Frequently Asked Questions

Many factors affect the sizing and specifications of your system, including:

• Square footage
• Insulation
• Window surface and configuration
• Geographic location of your home
• Duct sizing and arrangement

Depending on the construction of your home, 1 ton of air conditioning can cool anywhere from 300 to 800 square feet. You can ensure that the system you purchase is the right size and not smaller or larger than you require by having your heating and cooling needs evaluated by a licensed professional. A Strada Services technician can perform an in-home load analysis to determine which equipment combinations will perfectly suit your home and your family’s needs.

HVAC systems last an average of 10 years. However, for your equipment, it may differ. Variables that affect life expectancy include the type of system, climate and the regularity of routine maintenance.

The professionals at Strada are your troubleshooting experts, and we are glad to help you with any problem you may experience with your HVAC system.

We provide informative articles on our blog that address many common HVAC concerns. You may also call our office at 860-200-2854 during normal business hours for more information. If you experience an HVAC crisis after hours, you can contact our representatives for 24/7  Online Scheduling, helping you get scheduled as soon as possible.

Yes, we offer emergency services. Please call us right away at 860-200-2854.

Your heating and cooling systems work incredibly hard to perform their functions. The constant stopping, starting and general operation can wear down any machine.

Proper care and maintenance help to:

• Keep these systems in optimum condition.
• Ward off malfunction.
• Maximize the life of your heating and cooling units.
• Guard against many common equipment failures.
• Ensure maximum efficiency.

Preventive maintenance inspections performed in spring for your AC and fall for your heater can uncover problems such as:

• Leaks
• Rust
• Rot
• Soot
• Frayed wires
• Corroded electrical contacts

All heating and cooling equipment requires an annual professional tuneup. Inspections on boilers and furnaces should include:

• Ductwork
• Pipes
• Dampers
• Valves
• The chimney
• Registers
• Radiators
• Pumps
• Blowers
• Fuel lines
• Oil tank

Heat pump and air conditioning unit inspections should also include an examination of the:

• Fan
• Compressor
• Indoor coils
• Outdoor coils
• Refrigerant lines

For optimal efficiency and filtration, we recommend that you replace your disposable filters at least once a month. If you have washable filters, you should clean them once a month during periods of heavy use.

Improving cooling and heating efficiency in your home can help you keep your home cooler or warmer longer, reduce stress on your unit and save money. Here are some ways to cool your home:

• Adjust your thermostat temperature: In summertime, keep your thermostat above 75 degrees F. Temperatures below this threshold increase your energy costs. When it’s cold outside, lower your thermostat temperature for at least part of the day.
• Use ceiling fans: Instead of turning your thermostat up or down, turn on a ceiling fan. In the summer, you can keep your thermostat at a higher temperature and still feel cool air. You can use a ceiling fan in the winter to distribute heat around the room if the blades spin clockwise.
• Keep vents open: Check out the vents in your home and make sure furniture and curtains aren’t blocking them. Open vents without obstructions distribute cool air and heat throughout your home. For rooms you don’t use much, close the vents to direct the air to the rest of your house.
• Upgrade to a new air conditioner: Newer air conditioners are more efficient than older units, so they can cool your home in less time and lower your energy bills. Talk with our team to determine if you need a new unit, and we’ll help you find the right option for your home.
• Maintain your existing air conditioner: Call our technicians to schedule a maintenance call for your air conditioner. We’ll make sure your unit is running efficiently and fix any issues.

An air filter’s Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) indicates how well it traps particles of certain sizes. The scale ranges from 1 to 16. Higher ratings mean the filter can capture smaller airborne particles.

When your AC blows warm air instead of cool air or stops working altogether, it may be due to:

• Improper maintenance
• Low refrigerant levels or leaks
• Electrical issues
• Restricted airflow
• A faulty thermostat
• Evaporator or compressor problems
• Inadequate drainage
• Wear or age

Our technicians can diagnose and repair these AC problems and restore cooling to your home.

The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating (SEER) measures the efficiency of your air conditioner or air-source heat pump. The SEER is the cooling output over a particular season divided by the total energy used in that same period. The higher the SEER, the greater the efficiency level of that cooling system.

