Q: Why do I need maintenance if my system is working?

A: Many problems are identified during routine maintenance that are quick and inexpensive to eliminate, and can save hundreds of dollars in operating and repair costs. For instance, a faulty compressor capacitor will cause your unit to use up to 30% more electricity and compressor overheating. Unchecked, the result higher utility bills and possible compressor failure. The cost of operating your unit in this condition for two months would exceed the cost of the repair!

Q: Why should I replace my existing heating or air conditioning system?

A: You may wish to consider replacing your air conditioning or heating system if it is old, inefficient, or in need of repair. Today's systems are as much as 60% more efficient than those systems manufactured as little as 10 years ago. In addition, if not property maintained, wear and tear on a system can reduce the actual, or realized, efficiency of the system. If you are concerned about utility bills or are faced with an expensive repair, you may want to consider replacing your system rather than enduring another costly season or paying to replace an expensive component. The utility cost savings of a new unit may provide an attractive return on your investment.

Q: How expensive are air conditioning and heating systems?

A: Many factors affect the cost of a heating or air conditioning system,including the size of your home, the SEER rating of the unit, the type of condition of the ductwork installed, and accessories you might needsuch as a thermostat or an electronic air cleaner. TBLM will be happy to assist you in finding the right system to meet, not only your comfort needs, but also your household budget.

Q: How long can I expect a new system to last?

A: If you have a qualified technician perform regular preventive maintenance and service suggested for your unit, industry averages suggest that an air conditioner should last 10 - 15 years and a gas furnace should last as many as 15 - 20 years.

Q: How do I determine what size heating/cooling system I should purchase?

A: Make sure your heating/cooling system is properly sized for your home. Operating a unit that is too small or too large is highly inefficient. A unit that can't keep up with the hottest afternoons or coldest nights may well be a unit that is too small for your home. The TBLM technician that visits your home will be able to determine the size of unit that will best suit your needs.

Q: What does SEER mean?

A: Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio - This rating tells you how efficiently a unit uses electricity. The higher the number the greater the efficiency. A unit with a higher SEER will use less electricity to maintain the same temperature than a unit with a lower SEER.

Q: Will a 14 SEER cool better than a 13 SEER?

A:  The capacity of an air conditioner should not be confused with the efficiency rating. New units of like capacity cool equally as well regardless of efficiency rating. However, the unit with the higher SEER uses less electricity. So, although you may pay more to purchase a 14 SEER than you would be a 13 SEER, the benefit is in the energy costs savings. The higher efficiency units (14, 15 & 16 SEER) will pay for themselves within 3 to 5 years, and continue saving you money if properly maintained.

Q: What benefit(s) do I get when purchasing a Preventive Maintenance Service Agreement (PMSA) from TBLM?

A: When you purchase a PMSA from TBLM you will receive the following benefits:

• Preferred customer status
  2 maintenance inspections per year
  Discounts on breakdown parts and labor
  24 hour emergency NO HEAT service

Q: Do you offer 24 hour emergency service?

A: We currently provide our customers with PMSA's emergency NO HEAT service. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee 24 hour service to all of our customers.

AFUE - Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency. This number represents how efficiency a furnace converts fuel to energy. The higher the rating, the more fuel-efficient the furnace is. Percentage of fuel used for heating.

BTU - Stands for British Thermal Units. This number indicates the amount of heat it takes to raise one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit. The higher the BTU rating, the larger the heating capacity of the furnace or air conditioner. Homes are measured to determine the number of BTUs required from a heating or cooling system.

Capacity - Heating and cooling equipment capacities are measured in BTUs. The amount of heat the air conditioning unit can remove.

Carbon Monoxide - A colorless, odorless, highly poisonous gas produced when carbon burns without sufficient air nearby.

CFM - Stands for Cubic Feet per Minute. A measurement of airflow that indicates how many cubic feet of air pass by stationary point in one minute. The higher the number, the more air is being forced through the system.

Combustion Air - The air fed to a fire to provide oxygen for combustion of fuel. If may be preheated  before injection into a furnace. Combustion efficiency: actual heat produced by combustion total heat potential of the fuel consumed.

Compressor - The compressor is the most important piece of a cooling system. Located in the outdoor unit, the compressor is responsible for pumping refrigerant throughout the system.

Condenser - The outdoor portion of a heating or cooling system that either releases or collects heat from the outside air, depending on the time of year. The condenser is connected directly to the home's air handler.

Damper - A movable plate that controls airflow through a duct system. Dampers are used to direct air to the areas of the home that need it most.

Evaporator Coil - The evaporator coil is where refrigerant evaporates as it removes heat from the air that is passed over it. The coil is located in the indoor unit and is also referred to as the indoor coil.

Heat Exchanger - The part of a furnace that transfers heat to nearby air. That air is then distributed through the ductwork throughout your home.

Humidifier - A component that adds moisture to the air before it is distributed by the ductwork throughout the house.

HVAC - This acronym stands for heating, ventilation and air conditioning.

Refrigerant  - A liquid that vaporizes at a low temperature, used in mechanical refrigeration. It is commonly referred to as Freon.

Refrigeration Lines - Two copper lines that connect the condenser (outdoor) to the evaporator (indoor) coil.

SEER - This acronym stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. An efficiency measurement that is similar to Miles Per Gallon for cars. The higher this number, the more energy efficient the system is. New units have SEER ratings from 13 to 21 BTUs per watt.

Single Package Unit - One outdoor unit that contains both a heating and a cooling system.

Split System - A combination heat pump or air conditioner with indoor components such as a furnace or air handler. To maximize effectiveness, split systems should be matched.

Thermostat - A device that allows you to control the temperature inside your home by telling the heating or cooling system how much air to produce.

Zoning - The dividing of a home into different areas, each with their own heating and cooling properties. For example, you might prefer to have the kitchen area of your home be slightly cooler, while at the same time keeping the temperature of the bedrooms warmer.