HVAC FAQ
HVAC basics, maintenance, efficiency, and comfort—answered by Weakland's Heating & Air.
If you’ve ever wondered whether your system is “acting normal,” how often you really need to change a filter, or why “bigger” equipment can actually feel worse, you’re in the right place. We built this page to be a clear, homeowner-friendly reference you can come back to anytime.
We’re Weakland's Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc., and we’ve been servicing the Reno–Sparks and surrounding areas since 1991. Our goal is simple: complete customer satisfaction through consistent, top quality service. We specialize in residential and light commercial heating, air conditioning, and ventilation—including new construction (“building from the ground up”), retrofits, repairs, service, and preventative maintenance.
Below are the most common HVAC questions we hear, with practical explanations you can use right away.
HVAC 101
What does HVAC stand for?
Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning.
Those three words cover a lot: keeping you warm in winter, cool in summer, and moving/cleaning air so your home stays comfortable.
Airflow, filters, tune-ups
Maintenance & filters
What regular maintenance do heating and air conditioning systems need?
The most important part of HVAC maintenance is maintaining unrestricted air flows. Dust, dirt, and debris are an HVAC system’s worst enemies. Whether it’s an indoor or outdoor unit, you want to keep filters clean and heat exchangers and coils free of restrictions.
We recommend your heating and cooling system be checked and serviced twice a year—ideally a spring and autumn tune-up.
We also recommend that you change your filter regularly, depending on the type of filter you have. This alone can eliminate many of the most common problems that need fixing and can significantly reduce the likelihood of a serious breakdown.
A Weakland's Heating & Air Conditioning maintenance agreement is your assurance that these maintenance needs are met regularly and that any potential problems are promptly identified.
Why do I need to change my filter regularly?
Regular filter replacement helps your system operate at peak levels and improves indoor air quality. It’s important to change filters regularly to ensure proper airflow and to help keep your home free from dust, allergens and germs.
Depending on the type of filter you have, you may require weekly or monthly filter replacements. Our service technician or installation technician will recommend the ideal filters and replacement schedules for your unit(s).
How often should I replace my filters?
In general, we recommend:
- Disposable filters: replace at least once a month
- Washable filters: clean once a month
Your Weakland's Heating & Air Conditioning technician will recommend a replacement schedule that delivers the optimum efficiency and filtration for your specific system.
With a Weakland's Heating & Air Conditioning maintenance agreement, we clean and inspect your HVAC system twice each year. Part of the service includes changing the filters or servicing your filtering system. Unless you have special circumstances, our service should be adequate.
We also recommend that you visually check filters and filtering equipment monthly. If filters look dirty, they need to be cleaned or replaced.
Should I have a filter in both my return air supply and in the furnace at the same time?
No. If you have a filter in both locations, it restricts your airflow.
One problem is the furnace will run hotter. With the restricted airflow there is less airflow across the furnace’s heat exchanger, causing it to run hotter. This also means less airflow to the house, so it takes the furnace longer to heat the home.
Both of these issues mean the furnace runs less efficient and also puts greater wear on the furnace.
With restricted airflow, the system has to work harder to deliver warm or cool air to every room in the house. When the air can’t get to the rooms that are most used in the house, the typical reaction is to lower the thermostat a few degrees. This causes the system to run longer and more frequently, increasing electric bills to meet the demand.
In addition to changing my filters, what maintenance should I do on my heater and/or air conditioner?
Most maintenance should be performed only by a qualified service technician. But here are some things you can do to assure optimal performance:
- Keep ground-mounted outdoor units clear of debris, clutter, and weeds—they can reduce the airflow to the unit.
- Use caution with weed trimmers around the unit to prevent damaging control wiring.
- Keep pets away from the unit; pet urine can cause expensive damage.
How often should I have maintenance done on my air conditioner?
You should have maintenance done on your air conditioning system twice a year—spring and autumn being the best times. This not only ensures maximum efficiency, it enables us to foresee any possible problems that may occur in the near future.
Troubleshooting & “Is this normal?”
Is there anything I should check prior to calling for service?
A few quick checks can help:
- Make sure the air conditioner or furnace is plugged in.
- Check that the breakers and the disconnects are turned on.
- Be sure the thermostat is set correctly.
- Make a note of any strange noises or smells.
How do I know if my system is working properly?
Ask yourself:
- Is it making strange noises?
- Is it cooling or heating all areas of your home sufficiently?
- Has it been taking longer to cool down or heat up?
- Have your utility bills been rising for no apparent reason?
Any of these can be signs that you may have a problem that needs service. In most cases, the longer you delay, the worse any underlying problems will get. So be sure to contact Weakland's Heating & Air Conditioning whenever you notice anything out of the ordinary.
Sizing, tons, and why bigger isn’t better
How are the sizing capacities of heating and cooling systems measured?
Heating and cooling systems are sized according to their tonnage.
- One (1) ton = 12,000 BTU/H
- Residential systems can range from 1 to 5 tons
How important is it to get the right size of heating and cooling equipment?
Sizing HVAC equipment is very important from the standpoints of both comfort and energy use.
Heating and cooling equipment that are over-capacity will not run as frequently or as long when it does run. In both cases, this may mean poor humidity control. It could also result in temperature variations or noticeable cycling. Over-capacity equipment will not be as energy efficient as properly matched capacity, either.
