Frequently Asked Questions

Why does a heat pump run more frequently in the winter?

When it is very cold outside, the heat pump has to work longer to extract heat from the outdoor air. It also runs through a defrost cycle, giving the appearance that it is running longer.

Is the air from a heat pump cooler than air from other heating systems?

A heat pump doesn't produce hot blasts of air like other systems. Rather it maintains a consistent indoor temperature. The air coming from the registers is usually about 85° - 95°F.

Smoke's coming out of my heat pump, is it on fire?

The outdoor unit has an automatic defrost cycle. A cloud of steam rising from the outdoor unit will be observed and the outdoor fan will stop running. At the completion of the cycle, a loud swooshing noise will occur and the outdoor fan will start again.

What's wrong when my heat pump is covered in ice/frost?

Frosting of the outdoor unit is normal in the winter season. And during snowy/icy weather conditions, your unit may even form a layer of ice. As long as the temperature in the house remains comfortable there should be no problem with your unit. If there is any ice build-up at any other time of the year, the unit needs to be checked out. Scraping or cleaning the frost from the outdoor unit is not recommended.

What is your diagnostic fee?

$80.00 for residential and $100 for commercial - that covers trip and diagnosis.

How often should I change filters?

Twice a year. If you sign up for one of our service agreements we will make sure this gets taken care of on a timely basis.

Do you offer financing on Installations?

We offer financing through Athens First. Please contact us for more information.