FAQ

HVAC is short for heating, ventilation and air conditioning. We often use this abbreviation to refer to your whole heating and cooling system, which includes: Comfort units, such as a furnace, heat pump, air conditioner or mini-split system Ductwork Indoor air quality solutions, like air filters, air filtration systems, germicidal UV lights, whole-house humidifiers and dehumidifiers, and ventilation Comfort controls, such as thermostats systems While there are differing types of HVAC units, they all operate identically by: Relying on a fresh air source outside or inside your home or business. Running air through a filter to trap particles and allergens. Heating or cooling air. Sending air through a ducted system or immediately into a room, depending on the type of system you use.

You’ll want to find a production date. This is usually situated on a label on the exterior of your system. If your unit is under five years old, it might still be warrantied. To find out if you have an existing warranty on an air conditioner, visit the manufacturer’s website and enter the unit’s serial number. You may also be able to contact the dealer or contractor who installed the air conditioner for warranty information as well as to see if an HVAC extended warranty exists for your system. If you still can't locate warranty information, give our experts at Pacific West Services a call for advice.

It’s common for your heating and cooling equipment to make a little noise as it works. There are a couple of considerations that impact its sound level, like age and insulation. However, hearing odd or loud noises might mean a potential problem with your system. If you don’t fix it, there can be serious (and expensive) consequences later on. If you are experiencing loud noise with your system, give Pacific West Services a call for expert advice.

If you are in the market for a new system, remember the prices can vary significantly depending on which features you want and what your individual home comfort entails. Pacific West Services can help you choose a system that is affordable and will balance your needs.

n air conditioner can change the temperature, humidity, even the general quality of the air in your home. More specifically, an air conditioner makes your home cooler, by absorbing heat energy from the house and transferring that heat outside, then replacing the air inside your home with cooler air. The air conditioner in a central heating and cooling system provides cool air through ductwork inside your home, by providing a process that draws out the warm air inside, removing its heat. In a split system, the compressor condenses and circulates the refrigerant through the outdoor unit, changing it from a gas to a liquid. The liquid is then forced through the indoor evaporator coil or cooling compartment. The indoor unit’s fan circulates the inside air to pass across the evaporator fins. The evaporator’s metal fins exchange the thermal energy with the air around it. There, the refrigerant turns from liquid into vapor, removing any heat from the surrounding air. As the heat is removed from the air, the air is cooled and blown back into the house. From that point, the condenser or outdoor unit then turns the refrigerant vapor back into a liquid, removing any heat. By the time the fluid leaves the evaporator again, it is a cool, low-pressure gas, eventually returning to the condensor to begin its trip all over again. This process continues again and again until your home reaches the cooling temperature you want, as programmed and sensed by your thermostat setting. Please keep in mind that the information found on our website is provided free of charge and Hannabery HVAC does not assume any liability resulting from the information we provide. We hope this information helps, but please note that these are just rough guidelines, and not all possible situations are covered. Your HVAC system should be inspected and repaired by a trained technician.

Pilot lights do go out occasionally. But if your pilot light goes out more than once per season, this could indicate a problem. Some people even shut them off for the summer. Every homeowner should know how to light his or her pilot. It isn't too difficult and there are usually instructions printed on the equipment itself. (Sometimes on the back of the furnace door.) * Keep in mind, the instructions below are for standing-pilot systems only! Most of today's systems no longer have a pilot light, they use a spark ignitor or electronic ignition. Pilot Light Instruction Guide: Always follow instructions on the appliance before anything else. Turn off furnace, boiler, or water heater at thermostat or power switch. Locate the gas valve and turn knob from on or off (depending where it was) to pilot position. Hold down red button, which sends gas to the pilot burner. At the same time hold match to pilot burner. (Just follow the small pilot tubing to end.) Sometimes a long match is needed, you can use needle nose pliers to hold match. On some equipment, you may need to move a small metal door or panel for access. Light the pilot but do not let go of button. Continue holding button for 60 seconds. Now let go of button, pilot should stay lit. If not, you need to call for service. Turn gas valve knob back to the on position. Turn on appliance, turn up thermostat, main gas should light. Remember to put back metal cover if your system had one.