Questions and Answers:
Does Energy work on all brands of HVAC equipment?
Yes. Energy Services services all major brands of residential HVAC equipment. Energy Sevrices services select brands of commericial equipment. You have two options to create a service call:
Click here for a list of phone numbers.
Click here to schedule a service call online.
Click here to schedule a maintenance call online.
Is Energy Services NATE certified?
Yes. Energy Services is 100% NATE certified. This means that all the techs working for Energy Services have passed the NATE certification test.
Is Energy Services fully insured?
Yes. Energy Services has all business insurnace including business liability, workman's comp. and car/truck insurance.
Does Energy Services offer 24-hour Emergency Service?
Yes. Energy Services offers 24-hour emergency service. Click here for a list of phone numbers.
What are your office hours?
Our office hours are Monday - Friday between 8:00 A.M. and 5:00 P.M. . Click here for our main location.
Does Energy Services sell air cleaner filters?
Yes. Energy Services sells name brand air cleaner filters (the filters designed for the air cleaners). Giant retailers also sell air cleaner filters, but these are not name brand. This means these "knock-off" filters are 4-6 times less efficient, or, in other words, you will need to replace the "knock-off' filters 4-6 times more than the name brand filters sold at Energy Services. Contractors that say otherwise either DO NOT know their products well enough, or DO NOT want to be bothered with customers walking in from the street. Click here for filter maintenance information.
Does Energy Services sell over-the-counter parts like gas valves and circuit boards?
No. Energy Services does not sell over-the-counter parts. We did at one point in time, but ran into the problem of customers either hurting themselves or shorting a part out. If you need service we recommend calling an up-to-date trained technician. . Click here for a list of telephone numbers.
Is the in-home estimate to replace my equipment free?
Yes, most residential estimates are no charge. When you contact Energy Services you will schedule an apointment for the estimate at your convience. At the time of the apointment a comfort consultant will arrive at your home, ask you a series of questions, measure the home, investigate the old system, etc. Please read here for further details on the job survey process or click here to schedule an on-line estimate.
Are you offering any specials or discounts?
Yes. Please follow this link to see the seasonal specials.
Are you offering any coupons I can use?
Yes. Please follow this link to see the available coupons.
Can you give me a ballpark price range on a new system?
We can throw figures at you, but that wouldn’t be fair to you. For example; what if I told you an air conditioning or furnace system would cost from $1500 to over $8000. What the heck does that mean; you might think. Then you might start asking a lot more questions. Here is why you might do that. Let’s say that this is probably the first time you are trying to purchase an air conditioning system or furnace. Most people have never shopped for an air conditioner or furnace. So they resort to their tried and true shopping experiences. It is easy to phone shop for a refrigerator, washing machine or a computer. Those appliances are ready to use by plugging them in. A furnace and air conditioning system is not ready to order and plug in. First; an air conditioning system and furnace is comprised of many potential models. Next the Btu size must be determined. Because of Global Warming and higher efficiencies, the Btu size of today may be lower than what you have now. Next there are a lot of extra installation materials that will be needed to complete the installation. We could take a guess, but that would also be unfair to you. We would either have to guess low or guess high. If we guessed low, the price might be very attractive to you. Then when we actually get to your home and discover that we were wrong and had to significantly increase the price we would be called a “bait & switch” company and be told to leave. Unhappiness on both sides. We want you to have a positive experience. That is the reason we do not charge to come to your home and take between 1-1/2 hours to survey your home, ask questions about your comfort experiences since you have lived there and determine the exact Btu system you need. We will also be able to determine the exact installation materials and give you some choices of equipment to suit your needs.
Do you install all brands of air conditioners and furnaces?
What brand is your favorite? Although we are a Carrier dealer, we sell and service Bryant, Goodman, Trane, American Standard, Lennox and other brands.
What brands are comparable to Carrier?
Bryant, Lennox, & Rheem. What differs is the type of service the manufacturer’s distribution system offers.
Can I get an estimate with the same salesperson that worked with me on my other system?
Yes, if the comfort consultant is still working with Energy Services.
