Frequently Asked Questions

Delaying repair can create a cause and effect situation for your AC unit. If it has to work harder than usual to produce the same level of cooling, that added stress can cause more than normal “wear and tear” on your system shortening it’s life span. Immediate repairs and regular maintenance help keep your system at peak performance and can increase longevity.

The best way to avoid having to call a 24-hour AC repair company is following a maintenance schedule. Developing an ongoing relationship with a reputable company will keep your HVAC unit working year-round with minimal costs. A few steps that an air conditioning contractor can help you with include:

• Scheduling air filter changes
• Air duct repair and sealing
• Checking for leaks and maintaining proper fluid levels
• Inspecting for general wear and tear

Although you can perform these steps yourself, a technician will be able to observe and address any problems with trained eyes. Simply put, this will allow you to be proactive about a problem instead of being reactive.

Air conditioner emergencies can occur when an AC unit stops cooling and interior temperatures can rise rapidly. This is especially true during the late spring through early fall. High interior temperatures put young children, pets, and elderly family members at risk.

It’s possible your AC has a dirty filter. This causes your AC to work harder and can strain the system. It could also be an issue with the thermostat of the AC. Call for a tune-up!

Most often, an AC unit that suddenly stops working is due to one or more of the following: a malfunctioning thermostat, a dirty condenser, a flipped breaker, a broken circuit, or a clogged filter.

If you live in a small space and want a more efficient way to stay comfortable during the hot Asheville summers, ductless air conditioning is ideal. Ductless systems, also called ductless mini-split systems, are becoming popular as a simpler, quieter, and more compact way to cool a home. Here are some benefits of ductless AC systems:

• FASTER INSTALLATION
• PERSONALIZED COMFORT
• INCREASED ENERGY EFFICIENCY
• IMPROVED INDOOR AIR QUALITY
• COMPACT SIZE
• REQUIRES MINOR MAINTENANCE

Unfortunately, most people wait until their AC unit is completely dead before replacing it. Many times, they will try to extend the life of the appliance by calling for repeated repairs. The cost of those repairs would go a long way toward paying for a new unit and the installation. A common question is how to know when to replace the air conditioner. There are several signs, but the most common include:

• AGE – air conditioners don’t last more than 10 years, maybe 15 years if they are well-maintained. A unit that is around this age that needs constant repairs should be replaced
• HIGH ELECTRIC BILLS – older, less efficient units will drive electric bills through the roof. Replacing an inefficient unit with one that has a SEER rating of at least 14 will save money
• UNCOMFORTABLE HOMES – if you just can’t seem to get your home cool enough for your liking, it is possible that your unit should be replaced
• CONSTANT REPAIRS – we may have mentioned constant repairs on an older unit, but an air conditioning unit that is always in need of work, no matter the age, is costing you money

Thanks to technology, homeowners have more options than ever before for affordable, energy-efficient residential air conditioning. We will assess your square footage, the number of family members (including the number of four-legged, furry residents), and what your needs are for comfortable cooling this summer.

We want to get the most from our existing HVAC systems for as long as possible. HVAC maintenance not only protects your heating and cooling system, but t also gives you better, safer IAQ (indoor air quality).

Maintenance also provides:

• Enhanced comfort
• Fewer repairs
• Improved energy efficiency for lower electric bills
• Warranty compliance

Maintenance saves money. But don’t let money stop you from protecting your HVAC investment and family health. Ask about financing options if you need HVAC repair or replacement for your Asheville commercial property or home. Call 828-630-8937 or contact Call Dad Air Conditioning & Heating with questions.

Commercial AC systems are usually roof-mounted, but some are located in hard-to-reach spaces. Your Call Dad AC & Heating team is specially trained and certified to repair, replace, and maintain your commercial HVAC system, wherever it is on your property.

We provide AC maintenance for:

• Banks
• Churches
• Healthcare/assisted living facilities
• Hotels/motels
• Malls
• Manufacturing/industrial properties
• Multifamily housing
• Offices
• Recreational facilities
• Restaurants
• Schools
• Server rooms
• Stores/retail

There are several maintenance steps you can take between your biannual HVAC tune-ups:

• Clean the area around your outside condenser unit.
• Clean/vacuum your registers every 30-60 days.
• Inspect/replace air filters per manufacturer’s direction.
• Keep your indoor AC/HVAC area clean.
• Use ceiling fans to enhance air circulation.

