Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Heating and Air in Durham

How can I tell if my heating or cooling system has a warranty?

Search your brand and model # of your heating and air conditioning system in Durham to find the warranty information, and know the date of purchase. Find the date of manufacture on the equipment label, and if it is less than 5 years old, it may have a warranty. Warranties are different, depending on each manufacturer. For a warranty to be effective, it must have been registered at the installation date. Boer Brothers Heating and Cooling can perform a diagnostic procedure to determine the status of your warranty. Our trained technician can find out if your system is covered under warranty if you provide the model and serial numbers. The cost of the part is covered under warranty, but not the labor on the installation of the part.

Which sounds indicate that my heating and air conditioning system may need a repair?

Typically, new systems are quieter than older HVAC systems. With greater efficiency, newer systems are also quieter than aging systems. As a system gets older, it may become louder when it turns on and off, depending on if the system has an insulated compressor or not. If you hear a grinding sound or rattling noise, the heating and air system in Durham should be checked out, especially if you smell a metallic odor. Popping sounds mean that the ducts are undersized, which could lead to air quality and ventilation problems. When you are shopping for a new HVAC system, we recommend comparing the sound ratings of the systems in your efficiency range and budget. If the new HVAC system will be located near bedrooms or close to a neighboring home, the sound is an important consideration.

What does the Diagnostic fee cover?

The time and travel associated with diagnosing, inspecting and providing recommendations for an HVAC system is included in the $85 flat fee. If a system replacement is necessary, we usually waive the diagnostic fee for a new heating and air system in Durham.

What is a Precision Tune-Up, including benefits and investment?

For our precision tune-up, we will visit your home at your convenience, with a first time call for one system billed at $89. Additional systems are $69 each. For instance, the first system is $89, second unit is $69, and the third is $69.00, totaling $227.00 for 3 complete systems to receive comprehensive tune-ups. It is recommended to have a Precision tune up twice a year to ensure energy efficiency and cost savings on energy bills.

At a Precision Tune-up, our certified technician will perform the following:

• Inspect and clean burner assembly
• Tune the burners for greater efficiency
• Verify that there is a good flue draft
• Set the thermostat heat anticipation
• Tighten all of the electrical connections
• Measure the volts/amps
• Lubricate moving parts
• Calibrate the thermostat
• Clean the condenser coil
• Clean the condensate drains
• Measure the temperature difference
• Clean the ignition assembly
• Clean the furnace heat exchange and other elements
• Test and adjust refrigerant pressure
• Test the compression starting capabilities
• Inspect safety controls
• Clean the blower assembly
• Measure and review air flow
• Adjust the balancing dampers

Maintenance Club benefits:

• Increased energy efficiency
• Reduced energy costs
• Extended life of equipment
• Takes care of smaller problems before they become large problems
• Reduced amount of repairs and cost of repairs
• Receive priority service
• Convenient scheduling
• Transferable agreement
• Extended hours for appointments so you can be present at the inspection or repair
• Advice for energy conservation and going “green”

What are the new Refrigerant regulations and products?

Refrigerants have gone up in the cost recently, due to the EPA’s Clean Air Act, which limits and regulates the use of refrigerant. Boer Brothers supports the goal of eliminating the refrigerants with chlorine, since they negatively impact our Ozone layer. To keep our environment healthy, many changes have been made to the refrigerants used in heat pump and air conditioning systems. The AC industry has a new Refrigerant, called R410, that is chlorine free. Older heating and cooling systems cannot use the newer refrigerants unless they are modified extensively. R22, a common refrigerant, and other similar refrigerants, are being phased out of production. Available through 2020, they cost more because the supply is limited. Therefore, it is vital to make sure your heating and air system in Durham does not have refrigerant leaks, as large repairs may become necessary.

What are your repair fees?

Similar to an auto repair shop, Boer Brothers charges a flat rate for the diagnostic and a flat rate for the repair. Customers know upfront what the pricing allows and how much the repair will cost, prior to getting started on the repair. Repairs are priced according to the amount of time that it takes our experienced technician to perform the repair. The flat price is solid, and will not change based on the cost of parts or additional labor hours.

Why should I have regular, preventative maintenance on my HVAC system?

Your heating and air units in Durham should be inspected with seasonal maintenance, at least annually. Once in the spring for your AC system, and once in the fall for your furnace is the typical recommendation from Boer Brothers. Save up to 30% on monthly heating and cooling costs with an energy saving tune-up. These tune-ups will help you to save possibly hundreds of wasted repair and energy dollars. Extending the life of your HVAC system, you will also enjoy a more energy efficient operation and cleaner parts. Operating 3,600 hours per year, your HVAC system is working full-time to keep your home at a comfortable temperature. In “run time” perspective, consider a car driven for the same 3,600 hours at 65 miles per hour. That car would travel 234,000 miles or around the earth ten times. This journey could not be possible without routine checkups, oil changes, and tire rotations to ensure the safety and reliability of the vehicle. Just as your car needs frequent tune-up, your HVAC system needs the inspections and maintenance to stay healthy and dependable.

Why does the system freeze up and what repair is necessary?

There are a few reasons why your HVAC system freezes up. First, check your filters to see if they are dirty and need replacing. Restricted airflow can cause the system to stop working. Next, check the refrigerant level to see if it is low. This is caused by a leak in the joints, loose fittings or leaking valves. Also, if the system was not charged correctly, the system can freeze up. Once the location and severity of the leak is determined by a qualified professional, a repair will be quoted. Using an electric refrigerant detector or soap bubbles, the leak can be found. If it is a slow leak and not easy to locate, dye will be injected to find the leak at a later time. A dirty evaporator coil can cause the system to run constantly, trying to reach a set temperature, since the temperature transfer is less efficient with a dirty evaporator coil. Soon, the system will freeze up or not work as efficiently. Our repair technicians can clean the dirty coil and restore your system to better efficiency. If the blower motor or relay is defective, the system needs to be turned off so it can defrost. Call us at 919-813-2556 and we will quickly come over to repair the problem. Specific problems and additional information can be found in the learning center.

When substituting the outdoor system, should the indoor unit also be replaced?