Riverside Air Conditioning & Heating Frequently Asked Questions

Equipment:

Q: What brands of equipment does Dial One Sonshine Riverside Air Conditioning & Heating service?

Dial One Sonshine Riverside Air Conditioning & Heating services all brands of equipment. We like to say, “We sell the best and service the rest!” Our professional service technicians are some of the best trained in the industry. [ back to top ]

Q: What is a “cracked” furnace? How serious is this?

The part that transfers heat from the gas flame to the air in the house is called a “heat exchanger”. If the heat exchanger has a crack or rust hole in it, the fumes (including carbon monoxide) enter the air that comes out of the supply registers into your home or office. This is why a “cracked” furnace can be so dangerous. A small crack may not be dangerous yet, it will get bigger and even small amounts of carbon monoxide can be dangerous. Heat exchangers can be replaced, however, if they are out of warranty, you are usually better off to install a new higher efficiency furnace. [ back to top ]

Q: Won’t my carbon monoxide detector tell me when I need a new furnace?

Every home should have a carbon monoxide detector, but the fact that it is not going off doesn’t mean everything is safe. Carbon monoxide detectors vary in quality and virtually all of them must be replaced every few years because their sensors become ineffective. Also, even small amounts of carbon monoxide have an accumulative effect in the body, and -- to prevent false alarms -- detectors have to detect a minimum threshold of carbon monoxide over a period of time before they sound their alarm. If your alarm does go off, turn your furnace off immediately (and any other possible sources of carbon monoxide such as gas ovens, gas dryers, gasoline or diesel powered generators, car or lawnmower engines, etc.) and get all people and animals out of the home or office at once. Once the home or office has been thoroughly aired out and ventilated, you should be able to return safely, however, do not use your gas furnace, or other equipment that may be a source of carbon monoxide, until you have it checked out by a qualified technician. Call Dial One Sonshine Riverside Air Conditioning & Heating so that a service technician can check your furnace. [ back to top ]

Q: How long should my old furnace and air conditioner last?

The answer to this question often depends on the equipment you have, how well it was installed, and how well it has been maintained. Home builders often use lower grade “builder models” offered by otherwise well-known manufacturers (including Trane, Rheem/Ruud, and Lennox). Builders' models may not last much more than 8 to 12 years, whereas premium models from these companies will typically last much longer. If you believe you may have a builders' model, you may want to consider taking advantage of rebates and warranties offered with a new systems once your equipment is 10 or 12 years old. Oftentimes, utility bill and repair savings alone will more than offset the cost of a new high-efficiency system. [ back to top ]

Regular professional maintenance is an important factor, too. Even lower quality equipment that has been frequently serviced and maintained can last 20 years or longer. Many times the proud owners of such equipment will decide to replace the equipment in order to obtain equipment that offers improved efficiency or new features, not because the equipment is failing. Because of our extreme weather, premium equipment that has not been maintained will typically last between 12-18 years. However, because of efficiency improvements that are continually made by manufacturers, once a system is 10 years old it may pay to replace the system because of the higher efficiency (and lower gas & electric bills) and rebates available for newer equipment. [ back to top ]

Finally, how well your system was installed plays a major role in how long it will last. Systems left with even small amounts of water vapor in the refrigerant lines or ones that have too little return air flow will often have serious malfunctions before they’re even five years old. [ back to top ]

Q: What is SEER?

This stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating. The “size” of an air conditioner is rated in BTUs (British Thermal Units) or tons; however the “efficiency” of a system is rated in SEER. SEER is like mpg (miles per gallon) in a car: the higher the mpg (or SEER) the lower the gasoline (electricity or gas) bill. [ back to top ]

Q: Shouldn’t I install the highest SEER air conditioner available?

In our climate, 13 SEER is considered “standard” efficiency (this is the minimum efficiency that Energy supports with rebates) and 16 SEER is “high efficiency”. The initial investment is higher for a 16 SEER than a 13 SEER system, however, the electricity savings will usually pay for the difference in 4-6 years. Single speed high SEER equipment doesn’t remove humidity as well as older, lower SEER equipment, so it is important that the new air conditioner be sized properly so it runs long enough to remove humidity (so you don’t have a cool, but “sticky” home). New variable speed equipment runs longer typically at a lower fan speed so that it keeps air circulating in your home and removes more humidity. Equipment with SEER ratings of 17 and higher are available, but are quite expensive and not considered economical yet. [ back to top ]

Q: What is a heat pump? Is it better than an air conditioner?

