HVAC Questions, AnsweredStraight answers about repair, replacement and maintenance

Frequently asked questions

• How fast can a tech get to my house?

  Call and we tell you the next open slot while you are on the phone. No heat and no cooling calls go first. When the schedule is full we say so instead of promising a window we cannot keep.

• Is there a fee to diagnose the problem?

  The visit is priced when you book. It covers finding the actual fault and a written repair price. If you go ahead with the repair, that is the price you pay, no surprises added later.

• Should I repair or replace my system?

  It comes down to the age of the equipment, the size of the repair, and how it has been running. Most furnaces and air conditioners run fifteen to twenty years, heat pumps a bit less. We give you both numbers and tell you which one we would choose for our own house.

• What size system does my house need?

  The size a load calculation says, based on square footage, insulation, windows, ceiling height and ductwork. Copying the old nameplate is how houses end up with oversized equipment that short cycles.

• Heat pump or furnace for a Winchester home?

  A heat pump handles most of the Valley winter and cools in summer. In the coldest stretches a gas furnace is cheaper to run. Dual fuel pairs the two. Which is right depends on your fuel and the house, and we walk through it with you.

• Why is my AC freezing up?

  Usually restricted airflow from a dirty filter or coil, or a refrigerant leak. Shut the system off so the ice melts, change the filter and call. Running it frozen can kill the compressor.

• Why does my furnace keep turning on and off?

  Short cycling is often a clogged filter tripping the limit switch, a dirty flame sensor, or a furnace that is oversized for the house. The tech narrows it down quickly.

• How often should I change the filter?

  Every one to three months depending on the filter type, pets and how much the system runs. A clogged filter is the single most common cause of the calls we get.

• How often should the system be serviced?

  Once a year for a furnace or air conditioner, twice a year for a heat pump because it runs year round. Our maintenance plans put the visits on the calendar.

• Do you work on all brands?

  Yes, every major brand.

• Which towns do you serve?

  Winchester, Stephens City, Front Royal, Berryville, Strasburg and Martinsburg WV, plus the smaller places in between. See the service area page.