AC tune-ups are designed to ensure your system operates at maximum efficiency and reliability. Our AC tune-up services include the following and more:

• Calibrating thermostat
• Changing the oil filter
• Cleaning condenser coil
• Flushing condensate drain/line

Inspecting:

• Blower motor
• Capacitors
• Compressor
• Ductwork
• Electrical components
• Electrical connections
• Fan motor/blade
• Indoor coil
• Refrigerant level
• Safety devices
• On/off operation
• Supply/return
• Valves
• Lubrication of moving parts

Ductless mini-split systems offer energy-efficient cooling options without the need for ductwork. Like a traditional AC, ductless mini-splits work by circulating warm air over cold evaporator coils, where refrigerant then absorbs the warm air and transfers it to the outside unit.

Ductless mini-split systems are installed room by room, allowing customizable climate control for each space. Each unit has its thermostat so you can regulate usage depending on occupancy. Indoor units can now be recessed in the ceiling or mounted near the floor for a more seamless design.

Ductless mini-split systems offer homeowners options that traditional systems just can’t. Consider the following singular benefits that ductless mini-split systems offer you over traditional AC:

• Increased energy efficiency. No ductwork means no leaking air. Leaking air decreases energy savings by 30%. Dirty ductwork also reduces the efficiency of your system.
• Improved comfort. Each ductless mini-split unit has its thermostat so that you can climate control each room according to how you use that room. You can even turn off certain zones that you don’t use for more savings.
• Less expensive/less complicated installation. Since ductwork doesn’t need to be installed for these cooling systems to work, they are easier and less expensive to install.

Choosing an appliance for your home is an investment in your home’s resale value. Installing a ductless mini-split system should be done by professionals dedicated to quality products and quality techniques. Call Dad AC & Heating technicians are highly qualified and experienced with all makes and models of ductless mini-split systems to ensure you get the right product and the right combination of units for a job done right. We offer:

• Licensed and insured technicians
• Flat-rate pricing
• 24/7 emergency services
• Locally owned and operated company values

Because of their small size, ductless mini-split systems cost less to install than traditional HVAC systems and have much lower energy requirements for operation saving you money on your utility bills.

ENERGY STAR qualified systems can lower cooling and heating costs by 30 percent, and products continue to improve year after year as technology progresses.

Ductless mini-split systems last about 20 years when well maintained. (Traditional systems last between 12-15 years).

An air conditioning unit consists of two parts: one located outside, and one located inside–the component located inside–is the air handler. If you’re wondering why it doesn’t come directly to mind, you probably haven’t seen it much, if at all. The air handler is typically located in the attic or in a small closet. This part of your air conditioner typically contains the blower, heating, and cooling elements, and a few other parts. Its main function is to circulate warmed or cooled air through your home via ductwork.

Because your air handler contains the blower and is responsible for circulating air, it is a vital part of your home’s HVAC unit. When you call Call Dad AC & Heating to inspect your air conditioner annually, we will ensure everything is functioning efficiently. It is also imperative to keep your air filters clean and have us replace them when needed.

During your annual air handler maintenance, Call Dad AC & Heating will:

• Checking for noise and vibrations that could indicate electrical or mechanical problems
• Lubricate the motor and blower bearing
• Ensure that the motor belt and pulley are working correctly
• Look for damaged wiring or loose connections
• Inspect the unit’s bypass valve

Air handlers circulate air around your home through ductwork. An air handler is installed inside and works in conjunction with an outdoor air conditioning and/or heat pump condenser unit helping to make the air hot or cold.

Air handlers move air around. They aren’t involved with temperature control. Air conditioners are designed only to cool air by absorbing heat from the outdoor air.

The lifespan of an air handler is determined by climate, the quality of the installation, and how well it is maintained. They typically last between 10 -15 years.

