the unit.

SENSIBLE HEAT
The temperature of the air. This type of heat is measured with a thermometer.

SPLIT SYSTEM
A two-component heating and cooling (heat pump) or cooling only (air conditioner) system. The condensing unit is installed outside, the air handling unit is installed inside (preferably in conditioned space). Refrigerant lines and wiring connect them together.

SUPPLY or SUPPLY SIDE
The part of an HVAC system that takes (supplies) the conditioned air from the air-handling unit or furnace to your home. The supply side should be "balanced" with the return side to ensure proper air flow and comfort.

ZONES, ZONED SYSTEM, ZONING
A single HVAC system that can meet different heating and cooling needs in different areas (zones). Each zone of a home has its own thermostat with which it can regulate the temperature and humidity in its area. One "zoned air conditioner" could be set for a high temperature in one zone and for a lower temperature in the other zone. Zone systems have two or more zones.