In the summer, a heat pump works in exactly the same way as an air conditioner, i.e., cooling your home or office by moving heat from the inside to the outside. In the winter, a heat pump operates in “reverse”, moving heat from the outside to the inside of your home or office. Even though it feels "cold" outside during the winter, there is still plenty of heat in the air that can be captured by a heat pump. After all, Absolute Zero, or the total absence of heat energy, occurs at minus 459 degrees! Also, heat pumps have auxiliary electric or gas heating systems that automatically come on to provide more heat when the temperature outside falls below 40 degrees or when the thermostat temperature is increased more than 5 degrees at a time.

The initial investment for a heat pump is somewhat higher than for an air conditioner with a gas furnace, they have somewhat higher maintenance costs, and ductwork must be of good design and in proper repair for proper operation. One common complaint of a heat pump is that the air coming out of the registers is not hot enough (compared to a gas furnace), however, it is plenty warm to heat your home. Actually, because of this, heat pumps will keep your indoor temperature more constant than a gas furnace.

Even if you have natural gas, heat pumps are often the most economical and efficient way to heat and cool your home. With gas prices poised to rise dramatically this winter. the savings provided by a heat pump may be dramatic. [ back to top ]

Q: My home has a forced air furnace but no air conditioner. Can I add central air?

Yes. Air conditioners require more air flow than furnaces and it may be necessary to add more ductwork. Also, local codes require that your ductwork be insulated in attics and crawl spaces, and your electrical service may need to be upgraded. Dial One Sonshine Riverside Air Conditioning & Heating can design a central air conditioning system for you and provide you with a fixed price quote to install it. [ back to top ]

Q: It’s winter and I need a new furnace and air conditioner. Should I wait until spring to buy a new air conditioner?

If you think you are going to need to install an air conditioner in the next 24 to 36 months, you probably want to have it installed with the furnace. You may qualify for substantial cash rebates, low-interest financing, and extended warranties when you replace your whole central heating and air conditioning system at the same time. Also, if you do install only a furnace or only a condenser, it is important to have a reputable contractor that can properly match the new component to your existing equipment and install it properly. Generally, due to lower demand, the cost will be lower to have a new system installed during the winter. [ back to top ]

Q: It’s summer and I need a new air conditioner. Should I install a new furnace too?

Not necessarily, however there are many considerations here. Similar to the question above, if you think you are going to need to replace your furnace in the next 24 to 36 months, you should consider having it installed with the air conditioner, i.e., a complete system. With the new higher efficiency system you'll probably qualify for cash rebates, low interest financing, and far better warranties than when you replace one component at a time. However, if you do install only a furnace or only a condenser, it is important to have a reputable contractor that can properly match the new component to your existing equipment and install it properly. A very important point: If your furnace is getting old, you should have the heat exchanger checked for “cracks”. If the heat exchanger is “cracked” you should have the heat exchanger replaced or replace the furnace because a cracked heat exchanger may allow dangerous carbon monoxide into your home or office. [ back to top ]

Q: Should I replace my furnace and air conditioner at the same time, or can they be installed separately?

It depends. If you plan to replace them within a few years of one another, special warranties, rebates, and financing that are often available with a complete system may make changing the complete system the best option. If they are installed at the same time, the coil cabinet (part of the air conditioner that sits on top of the furnace) will match the furnace in color & style. The system will operate OK whether they are installed at the same time or not, so it is comes down to a question of convenience and economics. [ back to top ]

Q: Is it OK to install a different brand of furnace (or air conditioner) to work with my existing air conditioner (or furnace)?

Yes, this is fine. It is important that the furnace have the proper size of blower to match the air conditioner, but Dial One Sonshine Riverside Air Conditioning & Heating can determine this easily. [ back to top ]

Q: How do you pour a new concrete pad that the air conditioner sits on?

We bring them in on a two-wheeler. They are pre-cast concrete (3" thick). [ back to top ]

Company:

Q: Why should I use Dial One Sonshine Riverside Air Conditioning & Heating?

