HVAC FAQs

Air Conditioning & Heating FAQ

P & M Air Conditioning and Heating is known throughout the Houston area for our superior furnace service and air conditioning repair, installation, and maintenance. We get a lot of questions from our customers, and our NATE-Certified techs are happy to answer them all. We’ve collected our most common questions and answers here for your reference, but if you don’t see the solution you need, give us a call at (713) 588-6249.

HVAC is an acronym for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning. It refers to your home or business’s heating and cooling system and includes the appliances and ductwork.

Your HVAC appliance has a label on it with the brand, model number, and the production date. Jot that information down, then visit the manufacturer’s website to look up your particular unit for warranty information.

The air conditioner or furnace should operate quietly in the background. If you start hearing loud noises when it starts up, there might be a problem with the unit’s motor. A banging or rattling noise, or a noise like a lawnmower, usually indicates a loose part or one that’s worn out.

Precision tune-ups keep your furnace and air conditioner operating more efficiently. Tune-ups include a thorough inspection of the appliance to look for any loose wires or worn parts that need to be replaced. It also includes cleaning and, for air conditioners, adding more refrigerant.

Trip charges are the fees associated with your tech’s travel and time diagnosing the problem with your HVAC system.

Popping sounds in your ducts usually indicate a loose connection between the duct and appliance or between ducts. Or, it can also indicate a faulty design or installation.

Regular maintenance for your HVAC system is just as important as maintenance on your car. It keeps the unit running smoothly, and the cleaning improves your indoor air quality. Plus, your P & M Air Conditioning and Heating tech can also let you know when it’s time to replace your furnace or air conditioner, so you can plan and budget.

There could be two reasons. First, the unit is low on coolant, so schedule a fast service appointment to fill it up. Or, you could have restricted airflow for the air conditioner. Check the intake fan to see if anything is blocking it.

Zoning refers to creating different temperature zones in your house to reduce unnecessary heating or cooling and lowering your energy bills. If there are portions of your house that you don’t use often, a zoning system can reduce the amount of energy you use to heat or cool the area.

We are a Carrier factory-authorized dealer, but our techs are trained to work on all major brands and models, including completing warranty service.

We accept MasterCard, Visa, Discover, and American Express credit cards, plus checks or cash. We also offer flexible financing options for approved customers.

Yes! Summertime in Houston is no time to have to wait for an air conditioner repair. We offer 24-hour emergency service.

Zoning systems are one way to manage costs. This can help you keep certain rooms cooler or warmer than the main part of the house. Another way to control your gas and electric usage is to set the temperature in your home a few degrees cooler than you usually do in the winter and a few degrees warmer than you typically do in the summer. Or, if you have an older HVAC system, upgrading to a newer, more efficient appliance will help, too.

There could be a few reasons. You could have a problem with the heating element on your water heater, or the unit itself may be getting older and less efficient. If you have an older unit, it may be time to replace it. Or, you can opt for a tankless water heater, which supplies all the hot water you need on-demand.

Yes, your inside air may be more polluted than the air outside! Pet dander, dust and dirt, mold spores, and pollen from outside can all get into your house. If you don’t have regular ductwork cleaning or change your air filter often, then all those things circulate inside your home over and over, which can exacerbate allergy symptoms and cause respiratory issues for people and pets.

Standard 1-3 inch filters should be changed every 30-60 days. If you have allergies, or if there are pets in your home, you may wish to change it monthly.

Call Us Today For Service!

We hope we’ve answered all your HVAC questions, but please contact us to learn more about a new HVAC installation. Or, if you need fast, friendly repairs or service, call us today at (713) 588-6249!