Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs – Home Air Conditioning Information

What Do SEER, MERV and Other Air Conditioner and Heating Ratings Mean?
What is the difference between R22 refrigerant and PURON?
Why is the SEER rating on the Energy Guide different than what my dealer quoted?
Why should I have regular (or preventative) maintenance? And how often should I have it performed?
What equipment requires regular (or preventative) maintenance?
Should the Indoor and Outdoor Units Be Replaced at the Same Time?
I need help troubleshooting a problem with my equipment.
What are the advantages of a programmable thermostat?
What type of filter should I use? And how often should I replace it?
Why can’t I find the correct size furnace filter at my local home improvement store for my Carrier Brand Equipment?
Where can I get parts for my Carrier equipment?
Which Carrier equipment will best fit my home?
What does my warranty cover?
What is the life expectancy of my unit?

What Do SEER, MERV and Other Air Conditioner and Heating Ratings Mean?

SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio and measures an air conditioner’s energy efficiency. The higher the SEER rating, the less energy the AC system uses to achieve the same results. Federal law requires a minimum rating of 13 on new units. A rating of 16 provides additional energy savings and prevents the release of 30,000 pounds of greenhouse gas into the atmosphere as compared to a unit with a rating of 13. A rating of 23 is the highest.

MERV is the measure of an air filter’s effectiveness at filtering particles out of the air. The rating is on a scale of one to 16 based on the size of the particles captured. Experts suggest that beyond a range of seven to 13, there is little gain of effectiveness for a residential air conditioner.

What is the difference between R22/Freon and PURON?

Freon® 22, an HCFC also known as R-22, is a harmful refrigerant according to the Clean Air Act of 1990. Although it may not legally be used in new air conditioning units as of January 2010, existing units can still be serviced with Freon. There are strict protocols for ensuring that no Freon is released into the environment, so this service should only be performed by a qualified AC repair technician. Improper handling during a do it yourself repair could result in a violation of the Clean Air Act. The production of Freon will be outlawed beginning in 2020 so conversion is recommended to turn to Puron® refrigerant for homeowners to maintain their indoor comfort.

Puron®, also known as R-410A, is approved by the EPA to replace Freon® 22 and is the world’s first, long-term solution to ozone depletion.

There’s been one manufacturer who has led the industry in designing and testing cooling equipment that uses Puron®. That manufacturer is Carrier. For nearly 18 years, Carrier has had Puron®-based products installed all over the United States. Puron®-based products have also been proven to be the most reliable in the marketplace and have gained recognition nationwide for dependable operation.

With more than 20,000 active AHRI-rated product combinations that use Puron® refrigerant, you can trust Carrier to have the equipment you want and need to meet tomorrow’s standards.

For more information about R410A (Puron), visit www.410A.com.

Freon is a registered trademark of E. I. Dupont de Nemours & Co.

Why is the SEER rating on the Energy Guide different than what my dealer quoted?

Each split system cooling unit has a nominal SEER rating. This rating can be increased with the upgrade of the same series indoor unit. The SEER rating of a system is derived 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.

Why should I have regular (or preventative) maintenance? And how often should I have it performed?

Your heating and cooling systems work incredibly hard to perform their functions for your home everyday. The constant stopping, starting and continual operation can wear down any machine if the proper care and maintenance is delayed. However, by performing regular maintenance, you can maximize the lifecycle of your heating or cooling unit and guard against many common equipment failures. Preventive maintenance inspections performed on a regular basis can uncover leaks, rust, rot, soot, frayed wires and corroded electrical contacts that the naked eye may not notice. You should have maintenance done on your system regularly to ensure maximum efficiency and allow prevent possible problems that may occur in the near future.

What equipment requires regular (or preventative) maintenance?

At least once a year heat pumps and air conditioners require a professional tune-up. Because gas-fired equipment functions with greater efficiency, they only need to be serviced every other year. Inspections on boiler and furnace systems should include ductwork, pipes, dampers, valves, the chimney, registers, radiators, pumps, blowers, fuel lines, the gas meter, oil tank and every part of the actual furnace and boiler. Meanwhile, heat pump and air conditioning unit inspections should also include inspections of the fan, compressor, indoor coils, outdoor coils, line kits and refrigerant lines.

Should the Indoor and Outdoor Units Be Replaced at the Same Time?

Yes, the indoor and outdoor units should be replaced at the same time. The reason for this is that the two units are designed to work together. Even if a replacement unit works with the unit being replaced or by itself increases the overall efficiency, the two units will not work as effectively as two that were designed to work together.

Further, if one unit is so old that it needs to be replaced, it means the other half of the system is likely equally as old and also due to be replaced. Air conditioner technology has increased significantly over the last ten years and not replacing both units will lose out on some of those advances.

I need help troubleshooting a problem with my equipment.

As your local Carrier dealer, Karnes & Stanley Heating & Air is your troubleshooting expert, and is glad to help you. In addition, Carrier also provides a network of troubleshooting technicians at Carrier Distribution centers across the country which Karnes & Stanley Heating & Air will utilize to solve your concern. Should we encounter a situation that requires additional factory help, we will contact our factory supported Service Manager(s) for assistance.

What are the advantages of a programmable thermostat?

Since they are electronic, programmable thermostats are more accurate and efficient than thermostats that contain mercury. With programmable thermostats you can control the temperature in your home at different times of day without ever touching your thermostat. Because everything is automatic, you will never forget to change the setting on your own.

What type of filter should I use? And how often should I replace it?

Standard filters work to keep your system and its ductwork clean, but they don’t really improve indoor air quality. To do that you need a media filter. The media filter rests between the main return duct and the blower cabinet and will improve dust and particle removal by seven times that of a standard filter. However, upgrading to a pleated media filter will remove everything from insecticide dust to airborne viruses from the filtered air. Always choose a filter that matches your blower’s capacity. For optimum efficiency and filtration, Karnes & Stanley Heating & Air recommends that you replace your disposable filters at least once a month. If you have washable filters, they should be cleaned once a month.

Why can’t I find the correct size furnace filter at my local home improvement store for my Carrier Brand Equipment?

The filter shipped with your Carrier unit is made from higher-quality materials than those of the disposable filters found in retail stores. For that reason, replacement Carrier filters can only be purchased through a Carrier dealer. However, keep in mind that some Carrier filters are reusable, and can be washed by hand in cold water.

Where can I get parts for my Carrier equipment?

As a Carrier dealer, Karnes & Stanley Heating & Air is the best resource for identifying and supplying the correct, current parts for your system, as well as pricing and availability.

Which Carrier equipment will best fit my home?

There are many factors that 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, and many others. Karnes & Stanley Heating & Air can perform an in-home load analysis to determine which equipment combinations will perfectly suit your home and your family’s needs. Depending upon the construction of your home, one (1) ton of air conditioning can cool anywhere from 300 to 800 square feet of home. The only way to insure the size of the system you purchase will be large enough to cool your home, but not any larger than you need, is to have your home’s individual heating and cooling needs evaluated by a licensed professional.

What does my warranty cover?

Under the standard factory warranty, Carrier covers parts that fail during the warranty period due to defect in the part. The warranty does not cover labor. Once your system is registered a warranty certificate will be provided, and is specific to the model numbers, serial numbers and installation dates of your products. If you cannot find your warranty certificate, Karnes & Stanley Heating & Air will also be able to provide you with the information.

What is the life expectancy of my unit?

Dependable Carrier products are among the longest lasting heating and cooling products available. For your specific equipment, there are many variables that affect life expectancy, and of course, the regularity of routine maintenance.