FAQs About Your Heating & Air Conditioning System
Are you looking for a new system and confused about all terms you are reading about? Here a some of the frequently asked questions we get at Stadtler Heating & Cooling about heating and cooling units.
What do rating numbers mean?
The U.S. government requires an efficiency rating of all air conditioning and heating equipment. The rating reflects the percentage of energy used efficiently, with a high rating indicating high-efficiency. The next two topics address this issue in greater detail.
What is a SEER?
There are special names for the efficiency ratings of various types of equipment. Air conditioning equipment is rated by the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating, or SEER. The higher the SEER rating, the more efficient the unit.
What does AFUE stand for?
There are special names for the efficiency ratings of various types of equipment. Gas furnaces are rated according to their Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency, or AFUE. The higher the AFUE rating, the more efficient the unit.
Should a thermostat be set to “auto” or “on”?
Preferably auto. That way, the fan operates only when the temperature requires it. This is the most used and the most efficient setting. However, there are advantages to using the “on” setting. Air is constantly filtered through the unit’s air filter, and the constantly circulating air results in an even temperature throughout the house.
Can shrubs or flowers be planted around an outdoor unit?
Yes. However, we recommend that plants be no closer than 18 inches to the unit. This allows for plenty of room for air circulation in and out of the unit. Without this room for air circulation, the unit could overheat, resulting in a premature need for service.
If an outdoor unit needs replacing, should the indoor unit be replaced too?
Yes. Rheem air conditioning and heating units are designed to operate as a complete, matched system. The efficiency rating is based on the entire system. Replacing the entire system ensures the system will be reliable and efficient.
How do I know what size unit our house needs?
Stadtler Heating & Cooling can help you with that. Our technician will do a load calculation on your home. The load calculation considers many factors including size of the house, climate, the number and type of windows installed, insulation, and even the number of people living in the house. This is a very important step when choosing a new system. Find out more about the importance of a load calculation in this article.
If you’d like a load calculation on your home or have any additional questions about your heating and cooling system, contact us.
