What our customers are saying
Explore professional insights and answers to common questions on HVAC maintenance, troubleshooting, and efficiency from your local experts at Anchor Heating & Air Conditioning.
SEER means Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. The higher this number, the greater the cooling efficiency...and the greater your energy savings. Gov. regulations require all new models to meet 13 SEER – We offer air conditioning up to 19.5 SEER
If you heard of us through a friend or local source, which is highly likely since we've been around for 35 years, then that's your best bet. Then consider our sizeable fleet and well-trained technicians, and you know we'll be able to service you. If you read our comments on purchasing new equipment, you will see that we're realistic and that we use the technology and time necessary to educate you on your best options. See if any other contractor will treat you the same way, and give us a call when they don't.
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Your system removes heat that is expressed as BTUs (British Thermal Units). A one ton air conditioner will remove 12,000 BTUs of heat in an hour. We will determine what tonnage you require and explain why.
Yes, we do. We are full-service, and we have enough inventory and personnel to take care of your job. We have our licenses, our technician certifications, and insurance in place.
Half of your energy bills may go toward cooling and heating your home. A little attention to these systems may save you big dollars.
• Have proper attic ventilation.• Use ceiling fans as a low power way of spreading cool air throughout your home.
• Save 3-5% off your bill for every degree you increase your thermostat setting. The lower you set your thermostat, the harder it is to cool each degree…therefore you spend much more the cooler you go. This is why everyone recommends you set your thermostat to 78.
• Don’t overcool by turning your thermostat lower than normal when turning it on. You will waste money and not cool your home any faster.
• Call us to make sure your a/c system is properly sized for your house.
• Also call us to perform annual maintenance on your system to reduce operating costs and extend the life of the units.
• Save 10% by shading your air conditioning unit with trees or shrubs (but don’t block the airflow).
• Close drapes when the sun is beating down and open them during cooler hours.
• Keep electronics (lamps, etc.) away from your thermostat because the heat they generate will make your a/c run.
• If you are leaving the house for an extended time, such as vacation, turn the air off.
• During working hours, utilize a programmable thermostat to raise the temperature and lower it again before you return home.
• Select a central air unit with an efficiency of 15 SEER or higher.
• Check for duct leaks. One leak can cost you 25%!
• Change your air filter monthly and check for duct leaks. Remember, when you get your utility bill…time to change your filter.
Contractors come and go, but we believe we are competitive. Definitely with our labor. With equipment, please keep in mind that we do things right. This means that we will tell you what is best for your home, whereas the next contractor who knocks on your door might offer you a lower price on equipment that you shouldn't buy. That equipment might be fine in general, but not for your home or office. All quotes will be given to you in writing so you know everything up front. We will be glad to analyze and price your system for free.
Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) tells you what percent of your energy is converted to heat. A higher percentage is better. Government regulations require a minimum 90% AFUE. Anchor Heating & Air offers furnaces up to 92% AFUE.
British Thermal Unit (BTU) is a measurement of how much heat is expended. Your trained technician will tell you what equipment and how many BTUs are appropriate for your installation.
HSPF stands for Heating Seasonal Performance Factor. The higher the number, the more efficient your heat pump.
• Keep use of kitchen, bathroom, and other fans to a minimum so heated air stays inside. They pull out a surprising amount of air, so turn them off when they have finished their job.• When your fireplace is not in use, close the dampers. If you use your fireplace regularly, you may want to upgrade to one that pulls less heat out of your house.
• Caulk and weather strip drafty doors and windows. You may want to install storm windows and doors.
• Turn down your thermostat or use an automatic thermostat to adjust the temperature for you. You will knock 3-5% off of your bills for every degree you turn the thermostat down. The higher you turn your thermostat, the harder it is to heat each degree...therefore you spend much more the warmer you get. This is why everyone recommends you set your thermostat to 65. From there, drop the temperature 5-10 degrees when you're tucked in at night.
• If you have a furnace, shut off vents and close doors to unused rooms. If you have a heat pump, ignore this advice because closed vents might damage your system.
• Call us to perform maintenance on your heating system annually. We are your best bet for efficient operation and longer unit life.
• Change your air filter monthly and check for duct leaks.
• Keep your garage door, crawl space door, and crawl space vents closed.
• Add insulation to your attic floor and any ductwork in uninsulated spaces.
• Open drapes during warmer hours when the sunlight can shine in. Remember to close the drapes during colder hours.
