At A'Hearn Plumbing & Heating, our commitment to 100% customer satisfaction is coupled with a commitment to educating the consumer, enhancing their experience and building a working relationship so we can serve you better. Browse the list of some of our most frequently asked questions, or Contact Us today to see how "The A-Team" works for you. Don't see your question? E-mail us and let one of our representatives assist you today.

1. How often should air filters be cleaned?

Typically, filters should be replaced or cleaned once a month. Some units are equipped with permanent filters. These can be cleaned according to the instructions supplied by the manufacturer. Disposable filters should be replaced with filters of the same type and size as the original.

2. What do rating numbers mean?

To help consumers make informed choices, the U.S. government requires an efficiency rating for all air conditioning and heating equipment. The rating is meant to reflect the percentage of energy used efficiently. A high rating indicates high efficiency. There are various names for the efficiency ratings of various types of equipment. Air conditioning equipment is rated by the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating, or SEER. GS furnaces are rated according to their Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency, or AFUE.

3. Should outdoor units be covered in winter?

No. Air conditioners that operate seasonally are built to withstand an outdoor environment. There is no advantage in covering an air conditioning unit during off seasons. In fact, rain helps keep the unit clean.

4. Should a thermostat be set to "auto" or "on"?

When the thermostat is set to "auto", the fan operates only when the temperature requires it. This is the most used setting. However, there are advantages to using the "on" setting. First of all, the air in the house is constantly filtered through the unit's air filter. Secondly, the constantly circulating air results in an even temperature throughout the house.

5. Can shrubs and flowers be planted around an outdoor unit?

Yes. However, we recommend that plants be no closer than 18 inches from the unit. This allows plenty of room for air circulation in and out of the unit. Without this room for air circulation, the unit could overheat, resulting in a premature need for service.

6. If an outdoor unit needs replacing, should the indoor unit be replaced, too?

It is a good idea to replace the entire system when part of the system fails to operate correctly. That's because air conditioning and heating units are designed to operate as a complete, matched system. The efficiency rating is based on the entire system. To gain the maximum benefit of new, highly efficient technology, the entire system should be replaced together. This ensures the system is reliable and efficient.

7. How do you know what size system a house needs?

Which system is best for a particular application is best determined by our refrigeration service department. There are many variables to be considered, such as square feet in the house, number of people in the house, etc. An A'Hearn representative will consider all the factors in making recommendations.