Franzen Heating & Cooling FAQ: air conditioner

This temperature variation is due to the fact that cool air is heavy. Heavy air takes more effort to move, especially upwards. Your furnace fan has to work harder to move the air up two stories. Additionally, cool air, unlike warm air, tends to fall. Once you manage to get the air upstairs, it will fall back to the first floor.

1. Make sure the furnace fan is on the highest possible setting. Most furnaces installed today have a multi-speed, direct-drive fan motor. Ask your service contractor to make sure the highest speed is being used for air conditioning. If the fan motor has belts and pulleys, check with your contractor about installing a larger pulley.
2. Adjust the balance on your ductwork to force as much cool air upstairs as possible. If your ductwork is accessible from the basement and has dampers installed in each of the supply air runs, make sure the dampers for the upper floor are open fully. Close any dampers for rooms on the first floor that do not get much use or are very small (such as the powder room, formal living room, or dining room). Keep the dampers fully open for the kitchen and the main living or family area. If the ductwork isn’t accessible or doesn’t have dampers, you may balance the airflow by opening and closing the dampers in the supply air registers. If you can’t get a register closed, covering the register with a telephone book works well. Re-balance the ductwork system when you switch over to heating. During the heating season, you’ll want most of the warm air delivered to the first floor. It will move on its own to the second floor.
3. Use fans to move cooler air. Place a large fan at the top of the stairway to draw the cooler air up. A ceiling fan on the second floor can be a big improvement.
4. Check your return air grills and make sure they are clean.
5. Install “high-wall” return air grills on the second floor.
6. High-wall return air grills are installed near the ceiling, not the floor. This enables the furnace to draw the warmest air from the top of the house back into your system. A service contractor can give you more information and let you know if it’s possible to install high-wall grills on your system.

The most important thing to look for when buying a central air conditioner is the contractor who will be installing it. If installed incorrectly, the best piece of equipment won’t give you the comfort you deserve.

HVAC equipment, especially air conditioning equipment, requires great skill and care during the installation process. If just a braze or solder joint is not correct, it could lead to leaks of refrigerant into the atmosphere and potential contamination in the refrigerant system. These items are expensive to repair, not to mention time-consuming and aggravating. Get in touch us for assistance.

Yes, annual maintenance on the unit extends its life and reduces annual operating costs. Yearly maintenance inspections can spot small problems before they become large and expensive repairs.

This varies by location. Air conditioning units that are used frequently will be replaced sooner. Your air conditioner should last 11 to 18 years.