Below are some of the most common questions homeowners ask about heating and air conditioning systems.

Q:What Is R-410A?

R-410A is an environmentally friendly, next-generation refrigerant. Many refrigerants developed before R-410A contain chlorine, which is harmful to the ozone layer. R-410A is chlorine-free and therefore better for the environment. In fact, the Clean Air Act requires that as of 2010, all new air conditioning and heat pump units manufactured in North America will use chlorine-free refrigerants. So by choosing an R-410A air conditioner or heat pump, you're getting the latest in refrigerant technology . . . and helping the environment! top

Why Was R-410A Developed?

R-410A was developed in response to an agreement between numerous countries (known as the Montreal Protocol) that stated that those countries would move toward discontinuing the use of hydrochloro-fluorocarbon (HCFC)-based refrigerants. HCFCs are widely accepted to be ozone-depleting chemical compounds, and R-410A, a non-HCFC-based refrigerant, is a much more environmentally-friendly product. top

How Can I Be Sure R-410A Is "The One"?

The first units built using R-410A were introduced in 1995. Today, all of the major manufacturers of residential HVAC equipment are building units that use R-410A. These companies have made the investments necessary in retooling their manufacturing facilities to build new units designed to work specifically with R-410A. top

R-410A: Becoming is the Standard

Becerril Air has been a leader in this new transition and has Eco-Friendly equipment and is currently manufacturing all of its mini-split line with R-410a. The HVAC industry is fast moving toward R-410A being the ONLY refrigerant used in the USA for the manufacture of residential air conditioning equipment. The year 2010 is closer than you think. top

Q: Why should I replace my existing furnace or air conditioner?
A: You may wish to consider replacing your furnace or air conditioner 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 three years ago. In addition, if not properly maintained, wear and tear on a furnace or air conditioner 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 heating or cooling equipment 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. If you plan on financing the purchase, the monthly savings on your utility bill should be considered when determining the actual monthly cost of replacing a system. The offsetting savings may permit you to purchase a more efficient system. top


Q: How expensive are air conditioners and heat pumps?
A: Many factors affect the cost of a heating or air conditioning system, including the size of your home, the type and condition of the duct work installed and accessories you might need such as a thermostat or an electronic air cleaner. We have a complete range of systems and accessories available to meet all your needs, including your financial ones! Becerril Air will be happy to assist you in finding the right system to meet not only your comfort needs but also your household budget. top


Q: How do I select the right heating and cooling products?
A: First, make sure the unit is properly sized. Becerril Air's comfort advisor will provide a physical measurement and calculation for your home. Next, consider any comfort issues in the home. Some products can reduce air stratification and uneven temperatures from room to room. If you have allergies, an indoor unit with an ECM motor will allow you to circulate the air in your home continuously while filtering the air for about the same cost as operating a standard light bulb. Finally, know your budget parameters and the efficiency of the system being proposed. Does the system offer a payback? In other words, will the monthly savings over time offset the cost of the new unit or efficiency option being considered? top


Q: What is involved in replacing an old furnace or air conditioner?
A: Aside from the placement of the new equipment, Becerril Air's comfort advisor will inspect your homes air conditioning system and make a determination as to whether or not specific items may need to be replaced. Some of the items include: duct work, insulation, refrigerant piping, electrical service, wiring, thermostat, condensate piping, flue piping, flue terminations, filter, driers, registers, grills, drain pans, evaporator coil and thermostat. top


Q: What is involved in installing a new heating or air conditioning system?
A: If a forced air system is being added to the home for the first time, most of the items noted in the previous question and answer may be required to install the new system. Besides the equipment, the most significant component is duct work. The duct work can be either metal or fiberglass duct work. The duct work needs to be properly sealed to deliver the right amount of air to each room. The duct work consists of supply and return duct work. The supply duct is attached to the outlet of the furnace or air handler and delivers air to individual zones in your home. Becerril Air will determine the size of the duct work going into a space by the amount of air that needs to be delivered to the space. top


Q: How long can I expect a new furnace or air conditioner to last?
A: If you have our qualified technicians perform regular preventative maintenance and service suggested for your unit, industry averages suggest that an air conditioner should last 8-10 years (sea coast applications may be less) and a gas furnace should last as many as 10-12 years. top


Q: What are some preventative maintenance things I should be aware of?
A: With the proper attention, heating and cooling systems can keep you comfortable year-round. Heat pumps and oil-fired furnaces need a yearly professional tune-up. Gas-fired equipment, on the other hand, burns cleaner and can be serviced every other year. A close inspection will uncover leaks, soot, rust, rot, corroded electrical contacts and frayed wires. In furnace (forced-air) systems, the inspection should also cover duct work, dampers or valves, blower or pump, registers, the fuel line and every part of the furnace. top

