HVAC stands for Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning. HVAC is the common term employed to describe the whole heating and cooling system comprising of the duct work, air filters, humidification controls, and registers.

Look at the label on the outside of the element of your home comfort system for a manufacture date. Equipment less than five years old may have a warranty, but also may not based on the make. Warranty terms and conditions differ by manufacturer and the installing company. Neal Harris Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing can verify the warranty status of your heating and cooling system via System Inspection. We also offer a Platinum PLUS^TM Protection Plan for your heating and air conditioning systems, regardless of the equipment age or manufacturer warranty status.

Yes. Loud heating and cooling equipment contribute to sound pollution.Even though no financial savings are tied to less sound in your home, the sound rating of a cooling system can have a significant effect on comfort and enjoyment of your Kansas City home. The sound level of an air conditioner or heat pump depends on many issues, such as the , and whether the compressor is insulated or not can increase the amount of noise it makes.

Although the majority of heating and cooling systems manufactured today are quieter than ever before, it's a sound  idea to compare sound ratings when shopping for a new air conditioner or heat pump, particularly if the equipment location is near bedrooms or living rooms.

As well as the visual check provided with our System Inspection, a Precision Tune-up also consists of a complete maintenance cleaning and lubrication of the heating or air conditioning equipment components. Discover more here about Neal Harris Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing’s Precision Tune-up steps . The expense of a tune-up changes depending on the season, and printable coupons with seasonal discounts on tune-ups may be found on our Coupons page.

A Service Call fee is a fee for the cost associated with the time and travel to diagnose, inspect and share expert recommendations for a home's heating or air conditioning system by a certified professional technician. Coupons for the Service Call fee are often available on our web site, in the Yellow Pages, or by email when joining our Email Club at the bottom of this page.

A popping sound is a typically sign of an under-sized duct design. It may be caused by greater air flow than the duct work is able to manage. Have a qualified company analyze your home's ventilation system for proper design and make necessary recommendations. Improper duct work layout can create a variety of ventilation and air quality problems, including: 

1. loud banging noises
2. higher energy usage
3. lowered lifespan of the system
4. uneven heating & cooling throughout your home
5. damaged compressor in cooling season
6. overheated unit in the winter

The answer is, most likely yes. Here's why.

Matched System Design: All air conditioner and heat pump outdoor units are specially intended to work with a matched indoor unit for peak efficiency and performance. The outcome of this matched equipment is a synchronized, top-performance team that ensures dependability and efficiency. Air conditioner and heat pump outdoor units may "work" with indoor units other than those for which they have been specially fabricated; however, the consequence would be a definite compromise in system performance.

Design Advances: Through the years, indoor blower coil units have undergone a number of design advances — especially in the areas of air handling performance, filtering efficiency and operating sound levels. A new outdoor unit will also include the latest design advances.

Higher Cooling And Heating Efficiency: The cooling and/or heating efficiency ratings that are presented for an air conditioner or heat pump are based on their performance as matched systems. While changing only the outdoor unit may give you improved efficiency when compared with your old system, but efficiency will suffer from what it was designed to be, and your savings will be not as much as with a matched system.

Equipment Age: If an air conditioner or heat pump is 10 years old or more and needs to be replaced, the indoor unit is likely just as old and has been subjected to the same amount of wear and tear. Changing both units means you won't have to replace the indoor unit in just a short time… you'll have many years of efficient service out of both units.

New Warranty: A new set of equipment also delivers you a new product warranty. Replacing the indoor unit simultaneously with the outdoor unit results in peace of mind, knowing that the new warranty covers the entire system for the same period of time.

A Bargain: At first glance, changing only the outdoor air conditioner or heat pump may appear to be a savings. But, when you consider the lower cooling and heating efficiencies, decreased reliability and high cost of ownership that results, it's not such a bargain. Replacing an entire system may cost more, but you get much more efficiency, reliability and comfort for years into the future.

Similar to a value menu at a local restaurant, charging a flat rate cost instead of an hourly fee provides more value for our customers because nothing is excluded, the pricing is up-front, and it does not change. Regardless of the cost of parts or the time it takes to finish the repairs, the price will not change. This is one of the reasons why Neal Harris Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing is the most trusted name in Kansas City.

You probably wouldn't buy a brand-new car and expect to not once have to put air in the tires, change the oil and examine any strange noises. Your home comfort system is the same as your car’s engine; it’s a mechanical device with a motor, electrical components... and even fuel. So it is essential to have routine maintenance of your home comfort system by a qualified technician. If not maintained properly on a routine basis, even the best heating and air conditioning equipment could cause problems and become less 'fuel' efficient over time.

