Frequently Asked Questions 

What is the most efficient thermostat setting for heating and cooling? 

The best setting for heating is the lowest temperature at which you are comfortable. Most people can be comfortable at a setting of 68 to 70 degrees, and each degree higher that that can increase your heating cost by 1-2%. For cooling, the best setting is the highest temperature at which you are comfortable. We recommend 75 degrees when you are at home and 80 degrees whenwhile you are away. As a rule, raising the thermostat 2 degrees will reduce your cooling cost by 5%.

Is a programmable setback thermostat worth the investment?

A dual setback programmable thermostat can reduce energy consumption by 16 to 25 percent, according to a study published in the ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers) Journal.

How often should I change the filters in my forced air heating or cooling system?

You should check your filters on a regular basis (monthly checks are recommended), and replace them whenever they appear dirty. A dirty filter can interfere with the proper air flow through the system, making it work harder and increasing operating costs.

How often should I have my system serviced?

Any central heating and cooling system should be checked and maintained by a qualified service person once a year. Annual maintenance can extend the life of the system while also maintaining optimum efficiency.

What can I do if my heating and air conditioning system is not operating?

First, check that your thermostat switch is set to heat or cool as needed. Second, check your fuse or breaker to be sure that you power is uninterupted. Third, check that you are not out of fuel (LP, Oil, etc.) Fourth, check and clean your filters so as not to restrict the air flow. After doing these checks, call Howard Adams Heating and Air Conditioning Co @ 513-821-2700 for expert repair service.

I only turn my air conditioner on when the temperature is over 85 degrees. Is this ok?

Air conditioning uses about 75% of its operating cost to lower temperature. The other 25% is used to lower humidity. When you only operate your air conditioner during extreme temperatures, you can seldom lower the moisture level in your home to a comfortable level. 

Glossary of Terms

Though your definitions of “comfort” may be different than your neighbor’s, knowing these terms can help make your search for improved comfort and efficiency much less confusing and much more effective.

ACCA- Air Conditioning Contractors of America, a trade association.

Advanced Reciprocating Compressor- Type of compressor that uses a more efficient process for compressing refrigerant for better cooling efficiency.

AFUE- Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency.  Indicated as a percentage, your furnace’s AFUE tells you how much energy is being converted to heat.  For example, an AFUE of 90 means that 90% of the fuel is being used to warm you home, while the other 10% escapes as exhaust with the combustion gases.

Air Changes- A method of expressing the amount of air leakage into and out of a building or room. One air change would mean the volume of air in a home has been replaced one time.

Boiler- A device to heat water, which is then used to condition the occupied space of a building.

BTU- British Thermal Unit.  Used for both heating and cooling, BTU is a measure of the heat given off when fuel is combusted. One BTU is equal to the heat given off by a wooden kitchen match.

Capacity- The ability of a heating or cooling system to heat or cool a given amount of space.  For heating, this is usually expressed in BTU’s.  For cooling, it is usually given in tons.

CFM- (Cubic Feet per Minute) - A flow rate to measure the quantity of air moving through a fan or air duct or the amount of air delivered to a room.

Compressor-  Part of a split system heat pump or air conditioner’s outdoor unit that controls the pressure applied to the refrigerant, necessary for taking in heat to warm your home or getting rid of heat to keep your home cool.

Conditioned Space-  An enclosed space that is mechanically heated and/or cooled.

Condenser Coil-  Part of a split-system air conditioner or heat pump.  By converting refrigerant that is in a gas form back to a liquid, the coil sends heat carried by the refrigerant to the outside.

Damper- A type of “valve” used in ductwork that opens or closes to control airflow.  Used in zoning to control the amount of warm or cold air entering certain areas of your home.

Downflow- A type of furnace that takes cool air from the top and blows warm air to the bottom—common when your furnace must be located in a second-floor closet or utility area.

Electronic Air Cleaner (EAC)- An electronic device that filters out large particles and contaminants in indoor air.  It then electronically pulls out tiny particles that have been magnetized, such as viruses and bacteria, drawing them to a collector plate.

gpm- gallons per minute of liquid

HVAC- Term used for Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning.