The evaporator coil is the part of your AC that absorbs the heat in your house. It is located inside the blower compartment or the air handler and holds the chilled refrigerant that is moved from the compressor. In an air conditioning unit, the air is blown over the coil and the refrigerant removes the heat. As the refrigerant removes the heat, it becomes warmer and goes back to the condenser coils. When heat is needed, this process is reversed.

Having your evaporator coil cleaned is a basic part of air conditioner maintenance, whether your unit is residential or commercial. A dirty evaporator coil can lead to many issues, and oftentimes will make it seem like you need a new unit. Call Dad AC & Heating knows better and won’t tell you that a new unit is needed until the evaporator coil has been checked and cleaned. Some common problems associated with a dirty evaporator coil can include:

• Cooling efficiency – when this component of your system is dirty, it may seem like your air conditioner isn’t cooling your home properly. It can even lead you to believe that your AC has completely quit working
• High energy bills – with a lowered cooling efficiency, your air conditioner is going to run non-stop yet never completely cool your home. When your unit runs non-stop and works that hard, your electric bills will inevitably rise
• Poor air quality – evaporator coils produce moisture and condensation. Dirt, debris, and dust will stick to the moisture. Over time, this buildup will allow for mold and mildew to grow and consequently be distributed throughout your home. If your family is constantly battling asthma and respiratory illness, it can potentially be linked back to a dirty evaporator coil

Keeping a commercial HVAC unit running comes down to maintenance. A well-maintained unit will typically require fewer repairs and outcalls than one that is neglected. As with a residential air conditioner, the air filters must be checked and changed regularly. Aside from changing filters, bi-annual inspections should also occur–once in early spring, and once in fall. A few things we look for during these inspections include:

When your commercial HVAC system efficiently supplies cool/warm air to your business, your employees experience greater comfort and increased productivity. Here are some signs your commercial HVAC unit needs repair services:

• ‍DISRUPTIVE NOISES – HVAC systems that need repair often make disruptive noises, such as clicking, buzzing, humming, or clanking.
• ‍HIGH ENERGY BILLS – A high power bill suggests that you’re consuming too many resources.
• ‍UNEVEN HEATING OR AIR CONDITIONING – Inconsistent or inefficient cooling/heating suggests an airflow problem that might originate with the blower, air ducts, or other components of your commercial HVAC.
• ‍TOO MUCH MOISTURE – Some moisture might result from the appliance’s normal operations, but an increase in moisture indicates a problem.
• ‍UNPLEASANT ODORS – Mold, mildew, R-22 leaks, and other problems can produce unpleasant smells.
• If you suspect your property’s HVAC unit is damaged, give Call Dad AC & Heating a call to see if commercial repairs are the best course of action.

Not repairing your heater when you need to can have severe consequences. What can have equally dangerous consequences is not knowing when your heater needs repair.

Here are a few things to look out for that will tell you it’s time to call for heater repair:

• Heat not being evenly distributed throughout your property
• An increase in monthly utility bills without a change in energy use
• House not getting warm enough
• Loud, strange sounds like banging, scraping, or whistling coming from your heater
• Leaking ductwork
• Issues with your thermostat

Have you ever woken up in the middle of the night cold? Probably. It’s likely you grabbed a blanket, pulled it tight, and went right back to sleep. However, in the dead of winter, an extra blanket may not be enough, and if your heater isn’t working or isn’t working properly, it will only become colder inside. Young children and the elderly are especially susceptible to cold temperatures, but that doesn’t mean healthy adults can’t succumb to the cold. The biggest two risks of a heater breaking down during a particularly cold night are frostbite and hypothermia.

Some signs of frostbite include:

• White or grayish/yellowish skin
• Numbness
• Skin that feels firm or waxy

Some signs of hypothermia include:

• Low body temperatures that affect the ability to move
• Shivering and exhaustion
• Memory loss
• Slurred speech
• In infants, bright red and cold skin

We mention these signs of frostbite and hypothermia not to scare you but to make you aware of the importance of acting immediately when your heater breaks or isn’t warming your home properly. There is also a very real possibility of carbon monoxide poisoning if the heater is malfunctioning. Aside from health risks, it is simply uncomfortable to have to bundle up inside your own home!

