Frequently Asked Questions:

How long should my furnace or air conditioner last?

Older furnace units, made prior to 1980, typically last for 10-15 years. Newer Furnaces with a stainless steel heat exchanger come with a lifetime warranty. Older air conditioners last 10-12 years, while newer units can last 15-20 year with the proper maintenance.

What does SEER mean?

SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficient Rating.

13 SEER, the most common rating, means that the system is 40 percent more efficient than a system eight years ago. The higher the SEER, the better the rating, and the lower your costs of operation.

What size furnace or air conditioner will I need?

For the best possible results, you should always get an in-home evaluation. Due to many factors, your heating and cooling needs will vary. For example, the age and size of your home, the type of insulation and ductwork all determine the unit size you will need. After a complete FREE evaluation of your home, we can make the proper suggestion for your heating needs.

Do I need a humidifier?

Yes. The new models, such as Lennox have fresh water drains, which prevent unwanted mildew deposits. People tend to associate the problems of calcium buildup and rust with old-fashioned humidifiers, but this is no longer the case.

Should I clean my furnace and air conditioner every year?

YES! If you properly maintain your unit, you can get many more years of good service. The number-one cause of repairs and/or replacement is due to little or no maintenance.

What efficiency should my furnace be?

With current energy costs skyrocketing we recommend at least a 92% efficient furnace. 80% efficient furnaces are available but will give you less of a return on your investment.

Who makes the most reliable furnace and air conditioner?

Every company that you have come to your home and quote you on a new system is going to tell you that whatever brand they sell is the best brand for you. Consumer Reports and Heating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration News all state that the contractor and the knowledge of the product that they are installing is more important than the brand. We prefer Comfortmaker because they offer the homeowner a two year 100% satisfaction guarantee backed by the Good Housekeeping seal as well as the manufacturer. This ensures that no homeowner is stuck with a lemon and guarantees your satisfaction. Always be sure to purchase a product that has the good housekeeping seal so you know that you will have the opportunity to receive a new product or a full refund if you are not 100% satisfied.

Air Conditioning Maintenance Guidelines

Carefully read and follow the manufacturer's literature on use and maintenance.

Your home air conditioning is a closed system, which means that the interior air is continually recycled and cooled until the desired air temperature is reached. Warm outside air disrupts the system and makes cooling impossible. Therefore, you should keep all windows closed. The heat from the sun shining through windows with open drapes is intense enough to overcome the cooling effect of the air conditioning unit. For best results, close the drapes on these windows. Time is very important in your expectations of an air conditioning system. If evening cooling is your primary goal, set the thermostat at a moderate temperature in the morning while the house is cooler, allowing the system to maintain the cooler temperature. The temperature setting may then be lowered slightly when you arrive home, with better results.

Once the system is operating, setting the thermostat at 55 degrees will not cool the home any faster and can result in the unit freezing up and not performing at all. Extended use under these conditions can damage the unit.

Temperatures may vary from room to room by several degrees F .The air conditioning system should maintain a temperature differential of 15 degrees from the outside temperature, measured in the center of each room at a height of five feet above the floor. Lower temperature settings are often possible, but neither the manufacturer nor Hofer Heating & Cooling guarantee this.

Air conditioning service requests are done in the order received.

Gas Water Heater Maintenance Guidelines

Carefully read and follow the manufacturer's literature for your specific model of water heater.

Condensation inside your new water heater may drip onto the burner flame. This causes no harm and in most cases will disappear in a short period of time, however you may have to re-light the

pilot accordingly. Review and follow manufacturer's timetable and instructions for draining several gallons of water from the bottom of the water heater. This reduces the build-up of chemical deposits from the water, prolonging the life of the tank and saving energy dollars.

Never light a gas pilot when the water heater tank is empty. Always turn off the gas before shutting off the cold water supply to the tank.

 To light the water heater pilot, follow the directions on the instruction panel. Water heaters sometimes collect small quantities of dirty water and scale in the main gas lines, which may put out the pilot light.

While away from home for an extended period of time, set the temperature to its lowest point and leave the pilot lit. Vacuum the area around a gas-fired water heater to prevent dust from interfering with proper flame combustion. Avoid using the top of a heater as a storage shelf.

Heating System Maintenance Guidelines

Carefully read and follow the manufacturer's literature on use and maintenance.

Generally, you can reduce the heat in seldom-used or interior rooms. This is an individual matter and you will need to balance the system for your own family's needs. Do not overheat your home. Overheating can cause excessive shrinkage of framing lumber and may materially damage the home. In the beginning, use as little heat as possible and increase it gradually.

Never cover or block the combustion air vent in any way. Outside air is needed to supply the furnace with sufficient oxygen. Blocking the combustion air vent will cause the furnace to draw air down the vent pipe and pull poisonous gases back into your home. Some popping or pinging sounds are the natural result of ductwork heating and cooling in response to air flow as the system operates. Remember to change or clean the filter.

A clogged filter can slow air flow and cause cold spots in your home. Although it takes less than one minute to change the filter, this is one of the most frequently overlooked details of normal furnace care. Buy filters in large quantity for the sake of convenience. If you have a permanent, washable, removable filter, you need to clean this monthly. Use water only to clean the filter, tap to dry or air dry, and leave unit off for a brief period. Do not use soaps or detergents on the filter.

If you smell gas, leave the house and call the gas company immediately. A new heating system may emit an odor for a few moments when you first turn it on. An established system may emit an odor or smoke after being unused for an extended time (such as after the summer months if you do not use air conditioning). This is caused by dust that has settled in the ducts and should pass after regular use resumes.

The furnace has an on-off blower switch. This switch looks like a regular light switch and is located in a metal box outside the furnace. When turned off, this switch overrides all furnace commands and shuts down the blower. This is usually done only when maintenance service is being performed, although young children have been known to turn the furnace off using this switch. (If your furnace is a high-efficiency model, it may not have a pilot or an on-off switch.)  Heat register covers are removable and adjustable. (adjusting the dampers in these covers to regulate the heat flow within the home).

Registers in the rooms farther away from the furnace will usually need to be opened wider. For maximum comfort and efficient energy use, arrange furniture and draperies to allow unobstructed air flow from registers and to cold air returns. Depending on the style of home, temperatures can normally vary from floor to floor as much as 10 degrees or more on extremely cold days.

The furnace blower will typically cycle on and off more frequently and for shorter periods during severe cold spells. Expansion or contraction of metal ductwork results in ticking or popping sounds. While eliminating all these sounds is impossible, Hofer Heating & Cooling Companies will correct oil canning during the warranty period. (Oil canning occurs when a large area of sheet metal like those found in air ducts makes a loud noise as it moves up and down in response to temperature changes.) Thermostats are calibrated to plus or minus 5 degrees.

Humidifier Maintenance Guidelines

Carefully read and follow the manufacturer's literature on use and maintenance.

Operate a humidifier only with the furnace, not with the air conditioner. If you notice condensation on windows, the humidifier should be adjusted to a lower setting. Clean the moisture pad according to the manufacturer's instructions and suggested timetable. Please check and adjust as the seasons change in order to maintain a year round humidity balance.