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How Do You Know What Kind Of Furnace Do You Have?

Furnaces are age-old heating units that have been serving most American households during winters. All thanks to their low operating noise, high energy efficiency, and long lifespans. In addition, furnaces can be easily installed in every type of house.

However, many homeowners are not aware of the type of furnace installed. That’s right; a furnace can be of various types depending on the energy source. If you are not sure about the type of furnace at your home, you might consult a professional heater installation in Phenix City.

Meanwhile, here is a little guide on the three major types of furnaces available in the market.

3 Different Types of Furnaces

  • Gas Furnace
    The most common type of furnace you can find in houses is the gas furnace. Also known as a natural gas furnace, this heating unit uses gas coming from the municipal line.
    The furnace is equipped with gas jets that operate along the burner ignite to create the hot combustion gas. This eventually raises the temperature of the air, which is then circulated in the house by the fans. Gas furnaces are pretty effective at creating and distributing heating evenly and do not cost much to run. The primary reason behind its low operating cost is the low prices of gas compared to other fuels.
    However, if you experience cold spots much often, you might need to contact a professional HVAC service near me.
  • Oil Furnace
    Not every household can have access to natural gas pipelines. In such cases, you might have an oil furnace. If you are situated in cold environments such as the northeastern United States, you most probably have an oil furnace. As the name suggests, oil furnaces use oil as a fuel to produce heat.
    However, keep in mind that oil furnaces are less energy-efficient than gas furnaces. A typical AFUE rating for oil furnaces is around 80-90 percent, whereas, for gas furnaces, it is about 88-98 percent.
  • Electric Furnace
    If you don’t have a natural gas line connected to your house, you can contact the heater installation in Phenix City for an electric furnace. This heating system is an electrically powered furnace in which electricity is converted into heat and transferred to the air. Electric furnaces are also quite inexpensive and compact as compared to other furnaces, making them easy to fit into small living spaces as well. However, like oil furnaces, electric furnaces are usually a lot less efficient than gas furnaces. Nevertheless, they can be a perfect fit for many households depending on the scenario.
    Heat pumps emerge as a great alternative to furnaces. This HVAC unit also runs on electricity and can heat and cool your home. If you are located in a mildly cold region, you can enjoy warm and comfortable winters with a heat pump alone!

So, if you think you need a new furnace or a replacement, you can trust us. We provide the best heating installation, service, replacement, and HVAC repair near me.

Call us today at (334) 297-9820 to schedule a service!

How to Read Your Furnace Model Number?

We often buy things without bothering much about the model number or a serial number of that thing. But have you ever wondered what secrets or information the model number can tell about your product? When it comes to furnaces, it becomes important to check the model number so that you can keep track of all the information on it. The model number of a furnace can vary according to the company or the type of the furnace. The model number can also determine a lot of information about the product which we might have missed during the purchase of the product.

The model number of a furnace is divided into different parts which can tell different things about your product. However, the model numbers can be encoded differently by different companies which can tell you different things about the product. Generally, the serial number can be like G26Q3/4-100-1 or it can be a ten-digit number like 1404123456.

These Things Can be Easily Determined Using the Model Number –

  1. Series Number
    The first three digits, that is G26 in the above example can tell us about the series number of the product. G here stands for Gas and 26 means 26th unit produced in the lot.
  2. Unit capacity or Size
    The next three digits, that is Q3/4 can tell you about the capacity and size of your furnace unit. Q3/4 here refers to 3-ton or 4-ton unit capacity. There is 400 CFM(cubic feet per minute) of airflow per ton. This means that the capability of the air movement of a particular unit is 1200/1600 CFM.
  3. Age of the Unit
    Some furnace models of a particular company like Goodman can also tell you about the age of your unit by telling in which month and year the unit was manufactured. For example in model number 1404123456, the first four digits, that is 1404 tells you that this unit was manufactured in April 2014. Some companies like Lennox tell you about age by using alphabets where A stands for January, B stands for February, and so on.
  4. BTU Rating
    BTU (British Thermal Unit) rating is the rating in thousands that determines the efficiency of the unit. In the above example, 100 refers to the BTU rating which is 100,000. This furnace has an input of 100,000 BTUs. Output depends upon the efficiency of the furnace. If this furnace is 90% efficient so the output will be 90,000 BTUs.
  5. Revision (Dash) Number
    The last number shows the number of revisions that have been made to the model series. This number indicates the revision has occurred to the model series not requiring a series change. This revision number is very important in repair part identification.