What types of warranties does Carrier offer?
Carrier offers five year and ten year warranties on parts and various warranty lengths on compressors and heat exchangers.
Are the warranties through Energy Services, as well as, the manufacturer?
Carrier offers five and ten year warranties on parts only. Energy Services offers a five year parts and labor warranty with all our furnace and a/c installations. A ten year factory warranty can be purchased as well.
Note: most other HVAC contractors only offer a 5 or 10 year warranty on parts only (not labor as well).
How soon would you be available to install a new system?
Emergency installations can be arranged as soon as the next day. Typical installations range from the next day to within the week.
What is involved in installing a new system?
First, the installers gather all the materials needed for your job from our shop. Next they arrive at your house, discuss with you what will be installed, lay down drop cloths, survey the job site, begin to dismantle your existing equipment & move it outdoors, unload your new equipment and installation materials, prepare the area where the new equipment is to be installed and set it into place, modify the plenum(s) as needed, inspect the electrical service for proper the circuit breaker, remove the old and install the new refrigerant tubing if an air conditioning system is being installed, and much more.
How long will the installation process take?
The time to install your equipment depends on what we will be doing for you. The time could be as little as four man hours to over forty hours. Typical installations are completed in one day.
How long can I expect a new system to last?
The systems last from ten to twenty years. This will depend on the model you purchase and how often it is maintained (yearly is a minimum).
Should I replace both the air conditioning and furnace system even though the air conditioning system is the only one not working?
This will depend on the age of the working system. If the working system is ten years or older, you should consider replacing it at the same time. This will save you installation labor which translates into saving money. In addition, a newer model will be cheaper to operate and, could make you more comfortable.
What is a SEER rating and what does it have to do with air conditioners?
SEER is a rating that is used to calculate the air conditioners operating costs if properly sized for your home and properly installed and charged. Higher numbers are better. SEER ranges today from 13 to 21.
What are the advantages of a roof top unit air conditioner versus a ground unit?
This depends on what the job site requirements are. Usually we start asking a lot of questions to determine your needs. What do you have now? Is this a business or a home? Do you have a rooftop unit now? If so, it is less expensive to replace it with a newer system than convert it to a residential type system. A rooftop unit is typically defined a single packaged unit that both heats and cools and the air flows into duct work that is just below the roof. Once in a while, a business has an air conditioner that is like a home system with the condensing unit located on the roof and the indoor evaporator coil located somewhere below the roof, like in a closet or hanging from the ceiling somewhere. The indoor evaporator coil would be located in either a furnace plenum or in some kind of blower cabinet located above a dropped ceiling.
How do I know what size unit my house needs?
Because of Global Warming and higher efficiencies, the Btu size of today may be lower than what you have now. Our in-home comfort consultants will be happy to visit with you. They survey your home by obtaining measurements, types and quantities of windows and doors, type of construction & insulation, measurement of the furnace plenums, location of existing equipment, type of electrical connections, tubing requirements, venting requirements, & condition of duct work. In addition, your comfort consultant will discuss the comfort or discomfort you have lived with since you have lived in your home. After all that, they are able to correctly calculate the Btu’s your house requires.
How often does my air conditioner need to be recharged?
NEVER, if the unit is properly charged by the Thermocharging or superheat method and has no leaks. There are two reasons refrigerant is added to an air conditioning system. One, is because most service companies do not train their service technicians to use the Thermocharging or superheat technique and their service technicians erroneously add and subtract refrigerant as they see fit. The second reason is because the A/C system is low on refrigerant due to a leak somewhere. Refrigerant leaks should be found and repaired as soon as possible. An A/C system low on refrigerant will run much longer than necessary, make it hard to cool your house, and increase your electric bill substantially. Plus, the compressor will become damaged and will prematurely fail resulting in a very expensive repair or replacement bill.
Do I need to cover my A/C in the fall and winter?
I don’t recommend covering a condensing unit because excess condensation can occur under the cover and cause corrosion. Plus a cover helps to protect against little critters and bugs that like to eat the wiring and snuggle in an electrical contactor, shorting it out when you first start it up.
