Ask Your HVAC Tech

• If your system pre-dates 2003 (typical life expectancy of a furnace is 15-20 years).
• If your system requires frequent repair.
• If you have a cracked heat exchanger (this is a safety issue that could cause carbon monoxide to leak into the home).
• If your utility company energy report ratings are poor.
• If certain rooms in your home stay too hot or too cold.

A single-stage furnace has two settings – on or off. The thermostat in the house calls for heat, so the furnace comes on. Full power. It will run at full capacity until the thermostat is satisfied, then shut itself off. This is the cycle, so you get somewhat uneven heat throughout the house. The furnace hits you with blasts of warm air that give you temporary comfort, but doesn’t do a great job of maintaining that comfort. In that way, a single-stage furnace is not very energy efficient. But it is the most affordable option to purchase.

The two-stage furnace can run at two different stages. As an example, the first stage will run at 70% capacity which gives you more even heat and will not use as much energy. The second stage is 100% capacity for when temperatures are colder and the furnace needs to keep up with temperature inside the house. The longer, slower heating cycle eliminates the kind or rapid warming that many people find uncomfortable from a single-stage furnace. The longer cycle also provides better air filtration, because your home’s air cycles through the furnace air filter more times in a day. Air quality is significantly improved in the house if your two stage furnace has a humidifier. Two-stage furnaces give buyers the best balance between cost and value. They are more expensive to purchase initially than a single stage, but run more quietly and efficiently.

Modulating furnaces run in very precise increments. Some models can run at 40% capacity and increase by 1% if the thermostat calls for it. Because they can manage temperature so precisely in your house (up to 100% capacity), they usually run continuously at a very low setting. The temperature in every room of the house remains consistent because of this continuous operation. The air isn’t blasting in, then setting, then blasting again; instead it is constantly flowing. Modulating furnaces can achieve over 97% efficiency, meaning 97% of the fuel that goes into the system returns as heat. But, being the most efficient and highest performing type of furnace also means modulating furnaces are the most expensive.

The general thought is if you plan to stay in your current home more than 5 years, invest in the modulating furnace. It will pay for itself through savings in a shorter period of time. If you are unsure, the two-stage furnace is a good balance of value t investment. If the benefits of the two-stage and modulating are not required, a single-stage furnace will do the job. There are a lot of different considerations when determining what furnace is right for your home. Every Beckman Bros., Inc. service technician is trained to ask the right questions to help you determine what furnace is the best furnace for your family.

A: If your system pre-dates 2002 (typical life expectancy of an air conditioner is 15-18 years).
If your system requires frequent repair (including adding Freon).
If your utility company energy report ratings are poor.
If certain rooms in your home stay too hot or too cold.

A: The main difference between the two types of air conditioners is the type of compressor they use. The compressor is the part of the air conditioner that compresses the refrigerant (which cools your home).

A single-stage air conditioner’s compressor only works one level of operation – cooling your home at full blast.

A two-stage air conditioner’s compressor works at two levels of operation:

• High for hot summer days (the equivalent of full blast for single-stage air conditioners).
• Low for milder days when you don’t need as much cooling

Basically, a two-stage air conditioner will, by default, run on the lower setting until it gets too hot outside; then it runs on the high setting to make sure you stay comfortable. This saves on operating costs and provides better dehumidification.

A: The two main benefits of getting the two-stage air conditioner are:

• Greater energy efficiency – meaning lower energy bills
• Greater comfort

Here’s why:

• Greater efficiency: Like a car, an air conditioner costs less to operate when it turns on and off less often. Each time the air conditioner starts up, it costs more because of the greater energy needed to start up. A single-stage air conditioner turns on and off more frequently because it can only cool at one speed, and then turn off once it reaches your thermostat setting. But the two-stage air conditioner can meet your cooling needs about 80% of the time with its low setting, meaning it will run more often without as many starts and stops.
• Greater comfort: Because the two-stage air conditioner runs more often, it will provide better balanced cooling and can remove twice as much moisture/humidity from your air. And in the summer, you know the discomfort of high humidity.

A: Here are three reasons to keep up with maintenance on your HVAC system:
1) Stay healthy! HVAC systems collect a variety of contaminants such as mold, fungi, bacteria and dust. These can have a negative impact on your health.
2) Reduce energy bills! Cleaning your system removes debris allowing it to run more efficiently.
3) Increase the lifespan of your HVAC system.

A: Here are four signs that you might have an air duct problem:
1) Your utility company energy report ratings are poor.
2) Certain rooms in your home stay hot or cold.
3) You notice excessive humidity and/or dust.
4) You experience musty odors or fume smells (often from your crawl space or attic).