There are several things that can prompt your HVAC system to freeze up; most of them usually need to be corrected by a professional technician. Determining the air filter is clean or replaced and determining the airflow is not restricted are about the only causes a homeowner should safely identify or handle themself.

Low refrigerant: On occasion, freezing up is caused by a leak in the refrigerant lines. Weak solder joints, friction from piping rubbing or vibrating against an object, leaking valves or loose fittings can cause leaks. The length of time your system has been installed and the kind and location of the leak are the determining factors on whether to have the system repaired or replaced.

Dirty evaporator coil: Over time, the evaporator coil will become dirty. In these cases, the results are similar to those of having a dirty filter. Gradually you will lose airflow, slowly enough that you probably would not realize it until it freezes up or is not cooling adequately. You will need to contact your local Service Experts sales and service center to correct the problem.

Defective blower motor or relay: A blower motor operating at the wrong speed or not running at all can cause freezing. It can also be sporadic, starting at full speed and slowing down after it heats up. Or a relay could cause it to start one time and not the next. Either way, you will need to contact your local Service Experts sales and service center to correct the problem.

Should you learn that your system was freezing due to a dirty air filter, after replacing or cleaning the filter, you can hasten the thawing process by turning the system off and then turning on only the fan. If you have a heat pump system, you can try turning the system to heating mode until the ice has melted. After the ice has melted, switch the system settings back to normal. If the system refreezes, contact Neal Harris Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing in Kansas City to correct the problem.

If you are replacing your Kansas City area home air conditioner, furnace or heat pump, it is an excellent time to also install a new zoning system to solve hot and cold spots or special temperature needs in the home. When your new comfort equipment is coordinated by a zoning system, comfort is enhanced through customized temperature control in each zone.

Zoning is also something to consider for new homes since the system can be installed during construction. If you are buying a new home, check with your builder about a zoning system. It could make the difference between just enjoying your new house and being truly comfortable in it.

With energy costs soaring, there are a few steps you can take to help cut down the expenses of heating and cooling your home. HVAC equipment usually utlizies more energy than any other appliance in the home. This inevitably shows up every month on the energy bill, but it's important to remember that energy costs can be controlled in several ways.

Maintenance: One method to control energy costs is to schedule annual maintenance to ensure your furnace and air conditioner is running properly and efficiently. Operating dirty heating or cooling equipment can result in unnecessary loss of efficiency and may even damage the system.

High Efficiency: If you are in the market for a new home comfort system, consider investing in a high-efficiency system. They are designed to help reduce your energy costs as well as help conserve natural resources. When picking out a new home comfort system, pay close attention to the SEER rating of the air conditioner and the AFUE of the furnace. The higher the SEER or AFUE, the higher the efficiency and savings.

Zoning: Zoning can drastically lower your heating costs. Zoning divides your home into separate comfort areas, which are heated or cooled based on the occupancy of the rooms. That means a zoning system allows each room in your home to potentially have its own temperature setting. With a zoning system, you no longer pay to heat or cool the space of your home that are rarely used, and you can achieve the exact temperature you want in highly occupied rooms.

Programmable Thermostats: Programmable thermostats can make a big difference in energy consumption. Since you can proactively set a schedule for the days and times that the home is occupied, these thermostats are able to deliver exact comfort, efficiency and energy savings. For example, if you're going to be away, you can set the whole house at an energy-saving temperature to avoid heating or cooling an empty house and conserving energy in the process.

No, HVAC air filters vary in quality and size, and some have features that others don't. Mostly we recommend using the filter your HVAC manufacturer recommends pairing up with your installed system, however you could be tempted to try some other filter type for convenience or to remove more pollutants from your residence.

Filters have something called MERV ratings, which range from 1-20. MERV stands for "minimum efficiency reporting value". A higher MERV rating means fewer pollutants pass through, and it catches finer particulates. This sounds like a good thing, and it can be, but a filter that eliminates finer dust and dirt will also build up more often, and pressure on your unit will increase. If your system has not been engineered to function with this kind of filter, it can actually reduce your airflow within your home, putting the hurt on your comfort and energy costs. So what should you look for? Unless you live in a hospital, you simply don't need a MERV rating above 13. Fun fact, most residential HVAC systems are specifically designed to work with a filter with a MERV rating below 13, and usually you will find that more expensive systems have been made to operate with a MERV rating of 8 or 11. All filters with a MERV rating of at least five should eliminate most of the everyday nuisances everyone cares about such as pollen, pet dander, and dirt. While some filters claim to be able to capture mold spores, we recommend having a professional remove any mold from your house you find, instead of trying to delay the issue with a finer filter.

Frequently the packaging tells how often your filter ought to be replaced. There are one-month filters and there are 3-month filters. Additionally we have filters that are two dimensional, flat screens, and you have some that are built accordian style with supporting wire. In our experience, the accordian style filters fare better, and are worth it for the extra durability.

