Frequently Asked HVAC Questions
BEFORE YOU BUY
Determining the appropriate size of an HVAC system for a residence involves a comprehensive analysis of various factors. These include but are not limited to ceiling height, building materials, dimensions and positioning of windows, among numerous others. Accurately sizing a heating and/or cooling system necessitates a meticulous assessment that takes into account these diverse variables. Conducting a professionally executed load calculation serves as the cornerstone for ensuring the efficacy of the system.
You can obtain pricing details from your nearby DesertShield brand dealer when they furnish a quotation for your entire project. The local DesertShield brand dealer will require pertinent information about your residence and its heating and cooling requirements to furnish this pricing. For instance, they will need to assess the required capacity of your heating or cooling system, along with identifying any components of your existing system that need replacement. Further details can be found in our Price Guide.
To compare DesertShield brand products, you should consider three key areas: warranty coverage, feature set, and efficiency. Your local DesertShield dealer can provide detailed information to help you understand the variations in warranty duration for the standard limited warranty*. They can also explain the specific features of each unit, such as CoreSense Diagnostics for Copeland Scroll compressors, which helps prevent compressor damage by monitoring operational limits. Additionally, they can guide you through the efficiency ratings (e.g., SEER or AFUE) to ensure you choose the most suitable heating or cooling unit for your needs. Your local dealer is equipped to clarify these differences and assist you in selecting the best unit for your family.
At DesertShield brand, we understand that buying a new heating or air conditioning system is a significant decision. However, if your current system is outdated, requires frequent repairs, or operates inefficiently, upgrading to a new unit can provide substantial long-term benefits. Modern systems can be up to 60% more efficient than those purchased just a decade ago, leading to significant energy savings and improved performance.
With numerous heating and air conditioning systems available today, choosing the right one can be challenging. Your DesertShield brand dealer has extensive knowledge and experience in heating and cooling solutions to help you find the best system for your specific needs. Key factors such as the size and age of your home, the number of rooms, local climate, utility costs, and available utility incentives or rebate programs all influence which system will work best for you. DesertShield dealers use the latest technology to consider all these factors when helping you make a decision.
Many consumers opt for new systems with equal or higher efficiency ratings than their current ones. Upgrading from a system that is 10 to 15 years old can result in energy savings of 30% to 50% on natural gas or electricity costs.
Contact a DesertShield brand dealer to get assistance with determining the initial cost, warranty protection, service and maintenance options, operating costs, and proper installation. You can also request a copy of the product warranty from any dealer.
REGISTRATION
To locate the model and serial numbers of your cooling system, check the outdoor unit nameplate. This nameplate is typically positioned vertically on the panel near or above the refrigerant line connection point. The exact location can vary based on the size and efficiency level of the outdoor equipment.
To find the model and serial numbers for your heating system, locate the furnace nameplate, which is positioned on a side panel behind the front panel of the furnace. Accessing the nameplate requires removing the front door with tools. If you are not comfortable doing this yourself, it is recommended to contact a local service professional.
- You can register through our online product registration system.
- After registering online, am I required to use the installing dealer to obtain limited warranty coverage?
- No, you can choose any licensed contractor to maintain your system and perform work as per the terms of the limited warranty.
- How can I check if my DesertShield® brand products have limited warranty coverage?
- Online confirmation of coverage is available using our warranty look-up tool.
OPERATION
Yes, anything that obstructs airflow to the outdoor coil can impact the efficiency and performance of your system. To ensure optimal operation, keep the area around the equipment clear. If you suspect your unit has inadequate airflow, contact your local DesertShield brand dealer. Blocked airflow to air conditioners and heat pumps can cause more significant issues, so it’s important to keep the area clean.
You should never operate an outdoor unit when it is covered. Covering the unit during operation can block essential airflow and potentially damage the system. For specific recommendations for your area’s HVAC needs, consult your local, licensed professional HVAC dealer. We hope this clears things up.
Here are several tips to help maintain your HVAC system’s efficiency:
- Change the air filters every month or as recommended by your system’s manufacturer.
- Trim back foliage and remove any leaves, grass clippings, or debris near the unit that might block airflow to the air conditioner or heat pump.
- Have your system serviced by a licensed professional HVAC dealer before the peak season.
Maintenance
Heating and cooling systems endure significant wear and tear as they work to regulate your home’s temperature. The constant starting, stopping, and ongoing operation can lead to rapid and unforeseen deterioration if not properly maintained. By conducting preventive maintenance and regularly servicing your system, you can extend the lifespan of your heating or cooling unit and prevent many unexpected breakdowns.
Regular preventive maintenance inspections can identify issues such as leaks, rust, rot, soot buildup, frayed wires, and corroded electrical contacts.
At least once a year, we suggest that homeowners schedule a professional tune-up for the central heating and cooling system in their home. Inspections on boiler and furnace systems should include ductwork, pipes, dampers, valves, the chimney, registers, radiators, pumps, blowers, fuel lines, the gas meter, oil tank and every part of the actual furnace and boiler.
