FAQs
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FAQs – Home Air Conditioning Information

  1. What is the SEER Rating?
  2. Why is the SEER rating on the Energy Guide different than what my dealer quoted?
  3. Why should I have regular (or preventative) maintenance? And how often should I have it performed?
  4. What equipment requires regular (or preventative) maintenance?
  5. I need help troubleshooting a problem with my equipment.
  6. What are the advantages of a programmable thermostat?
  7. What type of filter should I use? And how often should I replace it?
  8. Why can’t I find the correct size furnace filter at my local home improvement store for my Carrier Brand Equipment?
  9. Where can I get parts for my Carrier equipment?
  10. Which Carrier equipment will best fit my home?
  11. What does my warranty cover?
  12. What is the life expectancy of my unit?
  13. My AC is rusty. What can I do?
  14. What are the benefits of being on an Ocean State maintenance plan?
  15. Do you have any current HVAC specials?
  16. My system isn’t working and I urgently need assistance. When are you available?
  17. What is The Ocean State Filter Club?
  18. Are you a locally based company?
 

What is the SEER Rating?

The SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) is how the efficiency of your heating and cooling equipment is measured. The SEER is the amount of cooling your system will deliver per dollar spent on electricity, as compared to other systems. For example, a 3-ton unit may have a SEER efficiency rating of 13, 14, or 15. The higher the SEER the more efficient the system will be. The SEER rating of any given unit can range anywhere from 13 to 17.

Click here to learn more about SEER Ratings »

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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.

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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 every day. The constant stopping, starting and continual operation can wear down any machine if the proper care and maintenance are 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.

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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.

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I need help troubleshooting a problem with my equipment.

As your local Carrier dealer, Ocean State Air Conditioning & Heating 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 Ocean State Air Conditioning & Heating 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.

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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.

Learn more about the advantages of a programmable thermostat »

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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, Ocean State Air Conditioning & Heating recommends that you replace your disposable filters at least once a month. If you have washable filters, they should be cleaned once a month.

Learn more about what kinds of filters are best for you »

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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.

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Where can I get parts for my Carrier equipment?

As a Carrier dealer, Ocean State Air Conditioning & Heating is the best resource for identifying and supplying the correct, current parts for your system, as well as pricing and availability. Contact us today to have your Carrier system serviced!

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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. Ocean State Air Conditioning & Heating 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 ensure 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.

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What does my warranty cover?

Under the standard factory warranty, Carrier covers parts that fail during the warranty period due to defects in the part. The warranty does not cover labor. A warranty certificate was included with your homeowner information packet and is specific to the model numbers, serial numbers, and installation dates of your products. If you cannot find your warranty certificate, Ocean State Air Conditioning & Heating will also be able to provide you with the information.

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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.

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My AC is rusty. What can I do?

We actually wrote a blog article about this very premise and what you can do to prevent and remove rust on your system.

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What are the benefits of being on an Ocean State maintenance plan?

An Ocean State maintenance plan gets you twice annual visits from our technicians to prevent any future issues. This not only gives you peace of mind but saves you money in the long term!

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Do you have any current HVAC specials?

We sure do! We offer seasonal discounts on everything from system installs and repairs to maintenance plans and air purification!

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My system isn’t working and I urgently need assistance. When are you available?

We know how frustrating it can be to have to wait for an appointment which is why the Ocean State team is available 24/7. Just give us a call at 904-574-4619 and our AC repair team will be in touch shortly.

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What is The Ocean State Filter Club?

The Ocean State Filter Club is an automated service that delivers brand-new filters right when you need them. Joining the club allows you to keep your air clean year-round!

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Are you a locally based company?

Yes. We started Ocean State in Neptune Beach in 1975 and we’ve been serving the First Coast ever since. Unlike other companies, we only service this community so we know the neighborhoods, the systems, and the people.

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