Why should I choose Schneider Heating & Cooling, Inc.?
We care about our customers and the quality of our work. We are dedicated to servicing our customers and place our existing customers at top priority.
We stand behind what we install, even if it means we will have to come out after normal business hours to do warranty repairs.
Why choose Rheem products?
Because they produce products that are researched and tested by some of the best engineers in the industry. The products are tested at the Fort Smith, AK plant at levels beyond government standards in order to provide you with quality products.
In July of 2009, Consumer Reports reported that Rheem cooling products were less likely to need repairs. This determination came after they surveyed 32,000 of their readers.
Is the in-home estimate for new equipment free?
Yes
Do you give free estimates on repair work?
Free estimates are only given on new equipment.
What forms of payment do you accept?
We accept cash, check, and all major credit cards.
How often should I change my furnace filter?
It is recommended that you change your filter every month. If the weather is mild, you may not need to change the filter each month, but you need to still check to make sure.
Why does the temperature setting keep changing on my thermostat?
If you have a programmable thermostat, the temperature setting will reset to the programmed temperature if you did not press the hold button after making your temperature adjustment. Look at the screen on your thermostat to see if the hold feature is activated or not. It should say “Hold” if it is.
Air Conditioning FAQs
What does S.E.E.R mean?
Seasonal energy efficiency rating, which means the higher the S.E.E.R number, the higher the efficiency level. They range from 13 to 24+. Since January of 2006, the government mandated that all single phase air conditioners be raised from 10 to 13 S.E.E.R. minimum.
Should I increase the size of my air conditioner to make my house cooler faster?
Many people are tempted to demand a larger unit because they want their house to cool faster and they think that bigger is better. A unit that is over sized for your house will run for shorter cycles. Though it may lower the temperature in the house faster, it will not run long enough to remove as much of the humidity that will give you the comfort level you desire. The shorter run times also decrease the unit’s efficiency.
Do I have to replace my indoor coil when I replace my outdoor condenser?
Match the S.E.E.R.
Beware of contractors who are willing to simply replace the outdoor condenser while leaving your existing indoor coil. If the S.E.E.R. of your indoor coil is rated lower than your outdoor condenser, you need to replace your indoor coil. Improperly rated or mismatched equipment may void your warranty and will not provide you with the efficiency and comfort level expected for your new air conditioner. It will also over work your compressor, leading to premature compressor failure.
R22 vs. R-410A
If you are switching from R22 to the new R-410A refrigerant, you will need to make sure the old coil is compatible with the new refrigerant.
Dirty/Clogged?
The dirt in your older indoor coil will also decrease the air flow and efficiency. We are dedicated to providing you quality work at a fair price. We will counsel you on your existing and future heating and cooling needs in order to save you money in the long run.
Why would I want two-stage cooling?
Have you ever worn a sweater indoors during the summer because the air conditioning was too cold? If you end up feeling too cold on milder days, you may want to invest in a two-stage cooling system. On milder days it will run on the lower setting, keeping the cold drafts down.
Or have you ever drastically lowered the thermostat down to the 60s hoping that would cool the house faster? Doing that with the single-stage cooling system does not cool the house faster, but lowering the temperature on the two-stage system will cause the unit to kick into the higher cooling stage, cooling your house faster!
How does the R-22 phase out affect me?
Each year the production of R-22 is decreased; therefore, driving the price higher. This means that future repairs on equipment using R-22 may cost more. Check out this brochure put out by the EPA for more details.
It is estimated that over the past two years, the price for R-22 has increased an average of 41%.
Can I replace my R-22 refrigerant in my unit with R-410A?
This is not possible because R-410A has a significantly higher pressures than R-22.
Do I have to replace everything in order to switch to the R-410A refrigerant?
You do have a few options when you make the switch to the R-410A refrigerant. You will need to buy a new outdoor condenser that utilizes the R410A refrigerant. If you recently had the indoor coil replaced, you will need to make sure that it is compatible. Some indoor coils can work with either refrigerant. If it is compatible, it will only need to have the old refrigerant flushed out. If your line set (the copper lines that run the refrigerant to and from the indoor coil and the outdoor condensing unit) does not have any leaks and is difficult to replace, the lines can be flushed and reused.
Should I cover my outdoor air conditioning unit during the winter?
You do no want to cover your entire unit. You may want to put a board on top of the unit to keep leaves from falling down through the fan.
You want to make sure you never run the unit while it is covered!
My upstairs is too hot during the summer. What can I do?
Since heat rises, we will always have a problem with the upstairs being warmer than the first floor. If you are not using the upstairs during the day, we recommend that you turn up the temperature during the day and then turn down the temperature after the sun goes down. This will help cool down the upstairs for sleeping.
You may wish to close your registers on the first floor. Sometimes you have dampers in the ductwork that can be adjusted to divert more air to the upper level.
Don’t forget to close your curtains and blinds to keep out the sun. It is also good to check the insulation in your attic. You may also wish to install an attic fan to help pull the heat out of your attic.
You also want to make sure you are getting adequate airflow to your upstairs. Some higher end furnace filters instruct you to replace the filter every three months, but the dirt they catch often requires the filter to be changed every month because the dirt restricts the airflow too much. Another air flow restriction can be dirt in your indoor coil. A service technician can clean this, but some designs and locations limit how much dirt can be removed, requiring the indoor coil to be replaced.
Furnace FAQs
My basement flooded. What do I need to do?
It all depends on how high the water got in the furnace. For example, a wet control board or a wet motor will need to be replaced. Though the furnace may run after drying out, the flooded parts cannot be trusted. Since you don’t want your furnace to stop working on the coldest day of winter, choose to replace the flooded parts right away. If your furnace is old, it might be more economical to replace the furnace. Don’t forget to check with your home owner’s insurance to see if they will cover the repair or replacement expense.
I am only replacing my furnace. What should I do about my indoor coil?
Your indoor coil sits either on the top of your furnace or underneath it. This means that you will have labor expenses related to it whenever your furnace is replaced. Choosing whether or not to replace the indoor coil all depends on its age. If you will most likely be replacing your air conditioner in the next few years, you will probably want to save money by replacing your indoor coil. Since you will already be paying for the labor involved with installing the indoor coil, why pay again when you replace your air conditioner in a few years? Some people have chosen not to replace their indoor coil only to have the drain pan rust out and leak water on their new furnace.
If you choose to install a new indoor coil, make sure that you get a model that will work with both the R-22 and R410A refrigerants.
Schneider Heating & Cooling’s policy is to replace the indoor coil with each new furnace install.
What are the installation needs of a furnace with 90% efficiency?
This type of furnace will need to have up to two pvc pipes run through the side of your house in order to retrieve fresh air and exhaust the furnace fumes. Should you wish to install this furnace, have us come out to check out how this will work with your setup.
How does the 90% furnace venting look from the outside?
Rheem provides a kit that keeps the venting virtually flush with the side of our house. Your neighbors will not be asking you about the pvc “sculpture” emerging from the side of your house.