On the other hand, equipment that is under-sized will obviously result in loss of comfort during temperature extremes.
What size HVAC system should I have?
Unfortunately, there’s no simple rule of thumb. Depending upon the construction of your home, one (1) ton of air conditioning can cool anywhere from 300 to 800 square feet.
The only way to insure the size of the system you purchase will be large enough to heat or cool your home—but not any larger than you need—is to have your home’s individual heating and cooling needs evaluated by a licensed professional.
A Weakland’s Heating & Air Conditioning Estimator will perform a FREE detailed In-Home Energy Analysis to determine a selection of systems that will work best for your home’s needs and your budget.
Is a system with more capacity better?
No. A larger system with more capacity delivers less comfort and costs more to operate.
An air conditioner is at its least efficient when it is first turned on. A system with too much capacity will run in numerous short cycles—turning on and off repeatedly—therefore causing it to be less efficient.
Also keep in mind that an air conditioner only removes humidity when it’s running, so a system with shorter run cycles doesn’t remove humidity from the air very well.
How do I know if my A/C unit is big enough?
Bigger is not always better; it’s performance and efficiency that count. Before purchasing a replacement system, you should always make sure your system is sized properly to match your needs and budget.
Your Weakland's Heating & Air Conditioning Specialist will thoroughly assess your home and comfort requirements to determine the proper size and make the appropriate recommendation.
Efficiency ratings (SEER, AFUE, MERV, and ENERGY STAR)
How is the efficiency of heating and cooling equipment measured?
When purchasing a furnace, heat pump, or air conditioner, ALWAYS ask about its Efficiency Ratings. They tell you how efficiently the unit uses fuel (gas, oil, or electricity).
Here are the most common ratings we discuss with homeowners:
SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) : This ratio tells you the amount of cooling your system will deliver per dollar spent on electricity. The SEER rating of any unit can range anywhere from 13 to 17. The higher the SEER, the more efficient the system will be and the less it will cost in the long run to own and operate.
AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency ratio) : A measurement of the percent of heat produced by a furnace for every dollar of fuel consumed. The higher the AFUE rating, the lower the fuel costs. All furnaces manufactured today must meet at least 78%. Older furnaces (10–15 years or older) may fall below this minimum. Furnaces with AFUE ratings from 78% to 80% are considered mid-efficiency; ones with AFUE ratings above 90% are considered high-efficiency.
MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) : A filter rating system relating to the size of the holes in the filter that allow air to pass through. The higher the MERV rating, the smaller the holes and the higher the efficiency in capturing contaminants. MERV ratings range from a low of 1 to a high of 16.
ENERGY STAR : An Environmental Protection Agency designation attached to HVAC products that meet or exceed guidelines for high-efficiency performance above the standard government minimums.
How can I increase the efficiency and life of my home’s heating and cooling systems?
A few quick tips we love because they’re simple and effective:
- Clean and replace your filters frequently.
- Your system will heat and cool more evenly when the blower is in the “on” position. The blower provides constant air movement throughout the home and allows for better filtration.
- Install shades, drapes, shutters, or screens on windows exposed to extreme sunlight to keep room temperatures at moderate levels.
Should I close the registers and doors to areas of the home that I do not use on a regular basis?
No. Every system is designed to cool a certain number of square feet. By closing registers and doors in certain rooms, you disrupt and decrease the system’s airflow and efficiency.
Your system will have to work harder to cool less space, making it cycle more and become less efficient.
Runtime, airflow temperature, and thermostat settings
How long should my air conditioning system run in a cycle?
There is no exact answer. The average air conditioner is sized to remove the heat from your home as fast as it comes in on a 110° day.
Ideally, on a 110° day the system should be able to keep up with the incoming heat, but not gain on it, and be able to turn off. The cooler it is below 110°, the more the system will cycle on and off.
Should I try to keep my air conditioning system from running too much?
Generally speaking, a unit that is either on or off is less expensive than one that keeps cycling on and off repeatedly.
Every time your system starts up, it will use a lot of electricity and not produce much cooling. That’s why a smaller system is often more economical to operate: even though it runs nonstop and may deliver less comfort, it will usually consume less power than a larger system that cycles on and off.
What air temperature should my air conditioner produce?
The air temperature produced by your system depends on the temperature of the air going into it. Generally, the air produced should be 18–20 degrees below what enters the system.
So if the entering air is 80 degrees, the exiting air should be about 60–62 degrees. However, that only works on a system that has been running at least 15 minutes on a warm, dry day with a home that is about 80 degrees inside.
On a milder day, with an indoor temperature in the low 70’s, the air coming out may only be 15–17 degrees cooler than what enters.
At what temperature should I set my thermostat?
Temperature settings depend on the time of year and your personal preferences. In the summer, the average temperature setting is 78–80 degrees. In the winter, 68–72 degrees is the norm.
Remember: when leaving your house, try to avoid drastic temperature changes. Do not set your temperature back more than 5 degrees; this will cause your unit to work harder to achieve the desired temperature setting.
Want help with your system?
If you’re seeing uneven temperatures, higher bills, odd noises, or you’re considering a replacement and want to make sure sizing and efficiency are right, we can help.
Weaklands Heating and Air Reno: 775.853.0304