No matter what your HVAC questions are, the experts at Mitchell Heating and Cooling have answers. Whether you have questions about picking new HVAC equipment, or about the best way to approach care and maintenance, we can help. Our online FAQs offer a quick response for your convenience, but if you want to know more on any topic, don’t hesitate to give us a call.

Why is regular maintenance important?

Just like you need to take your car into the shop for routine tune-ups, such as oil changes or inspecting possible concerns, your home comfort system should receive the same kind of attention. Routine maintenance by a skilled technician provides numerous benefits to your HVAC equipment, which can help your system operate efficiently and prevent costly breakdowns.

How do I change my air filter?

Changing your filter is an easy process that should be done every one to three months. The frequency of filter changes depends on many different factors including the number of occupants in the home, how often you run your system, and the quality/age of your home. The video below details the steps to easily change your air filter.

http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4ewiYgKYco&t=2s

How much will a new heating and air conditioner cost?

The cost varies depending on the equipment size and different features, so we suggest contacting Mitchell Heating at 719-596-6677 to obtain a quote.

What is two-stage heating?

With two-stage heating, furnaces may work on two different levels: high and low. Since you can heat your home on the low setting a lot of the time, a two-stage furnace can operate longer and more efficiently. Two-stage heating also operates more quietly than traditional furnaces and can offer more even heat distribution and fewer temperature swings.

Do the HVAC systems that Mitchell Heating carries offer advanced technologies?

Mitchell Heating offers a selection of different brands and models that incorporate advanced technology to assist with heating and cooling your home more efficiently. Technology in the newer HVAC systems gives more precision when it comes to matching your home comfort needs. If you need more information, please reach out to our experts at 719-596-6677.

How will my new furnace work differently from my old one?

Depending on how old your previous furnace was, you could experience a variety of differences. Furnaces today are developed to offer more even and efficient heating than ever before. Modern furnaces also better regulate temperature and airflow, moving more air over the heat exchanger than older furnaces.

Additionally, new furnaces are designed to work with other high-efficiency HVAC products, such as air conditioners. The air conditioner blowers offer your heating system an extra bump so it can deliver cool air around your home efficiently. Special features like variable speed motors will also help lessen noise associated with operating your equipment and easily meet your occupant's airflow needs.

What energy efficiency standard should I look for in an air conditioner?

The Department of Energy recently increased the minimum efficiency levels for air conditioners, heat pumps, and packaged units manufactured after Jan. 1, 2015, since heating and cooling contribute significantly to a home's total energy usage. The requirements vary by region, so call Mitchell Heating and Cooling for the efficiency standards for your area.

How can I reduce my energy costs?

There are several ways to decrease your energy costs and one of the best ways is to make sure you have an energy-efficient HVAC system. Mitchell Heating has many highly efficient products that will help lower the amount of energy you are using and save you money. In addition to shopping for products that have the Energy Star® certification, high SEER ratings for air conditioners, or AFUE ratings for furnaces, here are some other steps to consider:

  • Remember to book routine maintenance and have an experienced contractor take a look at your system to make sure it's running efficiently.
  • If you have clear areas of your home that you need to heat or cool, you might consider a zoning system. This allows you to target that area and gets rid of wasted energy on heating or cooling areas that aren't used.
  • Programmable or smart thermostats make it easier to maintain your home comfort while not wasting energy to heat or cool your space while you aren't home. It is an easy way to decrease energy costs and once you set it, you can walk away and know it's going to take care of your indoor comfort.

What are the benefits of purchasing my new HVAC system from Mitchell Heating?

Mitchell Heating and Cooling has been assisting the community for many years and has been delivering trustworthy and dependable service over that span. Our service and the products we carry are of the highest quality and you can be confident in the results. Our knowledgeable team is here to help you achieve your ideal home comfort.

What can I do to improve my home's indoor air quality?

There are four things to assess when enhancing your indoor air quality:

  • The indoor air quality in your home starts to suffer when the air begins filling up with pollutants. The biggest concern is removing these pollutants. Some to-dos to put on your weekly checklist are vacuuming, washing your linens, and confirming any cleaning products are stored properly.
  • In newer homes, the insulation is installed so well that it might be difficult for these pollutants to leave the home. While it helps to keep your home warm or cool, depending on the season, it's important to get some fresh air inside.
  • Make sure that you have good ventilation and perform routine maintenance on your system. While that's very beneficial, you can also take your IAQ even further by using air filters, germicidal lights, and purification systems to get rid of particles while eliminating chemical vapors.
  • Smart or programmable thermostats can manage humidity levels as well as temperature. This can help prevent germs and other particles from collecting while sustaining your home comfort.

How does an air conditioner work?

You might be surprised to know that air conditioners don’t technically make your home cooler; they actually remove the hot air and move it outside. This hot air is pushed across a refrigerant coil in the indoor unit and then is sent to the outdoor unit where it is released. Your air conditioner moves as much hot air outside as is necessary to reach the temperature you have set on your thermostat.

What is the minimum energy efficiency standard for air conditioners in my state?

Minimum energy efficiency standards vary by region. Additionally, air conditioners, heat pumps, and packaged units made after Jan. 1, 2015, have higher minimum efficiency levels than products manufactured prior to that date. The team at Mitchell Heating can help you determine the minimum requirements for your area, let you know if your current products meet those requirements, or help you find a replacement air conditioner if necessary.

How can I confirm the model and serial numbers for my cooling unit?