Next, the system should be run through a full heating cycle to ensure that it has plenty of combustion air. Finally, cleaning the burner and heat exchanger to remove soot and other gunk will prevent such buildup from impeding smooth operation. For the burner, efficiency hinges on adjusting the flame to the right size and color, adjusting the flow of gas or changing the fuel filter in an oil-fired system. A check of the heat pump should include an inspection of the compressor, fan, indoor and outdoor coils and refrigerant lines. Indoor and outdoor coils should be cleaned, and the refrigerant pressure should be checked at least once a year. top

Blower
Tuning up the distribution side of a forced-air system starts with the blower. The axle should be lubricated, blades cleaned and lower motor checked to insure the unit isn't being overloaded. The fan belt should be adjusted so it deflects no more than an inch when pressed. Every accessible joint in the duct work should be sealed with mastic or UL-approved duct tapes. Any ducts that run outside the heated space should be insulated. top

Thermostat
While thermostats rarely fail outright, they can degrade over time as mechanical parts stick or lose their calibration. Older units will send faulty signals if they've been knocked out of level or have dirty switches. To re-calibrate an older unit, use a wrench to adjust the nut on the back of the mercury switch until it turns the system on and, using a room thermometer, set it to the correct temperature. Modern electronic thermostats, sealed at the factory to keep out dust and grime, rarely need adjusting. However, whether your thermostat is old or young, the hole where the thermostat wire comes through the wall needs to be sealed, or a draft could trick it into thinking the room is warmer or colder than it really is. top

Humidifier
A neglected in-duct humidifier can breed mildew and bacteria, not to mention add too much moisture to a house. A common mistake with humidifiers is leaving them on after the heating season ends. Don't forget to pull the plug, shut the water valve and drain the unit. A unit with a water reservoir should be drained and cleaned with white vinegar, a mix of one part chlorine bleach to eight parts water or muriatic acid. Mist-type humidifiers also require regular cleaning to remove mineral deposits. top

Filters
Most houses with air conditioning have a standard filter made from loosely woven spun-glass fibers designed to keep it and its duct work clean. Unfortunately, they don't improve indoor air quality. That takes a media filter, which sits in between the main return duct and the blower cabinet. Made of a deeply pleated, paper-like material, media filters are at least seven times better than a standard filter at removing dust and other particles. An upgrade to a pleated media filter will cleanse the air of everything from insecticide dust to flu viruses. Compressed, media filters are usually no wider than six inches, but the pleated material can cover up to 75 square feet when stretched out. This increased area of filtration accounts for the filter's long life, which can exceed two years. The only drawback to a media filter is its tight weave, which can restrict a furnace's ability to blow air through the house. To insure a steady, strong airflow through the house, choose a filter that matches your blower's capacity. top

Duct Cleaning
A maze of heating and air conditioning ducts runs inside the walls and floors of 80 percent of American homes. As the supply ducts blow air into the rooms, return ducts inhale airborne dust and suck it back into the blower. Add moisture to this mixture and you've got a breeding ground for allergy-inducing molds, mites and bacteria. Many filters commonly used today can't keep dust and debris from streaming into the air and over time sizable accumulations can form — think dust bunnies, but bigger.
To find out if your ducts need cleaning, pull off some supply and return registers and take a look. If a new furnace is being installed, you should probably invest in a duct cleaning at the same time, because chances are the new blower will be more powerful than the old one and will stir up a lot of dust.
Professional duct cleaners tout such benefits as cleaner indoor air, longer equipment life and lower energy costs. Clean HVAC systems can also perform more efficiently, which may decrease energy costs, and last longer, reducing the need for costly replacement or repairs. Cleaning has little effect on air quality, primarily because most indoor dust drifts in from the outdoors. But it does get rid of the stuff that mold and bacteria grow on, and that means less of it gets airborne, a boon to allergy sufferers. top


Q: Should I change my indoor air conditioning coil?
A: When replacing your air conditioner or heat pump, the answer is most likely yes. The efficiency ratings that are advertised for an air conditioner or heat pump are based on the performance as part of a matched system. If only the outdoor portion is changed, the efficiency and savings could be less than that of a matched system. top

Q: What about Duct Cleaning?

A: A maze of heating and air conditioning ducts runs inside the walls and floors of 80 percent of American homes. As the supply ducts blow air into the rooms, return ducts inhale airborne dust and suck it back into the blower. Add moisture to this mixture and you've got a breeding ground for allergy-inducing molds, mites and bacteria. Many filters commonly used today can't keep dust and debris from streaming into the air and over time sizable accumulations can form — think dust bunnies, but bigger.

To find out if your ducts need cleaning, pull off some supply and return registers and take a look. If a new furnace is being installed, you should probably invest in cleaning your ducts at the same time, because chances are the new blower will be more powerful than the old one and will stir up a lot of dust.
Professional duct cleaners tout such benefits as cleaner indoor air, longer equipment life and lower energy costs. Clean HVAC systems can also perform more efficiently, which may decrease energy costs, and last longer, reducing the need for costly replacement or repairs. Most indoor dust drifts in from the outdoors, but cleaning your ducts does get rid of the stuff that mold and bacteria grow on, and that means less of it gets airborne, good news for allergy sufferers.

top