Sometimes, model numbers can also tell you a lot of things about the things we purchase but we didn’t pay attention to while purchasing. Different types of furnaces from different companies have different data on their model or serial numbers. If we know how to properly read the serial number of the furnace, we can easily determine many things about it by ourselves.

You can also check out Priority Indoor Comfort for getting the cheapest heater repair in Phenix City. They also provide the best furnace repair and service in Phenix City. Their team is available 24×7 and they have professionals who are experts in their fields and provide the best service.

How Often Do You Have To Clean Your Outside AC Unit?

Your air conditioner should be able to adequately transfer heat from within your house to the outside to perform successfully. Most of the time our inside unit of AC is fine but the problem arises with the outside HVAC unit. The outdoor heat pump unit contains the compressor and condenser. Like the radiator in a car, the condenser fins let the system dissipate heat more efficiently.

Cleaning an outside air conditioner isn’t difficult, but the time and work you put in will be well worth it in terms of improved energy efficiency and convenience for your family, whether it’s winter or summer. Coils are the main part that is needed to be cleaned. Most owners only need to do this twice a year: once before the summer season begins and once before the winter season. So, look for an AC contractor in Phenix City.

Importance of Cleaning The Coils

Dirty evaporator and condenser coils can increase the energy consumption of your AC Unit by more than 30%. Lower heat transfer efficiency can also cause poor cooling performance, frozen evaporator coils, and compressor overheating.

How To Keep Your Coils Away From Dirt

It’s crucial to inspect the air filter at least once a month and change it as needed to maintain the evaporator coils clean. A clogged air filter can cause dust and debris to collect on the evaporator rather than the air filter, and it can also limit airflow in the system, causing other issues.

Keep a two-foot radius surrounding the condenser unit clear of vegetation and debris, such as trash, long grass, plants, and overhanging trees or shrubs, to keep the condenser coils clean. Large material should be removed because it falls into the condenser coils, large material should be removed, and clippings should be discharged away from the condenser when mowing.

How To Clean The Coils

The evaporator and condenser coil fins are extremely sensitive and can be bent with a small amount of force. The rest of the cleaning should be left to an air conditioning contractor, who will clean the coils as part of a routine maintenance visit. Air conditioning maintenance should ideally be done twice a year, however for certain systems, once would be sufficient.

The condenser coils are often cleaned between visits by removing big debris and washing the coils with a hose after turning off the facility. Because the evaporator is often difficult to reach, it should be cleaned by a specialist. So, look for air conditioner installation in Phenix City.

Why Hire A Professional?

There are things only a professional can do. With the necessary credentials and qualifications, an expert will be in a far better position to address or resolve any issues that arise during the cleaning process, as well as nip any potential issues in the bud.

At Priority Indoor Comfort, we offer high-quality services at reasonable prices to our consumers. you’ll contact us by calling at (334) 297-9820.

Do Dirty Air Filters Affect The Performance of An AC?

Air conditioning systems are vital to any household, in any season. While many people invest in air conditioners only for combatting the heat during summers, these units serve so much more functions other than that. With air pollution increasing at unbelievable levels, an AC is the layer of protection that blows clean and filtered air inside your home. Air filters, especially, are the central components that serve the function of preventing dust and debris from entering your home.

