HVAC Frequently Asked Questions by Uni-Serve Air Conditioning
What signs indicate that it's time to replace my old air conditioner with a new one?
One of the most important factors to consider when deciding whether to replace your air conditioning system is its age. Most systems in the Houston area have a lifespan of 10-15 years, so if your system is approaching or exceeding this age, it may be time to start thinking about a replacement. Also, if you find yourself constantly repairing the system, your energy bills are increasing, or there are strange noises and/or odors, then it’s time to consider replacing the system.
What is the expected lifespan of a new air conditioning system?
While air conditioning systems installed in the 80s and 90s could last 20-25 years, most systems installed today will have a lifespan of 10-15 years.
How long does a new air conditioning installation typically take?
At Uni-Serve Air Conditioning, our installation process is designed for 4-6 hours on average. We want to get the AC back on for you as soon as we can. Some installations will take longer if additional modifications are being made or if multiple systems are being installed. If so, that will be communicated to you before the install begins.
What brand of equipment do you use?
We don’t want to be constrained to any one brand so that we can provide our customers the best equipment at competitive prices. We offer both American Standard and Amana for new system installations.
American Standard is owned by Trane Technologies, a leader and household name for air conditioning equipment. Trane and American Standard are essentially the exact same equipment. The branding and logo on the equipment is different, but the internal components are the same. The American Standard equipment has a slightly better price point, so we like offering American Standard.
Amana is owned by Daikin, one of the world’s best air conditioning companies. Also, Daikin North America is headquartered right here in the Greater Houston area. For that reason, Amana units and parts are readily available, and our neighbors are the ones building these units! Amana also offers a lifetime limited warranty on the compressor. So if your compressor goes out, they will replace the entire outside unit!
At Uni-Serve Air Conditioning, we believe we can find you the perfect fit for your home and budget by offering both American Standard and Amana HVAC equipment.
Do the copper lines that run in the attic and down the wall to the condenser need to be replaced?
The copper lines are the refrigerant lineset. They are extremely important to the system. In most cases we are able to reuse the lineset. There are a couple things we need to consider when doing a replacement. First of all, we need to make sure they are sized appropriately. Secondly, we need to make sure they are clean inside. If an old or outdated refrigerant is being used in your current system, and we are switching to a new refrigerant, we need to perform a nitrogen flush to make sure the lines are cleaned out. Additionally, if the existing compressor burns out, we need to check for acid and make sure all the acid is removed from the lineset.
Most of the time we are able to flush the lineset and get them properly cleaned. If not, or if there is major damage to the lineset, we will need to replace it. This requires the copper lines to be run on the exterior of the home, which most homeowners do not like. So we do our best to get the lineset properly flushed out and prepared for the new system.
Can you help me understand the installation process and any necessary modifications to my home?
At Uni-Serve Air Conditioning, we begin by preparing your home for the removal of old equipment. This includes laying down drop cloths from the entry of your home to the attic and moving any furniture that could be in the way. Our install team will take pictures at this step to ensure that your floors are protected. All pictures are taken using our cloud-based application so that all team members can track the progress of the job and hold each other accountable.
Then our install team will begin removing the old system, which will ultimately be removed from your property and properly disposed of. After the old system is removed, the new equipment will be prepped and the install process will begin. The new equipment will carefully be transported through your house and placed in the attic. All equipment will be properly supported, connected, and sealed. The goal is to reduce any energy-wasting, comfort-robbing issues, like large amounts of conditioned air leaking out of the system.
Additionally, the primary and secondary condensate drains will be connected and safety precautions will be taken so that water does not end up leaking into your house. Furthermore, all equipment requiring power will be properly wired, but not before the circuit is checked and a disconnect is present. Finally, the system will be commissioned and startup tests will be performed. The airflow is checked and properly set. The condensate drains are tested for proper flow. The refrigerant charge is set per the manufacturers recommendation. And the airflow temperature is measured to ensure proper cooling and moisture removal is accomplished.
Then, after the system is up and running, all trash is removed, tools are organized, drop cloths are removed, floors/carpets are cleaned, and furniture is returned to the correct position. The install team then documents the final conditions and departs from the home. This entire process typically lasts 6-8 hours so that you can have AC before you have dinner at night!
Will you handle the removal and disposal of the old air conditioning system during installation?
Yes, Uni-Serve Air Conditioning will remove and properly dispose of the old system and any associated trash and debris. The old refrigerant will be reclaimed and the metal in the old system will be recycled when able.
How often should I have my new air conditioning unit serviced after installation?
Most HVAC equipment manufacturers recommend maintenance two times a year and require that regular maintenance be performed to maintain the parts warranty. At Uni-Serve Air Conditioning, we provide two years of complimentary maintenance with full system installations along with a two year labor warranty. This provides you with assurance knowing that any manufacturer defects will be taken care of at no additional cost to you. Our maintenance plan can be renewed after the initial two years.
What factors should I consider when choosing the right size and efficiency level of air conditioner for my home?
When deciding which air conditioning system is right for your home, you should realize that there are code requirements for the size of the system. A load calculation should be performed to ensure that the system is not oversized or undersized, both of which can cause major issues. As far as the efficiency level, you can choose whichever system works best for your desired comfort level and budget! Typically, the more expensive the system, the less it will cost to operate. Additionally, the more expensive systems are better at controlling the temperature and humidity in your home to provide a higher level of comfort.