Meanwhile, heat pump and air conditioning unit inspections should also include inspections of the fan, compressor, indoor coils, outdoor coils and refrigerant lines.
Standard furnace filters are effective at keeping your system and ductwork clean but do little to improve indoor air quality. For better air quality, consider using a media filter. Positioned between the main return duct and the blower cabinet, a media filter enhances dust and particle removal by seven times compared to a standard furnace filter. Upgrading to a pleated media filter can further improve filtration, removing everything from insecticide dust to airborne viruses.
A media filter can last over two years, though its dense fiber weave may cause your furnace to work harder to circulate air. Always select a filter that matches your blower’s capacity.
Although modern technology has made significant advances in air filters over the past decade, a fractional amount of dust still finds its way past heating and cooling filters and into your home’s ducts. As this dust accumulates throughout your home, it creates the perfect environment for the growth of mold, mites and harmful bacteria. To check your ducts for dust buildup, pull off several supply and return registers and see how much dust has accumulated in the system. If you choose to clean your system, your best option is to contact a professional duct cleaner.
Although duct cleaning has little effect on the actual air quality, it will eliminate a house-wide breeding ground for harmful bacteria and mold in addition to helping your heating and cooling system operate more efficiently. If you are installing a new system, you should consider cleaning the ducts at the same time. New systems are often more powerful than old systems and can stir up dust that is sitting in the existing ductwork.
HVAC 101
Two-stage cooling utilizes a two-speed compressor that offers two levels of operation based on your cooling requirements—full capacity (high speed) for the hottest summer days and partial capacity (low speed) for milder days. This approach can be more energy-efficient compared to traditional single-stage or single-speed units.
Two-stage cooling typically results in longer operational cycles at a low speed, which can help remove more moisture or humidity from the indoor air, enhancing comfort. The lower speed also consumes less electricity than single-stage systems, which only operate at full-on or full-off modes. For improved indoor comfort, two-stage cooling can be more effective than single-stage systems.
Variable-speed cooling (and heating in heat pump models) uses a variable-speed compressor to deliver superior cooling performance. This technology can significantly reduce energy bills and enhance indoor comfort compared to single-stage compressor heat pumps. DesertShield® brand inverter models are equipped with Daikin Inside compressor and control technology, enabling precise diagnostics and optimal performance. This technology is utilized in over 30 million Daikin brand units worldwide.
A high-efficiency gas furnace with a modulating gas valve and variable-speed blower offers exceptional efficiency and cost-effective heating performance. Unlike single-stage gas furnaces that operate at either full power or completely off, a modulating, variable-speed gas furnace adjusts its output to run at a low fan speed to match the temperature set on your thermostat or control system. This approach delivers the precise amount of heat needed to maintain a consistent, comfortable temperature in your home, thereby minimizing energy consumption.
Relying on a single thermostat to provide optimal conditions for every room in your home is often impractical. What feels comfortable in the sleeping area might not be ideal for the living area, and vice versa. Zoning addresses this by dividing your home into separate areas with similar heating and cooling needs, using additional thermostats and zone dampers installed in the duct system.
Zoning enables you to avoid heating or cooling unoccupied areas, potentially saving money on energy costs. A well-designed zoning system allows you to set the temperature in each zone to your desired comfort level, and the equipment and zone dampers will handle the rest.
AFUE stands for the “Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency” ratio. It is a percentage used to rate furnace efficiency by dividing the heat output by the heat input. This measurement indicates how effectively a furnace converts fuel (natural gas or propane) into heat. A higher AFUE percentage means greater furnace efficiency, which can help reduce fuel costs.
HSPF stands for “Heating Seasonal Performance Factor.” It measures the heating efficiency of a heat pump. A higher HSPF number indicates a more efficient heating performance of the heat pump.
The AHRI directory lists rated values for air conditioners and heat pumps, providing detailed performance metrics for split systems (combinations of outdoor and indoor units). This offers a precise assessment of the equipment you are considering for your home.
For definitions of common efficiency measures such as EER, SEER, and HSPF, please click here. The AHRI data includes information on all models currently sold, both those in production (active) and those no longer in production but still available (discontinued).
Due to various factors in split systems, not every combination qualifies as a properly matched system. Our engineering team dedicates extensive effort to ensuring that the combinations we certify will function correctly in your home. Your local HVAC dealer can assist you in finding the ideal pairing for your home.
In the context of a split system air conditioner or heat pump, an AHRI-matched system denotes a specific combination of an outdoor unit, indoor unit, and/or furnace listed on the AHRI Directory of Certified Product Performance. AHRI’s voluntary certification initiatives entail third-party laboratory testing to validate manufacturers’ stated performance ratings. The performance ratings linked with such combinations are certified through an AHRI Certificate of Product Ratings. For further details, you can explore www.ahridirectory.org.
ENERGY STAR-certified items boast superior efficiency compared to their conventional counterparts. This translates to reduced operating costs and a smaller environmental footprint. These products undergo third-party certification by an EPA-recognized body, ensuring their adherence to stringent energy efficiency standards established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). For additional details, you can explore www.energystar.gov.