Franzen Heating & Cooling FAQ: hvac

Yes, Franzen Heating & Cooling provides both HVAC and kitchen equipment repairs for restaurants. Our technicians are trained to handle everything from rooftop HVAC units and ventilation systems to dishwashers, exhaust hoods, and refrigeration units. We’re a one-stop shop for restaurants needing fast, reliable service with minimal disruption.

Most restaurant equipment should be serviced at least twice a year to maintain optimal performance and prevent breakdowns. High-use equipment like grills, fryers, refrigeration units, and HVAC systems may require more frequent maintenance. Regular servicing helps extend the life of your equipment, improves energy efficiency, and reduces the risk of costly downtime.

Franzen Heating & Cooling offers a full range of restaurant equipment services designed for commercial kitchens. We handle HVAC installation, preventative maintenance, and expert repair for cooking, ventilation, and refrigeration systems. Our goal is to help restaurants run smoothly with minimal downtime and maximum efficiency.

Yes—welding is often used to modify or repair HVAC systems, especially in commercial and industrial settings. From fixing cracked components to customizing ductwork and frames, welding provides a long-lasting solution for maintaining and upgrading your system without full replacement.

HVAC companies like Franzen Heating & Cooling offer specialized welding services tailored to heating and cooling systems. This includes ductwork fabrication, custom metal components, equipment repairs, and structural reinforcement. Our certified welders ensure durable, code-compliant results for both residential and commercial projects.

Sheet metal fabrication in HVAC refers to the custom creation of metal components used in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. This includes ductwork, fittings, curbs, flashing, and more. Precision fabrication ensures proper airflow, durability, and a perfect fit for both new installations and repairs.

Yes — removing dust, pollen, mold spores, and other contaminants from your ducts can significantly improve indoor air quality. This is especially helpful for people with asthma, allergies, or other respiratory conditions. Clean ducts mean cleaner air circulating throughout your home.

Most residential duct cleaning jobs take between 2 to 4 hours, depending on the size of your home, the complexity of the ductwork, and the level of buildup. Larger homes or systems that haven’t been cleaned in years may take longer. Our team will give you a time estimate when scheduling.

Yes — especially if your ducts are clogged with dust, debris, or mold. While not every home needs frequent cleanings, duct cleaning can improve airflow, increase HVAC efficiency, and reduce allergens in the air. It’s a cost-effective way to protect your indoor air quality and your HVAC system’s longevity.

The National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) recommends having your air ducts professionally cleaned every 3 to 5 years. However, homes with pets, smokers, recent renovations, or allergy-sensitive occupants may benefit from more frequent cleanings. Regular maintenance helps keep your HVAC system running efficiently and your indoor air cleaner.

Yes, in most areas, a permit is required for furnace replacement or installation. We handle all permits and inspections for you as part of our installation service.

If your furnace is more than 12–15 years old, needs frequent repairs, or isn't heating your home efficiently, replacement may save you more money long-term. We can inspect your system and help you decide the most cost-effective path.

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.

Most heating systems are reliable and provide quick, comfortable heat when you need it – if you take good care of the system. If you have air conditioning, shut it down and cover it for the winter. Please follow these steps prior to furnace use:

1. Clean or change the furnace filter.
2. If your furnace or boiler has a pilot light, ensure it is on.
3. Set the furnace to the “heat” position. Turn up the thermostat.
4. Let the furnace run through a couple of cycles to make sure it’s working properly.
5. Perform a quick visual inspection of the furnace area to make sure there are no items that could interfere with airflow or combustion.
6. Call or text Franzen Heating & Cooling to arrange for professional cleaning, inspection, and precision tune-up services. 

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

This depends on the type of filter and how you use your furnace. Review the types of filters from the list below:

Disposable filters: A disposable filter should be changed every 6 to 8 weeks. This type isn’t very efficient and provides only a basic amount of air cleaning. If your furnace fan runs continuously, it should be cleaned every 3 to 4 weeks.

Electrostatic air cleaner: Electrostatic air cleaners should be cleaned monthly. To do so, vacuum the nylon media and then rinse the filter with water. Be sure to rinse in the opposite direction of the airflow. The older the filter, the more difficult it will be to clean.

Electronic air cleaner (EAC): An EAC works well until the cells get dirty. When cleaning the cells, don’t break any of the thin wires on the outside of the cells. If a wire breaks, the EAC won’t work. Be sure to clean the prescreens as well.

Hammock: Hammock filters must be washed and replaced every 8 to 10 weeks. When you purchase a replacement hammock filter, it might be larger than the metal frame it’s attached to. Simply install the filter on the frame and trim off the excess.

Large, pleated media filter: You should replace the media cartridge annually. Have the cartridge replaced at the same time as your annual maintenance service.

Washable filters: Clean washable filters every 6 to 8 weeks. If you run your furnace fan continuously, you should wash filters every 3 to 4 weeks. If there is visual degradation, please replace the filter.