You could also consider washable filters, also sometimes called reusable filters. Some homeowners like the environmentally friendly aspect of it, because they don't add to a dump, and others think it more convenient to quickly pull out the filter and hose it off rather than making a special trip to the local hardware store for a filter of the correct size. These filters are often designed to endure several years and will save you money over those years, though they cost more initially. However, washable filters do need to be dried out one hundred percent before returning it back to stop mold growth in your ducts. In addition, most washable filters reportedly have a MERV rating between 1 and 4, and they lose their efficiency over the years. Some washable filters have been built with new technology, such as electrostatic air filters, that are meant to basically improve the MERV rating.

Last, filters are made of different materials. Fiberglass filters are what is bought most often, and are the disposable type. Polyester and pleated filters normally catch more debris, but also reduce the airflow in your house. And there are high efficiency particulate arrestance filters, or HEPA for short. While you could be tempted to buy a HEPA filter, just understand that's like putting a MERV 16 filter in your HVAC system and it's very unlikely that your equipment was built to handle that kind of resistance.

Yes, with a capital Y.E.S. Exposure to air pollutants can be up to 100 times higher indoors than outdoors. The American Lung Association estimates that most people spend 90 percent of their time indoors, making indoor air quality (IAQ) extremely important. Many common household items contribute to poor indoor air quality. Compounds found in carpeting, furniture, upholstery and drapery fabric constantly emit fumes. Other sources of pollutants can include cleaning agents, paints and personal care products. The tight construction of today's homes also contributes significantly to poor IAQ. Things like weather stripping and storm doors are designed to save on energy costs. However, they also prevent proper ventilation by keeping indoor air in and outdoor air out. The result can be a buildup of contaminants within the home.

Poor IAQ can be attributed to aggravating several health problems. Medical groups report that as many as half of all illnesses are caused or aggravated by indoor air pollution. Pollutants within the home can cause homeowners to suffer from flu-like symptoms such as headaches, nausea and respiratory irritation. Additionally, two existing health problems that can be helped by improving indoor air quality are allergies and asthma. By removing airborne dust particles, the amount of exposure the respiratory system has to them is reduced. Proper ventilation also plays an important role in improving indoor air quality, helping to reduce the concentration of pollutants inside the home.

The best method of detection is to use a carbon monoxide detector in your home. A carbon monoxide detector looks a bit like a smoke alarm. It monitors the air for carbon monoxide and sounds an alarm if a specific level is detected. Ideally, you should have at least one detector adjacent to every living area, centrally located, or on each floor in your home. Carbon monoxide detectors are very effective when used in combination with a service plan. Call for a complimentary consultation about purchasing a carbon monoxide detector.

You may have tried to get rid of indoor odors by spraying air fresheners or lighting candles. Unfortunately, these tactics only mask the odors, they don't get rid of them. These remedies may in fact negatively affect indoor air quality from chemicals that cause allergic reactions or eye irritation for homeowners.

Bacteria, dust mites, animal dander, cat saliva and mold may also be roots of your home's odor problem. One method to purify the air is using germicidal (UV) lights in your home, which helps kill odors and inhibit the growth of biological contaminants, sterilizing surfaces in the HVAC system. They also purify the air, preventing the growth of contaminants. The UV lights are installed to work with your home comfort system.

Sometimes poor ventilation can be attributed to unpleasant odors. Moisture condensation on walls windows and stuffy air are signs of poor ventilation. A qualified Neal Harris Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing technician can inspect your home comfort system to determine if this is an issue that should be addressed. The technician can also inform you how to improve the ventilation system’s ability to adequately circulate and ventilate indoor air.

The best way to choose the correct humidifier is by having a home health report performed by Neal Harris Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing. Every home is different, and every family is different. So, every humidification need is also different. There are some important factors you should take into consideration when purchasing a humidifier for your home, Neal Harris Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing can help you understand and consider these issues.

Consider size. A humidifier's capacity, or the amount of moisture it can dispense in a given time, should match your particular household's needs. The capacity is measured as gallons per day of operation. One method that is used to determine the correct-sized humidifier for your home is by multiplying the total floor area in by the ceiling height. We can provide you with this information and additional information to help you figure out which type of humidifier will best suit you and your family’s comfort needs.

Consider cost. Consider not only the dollar amount of the humidifier, but also operating and maintenance costs. Some brands consume more energy than others, so choosing a model that is right for your home and budget is extremely important.

Every person and every home entails a different comfort need. The threshold of irritancy and triggers that affect people’s health and comfort combine to determine the proper solutions. High threshold levels may require simple solutions like a better air filter. Low threshold levels may require an air purification system for the reduction of triggers and irritants. With a Home Health Report Card, Neal Harris Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing can help you decide which indoor air improvement products are right for you.

