HVAC FAQ

HVAC is the acronym for the combined services, which include Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning. Typically though, HVAC also encompasses additional services like indoor air quality, climate control, smart home automation, ductwork, and heating systems, which include pool heater, garage heaters, etc.

The short answer is to select a company based on the three “R’s” which are – referrals, reviews, and recommendations. Also, be sure to confirm the HVAC contractor you choose to partner with is fully licensed and insured. Finally, make sure you get a written estimate of the scope of the project, the work being done, the pricing, project timeline, and warranty details. 

These are just some of the basic things to consider when selecting an HVAC service. For a complete guide to selecting the “right” HVAC company, we’ve written an article outlining the most important factors for choosing an HVAC contractor. The link to the article is below – You’re welcome 🙂

<Link – How to select an HVAC Contractor>

There are several different things which could void your manufacturer’s warranty. Of course, every HVAC system manufacturer will have different criteria for voiding a systems warranty, but here are some of the most common throughout the industry.

• Moving or relocating your HVAC system from it’s original installation position within your home to a new area. 
• Using or replacing parts on your HVAC system with counterfeit, non-authorized, non-standard parts and accessories.
• Failing to meet their requirements for regular inspections, maintenance, and proper cleaning.
• Installation of the system, repair of the system, and replacement of any part or component by anyone other than a licensed, certified contractor

If you’re unsure about your warranty coverage, call the HVAC company who installed the system in your home. If you’re located close to us here at Burford Heating and AC, please feel free to contact us with any system or part warranty related question.

There are some ways to tell potentially, but reviewing the paperwork you received following installation is your best option. With that being said, some ways to potentially find an answer is to look for the label on the outside shell or surface of the system. There should be a label with the equipment manufacturing date on it. Most warranties are five years, but the warranty period could be unique based on the specific equipment model.

A great rule to follow is two maintenance appointments per year. This includes once in the spring before the summer months for maintenance on your Air Conditioning system. And once in the fall prior to the winter season for maintenance on your furnace and other heating systems.

When one of the Burford Heating and AC HVAC technicians arrive at your home (or business), they will check your filters, wiring, housing, motor, and coils. Furthermore, they will test your system’s performance to ensure it’s working the way it should, and so you can the most out of it.

Do you need an HVAC maintenance visit? If so, visit our Request a Service Call page.

Different HVAC units operate at different sound levels. This comes down to a variety of factors like the age of the system, it’s design, and also where in your home it is installed. A good thing to keep in mind if this is important to you is when you’re looking to invest in a new HVAC system, take a look at the product review. Most of these reviews include a sound rating since an HVAC system with low sound output and quiet operation is something a lot of consumers pay close attention to.

There are many different things you can to lower your monthly energy costs. Here are just a few to consider.

• Switch your old lightbulbs to more energy-efficient bulbs like LEDs or compact fluorescents (CFLs)
• If you’re not using an appliance, unplug it. What most people aren’t aware of is devices and equipment plugged in still draw power from the outlook even if they’re not turned on.
• Consider installing ceiling fans and using them to cool the home down, rather than running your AC system all the time.
• Install a programmable thermostat. This will allow you to control the temperature and reduce the energy waste, which results from keeping them on all the time. Also, you can use Smart Home Solution and Automation Technology to control the temperature in a way that limits energy consumption while you’re away or at work, and powers on prior to you arriving home.
• Check the sealing on the windows and doors in your home to confirm they aren’t releasing the heat or air your HVAC system is producing. If you are losing heat or air through your windows and doors, it will force your HVAC system to work harder, driving up your energy costs. 

We also wrote a blog post covering additional steps you can take to decrease your air conditioning costs.

A common misconception is that bigger is not always better. When considering an AC system, you should be looking for efficiency and performance. Smaller systems are forced to work harder if the space it’s trying to cool is too large, reducing its performance and efficiency, leading to increased energy costs, and even the system breaking down. Our best recommendation would be to speak to one of our HVAC service technicians who would be more than happy to provide a recommendation on the best Air Conditioning solution for your space.

100% Yes! Your HVAC has a powerful filtration system, which helps to reduce any indoor home odors. Since most odors are a result of bacteria, mold, dust mites, animal dander, your HVAC system will collect and filter the causes of the odor, ultimately removing the very things creating the smell. There are also other additional systems like UV lights that can be installed to stop the proliferation of contaminants and sterilize your HVAC surfaces.