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Frequently Asked Questions 
Q. What does SEER mean?
A.  SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. The higher the SEER rating, the more energy-efficient the equipment is. A higher SEER can result in lower energy costs.

Q. What is a Btu?
A. Btu stands for the British Thermal Unit. It is a unit of heat energy in the inch-pound unit system, which is common today in the United States. The Btu is defined as the amount of heat necessary to raise the temperature of one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit, from 58.5 to 59.5.
A Btu is commonly used to indicate the heating and cooling capacity of a system, heat losses, and heat gains. To give an example of system capacity, a 10,000-Btu window air conditioner is capable of removing 10,000 Btus of heat per hour. To give an example in terms of heat gains, the typical heat gain added to a room by a person at rest is about 230 Btu/hour.

Q. What is a Ton?
A. A ton is the unit of measurement for air-conditioning system capacity. One ton of air conditioning removes 12,000 Btus of heat energy per hour from a home. Central air conditioners are sized in tons. Residential units usually range from 1 to 5 tons.

Q. I have forced hot water heat, can I have central air?
A. Yes. Though there are some considerations, we can install a separate system solely for air conditioning.

Q. How often should I replace the air filter on my furnace?
A. A minimum of twice a year, though many factors should be considered…are you running both AC and heating seasons? Is the environment in which the furnace is running clean? Do you have pets?

Q. What type of filter should I use?
A. A pleated, extended-life filter because it has a larger surface area to filter out debris.

Q. What is the difference between an 80% and a 90% furnace?
A.  An 80% furnace has an older style flue which vents through your chimney, while a 90% is direct vented to the outside with PVC pipe. You can expect a 10% savings in fuel cost with the direct vented 90% furnace.

Q. What is ventilation?
A. In a nut shell, ventilation is a system or means of providing fresh air.  It also refers to the air movement or circulation of air.

Q. Why is ventilation important?
A. Air is required in houses for people to breathe and for certain appliances to safely function as designed. Air moving through the house can remove moisture and increase the longevity of the building materials. Proper ventilation can save you money, save your health and save your home.

Q. Is there a simple way to tell if my house is properly ventilated?
A. In winter, if the windows sweat, the house is too tight. If the house is very dry, the house is probably to loose.

Q. Why should I be concerned about humidity?
A. Excess humidity can cause damage, moderate to severe, to structures and people living within those structures.  Examples of this range from peeling paint and wall paper in your bathroom to dangerous spores and molds that grow in a humid, wet crawl space or basement.  Humidity and lack of adequate ventilation are the source of costly renovations and medical bills.

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Green News 

      Lamco is a Proud member of IGSHPA

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TWO GREAT WAYS TO HEAT,

                             ONE GREAT WAY TO SAVE 

Carrier's Hybrid Heat delivers peace of mind to homeowners concerned about the unpredictable nature of utility costs. Hybrid Heat pairs a gas furnace with an electric heat pump to provide comfort, economy and flexibility. Your Carrier Hybrid Heat system will automatically switch between electric and gas heating as needed to keep your home comfortable all winter long while optimizing the efficiencies of each fuel. And, because the heat pump also delivers cool comfort when it's hot outside, your Hybrid Heat system is a complete, year round indoor comfort solution.

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