About Us - FAQ

Answers to your Questions

We've put together our most commonly asked HVAC Questions and Plumbing Questions here for your quick reference and convenience. Please understand this is by no means a comprehensive list.

HVAC FAQ

What is the life expectancy of my unit?
Dependable Trane products are among the longest-lasting heating and cooling products available. For your specific equipment, many variables affect life expectancy, including, of course, the regularity of routine maintenance.
What does my warranty cover?
Under the standard factory warranty, Trane covers parts that fail during the warranty period due to defect 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.
All Trane equipment that we install is registered with Trane Corporation to ensure your 10 year parts warranty.
If you cannot find your warranty certificate, Arctic Air Services, Inc. will also be able to provide you with that information.
With a Arctic Air Services, Inc. Total Comfort Plan, you’ll have a ten year parts and labor warranty on your Trane equipment.
Where can I get parts for my Trane equipment?
As a Trane dealer, we are the best resource for identifying and supplying the correct, current parts for your system, as well as pricing and availability.
Which Trane 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.
Arctic Air Services, Inc. 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 heat or 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.
Why can't I find the correct size furnace filter at my local home improvement store for my Trane Brand Equipment?
Filters for your Trane unit are made from higher-quality materials than those of the disposable filters found in retail stores.
For that reason, replacement Trane filters can only be purchased through a Trane dealer. However, keep in mind that some Trane filters are reusable, and can be washed by hand in cold water.
How often should air conditioners be maintained in Florida?
In Florida, air conditioners should ideally be maintained at least twice a year, typically in the spring before the hot summer months and again in the fall.
The specific maintenance schedule can vary based on factors such as the age of the system, manufacturer recommendations, and the amount of usage.
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 air cleaner. The media filter rests between the main return duct and the blower cabinet and will improve dust and particle removal up to seven times that of a standard filter.
However, upgrading to a pleated media filter will remove everything from dust to airborne viruses from the filtered air.
Always choose a filter that matches your blower’s capacity. For optimal efficiency and filtration, we recommend that you replace your disposable filters at least once a month. If you have washable filters, they should be cleaned once a month.
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.
I need help troubleshooting a problem with my equipment.
As your local Trane dealer, Arctic Air Services, Inc. is your troubleshooting expert, and is glad to help you. In addition, Trane also provides a network of troubleshooting technicians at Trane Distribution centers across the country which Arctic Air Services, Inc. will utilize to address your concern.
Should we encounter a situation that requires additional factory help, we will contact our factory supported Service Manager(s) for assistance.
What equipment requires regular (or preventative) maintenance?
Heat pumps and air conditioners require a professional tune-up twice a year; in the spring and fall.
Inspections on boiler and furnace systems should include ductwork, pipes, dampers, valves, the chimney, registers, radiators, pumps, blowers, fuel lines, 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, and refrigerant lines.
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 everyday.
The constant stopping, starting and continual operation can wear down any machine if the proper care and maintenance is 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. You should have maintenance completed on your system regularly to ensure maximum efficiency and prevent possible problems that may occur in the near future.
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 21.
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 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.

Plumbing FAQ

Why do my pipes "whine" or "moan"?
Generally, this is a sign of a leak.
This means that there is air in the Pipes or faucets that are letting air in and water out.
Contact Us to set up an appointment so we can better diagnose this issue.
Is it better to Repair or Replace a Kitchen Faucet?
Faucet repair will be the cheaper option most of the time, but if your faucet is nearing its life expectancy it may be time to consider replacement.
Faucets typically last between 10 to 20 years depending on usage and faucet type. If you are not sure, be sure to check in with your local plumber.
Shall you be local to us, be sure to reach out for faucet repair or replacement services in Sarasota.
What Does a Repipe Cost & How long does it Take?
Overall costs for each project are dependent on the number of fixtures and rooms to be repiped.
A whole house can take one to five working days, depending on the size of the project. Depending on the scope of the project you may be able to stay in the home while we repipe. The average-size home in Florida will take just one day to repipe.
How Long Do Tankless Water Heaters Last?
While you may hesitate to go with a tankless water heater over a more traditional water heater because of the higher cost, you can expect it to last longer.
A tankless water heater usually has a lifespan of around 15 years while a traditional heater typically only lasts around 10 years.
Why Choose Us for Your Sewer Line Repair or Replacement Service?
Our team at Arctic Air Home Services has extensive experience with replacing drain and sewer lines for Florida homeowners.
We are familiar with the building codes in Sarasota and Manatee counties, understand the sloping needed for a drain to work properly, and will help you obtain any building permits that you might need for exterior excavation.
Once we’ve replaced your faulty drain with PVC pipes, we’ll dispose of your old drains and save you the inconvenience of dealing with them.
We’re confident in the skills of our certified plumbers, and we believe you will be satisfied with our performance. Because we want to ensure total customer satisfaction, we stand behind our work and offer a one-year warranty on all our drain and pipework services.
When are Water Heater Repairs Not Enough?
Some water heater problems will be beyond the scope of repairs, either because they are not cost-effective or because they simply aren't possible.
Only then will our technicians recommend water heater replacement as a solution.
What Is "Hard Water"?
You've probably heard the term "hard water" before, especially here in Florida where our water is considered very hard.
Water that is "hard" contains a large amount of minerals, which while not dangerous to health do still affect the water's quality. Hard water can cause several problems ranging from dry and itchy skin and hair to mineral buildup and corrosion of your plumbing fixtures, pipes, and appliances.
What Are the Advantages of a Water Softener?
Water softener installation can help you reap the following benefits:
  • Healthier skin, hair, and nails
  • Easier lathering of soap and shampoo
  • Cleaner laundry and dishes
  • Longer lasting appliances, including water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines 
  • And more
Why Should I Consider Installing a Water Purifier?
While our water here in Florida is generally safe, that doesn't mean that it is as pure as it could be.
It's a good idea to consider adding a water purification system to your home. Why? Purification systems reduce the number of potentially harmful chemicals and minerals present in your water supply, such as:
  • Mercury
  • Lead
  • Barium
  • Cadmium
  • Copper
And possibly chromium-6 depending on what type and brand of purifier you use.
These are just some of the many minerals and organic chemicals that can be present in municipal water.