Common Questions
- How often should I replace my air filter?
- Which thermostat is right for me?
- What type of maintenance is required for my furnace and air conditioner?
- How do you know if your household requires an air purifier?
- How do you know when it's time to replace your equipment?
How often should I replace my air filter?
In most applications, filters should be cleaned or replaced once a month. How do you know which filter is right for your household? Do you have a dusty house or allergies? Do you have pets? Do you prefer to continuously run your fan? The above are important factors to consider, since your air conditioner also relies on the same clean furnace filter for proper airflow and efficient operation.
A common symptom encountered with a clogged filter is ice or frost build-up on the large exterior freon line connected to the air conditioner. If this happens, you may want to turn the A/C “off” at the thermostat and switch the fan setting from “auto” to “on.” Clean or replace your filter and allow the fan to stay “on” for 5-6 hours or until the ice melts before turning it back to “cool.” We always recommend you speak to one of our HVAC technicians prior to performing this procedure. If the problem persists, you may require a service call.
Additionally, if you answered “yes” to any of the above questions, you may also be a good candidate for the ultimate in air filtration and purification. The Healthy Climate™ PureAir™ is the only single air quality system to attack all three classes of indoor air contaminants:
- Removes small, breathable particles such as dust, dirt, pollen and allergens ranging in size down to 1 micron
- Removes airborne mold spores, bacteria and viruses (bioaerosols ranging in size down to 1 micron)
- Removes and destroys odors and chemical vapors by 50% within a 24-hour period (based on laboratory and field studies)
Contact us and we will give you an honest evaluation of your household needs.
Which thermostat is right for me?
Another way to help keep your energy costs down is to replace that old manual thermostat with a progrmmable thermostat. In Minnesota, you could save up to 20% annually if a programmable thermostat is used properly. Contact us and we will install one for you.
What type of maintenance is required for my furnace and air conditioner?
One of the most important things you can do is to keep your furnace and air conditioner clean. Just as your car requires an oil change every 3-5,000 miles, your furnace and air conditioner also require an annual tune-up and cleaning. This maintenance will positively impact your heating and cooling costs. Clogged furnace burners and combustion air intakes lead to inefficient and unsafe operation. If you have a high-efficiency furnace (vented with white plastic pipe), the condensate drain line should be cleaned annually.
With regard to air conditioners, a dirty condenser means longer run time and excessive heat build-up which cause a higher electric bill and shortens the life of your system. Contact us for information on our maintenance plan. We have NATE Certified service technicians to perform the maintenance and inspection of your heating and cooling systems.
How do you know if your household requires an air purifier?
Do you have allergies? Are you allergic to mold or dust mites? Do you have pets? Are you allergic to pet dander? Is your family constantly fighting off colds or airborne bacteria?
You may want to consider installing a BreatheCLEAN™ total home air purification system. BreatheCLEAN™ uses powerful germicidal lamps to destroy up to 99.9% of airborne germs and organisms as they pass through your heating and cooling system; thus providing you with total air purification.
Liberty Comfort Systems can install a BreatheCLEAN™ that fits most household applications.
How do you know when it's time to replace your equipment?
Let’s face it, buying a furnace or air conditioner is not as enjoyable as planning a trip to the Bahamas. But, it will give you peace of mind that you’ve purchased a reliable system whether you are at home or on vacation. The last thing you want to deal with is a furnace breakdown when it’s 20-below zero which causes frustration and discomfort for you and your family and can lead to quick and costly decisions. That is why most people prefer to purchase their furnace or air conditioner in the off-season.
Some obvious warning signs before you replace your existing equipment are:
- A rusty burner area (or heat exchanger) which is often located behind the front panel of the furnace
- The system doesn't seem to heat or cool like it used to
- Having to add freon to your A/C
- Or, you are getting to know your service repair technician better than your in-laws
If any of these signs are apparent, you may want to contact us for further information. We can help you plan ahead for your heating and cooling needs. Liberty Comfort Systemsis a Dave Lennox Premier Dealer, a leader in home comfort technology.