How long should my A/C last?
In my 30 years in this business and after review of over 50,000 service repairs I have found that central air conditioning systems typically last from 6 to 12 years depending on when they were installed and how they are maintained. A/C systems installed prior to 1979 were very durable and could last from 12 to 20 years. Most A/C systems installed between 1980 and 1991 seem to have a shorter life expectancy of 6-10 years. Some systems installed between 1992 and today are again more durable and should last from 6 to 12 years depending on when and how well they are maintained. Proper annual maintenance is critical to a longer life for an air conditioning system.
I have an extended parts and labor warranty on my air conditioner and furnace. Do I have to worry about maintenance or can I forget about that during the warranty period?
Here is what is covered by all air conditioning and heating manufacturers, contractors and warranty insurance companies that offer extended warranties on cooling and heating equipment; They all will cover any part of the installed equipment that broke due to a defect caused by the manufacturer. That is all. Installation materials like tubing, electrical wiring to the unit, drain piping and hoses as well as regular annual inspections and maintenance are not covered. Those items are the homeowner’s expense.
To put it simply, all contractors and manufacturers will not repair any system that has broken due to lack of maintenance, or damage by others, incorrect installation techniques, acts of god such as storms, lightening, floods, tornadoes, etc., and the list goes on. For example a dirty furnace filter or condensing unit can cause the equipment to break down. The repair will not be covered. You will have to pay for the parts, labor and the maintenance.
All equipment manufacturer’s and warranty insurance companies that offer extended warranties on heating-cooling equipment or even cars and trucks will always include a phrase that tells the purchaser the item must be regularly maintained at the owner’s expense. These extended warranties also include a phrase that tells the owner the extended warranty will be voided if the regularly required maintenance is not completed. Always remember this. If you change the oil in your car every 3000-4000 miles, that is maintenance and is the same as having your air conditioner and furnace cleaned, tuned and maintained once each year.
When you read the consumer warranty information and product manual that comes with the equipment or vehicle, the manufacturer goes to great lengths to inform you of two things. How to operate the equipment or vehicle and how and when to provide routine maintenance. These documents are what everyone adheres to. Be sure to see these before you make a purchase. Be wary of this. I have seen contractors write this type of warranty on the proposal to the homeowner, “5 years parts and labor”, or “10 years parts and labor.” That is all. No other documents. Then reality hits when their unit breaks down and they expect free service. We run over 2,100 service calls each year in our company. Here is what we have heard from some of our customers, “We have an extended warranty from... I expected a no-charge repair when their serviceman arrived. Their serviceman told me my unit broke down because it was dirty and that since no maintenance was done on it, he couldn’t warranty it. I got mad and called your company. No one told me maintenance was required when I purchased the unit. In fact, now that I think about it, I would have paid them do the maintenance. Now I won’t use them again.” Don’t let that happen to you.
Here is another horror story from our service department. Don’t let this happen to you. Another customer told us, “My two year old air conditioning unit broke down and I had a five year parts and labor warranty. The installing company told me it would be a two-week wait to get a serviceman to my house. The outside temperature is 89 degrees and my house is just as hot. I couldn’t wait that long. The installing company told me my extended warranty would not be valid any more if another company worked on my unit. I got really mad and called Energy Services. And I don’t mind paying for your services.” This customer was very happy because we repaired her unit the next day.
Also don’t believe anyone who tells you maintenance is not required. Especially if it is not in writing and signed by the owner of the company. People come and go. No one will believe you a month or years later when your unit breaks down and you tell the serviceman or company, “The person who sold me the unit said maintenance was not required.” You will be told that if its not in writing on your contract and, what anyone said in the past is not valid now and, you will have to pay for the repair.
