A: In most cases no.  Most duct cleaning systems are ineffective at best and can severely damage ductwork at worse.  In most cases, duct cleaning will make dust problems worse. Excessive dust is generally related to leaking supply and return ducts and undersized return airs.

2.   What is “SEER”?

A: Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating is a government  contrived formula that determines how quickly and how efficiently an air conditioner lowers the temperature in a specified area in a specified time frame.

3.  Should I buy based on SEER?

A: While it is nice to purchase a high SEER system, proper sizing of equipment and proper installation procedures are much more important. A properly sized and installed 13 SEER system can easily out perform an improperly sized and installed 21 SEER system. While SEER is an important value to know, it is not the most important factor in a climate like Houston, where humidity removal is paramount.

4.   Is one brand better than another?

A:  In most instances, no.  The installation procedures and the quality of the contractor are most important.  Each brand has it’s own short-comings and it’s on strong points.  Most equipment uses the same basic components, such as compressors, motors and electrical components.  Different products are more appropriate for different situations and are determined on a case-by-case basis.

5.  How many supply and returns should I have?

A:  Every house and every system is different. This is something that must be determined based on needs or design criteria.

6.  How do I know if a variable speed blower is right for me?

A: A variable speed blower is always beneficial in a humid climate. It will improve humidity control and indoor air quality significantly over a standard blower motor.

7.  What does it mean when my outside unit (condenser) has ice on it?

A: It means the system is either low on refrigerant, has low air flow, or a combination of these.

8.  What is the difference between R-22 and R-410A?

A:  Basically, R-22 is being phased out . R-410A is the refrigerant that is been chosen to replace R-22.  Each has it’s positive and negative aspects. R-22 was a very “forgiving” refrigerant as far as installation procedures are concerned. Meaning a poorly trained technician using minimal skills and knowledge could install equipment without too much detriment to the equipment longevity. R-410A is a very “unforgiving” refrigerant. It requires specific procedures during installation and service to provide efficient and long lasting service of the new equipment.

9.  Which is better – hard pipe duct work or flex duct?

A: Rigid duct work is always preferable because it has less resistance to air flow, but any duct work will work well if properly designed and installed. Unfortunately, most contractors do not take the time to design or properly install any type of duct work – especially flex.

10. What should I look for in a contractor?

A:  Licensed and insured, NATE certified technicians; but more basically, one that will take the time to ask questions, answer questions, address your concerns and offer solutions to solve your problems.

A clean furnace is an efficient furnace. If you’re looking to save money on energy bills, you should start by having your furnace checked and cleaned. While this isn’t the cheapest way to save on home heating costs, it is one of the most effective. Do not contact the cheapest contractor to service your unit – do your homework and find one that will perform a quality service. A furnace needs a tune up just as an Air Conditioner does. A poorly tuned furnace will use more fuel and burn dirty producing more potentially dangerous exhaust gases. Furnaces and heat exchangers wear out regardless of brand or grade level. The main reason for failure is an improper install and lack of periodic maintenance.

2. Change Your Air Filter

For less than $20 you can change the air filter on your furnace. A dirty air filter will block the airflow from your furnace and can actually decrease the furnace’s life expectancy. There are a myriad of filters available on the market today ranging from the older style that you can see through to very high efficiency pleated filters. Installing a filter that is too efficient for your system can be as detrimental to your furnaces efficiency and the units life expectancy. Permanent washable filters are almost always a very bad option as even new they can reduce airflow by 50% of a standard filter. Depending on your geographic location and climate your HVAC system needs 300 CFM (cubic feet per minute) to 500 CFM’s of airflow through the system. Generally speaking an HVAC system with just one return air grill has insufficient airflow. A good rule of thumb formula to determine available airflow is length X width of grill X 2 = CFM (20X25=500X2=1000 CFM). If your total CFM of return air grill is less than 400 CFM per ton use less efficient filters.

3. Use Your Ceiling Fans

This advice may sound counter-intuitive, but you should actually use your ceiling fans during the winter. A ceiling fan set in reverse can draw warm air through your home, helping to keep it warm.

4. Keep Shades Up and Blinds Open

Take advantage of natural daylight and solar heat through your windows. Rather than having light bulbs running all day, keep your shades and blinds open and you’ll be able to make use of the natural sunlight and the warmth that naturally comes from the sun.

5. Install and Use a Programmable Thermostat

If you talk to any heating and cooling specialist, they will tell you that one of the best things to do in order to save money on your energy bills is to install a programmable thermostat. You’ll be able to program the thermostat to reduce the heat in your home when you’re away and when you’re asleep. Check with your HVAC contractor – there maybe thermostats designed just for the specific equipment in your home that has special functions to improve system comfort and efficiency.

6. Seal Leaks

If you have air leaks in your home, seal them up with caulk or weather strips. Drafts can add significantly to your home heating costs during the winter, so make sure that you locate and seal off any drafts in your home. Most importantly do not overlook your HAVC ducting. There have been numerous studies that show that the average residential duct system leaks 15% to 20% of the conditioned air you paid for.

Central Heating System Facts:

• A furnace works to keep a home warm in the winterand plays a critical part in the operation ofan air conditioning system.
• Furnaces produce heat through the combustion of natural gas in the furnace’s burner. The heat produced from this process then passes through a heat exchanger.Air fromyour home’s return air ducts is blown over the heat exchanger,thus warmingthe air.
• The furnace’s blower then blows the warmed air into the ductwork, whichcarries and disperses the warmed air throughout the home.
• During warmer months, the blower inside a furnace continues to circulate return air throughout the home–only this time, the return air has been cooled by being blown over the indoor coil portion of the home’s split-system air conditioning system. The condensing coil is typically installed on top of the furnace.

Central Heating System Benefits:

• Indoor warmthany time it is required.
• Energy efficiency -The efficiency of a furnace can be determined by its AFUE–or Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency. The minimum efficiency level for furnaces currently manufactured in the U.S. is 80% AFUE. A rating of “80% AFUE” means that for every dollar you spend heating your home; 80 cents are actually applied to the generation ofwarmth.Compared to many of the 60% AFUE furnaces in older homes, 80% AFUE furnaces are a significant improvement. However, for enhanced energy efficiency, you may wish to consider a 95+% AFUE furnace, such as Amana’s line of 96% AFUE Furnaces.
• Cleaner air -As your HVAC system draws air out of various rooms in the house through return air ducts, the air is pulled through an airfilter, which removes airborne particles such as dust and lint. Sophisticated filters may remove microscopic pollutants, as well. The filtered air is then routed to air supply ductwork that carries it back to rooms. Whenever the HVAC system is running, this cycle repeats continually, constantly filtering and cleaning the air in your home.
• This cleaning process improves with the installation of a variable-speed furnace. Variable-speed furnaces use variable-speed blowers, which shiftbetween several speeds.These furnaces will run longer at a low speed, which causes them to filter the indoor air more frequently.
• And remember – because the furnace plays an importantrole in the operation of the air conditioner, its variable-speed blower helps maintain both a consistent indoor temperature and improved air quality year-round.
• Possible Tax Credit** -As part of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, the U.S. government has made a provision for tax credits of up to $200 for homeowners who install furnaces with an efficiency of 95% or greater between Jan. 1, 2006, and Dec. 31, 2007. Consumers should discuss these tax credits with a tax professional to see if they qualify.  **As of 2009, there are now additional tax credit options available for new system installations.