Dial One Sonshine Riverside Air Conditioning & Heating has been serving customers since 1990. We are a family-owned and operated company that takes pride in the high quality products and services we offer our customers, many of which have been using us for their home comfort needs for many years.

We are active members of the ACCA (Air Conditioning Contractors of America), our industry’s preeminent trade association, and are longstanding members of the Better Business Bureau. Additionally, Dial One Sonshine Riverside Air Conditioning & Heating actively participates in Energy’s Residential and Multi-Family energy efficiency programs. Just this year alone, we’ve obtained over $100,000 in energy efficiency rebates for our customers. [ back to top ]

Q: Are you licensed and insured?

Dial One Sonshine Riverside Air Conditioning & Heating is a licensed air conditioning contractor in the State of CA. We carry comprehensive insurance coverage on all workers, vehicles and equipment plus liability coverage for work done in your home or business. A certificate of insurance can be issued to you before work is done, if you so desire. In fact, we recommend that you request one from any contractor you use. [ back to top ]

Q: What are your hours of operation?

Dial One Sonshine Riverside Air Conditioning & Heating is open for answering questions and booking appointments 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Phones are always answered live by the office. Emergency calls are dispatched to Service Technicians who are always standing by. [ back to top ]

Q: Can I have a service call on weekends? Does it cost extra?

Weekend service is available 24 hours if needed at no overtime fees or additional charges. [ back to top ]

Q: Does Dial One Sonshine Riverside Air Conditioning & Heating have experienced service technicians?

Absolutely! All of our service technicians are certified and trained. We have some of the best and most dedicated service technicians. [ back to top ]

Q: Does Dial One Sonshine Riverside Air Conditioning & Heating take care of permits, rebates, gas connections, and any electrical work that is needed?

We always obtain all required permits and available rebates. We can take care of the electrical and gas connections also, and we can work with your electrician or plumber if you prefer. [ back to top ]

Costs and Payment:

Q: Can I have a service call on weekends? Does it cost extra?

Weekend service is available 24 hours if needed at no overtime fees or additional charges. [ back to top ]

Q: Is there a charge for diagnosing what is wrong with my system?

There is diagnostic fee of $89 for a professional Service Technician to come to your location, inspect your system and provide you with a diagnosis and give you actual upfront pricing of work to be performed. Once the work has been accepted, the service fee is waived and the service call is absolutely 100% free. When you add up the costs of equipment, wages, travel time, tools and equipment, insurance, and fuel, our service charge fee is quite reasonable. At Dial One Sonshine Riverside Air Conditioning & Heating, we prefer to be upfront and fair. No Gimmicks! [ back to top ]

Q: Can you tell me exactly how much this job will cost?

In our years of experience, Dial One Sonshine Riverside Air Conditioning & Heating has found that customers prefer an upfront pricing based on their exact problem. Companies that offer phone quotes say they are subject to change once their technician diagnoses the problem. Dial One Sonshine Riverside Air Conditioning & Heating does not think this is fair to customers. Dial One Sonshine Riverside Air Conditioning & Heating relies on a strong onsite diagnostic procedure, including a complete inspection of your system, that provides you with a diagnosis of your problem for a small and reasonable diagnostic fee. Once the diagnostic procedure is performed, you will be shown exactly what the problem is, what the solution is, and how much it will cost. Then, and only then, do you authorize the work to be performed. [ back to top ]

Q: Do I pay the service technician at the time of service?

Yes, unless other arrangements have been made beforehand. We accept cash, personal or business checks, VISA, Mastercard, American Express and Discover. Additionally, we offer convenient financing, with approved credit, for service, repairs, and systems. [ back to top ]

Q: What is your overtime rate?

Dial One Sonshine Riverside Air Conditioning & Heating does not have an overtime rate. Our rates are based on the job, not by the hour. [ back to top ]

Q: I have a floor furnace now and want to add central air & heat. What will this cost?

This will depend on how involved it is to run ductwork, install the equipment, connect the flue (or install a new flue), connect the gas & electric, etc. As part of our quotation process, Dial One Sonshine Riverside Air Conditioning & Heating will calculate the heating & cooling load for your home to determine the proper size of equipment, ductwork, flue, electrical, etc. Generally the investment for a new central heating and air conditioning system will vary due to size and efficiency rating. It is important to keep in mind that your investment in a new central comfort system will generally increase the value and marketability of your home. [ back to top ]

Q: How many bids should I get before I decide on a new system?