Heat Gain- The increase in the amount of heat contained in a home as a result of solar load, infiltration, of warm air,and the heat transmitted through the walls, ceiling, floors,doors, and windows when it is warmer outside the home than inside.

Heat Loss- The decrease in the amount of heat contained in a home resulting from heat flow through, windows, and roof, and air leakage when it is colder outside the home than in side.

Infiltration- The uncontrolled movement of air into and out of  the conditioned space through cracks and holes in the building envelope.

Load Estimate- A series of studies performed to determine the heating or cooling requirements of your home.  An energy load analysis uses information such as the square footage of your home, window and door areas, insulation quality and local climate to determine the heating and cooling capacity needed by your furnace, heat pump or air conditioner.

Evaporator Coil- Part of a split system air conditioner or heat pump located indoors.  The evaporator coil cools and dehumidifies the air by converting liquid refrigerant into a gas, which absorbs the heat from the air.  The warmest refrigerant is then carried through a tube to the outdoor unit (condenser coil).

Fan Coil- An indoor component of a heat pump system, used in place of a furnace, to provide additional heating on cold days when the heat pump does not provide adequate heating.

HSPF- The Heating Seasonal Performance Factor is a measure of the heating efficiency of a heat pump.  The higher the HSPF number, the more efficiently the heat pump heats your home.

Horizontal Flow- A type of furnace, installed on its “side,” that draws in air from one side, heats it and sends the warm air out the other side.  Most often used for installations in attics or crawl spaces.

Humidifier- A piece of equipment that adds water vapor to heated air as it moves out of the furnace.  This adds necessary moisture to protect your furnishings and reduce static electricity.

Matched System- A heating and cooling system comprised of products that have been certified to perform at promised comfort and efficiency levels when used together, and used according to design and engineering specifications.

MERV- (Mimimum Efficiency Reporting Value). The rating standard for efficiencies of filters. The higher the rating, the better the protection for the equipment and the occupants. Recommended ratings are MERV 8-13.

Operating Cost- The day-to-day cost of running your home comfort equipment, based on energy use.

Payback Analysis- Overall measure of the efficiency and value of your home comfort system.  By combining your purchase price and ongoing operating costs, a payback analysis determines the number of years required before monthly energy savings offset the purchase price.

Reclaiming- Returning used refrigerant to the manufacturer for disposal or reuse.

Reciprocating Compressor- A type of compressor used in air conditioners that compress refrigerant by using a type of “piston” action.

Recycling- Removing, cleaning and reusing refrigerant.

SEER- The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio is a measure of the cooling efficiency of your air conditioner or heat pump.  The higher the SEER number, the more efficient the system is at converting electricity into cooling power.

Scroll Compressor- A specially designed compressor that works in a circular motion versus an up and down piston action.

Setback Thermostat- A state-of-the-art electronic thermostat with a built-in memory that can be programmed for different temperature settings at different times of the day and night.

Split System- Refers to an air conditioner or heat pump that has components in two locations. Usually, one part of the system is located inside (evaporator coil) and the other is located outside your home (condenser coil).

Thermostat- Unit that monitors and controls your HVAC system products.

Ton- A unit of measure for cooling capacity.  One ton=12,000 BTUs per hour.

Total Home Comfort System- The ultimate solution to providing you with consistent, customized home comfort, despite the ever-changing weather.

Upflow- A type of furnace that draws cool air from the bottom and blows the warmed air out the top into the duct work.  This type of furnace is usually installed in a basement or an out-of-the-way closet.

Ventilator- A ventilator is the controlled movement of outside air which captures heatedor cooled energy from stale indoor air and transfers it to fresh incoming air.

Zoning- A way to increase your home comfort and energy efficiency by controlling when and where heating and cooling occurs in a home.  Programmable thermostats are used to
control operating times of the equipment.  Dampers are used to direct airflow to certain parts or “zones” of the home.