In conclusion, here is a radical thought. Let’s say you drive your car 25,000 miles in one year. This translates into about 900 hours of driving time. If you change the oil in your car every 3,000 miles, that represents eight maintenance oil changes per year. In the Chicagoland area, your air conditioner and many furnace components run approximately 750 hours during the cooling season. This translates into about 21,000 “miles” in one year. Your furnace runs approximately 2,400 hours during the heating season. This translates into about 67,000 “miles” each year. All you have to do is pay for one maintenance call on your furnace and one on your air conditioner each year. Imagine driving your car 67,000 miles without the simple maintenance procedure of changing the oil or getting a tune-up or other auto maintenance. With this radical thought in mind, do you really think any manufacturer, contractor or warranty insurance company will provide free warranty service on an air conditioner or furnace that runs for “21,000 to 67,000 miles” if it never had proper maintenance?
Do I need to change my furnace filter in the summer?
Yes. You should change your throwaway or washable filter at least once a month year-round in order to prevent your air conditioning system from damage. In addition, your air conditioning system will run more efficiently and will keep you cooler during those hot spells.
In addition, you should wash your electronic filter every 30-60 days. If you have a mechanical air cleaner you should change this filter every 6 months. For more information on filter maintenance click here.
Is it a good idea to run the furnace blower continuously on warm days?
I recommend you run your furnace blower all the time for the following reasons:
1) There will be better air distribution in your home, especially helping to circulate cool air to the upper floor in two story or multilevel homes (less stratification of hot air upstairs).
2) Your air conditioning will run more efficiently. Here is how. When the thermostat FAN switch is set to run the A/C in AUTOMATIC mode and the air conditioning system turns off automatically, both the furnace blower and the A/C turn off. The air conditioning systems’ indoor evaporator coil in the furnace is still around 42 degrees. If you set your thermostat FAN to ON, your furnace blower will run continuously even though the condensing unit turns off. The blower will move the air across that 42 degree evaporator coil helping to make your home more comfortable. This will help to save you money because the condensing unit will run less often. It’s cheaper to run the furnace blower than the condensing unit.
3) Running the furnace blower helps clean the air because the furnace filter traps some dirt. If you have an electronic or mechanical filter, it will remove much more dirt and bacteria if the furnace blower is running continuously.
Don’t wait until the first 90-degree day to turn on your air conditioning system. Why?
What if your A/C system doesn’t turn on? What if it’s broken? It is much better to find out before it´s really hot! It´s an annual historical fact that when the first 90-degree day comes around, every reputable cooling contractor is busy handling hundreds and hundreds of calls. You´ll often wait a week or more before a service technican can look at your problem.
Plan ahead! As soon as the outdoor temperature goes above 70 degrees, turn on your air conditioning system. Go outside and check to see if the outdoor condensing unit is running. You should see the fan spinning around and you might hear the compressor running as well. After an hour or so, check to see if the air coming out of your registers is cold. If your not sure about the temperature of the air coming out of the registers, go back outside and feel the temperature of the air above the spinning fan. It should feel warmer than the outdoor air.
If everything seems okay and the indoor air is beginning to cool, then you can turn it off. In addition, you should check your furnace filter to see if it needs changing or cleaning. If you have a throwaway type furnace filter that is one inch wide, just replace it if you are not sure when you replaced it last. If you have a one-inch wide pleated filter, you should ignore the manufacturer instructions and replace it every month! If you don’t change it every month, the one-inch pleated filter could not only ruin your air conditioning system, it will force your air conditioning system to run from 15% to 50% longer which will increase your electric bill by the same percentages.
I have condensation above my furnace. Is that normal?
Any water that can drip onto your furnace at any time during the year is bad. Water can ruin your furnace. Call for service as soon as you see water on your furnace… spring, summer, fall or winter! Try to find the source of the leaking water and tell your service provider. This is another reason to have your air conditioning system, humidifier and furnace maintained every year. Many times our service technicians find evidence of leaking water during their maintenance calls. If you live in the Western Chicago suburbs, give us a call at Energy Services Air Conditioning & Heating Company for information on an annual maintenance agreement. Let us know you read our Web page.
I’ve heard the cost of Freon (refrigerant) has increased substantially over the past few years. Will this effect the cost of air conditioners?
