Q. How can I save money?

A. Shopping for bottom line price for new equipment is easy. But the lowest priced system will end up costing you money in the long run with higher operating costs or by needing to be replaced sooner. Make sure your new equipment is of higher efficiency and is properly designed. The extra money you spend for more efficient equipment will sometimes be paid back in as little as 3 years.

You can save money on your existing equipment by having it serviced on annual basis to make sure it is working at peak efficiency. Having a company come out to diagnose (an entire system physical) your system to make sure it is designed properly and providing the proper efficiency.

Q. Is Indoor Air Quality really a concern?

A. The Environmental Protection Agency has identified indoor air quality as one of the top five most urgent environmental risks to public health. Yet a survey commissioned on behalf of the American Lung Association Health House program and 3M in April 2002 found that many of those questioned are not aware of: (a) the potential dangers associated with poor indoor air; (b) steps homeowners can take to improve air quality in the home.

Five hundred forty homeowners nationwide responded to the survey, which has a +/- six percent margin of error. Key findings appear below:

• More than 50 percent of Americans are not aware that poor indoor air quality is one of the top ive most urgent environmental risks to public health. And nearly 25 percent of Americans are not concerned about the air quality in their homes and the impact it can have on their family's health.
• Less than 20 percent of Americans believe that the air inside their homes is more polluted than the air outdoors. However, the Environmental Protection Agency states that levels of air pollution inside the home can be two to five times higher - and occasionally up to 100 times higher - than outdoor levels.
• More than 70 percent of Americans have forced air heating and/or central air in their homes. Yet nearly 50 percent do not change the filter in their heating/air conditioning unit every 2 to 3 months as recommended. And 10 percent have never replaced the filter in their heating/air conditioning unit.
• Only about 11 percent of Americans purchase high efficiency furnace filters, despite the fact that high efficiency filters can be more effective than standard fiberglass filters in capturing pollen, pet dander, smoke and other potentially harmful microparticles.
• More than 50 percent of Americans are not aware that forced air heating and air conditioning units should be inspected annually by a professional. And more than 30 percent of Americans have never had their forced air heating or air conditioning units inspected.
• Nearly 75 percent of Americans live with someone who has allergies, asthma, emphysema or another respiratory illness.
• Only 27 percent of Americans have carbon monoxide detectors in their homes.
• Nearly 300 people die every year from carbon monoxide exposure related to residential combustion appliances, and thousands of others become ill or seek medical attention.
• Any fuel-burning appliance that is not adequately vented and maintained can be a potential source of CO

Q. What should I do before calling for service?

A. Check your circuit breaker to make sure it did not trip and replace any blown fuses. If that is not the case make sure your thermostat switch is in the on position. Set it a few degrees below room temperature to see if your air conditioning unit turns on or a few degrees above room temperature to check heating. Also, make sure your filters are clean and not blocking air flow through your vents. If your system is still not working, please contact us for service.

Q. How often should I have my system serviced?

A. Just like your automobile, your home's heating and air conditioning system should have regular routine maintenance performed by a professional technician. Equipment that is properly maintained will continue to operate over a longer period of time at peak efficiency, postponing the need to invest in new equipment. QDI suggest getting annual check-ups on your home's heating and cooling system to give you peace-of-mind all year round.

Q. How often should I change my filters?

A. You should inspect your filters monthly and change and clean as needed. Dirty air filters will severely limit airflow, which can cause the compressor to run continually and will increase your operation costs.

Q. What is a BTU?

A. BTU stands for British Thermal Unit. One BTU is the amount of heat that takes to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree of Fahrenheit.

Q. What is a SEER?

A. This stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating. The size of an air conditioner is rated in BTU's and the efficiency is rated in SEER; the higher SEER, the lower the electricity bill.