Three bids are generally enough. If Dial One Sonshine Riverside Air Conditioning & Heating is servicing your current system, or if we have installed equipment for you in the past, you should be comfortable in obtaining a proposal from Dial One Sonshine Riverside Air Conditioning & Heating, then determining if you feel the need to obtain additional bids. Another way to obtain several bids without the effort is to call current customers that have had a system installed recently and ask why they chose Dial One Sonshine Riverside Air Conditioning & Heating (your comfort consultant can give you a list of customers). [ back to top ]

Q: Will Dial One Sonshine Riverside Air Conditioning & Heating be the lowest price on a new system, or can I get a better price from someone else?

Dial One Sonshine Riverside Air Conditioning & Heating does not have a “lowest-price guarantee” on new systems. Dial One Sonshine Riverside Air Conditioning & Heating does promise that your new system quote will be fair and honest.

At Dial One Sonshine Riverside Air Conditioning & Heating, your total satisfaction is our goal. We back up our work with the industry's best guarantees and warrantees. Why do customers choose us? Integrity. Craftsmanship. Innovation. Responsiveness. Quality. [ back to top ]

Q: How do I pay for my new system?

We accept cash, personal and business checks, and credit cards including VISA, MasterCard, American Express and Discover. We also have a number of easy and convenient financing options available, with approved credit, including long-term, low-interest financing available for Energy customers. [ back to top ]

Q: What are Dial One Sonshine Riverside Air Conditioning & Heating’s installation rates?

All installation work (except minor duct changes) is performed at a pre-agreed upon price and you will receive a proposal showing the total investment and detailing the work to be done, model numbers of all equipment, warranties, etc. [ back to top ]

Maintenance Agreements:

Q: Do you recommend periodic servicing of our A/C, furnace, or heat pump?

Yes! Because of our extreme weather, operating your heating and cooling system during a typical year is equivalent to putting 110,000 miles on your car. Many of us won’t go more than 5,000 miles between an oil change or 30,000 miles between a major tune-up, yet we’ll let our expensive comfort equipment run all year without much attention. While this approach may work for a time, most people end up paying heavily for this lack of maintenance in the form of higher energy bills, higher repair bills, voided warranties, reduced comfort and air quality, unplanned service interruptions and shortened equipment life. [ back to top ]

Q: What kind of maintenance/service plans does Dial One Sonshine Riverside Air Conditioning & Heating offer?

Dial One Sonshine Riverside Air Conditioning & Heating has several excellent maintenance plans available. Our most popular is the "Dial One Sonshine Riverside Air Conditioning & Heating Home Comfort Maintenance Plan – Gold” which includes three system maintenance service visits per year. The goal behind our maintenance plans is to keep your heating and cooling system in top operational condition so that it lasts longer and doesn’t fail unexpectedly. In addition to three Precision Tune-Ups annually, you’ll a host of valuable benefits such as priority service, 15% off on parts and labor, and a FREE service call if your system does fail unexpectedly (provided you’ve made repairs we have suggested during our Precision Tune-Ups). [ back to top ]

Utility Bills:

Q: How do I know if I’m paying too much for utilities?

Based on our years of experience, Dial One Sonshine Riverside Air Conditioning & Heating has developed a rule of thumb that works well in most cases. Here it is: If your home has an efficient heating and cooling system and is properly weatherized, your highest Summer electric bill should be about $0.06 times your square footage. For example, if you live in a 2,000 square foot home your highest summer electric bill should be about $120. Be careful to deduct some money, perhaps $50, from your electric bill if you have a swimming pool or other extra electrical demands, and remember that some Energy bills include water, which should be subtracted.

If your highest Summer electric bill is much higher than $0.06 per square foot, it would be worthwhile to have a Home Energy Audit performed by Dial One Sonshine Riverside Air Conditioning & Heating. As an Energy Registered Contractor, Dial One Sonshine Riverside Air Conditioning & Heating personnel have been specially trained to perform Home Energy Audits, and we provide this service FREE to homeowners. [ back to top ]

Q: My gas & electric bills are high. Will a new furnace and air conditioner lower my bills?