Proper heating system maintenance can prevent or postpone the need for heater repairs. That’s why your heater must be inspected and tuned up by a trusted heating contractor at least once a year.

Here’s an idea of what you can expect from a regular heater maintenance service call:

• The HVAC contractor will cut the power to the heater so that they can work safely.
• The contractor will check all the inner components of your heater to make sure they are all working.
• The HVAC contractor will replace any worn-out belts, broken parts, and dirty filters.

We recommend tuning your furnace up before the fall. This is important because the furnace has been idle throughout the summer, and problems and necessary furnace repairs can go unnoticed until the weather starts to cool off. Many homeowners also choose to schedule a follow-up inspection in the spring when the weather starts to warm up.

Regular tune-ups help keep your system in peak condition. It is the best way to identify minor problems before they cause major damage. Regular maintenance and Call Dad AC & Heating’s maintenance plan also help prolong your furnace’s operational life and can significantly cut your monthly utility bills.

It is always advisable to perform regular maintenance in between professional maintenance visits. This includes regularly inspecting your filters and changing them when they become clogged. You should also check your thermostat to ensure that it is maintaining the desired temperature within your home.

We also recommend checking your vents and vacuuming the registers. This helps prevent the buildup of debris within your ducts and helps keep the dirt, dander, pollen, and other pollutants from circulating through your home.

You should also perform a visual inspection of your furnace. Look/listen for signs of leaks and any clanking, banging, or grinding noises. If you discover any potential damage signs, it’s a good idea to schedule a maintenance visit.

Finally, don’t close the vents in unused rooms. Contrary to the popular myth, this won’t reduce your utility bills. Instead, doing so can increase wear and tear on your furnace.

Even with regular maintenance, your furnace may eventually need professional repair. We don’t live in a perfect world, after all! Luckily, you have an honest and dependable furnace repair company that is available 24/7 to help!

Look out for these common signs that you need furnace repair:

• ‍SHORT-CYCLING – If your furnace runs for a few minutes at a time, then shuts off again
• ‍STRANGE SOUNDS – Rumbling, popping, whistling, or scraping sounds usually indicate a problem
• ‍IRREGULAR BURNER FLAMES – Flames that are uneven or lean toward the back of the furnace
• ‍CRACKED HEAT EXCHANGER – A crack in the heat exchanger may lead to a carbon monoxide leak. Carbon monoxide poisoning can cause frequent headaches, flu-like symptoms, and even death

Ideally, your furnace will be inspected and tuned up in the fall months that lead to winter. Generally speaking, you should have your furnace inspected at least once a year to prevent most major sources of failure. Our technicians are trained to spot problems and offer every available solution to you. In addition to this, a typical inspection or tune-up can include:

• CLEANING THE COMBUSTION CHAMBER – This is done because a buildup of soot can cause the corrosion of chamber walls.

• INSPECTING THE FLUE PIPE – Any damage to this pipe can lead to carbon monoxide leaking in your home. Carbon monoxide is especially dangerous because it is colorless and odorless. Because of this, the gas is often unnoticed until it is too late.

• OIL FILTER REPLACEMENT – This filter prevents small impurities from clogging the oil-burner nozzle.

• ADJUSTING BURNERS AND TESTING EFFICIENCY – Our technicians will set up a combustion analyzer. What we look for during this process is how much gas is escaping into the exhaust flue. This tells us how efficiently your unit is running and what adjustments should be made.

• INSPECTING THE BURNER FLAMES – Burner flames should be blue. If the flame is yellow, it could mean your burner is not receiving enough oxygen or that there is too much carbon monoxide in the area.

