Tips & resources

Change your air filter regularly

Check your filter every month, especially during heavy use months (winter and summer). If the filter looks dirty after a month, change it. At a minimum, change the filter every 3 months. A dirty filter will slow down air flow and make the system work harder to keep you warm or cool — wasting energy. A clean filter will also prevent dust and dirt from building up in the system — leading to expensive maintenance and/or early system failure.

Tune up your HVAC Equipment

Proper maintenance by a qualified technician is one of the most important steps you can take to prevent future problems. Contractors get busy during summer and winter months, so it is best to check the cooling system in spring and the heating system in the fall.

Let Air Quest keep you on schedule! Sign up for a bi-annual Preventative Maintenance Service Agreement today!

FREON: R-410A vs. R-22

R-410A is the common name for hydro-fluorocarbon (HFC) that's used as a refrigerant (freon) in the HVAC industry. R-22 is the common name for hydro-chlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) and, as of January 1, 2010, HVAC manufacturers ceased production of products that used R-22.

R-410A is more environmentally friendly than R-22 which had been used as a refrigerant for over 40 years until studies showed that it contained an ozone-depleting agent.

What is Energy Star?

The Simple Choice for energy efficiency

Energy Star is a program that was created by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to help businesses and individuals make energy efficient purchases. This program places the ENERGY STAR label, a small blue and white logo, on items that meet superior energy efficiency standards. This label provides an easy way for consumers to identify quality, high-efficiency products.

Air Quest Heating & Cooling, Corp. can guide you in finding an energy efficient solution for your home or business. If you are considering updating your system with new, ENERGY STAR rated equipment, call 520-623-1400 for a free estimate.

common air conditioner problems

Refrigerant

Your refrigerant could be low or leaking. Call a trained technician to repair and recharge the system.

There are two types of refrigerant (also know as freon), R-22 and R-410A. If your system was manufactured before January 1, 2010 it may use R-22. If it was manufactured after January 1, 2010, your system will use R-410A refrigerant.

Thermostat issues

Check your thermostat to make sure it is set properly and it is reading the correct temperature.

And if your programmable thermostat runs on batteries, don't forget to change them each year. Some units will indicate when batteries need to be changed.

Drainage Problems

Check your unit's drain to make sure it isn't clogged. If plugged, the drain can cause water damage in the house, affect indoor humidity levels, and breed bacteria and mold.

When our technicians service your a/c or heat pump, the condensate drain is checked and cleared, if necessary, in order to avoid any of these potential problems.

Dirty Filter

A clogged filter restricts airflow through the unit, decreasing its efficiency and reducing its ability to effectively cool the air.

Check your filter once a month and change it at least every three months.

Quick tip! Before you install a new filter, write the date of installation on the side.

Did you know?

a programmable thermostat CAN SAVE YOU MONEY

Installing a programmable thermostat is ideal for people who are away from home during set periods of time throughout the week. Through proper use of pre-programmed settings, a programmable thermostat can save you about $180 every year in energy costs.*

How do you choose the right one for you? Check out this guide from Energy Star!

*https://www.energystar.gov/

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

Humidification Systems

Dry air can take a toll on your health and your physical comfort. It can also act like a giant sponge, soaking up moisture from everything that it touches in your home - your woodwork, wood floors and furnishings.

Call 520-623-1400 to learn how to hydrate the air in your home or business with humidification systems that are:

• Eco-friendly - use 70% less water than traditional whole-house humidifiers.
• Require minimal maintenance - no need to keep filling a water tank!
• Efficient - get moisture when you need it most, without having to run your heating and cooling system.

Air Filtration Systems & UV Air Purification

Living in the desert, we breathe in dust and allergens everyday. But what if you could filter the air you breathe inside your home or business? Find an indoor air quality solution that fits your needs with the help of our experts.

Air Filtrations Systems: These high-efficiency systems can filter out allergens such as dust, bacteria, viruses, pollen, tobacco smoke, pet dander and cooking smoke and grease.

UV Air Purification Systems: Utilize UV light to reduce airborne bacteria and contaminants while reducing odor.

Seal and Insulate

Ducts that move air to-and-from a forced air furnace, central air conditioner, or heat pump are often big energy wasters. Sealing and insulating ducts can improve the efficiency of your heating and cooling system by as much as 20 percent — and sometimes much more.

For more duct sealing tips, visit www.energystar.gov.

Other simple fixes include installing weather stripping on doors and caulking around windows, while bigger jobs might include sealing leaks and adding insulation in your attic.