The refrigerant for central air conditioners and room air conditioners is refrigerant 22 or FREON. In less than five years (year 2004), the production of refrigerant 22 will be reduced by 33% based on 1997 production levels. In 2010, refrigerant 22 cannot be used in any new air conditioning systems. Japan and the European countries have adopted an even more aggressive cap and have been urging the U.S. to do the same, but to date, the U.S. government has resisted. In 1996 Carrier Corporation introduced three air conditioning systems that use a new refrigerant called PURON that is not harmful to the atmosphere. PURON is the replacement for refrigerant 22. (Note: PURON cannot be used in any existing air conditioning systems). These are the reasons the cost of refrigerant 22 is rising. The cost of refrigerant 22 will probably continue to rise and may skyrocket in five years when it becomes in short supply.
If you are looking to add or replace your central air conditioning system, you might want to consider Carrier’s new air conditioning systems that use the new Environmentally Sound PuronTM Refrigerant. PuronTM takes the place of refrigerant 22. More info on Carrier Puron Systems.
If my pilot light is out, how do I know where to put the match?
Note: Before attempting to light your pilot make sure you have a standing pilot furnace! Some furnaces have electronic ignition with no pilot light. If you are not sure, call us with the brand and model and we will look up the type of pilot for you.
Follow these steps to find your pilot:
1. Find your gas valve near the furnace burners (the box with the knob on it!).
2. Follow the copper tubing from the gas valve.
3. At the end of the copper tubing is a “c-shaped” clip.
4. Inside the “c” is where the match goes.
5. Turn the knob on the gas valve to pilot and push this down while holding the match. Hold the knob down for 30 or more seconds after the pilot is lit
How often should I change my furnace filter?
A dirty or plugged filter restricts your airflow, increasing operating costs. Air Cleaner Filters should be changed/serviced regularly depending on the type of filter:
- Change disposable filters once a month.
- Change mechanical filters (accordion type 4-6 inch width) every 6 months.
- Wash electronic filters once a month.
Most can be washed in the laundry tub.
Can I reuse my humidifier pads?
No, this is not recommended. Dampening and drying causes the pad to crumble. The crumbling pad clogs your drain and the resulting water leakage will damage your furnace. Install a new humidifier pad every fall to prevent it from ruining your furnace.
How do I test my humidifier?
For the following types of humidifiers; Carrier, Aprilair, General Auto-Flo. Follow these steps to test your humidifier and adjust the humidity:
1. Find your humidistat control. It is a rectangular box with a knob. It is either on the wall next to the thermostat or on the ductwork near the furnace.
2. Turn it all the way to the right.
3. Wait 5-10 minutes.
4. You should see water flowing through the drain tube.
5. If this is not the case, call us for service.
6. If you turn the humidistat dial slowly, you will hear a click. The humidity setting at the click is the current humidity level in your home. To increase the humidity, turn it past the click. Wait a day and adjust up or down as needed.
My electronic air cleaner makes a zapping noise. Is that normal?
Normally, yes! This tells you the air cleaner is working. If the zapping is never-ending, vacuum your prescreen filter--it is the narrow one. Pull out and inspect the large cells, they might need cleaning in the dishwasher.
Why is my furnace blowing cold air?
Check the following common causes:
1. The thermostat “Fan” switch is in the “On” position. This is not a problem, we recommend this for best cooling in the summer and air distribution year ‘round.
2. Pilot light is out.
3. Thermostat is in the “Cool” position. If none of the above, you have a problem requiring a qualified technician.
How long should my hot water heater last? What should I do if it is leaking?
The average water heater lasts 6-10 years. Longer if you have a water softener. If your hot water heater is leaking, you will need to have it repaired or replaced. A leak from the top can often be repaired. A leak from the bottom usually means a rusted-through tank. This means that in 1 to 3 days the leak will turn into a flood! Call us for immediate replacement.
I’m getting water leakage through the dry wall ceiling near the chimney. Also my chimney bricks are deteriorating. Any ideas?
If you have installed a high efficiency furnace then surprisingly the problem could be caused by the size of your chimney! Check the venting page for details on how condensation can be stopped with new venting.