Ambient Air Care Heating and Air Conditioning
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Should I have my furnace and air conditioner serviced every year?
What is the average life expectancy of equipment?
Can I just replace the outdoor unit on an older system to save money?
Why is a system with matched components so important?
Will a bigger sized system perform better?
What do SEER, AFUE, and HSPF ratings mean to me?
How often should I change my air filter?
Why should I switch to a high-efficiency air filter?
How can I alleviate scratchy throats, dry noses and static electricity in the winter time?
I am concerned about mold growth, what should I do?
What is duct cleaning?
How can I reduce my energy costs?
What is a Heat Pump?
What is a Hybrid Heat Dual Fuel system?
What are the advantages of equipment with variable speed fans?
What is two-stage Air Conditioning or heating?
At what temperature should I set my thermostat?
My system doesn't work well in a couple of rooms, what do I do?
Is Freon, as a refrigerant, being discontinued?
My air conditioner is very loud when I entertain outside, what can I do?
Can carbon monoxide build up in my home?

Should I have my furnace and air conditioner serviced every year?

Yes. Keeping your system properly maintained will lower energy and repair costs, help prevent breakdowns and prolong the life of your equipment. Neglecting necessary maintenance ensures a steady decline in air conditioning performance while energy use steadily increases. See what’s covered in our pre-season maintenance service.

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What is the average life expectancy of equipment?

Most systems have a lifetime of 8 to 12 years. As your equipment gets older, it's efficiency can decrease dramatically. You may notice that it gets noisier and needs repairs more often. When a unit begins to show its age, you have two choices. You can overhaul the system or replace it. Because heating and cooling technologies improve over time, a new system designed with newer, more energy-efficient equipment makes sense, especially if your system is 10 or more years old.

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Can I just replace the outdoor unit on an older system to save money?

No. Replacing only the outdoor unit will lower the efficiency of the unit. In fact, you can lose up to 15% of the unit's efficiency! Even worse, your system may fail sooner than normal and most manufacturers warranties are voided unless the outdoor unit is matched with the indoor. You should always replace the indoor cooling coil/unit with the outdoor unit.

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Why is a system with matched components so important?

A matched system is important for a variety of reasons. One is comfort. When all your components are properly sized to your home, you can control exactly how much heating or cooling you need so you can relax. Also, a properly sized matched system enables every component to perform as designed, meaning proper cycle times are maintained, humidity is controlled, and system sound is minimized. Another reason matched systems are important is efficiency. Most systems people buy are too large for their homes, which uses more energy than needed for your home. A matched system outlined by a dealer who has completed a load calculation for your home provides just the right amount of heating and cooling you need so you get the most value for your utility dollar.

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Will a bigger sized system perform better?

No. you don't want your air conditioner to be too big. Air conditioners control the comfort level in your home by cooling the air and by removing humidity. An oversized air conditioner will cool your home faster, but it will use more energy and will not remove humidity adequately. A unit that is too big for your home will have short run cycles. It may take only a short time to cool the air, but the unit shuts off before enough air blows across the indoor coil where moisture condenses into water and drains from your system. Too much moisture left in the air can lead to mold and mildew problems. These short run cycles also mean your system starts and stops more often, which uses more energy and causes a lot of wear and tear. An air conditioner operates more efficiently during long run cycles. The same holds true with heating systems. An oversized furnace will warm the house quicker, but it uses more fuel and causes greater temperature swings in the home.

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What do SEER, AFUE, and HSPF ratings mean to me?

