Franzen Heating & Cooling FAQ:

Choosing the right HVAC product depends on your property size, insulation, layout, and specific comfort needs. At Franzen Heating & Cooling, our experienced team will assess your space and help you select the best solution — whether it’s a high-efficiency air conditioner, a powerful gas furnace, or a full comfort control system. We tailor recommendations to ensure optimal performance and long-term value.

Trane HVAC systems are known for their engineering excellence, reliability, and long-term durability. With rigorous testing under extreme conditions, Trane products consistently outperform many competitors in real-world performance. Their air conditioners, furnaces, and air handlers are built for both comfort and efficiency, making them a top choice for homeowners and businesses alike.

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.

Certified welding ensures safety, reliability, and code compliance for all HVAC modifications and installations. Whether reinforcing equipment, altering ductwork, or performing on-site repairs, certified welders provide the precision and strength needed to support heavy-duty systems and high-performance environments.

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.

We fabricate a variety of HVAC-related and specialty components using advanced equipment, including:

• Ductwork fittings
• Drain pans
• Roof curbs and flashing
• Round pipe
• Stainless-steel parts
• Dishwasher exhausts
• Grease hoods

Each piece is built to match your exact specifications and performance needs.

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.

The right size commercial boiler depends on several factors, including the building’s square footage, insulation, number of floors, and hot water demand. A Franzen HVAC professional can perform a detailed load calculation to recommend the appropriate system. Oversized or undersized boilers can lead to poor efficiency, higher costs, and uneven heating.

Commercial boilers should be serviced at least once a year, though high-demand systems may require biannual maintenance. Regular servicing helps prevent breakdowns, ensures safe operation, improves efficiency, and extends the system’s lifespan. Inspections often include checking pressure, testing safety devices, cleaning burners, and reviewing combustion performance.

A commercial boiler is a pressurized system that uses electricity or combustible fuel to heat water or produce steam for heating large buildings or industrial processes. The boiler transfers heat through a heat exchanger, distributing it via radiators or a duct system. Commercial units are built to handle higher output and constant demand compared to residential systems.

Industrial HVAC systems are used in a wide range of facilities including factories, food processing plants, warehouses, laboratories, and data centers. These environments require precise climate control, advanced air filtration, and reliable performance to protect equipment, processes, and personnel.

Industrial HVAC systems should be inspected quarterly or more frequently depending on the operational demands and environment. Facilities with high particulate levels or sensitive processes may need monthly inspections. Routine check-ups help maintain safety, compliance, and efficient operation of these complex systems.

Industrial HVAC systems are designed for large-scale operations like factories, warehouses, and manufacturing facilities. Unlike commercial HVAC, which focuses on office and retail comfort, industrial HVAC must handle more extreme temperature control, air quality management, and heavy-duty ventilation. These systems are highly customized to meet the unique demands of specific industries and processes.

The biggest differences between residential and commercial HVAC systems are size, complexity, and configuration. Commercial units are often modular, roof-mounted, and designed to handle larger spaces and heavier usage. They also require specialized installation and maintenance due to more advanced zoning, ventilation, and control requirements.

Twice a year is the standard recommendation for servicing commercial HVAC systems -- typically once before the cooling season and once before heating season. High-demand environments like restaurants or server rooms may benefit from more frequent check-ups. Regular servicing ensures performance, prevents breakdowns, and helps maintain indoor air quality for employees and customers.

Commercial HVAC maintenance typically includes a full inspection and servicing of heating and cooling equipment. This often covers filter changes, coil cleaning, refrigerant checks, thermostat calibration, and safety inspections. Regular maintenance helps reduce downtime, improve energy efficiency, and extend the life of your system. critical for businesses that rely on consistent indoor comfort.

Yes, a tankless water heater can be worth the investment for many homeowners. While the upfront cost is higher than a traditional tank unit, tankless models offer energy savings, unlimited hot water, and longer lifespans (up to 20 years). They're ideal for households looking to reduce utility bills and save space, especially when hot water demand is consistent but not excessive all at once.

It's recommended to flush your water heater once a year to remove sediment buildup, which can reduce efficiency and shorten the lifespan of the unit. If you have hard water, flushing more frequently may be necessary.

If your water heater is over 10 years old, leaking, or not providing consistent hot water, it's often more cost-effective to replace it. Minor issues like thermostat problems or a broken heating element can sometimes be repaired. A professional inspection by Franzen is the best way to decide.

Most traditional tank water heaters last between 8 to 12 years, while tankless water heaters can last up to 20 years with proper maintenance. Regular flushing and checking the anode rod can help extend the life of your unit.

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.

Common signs include:

• Excessive dust around vents or on furniture
• Allergy or respiratory issues worsening indoors
• Musty or stale odors when the HVAC system runs
• Visible mold or debris inside vents
• Uneven airflow or inconsistent room temperatures

If you notice any of these, it's a good idea to schedule an inspection.

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.

AFUE is an acronym for Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency.

For example, if you get a bill for $100 for using your furnace, which is 50% efficient, you put $50 worth of heat in your home and $50 worth of heat outside.

A high-efficiency furnace typically has an AFUE rating of 90% or higher, meaning it converts 90%+ of its fuel into usable heat. These systems are ENERGY STAR® certified and can significantly reduce your energy bills.

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. 

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.

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.

The effects at low concentrations include fatigue in healthy people and chest pain in people with heart disease; effects at higher concentrations include impaired vision and coordination, headaches, dizziness, confusion, and nausea.

CO can cause flu-like symptoms that clear up after leaving home. At very high concentrations, CO exposure is fatal. Acute effects are due to the formation of carboxyhemoglobin in the blood, inhibiting oxygen intake. At moderate concentrations, the result may be angina, impaired vision, and reduced brain function.

Sources of CO include:

• Automobile exhaust from attached garages
• Back-drafting from furnaces, gas water heaters, wood stoves, and fireplaces
• Gas stoves
• Generators and other gasoline-powered equipment
• Leaking chimneys and furnaces
• Tobacco smoke
• Unvented kerosene and gas space heaters

Incomplete oxidation during combustion in gas ranges and unvented gas or kerosene heaters can cause high concentrations of CO in indoor air. Worn or poorly adjusted and maintained combustion devices (e.g., boilers, furnaces) can be sources, or if the flue is improperly sized, blocked, disconnected, or leaking. Auto, truck, or bus exhaust from attached garages, nearby roads, or parking areas can be sources, too.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, mostly odorless, and tasteless gas or liquid that results from incomplete oxidation of carbon in combustion.

• Auto ignition temperature (liquid) 1128°F
• Boiling point: -190°C
• Burns with a violet flame
• Classed as an inorganic compound
• Slightly soluble in water
• Solidification point: -207°C
• Soluble in alcohol and benzene
• Specific gravity: 0.96716
• Specific volume: 13.8 cu. ft./lb. (70°F)