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Answers from the experts!

Frequently Asked Questions

These are the most frequently asked questions about HVAC, Sizing, and More. Please feel free to contact us if you don’t see your question answered below.

  • General Questions
  • Appliance Questions

Should an appliance be repaired or replaced?

Here are some things to think about on that subject. Is the appliance in good mechanical condition (other then the current problem)? Is the appliance in good cosmetic condition, no dents or scratches? Are there any strange odors or evidence of rust? Are there any funny noises or leaks? What is the normal useful life of the appliance and how old is it? Although there are exceptions, we generally DO NOT recommend that you invest more then half of the replacement cost in repairing your appliance. For that reason it is a good idea to scout out the replacement cost before getting too far into the repair. Here are some things to think about when considering the total cost of replacement. First, consider the cost (plus tax) of a new appliance. Next, consider the cost of disposing of the old appliance, and finally, the cost of installing the new appliance. On many built in products such as refrigerators or dishwashers there are often custom door panels involved. Will your old panels fit the new unit? Can you find a new unit that will fit in the current installation without necessary modifications? If we can extend the useful life of your appliance another two years or more, it is often actually more economical to repair the old unit then to replace it

What kind of warranty do you offer?

We offer a 90 day warranty on appliance parts and labor. On HVAC we offer a 10 year limited manufacturer warranty on all major brands and provide a 2 year labor service warranty.

Do air conditioning units need to be serviced and how often?

Depending on your system, it should be serviced a minimum of once a year, with periodic inspections up to 4 times a year.An air conditioner's filters, coils, and fins require regular maintenance for the unit to function effectively and efficiently throughout its years of service. Neglecting necessary maintenance ensures a steady decline in air conditioning performance while energy use steadily increases. Based on the age, size and usage of your system, a quality service provider can tailor a service plan to meet your budget requirements and keep your system running reliably.

How can I ensure that my air conditioning unit lasts as long as possible?

The best thing you can do to prolong the life of your system is to have it regularly serviced by a professional. In addition, here are a few tips for easy things you can do to avoid costly air conditioning repair: -Keep leaves and debris from collecting around your outdoor air conditioning unit. This simple action prevents dirt from clogging up your system, and keeps airflow paths clear. -When arranging furniture layouts and carpeting installations, make sure air grills and ductwork are not blocked. -Use blinds and shades on west and south facing windows to keep out heat in the summer. -Use programmable thermostats to reduce air conditioning usage when it’s not needed.

What do the air conditioner ratings mean?

If you’re considering installing a new air conditioning unit, you’ve probably run across the acronym SEER. SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) measures the efficiency of cooling equipment. A higher SEER rating means greater energy efficiency. Most modern air conditioners have a SEER rating from 13 to 21. While little more expensive than their 14 SEER counterparts, 16 SEER systems offer a significant increase in energy efficiency. In fact, 16 SEER units are up to 13% more efficient, which saves you hundreds of dollars in energy costs over the years.

DISHWASHERS

The most reasons for dishwashers not getting things clean are: 1) Water not hot enough - it should be at least 140 degrees. 2) Old detergent that is not melting. 3) Not properly draining due to a plugged drain or plugged air gap. 4) Large objects obstructing the wash arms so they can not rotate properly. 5) Too much soap. Over time the excess soap can build up and cause trouble. Run the machine empty and check mid cycle to see if there is evidence of soap in the water. If so repeat until the excess is gone. For more information or schedule an appointment please contact us @1877appliance

REFRIGERATOR

The most common cause of refrigeration problems is failure to clean the condenser. This component must be able to vent heat into the ambient air around the refrigerator or freezer. If it is clogged with house dust or animal fur for example, it will reduce the efficiency of the unit at best and at worst cause components to overheat and perhaps be damaged beyond repair. Your owners manual probably recommends cleaning the condenser on a regular basis. Is the door closing properly? If not it can cause the interior light to stay on and that will affect cooling. A defective door switch can do the same thing. Here is a way to test the door seal. Open the door and place a piece of paper between the seal and the body of the box, then close the door. Is the paper easy to pull out or does it fall out on it's own? If so you may have a sealing problem. Another sure sign of this is frost around the area where the door seals. That indicates warm air is getting into the box and when it mixes with the cold are it forms frost. You can also make sure nothing in the box is obstructing it from closing completely. For more information or to schedule an appointment please contact us @1877appliance

DRYERS

If your clothes are taking too long to dry make sure they are coming out of the washer properly spun dry. If they are too wet it will take the dryer a very long time to get them dry. Also make sure that the dryer has not been pushed back and is not pinching the vent. We sometimes also find animal nests in the vent on the outside of the house. Anything that obstructs the vent will cause problems. Of course make sure you are cleaning the lint screen every time you put in a new load. This will also save you money on your fuel bill. Note that some fabric softener products also clog the lint screen much faster and some manufacturers actually recommend that they not be used. They can also affect the sensors that tell some dryer models if the cloths are dry yet or not. For more information or schedule an appointment please contact us @1877appliance

WASHERS

Front loading use much less soap then top loaders. Make sure you are using the type and amount of soap recommended by your manufacturer. Overusing and detergent build up in the clothes can result in malfunction. Do not overload these machines either as they depend on the tumbling action for part of the cleaning process and packed in clothes don't tumble well. For more information or schedule an appointment please contact us @1877appliance

OVENS

Today's electronic ranges use cooling fans to protect the sensitive components on the control circuit boards. It is common for these fans to not come on immediately and also to stay on after the appliance has been turned off. They will normally turn themselves off once the ovens internal temperatures reach a safe level. For more information or schedule an appointment please contact us @1877appliance

GAS COOKTOPS

Most modern gas cook-tops use electronic ignition to light the gas. This ignition system provides a spark until the flame appears then automatically shuts off. If the sparking continues after the flame is burning it may be because of a burner cap out of position or dirt on the cap or ring. Try cleaning all the burners and making sure everything is seated properly For more information or schedule an appointment please contact us @1877appliance

ELECTRIC COOKTOPS

If one of the top burners is not heating and it is the type you can unplug for cleaning, make sure it is properly seated in the plug. You can check to see if the plug itself is the problem by moving elements around. If the problem stays in the same place there is most likely a wiring problem that will require a technician but if the problem moves with the element then it is probably bad. For more information or schedule an appointment please contact us @1877appliance

MICROWAVES

If your microwave oven (or other electronic controlled appliance) has digital controls and the numbers start flashing and the until will not program, try unplugging the unit (or turning off the circuit breaker if it is wired in) and letting it sit for about a minute, then plug it back in. Sometimes that's all it takes to reset the processors and get everything working correctly. For more information or schedule an appointment please contact us @1877appliance

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