Help & Support
Have questions about your heating and air system?
At Comfort Heating and Cooling, we’re here to help.
FAQ’s
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- You can determine the quality of air within your home a few different ways:
- Purchase an indoor air quality monitor or carbon monoxide alarm.
- Test the air for mold or perform a radon test.
- Symptoms, such as Coughing, Difficulty Breathing, Sneezing, Skin Dryness, Headaches, or Nausea can indicate poor air quality.
- Dust buildup, Hot and Cold Spots, or unpleasant odors may indicate poor air quality.
- You can improve your indoor air quality by:
- Checking/changing filters
- Checking air ducts
- Using cooking vents
- Keeping your home clean of dust, dirt, etc.
- Buy indoor plants to freshen the air
- The Benefits:
- Breathe easier, sleep better, remove allergens & pollutants, decrease the chances of getting sick, eliminate odors, and lower utility bills.
- Replace your filter every 30-90 days for max efficiency!
- Difference between types of filters based on FPR rating:
- Premium (10) –
Large particles – household dust and lint, dust mites, pollen and pet dander
Small particles – bacteria, mold spores
Smoke, Smog, microscopic allergens, particles that carry viruses
Particles that carry odors - Best (8-9) –
Large particles – household dust and lint, dust mites, pollen and pet dander
Small particles – bacteria, mold spores
Smoke, smog, microscopic allergens, particles that can carry viruses - Better (6-7) –
Large particles – household dust and lint, dust mites, pollen and pet dander
Small particles – bacteria and mold spores - Good (4-5) –
Large particles – household dust and lint, dust mites, pollen and pet dander
- Premium (10) –
- Clean around the outdoor unit
- Vacuum indoor vents and make sure they’re not blocked
- Increase your thermostat in summer/decrease it in winter by a few degrees. Keep lamps/heat producing appliances away from thermostat – it will make the thermostat think the house needs to be cooled.
- Clear your drain line by the indoor cooling coil, near the furnace. Flushing it with one cup of chlorine bleach and rinsing it with a gallon of water will keep it clear.
- Avoid using dryer or oven during heat of day.
- Insulate any exposed ductwork.
- Adjust thermostat settings based on time of day and temperature outside.
- Schedule preventative maintenance.
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- Your thermostat triggers your HVAC unit to either heat or cool your home based on the ambient temperature surrounding your thermostat. The furnace is part of the indoor unit and is designed to heat air, which is then moved throughout your home in ducts/pipes. The evaporator coil is also within the indoor unit and cools down the air when your thermostat is set to a lower temperature. The cold air produced is then moved throughout your home. The condensing unit is found within the outdoor unit. It contains refrigerant gas, which when cooled turns into liquid. This is pumped into the evaporator coil by refrigerant lines, where it is turned back into gas. The vents connect to the indoor unit and distribute either heated or cooled air throughout your home.
- Based on your thermostat setting, it tells your HVAC unit to either heat or cool the air and distribute it throughout your home.
- Preventative maintenance on HVAC units helps retain 95% of the original efficiency of your unit. Without maintenance, they can lose 2-5% of efficiency per year.
- Routine maintenance reduces the risk of costly breakdowns and cuts energy bills, saving you money.
- Routine maintenance should be performed once per year.
- Preparing your HVAC for winter:
- Schedule a furnace maintenance service to ensure it is operating effectively and efficiently. Change air filters and clean your furnace. Prepare the humidifier by making sure it is running correctly, clean, and the liquids are topped off.
- Winterize your outdoor unit: Clean the unit, removing dirt and debris on or surrounding the unit. Clean any gutters overhead to prevent them from dripping on the unit, potentially causing the unit to freeze. Turn the exterior AC unit off.
- Preparing your HVAC for summer:
- Clean and replace AC Filters. Remove debris and dirt from the outdoor unit. Check the coolant lines for leaks and make sure they’re still insulated properly. Test the AC Unit after it has been thoroughly cleaned and is dry. If it is not running properly, please contact Comfort Heating & Cooling to schedule your HVAC repair.
- What does maintenance consist of?
- Regularly scheduled filter changes, indoor and outdoor unit cleaning. Making sure the unit is operating effectively and efficiently.
- Heating and Cooling Split System: Most common type of HVAC system. It has two main systems, one dedicated to cooling, one dedicated to heating. It typically consists of either an AC and Furnace or a Heat Pump and Air Handler. This is popular, efficient, and cost-effective. However, it may disperse dust and allergens around your home, or disperse odors. It also requires ductwork which may be expensive for some homeowners.
- Hybrid Split System: works similarly to Heating and Cooling Split System, however it gives the homeowner the choice to choose between gas power or electric power. This is great for climates where you need to adjust your home’s temperature due to changing climate. It is also operated by a thermostat. It may also spread odor, dust, or allergens around your home and requires ductwork. It may cost more than traditional AC and furnace or heat pump systems, but saves money in the long term by decreasing energy bill costs.
- Ductless AC – Mini Split Systems: has multiple indoor units located in each room. They are mounted on walls or connected to a compressor outside of the home. It is easier to install but can cost more upfront. It gives you the ability to cool or heat only one particular room if desired and can increase the efficiency of your unit and decrease bills since you have full control over the settings in each room it is installed. It is the best high-energy efficiency option and lowers energy costs. However, they are low heat effective and would not be practical in colder climates. Maintenance on these units may cost more since it can be difficult to get parts for this system.
- Heating and Air Conditioner Packages: A combination unit that contains AC and heating all in one. It is incredibly energy efficient and often used in areas where warmer climates are common. They do not create much noise, however there are fewer options and can be less heat efficient. They tend to be costlier.
- Geothermal Heat Pump System: This circulates water in pipes below ground level to use the Earth’s stable temperature to facilitate heating/cooling. It absorbs heat from the ground efficiently when wanting to heat your home, and dumps heat into the ground when cooling your home. It is efficient and renewable energy, a favorite of pro-environmentalist homeowners. Annual operating cost is very low, but repairs are costly due to the set up of this unit.
- It is recommended to replace your AC unit every 10-15 years. If the repair is costly or your unit is older, it may be smarter to replace the unit than risk future, more costly breakdowns. However, if your unit is relatively new or the repair isn’t costly, a simple repair might be the right option for you.
- Check your thermostat to see if it is off, dead, or malfunctioning. Reset the thermostat to see if it turns back on.
- Check the unit, make sure it is on. Reset the unit if not and then check the thermostat. If the unit is on but the thermostat is not, changing the thermostat may fix your problem.
- Check the circuit breaker and power on your unit.
- Check for electrical or water damage.
- If you do not see a reason for it to be malfunctioning, contact your HVAC technician.
- Get your units maintenance regularly.
- Operate the HVAC system at optimum/stable temperatures. Avoiddrastically changing the temp on your thermostat on hot/cold days, as it will make your unit work harder.
- Seal your home from drafts to keep the air inside your home from leaking out or outside air from leaking in, causing your unit to work harder.
- Setting your thermostat lower in the winter and warmer in the summer can increase energy savings.
- Change your air filters regularly.
- Use curtains, blinds, and drapes to control temperatures, keeping the sun from impacting the indoor temperature.
- When on vacation, turn off your thermostat if your home is vacant.
- Invest in a smart thermostat, which is programmed to increase efficiency and can be controlled from your phone so you have complete access and can turn it on/off when you are not home.
Contact Us
Visit Our Office
1111 Gum Branch Rd.
Jacksonville, NC 28540
Quick Contact
910-275-5451
comfortcontractors@gmail.com
Hours of Operations
Available 24/7
