Here are some questions we are asked all the time. We hope these answers are helpful to you.

  

Whole House Diagnostics

Q1. What does Comfort Institute do?

Q2. Is duct leakage something to be concerned with?

Q3. Should I close off my crawlspace vents?

 

Air Quality

Q1. How often should I change the filter?

Q2. Should I be concerned about carbon monoxide in my home?

Q3. What can be done to protect your home from the danger of carbon monoxide?

 

Cooling

Q1. What does SEER mean?

Q2. My furnace and air conditioner are both new; do I really need to have them cleaned?

Q3. The unit outside has ice on it. Is it broken or about to go out?

 

Plumbing

Q1. Is it a big deal if my toilet is running?

Q2. I have noticed a puddle on the floor after the heater comes on. Is the heater leaking?

Q3. Why do I have less hot water than I had before?

 

Heating

Q1. What does AFUE mean?

Q2. How big of a furnace or air conditioner do I need for my home?

 

Water Quality

Q1. Which factors determine water quality?

Q2. What do I need to know about home water treatment devices?

Q3. What is hard water?

 

Sheet Metal

Q1. Is duct testing important?

Q2. What should be used to seal ducts?

Q3. Should I have my ducts in the attic insulated?

 

 

 

Whole House Diagnostics

1. What does Comfort Institute do?
   Comfort Institute's Consumer Protection Division provides homeowners with valuable consumer information and tips that cover many aspects of home comfort including ways to reduce or completely eliminate common problems. They also provide training and support to a network of independent comfort contractors across North America.
2. Is duct leakage something to be concerned with?
   "Leakage in the duct system can be hazardous to your health. Especially problematic are leaky returns in an enclosed space or garage that also contains the furnace."
3. Should I close off my crawlspace vents?
   If your home or any part of it is over a crawlspace, make sure the vents are closed for the winter. They should only be open for spring and fall. Recent research finds that in most climates, leaving them open in the summer actually brings in more unwanted moisture! Many building scientists are now recommending drying out crawlspaces, covering the exposed soil with a sealed plastic vapor barrier, and sealing and insulating the crawlspace walls permanently.

Air Quality

1. How often should I change the filter?
   You should change your filter about every 1 to 3 months depending on where you live and filter type.
2. Should I be concerned about carbon monoxide in my home?
   Carbon monoxide can be an invisible threat to your family's health and safety. Though more commonly associated with fires and automobile emissions, carbon monoxide poisoning can accumulate in any home unless certain precautions are taken.
3. What can be done to protect your home from the danger of carbon monoxide?
   Taking proper safety measures will reduce your risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Because vehicles are a major cause of carbon monoxide poisoning, always back your car out of the garage to let it warm up. Never leave it running in the confined space of a garage, particularly if the garage is attached to the home. The same holds true for lawn mowers or snowmobiles. Never use ovens or grills for heating devices. Home heating systems represent only five percent of the many potential sources of carbon monoxide. They are designed to be safe and efficient and not produce substantial amounts of carbon monoxide. However, it is important to schedule annual maintenance visits by a qualified technician to check all combustion appliances to make sure they are operating properly and to be sure that all chimneys and vents are connected properly and not blocked.

Cooling

1. What does SEER mean?
   SEER stands for “Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio”. It tells you how efficiently it converts electricity to cooling comfort. The higher the SEER rating, the more efficient the system. By federal law all units sold must be a 13 SEER or higher.
2. My furnace and air conditioner are both new; do I really need to have them cleaned?
   Yes!! Even though your system is new, it still needs to have annual maintenance performed. This will help keep the warranty in effect. Most all equipment manufacturers state in the terms of their warranty that annual maintenance must be performed by a qualified technician. Keeping your system maintained will give you assurance that it is operating at peak efficiency and safety.
3. The unit outside has ice on it. Is it broken or about to go out?
   No. If your unit is routinely maintained it will help it run more efficiently. If you own a heat pump, the ‘ice’ you see could mean it is about to go into defrost mode. If it is not a heat pump or has just come out of defrost, you may require a service technician to diagnose and correct the problem.

Plumbing

1. Is it a big deal if my toilet is running?
   This is not only an annoyance but also a waste of water and money. If the toilet continues to run into the bowl after the toilet is flushed, it indicates that some part of the mechanism is out of order. Sometimes a little jiggling of the flush valve mechanism solves the problem. Otherwise you may need to replace the entire mechanism.
2. I have noticed a puddle on the floor after the heater comes on. Is the heater leaking?
   Water accumulating on the floor or in the drain pan is generally caused by one of the following conditions: Condensation, Drain valve leaking, Temperature and pressure relief valve leaking, Leak from piping on and near the inlet and outlet, Leak at gas valve threaded connection (gas models only), Leak from gaskets for electric elements (electric models only), or Leak in heater tank. A leaking water heater tank leaks all the time and does not stop and start. If the water is coming and going you may have a condensation issue. Condensation can form when a water heater is over used.
3. Why do I have less hot water than I had before?
   The most likely reason, in a two element heater, is that the lower element is not heating. The unit only operates one element at a time, with most of the work done by the lower element. When the lower element fails, the only hot water you will get comes from the upper element, which only supplies about 1/3 of the total volume of hot water.

Heating

1. What does AFUE mean?
   AFUE stands for “Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency”. This rating tells you how much of your heating dollars are converted to heat energy put into your home and how much is lost up the flue pipe. Federal law mandates that all furnaces being produced today be at least 80% efficient. We sell some furnaces that are 96% efficient.
2. How big of a furnace or air conditioner do I need for my home?
   The only way to size an air conditioner or furnace for your home is to do a heat load calculation. The capacity needed is based upon how quickly your home gains or loses heat, not by square footage alone. ACCA's Manual J is an industry-approved method that Williams Comfort Air uses to insure the proper system is selected for you.

Water Quality

1. Which factors determine water quality?
   Water quality is determined by the presence and quantity of contaminants, by physical/ chemical factors such as pH and conductivity, by the number of salts present and by the presence of nutrients. Humans largely influence all these factors, as they discharge their waste in water and add all kinds of substances and contaminants to water that are not naturally present.
2. What do I need to know about home water treatment devices?
   Most people do not need to treat their drinking water at home to make it safe. A home water treatment unit can improve water's taste, or provide an extra margin of safety for people more vulnerable to the effects of waterborne illness (people with severely compromised immune systems and children may have special needs).
3. What is hard water?
   Water is said to be hard if the minerals calcium and magnesium are in the water. The more these naturally occurring minerals are present, the harder the water is considered. It is “hard” for soap to lather or make suds.

Sheet Metal

1. Is duct testing important?
   The ducts that are part of central heating and cooling systems offer one of the best opportunities to increase your energy efficiency, increase your comfort, and manage your energy bills. Studies indicate that 10%-30% of the heated or cooled air is lost—along with the money spent to heat or cool that air—through leaky ducts. Properly sized, installed, and sealed ductwork will make your heating and cooling systems significantly more efficient.
2. What should be used to seal ducts?
   The products that should be used to seal ducts are mastic, butyl tape, foil tape, other heat approved tapes, basically, anything except duct tape.
3. Should I have my ducts in the attic insulated?
   Yes, by all means. The duct will condensate in the summer months during the use of the air conditioning and the heat of the attic will warm the cool air. In the winter, valuable heat from the duct will escape up through the roof. By having this insulated, the HVAC equipment will operate more efficient.