SEER, AFUE and HSPF are all measures of energy efficiency. Air conditioners may look similar, but their Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating (SEER) can vary widely. Higher SEER numbers save more money spent on electricity. A 13 SEER air conditioner, the EPA ”current minimum standard“, uses 23% less energy than a 10 SEER unit (EPA standard up until Jan. 2006). Even though 13 SEER is the minimum efficiency available, we currently offer a line of air conditioners that start at 13 SEER and go all the way up to a 20 SEER . Depending on your average usage, higher SEER air conditioners can significantly reduce your electric bill. Heat pumps have SEER ratings like air conditioners and Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF) ratings for measuring heating efficiency. Higher HSPF ratings mean greater energy savings. The HSPF scale range is 7.5 to 9.0. Today’s new high-efficiency furnaces can save up to 50% in operating costs over a ten-year-old furnace. Many 1990 and earlier model furnaces have Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) ratings of 65% or less. The minimum AFUE rated furnace that can be sold in the United States today is 80%. Our current product offering starts at 80% AFUE and goes all the way to a very efficient 96.6% AFUE rating. Depending on your average usage, higher AFUE rated furnaces can significantly reduce your gas bill.

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How often should I change my air filter?

At the risk of telling you something you're tired of hearing, replace the air filter in your furnace on a regular basis. Dirty air filters reduce the amount of air flowing through a system and make the equipment work harder to maintain the temperature. How often you change the filter depends on the type of filter you use, if you have pets, and the size of your equipment. Please give us a call @ 757-464-4891 and we can give you proper guidance.

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Why should I switch to a high-efficiency air filter?

With a high efficiency air cleaner, you can remove up to 99% of the pollen and spores that find their way into the home. There is also a great reduction in household dust, dirt, smoke, and other air pollutants. Your indoor air will become cleaner and fresher while reducing the allergens and dust that circulate throughout the house. Proper air filtration is just as important to the health of your heating and cooling system as it is to the health of your family. Without proper filtration, dust and dirt can build up on your system, which impacts operation and efficiency. A high-efficiency filter will remove more dust, dirt, pollen, mold, and other particles from the air. If you suffer from allergies or other respiratory problems, you should strongly consider a high efficiency air filter. No matter what type of filter you have - make sure you change it regularly.

Note:

Most Return air ducts are not Adequate enough to handle the added air flow restrictions of higher efficiency 1" filters sold in most home improvement and hardware stores. Call us at 757-464-4891 for a consultation.

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How can I alleviate scratchy throats and static electricity in the winter time?

With a whole house humidifier, you can relieve the irritating discomfort of dry indoor air. The humidifier reduces itchy skin, scratchy throats, static electricity, and damage to your furnishings and woodwork. Since humid air feels warmer than dry air, you do not have to set the thermostat as high to feel the comfort you want. A lower thermostat setting will reduce the costs of your energy bill. We offer a complete line of Humidifiers to meet your needs.

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I am concerned about mold growth, what should I do?

When humid air passes over chilled cooling coils, water condenses and drips through the coils into a collection pan, from which it continuously drains. Problems with these systems may occur when this water collects and becomes stagnant when it becomes blocked, either on the coils or in the drip pan. The pan will grow mold that can infect your home with dangerous mold spores very quickly. Problems also exist when the HVAC ducting contains microscopic mold spores that stay continually present and blow contaminants around the home or office often caused by mold in other parts of your home. You can do 3 things to prevent mold growth in your system: Preventative maintenance will ensure that the collection pan under the indoor coil stays clean and clog free.

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What is duct cleaning and do I need it done?

Duct cleaning refers to the cleaning of the 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, fan motor and fan housing, and the air handling unit housing.

Knowledge about the potential benefits and possible problems of air duct cleaning is limited. Since conditions in every home are different, it is impossible to generalize about whether or not air duct cleaning in your home would be beneficial. EPA does not recommend that air ducts be cleaned except on an as-needed basis because of the continuing uncertainty about the benefits of duct cleaning under most circumstances.

If no one in your household suffers from allergies or unexplained symptoms or illnesses and if, after a visual inspection of the inside of the ducts, you see no indication that your air ducts are contaminated with large deposits of dust or mold (no musty odor or visible mold growth), having your air ducts cleaned is probably unnecessary. It is normal for the return registers to get dusty as dust-laden air is pulled through the grate. This does not indicate that your air ducts are contaminated with heavy deposits of dust or debris; the registers can be easily vacuumed or removed and cleaned.

On the other hand, if family members are experiencing unusual or unexplained symptoms or illnesses that you think might be related to your home environment, you should discuss the situation with your doctor for guidance on identifying possible indoor air pollutants .

