FAQs

Air conditioners inherently provide some level of dehumidification during the cooling process. Certain models can enhance this effect by adjusting fan speeds and controlling compressor stages. The dehumidification process is an integral part of how air conditioners cool the air in your home.

Several factors can lead to an air conditioner freezing up. These include a blocked drain, an unclean filter, dirty or obstructed coils, insufficient refrigerant, blocked air vents, or a malfunctioning indoor fan motor. Any of these issues can result in ice formation within the unit.

Water leakage from an air conditioner can occur due to various reasons. A common cause is a clogged or partially blocked water drain connected to the indoor coil. Additionally, water leaks may result from ice formation caused by a dirty filter, unclean indoor coil, obstructed vents, low refrigerant levels, or a faulty indoor fan motor. These issues can lead to ice buildup on the indoor coil, resulting in water dripping inside the furnace or heat pump fan coil unit.

Air conditioning systems are designed to handle cooling requirements on a 95-degree day. The BTU capacity needed depends on your home's specific cooling needs at this temperature. Older air conditioner models operate at full capacity continuously, potentially wasting energy when temperatures are lower. Modern systems can adjust their output to match the current cooling demand, offering improved energy efficiency.

A ton of cooling is equivalent to 12,000 BTUs (British thermal units) of cooling per hour. This measurement originates from the amount of heat transfer required to melt one ton of ice at 32 degrees Fahrenheit over 24 hours. For example, a three-ton unit would provide 36,000 BTUs of cooling per hour. Air conditioners function by transferring heat from inside your home to the outside using refrigerant.

Covering your outdoor air conditioning unit is not always necessary as these units are designed to withstand various weather conditions. However, if your unit is located near trees, covering it can help prevent debris accumulation. When covering the unit, ensure it's not completely sealed off; allow for some airflow at the bottom to prevent moisture buildup. Some homeowners opt to place a piece of plywood on top of the unit to protect against falling ice and deter rodents. Remember to remove any cover before restarting the unit in spring.

SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) is a measure of an air conditioner or heat pump's cooling efficiency over a typical cooling season. SEER2 is an updated version of this calculation that utilizes the new M1 blower testing procedure. Both ratings indicate the unit's efficiency, with higher values representing more cost-effective operation. The primary difference lies in the testing method used to determine the rating.

The fan setting on your thermostat depends on your preferences and home setup. The 'automatic' setting allows the fan to cycle based on room temperature. If your home has an air cleaner or you prefer constant air circulation, you may want to use the 'on' setting. This ensures continuous air flow and maximizes the effectiveness of central air cleaning devices. The 'on' setting can also help maintain a more consistent temperature throughout your home.

AFUE stands for annual fuel utilization efficiency. This rating represents the percentage of heat produced for every dollar of fuel consumed by a furnace. Similar to a car's miles-per-gallon rating, a higher AFUE rating indicates greater fuel efficiency and lower operational costs for your heating system.

It's recommended to have your furnace cleaned and serviced annually, which also applies to your air conditioner. Regular maintenance improves operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness. The service includes a comprehensive safety inspection of all components to identify any cracked, defective, or damaged parts that could potentially lead to carbon monoxide leaks in your home.

You should change your standard furnace filter every 6–8 weeks. Use your own judgment as to when to change it, but don’t let the filter get clogged, as this can cut down on the efficiency and/or cause damage to the unit.

Standard fiberglass air filters should be replaced every six to eight weeks. This is vitally important to the performance of your HVAC systems and your indoor air quality. If you're in need of AC services, don't hesitate to contact Beverly Services today!

A ductless mini-split system is an alternative to a traditional heating and cooling system with ductwork. Ductless HVAC works similarly to central heating and cooling, except that it doesn’t require ductwork. Your mini-split system will have an indoor and outdoor unit, but it will only require a small hole to be cut through the exterior wall — just big enough for a tube of refrigerant to pass through. Inside your home, the air will be conditioned and returned to the room by the same unit. Contact Beverly Solutions today if you need air conditioning services.

A dual-zone air conditioning system is a network of thermostats and duct dampers that regulates the amount of cooled air each zone (one or more rooms) receives throughout the day. Zoning technology allows homeowners to cool only the occupied areas of living space at any given time or to set different temperatures in different areas of the home. For air conditioning electricians you can rely on, contact Beverly Solutions today.