YES! A new 15 SEER air conditioner can usually cut the electricity used by the old air conditioner in half. Even a 12 SEER air conditioner (this is the minimum efficiency the federal government allows to be sold) will cut the electricity used by approximately 40%. A new 90% furnace can usually cut the gas used by the old furnace by as much as 30%, and a new 80% efficient furnace (minimum allowed by the federal government) will use approximately 20% less. [ back to top ]

Installation:

Q: Is it OK to install a different brand of furnace (or air conditioner) to work with my existing air conditioner (or furnace)?

Yes, this is fine. It is important that the furnace have the proper size of blower to match the air conditioner, but Dial One Sonshine Riverside Air Conditioning & Heating can determine this easily. [ back to top ]

Q: Does someone need to be home when the new system is installed?

Many times it is not possible for the homeowner to be home during the installation. Possibly a friend or relative can be home during the installation, or you can be there to let our installation professionals in before you leave for work. Sometimes homeowners give us a key and our installation professionals don't even meet them until the installation is complete. [ back to top ]

Q: How do you put a new pad that the air conditioner sits on?

We use what is called a Condensing Unit Pad manufactured by the air conditioning industry. They are made with ultraviolet inhibitors so it will not break down in sunlight. Pads come in different sizes, fitted for your particular condensing unit or heat pump. [ back to top ]

Q: How does Dial One Sonshine Riverside Air Conditioning & Heating determine what size of furnace and air conditioner to install?

Dial One Sonshine Riverside Air Conditioning & Heating’s comfort consultant will measure your home and calculate the actual heating & cooling load on the home (calculation using Manual J v8 that incorporates information about window size & direction, walls, ceiling, floor, appliances, insulation, etc). This will determine the proper size of equipment and ductwork that is needed. This will be compared to your current equipment & ductwork and will be adjusted based on your lifestyle, etc. [ back to top ]

Q: I want a “big” air conditioner. Someone told me this is not good - what are the advantages & disadvantages?

An "oversized" air conditioner will cool your house quicker, but it will use more electricity and will not remove humidity adequately. Contrary to popular belief – and intuition – long A/C system run cycles are far more desirable and energy efficient than short run cycles. You can think of this in terms of a car, where you’d prefer to buy a car that has mostly highway miles rather than city miles. The greatest amount of energy usage and wear and tear on your equipment occurs at system start up (it takes tremendous torque and, hence, amperage to get your compressor turning). Once started, it takes 10 to 15 minutes before your system is operating at peak efficiency and performance. Because an oversized system will often bring the temperature down to the thermostat setting in just a few minutes, your oversized system will never get to operate at peak performance and will end up “short-cycling” -- starting and stopping over and over again – a fact which will cost you plenty in terms of comfort, utility bills and added repairs.

Another factor to consider with regard to system size is that comfort is a function of temperature and humidity. That is, you can have low humidity (relatively dry air) and be comfortable when the temperature is 77 degrees or be absolutely miserable when you have high humidity and a temperature of 72 degrees. One of the most important jobs your air conditioning systems performs is removing moisture from the air in your home or office. Removing moisture requires long run times so that enough moisture laden air has a chance to blow across the cold indoor coil and condense into water which then drains from your system. Today’s high-efficiency central air conditioners may remove as much as two gallons of water from the air in your home every hour, which makes you far more comfortable. If your system is oversized, it will cool the temperature down to the thermostat setting too rapidly and the system will shut off before proper dehumidification of the air can occur. Taken to the extreme, a severely oversized system will create “rain forest” like conditions in your home: you’ll have water dripping from your cold supply grills and, very soon, mold and mildew covering your ducts and walls.

Duct system sizing must be considered too. If your duct system is not big enough to handle the increased airflow required by an "oversized" air conditioner, the evaporator coil may freeze and the system won't work at all. Even if the coil doesn’t freeze, reduced airflow will impact operating efficiency and effectiveness and cause premature failure of expense components such as the compressor.

Obviously the air conditioner must be sized big enough to cool your house, but too big is just as bad. We can measure the heating and cooling load on your particular home and then recommend a system that is properly sized to cool your home to 77 degrees when it is 100 degrees outside, then increase the size slightly, if needed, based on your temperature preferences. [ back to top ]

Q: Does Dial One Sonshine Riverside Air Conditioning & Heating take care of permits, rebates, gas connections, and any electrical work that is needed?