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How can I reduce my energy costs?
Cooling
• Upgrade to a high-efficiency air conditioner − Swapping your old‚ inefficient air conditioning system for a higher-efficiency one can cut electricity bills by about 10% per SEER Rating increased. Consult one of our professional technicians to ensure your system is the right size for your home‚ and you aren't over or under-cooling for your space needs..
• Turn up the temperature − To save electricity during the summer, set the temperature above 25° as every degree below this will add an extra three to five percent to your energy bill.
• Install ceiling fans − Change the direction of airflow on your ceiling fans. In the summer, the blades should operate in a counter-clockwise direction as a way of creating a nice‚ gentle wind.
• Have an annual maintenance performed − Having an annual maintenance performed on your air conditioner by a licensed technician will help ensure it operates at its peak efficiency and catches any potential breakdowns before they occur.
• Don't block vents in well-used rooms − Keep your supply and return air vents free of objects like blinds‚ carpets or furniture so your air conditioner can operate efficiently and there is even cool air distribution.
• Partially close vents in less-used rooms − By partially closing the vents‚ you won't be spending money cooling rooms that are used less.
Heating
• Upgrade to a high-efficiency furnace − New high-efficiency furnaces use up to 50% less fuel than an older system. It can save you up to 25% of your home-heating costs in one year‚ and within a few years‚ you'll have recovered the initial cost of replacing/upgrading your furnace. Choosing a model with an energy efficient motor can save 20 to 50% of the energy needed to continuously operate a fan motor. Let us show you the advantages of replacing your old furnace today.
• Have an annual maintenance performed − Having an annual maintenance performed on your furnace by a licensed technician will help ensure it operates at its peak efficiency and catches any potential breakdowns before they occur.
• Install a programmable thermostat − A programmable thermostat enables you to control your home’s temperature when you’re away or asleep. For a posible savings of as much as 1% on your heating bill for each degree of setback if the setback period is eight hours.
• Don't block vents in well-used rooms − Keep your supply and return air vents free of objects like blinds‚ carpets or furniture so your furnace can operate efficiently and there is even heat distribution.
• Partially close vents in less-used rooms − By Partially closing the vents‚ you won't be spending money heating rooms that are used less.
• Install ceiling fans − Change the direction of airflow on your ceiling fans. In the winter, the blades should operate in a clockwise direction helping to push the warm air from the ceiling down into the room.
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What is a Heat Pump?

Heat pumps are a great solution for your home comfort system because they work to provide both heating and cooling. Heat pumps have SEER ratings like air conditioners and Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF) ratings for measuring heating efficiency. Higher SEER and HSPF ratings mean greater energy savings. Heat pumps are a very efficient alternative to electric heat. A heat pump works the same as an air conditioner in the summer, but it runs in reverse in the winter to heat your home. The system will be matched with a backup heating source, most often electric heat for those extremely cold days of winter.

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What is a Hybrid Heat Dual Fuel system?

With a traditional heating and cooling system, if you wanted to save more, you had to use less. But a Hybrid Heat system combines the benefits of intelligent control for a gas or oil furnace and heat-pump to create an intuitive system that can actually react to changing conditions. No matter what the temperature is outside, a Hybrid Heat system will automatically select the fuel source most efficient for your home, which means you'll stay warm in the winter, cool in the summer and save money all year long. To design a Hybrid Heat system for your home, we professionally match one of our heat-pump units with a gas or oil furnace.

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What are the advantages of equipment with variable speed fans?

Variable speed fans operate on a simple principle: they are able to spin at different speeds depending on the heating and cooling needs of your home. Usually, they operate at lower speeds, delivering a steady, reliable stream of warm or cool air to your home. This helps control humidity levels, utility costs and system noise. When conditions become more extreme, the fan speed increases so that the system can meet increased demand, guaranteeing that on even the hottest days or coldest nights, you’re comfort needs will be met.

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What is two-stage Air Conditioning or heating?