Each cooling unit has a nominal SEER. For a higher rating, your HVAC contractor can provide advice about an upgrade. The SEER of a system is based on the combination of equipment installed in the home. The outdoor equipment (heat pump or air conditioner), as well as the indoor equipment (evaporator coil and furnace or air handler), play a vital role in the total rating. Variable drive motors and increased coil surface area usually lend to this efficiency.

Check the existing air filter. The sizes are typically on the old filters.

Pay attention to these signs that your heating system may need replacement:

• Frequent repairs or breakdowns
• Strange noises
• Inconsistent or uneven heating
• Energy bill increases
• Heat pumps older than 10 years or furnaces and boilers older than 15 years
• Cracked heat exchanger or other safety concerns

The most common heating systems in the U.S. are furnaces, boilers, heat pumps and electric heating systems. Heat pumps suit moderate climates in the Southeast. Their benefits include lower emissions, energy bill savings, simple maintenance and space efficiency.

Filters for your unit may be made specifically for its brand. These filters may be made of different or higher-quality materials than those of the disposable filters found in retail stores. Check with your local dealer to find the appropriate filter for your air conditioner. However, keep in mind that some filters are reusable and can be washed by hand in cold water.

Homeowners can take many steps to improve their air quality. The first step is to prevent unwanted air from entering your home by sealing your duct system. Then, clean your existing system or install an efficient air filtration system.

Standard filters work to keep your system and its ductwork clean, but they can only do so much to improve indoor air quality. A media air cleaner does a much better job of trapping small particles. It rests between the main return duct and the blower cabinet and will improve dust and particle removal up to seven times more effectively than a standard filter. Upgrading to a pleated media filter will remove everything from dust to airborne viruses from the filtered air. Always choose a filter that matches your blower’s capacity.

Your thermostat temperature should balance personal comfort and energy efficiency. Some factors that determine the right temperature for your home include:

• Your preference.
• How well your home is insulated.
• Your ductwork.
• Your unit’s air filters.
• Whether your home has ceiling fans.
• Whether your vents are blocked.

The ideal temperature varies by the time of year — choose a higher temperature in the summer and a lower temperature in the winter. We recommend setting your thermostat to 78 degrees F in the summer and 68 degrees F in the winter for the most energy efficiency and lowest energy costs.

Programmable thermostats offer several benefits. They are:

• Accurate: Programmable thermostats are more accurate and efficient than thermostats that contain mercury.
• Easy to control: With a programmable thermostat, you can program settings in advance so that you can control the temperature at different times of the day.
• Automated: You will never have to worry about remembering to adjust the settings manually.
• Cost–efficient: By scheduling your programmable thermostat to a higher or lower temperature based on your weekday work hours, you can save money on energy bills without sacrificing comfort.

A Strada Services technician will gladly walk you through how to use your programmable thermostat.

Circuit breakers trip as a safety mechanism during a power surge. Reasons for continued tripping include:

• Short circuiting: When hot and neutral wires come into contact, it creates an electrical surge.
• Circuit overload: Using too many devices or appliances on the same circuit can cause it to overload.
• Ground faults: A hot wire touching a ground wire causes a surge in current.

Ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlets are safety devices that prevent electrical shock and electrocution. Upon detecting a ground fault, the GFCI shuts off power. You should install these outlets in areas prone to moisture, such as bathrooms or kitchens.

These signs can warn you of a possible water leak in your commercial property:

• Rising water bills
• Water stains on walls, ceilings or floors
• Sound of dripping or running water
• Reduced water pressure
• Musty smells

Plumbing issues like leaks, clogged pipes or closed valves can cause low water pressure. Other reasons include water demand, shared water lines and municipal water supply issues.

The right security system depends on your needs and budget. Combining various options, like motion detectors, cameras and entry sensors, often works best. We can design a customized solution to give you peace of mind. In addition to high-quality security products, we provide a 24/7 responsive monitoring program.

Follow these tips to enhance security using lighting:

1. Install motion-activated lights that turn on when they detect movement.
2. Use remote or timed lighting to turn on lights when you’re not home.
3. Place fixtures high enough to prevent tampering.
4. Illuminate dark areas in your yard with landscape lighting.