Marietta Air Conditioning FAQS

Q: Is geothermal air conditioning and heating a viable alternative for Marietta, GA?

A: While geothermal air conditioning systems can be very efficient, they are not for everyone. Every property is

Marietta Air Conditioning

different, and only a trained professional can make this assessment with any degree of accuracy. Even if a property is a candidate for geothermal air conditioning does not mean that the idea is a sound one; installation of geothermal air conditioning systems can be very expensive, and it may take a long time to realize the savings on operating costs.

Q: What is zone heating and cooling?

A: Zone heating and cooling is a way to save heating and/or cooling costs by only altering the temperature in specific zones as needed. For example, a house might have a two-zone heating and/or cooling system that separates the common areas from the bedrooms. This would allow the bedrooms to be kept comfortable at night while the unused common areas are not temperature controlled, and vice versa during the daytime; heating or cooling roughly half the property at any given time can substantially reduce the overall operating cost of any temperature control system as well as reduce air conditioner, heat pump and furnace maintenance needs caused by strain.

Q: What does ENERGY STAR rating mean on my Marietta HVAC equipment?

A: An ENERGY STAR certification on HVAC equipment means that the equipment has been reviewed by ENERGY STAR’s stringent evaluation process and been deemed to meet exacting energy efficient criteria. The criteria are highly technical, but the results to consumers can be very tangible in terms of lower energy bills.

Q: What does SEER rating on Marietta air conditioners mean?

A: SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, and is a standard defined by the Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute. The ratio consists of the cooling output in British Thermal Units (BTUs) over a set period of time divided by the number of watt-hours used during that period of time. Some people choose to look at this on a per-season basis to evaluate the efficiency and cost of operating an air conditioner as well as a method to tell when an air conditioner might be in need of maintenance due to higher than expected energy utilization. Higher SEER ratings mean lower operating costs under ideal circumstances.

Q: What does HSPF rating on Marietta heat pumps mean?

A: HSPF is an acronym for Heating Season Performance Factor, and it is another standard provided by the Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute. The rating is a ratio defined by the British Thermal Unit (BTU) heating output over a period of time divided by the watt-hours consumed during that same period of time. The higher the rating, the less it will cost to operating a heater under the same conditions.

Q: What does AFUE rating on Marietta furnaces mean?

A: AFUE is short for Annual Fuel Utilization and Efficiency, and is a measure of how efficient the combustion system and technology are within a furnace, boiler, water heater, or other device. Lower AFUE numbers reflect furnaces that are less efficient and thus likely to cost more to operate.

Q: Are preseason checkups for my air conditioner and furnace really necessary?

A: Absolutely. Any Marietta furnace or air conditioner that has been deactivated for even a month may need an inspection before turning it on to ensure that it is ready to function properly.

Q: What Marietta HVAC equipment is needed to improve indoor air quality?

A: HVAC filters are an important part to keeping indoor air quality high, but it is also important to keep ducts clean and ensure that filters are routinely replaced and/or cleaned.

Q: What is a Marietta heat pump?

A: A heat pump is a system that is designed to move heat from a furnace or other source throughout the ductwork and thus heat the room or rooms attached to the ducts.

Q: How do I qualify for federal energy savings tax credits and utility company rebates if I purchase a new heating and cooling system?

A: Each utility company will have its own rules for their rebates, but the Federal Energy Savings tax credits are available for air source heat pumps with SEER ratings of 14/15 (package/split system) and a few other criteria, while central air conditioners need to have a SEER rating of 14 or 16 (package/split system) or higher. Furnaces typically require an AFUE of 90 or 95, depending on whether they burn oil or natural gas. There may be other requirements and limits to these offers that are highly technical.

Q: What is the cheapest thing I can do to reduce my Marietta, GA heating and cooling bills?

A: The installation of an inexpensive electronic thermostat is almost always going to be the most cost effective way to start saving money right away.