Question 1

What does HVAC stand for?

Accepted Answer

This acronym stands for Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning.

Question 2

How long do A/C and heating units typically last?

Accepted Answer

HVAC systems can last a long time if regularly maintained. They can last 12-20 years.
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Question 3

What does SEER mean and why does it matter?

Accepted Answer

SEER, the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio,  measure an air conditioning unit’s efficiency. Higher numbers mean  units use less power. Selecting the correct amount of air conditioning  and installing the system properly can affect the true SEER of an HVAC  system. SEER is roughly equivalent to how we use a car’s reported fuel  economy. In certain conditions 30 MPH is possible, but not during rush  hour sitting creeping along IH-10, for example.

Question 4

Why do I need to change my air filter regularly?

Accepted Answer

Regular filter replacement helps your heating and cooling system operate at peak levels and improves indoor air quality. It is important to change filters regularly to ensure proper air flow and to keep your home free from dust, allergens and germs.

Question 5

How often should I replace my filters?

Accepted Answer

In general, American Air Heating & Cooling recommends that you replace your disposable filters at least once each season. If you have washable filters, they should be cleaned once a month. Your American Air Heating & Cooling technician will recommend a replacement schedule that delivers the optimum efficiency and filtration for your specific system. American Air Heating & Cooling can help you maintain your system by signing you up to one of our Preventative Protection Plans.(https://editor.wix.com/html/editor/web/renderer/render/document/9cbec516-542e-4120-95b4-850db5842769/preventative-protection-plans) This includes cleaning and inspecting your HVAC system once or twice each year (dependent on your plan choice). We recommend that you visually check filters and filtering equipment monthly. If filters look dirty, they need to be cleaned or replaced.

Question 6

What are some of the most common issues that arise with cooling systems

Accepted Answer

Having issues with your cooling system is the worst, especially over a weekend or if you’re expecting company.
 Contact us to schedule a call if you have any of the following symptoms- ​​
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 • Warm/No air blowing out of vents
 	
 • Malfunctioning Thermostat
 	
 • Condensate Water Leak
 	
 • Noisy equipment

Question 7

What are some of the most common issues that arise with heating systems

Accepted Answer

Our winters can be very cold and brisk. To save you from the winter chills we can perform routine maintenance checks before the weather turns cold, so any small issues can be spotted before they become serious. The following are other complaints we often hear in the cooler months.
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 • Need help lighting pilot light
 	
 • House or rooms are too cold
 	
 • Furnace with no fire
 	
 • Heat pump not working
 	
 • Thermostat broken
 	
 • Hot air not blowing
 	
 • Weird smell when furnace starts up
 	
 • Vents not blowing warm air
 	
 • Utility bills too expensive	
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Have an emergency? Our phones are answered 24-hours a day.(https://www.terrysacandheating.com/contact-us/)
509-525-1339

Question 8

Why am I being charged a Diagnostic Fee?

Accepted Answer

A Diagnostic Fee is simply the break-even cost we have to have a technician come out and diagnose any problem you may be having with your residential or light commercial air conditioning and heating system. The reason we itemize a diagnostic fee on your bill is so we can be transparent about what the true costs are with no hidden fees. Many HVAC operators hide this fee by charging more on parts and labor.

What does the Diagnostic Fee include? We load our truck with common parts, diagnostic tools and
equipment to bring our service to your door. As part of the diagnostic fee, we include the average time it takes to get our home or office, employee salaries, gas, auto insurance, liability insurance, and the amount of time to evaluate the problem

A diagnostic fee helps us be efficient with our time and yours. This is why we put such an emphasis on continuing education and training so we can expertly diagnose any problem with your system, offer you options, and get you fixed up right away.

Question 9

What is Flat Rate Pricing?

Accepted Answer

A growing number of progressive contractors use “flat rate pricing” today. Flat rate pricing means you pay fixed flat rate for a repair no matter how long the technician takes to complete the task. Flat rate pricing was developed so that homeowners would know the cost upfront, before the work begins. Flat rate prices come from a standard, national flat rate price book. The repair times are based on national averages so that you will pay the same price as the neighbor who also chose American Air Heating & Cooling for the same repair, no matter how long the repair takes.
Flat rate can save you a lot of money when a repair takes longer than expected because the price
doesn’t change due to the upfront price given. It acts like an insurance policy, eliminating unpleasant surprises.

Question 10

Why should I do maintenance on my system?

Accepted Answer

Properly maintained equipment helps you save money on operating costs and can help identify
problems prior to them becoming big problems. These inspections often prevent surprise breakdowns and outages during the warmest and coolest times of the year, when air conditioning and heating systems are stretched to their capacity.

Question 11

Where can I find information about energy efficiency tax rebates from city, state, and federal sources?

Accepted Answer

We recommend visiting:
Cascade Natural Gas Website (https://www.cngc.com/)
Pacific Power Website (https://www.pacificpower.net/)
Columbia REA Website (https://www.columbiarea.coop/)