Heating & Cooling FAQs

Q: My furnace and air conditioner are both new. Do I really need to have it cleaned?

Yes! Even though your system is new, it still needs to have annual maintenance performed. This will help keep the warranty in effect. Most all equipment manufactures state in the terms of their warranty that annual maintenance must be performed by a qualified technician. Keeping your system maintained will give you assurance that it is operating at peak efficiency and safety.

Q: How important is an air filter in my heating and cooling system?

It is very important! A dirty filter will slow down airflow and make the system work harder to keep you warm or cool — wasting energy. A clean filter will also prevent dust and dirt from building up in the system — leading to expensive maintenance and/or early system failure.

Energy Star recommends that you check your filter every month, especially during heavy use months (winter and summer). If the filter looks dirty after a month, change it. At a minimum, change the filter every 3 months.

Q: During the winter the fan occasionally shuts off on my heat pump outside unit, then restarts with a big puff of smoke. What is wrong with it?

Nothing is wrong with your unit. What appears to be smoke is steam from the outdoor coil after it completes a defrost cycle. After extended run times the outdoor unit will start to build frost or ice on the coil. The system is designed to go in a defrost mode when needed to clear the ice away and keep the efficiency level up.

Q: What is the difference between an air conditioner & a heat pump?

Central air conditioners & heat pumps resemble each other in appearance, using the same casing. Both units reside on an exterior side of the home.

A central air conditioning unit is solely responsible for cooling the home, while an interior furnace takes care of the home’s heating portion.

A heat pump is really two units in one – an air conditioner, and in the winter months, a heater. When the heat pump is in the heating mode, it pulls heat out of the outdoor air and uses that to heat your home. If the outdoor air is too cold (around 32° F), then it uses electrical strip heaters to heat the air.
Because a heat pump is utilized year round, the unit will require more routine maintenance checks and shorter replacement times than standard air conditioner units.

Q: How do I know what size air conditioner or furnace I need?

Your dealer will do a load calculation on your home to determine the proper equipment size. Today's units are often significantly more efficient than older models and don't need to be as large to deliver the same or better amount of comfort. The load calculation is an important and potentially money-saving step to take, rather than just replacing your current unit with one of the same size.

The capacity needed is based upon how quickly your home gains or loses heat, not by square footage alone. Our expert technicians perform load calculations as a part of every installation quote, meaning you get the best units available on the market, sized specifically for your home.

Q: What does SEER and AFUE mean?

SEER stands for “Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio”. The higher the SEER rating, the more efficient the system. By federal law all units must be a 10 SEER or higher.

AFUE stands for “Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency”. This rating tells you how much of your heating dollars are converted to heat energy put into your home and how much is lost up the flue pipe. Federal law mandates that all furnaces being produced today be at least 80% efficient. Mr. Duct offers several different sizes of Bryant furnaces up to 98% efficient. For more hvac terms & definitions, visit our HVAC Glossary Page.

Q: Do I qualify for Energy Efficiency tax credits?

Under the Middle Class Tax Relief Act of 2010, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is implementing consumer tax credits for homeowners who make qualified improvements of higher-efficiency HVAC equipment to their primary residences. Tax credits are effective for all qualified energy property systems installed from January 1, 2011 through December 31, 2011. If you have more s regarding the Energy Efficiency tax credits, please visit our Energy Tax Credit page to learn more.

Q: Do You Offer Financing on New HVAC Installtion?

Yes! We work with Springleaf Financial, a trusted local provider of bill consolidation loans, home equity loans, personal loans, home improvement loans, loans for unexpected expenses and vacations.

We offer Same-As-Cash & Straight Financing options for our customers convenience, guaranteeing you home comfort, whenever you need it. Visit our HVAC Financing page to learn more!

Q:What Is a UV Light? What Are Its Benefits?

UV is the abbreviation for ultraviolet. Located in the return air ductwork and by the indoor cooling coil, the ultraviolet air treatment system continuously emits high – intensity ultraviolet (UV) energy. The energy eliminates (kills) a very high percentage of airborne bacteria and germs passing over the UV light field inside the ductwork. The UV light mounted next to the indoor cooling coil will help eliminate the growth of mold, mildew and other contaminates from the drain pan and coil surface.

Q: How Do I Improve Humidity Levels In My Home?

Poor equipment operation, inadequate equipment, and leaky ductwork can cause the air to be too dry in the winter or too humid in the summer. To address the problem of Illinois humidity, Mr. Duct offers several Bryant fan-powered and bypass humidifiers.

As we heat our homes, the air has a tendency to dry out. This dry air can damage the woodwork and furniture you have in your home as well as zap the moisture from your skin. Dry air even makes you feel cooler because your body senses heat as a combination of temperature and humidity. Adding humidity to offset this drying process will improve your comfort as well as preserve the woodwork in your home. As an added benefit, you may actually be able to lower your thermostat a couple of degrees. You will not only feel warmer but you may actually lower your heating bill!