Q: How long should my old A/C, heat pump or furnace last?
Typically an a/c or heat pump will last 15-18 years. Sometimes it pays to replace the old system sooner because of the higher efficiency (lower gas and electric bills) provided by equipment. Due to our Arizona climate, life expectancies can vary greatly. Maintenance is a must to maximize efficiency and protect your investment. |
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Q: My electric and gas bills are high. Will a new air conditioner lower my bills?
YES! A new 13 SEER air conditioner can cut electrical consumption, as much as 40%. Even a 13 SEER air conditioner (this is the minimum efficiency the federal government allows to be sold) will cut the electricity used by as much as 30%. A new 90% furnace can usually cut the gas used by the old furnace by as much as 30%, and a new 80% (minimum allowed by the federal government) will use approximately 20% less. |
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Q: What is SEER?
This stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. The size of an air conditioner is rated in BTU or Tons, however the efficiency is rated in SEER. Its like mpg (miles per gallon) in a car - the higher the mpg (or SEER) the lower the gasoline (electricity) bill. |
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Q: Shouldn’t I install the highest SEER air conditioner available?
In our climate, 13 SEER is considered standard efficiency (this is the minimum efficiency the federal government allows to be sold) and 14 SEER is medium efficiency. The initial investment is higher for a 14 SEER than a 13 SEER, but the electricity savings will usually pay for the difference in 5-7 years. The higher SEER equipment doesn’t remove humidity as well as older, lower SEER equipment, so it is important that the new air conditioner be sized properly so it runs long enough to remove humidity (so you don’t have a cool, but sticky home). Equipment with SEER ratings of 14 and higher are available. They also provide a lower utility bill and a greater comfort level in the home. |
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Q: What is a heat pump? Is it better than an air conditioner?
In the summer, a heat pump is no different than an air conditioner. In the winter, a heat pump operates in reverse and heats the indoors. Heat pumps need auxiliary heat (electric resistance heat or gas furnace) to help them when it is real cold or when the thermostat is moved more than 2 degrees at a time. The initial investment for a heat pump is higher than for an air conditioner, and the ductwork must be exactly right for proper operation. One common complaint of a heat pump is that the air coming out of the registers is not hot enough (compared to a gas furnace). With all their drawbacks, heat pumps will reduce the winter heating bills. However, if you have electric heating, the savings is dramatic and you will probably want to stay with a heat pump. |
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Q: Should I replace my furnace and air conditioner at the same time, or can they be installed separately?
Either way. If they are installed at the same time, the coil cabinet (the part of the air conditioner that sits on top of the furnace) will match the furnace in color and style. Also it may be more convenient to replace them at the same time, but they will operate OK whether they are installed at the same time or not. |
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Q: Is it OK to install a different brand of furnace (or air conditioner) to work with my existing air conditioner (or furnace)?
Although it is generally recommended to match components, most brands of air conditioners will work with others as long as the coils and blowers are the proper size. You may however, experience some loss of efficiency and capacity. |
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Q: My home has a forced air furnace but no air conditioner. Can I add central air?
Yes, in most cases, since air conditioners require more airflow than furnaces and it may be necessary to add more ductwork or a blower. Also, local codes require that your ductwork be insulated, and your electrical service may need to be upgraded. Cactus Mechanical can determine all of the costs required to add central air. |
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Q: My friend works for a heating and air company and says he can install a new furnace (or air conditioner) for me for a lot less money. Is this a good idea?
Be sure he has a license, obtains all required permits and has adequate insurance. Keep in mind you will be dependent on him and his schedule for warranty repairs. If he meets the above requirements, has the needed experience and you understand that repairs may not be timely - you may save some money, but be sure you are not getting a "cheap" installation that will cost you more in the long run. |
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Q: How does Cactus Mechanical determine what size of furnace and air conditioner to install?
Cactus Mechanical will measure your home and calculate the actual heating and cooling load on the home. This will determine the proper size of equipment that is needed. This will be compared to your current equipment and ductwork and will be adjusted based on your lifestyle, etc. |
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Q: I want a big air conditioner. Someone told me this is not good - what are the advantages and disadvantages?
An "oversized" air conditioner will cool your house quicker, but it will use more electricity and will not remove humidity adequately. If your ductwork is not big enough for the "oversized" air conditioner, the coil may freeze and then the air conditioner won't work at all. Obviously the air conditioner must be big enough to cool the house, but too big is just as bad. We recommend the proper size to cool your home to 75 degrees when it is 95 degrees outside, then increase the size slightly, if needed, based on your temperature preferences. |
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Q: Does Cactus Mechanical do the gas connections, electrical work that is needed, etc?
We can take care of the electrical and gas connections to your units or we can work with your electrician or plumber if you prefer. |
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Q: Some rooms in our house don’t get enough heat (or cooling). Can this be fixed?
Sometimes running the blower continuously will solve this problem. Usually the new furnace will have better airflow, which will help, and there is usually a way to install an additional register in the area to obtain more airflow.
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Q: Should I run the blower continuously, or use the auto position on the thermostat?
Try both ways. Running the blower all the time will use a little extra electricity, however the home is usually more comfortable, the temperature is more even throughout the home, and the air is cleaner because it is filtered more. The motors generally last longer because they are not starting and stopping. Some of the new furnaces have the ability to use a slow blower speed for continuous operation, and a faster speed when the furnace or air conditioner are running. |
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Q: How many bids should I get before I decide on a new system?
Three bids are generally enough. If Cactus Mechanical is servicing your current system, or if we have installed equipment for you in the past, you should be comfortable in obtaining a proposal from Cactus Mechanical, then determining if you feel the need to obtain additional bids. Another way to obtain several bids without the effort is to call current customers that have had a system installed recently and ask why they chose Cactus Mechanical (we can give you a list of customers). |
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Q: How do I pay for my new system?
For installation of new equipment, we do not require any downpayment, however we ask for payment after the installation is complete (unless other arrangements have been made). We accept VISA, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, Cash and Checks. |
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Q: Should I have a new programmable thermostat installed with my new system?
Programmable thermostats allow you to have the temperature raise and lower automatically at specific times each day. They will reduce your energy bills and increase your comfort (i.e. get up to a "warm" bathroom during the winter). If your family follows a fairly regular schedule, a programmable thermostat may be a good investment. Using the Energy Star program you can save up to 8% of your monthly cooling and heating bill. |
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Q: Does Cactus Mechanical have experienced servicemen?
Absolutely! All of our servicemen are City of Phoenix licensed. We have some of the best and most experienced servicemen in the Valley. |
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Q: A cracked furnace is dangerous. How often should I have it checked?
If your furnace is over 5 years old, it should be inspected by a licensed servicemen every fall before the heating season begins. Any other time the furnace is not operating properly (ex. the pilot blows out) it should be checked too. |
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Q: Why should I have my air conditioner checked in the spring and my furnace checked in the fall?
They should be checked and cleaned, to be sure they are operating safely and at their top efficiency. |
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Q: Is there a charge for diagnosing what is wrong with my system?
Yes, this is part of the service call. |
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