Simmons Heating & Cooling FAQs

  1. How much does a heating and cooling system cost?
  2. What percentage of your electric bill is heating and cooling?
  3. How often should I have maintenance done on my water heater?
  4. How does professional maintenance help my HVAC system?
  5. How do generator systems work?
  6. What are the benefits of a programmable thermostat?
  7. What size system should I get?
  8. How often should I be replacing my air filters?
  9. What is the importance of SEER rating?

How much does a heating and cooling system cost?

This greatly depends on a number of factors like the size of your property, the type of equipment you’re purchasing, if new ductwork is being installed, and much more. You should consult with an experienced team like ours to review your options and ensure you get a fair price and professional installation that is right for your unique situation. Also, cheaper isn’t always better! You’re going to be investing in equipment that will be responsible for your comfort for many years. Considering some of the more premium systems can be worthwhile for several reasons. Higher-end system can be much more efficient and save you money in the long-term, offsetting some of the initial cost of the system. We can help you evaluate these savings when considering a new system. Financing is another thing to consider when looking into a new system, and can make investing a more premium system easier to afford instead of settling for a more modest system.

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What percentage of your electric bill is heating and cooling?

According to data provided by ENERGY STAR, around 40% of your household energy costs come from your heating and cooling systems. That means a big way you can reduce your energy spend per year is to consider energy-efficient systems, especially when looking into replacing or upgrading a current heater or air conditioner. Other appliances like refrigerators and clothes dryers take up a notable chunk of your yearly energy spend as well, so finding appliances with the ENERGY STAR label can help you save money each year. If you’re in the market for a new air conditioner or heater, let our team help you calculate the savings you could enjoy for a highly energy efficient model!

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How often should I have maintenance done on my water heater?

Much like your heating and cooling systems, your water heater should be serviced and flushed at least once a year. Your manufacturer may have a recommended maintenance schedule that can be found in your owner’s manual. We also recommend visually inspecting your water heater once a month for any signs of leaks, cracks, or other signs that it might need service from a professional. Our team at Simmons Heating & Cooling is more than happy to help you find a schedule that works best for your specific water heater and home.

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How does professional maintenance help my HVAC system?

Just like any other complex machine, your HVAC system has many internal parts and components that will eventually wear down over time. Each year, your system is constantly stopping, starting, and accumulating dust and debris just from normal use. Over time, this wear, tear, and buildup of grime will surely result in system failure. However, much like your car, if you have your HVAC systems regularly serviced by a professional technician (like the ones here at Simmons Heating & Cooling!) you can prevent this deterioration and oftentimes, save big on what would otherwise by costly repairs. Plus, having a routine cleaning and tuning will give you better performance and more efficient heating and cooling, helping to reduce your energy costs and keep you more comfortable all year-round. From energy savings and extending your system lifespan to keeping those unexpected repairs at bay, routine preventative maintenance is highly cost-effective and necessary service for every homeowner.

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How do generator systems work?

Almost everyone has experienced a power outage before. The lights go out, the TV turns off, and you have to leave the refrigerator closed or the food will spoil. A whole-home backup generator is the solution to this problem. In the event that a power loss occurs due to a brownout, lightning strike, or whatever else causes your home to lose power, a backup generator turn on and power your home. This can keep important medical devices running, your heating and cooling systems working, prevent damage to sensitive electronics, and even allow you to open that freezer without fear of losing perishable food.

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What are the benefits of a programmable thermostat?

With a programmable thermostat, you can set up a schedule for heating and cooling your home that allows you to save on energy costs by only running your heater or air conditioner when you need it. From setting up an automatic schedule to heat your home right before you’re coming home from work to setting it up to stay at a different temperature than normal when leaving for vacation, a programmable thermostat gives you total control over the temperature in your home.

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What size system should I get?

This is a complicated matter that you should always consult a professional for. A wide range of factors are evaluated when properly sizing a new heater or air conditioner like the square footage and layout of your home, your windows, ductwork, and even the weather conditions of where you live. We can assist you in finding a system that will be perfectly suited for your specific property and comfort needs. The dangers of improperly sized systems can include reduced system lifespan, inefficient and uneven heating and cooling, and even more frequent repairs due to overuse.

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How often should I be replacing my air filters?

In general, most filters are recommended to be replaced every 30-60 days. The best answer to this question, however, is usually found by consulting the manufacturer-recommended schedule for filter replacement for your system. This can be found in your owner manual or by contacting the manufacturer directly. Other factors that can affect recommended filter replacement frequency include what type of filter you use (standard and media filters have different requirements, for example), your indoor air quality conditions, pets, and more. If you need help determining how often you should be replacing and/or cleaning your filters, our team is more than happy to help.

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What is the importance of SEER rating?

SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) is the way that air conditioners are rated for their efficiency. This number is produced by the Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) and allows for a quick way to determine how efficient an air conditioner operates. The higher the number, the more efficient the system. Higher SEER ratings also directly relate to lower costs to operate the system. Generally speaking, SEER ratings range from 13 to 17, and can be found at much higher numbers for premium equipment and certain heat pumps.

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