Frequently Asked Questions
The SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) is how the efficiency of your heating and cooling equipment is measured. The SEER is the amount of cooling your system will deliver per dollar spent on electricity, as compared to other systems. For example, a 3-ton unit may have a SEER efficiency rating of 13, 14, or 15. The higher the SEER the more efficient the system will be. The SEER rating of any given unit can range anywhere from 13 to 21.
Each split system cooling unit has a nominal SEER rating. This rating can be increased with the upgrade of the same series indoor unit. The SEER rating of a system is derived based on the combination of equipment installed in the home. The outdoor equipment (heat pump or air conditioner), as well as the indoor equipment (evaporator coil and furnace, or air handler), play a vital role in the total rating.
Your heating and cooling systems work incredibly hard to perform their functions for your home everyday. The constant stopping, starting and continual operation can wear down any machine if the proper care and maintenance is delayed. However, by performing regular maintenance, you can maximize the lifecycle of your heating or cooling unit and guard against many common equipment failures. Preventive maintenance inspections performed on a regular basis can uncover leaks, rust, rot, soot, frayed wires and corroded electrical contacts that the naked eye may not notice. You should have maintenance done on your system regularly to ensure maximum efficiency and allow prevent possible problems that may occur in the near future.
To keep your equipment running efficiently and maximize the useful life of your system all equipment needs to have an annual tune-up. At least once a year heating equipment, hot water heaters, heat pumps, and air conditioning equipment require a professional tune-up. Inspections on boiler and furnace systems should include ductwork, pipes, dampers, valves, the chimney, registers, radiators, pumps, blowers, fuel lines, the gas meter, oil tank and every part of the actual furnace and boiler. Meanwhile, heat pump and air conditioning unit inspections should also include inspections of the fan, compressor, indoor coils, outdoor coils, and refrigerant lines.
McAllister... The Service Co. is your troubleshooting expert, and is glad to help you. Should we encounter a situation that requires additional factory help, we will contact our factory-supported Service Manager(s) for assistance.
Since they are electronic, programmable thermostats are more accurate and efficient than thermostats that contain mercury. With programmable thermostats you can control the temperature in your home at different times of day without ever touching your thermostat. Because everything is automatic, you will never forget to change the setting on your own. A WiFi enabled thermostat allows you to monitor and adjust your home's heating and cooling system remotely, helping you reduce your heating and cooling costs.
Standard filters work to keep your system and its ductwork clean, but they don't really improve indoor air quality. To do that you need a media filter. The media filter rests between the main return duct and the blower cabinet and will improve dust and particle removal by seven times that of a standard filter. However, upgrading to a pleated media filter will remove everything from insecticide dust to airborne viruses from the filtered air. Always choose a filter that matches your blower's capacity. For optimum efficiency and filtration, McAllister... The Service Co. recommends that you replace your disposable filters at least once a month. If you have washable filters, they should be cleaned once a month.
McAllister... The Service Co. is the best resource for identifying and supplying the correct, current parts for your system, as well as pricing and availability.
There are many factors that affect the sizing and specifications of your system, including square footage, insulation, window surface and configuration, geographic location of your home, duct sizing and arrangement, and many others. McAllister... The Service Co. can perform an in-home load analysis to determine which equipment combinations will perfectly suit your home and your family's needs. Depending upon the construction of your home, one (1) ton of air conditioning can cool anywhere from 300 to 800 square feet of home. The only way to ensure the size of the system you purchase will be large enough to cool your home, but not any larger than you need, is to have your home's individual heating and cooling needs evaluated by a licensed professional.
The warranty does not cover labor. A warranty certificate was included with your homeowner information packet, and is specific to the model numbers, serial numbers, and installation dates of your products. If you cannot find your warranty certificate, McAllister... The Service Co. will also be able to provide you with the information.
We choose to provide products partly because of their exceptional lifespan and reliability, but the overall lifespan of a unit differs depending on a variety of factors.
A good rule of thumb is past the 10-year mark all systems should be professionally inspected and monitored routinely in order to ensure you seek heating or cooling replacement in a timely manner that preserves your comfort and saves cost.
A good rule of thumb is past the 10-year mark all systems should be professionally inspected and monitored routinely in order to ensure you seek heating or cooling replacement in a timely manner that preserves your comfort and saves cost.
Absolutely! Our emergency service team offers repair, replacement, and installation. We carry the tools and training to handle all of your emergency service needs, and our emergency professionals are available any time or day, including weekends and holidays.
You can reach our emergency service experts at any time online, but if you have a problem that needs immediate attention, we'd recommend giving us a call. You shouldn't have to wait for superior service, so our team makes sure you never have to!
You can reach our emergency service experts at any time online, but if you have a problem that needs immediate attention, we'd recommend giving us a call. You shouldn't have to wait for superior service, so our team makes sure you never have to!
A home energy audit, or evaluation, is a service that aims to locate and rectify areas of the home that are reducing energy efficiency. This includes a comprehensive diagnosis of all important home areas, including insulation, ductwork health, potential air leaks in the home, inspections for moisture damage, and much more! The evaluation helps us draw up a very detailed report of all troublesome areas, and when it's done, we have a very good idea of where we can help you save on energy loss. Our experts will sit down with you and the report, and work to help you formulate a plan to help improve your home and comfort! If you want to learn a bit more about the service and exactly what it entails, we'd urge you to check out our service page.
We couldn't give you a definitive answer without actually meeting with you and testing your home, but judging by our experience and current science, yes, you probably do. Dust, debris, mold spore, and high humidity levels are something that almost all homeowners wrestle with, meaning there's a lot to be gained by adding an air purifier or dehumidifier to your South Jersey home.
The AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) is a measure of how efficient a furnace, boiler, or similar heating system is when consuming fuel. It can be somewhat compared to SEER for cooling systems, but the numbers used represent different factors. For example you may find a gas furnace with an AFUE of 92%. This rating means that when gas is consumed, 92% of that fuel is converted to usable heat, while the other 8% is lost in one way or another.
Similarly to air purifiers and filtration systems, it's hard to give a definitive yes or no. Because of our mixed climate it's very common for South Jersey homeowners to deal with homes that are too dry because we run our furnaces and AC systems nearly all year round. A good way to tackle this is by asking yourself these questions: Do I regularly suffer from increased allergy symptoms? Is the air in my home very dry? Do I frequently deal with ear, nose, and throat irritation? Is my skin constantly dry? There are also advantages to heating efficiency with a professional whole-home humidifier installation, which is more than worth mentioning!
When we go to work for you, the team at McAllister applies everything we know to solve your HVAC problems quickly, efficiently, and effectively. Whether you're in need of a new air conditioning unit, or a heat pump replacement, our experienced team has your HVAC needs covered. We've built our business from the ground up, and our commitment to your peace of mind grows stronger every day. There is no better choice for heating and cooling services in the Somers Point area. Our team offers unparalleled service for homeowners, like you, so you can spend your days focusing on your family-not the comfort level of your home. At McAllister, we've mastered the art of residential and commercial HVAC. Whether you need heating services in Avalon or Mitsubishi HVAC repair in Somers Point, NJ, schedule us for all your HVAC needs!
