HVAC FAQs

Answers to common questions.

Two-stage cooling means that the air conditioner or heat pump has a compressor with two stages of operation: high for hot summer days and low for milder days. Since the low setting is designed to meet household-cooling demands 80% of the time, a two-stage system runs for a longer period and can produce a more consistent temperature.

Longer cooling cycles also translate to quieter, more efficient operation and enhanced humidity control. Compared to a single-stage unit, a two-stage system can remove twice as much moisture from the air. This is important because when moisture levels are high, there’s a higher potential for contaminant growth and other pollutant problems.

Refrigerants are what make air conditioning possible. Contained within the coils of an air conditioner, these liquid agents cool and dehumidify indoor air. For years, the most common refrigerant used in air-conditioning systems was R-22.

In response to growing environmental concerns, production of systems using R-22 refrigerant is being phased out. Carrier has been the leader in manufacturing the production of Puron based equipment! Because R-410A contains no chlorine, it is considered ozone friendly.

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.

Home heating systems represent only 5% of potential carbon monoxide sources. Though the amount of carbon monoxide produced is not substantial, it is important to schedule annual maintenance visits by a qualified technician to make sure all combustion appliances are operating properly and all chimneys and vents are free from obstruction.

Regular household cleaning and vacuuming can help control the spread of germs. Another effective way of battling germs is to have either a Germicidal light or Air purification system Installed to help control and or eliminate contaminants in the home. These devices are not designed to remove cigar or cigarette smoke.

The UV light is installed inside your ductwork, the device emit powerful rays of ultraviolet light that penetrate the cell walls of biological contaminants on surfaces, damaging their physiological structure so they can no longer grow, multiply and or spread throughout your home. Even when your heating and cooling system isn’t running, Healthy Climate germicidal lights work continuously.

Choosing the correct thermostat to control operation of your heating and cooling system depends on the type of equipment you have. Arundel Cooling offers a full line of thermostats, both programmable and non-programmable models, each are specifically designed to maximize the performance of your system. Please let our experience staff help you choose the correct thermostat for your needs.

There are several factors that can cause system freezing. One thing you can do to prevent or correct this problem is to make sure the filter is clean or replaced. You can check to see if airflow is restricted.

Dirty filter

After replacing or cleaning, you can speed up the thawing process by turning the system off and turning on the fan. If you have a heat pump system, you can try turning the system to heating mode until the ice has melted. After the ice has melted, switch the system settings back to normal. If the problem continues please call one of our friendly customer service reps to schedule one of our highly trained technicians.

Low refrigerant

In some cases, freezing is caused by a leak in the refrigerant lines. Weak solder joints, friction from piping rubbing or vibrating against an object, open valves or loose fittings are all factors that can cause leaks. When determining whether to have the system repaired or replaced, the age of the system and the nature and location of the leak are important considerations.

Dirty evaporator coil

Over time, the evaporator coil will become dirty. When this happens, you will begin to lose airflow, slowly enough that you probably would not realize it until it freezes up or cooling performance is compromised. At this point, you will need to contract one of our customer service representatives to schedule one of our trained service technicians.

Defective blower motor or relay

A blower motor not running at the proper speed or not running at all is another factor that can cause freezing. Motor operation may be intermittent, starting at full speed and slowing down after it heats up. Or, a relay could cause it to start one time and not the next. In either case, you will need to have the problem corrected.

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