What are NATE-certified technicians? Don’t all technicians have certification? These are common questions homeowners have when they schedule their first AC or heating service. Once you understand what the 10 terms below mean, you’ll be ready to find the right HVAC company for you and keep your HVAC system in great condition.
1. Condensate Drain Pan
The condensate drain pan catches dripping water from the AC’s evaporator coils. An overflowing drain pan can cause water damage to your house or the appliance. If it overflows, the drain line may be clogged. You can prevent this from happening by cleaning the drain line every year.
Annual air conditioning maintenance helps to keep the entire system in good shape, limiting the number of problems you experience. Faught Service Company provides air conditioning and heating maintenance in Austin, TX, and the surrounding areas.
2. Condenser
The condenser is the outdoor unit of an air conditioning system or a heat pump. You need to keep three feet of clearance around the condenser and five feet above the condenser to avoid obstructing its airflow. If the condenser is only used for air conditioning, you should cover it with plywood during the winter to help extend its lifespan by protecting it from the elements.
3. Evaporator Coil
Your HVAC system’s evaporator coil needs to be cleaned by a maintenance technician at least once a year. This task is included in AC maintenance. When something goes wrong with the system, the evaporator coil may develop frost. Always contact a company for AC service if the evaporator coil has started to freeze. The evaporator coil is inside the air handler or the blower compartment. You might also see evaporator coils attached to the furnace.
4. Heat Pump
A heat pump is a type of HVAC system that’s capable of producing cold and hot air depending on which is needed. Heat pumps transfer heat either inside or outside of your residence The average heat pump that’s well-maintained lasts 10 to 15 years.
You may come across the term “geothermal heat pump,” which is a type of heat pump that transfers heat from the earth back into the earth. It can last 40 to 70 years but has higher installation costs and requires loops to be installed either in the ground or a nearby water source like a pond or a well.
5. HSPF
The HSPF rating indicates how energy-efficient a heat pump is while heating your property. It stands for heating seasonal performance factor. All heat pumps have good heating energy efficiency. If you’re looking to choose a model with the highest energy efficiency, choose a higher HSPF.
6. Lennox Premier Dealer
A Lennox Premier Dealer is a company that’s factory-authorized by Lennox, a major brand of heating and cooling systems. Lennox requires its factory-authorized dealers to provide excellent customer service, accurate repairs, and safe installations. Factory-authorized dealers must uphold strict standards, too. Hiring a factory-authorized dealer is low risk. You can rest assured you’ll be receiving quality service.
7. NATE
NATE stands for North American Technical Excellence. Technicians who are NATE-certified are highly knowledgeable about heating and cooling systems. They’re also trained to deliver good customer service. NATE certification is considered the most difficult to obtain and the most prestigious in the industry. Companies that have NATE-certified technicians are often good choices. Our company has NATE-certified technicians to ensure accurate repairs and correct installations.
8. NCI
NCI (National Comfort Institute) certification is also respected in the industry. Technicians must already have basic HVAC certification and field experience before taking the exam. The NCI also provides training for technicians who are interested in becoming NCI-certified. To ensure technicians retain their knowledge, the NCI requires recertification every two years.
9. SEER Rating
A central air conditioning system’s SEER rating is a measure of how energy-efficient it is. Just as with other energy efficiency ratings in the HVAC industry, the higher the SEER rating, the more energy-efficient the system is. A SEER rating of 15 to 18 is often a suitable choice if you want to balance your budget with energy efficiency.
10. Tune-Up
While looking at the HVAC services a company offers, you typically see repair, installation, and maintenance. Sometimes, you’ll come across the word “tune-up.” A tune-up is the same thing as maintenance. AC and heating tune-ups involve cleaning the internal components, lubricating moving parts, tightening loose electrical connections, checking the safety mechanisms, and inspecting the system. Your HVAC system needs maintenance twice a year: once for the heating side and once for the cooling side. Those who have a separate heating system and AC unit also need to schedule maintenance annually for those systems.
Faught Service Company is a Mitsubishi Diamond Dealer and Lennox Premier Dealer. We hire NATE-certified and NCI-certified technicians. We also provide flexible appointment scheduling and comprehensive maintenance plans. Our company has been approved by the Austin Energy Program to provide whole-house energy efficiency assessments. Additional services we offer include indoor air quality, duct sealing, duct replacement, and insulation. When it comes to heating and cooling, we can repair, tune, and install any make or model.
Contact us today to schedule service for your HVAC system or to ask any questions you may have. We would enjoy the chance to serve your home comfort needs.