We always obtain all required permits and available rebates. We can take care of the electrical and gas connections also, and we can work with your electrician or plumber if you prefer. [ back to top ]

Q: What are Dial One Sonshine Riverside Air Conditioning & Heating’s installation rates?

All installation work (except minor duct changes) is performed at a pre-agreed upon price and you will receive a proposal showing the total investment and detailing the work to be done, model numbers of all equipment, warranties, etc. [ back to top ]

Q: My friend works for a heating & air company and says he can install a new furnace (or air conditioner) for me for a lot less money. Is this a good idea?

Your heating and cooling system is probably the most costly system you have in your home and affects your day to day comfort, your monthly energy bills, and even your home value. Be sure your friend has a CA State Masters license, has adequate liability and workers compensation insurance (ask to see these), and has designed and installed high efficiency heating and air conditioning systems successfully in the past (talk to references). Keep in mind that you will be dependent on your friend and his/her schedule for warranty repairs, which now last up to ten years. Another major consideration is that if your friend is not registered with your local utility you may be giving up hundreds or even thousands of dollars in cash rebates or low interest financing options. You also want to make sure that the equipment your friend will install is of high quality and that it comes with a strong manufacturer's warranty. Most air conditioning and heating equipment manufacturers make high-grade, premium equipment and low-grade builders' models -- and both may carry the manufacturer's brand name! Get the model numbers in writing from your friend and feel free to call us if you want to know the quality of the equipment you are getting. All in all, you may save money, however you will typically be assuming much more risk than when you use a long established HVAC contractor who belongs to the Better Business Bureau and industry professional organizations such as ACCA (Air Conditioning Contractors of America). [ back to top ]

Q: How long does it take to install a new furnace or air conditioner?

Generally allow one day for replacing a heating and air conditioning system. Installing a brand new central heating and cooling system, including ductwork , may take two days. Be aware that reputable contractors will refuse to install a new air conditioning system or heat pump system when it is raining. This is due to the fact that when moisture gets inside refrigerant lines it can be very damaging and can cause reliability and maintenance issues. [ back to top ]

Sizing:

Q: How does Dial One Sonshine Riverside Air Conditioning & Heating determine what size of furnace and air conditioner to install?

Dial One Sonshine Riverside Air Conditioning & Heating’s comfort consultant will measure your home and calculate the actual heating & cooling load on the home (calculation using Manual J v8 that incorporates information about window size & direction, walls, ceiling, floor, appliances, insulation, etc). This will determine the proper size of equipment and ductwork that is needed. This will be compared to your current equipment & ductwork and will be adjusted based on your lifestyle, etc. [ back to top ]

Q: I want a “big” air conditioner. Someone told me this is not good - what are the advantages & disadvantages?

An "oversized" air conditioner will cool your house quicker, but it will use more electricity and will not remove humidity adequately. Contrary to popular belief – and intuition – long A/C system run cycles are far more desirable and energy efficient than short run cycles. You can think of this in terms of a car, where you’d prefer to buy a car that has mostly highway miles rather than city miles. The greatest amount of energy usage and wear and tear on your equipment occurs at system start up (it takes tremendous torque and, hence, amperage to get your compressor turning). Once started, it takes 10 to 15 minutes before your system is operating at peak efficiency and performance. Because an oversized system will often bring the temperature down to the thermostat setting in just a few minutes, your oversized system will never get to operate at peak performance and will end up “short-cycling” -- starting and stopping over and over again – a fact which will cost you plenty in terms of comfort, utility bills and added repairs.

Another factor to consider with regard to system size is that comfort is a function of temperature and humidity. That is, you can have low humidity (relatively dry air) and be comfortable when the temperature is 77 degrees or be absolutely miserable when you have high humidity and a temperature of 72 degrees. One of the most important jobs your air conditioning systems performs is removing moisture from the air in your home or office. Removing moisture requires long run times so that enough moisture laden air has a chance to blow across the cold indoor coil and condense into water which then drains from your system. Today’s high-efficiency central air conditioners may remove as much as two gallons of water from the air in your home every hour, which makes you far more comfortable. If your system is oversized, it will cool the temperature down to the thermostat setting too rapidly and the system will shut off before proper dehumidification of the air can occur. Taken to the extreme, a severely oversized system will create “rain forest” like conditions in your home: you’ll have water dripping from your cold supply grills and, very soon, mold and mildew covering your ducts and walls.