Sometimes furnace maintenance may slip your mind–it happens to everyone. Unfortunately, if your furnace is left in disrepair for years on end and is never serviced, it can take a toll on the unit. Skipping the yearly inspection and maintenance on a furnace not only diminishes the life of the unit but also minimizes the efficiency and could put your family at risk of numerous problems. Sometimes a furnace just gets old–but either way–you should know the signs that your unit needs to be replaced:

• ‍AGE – generally speaking, furnaces last 16-20 years. This doesn’t mean that the unit will only last 20 years, and it doesn’t mean it will last a minimum of 16. This age is average. If your furnace is around this many years old, be ready for the possibility of needed repair work or replacement
• ‍DUST – large amounts of dust may be indicating that your furnace cannot clean the air anymore. If your air filters have been changed as needed, this is a red flag
• ‍STRANGE NOISES – strange noises coming from an older unit could mean that a component or two has shaken loose over time and needs to be repaired or replaced. Unfortunately, it is common that the cost of repair or replacement of the part is high and cannot be justified on an older unit
• ‍YELLOW PILOT LIGHT – a furnace pilot light should be blue. If it is not blue, but instead yellow, this could indicate that there is too much carbon monoxide from the heat exchangers. Carbon monoxide can be deadly if inhaled consistently, even over a short period
• ‍COLD AIR – the whole point of a furnace is to warm your home. If you find that your unit is blowing cold air it could be several issues. The one commonality of all the possible issues is that they are signs that your furnace should be replaced

The obvious reason for needing a furnace installed is that you’re cold. With that said, there are a few more reasons why you may want to install a new furnace in your home.

To begin with, having an HVAC system you can run through the winter can improve your indoor air quality. The air filter in your furnace can help keep things like dirt, mold, and dust out of your air! Furnace Installation can also ensure that your whole house gets heated evenly this winter. Not to mention that new furnaces are more energy efficient, and break down less often than older ones do.

Plenty of people know that they have a heat pump and that it provides warmth during colder months. However, sometimes it is helpful to have a bit of a deeper understanding. To explain a heat pump simply, these systems use renewable heat in the surrounding areas to help heat (or cool) your home. Even in weather that feels cold to you, there is still a certain amount of heat in the air, ground, and water. This heat is constantly renewed by the sun. By applying a bit more energy to the heat, the heat pump can raise the temperature to desired levels.

Just like anything else, a heat pump will require maintenance from time to time. Typically, this is performed once a year, preferably in the fall, to ensure no outages during the winter months. There are several guidelines that our technicians follow to inspect and clean components of your heat pump. To give you an idea of this process, here are just a few of the highlights:

• Cleaning or replacing the filter
• Inspection of wires and connections, replacing any damaged wires and tightening connections
• Lubricating the blower motor or bearings
• Inspection of the base pan in the condensing unit, including checking the drain holes and removing any debris
• Oil and inspect the condensing fan motor
• Other points of inspection can include the thermostat, measuring the suction line pressure, running a defrost cycle, verifying the status of supplemental heat, and inspecting ductwork

There are several reasons why you should consider installing a UV air sanitizer in your home. Most of the time you will hear phrases like ‘better air quality,’ but what does that truly mean? Here are a few of the top reasons to consider a UV air sanitizer:

• These units eliminate over 98% of airborne germs
• Reduces the chances of mold, fungi, and bacteria
• Combats odors and allergens in the home
• Clean air is chemical free

Because these units also stop dust and debris in their tracks, you will have to dust and clean less. Also, those suffering from allergies or respiratory illnesses such as asthma may find relief with the installation of a UV air sanitizer. This relief will help children not miss school, parents not miss work, and the overall number of doctors’ visits to be reduced. Because air sanitizers kill mold, they can also potentially prevent the need for mold remediation in the future which also will save several hundreds of dollars.

Many people cannot justify the investment needed for a UV air sanitizer. This is quite alright, as there are a couple of other options to consider. Both of these may work well for your home or after trying them, it might be the catalyst for making the jump to a UV air sanitizer.

The first option for better air quality is to upgrade your air filters to HEPA-grade filters. These are more expensive than the standard filters used in most homes but can filter out far smaller particles than those of lesser quality. The second option is setting up a portable air-cleaning unit in an area of the home where you have pets or other allergens.