• Keep use of kitchen, bathroom, and other fans to a minimum so heated air stays inside. They pull out a surprising amount of air, so turn them off when they have finished their job.• When your fireplace is not in use, close the dampers. If you use your fireplace regularly, you may want to upgrade to one that pulls less heat out of your house.
• Caulk and weather strip drafty doors and windows. You may want to install storm windows and doors.
• Turn down your thermostat or use an automatic thermostat to adjust the temperature for you. You will knock 3-5% off of your bills for every degree you turn the thermostat down. The higher you turn your thermostat, the harder it is to heat each degree...therefore you spend much more the warmer you get. This is why everyone recommends you set your thermostat to 65. From there, drop the temperature 5-10 degrees when you're tucked in at night.
• If you have a furnace, shut off vents and close doors to unused rooms. If you have a heat pump, ignore this advice because closed vents might damage your system.
• Call us to perform maintenance on your heating system annually. We are your best bet for efficient operation and longer unit life.
• Change your air filter monthly and check for duct leaks.
• Keep your garage door, crawl space door, and crawl space vents closed.
• Add insulation to your attic floor and any ductwork in uninsulated spaces.
• Open drapes during warmer hours when the sunlight can shine in. Remember to close the drapes during colder hours.
Yes. Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless gas produced by incomplete combustion of fuels such as the gas and oil used in furnaces, heaters, and wood-burning stoves. If not detected early, CO is deadly. Thousands of Americans are treated for CO poisoning yearly (the symptoms are flu-like), and hundreds die needlessly.
We urge proper installation and maintenance of the equipment in your home. When purchasing a gas or oil furnace, ask for a "sealed combustion" unit. These units are more efficient, and they are less likely to release dangerous gasses into your home. You should call us to check your equipment annually.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends installation of one or more UL-certified carbon monoxide detectors. Good detectors will alert you with an alarm whether there is a fast or slow build-up of CO. Low-budget detectors that simply change color are not sufficient.
Maybe. Dirty ducts can cause a number of problems, but not all duct cleaning processes are equal in their ability to clean.
We can usually fix your problems. There are times, though, in the life of every piece of equipment when it's better to do away with the old unit. To be honest, you will have to trust us if we tell you not to pay for repair. We are glad to give second opinions for free, and we do not mind you getting a second opinion regarding our recommendation.
If we do tell you to replace a unit, then we believe that repairs will amount to throwing your money away. Our recommendation is usually based on the age of your unit and the condition it is in depending on how well it was maintained. On a fairly new unit, we will probably make a repair. On an older unit heading the way of the dinosaurs, your money may be better spent on a new unit with no problems. If you choose to repair an old unit, please don't be angry when you have to call us again. We hate to keep charging you.
You should also keep in mind the fact that newer technologies allow cooling and heating with greater efficiency. This means that your old equipment may be wasting up to half of the fuel it burns, and has always done so! New equipment will waste far less, and you will notice the difference in your comfort level and utility savings. The American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy says you may save up to 50% if your old unit was installed before 1990. Check with your utility company to see if they offer a rebate for new, efficient equipment.
Hopefully the company that installed your equipment did everything properly. If your system has worked fine for years and is now giving you trouble, then the problem may simply be age. Parts on older units wear out and their efficiency declines. These problems are likely to pop up during peak demand (summer for A/C, winter for heat), which causes real inconvenience.
When choosing equipment, first consider what your house needs in terms of size. Then consider your budget in terms of this one-time expense versus the savings you will see on a monthly basis from now on. Finally, consider what additional features and equipment you desire to fit your comfort level. We install only the highest quality equipment available today.
No, the system should fit your house. Buying a bigger unit than you need not only will cost you more up front, but it will actually make you less comfortable, cost you more on a monthly basis, and wear out more quickly because it will turn on and off too often to perform optimally. Equipment is engineered to fit specific spaces.
Indoor and outdoor components are designed to work together. If you replace one part of the system only, then you will lower both the efficiency of your equipment and your comfort. A potentially larger problem is that you will void the manufacturers warranty and your system may fail more quickly than expected.
Heating and cooling systems are a major purchase. For that reason, you should only trust the recommendation of professionals who clearly explain your choices of equipment and cost. Once you make your choice, you can often finance your new system upon credit approval, and your payments may be offset by a lower utility bill. Remember, your new system will be more efficient and use less energy. You also shouldn't need to call us for repairs...just normal maintenance.
Ask us about rebates and financing available with approved credit. Or you may pay with cash, check or credit card.