Check the Air Filter in Your Furnace or Fan Coil Every Three to Four Weeks: A dirty filter will cause excessive strain on your furnace, air conditioner, or heat pump. Replace your filter when necessary, or clean it if you have the reusable type. (If you have a reusable filter, make sure it’s completely dry before you re-install it.) The prefilter and collection cells of an electronic air cleaner should be cleaned at least two or three times per year. Keep Your Outdoor Condensing Unit Free of Debris: If you keep grass clippings, leaves, shrubbery, and debris away from your outdoor unit, it should only require minimal care to operate properly. Check the base pan (under the unit) occasionally and remove debris, to help the unit drain correctly. If the outdoor coil becomes dirty, use a brush or a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment to clean the surface. To clean dirt that is deep in the coil, contact your dealer for assistance with AC services. Take Special Care of Outdoor Condensing Units in Ocean Environments: If your unit is located near a sea coast, you can help preserve its optimal condition with a little extra care. Ocean mist and sea breezes carry salt, which is corrosive to most metals. Although new Carrier units are made out of galvanized metal and are protected by top-grade paint, you can add life to your unit by washing all exposed surfaces and the coil approximately every three months. (Ask your installing contractor about the appropriate interval in your area.) Make Sure Your Outdoor Unit Stays in a Level Position: If the support for your split-system outdoor unit shifts or settles and the unit is no longer level, re-level it promptly to make sure moisture drains properly out of the unit. If you notice that water or ice collects beneath the unit, arrange for it to be drained away from the equipment. Inspect Your Furnace's Combustion Area and Vent System Before Each Heating Season: If you find dirt, soot, or rust, your system may not operate properly or at its peak efficiency. Call your servicing dealer and do not operate your furnace until it is professionally inspected and/or repaired. Have Oil-Fired Boilers Inspected Annually: Call your servicing dealer before each heating season to replace your oil filter cartridge and conduct a thorough inspection of the unit's operation. Clean Your Humidifier at the Beginning of Every Heating Season: Review your owner's manual for the proper procedure to clean the external and internal components of your unit. The evaporator pad should also be replaced before each heating season. If the water in your area is hard or has high mineral content, you may need to clean or service your humidifier more frequently.

This really depends upon your skill level and repair experience. Also, do you have the proper tool and know how to use them safely? There is also the potential for water damage if something goes wrong. If you are really not sure if it is best to let a professional handle the issue. Some of the most common situations where our customers request a plumber’s help are: water leaking through ceilings, no hot water, clogged drains, a faucet that won’t turn off, higher than normal water bills, water in the basement, noisy pipes, frozen pipes, and backed up sewers.

If the pipes have frozen and burst, a plumber can fix them. If the pipes are frozen but have not burst, a plumber can remedy them by applying a heat gun to thaw them. For an interim solution, a homeowner could use a hair dryer to start the thawing process. A plumber’s main role and concern in this situation is to identify and fix the problem that caused the pipes to freeze. Contact our plumbers today at Beverly Solutions for assistance with frozen pipes.

Plumbers know many different ways to increase water pressure. In 95% of cases, we can supply solutions to increase water pressure in a home to acceptable levels. Plumbers can also fix high-pressure situations, which can cause serious damage to a home’s entire plumbing system. Contact Beverly Solutions today for more information.

We spend 90% of our time indoors. Today’s efficient, airtight homes are excellent at conserving energy, but that also makes them better at trapping potentially irritating particles inside the home. With the rising number of people who suffer from allergies and asthma, indoor air quality services have become more and more important to promote our general health and well-being. Chemicals in laundry detergents, aerosols, cleaning products, new carpeting and other products can really contaminate the air within our homes. A wide range of particulate matter can be in your home’s air, including dust, pollen, animal hair and dander, dust mites, mold spores, cooking grease, smoke, bacteria, viruses and other respiratory diseases. Studies have shown that indoor air can be as much.

Yes. The average home generates 40 pounds of dust for every 1500 square feet of space. While regular home cleaning is an excellent measure to reduce exposure to irritants and pollutants, it is simply impossible to remove enough of the material by hand to make your home’s air as healthy as it can be.

Whole-house air cleaners are designed to fit perfectly within your central furnace and air conditioning system. Unlike many air cleaners that are situated in a single room of the house, a whole house air cleaner is installed directly into your ductwork and works in conjunction with your heating and cooling system. It operates out of sight of most living spaces and provides up to 99.98% cleaner air throughout your entire home. Air purifiers can also be installed that way and can provide even more protection.

Your air filter should be located in either the blower compartment of the furnace, in an attached filter rack/case, or in a return air grille in a wall or ceiling of your home. If you cannot find the air filter, or if you need to purchase filters, contact Beverly Services for assistance.

The standard hardware store type fiberglass filters should be replaced every six weeks when the system is running. Replace filters with the same kind and size as the original filter. If your filter is not disposable, follow the manufacturer's instructions for cleaning. Failure to clean or replace the filter can negatively affect the performance and life of your equipment, as well as your indoor air quality. Dirty filters can also void the manufacturer’s warranty on your furnace and air conditioner.

Air ducts, like any other HVAC system, require regular cleaning to ensure maximum efficiency. The National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) recommends air duct cleaning every three to five years. However, it really depends on your lifestyle. For example, if you have pets and or smokers in your home, or if you have allergies, it may prove beneficial to get them cleaned more often.