Your system's service panel will have a white label on it, with the model and serial numbers at the top. M/N is the model number and S/N is the serial number.

How do I estimate what size equipment I should purchase?

Since equipment size needs vary by home, the best way to find out the proper size equipment for your home is to have a technician from Mitchell Heating come out to perform load calculation tests. The tests measure things square footage, insulation value and amount, and more to determine your home’s individual HVAC equipment needs.

Can frost, ice, dirt, or other debris keep the outdoor unit of my cooling system from operating effectively?

Yes, debris can limit your system’s ability to function effectively. It is not uncommon for heat pumps to have frost or ice on them in the winter, but many include defrost controls so they can work efficiently regardless of the weather conditions.

What is two-stage cooling?

When a cooling system uses two-stage cooling, it means that there are two levels of operation. This enables the system to work more efficiently since there is one level for milder weather and another for harsher weather. Two-stage cooling also enables almost unnoticeable temperature changes, so you don't experience extreme differences in temperature. Aside from better efficiency, other benefits of two-stage cooling include quieter operation and improved humidity control.

Why is my system freezing up?

When your cooling unit freezes up, there are a number of reasons why it could be doing so. The most common reasons include dirty filters, low refrigerant, a dirty evaporative coil, and a faulty blower motor or relay. A dirty filter is something you can take care of as a homeowner, but the others need to be fixed by a professional like those at Mitchell Heating. Contact them at 719-596-6677 with any further questions you may have.

What is the best thermostat to use for my cooling system?

Mitchell Heating offers a number of great thermostat options for your HVAC systems. The best thermostat for you will depend on a variety of variables, such as whether you want one that's programmable or not. No matter what kind of thermostat you'd like, or if you're searching for something that can fit with a home automation system, call Mitchell Heating to hear about which thermostats you can choose from. Our team will help you find one that fits with your system, your occupants’ needs, and your budget.

What is a heat pump?

A heat pump can tackle both your home's heating and cooling needs, offering you one HVAC system that can be used in all four seasons. In the warmer months, heat pumps act like an air conditioner, capturing the hot air from inside your home and moving it outside; in the cooler months, this process is reversed. Heat pumps can be very energy efficient and may produce two to three times more heat than the energy it uses.

When replacing the outdoor unit, should the indoor unit also be replaced?

At Mitchell Heating, we do recommend replacing both your indoor and outdoor units at the same time because:

Nowadays, outdoor systems are built to work with their matching indoor system for the most efficiency. When you replace one system but not the other, you may not see the same savings on your energy bills.

Thanks to technological innovation, newer systems mean better efficiency. This is true for heating products as well as cooling products. While the advancements focus on greater heating and cooling efficiency, they also include benefits such as better air handling, filtering, and noise reduction.

If your heating and cooling systems are over 10 years old, they should be replaced. Older models have outdated technology that is likely adding to your energy costs due to poor efficiency. By replacing your indoor system at the same time as your outdoor equipment, both your systems will provide better energy efficiency and help lower your energy bills to keep your home more comfortable.

Is it possible to see whether my solar HVAC system is performing at its maximum potential?

Your home energy system may have a communication module that directs performance stats to an online site or portal. You can visit this to review your system's status, the amount of energy being produced, and the positive impact you are having on the environment. You can also take a look at your owner's manual for tips on monitoring performance.

Do I need to wash my solar modules?

Rain will clean the modules automatically in most areas; however, if you live in a dusty area, you could see improved performance after periodically spraying the modules with water. Please note that high-pressure hoses and detergents should never be used to clean solar modules, as they can ruin the product.

Which thermostat is best for my home comfort system?

Mitchell Heating can help you find the right thermostat for you based on your home and current heating and cooling equipment. We have a selection of programmable and nonprogrammable thermostats, which can help enhance the efficiency of your home's furnace and/or air conditioner. View our thermostats or give us a call at 719-596-6677 for more information.

How can I improve my utility expenses?

A significant portion of your monthly energy bills can be attributed to your heating and cooling system. It makes sense because being comfortable in our property is a vital aspect of our day-to-day lives. Thankfully, there are high-efficiency solutions from Mitchell Heating that can keep you comfortable while also lowering energy costs. When it's time for you to shop for a new HVAC system, there are a couple of high-quality things to consider. You'll want to select air conditioners with high SEER ratings and furnaces with high AFUE ratings. These ratings measure efficiency, so the bigger the number, the better off you'll be when it comes to saving on energy costs. You can also review these tips:

  • Keep your system operating at its best ability by arranging routine maintenance. It helps sustain efficiency and make sure everything is operating properly.
  • Consider a zoning system if you only have targeted rooms that need to be heated or cooled. There is no need to consume energy adjusting the temperature in a room that is never, or rarely used.
  • The U.S. Department of Energy says that programmable thermostats can save up to 35 percent on heating costs and 25 percent on cooling costs. There are plenty of programmable and smart thermostat choices that are easy to use and vary in the number of features so you can find a solution that you are comfortable with.

Why should I buy a zoning system?

A zoning system allows you to divide your property and heat or cool each area differently. While these systems work well for buildings that have parts that are seldom occupied, they can also be helpful in situations where you and your occupants disagree on the temperature in various parts of your property. There are a collection of additional pluses of zoning systems, including efficiency and comfort. Browse our selection of zoning systems or give Mitchell Heating a call to see how a zoning system could work for your home.