According to studies conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, exposure to air pollutants indoors can be 100 times higher than outdoors. Frequent dusting and vacuuming can help reduce the amount of dust and dust mites present in your home. However, not all airborne particles can be eliminated. Filtration devices can help eliminate particles that are too small to be captured by vacuum cleaning. Some filtration devices include UV light units, air filters, energy recovery ventilators (ERVs), heat recovery ventilators (HRVs) and electronic air cleaners. A Home Health Report Card from Neal Harris Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing can help you decide which indoor air improvement devices are right for you. To receive a Home Health Report Card and personal air quality consultation Neal Harris Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing at .

Depending on the model you choose and the size of your indoor area, a humidifier may use from 1.5 to 12 gallons per day when the furnace is operating. The amount that will be used is enough to raise the humidity to your desired level, but not enough to notice a difference on your water bill.

How often to change your air filters can depend on several factors:

• the type of air filter you are using
• the overall indoor air quality
• how many pets are in the home
• the number of people occupying the home, and
• the level of air pollution and construction around the home

For basic 1"-3" air filters, manufacturers usually say to change them every 30-60 days. If you suffer from light to moderate allergies, you could upgrade the air filter or change them every few weeks. Or, if you're in a more remote area or less occupied home (like a vacation home) and there are fewer cars around, annually may be quite sufficient.

Here are averages that might help you know how often you should change the air filter at home:

• Vacation home or single occupant and no pets or allergies: every 6-12 months
• "Average" suburban home without pets: every 90 days
• Add a dog or cat: every 60 days
• Add more than one pet or anyone has allergies: 20-45 days

Yes. Carbon monoxide can be an invisible threat to health and safety in the home. Though more commonly associated with fireplaces and vehicle emissions, carbon monoxide poisoning could be a danger in any home unless certain precautions are taken.

With central heating, people are confined indoors with unusually dry air during a long period each year. Humidifiers help to keep comfortable levels of moisture, and properly maintained levels of humidity are beneficial for your respiratory system. Whole-house humidifiers work like your more typical room humidifiers. They add moisture into the air, making harsh, dry air much easier to breathe. And whole-house humidifiers help make the whole house comfortable, no more moving a humidifier from room to room, spilling water on the floor as you go.

When inhaled, carbon monoxide combines with with the red blood cells in the blood and displaces the oxygen our bodies need to survive. Carbon monoxide combines with the red blood cells over 200 times more easily than oxygen and creates a condition known as carboxyhemoglobin saturation. Carbon monoxide, instead of oxygen, then enters the vital organs through the bloodstream. Our organ tissues require oxygen; without it, our bodies start to asphyxiate or suffocate. It takes the body a long time to eliminate carbon monoxide, however CO is absorbed very quickly.

Allergies and asthma are two health problems that could be helped with cleaner indoor air. When airborne irritants are removed, allergy and asthma sufferers often find relief from their symptoms. Even healthy people who may have never suffered from allergies could benefit from clean air. Dust, smoke and other particles float around in the air, causing your drapes and furniture to gather dust. By removing airborne dust particles, you reduce the amount of exposure your respiratory system has to them.

Unfortunately, the symptoms caused by carboxyhemoglobin saturation are easily overlooked because they are often flu-like. With mild exposure, most commonly you may experience headaches, fatigue and nausea. Medium exposure can cause a severe throbbing headache, drowsiness, disorientation, confusion and an accelerated heart rate. Extreme exposure could even cause unconsciousness, convulsions, cardiorespiratory failure, coma and possibly death.

Prevention is the most important step. Taking proper safety measures will reduce your risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Because vehicles are a major cause of carbon monoxide poisoning, always take your car out of the garage to let it warm up. Never leave it going in the confined space of a garage. The same holds true for lawn mowers or snowmobiles.

Never use ovens or grills as heating devices. These items are designed to be safe and efficient and not produce substantial amounts of carbon monoxide. However, it’s vital to check all combustion appliances to be sure they are operating correctly and to be sure that all chimneys and vents are connected properly and not blocked. Schedule annual maintenance by a qualified technician to check the condition of these appliances.

Many everyday household items may contribute to poor indoor air quality. Compounds found in carpeting, furniture, upholstery and drapery fabric constantly emit gases or fumes. Other sources of pollutants can include cleaning agents, paint and personal care products.

Though they are often more efficient, modern homes do not breathe (ventilate) the way older homes have. Tight-sealing weather stripping and storm doors keep indoor air in and outdoor air out. This provides higher energy savings, but the limited exchange of outdoor and indoor air can mean a buildup of contaminants on the inside of the house. In these circumstances, a whole home ventilation system is recommended. