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FAQs

Common questions about your HVAC system answered

Heating and Cooling systems are quite complex—often, home and business owners have questions about how these systems work, as well as how to address common problems. Here at Roth Home, we believe that informed property owners make the best property owners! With that in mind, we offer answers to some of the most commonly-asked Heating and Air Conditioning questions in our helpful FAQs! Find the answers you need below!

Heating & Air Conditioning

An air conditioner works by pulling air in to meet the evaporator coil. This coil extracts warmth from the air using cold refrigerant. As the refrigerant takes in heat, it is converted into a gas. The heated gas can now travel to the compressor where it is released outside your home. Once the heat from the refrigerant is pushed outside, the refrigerant cools and becomes a liquid again. It can now return to the evaporator coil and continue the cooling process. This system keeps the indoor temperature comfortable and regulated, even on hot summer days.
The furnace's burner generates heat by burning propane or natural gas. This heat then flows through a heat exchanger. The air from the ductwork in the house is then blown over the heat exchanger, resulting in the air being warmed.
A split HVAC system consists of an indoor unit and an outdoor unit that are interconnected by copper tubing. The outdoor part of this system is known as a heat pump. Despite its name, a heat pump delivers both heating and cooling. Split systems are known for being energy-efficient and easy to install.
A zone control system uses thermostats connected to a central control panel to open and close dampers in your ductwork. This controls the flow of hot or cold air. Each thermostat sets the temperature for its zone, while the system handles the rest of the tasks.
You can lower your energy bills by installing a new, energy-efficient system, scheduling annual maintenance to ensure peak performance, and setting up a schedule on your programmable thermostat.
Typically, you should change your air filter every three months. It depends on the type of filtration system and conditions inside the home (kids, pets, dust, etc.). Sometimes filters need to be changed at sooner intervals. We recommend checking them once a month. After the first year you will get an idea of the schedule.
You shouldn’t close vents in your home, even in unused rooms. When the vents are closed, pressure can build in the ducts, leading to undue strain on your HVAC system. This can reduce the efficiency of your system and lead to premature breakdowns. If you must close a vent during the summer, close it no more than three quarters of the way.

Choosing a New HVAC System

The size you choose for your new HVAC system will depend on the square footage of your home and the quality of its insulation. Sizing for HVAC systems is typically measured in British Thermal Units, or BTUs. An average-sized home will require between 68,000 and 82,000 BTUs, but this can vary based on your home’s individual needs. For a personalized HVAC sizing, reach out to the Roth Home team!
Generally, your new furnace should have 30-60 BTUs per square foot of your home. On average, your home will need a furnace with 45,000 - 90,000 BTUs, however this number will vary for smaller or larger homes.
An average-sized home will need a heat pump with 36,000 BTUs. However, you shouldn’t over or underestimate your BTU needs. For the most-efficient heating and cooling, it’s important to get a professional sizing.

ENERGY STAR certified products save energy and cut down on utility bills without sacrificing performance. In order to obtain the ENERGY STAR certification, products must adhere to rigorous energy efficiency standards established by either the EPA or the US Department of Energy.

SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. It represents the cooling output of an air conditioner in an average cooling season divided by the total energy used. In the most simple terms, it represents the peak efficiency that’s possible. A good SEER rating is typically considered to be 18 or higher.
HSPF stands for Heating Seasonal Performance Factor, and it's a measure of heat pump energy efficiency. Similar to SEER, it measures the average heating output divided by the total energy used. A good HSPF rating is considered to be between 8 and 10.

A new HVAC system typically costs between $5,000 and $12,000. Roth Home offers convenient financing options through Greensky.

HVAC Maintenance

Yes, most HVAC professionals agree that homeowners should schedule annual maintenance for both their heater and air conditioner. This service prevents safety issues, catches small problems like cracks and leaks, improves energy efficiency, and extends the life of your system.
You should schedule HVAC maintenance twice a year—once in the spring for AC equipment, and once in the fall for heating equipment.

Thermostats

We recommend setting your thermostat between 68 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the year. You may wish to program your thermostat differently at night or while you’re away from home to save on energy costs. In hot weather, setting your thermostat lower than 72 degrees will not make a difference.
This can happen for several different reasons. Before calling a service technician, check that your circuit breakers are on and your air filter is clean.