2-stage air conditioning systems are typically the most energy efficient systems out there. Air conditioner units with 2 stages of cooling have a single scroll unloading compressor. This compressor can unload its capacity down to about 66% of maximum and is sufficient to meet the households cooling demands 80% of the time thus allowing the unit to run at the lower stage when the cooling demands are low.

2-stage heat-pumps work with the same principles as 2-stage cooling. It allows the unit to adjust itself based on the amount of heating that is necessary.

2-stage gas furnaces have a modulating gas valve with two levels of heat output: high for the coldest winter days and low for them temperate days. Since the low setting is sufficient to meet household heating demands 80% of the time thus allowing the unit to run at the lower stage when the heating or cooling needs are low.

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At what temperature should I set my thermostat?

Normal cooling settings are 75 - 80 degrees. Normal heating settings are 68 - 72 degrees. You should always set your thermostat to the highest possible setting that is comfortable for you in the summer, and the lowest comfortable setting in the winter. Setting your thermostat in this way will maximize your energy savings. On average, every 1 degree of temperature change per 8 hours is equal to about 1% energy savings. For example, changing your thermostat setting from 75 degrees to 76 degrees in the summer could result in about a 1% savings on your energy consumption.

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My system doesn't work well in a couple of rooms, what do I do?

This can occur for many reasons; uneven solar heat load through windows, an undersized system, improperly balanced or a single system serving a two-story home with no zoning control a dirty filter, coil, and/or blower which results in reduced air flow passing through the air handler and causing the air to die off in the outer branches of the duct system. From time to time the duct work can come loose or disconnected and a minor reattachment or repair can solve the problem. In a lot of cases, there are duct design issues. Solutions can range from some simple repairs, air balancing or replacement of ducts to advanced climate control systems such as a zone system. Each situation is different. In these cases, a professional from Ambient Air Care Inc. Indoor Air Comfort Solutions should be called in to troubleshoot the situation

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Is Freon, as a refrigerant, being discontinued?

An important change just around the corner is the phase-out of R-22. As of January 2010 the refrigerant R-22 (what consumers call Freon) will not be used in the manufacturing of new equipment. R-22 has been used as the "standard" refrigerant for many years but has been found to be harmful to the ozone layer by our government. All new air conditioners and heat pumps will be required to use "environmentally sound" refrigerant, such as Puron (commonly known as R-410A). R-22 is the most commonly used refrigerant in residential homes today. However, per the Montreal Protocol, caps have been established to eliminate the production of R-22. In 2004, there was a 35% reduction; in 2010 there will be a 65% reduction; in 2015 a 90% reduction; and finally in 2020 a 99.5% reduction in the production of R-22. This means that during the time of these reductions with high demand, the price of each pound of refrigerant could potentially sky-rocket. If you are considering replacing your existing air conditioning equipment, most higher efficiency products have already made the switch to R-410A, the more "environmentally sound" refrigerant.

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My air conditioner is very loud when I entertain outside, what can I do?

A difference of 6 decibels (such as between 72 dB and 78 dB) is technically a four-fold increase in compressor sound when rating air conditioners or heat pump units. However, it takes a difference of 10 decibels to double the loudness. It is also noted that it takes approximately 3 decibels for the average human ear to discern any difference in loudness at all. Manufacturers have made great strides in reducing the operating sound level of equipment.

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Can carbon monoxide build up in my home?

Yes. Each year, carbon monoxide kills more than 200 Americans and sends nearly 5,000 more to emergency rooms for treatment, reports the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Where does it come from? When carbon-based fuels such as gas, oil, kerosene or wood burn, they produce gases. When fuel combustion or burning isn't complete, carbon monoxide enters the air. The CPSC advises that carbon monoxide detectors are the only way to alert yourself to the presence of toxic gas in your home. If you wake in the night with a headache — and especially if another member of the family complains of a headache or is difficult to arouse — get out of the house fast and seek medical help. We recommend carbon monoxide detectors be installed in your home!

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Remember to do your own due-diligence before hiring any contractor and that lower cost may sacrifice quality and service.

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Virginia State Class A License No. 2701-021603


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Serving cities in the Tidewater Virginia Area: Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth and Virginia Beach.

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