Choosing an A/C Contractor

Choosing an A/C contractor is much like choosing any other contractor. Quality work should carry a higher priority than a cheap price. There are many "moon lighters" that are not licensed and will work for a very cheap price, but wait until something goes wrong AND SUDDENLY you can't find that guy anymore. It's a good idea to select a contractor that relies on YOU, the customer, for their livelihood. Taking care of customers' needs is the highest priority for a person that depends on the customer to call him back when his expertise is needed.

The best way to find a reputable HVAC contractor is to ask your friends, family and neighbors whom they use. If you use the Yellow Pages, be aware that the biggest ad will not always be the best for you. Some of the more reliable contractors don't need to spend thousands for an ad to attract more business.

Find a contractor who has been around a while. The failure rate in HVAC is around 20% per year. That means that one out of five will not be doing business next year. The failure rate drops off for HVAC companies that have been around for 4 years. Jade Air was established in 1991.

ALWAYS GET A SECOND OPINION. Be wary of very expensive repair estimates and get a second opinion if you are told there is no hope for your A/C or heater. It's a sad fact that some techs really don't know how to fix an A/C and he is going to try to sell you a new one regardless of the fact.

Also, some companies pay a bonus to their technicians for selling new equipment -- so their priority is more to make a sale than address the problem. At Jade Air, our priority is SERVING YOUR NEEDS.

Maintaining Your HVAC System

There are things the homeowner can do to prolong the life of the equipment and save on utility expenses.

• Have your HVAC system serviced seasonally: Primarily Fall and Spring.
• Make sure you have a clean filter monthly and change it when it's dirty. Always have several on hand but DO NOT store combustible material in your furnace closet.
• Consider a digital set back programmable thermostat. You can save energy by programming the temperature set point where the system doesn't run so much while your away.
• The outside condenser unit coils need to be free of dirt, leaves, grass and whatever else may inhibit proper airflow across the condenser coil.

Once a month you should inspect the outside condenser coils and wash it if necessary. Turn the power off to the outside unit at the disconnect switch mounted on the wall next to the unit. If there is not one, turn the power off to the unit at the main breaker panel. Take a water hose and rinse the coil free of dirt and lint. Remember to turn the power back on after you have completely rinsed the coil. Remember that turning the thermostat down farther does not make it cool down faster.

Please do not hesitate to contact us for service, second opinions or just for a question you may have regarding your a/c and heating needs.

Maintaining Your Furnace

• Check to make sure the pilot light is burning. Some furnace units must be lit by hand if the pilot light goes out.
• Follow the instructions for relighting usually printed on access doors. If you have difficulty relighting the pilot light, call a qualified heating contractor for advice.
• Check the blower and vacuum out any dust or debris in and around the unit. Check or replace the filter every 30 days. A dirty air filter clogs the air flow and it can overwork the equipment.
• Lubricate the blower motor.
• Remove the flame shield and check the burner for corrosion. Check flames with the fan off and on to conform to proper operation.
• Check the flue for gaps or dents and make sure it is venting properly to the outdoors.
• Vacuum all the dust from the air registers around the house.
• Check motion and make sure they are clear of furniture rugs, drapes, etc. to let the air flow freely.

Filter Information

Spun Fiberglass Filters are the least expensive, disposable filters. They don't, however, adequately filter out finer particles.

Pleated Disposable Filters are more costly but will provide four to eight times the filtering capability of the spun fiberglass filters.

Washable Electrostatic Filters have a high initial cost but they are re-useable and offer much higher filtration rates.

There are Electric Filters and Mass Media Filters that offer superior filtration but they require modification to the ductwork for installation. But note that installing these types of filters is not a do-it-yourself project; they should be professionally installed.

Air Duct Cleaning

Most people are now aware that indoor air pollution is an issue of growing concern and increased visibility. Many companies are marketing products and services intended to improve the quality of your indoor air. You have probably seen an advertisement, received a coupon in the mail, or been approached directly by a company offering to clean your air ducts as a means of improving your home's indoor air quality. These services typically — but not always — range in cost from $450 to $1,000 per heating and cooling system, depending on the services offered, the size of the system to be cleaned, system accessibility, climatic region, and level of contamination.

Duct cleaning generally refers to the cleaning of various heating and cooling system components of forced air systems, including the supply and return air ducts and registers, grilles and diffusers, heat exchangers heating and cooling coils, condensate drain pans (drip pans), fan motor and fan housing, and the air handling unit housing.

If you decide to have your heating and cooling system cleaned, it important to make sure the service provider agrees to clean all components of the system and is qualified to do so.

If not properly installed, maintained, and operated, these components may become contaminated with particles of dust, pollen or other debris. If moisture is present, the potential for microbiological growth (e.g., mold) is increased and spores from such growth may be released into the home's living space. Some of these contaminants may cause allergic reactions or other symptoms in people if they are exposed to them. If you decide to have your heating and cooling system cleaned, it is important to make sure the service provider agrees to clean all components of the system and is qualified to do so. Failure to clean a component of a contaminated system can result in re-contamination of the entire system, thus negating any potential benefits. Methods of duct cleaning vary, although standards have been established by industry associations concerned with air duct cleaning. Typically, a service provider will use specialized tools to dislodge dirt and other debris in ducts, then vacuum them out with a high-powered vacuum cleaner.

In addition, the service provider may propose applying chemical biocides, designed to kill microbiological contaminants, to the inside of the duct work and to other system components. Some service providers may also suggest applying chemical treatments (sealants or other encapsulants) to encapsulate or cover the inside surfaces of the air ducts and equipment housings because they believe it will control mold growth or prevent the release of dirt particles or fibers from ducts. These practices have yet to be fully researched and you should be fully informed before deciding to permit the use of biocides or chemical treatments in your air ducts. They should only be applied, if at all, after the system has been properly cleaned of all visible dust or debris.