FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Heating and cooling your home uses more energy and drains more of your financial resources than any other system in your home. Typically, 44% of your utility bill goes to heating and cooling. No matter what kind of heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning system you have in your home or office, you can save money, increase comfort, and assure system reliability by properly maintaining and upgrading your equipment.

 

The Jax Discount Club, our preferred customer preventative maintenance program, gives our customers “front-of-the-line” service, twice-yearly visits to perform a 17-point safety and mechanical check and filter change, PLUS a 20% discount on all parts AND labor for repairs beyond our regularly scheduled maintenance. Last, but certainly not least, regular inspection and maintenance of your heating and cooling system ensure that the conditions of your equipment manufacturer’s warranties are met.

When it comes to major financial investments, your air conditioning and furnace system is probably second only to the purchase of the home itself. When something goes wrong, we take great care to accurately diagnose the problem and give you the exact cost to repair. It is not possible to accurately determine a system problem without setting eyes upon it or running the necessary diagnostic tests. Our technicians come to your home in fully stocked vehicles, ready to diagnose and fix your system, returning you to the level of comfort you expect.

A system that is not blowing cool air could be experiencing a wide range of problems. It is a common (mis)belief, however, that a system blowing air that is not cool simply needs to be “recharged” (i.e. refilled). Freon™ 113 (also called CFC-113 or R22) is a colorless, nonflammable liquid used as a coolant in refrigeration and air conditioning systems. Freon should last the lifetime of the system; if your system is losing Freon and you are refilling it each year, you might as well be burning money and letting the smoke rise into the air. However, Freon is more harmful to the environment than the smoke from your burned up cash. Loss of Freon is indicative of a leak. A leak needs to be fixed not only because Freon is expensive and you will simply need to continue to refill the system, but because Freon is bad for the environment. In fact, because of ozone depletion concerns, the EPA has ceased U.S. production of Freon 113. Aladdin AC uses Puron, which is safer for the environment.

Our minimum service fee is only $95. This allows a certified technician to come out in a fully stocked truck to assess your situation. Once the assessment for the situation is made, they will provide you a quoted price for repair, maintenance or further diagnostic. If you accept the quote, the minimal service fee will be waived. If you decline the quote, you will be responsible for the minimal service fee only. This is to cover the technician’s time and knowledge.

JaxAC’s highly trained system Comfort Advisors perform a comprehensive evaluation and make recommendations based on your home and personal comfort needs. We discuss with you a full menu of air management options and work within your budget to meet your particular requirements. Jax’s goal is to show you the available choices in comfort equipment so that YOU can choose what works for you.

 

That said, Jax AC is proud to be a Carrier® Factory Authorized Dealer and recommends all of Carrier’s products for their quality and longevity. This distinction enables us to sell Carrier units and products to our customers and also makes us experts in servicing the brand’s equipment.

 

The name brand or type of unit you finally pick really makes no difference, and here’s why: Any quality brand will work properly if installed to very high standards. The biggest problem you will have is finding a company that really knows what they are doing no matter what you install. In fact, some national surveys indicate that over 50% of all HVAC contractors do not size heating and cooling systems correctly.

 

The installation is everything when it comes to HVAC work. This is a fact that has been proven time after time. When a company does not follow very specific and technical procedures during the installation, that system’s life span and efficiency can be cut by as much as one-half! Jax AC’s installation technicians are factory-trained and NATE-Certified (North American Technician Excellence), so you can rest assured that your investment in a quality system will not be compromised due to poor installation.

Generally, unless you’re a contractor with extensive experience with HVAC equipment, you should call a professional any time your unit isn’t performing as well as it should. Your HVAC system has dozens of individual parts that need to be checked, tweaked, tightened, replaced, and cleaned at least once a year. Attempting to perform AC repairs yourself might further damage your unit, and may even cause personal injury. A few signs your unit definitely needs the touch of Aladdin AC include:

 

Odd, musty, or burning smells coming from your vents or unit
A leaking unit
An increase in energy bills without an increase in use
Whining, banging, or screeching sounds coming from your unit
A decrease in air quality
A unit that doesn’t cool or heat your home efficiently anymore
An increased reliance on portable air conditioners, heaters, or humidifiers
A unit that cycles on and off rapidly

Most modern HVAC systems can last between 12-15 years. However, if your unit is more than 7 years old, you may benefit from replacing it now. Older HVAC units (even from 5 years ago!) are less energy-efficient than newer ones and generally have more features. You should also consider a replacement if you need repairs more than once a year, or if there was a catastrophe in your home.

A typical furnace will make a variety of noises as it operates, such as whirring sounds when the blower turns on, or pinging and popping as the ducts expand and contract. Any other noises, especially new or worsening ones, could indicate a problem. Tapping or thudding could point to a damaged blower belt, while rattling may indicate loose covers or fasteners. Screeching or grinding noises could indicate blower motor or mechanical damage, while loud thumping or banging may signal combustion problems. If you are unsure of the cause, you should turn off the furnace and call our team at Jax AC to avoid further system damage or safety issues.

It is normal for an air conditioning system to cycle on and off periodically to maintain temperature, but if it happens too often, it may be a sign of a problem. A clogged filter, a blocked vent, or a duct obstruction can limit the airflow over the evaporator, causing the compressor to work harder and overheat. Similarly, a dirty evaporator or outdoor condenser unit can prevent proper heat transfer and cause the system to shut down. Frequent cycling could also indicate improper refrigerant levels or a system that is incorrectly sized for your home. If the problem cannot be corrected by changing the air filter or moving objects away from the vents, you should call our team for a full system diagnosis.
Smart thermostats can be a great way to provide better control over your comfort while reducing your energy costs. Models like the Cor® series from our partners at Carrier® offer Wi-Fi connectivity for easy remote programming, Smart Setback that adjusts to your schedule, and advanced reporting features that track energy savings. By installing a smart thermostat you can enjoy: Better temperature and humidity control Simple programming and adjustments Up to 20% reduction in heating and cooling costs Contact us to learn about our available models.
Most furnaces last up to 15 years or longer with regular maintenance. As they age, however, they will become less reliable and efficient, especially compared to the latest models. Today’s furnaces have features like two-stage heating, variable-speed blowers, and condensing gas combustion systems that make them significantly more efficient and comfortable. If your furnace is over 10 years old or starting to have reliability problems, it may be time to consider a furnace replacement.
Air conditioners generally last about 10 years, but, like furnaces, reliability and efficiency will degrade as they age. New air conditioners offer advanced features like two-stage compressors, variable-speed blowers, improved coil designs, and the latest refrigerants to provide greater efficiency and comfort. If your air conditioning system is over 10 years old, is becoming unreliable, or has major problems like a failed compressor, it may be time to consider an air conditioner replacement.

Routine maintenance is critical to the reliability, longevity, and performance of your HVAC system, and it can also help to reduce your energy costs and improve your comfort. Ideally, both heating and cooling systems should be inspected and maintained twice a year, making spring and fall the perfect time to schedule maintenance. With our Jax Discount Club, the process is simple and affordable, with two service visits included a year, discounts on many repairs, priority service, and more.