Duct system sizing must be considered too. If your duct system is not big enough to handle the increased airflow required by an "oversized" air conditioner, the evaporator coil may freeze and the system won't work at all. Even if the coil doesn’t freeze, reduced airflow will impact operating efficiency and effectiveness and cause premature failure of expense components such as the compressor.

Obviously the air conditioner must be sized big enough to cool your house, but too big is just as bad. We can measure the heating and cooling load on your particular home and then recommend a system that is properly sized to cool your home to 77 degrees when it is 100 degrees outside, then increase the size slightly, if needed, based on your temperature preferences. [ back to top ]

Q: Will a larger furnace work better than a smaller furnace?

An "oversized" furnace will warm up the house quicker, but it will use more fuel and there will be greater temperature swings in your home. A smaller furnace will maintain more even temperatures, use less fuel, but will take longer to raise the temperature. Dial One Sonshine Riverside Air Conditioning & Heating will calculate the proper furnace size to maintain 80 degrees inside when it is zero degrees outside. [ back to top ]

Air Balancing:

Q: Some rooms in our house don’t get enough heat or cooling. Can this be fixed?

Yes. Dial One Sonshine Riverside Air Conditioning & Heating uses sophisticated central air conditioning and heating design techniques and software to determine the proper size and number of ducts you need to maintain comfort throughout your home. In many cases, existing ductwork has deteriorated and become leaky, causing airflow problems and high utility bills. Dial One Sonshine Riverside Air Conditioning & Heating can inspect your existing duct system, tell you how it performing and, if need be, repair or replace damaged ducts. Oftentimes, rebates are available to help pay for duct sealing and/or duct replacement. [ back to top ]

Ductwork:

Q: How do I know if my ductwork is adequate?

The size of your central air conditioner or heat pump system will determine the amount of airflow needed. Dial One Sonshine Riverside Air Conditioning & Heating’s comfort consultant will measure the ductwork during the initial survey and determine if there is adequate ductwork, registers and grills. [ back to top ]

Q: I think my ductwork has asbestos on it. How can I tell? What should I do about it?

Asbestos usually looks like a gray or white paper material that wraps around the ductwork and/or narrow strips around duct joints. It is safe as long as it is not disturbed. Often it is best to leave it undisturbed or to paint it to seal the asbestos fibers. Sometimes it is best to remove all exposed asbestos, or at least the narrow strips that touch the furnace. As a homeowner, you can remove this yourself, however it can be dangerous and may contaminate your entire home. Dial One Sonshine Riverside Air Conditioning & Heating can handle any asbestos removal using an EPA approved company and can include this as part of the total investment for a new system. [ back to top ]

Q: Should I have my ductwork cleaned? Does Dial One Sonshine Riverside Air Conditioning & Heating do this?

Dial One Sonshine Riverside Air Conditioning & Heating does not recommend cleaning ducts unless some unusual event -- fire, water damage, etc. -- has contaminated them. Our position on duct cleaning is the same as the U.S. EPA’s recommendation. Aside from being expensive and largely unnecessary, cleaning ductwork may cause serious damage to your ducts as well as make your duct system leaky, costing you efficiency. [ back to top ]

Air Balancing:

Q: Some rooms in our house don’t get enough heat or cooling. Can this be fixed?

Yes. Dial One Sonshine Riverside Air Conditioning & Heating uses sophisticated central air conditioning and heating design techniques and software to determine the proper size and number of ducts you need to maintain comfort throughout your home. In many cases, existing ductwork has deteriorated and become leaky, causing airflow problems and high utility bills. Dial One Sonshine Riverside Air Conditioning & Heating can inspect your existing duct system, tell you how it performing and, if need be, repair or replace damaged ducts. Oftentimes, rebates are available to help pay for duct sealing and/or duct replacement. [ back to top ]

Filters:

Q: Why should I consider a new high-efficiency filter?