It is important to know your options if you are considering upgrading your thermostat. The majority of newer homes typically already have a digital programmable thermostat… but what does that even mean? Here we have a quick guide to common thermostats and a few of their features:

• ‍DIGITAL THERMOSTAT (NON-PROGRAMMABLE) – this is a manual thermostat, so it allows the AC to run until it is shut off. The digital part of this unit is specifically speaking of the display–it is similar to reading a calculator output
• ‍DIGITAL THERMOSTAT (PROGRAMMABLE) – quite similar to the above but can be programmed to regulate the temperature on its own. These units are quite common and allow you to leave home without having to worry about the AC running around the clock
• ‍WIRELESS THERMOSTAT – also known as a Wi-Fi thermostat, this technology allows you to control the temperature from your smartphone from anywhere in the world. It is easy to use and easy to change when your schedule varies
• ‍SMART THERMOSTAT – these are the newest thermostats on the market. They also can be controlled remotely from your phone, but their unique feature is the fact that they learn your schedule and adjust the temperature accordingly. Unfortunately, there are a few bugs with these thermostats, and changing their ‘learned behaviors can be difficult

Once you think you have a certain type of thermostat narrowed down for your home, the next steps will include choosing the brand and having it installed. Before we get that far, let’s talk a bit more about WiFi and smart thermostats. As exciting as it may be to have a thermostat that learns your behavior, you also must think about how often your actual behavior changes. If your schedule is relatively rigid and you leave at a set time, come home at a set time, and sleep during certain hours, these units might be a perfect match for you.

However, most people realize that life happens, and being able to easily adjust your thermostat on the way home from a short day at work or after a later than a usual night at the office is important. Wi-Fi thermostats give you the ability to do just that. As with anything, new technology will have bugs and issues that will be fixed with time. Until these issues are fixed, it may be better to stick to a Wi-Fi thermostat and wait until the bugs are worked out of these ‘smart’ ones.

Advantages of smart thermostats:

• Save on energy cost
• Automatic filter change alerts
• Programmable temperatures based on your schedule
• Humidity control
• Remote control temperature settings

The most basic type of maintenance that can be performed on your unit is a filter replacement. Opting to have a professional replace your filter means that the new filter will be the best one for your AC or furnace unit and your home, the filter will be installed correctly, and we can recommend if adjustments should be made. Some adjustments might include changing the filter more often or having your ducts cleaned. Any suggestion made will take into account the people and pets in your home and how much the AC or furnace is used.

Filters should typically be replaced at least every 60 days. Replacing your air filter should occur monthly if you have pets or allergies.

Failing to change your filter regularly wears down your system and can lead to costly repairs. It also affects the efficiency of your system leading to high energy bills. Air quality also suffers from dirty filters.

If you must, you can run an AC unit for 6-8 hours without causing system damage. Longer than that will damage your AC system and greatly lower the quality of the air in your home.

When you need HVAC services you can trust, call the experts at Call Dad AC & Heating. Our certified technicians are ready to help.

While your air conditioning unit does take out some humidity from the air, it does not remove all of it. A dehumidifier can help keep water from forming stains on your walls and ceilings as well as help to keep your family healthy. Here are a few other benefits of installing a dehumidifier in your home:

• Your home becomes less hospitable to mold, allergens, dust mites, and mildew. This is part of the reason it can keep you healthier, but also makes cleaning easier
• Mold and mildew create musty odors. Dehumidifiers can help get rid of the smell and keep these problems at bay
• Moisture in the air is often responsible for mold and mildew growing in clothes, linens, and towels. Removing the moisture in the air mitigates this risk
• Less moisture means that food will last longer and electronics in the house are no longer at risk of rust and corrosion
• Running a dehumidifier can actually reduce energy costs. This is because your AC unit will not have to work as hard to keep your home cool and to combat the humidity

These benefits of owning a dehumidifier seem great, but you don’t need one–do you? It is easy to become acclimated to a certain level of humidity in your home. Although you might not notice it, other people will. If you read the above list and recognize or relate to any of those problems, you should consider the installation of a dehumidifier. There are actually a couple other signs that you should consider this appliance:

• Condensation on the windows of your home
• High humidity rooms that don’t have ventilation (bathrooms with no windows)
• A damp basement with no evidence of water intrusion
• Visible mold- if you keep your home relatively clean, mold shouldn’t sporadically grow