Obviously, when such a pivotal component of the air conditioner is not in its best condition, problems ensue. From AC failures to improper air flow, there are numerous problems caused due to dirty air filters. When there are some issues with your air conditioning unit, it is for the best if you hire a professional from an air conditioner contractor in Phenix City and have it serviced.

Take a Look at Some of The Common Problems That Occur Due to Dirty and Clogged Air Filters

  • Polluted Air

As the AC preserves the quality of air that enters your home, clogged filters play a major role in disrupting this. Due to their improper functioning, debris blocks the way of airflow. Sometimes, the dirty filters pave the way for the spread of air-borne diseases. All this leads to the quality of air getting degraded, which will lead to health issues for the members of the household.

  • Damaged Coils

Due to the improper flow of air, the evaporator coil will begin to malfunction. Also, other coils that play a key role in the functioning of the air conditioner will be damaged. This will lead to problems like water leakage and no cooling. In some severe cases of wreckage, the coils will need replacement. To avoid such problems, you can schedule an AC repair in Phenix City with us and resolve the issue at an early stage.

  • System Failure

With the dirt clogging in air filters, the inner parts and ducts will also get sedimented with dust eventually. Sometimes, the above-mentioned coils could also get damaged forever due to overwork and heat. So, there is a possibility for the failure of the system to happen. And all this just because of dirty air filters. To avoid any costly repairs or replacements, clean these filters periodically.

  • Reduced Efficiency

When the air filters in your AC are dirty, the unit struggles to function normally. As the air conditioning system strains hard to maintain the temperature set by the thermostat, the energy consumption goes up. The efficiency of the unit drops down and the energy bills spike significantly. If you are looking to replace some parts of your AC, you can contact an air conditioner contractor in Phenix City and know more.

The best solution to all these problems is the frequent cleaning of air filters. Also, you can schedule a tune-up or an AC repair in Phenix City with us. Get in touch with us by giving a call to (334) 297-9820 and access the best services!

This Should Be Your Tune-up Schedule For Air Conditioners

If you live somewhere warm in the United States during the summertime, you know how important air conditioning is. No matter how hot it is outside, air conditioning enables the air inside a home to be kept cool. Your air conditioning cable is geared up of a variety of blades, wires, tubes, and other things that may wear out over time and reduce the effectiveness of your system. Therefore they must be checked often.

For homes, this involves scheduling an AC tune-up with a company of AC repair in Phenix City. It is basic maintenance for any system and will keep your air conditioner running well for many years. How many times should you have your air conditioner tested and tuned up as a homeowner? Let’s figure it out.

How Often Will Your AC Need a Tune-Up?

The HVAC professionals recommend an annual checkup for most households. You don’t want anybody looking at your air conditioner; you want a professional company of AC tune-up in Phenix city to inspect it. The yearly inspection should occur for most households during the spring months when the temperatures start to rise outside.

During an AC checkup, the expert will examine all parts of your air conditioner and check the status of any things that need to be replaced or fixed, and in most cases, the repairs will be done on the spot.
The technician of AC repair in Phenix City will also check any components as required. They will inform you of any future projects that may be required, as well as maintenance suggestions to keep your machine running well. After the HVAC technician has finished repairing your unit, you can be assured that it will be ready for the summer months.

Tune-ups For Older Systems

Most householders, as previously said, require an annual inspection, but that is not always the situation. It’s a good idea to get your system examined twice or even three times a year if you use an outdated unit or if someone in your family has respiratory difficulties. On the other hand, if you live in a house where the air conditioner is only used occasionally, you might be able to get away with an inspection every other year.

Signs That Your AC Needs a Tune-up –

  • Noises

As the mechanics work harder to cool down the house, the machine squeals loudly. The noise would be minimal if the device were working properly. The irritating clatter is because the machine is not operating adequately, forcing it to work harder to compensate for the lack of performance.

