Home A/C Maintenance

A-1 Air Conditioning & Heating

1467 Court Street

Port Allen, LA 70767

(225) 343-7260

Cecil Swanson, Service Manager

Q: Is preventative maintenance on my home air conditioning system really necessary?

A: At least half of the demand service calls we respond to are maintenance related failures. The cost of the service call of this type in the heat of the summer would more that pay for a preventative maintenance inspection, not including the cost of premature equipment failure. We highly recommend semiannual inspections on the heat and air systems to all homeowners.

Q: How can I lower my utility bills?

A: If you’re shopping for a new heating and air conditioning system, the best way to control your energy costs is to purchase a high efficiency variable speed system. Variable speed means your system varies its speed depending on your home’s heating and cooling needs. Efficiency ratings also matter. SEER is a measure of a unit’s cooling efficiency. The higher the SEER, the higher the efficiency. If you are not looking to replace your unit, other helpful hints include having your system inspected and serviced by a qualified technition prior to the beginning of each heating and/or cooling season. You can also save approximately 3 percent of your cost for every degree you lower your thermostat during the winter or raise it during the summer. If you don’t have a digital thermostat, consider getting one. These easy to use thermostats are more accurate than the manual ones. Replace your filters regularly. This should be done at least once a month.

Q: What are the benefits of a heat pump system?

A: Because a heat pump does not burn fuel, it is safer and cleaner to run than a gas powered furnace. A heat pump provides a more uniform temperature throughout a building. It does not produce a sudden blast of hot air as traditional furnaces do each time they kick on. In the heat mode, heat pumps do not dry out the air the way traditional heaters do. The higher humidity maintained by heat pumps during cold weather provides for a healthier environment. Heat pumps are more efficient and cost less to run than electric furnaces. Because heat pumps are used year round (for cooling as well as heating needs) they cost less per hour of use (cost of purchase and installation divided by total number of house used per year) than do individual heating and cooling systems, which each sit idle for a good part of the year.

Q: Recently a service technician advised me that I should replace my system because the freon is becoming harder to get and will soon be obsolete. Should I replace the system for this reason?

A: R-22 the refrigerant in most air conditioning systems is scheduled to begin phase out in the year 2010 in new equipment. The new equipment uses 410A and will be more efficient for several reasons. If your equipment warrants replacement due to in-efficiency or repair cost then I would recommend replacement with a 410A system. I would also look at the most efficient system I could afford that will cut my utility cost and actually pay for itself through those savings.

Q: How much should I expect to pay for a service call?

A: Prices in our area range from $59 to $89 with a reputable company, sometimes, customers are confused about the service call verses the repair cost. We charge a $79 diagnostic fee to come out and diagnose the problem. We then quote the cost of repair up front and in writing so there is no confusion. If you opt not to repair you would pay the $79 and would have a diagnosis and repair quote in hand for comparative shopping.