What are the benefits of upgrading to a new air conditioning system?
There can be numerous benefits to installing a new air conditioning system. It’s not just about getting new equipment though. The equipment needs to be installed correctly to achieve the maximum benefits. When properly installed, a new AC system should provide better energy efficiency, which saves you money on your utility bills. Also, you should have better comfort in your home and improved indoor air quality. Additionally, the new equipment should be quieter and less noisy than your old equipment.
Can you assess my home's cooling needs and recommend the most suitable air conditioning unit?
Absolutely! Uni-Serve Air Conditioning is owned and operated by a Texas licensed Professional Engineer and Air Conditioning contractor. He has designed HVAC systems for several office buildings, restaurants, schools, and medical facilities around Houston. We want to provide that same level of precision and expertise to provide the best AC system for your home. And we can do so at a lower cost than most of the large AC companies.
Are there any energy-efficient options available for new air conditioning installations?
Yes! Today there are fully modulating variable speed air conditioning systems that provide optimal comfort, and they are extremely energy efficient.
Do you offer financing options for purchasing and installing a new air conditioner?
At Uni-Serve Air Conditioning, we offer multiple financing options so that you can replace your air conditioning system without a large one-time fee. We get it, most people are not saving their hard-earned money for a new AC system. Unfortunately, HVAC equipment has become very expensive. And we are always looking for options to help ease the burden of large expenses and spread the cost out over time.
What warranties are provided with a new air conditioning unit, and what do they cover?
Most HVAC equipment manufacturers provide a 10 year limited warranty on parts as long as the system is installed by a licensed contractor and properly maintained. The manufacturer warranty only covers the cost of the part. It does not cover the labor. Uni-Serve Air Conditioning provides a two year labor warranty for full system installations. This provides you with peace of mind knowing that any parts that go bad during the first two years will be completely covered. These warranties do not cover issues caused by lack of maintenance, such as not changing air filters or cleaning condensate drain lines.
How can I maximize the energy efficiency of my new air conditioning unit?
The easiest way to maximize the energy efficiency of your new air conditioning system is to keep it properly maintained. Uni-Serve Air Conditioning provides a maintenance plan to keep your system operating at its peak performance. Maintenance includes things like cleaning the coils, ensuring the electrical components are operating properly, cleaning drain lines, and much more!
Can you provide references or examples of other successful air conditioning installations you've completed?
Yes! We are happy to provide references and pictures of previous installations!
Do I need to replace my furnace? We never/rarely use the heat?
This is a great question that we get a lot! Most homes in Texas utilize a gas furnace for heat. The thing that some people do not realize is that the furnace also contains the fan for the HVAC system. This means that the fan is on and operating when the system is in cooling mode as well as in heating mode.
What is a SEER rating or SEER2 rating?
There are a lot of metrics that can be considered when looking at the efficiency of an air conditioning system. To keep things simple, in the hot Texas climate, the SEER rating is a good metric. SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. This is a measure of how much energy (and money) the system requires to operate in a year. Starting in 2023, there is also a SEER2 rating. This is essentially the rating under new testing standards required by the Department of Energy (DOE). The main thing you need to know is that the higher the rating (SEER or SEER2), the more efficient the system is, and the lower the operating cost will be. In other words, the higher the rating, the less money you will spend on electricity. Just make sure you are comparing SEER rating to SEER rating or SEER2 to SEER2 when looking at different systems.
Why is the SEER2 rating in this proposal different than what is listed online?
In our proposals, we list the highest SEER2 rating that can be achieved for the listed system. This takes into account the actual equipment we may use here in the Houston area. The SEER2 rating depends on the actual equipment, and the equipment can vary depending on if you have a horizontal system, up flow system, or have certain space limitations that would require the use of a slab coil instead of a box coil.
As far as what manufacturers list online, they may list the highest rating that could be achieved for that equipment with any matchup they make possible. Or they may list the rating for that individual piece of equipment, which may be lower than what can be achieved with a furnace/evaporator coil matchup.
What is an HSPF rating or HSPF2 rating?
HSPF stands for heating seasonal performance factor. This efficiency rating is specific to heat pumps. Just like an AC has a SEER rating to measure the cooling efficiency, a heat pump has an HSPF rating to measure the heating efficiency. Additionally, just like SEER and SEER2, make sure that when you are comparing HSPF ratings you compare HSPF2 to HSPF2 which is what should be specified after the 2023 DEO changes.
What is a heat pump?
Heat pumps are not as prevalent in the Houston area due to the vast availability of natural gas in most homes. For that reason, most people are not as familiar with heat pumps. Simply put, a heat pump is an AC that can run backwards. For cooling purposes, a heat pump and a traditional AC are essentially identical. For heating purposes, a heat pump can reverse the refrigeration cycle and provide heat inside the home instead of cooling. If you have an all electric AC system, meaning no gas furnace inside, then a heat pump makes complete sense. If you have a gas furnace, you can still install a heat pump. This creates what we call a “dual fuel” system. You would then be able to heat with the heat pump or the gas furnace. In other words, you can heat using electricity or natural gas.