  • In-efficiency

The unit’s underperformance is another strong indicator that it needs to be improved. It may take a long time for the house to cool down, or it may never reach the ideal temperature. The AC unit probably needs a tune-up if the variation in cooling time is significant enough for the homeowner to notice.

We can help you get a better deal on AC tune-ups and repairs. To get the best AC tune-up in Phenix City, call us at (334)-297-9820.

Your Ultimate Guide To New AC Installation Costs

Installing a new air conditioner is undoubtedly expensive. However, you must hire an expert air conditioner contractor in Phenix City to avoid unforeseen consequences of poor installation.

Here’s a comprehensive guide for costs related to a new AC installation –

1. How much does a new AC unit installation cost?

Air conditioning installation costs between $3,350 and $5,912, with most homes spending an average of $4,631. It is the typical cost of adding a new air conditioner to your forced air furnace. Other alternatives are single window or portable units, which cost between $234 and $700. Ductless mini-splits cost between $3,000 and $10,000. The overall cost of your air conditioning system is determined by the type and size of the system you require.

National Average Cost $4,630
Minimum Cost $2,426
Maximum Cost $8,900
Total Average $3,350 to $5,920

2. What is the cost to install a central air conditioner?

Central air conditioner installation in Phenix City costs between $660 to $4,600. The ultimate cost is determined by the kind of unit, if extra ducting is necessary, and the inspection and installation charges of the expert. Expect to spend an extra $1,000 to $3,000 if you have existing ducting that has to be repaired. The overall cost of your project might rise to $8,900 if ducting is required.

3. Cost to replace an existing air conditioner

The average cost of an AC replacement is $4,631. The cost of replacing a central air conditioner is determined by whether or not existing ducting is present, the kind of unit to be installed, and the AC unit’s tonnage. A window central air conditioner can set you back at approximately $350, while a ductless mini-split system would set you back around $5,600.

The cost of installing a central air conditioner in your house cannot be calculated without an air conditioner contractor in Phenix City visiting your home and evaluating the air conditioner and current ductwork. The cost of installing central air is influenced by several factors, just like any other home improvement job.

4. Cost of various kinds of replacement work

  • Use existing ductwork

It should cost around $6,000–$8,000 to add a central air conditioning system to your current heating system utilizing existing ducting.

  • Install new ducting

That should take between $8,900 and $12,300 to replace your old AC unit and install the new ductwork.

  • Install a new cooling system

Almost every new place includes central heat and air, and in old houses, both may need to be replaced at the same time. If your furnace is more than 15 years old, this is a must-do.

5. Cost of installing an AC with no prior ducts

To accommodate your new air conditioner, your ductwork must be broad and well-insulated. In a 1,500-square-foot home, the total cost of installing new, flexible, insulated ducting is around $2,000–$3,000. Include the cost of any new walls, floors, or ceilings that are required.

We can help you save money on expensive AC replacements and repair work. To get the best air conditioner installation in Phenix City, call us at (334)-297-9820.

When You Should Clean The Outside Part Of Your Air Conditioner?

Each air conditioner has two sections, one which is inside and the other which is outside. Both these sections work together to keep our homes cool and free from allergy-causing foreign matter during the summer season.

However, air conditioner owners must ensure the timely and regular cleaning of their air conditioners. Our systems need regular servicing; otherwise, their performance may deteriorate. Cleaning and maintenance of air conditioners are essential parts of owning air conditioners. You should contact your AC contractor in Phenix City for a timely touch-up of your air conditioner.

How Often Should You Clean The Outer Part of Your Air Conditioner?

When you contact an HVAC company for an air conditioner installation in Phenix City, they tell you to take proper care of both the inner and outer parts of the system. But we tend to ignore the outer part of the air conditioner.

The outer part is as salient as the inner part of the system. The outer part has components like the compressor, the condenser coils, the fan, and the expansion valve, which play crucial roles in the system’s working. So, give its cleaning equal importance.

