Q. How often should air filters be cleaned or replaced?

A. Generally, they should be replaced or cleaned once every three to six months depending on how often your equipment runs, how many pets and people are in the building, and the particular design of the filter. It may be necessary to visually inspect the filter every couple of months before determining the frequency of replacement or cleaning. I fsomeone in your home has allergies, you may want to replace your filters more frequently or speak with one of our specialists about a Trane CleanEffects system. Many new systems are equipped with permanent filters. These should be cleaned according to the instructions supplied by the manufacturer or the contractor that installed the original equipment. When replacing disposable filters, match the type and size of the original filter.

Q. What do rating numbers mean?

A. To help consumers make informed choices, the U.S. government requires an efficiency rating of all air conditioning and heating equipment. The rating is meant to reflect the percentage of energy used efficiently. A high rating indicates high efficiency. There are various names for the efficiency ratings of varying types of equipment. Air conditioning equipment is rated by the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating, or SEER. Heat pump equipment is rated by the Heating Seasonal Performance Factor, or HSPF. Gas furnaces are rated according to their Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency, or AFUE.

To learn more about efficiency ratings on heating and air conditioning equipment in your home or business, please visit the U.S. Department of Energy's Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Consumer's Guide website.

Q. Should outdoor units be covered in winter?

A. Air conditioners that operate seasonally are built to withstand an outdoor environment. There is no advantage to covering an air conditioning unit during off seasons. In fact, rain helps to keep the unit clean. 

Q. Should a thermostat be set to “auto” or “on”?

A. When the thermostat is set to “auto,” the fan operates only when the temperature requires it. This is the most used setting. However, there are advantages to using the “on” setting. When set in the "on" position, the air in the house is being constantly filtered through the unit’s air filter. Additionally, the constantly circulating air results in an even temperature throughout the house. Please note that the "on" position will result in higher humidity since air is being blown over wet coils after the condenser shuts off.

Q. Can shrubs and flowers be planted around an outdoor unit? 

A. Yes. However, we recommend that plants be no closer than 18 inches from the unit. This allows plenty of room for air circulation in and out of the unit. Without this room for air circulation, the unit could overheat, resulting in a premature need for service.

Q. If an outdoor unit needs replacing, should the indoor unit be replaced, too? 

A. It is a good idea to replace the entire system when an air handler or condenser needs to be replaced. The efficiency rating is based on the entire system. To gain the maximum benefit of new, highly efficient technology, the entire system should be replaced together. This ensures the system is reliable and achieving its true efficiency rating. This is also a good time to re-evaluate your family's needs and recommend a system that fits your home and your family.

Q. How do you know what size system a house needs? 

A. There are many variables to be considered before determining which system is best for you, such as size of the house, climate at the location, the number and type of windows, insulation of the house, number of people in the house, etc. Our quality contractor will consider all factors, by performing heat and cooling loads, obtaining energy use calculations for your home and surveying the needs of the family before making any recommendations.