Frequently Asked Question

These are the most frequently asked questions about HVAC. Please feel free to contact us if you don’t see your question answered below.

What is HVAC?

HVAC is short for Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning. HVAC is most oftenused to depictthe whole heating and cooling system consisting of the duct work, air filters, humidification controls, and registers.

How do I know if my A/C units is big enough?

Bigger isn’t always better; its performance and efficiency that count. Before purchasing a replacement system you should always make sure your system is sized properly to match your needs and budget. Your GSHA Services expert will thoroughly assess your home and comfort requirements to determine the proper size and make the appropriate recommendation.

What does an Air Conditioners SEER rating mean?

AC equipment has a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating, or SEER. A SEER of 10 means for one watt you get 10 BTUs moved out of your home. 1 BTU roughly equals one match of heat. 10 matches of heat cost 1 watt roughly.

What is Freon R-22?

R-410A is the common name for a hydro-fluorocarbon (HFC) being used as a refrigerant in the HVAC industry. Chlorine-free R-410A is the replacement refrigerant for R-22 by HVAC manufacturers. At the beginning of 2010, the use of R-410A refrigerant was required for all new equipment.

How do I determine the size or capacity of my HVAC system?

Factors affecting the size of your new system include the climate in your region, humidity levels, the number of windows in your dwelling, total square footage of your home, the direction your home faces, the number of heat-producing appliances in your home, the type of insulation you have and the number of people that live in your residence.

GSHA Services, LTD can perform the proper calculations to determine the appropriate heating or cooling unit for your home and lifestyle.

How do if I have an existing warranty on my furnace, air conditioner or HVAC system?

Locatethe label on the outer surface of the equipment for a manufacture date. If the equipment is less than five years old it may have a warranty, but also may not based on the model. Warranty terms and conditions change by manufacturer and the installing company. GSHA Services can verify the warranty status of your heating and cooling system.

How long should a furnace or air conditioner last?

The lifespan of new equipment exceeds that of older systems. Older furnaces generally last between 10-15 years, and olderair conditioners last 10-12 years. New equipment has a longer lifespan of 15-25 years for air conditioning systems. Many new furnaces have a lifetime warranty.

What Is an AFUE Rating?

If you’ve been looking at various types of furnaces, you’ve probably noticed that they all have what’s referred to as an AFUE rating. This number is a reflection of the energy efficiency of the furnace, and will typically be between 80% and 98%. The higher the number, the more energy efficient the furnace is.

Although you should always take the AFUE rating into account when you’re purchasing a furnace, that doesn’t mean that you should necessarily go with the model that has the highest efficiency rating. Depending on your heating needs, an 80% AFUE furnace may be able to get the job done just fine without forcing you to incur the greater costs that come with the higher efficiency models.

How can increase the efficiency and life of my home heating and cooling system?

A few quick tips:
– Clean and replace your filters frequently
– Your system will heat and cool more evenly when the blower is in the “on” position. The blower provides constant air movement throughout the home, and allows for better filtration
– Install shades, drapes, shutters, or screens on windows that are exposed to extreme sunlight to keep room temperatures at moderate levels.

How often should furnace filters be replaced?

Filters should either be replaced or cleaned every month. Replace 1″ filters every month by setting an alert on your calendar. Replacing filters promotes good air flow and prevents stress on blowers. Replace media filters once a year, possibly twice a year depending on your home.

What is ENERGY STAR?

ENERGY STAR is a program that was created by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to help businesses and individuals make energy efficient purchases.
This program places the ENERGY STAR label, a small blue and white logo, on items that meet superior energy efficiency standards. This label provides an easy way for consumers to identify quality, high efficiency.