Usually, you can clean the outer part of the air conditioner twice a year, once at the start of the summer season and next at the winter season. You can contact an AC contractor in Phenix City for the cleaning, or you can clean the outer part yourself!

How to Clean the Outer Part?

Cleaning the outer part of your air conditioner is not a difficult task, but you need to take some measures before taking it up. You will need some basic stuff like a garden hose, a vacuum, a screwdriver, some rags, a condenser coil cleaning spray, a replacement filter, a brush, and a fin comb.

Before starting, remove all kinds of debris like leaves, twigs, and branches away from the outer part so that they do not enter the system and cause damage to the system. Ensure that the main power of the air conditioner is off lest you get a shock while working. Once you check everything, follow these steps and begin the cleaning –

  • Clean the outer surface using a brush or vacuum.
  • Straighten the bent fins, if any, using a fin comb.
  • Remove the filter. Either clean it with the garden hose or replace it with the replacement filter.
  • Remove the screws of the panel using the screwdriver to access the vent openings.
  • Clean the condenser coils using the cleaning spray and rags.
  • Clean the fan blades using a wet rag.
  • Screw the access panel back in its place, and you can start using your air conditioner.

Cleaning the outer part of your air conditioner is a simple process. If you want professional cleaning, you can contact Priority Indoor Comfort to provide you the best professional cleaning in Phenix City at affordable rates. Look for air conditioner installation in Phenix City or contact us at (334)-297-9820.

Does A Dirty AC Filter Affect Performance?

The air conditioning filter is an integral part of this device, which helps to acclimatize the environment and makes the space more pleasant, especially on the hottest days. Responsible for removing debris from the air conditioner, the filter is one of the most relevant components for the operation of this refrigeration system. Also, it can affect the performance of the air conditioner. Thus, precisely, for this reason, it demands specific care which can be carried out perfectly by the AC repair in Phenix City.

When Should You Clean The Air Conditioning Filter?

A question that many people have is about the periodicity of cleaning the air conditioning filter. Generally, it would help if you clean the filters once every two months. Ideally, pay attention to the level of cooling and air quality. If the air conditioner is not cooling as usual, the filter may be dirty. Also, check the electricity bill. If you notice a high variation in value, check if the air conditioning filter is dirty.

Furthermore, check if it has blemishes or a color difference. Keep an eye on the manufacturer’s guidelines and enlist the help of a professional from the air conditioner contractor in Phenix City if you are still in doubt.

What is The Function of the Air Conditioning Filter?

The filter keeps atmospheric dust and other air particles away from the air conditioner engine. If your filter is dirty, the air conditioning system may “suffocate” with air intake, as its coils will be clogged. That is why it is important to clean the air conditioning filter.

When the filter is dirty, it prevents the constant flow of clean air, and thus the air conditioning system will start to overheat and automatically shut down. If this continues to happen, the air conditioner can completely break down. Also, your system will use excess energy to blow cool air, making the system work longer to reach the desired temperature, thus resulting in higher energy bills. Therefore, it is highly advisable to get your AC filter cleaned by AC repair in Phenix City.

Health Risks Due To The Dirty or Clogged Air Filter of Air Conditioner

We can avoid many allergic and respiratory ailments with cleanliness. And that includes the air conditioning filter. Microorganisms that increase air due to a dirty filter cause diseases such as rhinitis, asthma, bronchitis, and sinusitis.

Therefore, the ideal is to ensure that the air conditioning filter is always clean, working properly, and free from these agents that are so harmful to health. Thus, calling an expert technician from the air conditioner contractor in Phenix City will help you clean filters.

We must replace the filter every six months. But a complete cleaning of the system by AC repair in Phenix City guarantees longer life and quality in air circulation.

At Priority Indoor Comfort, the cleaning of the air conditioning is carried out by trained professionals, who know the differences of each product and know the best cleaning solutions for each one. So, call us today at (334❳-297-9820.