Plumbing

An unexpectedly high water bill without any visible leaks may indicate a malfunctioning water meter. To verify this, one of the easiest methods is to refrain from using water for a few hours and then inspect the meter. Other common causes include a running toilet, faucet drips, or leaks hidden behind walls or floors.
White residue on your faucets can be attributed to mineral deposits, specifically calcium and magnesium. These minerals naturally exist in tap water, and when the water evaporates, they can solidify and create a powdery buildup on your fixtures.
To stop diseases from spreading and to avoid skin burns, the EPA recommends keeping your water heater temperature at 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
It's a good idea to have your septic system inspected once every year to check the levels of sludge and solids. On average, you should have your tank drained every two to three years, or more often when needed.

Electrical

A GFCI, or ground fault circuit interrupter, is an electrical device that can protect you from dangerous shocks. They’re commonly used in kitchens, bathrooms, and other areas where water is used. They can be built into your new electrical system or retrofitted.
Flickering lights can indicate wiring issues, problems with load capacity, or a loose neutral connection. Our electricians will examine all angles to get to the root cause.
If your outlets smell like burning, you may have damaged wiring, a circuit overload, or you may have an electrical fire on your hands. To protect your home, immediately turn off the circuit at the breaker box and call Roth Home’s electricians for assistance.

Yes, it's safe to leave your electric car plugged into a level 2 charger overnight or even longer. While it’s generally not harmful to your car or battery to leave it plugged in after reaching a full charge, you should always consult your owner’s manual.

Drains

A garbage disposal will start to smell when food or grease buildup isn’t properly washed away. This typically happens when there’s a clog in your drain.
To prevent your pipes from freezing, let the faucet drip continuously during freezing nights or when you’ll be away from home for long periods. Additionally, you can adjust your thermostat to help maintain a more consistent temperature in your home.
If your drain keeps getting clogged, it may be a sign of a bigger problem. Blockages can build up over time from soap, grease, hair, and other waste. While small blockages can be fixed at home, recurring blockages might mean a more serious issue in your drain pipe that needs attention.
Hydro-jetting is a method used to clear clogged drains and sewage lines. The water pressure of hydro-jetting can reach up to 4000 psi, making it effective for clearing tough blockages.
Trenchless sewer repair is a method of repairing or replacing pipelines that doesn't require digging up landscaping, sidewalks, or other features around your home. It’s ideal for those looking for a non-invasive way to repair or replace old sewer lines.

Duct Cleaning

Air ducts are important for moving air around a building to keep it at the right temperature. Air vents are the openings that let air into different rooms, making sure they are comfortable and well-ventilated.

The National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) suggests that air duct cleaning should be done every three to five years for optimal performance. However, the frequency of cleaning may vary depending on several factors:

Environment:
If you have allergies, pets, or recently renovated your home, you may need to clean your ducts more often. You should also consider cleaning more frequently if you live in a high-humidity climate.

Mold growth:
You should also consider cleaning your ducts if you notice visible mold growth inside hard surface ducts or on other components of your HVAC system.

Dirty ducts:
You can tell if your ducts need cleaning if there’s dust or debris around vents and supply registers, or if you have to clean your air vents more than once a month. You may also notice more dust on furniture near air vents, or if your HVAC system emits a dusty or musty smell when you turn it on.

Appointments

No, you don't have to be there, but it would be best—our technicians typically have a lot of information to share with you. However, if you cannot be home, we can make other arrangements. When you call in to set up a service appointment, let us know if you need us to meet a neighbor or friend. Either way, we will need a phone number to call and confirm that someone is available to meet our technician.
Unfortunately, there is no way to tell how long each service call in our schedule will take. We may also experience other delays like traffic or last minute cancellations. Regardless, we stay with each customer until we have completed the work. We will do the same thing for you.
You can cancel at any time. We just politely ask you to be courteous and call as soon as possible; your friends and neighbors may be waiting for a technician as well.
Yes, you can and we will do our best to accommodate your request. However, keep in mind that your favorite technician may only be trained or certified for certain tasks, and requesting a specific technician may take longer than usual.
Our technician's van is fully stocked to make almost any repair on the same day as service. Sometimes we have to order parts; in these cases we will return after the parts arrive. Occasionally, in the summer, air conditioning coils freeze over. In these cases, the technician will have to return once the ice has melted.
If you have an emergency, simply call our office number. Even after hours a real person will answer the phone to assist you. We’ll get you scheduled for service as soon as possible.
Yes! We have an exciting new software system that will send a paperless document to your email account. It will have the details regarding the service call, receipt of payment, and recommendations that could improve your HVAC system. We can also leave you with a hard copy of your technician's findings if you would prefer.
Call our office phone number. We store all your service records in our computer system under your address. If we can't help you based on that information, the technician who helped you will contact you directly.
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