Air Conditioning FAQ
HELP!! Frequently Asked Questions
Questions about HVAC, air conditioners, heaters, indoor air quality and special money saving service clubs are answered in the HELP!! FAQ.
A: If our air conditioning or heating repairs fail we will return and fix it for free.
A: The cost to replace the fan on your outdoor air conditioner depends on the manufacturer and which type of motor they used for your particular unit. Every brand uses different motors for different situations. In some cases we can use a generic motor that meets or exceeds manufacturer specifications. However, with the higher efficiency units most of those motors are manufacturer only type motors and the price on these will all depend on the cost of the motor. If you are a member of one of our service clubs, you can be guaranteed the absolute best price for the job that needs to be done. We use Straight Forward Pricing so you’ll never be faced with surprise costs.
A: This frequently asked question for a 3-ton system does not have just one, simple answer. The DOE (Department of Energy) comes out with new regulations every year, so predicting the cost of a 3-ton system is tricky. Typically, the system can range from $3,200 to as much as $12,000 depending on which type of system you choose. There are many factors that we need to take into consideration before determining a quote. Ductwork, copper tubing, location and physical sizes are just a few things a licensed HVAC technician needs to inspect before figuring out an exact cost.
A: There are several factors that can cause a unit to get a little frosty: a malfunctioning blower motor, a bad blower capacitor, a clogged filter or evaporator coil or your unit could be low on Freon. There are plenty more, less common, reasons for a unit to “Freeze Up”, but we would need to examine the unit in person before making those determinations. As soon as you notice ice on your copper tubing you should turn the system off and call HELP!! Air Conditioning. In order to properly check and inspect the unit, everything must be completely thawed.
A: The first question we ask in situations like this is: “Has your room always been hotter than the rest?” If the answer is yes, that’s good to know! Your HVAC unit might be too small, or your house could have inefficient duct design. If the answer is no, there are a few variables we need to consider. A duct may have gotten loose, or your air conditioner may need a check-up. Either way, HELP!! will easily diagnose your issue and fix it typically within 24 hours.
A: The short answer is that Freon is a patented commercial brand of refrigerant, manufactured by DuPont. It resides in your air conditioner and is an important tool for the functionality of your unit. The type of unit you own will determine the cost of the Freon. Some older units can either use Freon R22, which ranges from $80-$175 per pound. Less reputable air conditioner installation services have been known to put in a cheaper Freon blend, that will ultimately damage your unit, which is why Help!! only uses the finest products for our clients. We want your air conditioner to live for a long time keeping your family comfortable. The most commonly used Freon right now is R410a, but the Freon you use depends on your unit. The pricing also changes frequently, kind of like the gas for your car, so call us to find out the current cost of Freon for your unit.
A: At HELP!!, we only sell parts that we install. With the different high voltage electricity to which you need to connect your system, it’s important to leave the installation and repair of your unit to a trained professional. One misplaced wire could result in a dangerous voltage shortage and even cause other issues with the main system. To keep you and your family safe, HELP!! provides the safest, most diligent repair technicians to complete all your HVAC jobs.
A: After years of having up to 8 gallons a day flow through the ¾ inch drain line there is bound to be some type of dirt and algae growth in the drain line. There are a few ways to fix this. 1. Pour vinegar down the line 2 to 3 times per year but be careful it doesn’t go into the drain pan of the evaporator coil. 2. Have yearly maintenance done on your system, which is when they blow/clear the drain line. You should also have a Marine Pad installed in the coil pan, which will help eat away at the gunk in the pan and drain line so that it stays clean and clear. 3. If your drain line is over 15 years old, it may need to be replaced. A professional can tell you if your drain line needs maintenance or needs to be replaced.
A: The allergy filters they sell are great at stopping dirt, but they also stop a lot of the airflow needed for your air conditioning and heating system to work properly. One of the biggest issues is that most homes have undersized return grills, which create airflow issues when you add an allergy filter. Get the proper sized return grill or figure out what size you can actually get in the existing space. Once we know what size filter your system requires, we can determine the best filter for the application. I personally like the Air Ranger Polarized Filter set up, which we carry at Help!! Air Conditioning. Very low pressure drops, yet they can filter down to .03 microns of dirt. (That’s about the size of a sharp pencil tip!)
A: The simple answer is YES. UV lights do not filter the air. They purify the air. UV lighting kills airborne germs as they pass by the light by sterilizing the germs so they can’t reproduce. And if pathogens can’t reproduce, then they die. One important thing to remember is that not all UV Lights are the same. After years of searching for the strongest and most effective UV lights, we have found that our Clean Air Defense Systems are among the absolute best in the industry. The bulbs last an amazing two years, where most UV lighting is only good for one year.
A: You’ll get many different answers on this one, but the truth is that if it’s not installed properly the system just won’t give you what you’ve paid for. Most manufacturers use Copeland compressors and similar parts. The manufacturer is only responsible for the design, physical size, appearance and noise levels. This counts for approximately 18% of how a system performs. 7.5% is up to the homeowner to take care of the system by way of having proper maintenance done. The rest is all about choosing the right contractor. Every HVAC technician will have their own opinion on what they like, but they also need to decide what will best fit your application, because no two houses are the same.