FAQ
Click on a question for the answer
Q. What should I do if my air conditioner stops working? [more]
First, shut the unit off at the thermostat. Next, check the filter to see if it is clogged with debris and change if needed. Check to see if the breaker has been tripped at the main electrical panel. Check to see if the thermostat is operational or requires battery replacement. Contact Air Temp for repairs or service if needed.
Q. What should I do if my furnace stops working? [more]
First, Shut the unit off at the thermostat. Next, check the filter to see if it is clogged with debris and change if needed. Check to see if the breaker has been tripped at the main electrical panel. Check to see if the thermostat is operational or requires battery replacement. Contact Air Temp for repairs or service if needed.
Q. What should I do if I smell natural gas around my furnace or water heater? [more]
If you smell natural gas, call your gas company, open windows and doors, and exit the home immediately. Contact Air Temp for repairs or service if needed.
Q. How often should I change or clean my filters? [more]
Standard filters should be changed every 6 - 12 months as needed. To change, replace the filter with the correct size and follow all manufacturers’ instructions. Contact Air Temp for filter upgrade options or any questions about replacing the filter.
Q. How often should I have my heating and air conditioning equipment serviced? [more]
Air Temp recommends annual maintenance on both your heating and cooling systems. Cooling systems should be checked prior to the hot summer months, and heating systems should be checked prior to the cold winter months.
Q. How often should filters be checked on? [more]
Whether your filters are pleated, disposable, electrostatic, or electronic, one thing they all have in common and that homeowners tend to forget is that - they must be kept clean! As a result of not doing this, this has become the most common cause for pre-mature failure of air conditioners. You should check them monthly and replace or clean them when it is apparent they are no longer allowing air to pass through them freely.
Q. How long should an air conditioner last? [more]
The average life of an air conditioner/ heat pump seems to be from ten to fifteen years, depending on a variety of particulars such as usage, care, and, probably the most important, a correct installation at the beginning. In northern climates an air conditioner will last longer, simply because they have a much shorter cooling season. On the other hand, our furnaces seem to outlast the furnaces in the north.
Q. Should I cover my outdoor unit in the winter? [more]
Absolutely NOT! Air conditioners are made to last for years in the outdoors. Heat pumps run nearly year round, and there is no sense in trying to cover them.
Q. My furnace and air conditioner serve both the upstairs and downstairs levels of my home. My upstairs is much warmer than downstairs; how can I achieve even temperatures for both floors? [more]
First, you may try adjusting registers. In the summer closing down a number of registers on the lower level will help an upper level. In the winter closing down a number of registers upstairs may help the lower level. If these simple steps are not adequate then an automatic zoning system may solve your problems. This will allow you to have a thermostat upstairs and downstairs to control the temperature in each area using a single system.
Q. I have allergies and would like to insure that the indoor air is clean. What can I do? [more]
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) has become a very serious problem because we are making homes more efficient by sealing them up against the outdoor elements. Fresh air stays out, and indoor air pollutants remain trapped inside. An air cleaner, media filter, fresh air ventilator or HEPA system can help alleviate an air quality problem.
Q. Is it normal to have to add Freon every year? [more]
No, this indicates that you have a Freon leak. The leak affects the efficiency of your air conditioning system as well as adversely effects the environment. Also, a leak will cause your air conditioner to prematurely wear out. This condition can also cause your system to "ice up", which can cause water damage to property and compressor damage. You should have a service technician check this problem and find the leak with electronic leak detection equipment.
Q. Is it important to have my furnace and air conditioner serviced every year? [more]
Yes. Our check and service on the furnace is very important because there are safety mechanisms in the furnace and vent system that should be checked annually. The check and service on an air conditioner will allow your system to perform at maximum efficiency. Additionally, preventative maintenance will minimize your risk of equipment failure and maximize the system's life.
Q. What if I do not change my air filter on regular basis? [more]
Not changing the filter can reduce air flow, reduce the efficiency of your system or cause it to not function at all. Additionally, not changing the filter can lead to increased operating costs.
Q. What if I smell gas? [more]
A. Propane (LP) gas.
You have this type if your gas comes from a tank located outside close to your house. Propane gas is heavier than air, so it will sink to the floor and spread. Consequently, it is much more dangerous than natural gas, which is lighter than air and dissipates much easier. If you smell propane (LP) gas exit your home immediately. You have an emergency. Seek immediate help either from your Propane supplier or 911. If you are able, shut the propane gas supply off at the tank.
B. Natural gas.
You have this type if you have a gas meter and pay a natural gas supplier or utility. Natural gas has a smell agent added to it as a warning of a leak. If you smell gas faintly, check all areas of your house for strong odor. Include the basement or crawl space and the attic in your search. If the odor is strong anywhere, exit your home immediately. You have an emergency. Call your heating contractor, the gas company, or 911. You need immediate help. You should know how to turn the gas off to your home at the meter. If the smell is only faint throughout all areas of your home, call your heating contractor to get it fixed. Keep the house ventilated by opening windows.
You have this type if your gas comes from a tank located outside close to your house. Propane gas is heavier than air, so it will sink to the floor and spread. Consequently, it is much more dangerous than natural gas, which is lighter than air and dissipates much easier. If you smell propane (LP) gas exit your home immediately. You have an emergency. Seek immediate help either from your Propane supplier or 911. If you are able, shut the propane gas supply off at the tank.
B. Natural gas.
You have this type if you have a gas meter and pay a natural gas supplier or utility. Natural gas has a smell agent added to it as a warning of a leak. If you smell gas faintly, check all areas of your house for strong odor. Include the basement or crawl space and the attic in your search. If the odor is strong anywhere, exit your home immediately. You have an emergency. Call your heating contractor, the gas company, or 911. You need immediate help. You should know how to turn the gas off to your home at the meter. If the smell is only faint throughout all areas of your home, call your heating contractor to get it fixed. Keep the house ventilated by opening windows.
Q. Should I leave my blower fan set to "On" or "Auto"? [more]
There is usually no single answer. That is why you have a choice. If you have special air filtering, your filter will only work when the blower is running. So if the furnace or air conditioner is not running much, you may want the blower selection set to "On" to allow for more filtering. If you have a multilevel home on one system, you may find the air temperature more constant with the blower fan on. However, it is recommended to keep the fan in "Auto" mode during the cooling season. New high efficiency cooling coils remove a lot of moisture from air blowing across them. During the air conditioner off cycle, water condensed on the coil surfaces will return to the indoor air if the fan is set to "On". In some homes, this creates elevated humidity levels. Feel free to experiment to determine how you like it best. A blower motor is normally less than 1 HP so it does not use much electricity.
Q. How often should Freon be added to my air conditioner? [more]
Air conditioners are a closed system and should not require adding refrigerant. If the equipment is low on refrigerant, there may be a service related problem or a leak in the system. Refrigerant leaks can be repaired in some cases or may require equipment replacement. Contact Air Temp for repairs or service if needed.
Q. What can a homeowner do to ensure the equipment operates efficiently? [more]
Keep your filters clean. Keep leaves, foliage and other debris from building up around outside air conditioners. It is important to schedule routine maintenance, safety inspections and repairs.
Q. How can I schedule a service call? [more]
You can reach us at (615)248-6335 or go to the “CONTACT US” page on the website.
Q. What happens to my old equipment when it is replaced? [more]
All refrigerants are recovered from the equipment and recycled. The old equipment is recycled as scrap metal.
Q. Is there any advantage to setting my thermostat fan to "ON" so the fan runs constantly? [more]
There are a couple. One is that you get constant filtering of the air in your home. The other is that because the air is moving, you have a more even temperature throughout the home.