Filtration is an important – and often overlooked – aspect of a home comfort system. We spend an increasing amount of time in our homes. Filtration impacts not only the air you and your family breath but the air that travels through your heating and cooling system. When you allow dirty, dusty air to move through your system, you’ll soon have clogged components which will impact system operation and efficiency. Removing and cleaning a clogged and dirty evaporator coil can easily cost $400 – not to mention the lost efficiency you paid for while it was dirty! Beyond this, poorly filtered air will cause more dust for you to clean and can really impact pets or people with allergies and respiratory ailments.

So what kind of filter should you use? First of all, disposable fiberglass filters are only about 15% effective. That means 85% of particles get through the filter. We don’t recommend them. Instead of a fiberglass filter, at a minimum Dial One Sonshine Riverside Air Conditioning & Heating recommends using disposable pleated filters because they remove far more particles from the air. Better yet, if you are replacing your HVAC system, install an electronic air cleaner or a media filter. Both filters are very effective at removing even the tiniest particles from the air, so you and your family will breathe cleaner air, enjoy a less dusty environment, and you’ll keep your heating and cooling system in better operating condition. Added bonus: with an electronic air cleaner or media filter that is part of you’re heating and cooling system, you only need to change the filter ONCE a year (twice if there are heavy smokers in the home).

High-efficiency filters remove more of the smaller particles from the air. This will help us breathe better and reduce sinus problems, headaches and colds. Many people miss fewer days from school & work and use less allergy medication. The air is filtered before entering the furnace and air conditioning evaporator coil, which makes the equipment last longer and will reduce fuel consumption 10%-15% over the life of a new furnace and air conditioner. Dial One Sonshine Riverside Air Conditioning & Heating has several different filters available and can show you the differences in efficiency and installation cost. [ back to top ]

Thermostats:

Q: Should I have a new programmable thermostat installed with my new system?

Programmable thermostats allow you to have the temperature raise and lower automatically at specific times each day. They will reduce your energy bills and increase your comfort (ie. get up to a "warm" bathroom during the winter). If your family follows a fairly regular schedule, a programmable thermostat will pay for itself in a few months. [ back to top ]

Humidifiers:

Q: What about a new humidifier?

Aprilaire humidifiers are great! They reduce dry skin and especially help with dry sinuses. They help reduce colds and allergies. They also help furniture from drying and eliminate shock from static electricity. We have several models available and the investment is surprisingly low. [ back to top ]

Choosing an AC & Heating Company:

Q: How many bids should I get before I decide on a new system?

Three bids are generally enough. If Dial One Sonshine Riverside Air Conditioning & Heating is servicing your current system, or if we have installed equipment for you in the past, you should be comfortable in obtaining a proposal from Dial One Sonshine Riverside Air Conditioning & Heating, then determining if you feel the need to obtain additional bids. Another way to obtain several bids without the effort is to call current customers that have had a system installed recently and ask why they chose Dial One Sonshine Riverside Air Conditioning & Heating (your comfort consultant can give you a list of customers). [ back to top ]

Q: How do I check out the companies I am considering to install my new system?

This is the easiest, yet most important step - call customers. Eliminate any company that doesn't give you a long list of customers that they have installed during the last 1 to 24 months. Call a few customers at random and tell them you are considering a new system and ask about their experience with Dial One Sonshine Riverside Air Conditioning & Heating (or any other company you are considering). [ back to top ]

Q: Will Dial One Sonshine Riverside Air Conditioning & Heating be the lowest price on a new system, or can I get a better price from someone else?

Dial One Sonshine Riverside Air Conditioning & Heating does not have a “lowest-price guarantee” on new systems. Dial One Sonshine Riverside Air Conditioning & Heating does promise that your new system quote will be fair and honest.

At Dial One Sonshine Riverside Air Conditioning & Heating, your total satisfaction is our goal. We back up our work with the industry's best guarantees and warrantees. Why do customers choose us? Integrity. Craftsmanship. Innovation. Responsiveness. Quality. [ back to top ]

Rebates:

Q: Does Dial One Sonshine Riverside Air Conditioning & Heating take care of permits, rebates, gas connections, and any electrical work that is needed?

We always obtain all required permits and available rebates. We can take care of the electrical and gas connections also, and we can work with your electrician or plumber if you prefer. [ back to top ]