Pete's Heating and Cooling.....The Comfort Specialist

Q: How long should I expect my furnace to last?

          Most furnaces will last anywhere from 15 to 20 years. Any furnace that is over 15 years
         is rated at about 65% efficiency. All new furnace are at least 80% efficient with some models
          as high as 95%. With the new furnace efficiencies it can pay to up grade to a new furnace.

Q: What does the 90% and 80% efficiency rating mean?

          The rating refers to the amount of gas used by the furnace to heat the home. Of the 100%
          of the gas that goes to the furnace, with an 81% furnace 19% is lost out the flue and the
          balance will heat the home. With the 95% efficient furnace you only lose 5% out the flue.

Q. What is a "cracked" furnace or heat exchanger?

          The heat exchanger is the metal container that separates the burning gas from the air being
          circulated through the home. When the heat exchanger get a hole in it or cracks the flue
          gas (carbon monoxide) is pulled into the home by the air rushing by. This is called the
          vortex effect. The government regulations on carbon monoxide is 8ppm but any crack
          will only get larger and more dangerous. REPLACE THE FURNACE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Q. How much does it cost to get an estimate on a new heating and cooling system?
There is no cost to get an estimate on a new comfort system.

Q. Do I need to replace my air conditioner system when I replace my furnace?
          If the furnace is a forced air furnace you don't have to replace the air conditioner at this
          time.   The new furnace will be able to use the existing cooling equipment. Most of the
          time the cooling system is old and not as efficient as new 13.0 or 18.0 seer equipment.
          If you have already replaced the outside section on the A.C. and not the inside coil now
          is the time to replace the inside coil. A new coil and furnace gives a professional looking
          installation and better efficiency to your system. Neatness counts, especially in furnace
          installation, and Pete's heating and Cooling cleans up when they are finished.

Q. What does SEER rating in air conditioning mean?
          The seer (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) is how efficient the cooling system is.
          The higher number the more efficient the equipment is. On a typical 3 ton cooling
          the difference between a 13.0 and a 18.0 seer is about $250.00 a year.

Q. How long will the freon (R-22) be available for my air conditioner?
          The production of ( R-22) freon that is used in almost every residential air conditioner will
          continue until year 2020. The government regulation say that production will decrease in
          year 2010 and stop in 2020. This timing could change with the government involved.

EPA HCFC PHASE OUT PAGE.