Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Serving All of Trenton & Mercer County with Their HVAC Needs
Read through our commonly asked questions to learn more about air conditioning, heating, indoor air quality, and how Elite AirSM can help improve the comfort of your home or business.
How does an air conditioner cool my home?
An air conditioner actually removes heat from the indoor air by passing it through a refrigerant coil and sending it through refrigerant lines to the outside unit, where it is released into the air. This cycle continues until the temperature in your home reaches the thermostat setting.
What do all those equipment ratings mean?
SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, which rates the efficiency of air conditioners and cooling equipment. The higher the SEER rating, the less the unit will cost to operate. Similarly, Heating Seasonal Performance Factor, or HSPF, measures the efficiency of the heating portion of a heat pump. Furnaces are rated by the Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) ratio, which is the percent of heat produced for every dollar of fuel consumed. The higher the AFUE rating of the furnace, the lower your fuel costs will be. All furnaces manufactured today must meet at least 78% AFUE.
What size heating and cooling equipment do I need?
Call Elite AirSM at (609) 527-3354 to have one of our HVAC technicians perform a load calculation. We will take into account the square footage of your house, the insulation value of your windows, the amount of insulation in your walls and roof, and many other important factors. This is the only reliable way to determine the size that best matches your needs.
What is a heat pump?
An incredibly energy-efficient option, the heat pump can cool your home by extracting heat from indoor air and sending it outside, and it can warm your home by reversing the process, pulling heat from the outdoor air and transferring it inside. If there is not enough heat in the outdoor air to reach the thermostat setting, an electric heater kicks in to make up the difference. A heat pump also makes an excellent add-on to an existing gas furnace.
What is a zoning system? Can I use one in my residential home?
A zoning system allows you to create separate areas, or zones, within your home and independently control the temperature in each zone. When designed properly, a zoning system in your home could reduce annual energy costs by hundreds of dollars.
I’ve heard AC refrigerant is bad for the environment. Is there a safer option?
Refrigerant, contained within the coils of an air conditioning system, makes it possible to cool and dehumidify indoor air. There are several types of refrigerants, but you may be referring to R22, once the most common refrigerant on the market. Due to a mandate from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as of 2010, new heating and cooling equipment are prohibited from using R22, and the production of the chemical itself must cease by 2020. Elite Air offers a full line of equipment that uses environmentally responsible, chlorine-free refrigerants.
How can I reduce my home’s energy costs?
Installing a new, energy-efficient system, such as those with ENERGY STAR certification, can drastically reduce your utility bills. Utilize a zoning system or a programmable thermostat for maximum control over energy use. Most importantly, schedule annual or seasonal maintenance with Elite Air. Our experienced heating and cooling technicians can ensure optimal system performance and spot issues before they lead to increased energy output.
What is indoor air quality (IAQ)?
While much attention is placed on outdoor pollution and air quality, indoor air quality (IAQ) has become just as important. Sources of indoor air pollutants include cleaning agents; compounds found in carpet, furniture, upholstery, and drapery; paint; and personal care items. Humidity, ventilation, and air circulation levels also play a role in determining IAQ. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has found that concentrations of pollutants can be up to 100 times higher indoors than out, and the American Lung Association estimates the average person spends 90% of his or her time indoors, so IAQ is very important.
How can I improve my home’s indoor air quality?
Thanks to an increased focus on energy efficiency, many homeowners have all but eliminated air leaks from their houses. While this is helpful when heating or cooling a home, it makes it much harder for indoor contaminants and pollutants to escape. On your own, you can store household cleaners and chemicals in tightly sealed containers, vacuum at least once a week, and regularly wash bed linens and draperies. Contact us at Elite Air to perform regular maintenance and cleaning on your heating and cooling system to minimize additional pollutants from being spread. We can also help you select and install a ventilation system to exchange stale, recirculated indoor air with fresh, filtered outdoor air.
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