This question is probably the most asked question for any HVAC service provider, and there is only one answer; Environmental Protection Agency. R-22 is being phased-out. What this means is the EPA will no longer allow for the production of the ozone depleting R-22 (Freon). Production of R-22 has been reduced year-over-year since 2012, and will ultimately stop production on Jan 1, 2020. As a service provider, we see the price of R-22 jump hundreds of dollars within weeks of a purchase. We at A-1 Certified Service have been tracking the pricing increases since the EPA announcement. In the last 2-years, we have seen the price increase over 200%. This is due to the lack of R-22 availability from the manufacturer in the marketplace. We are expecting the price to continue to increase as we get closer to the zero production date of 2020.

Two of the main reasons for this are:

• You might have a leak on the main water line from the meter to your house
• The flapper in a toilet has deteriorated

Yes, there is! However, if not properly installed, your HVAC will fail, meaning your compressor will fail...period! We have seen this many times in the field. The cause is due to the HVAC provider who improperly added the replacement gas to your system. If your R-22 system was not properly evacuated of the original R-22 gas (meaning it is removed from your system) and your copper lineset/refrigeration lines are not flushed with a product that cleans the copper lines, then you will most likely have HVAC system failure in the near future.

There are a couple of reasons which cause this. It could be an obstruction in the line, a potential leak, debris in the line, or calcium build-up. Any of these factors can, and will, restrict water pressure over time.

This question comes up every winter, and the answer is...this is normal. What you are seeing is the heat pump is running in defrost cycle. In heating mode, a heat pump extracts heat from the outside air and transfers it inside your location to warm it. When the temperature outside gets very cold, the moistures in the air freezes on the outdoor unit's heat exchanger when the fan blows air across it. A defrost cycle is the system recognizing that ice has formed or has begun forming and your heat pump is correcting the situation.

The general reason is you are changing from an older refrigerant to 410A refrigerant. The evaporator coil must match the refrigerant type of the outdoor unit, which means you cannot match a new refrigerant such as R-410A outdoor unit with an older R-22 refrigerant coil.

I would have to say this is a global issue with many HVAC providers. If your equipment was installed by a company that did not register your equipment, then your equipment warranty is based on the manufacturing date of the equipment and not the date it was installed...which means you have a standard 5-year warranty from the manufacturing date. This is a MAJOR issue we see with many mid-sized and especially with "Chuck And-a-Truck" companies. What this means to you is BUYER BEWARE! You should always purchase your HVAC equipment from a reputable HVAC company who will provide you with a proof of equipment registration from the manufacturer. We at A-1 Certified Service will always provide you with a proof of equipment registration with your equipment purchase, which is sent with your install packet.

Very simply put, the room(s) are the furthest from the water heater. However, there is a great solution to solve this problem, and we at A-1 Certified Service, Inc. can repair that for you.

The only reason I can say at this time is Escore REBATE! Yes, you would get money back when you sign up for Escore for your purchase of a 14.5 SEER 8.2 HSPF system.

Many seem to believe that insulation will reduce your power bills, however, this isn't the case. It will keep your home cooler or warmer, but air sealing will stop air infiltration into and out of your home. We see this all the time in homes during our initial visit. What are the telltale signs of air sealing issues? If you inspect your home's insulation, you might see areas where the insulation is darkened or blackened...dirty. What this means is air is leaking from your home into your attic or crawlspace and needs to be stopped. This air loss increases your utility bills and will reduce the comfort in your home. We are HUGE proponents of air sealing and insulating to reduce your home's utility bills and increase your comfort.

Many do not think about keeping their HVAC system maintained; why would you when it's worked fine for years? However, an HVAC system is just that...a system that's mechanical exactly like your car. Proper maintenance will ensure the longevity of your comfort and keep you aware of repairs before they can happen.

You are buying a new HVAC system, which is an investment in your home and your comfort. However, if you have not purchased an Extended Warranty, you are only covered for the 1st year for labor on the system and non-system parts. After that 1st year from the date of install, you are then responsible for any charges for service and non-system parts, (like refrigerant) and if your equipment is registered, any system parts will be warrantied. Buying an Extended Labor Warranty is your insurance coverage on your investment. Extended Warranties are now requiring proof of maintenance to maintain the extended warranty contract.