A: Most homes do not require duct cleaning but if you are concerned, it is best to have a duct professional do an inspection. You should consider having the air ducts cleaned if:

• You have NEVER had your ducts cleaned – it’s worth getting them checked by a professional.
• There is substantial visible mold growth inside hard surface ducts or on other components of your heating and cooling system.
• Ducts are infested with vermin, e.g. rodents or insects.
• Ducts are clogged with excessive amounts of dust and debris and/or particles are actually released into the home from your supply registers.
• You have recently completed a renovation where building materials and dust were prevalent.

Mention your interest when you schedule your AC Maintenance and we will provide a free air duct inspection when we come out to service your air conditioner.

A: Many of our customers like the convenience of our Home Comfort Maintenance Agreement. Probably the most common benefit we hear about from our Maintenance Agreement customers is the proactive scheduling of the annual furnace and AC maintenances. Many customers appreciate being called in the Spring and Fall – it’s just one less thing they have to worry about as a homeowner. Additional benefits of the maintenance agreement are:

• No overtime charges
• 24-hour emergency service
• Priority scheduling of maintenance and emergency service (we will proactively call you to schedule maintenances)
• Same day service
• 15% discount on parts and repair service

A bigger heating and cooling system is usually not the answer to uncomfortably hot or cold rooms. Leaky ducts significantly contribute to the warmth and cooling of a home. Depending on the age and condition of your HVAC system, including the ductwork, even the most energy-efficient heating and cooling systems cannot control the amount of comfort you experience in your living spaces if there are leaking ducts. Leaky ducts can cause varying room temperatures to as much as 10 degrees. The loss of cool and warm air to the wrong places inside, outside or in the unconditioned spaces of a home is significantly reduced with duct sealing because the sealing technology seals the ducts airtight. With Aeroseal duct sealing, hard to heat or cool rooms will have more even temperatures making the rooms more comfortable. Ask our technician about Aeroseal.

Yes, your heating and cooling system share the same air handler. And since that’s the same area where your air filter is housed, both systems share the same filter. So does that mean you can just ignore your air filter while you switch from using your furnace to using your air conditioner? No! Keeping an eye on your air filter is important all year long. This is actually a great time to take a look at your air filter to see whether or not it’s ready to be changed. Your furnace has been working hard all winter long; and if you haven’t been changing your air filter to keep up with that demand, now is a good time change it so that your air conditioner can run more efficiently.

Whether you’re using your furnace or your air conditioner, it’s always important to ensure that you have a clean filter installed. By doing so, you can prevent breakdowns, ensure your systems have proper airflow and keep your home’s air healthy for you and your family. Ask our technician about more efficient filter options.

During your fall and spring maintenances your BBI technician will do an AirAdvice Indoor Air Quality test (see below). It takes about 30 minutes and it’s performed at no charge when done during your annual maintenance visit. Since every home’s indoor air quality needs are different, this is the best way to address your home’s individual needs (including allergens). Having the ability to pinpoint your issues without guesswork is critical – we’ll be able to discuss specific areas of concern, and then map out a strategy for overcoming the issues found within your indoor environment. Whether it’s a more powerful air cleaner, duct cleaning and/or duct sealing or a humidity solution, our technicians can guide you towards a happier (more comfortable), healthier home.

Wouldn’t you like to know for sure what’s in the air you breathe? Stop guessing and start knowing. Become Air Aware. Your technician will be able to conduct an indoor air analysis that, in about 30 minutes, will generate a custom report on your home’s air quality. In addition to the report, the technician will be able to provide you with a personalized proposal of products and service offerings to treat indoor air quality issues. You’ll be able to decide the best course of action for your home while clearing the air for your family. Just let us know if you’d like us to conduct the test during your next maintenance or service call.

Indoor air quality issues can affect the health, comfort and safety of those inside your home. Don’t assume the air in your home is fine – know for sure. Set up a consultation to receive an in-home indoor air analysis. It’s simple and takes about 30 minutes. After the test, your technician will receive a custom report on your home’s air quality, including any problems and potential causes, and you’ll receive a personalized proposal of Indoor Air Quality products and service offerings designed to address your specific issues.

We recommend covering your air conditioner in the off season with a breathable cover, or only cover the top of the air conditioner. Most air conditioners are built to protect against typical weather conditions; however a breathable cover will help keep leaves and other debris from collecting and creating a place for moisture to collect, which then causes corrosion. Ask our technician about ordering a cover that properly fits your air conditioner.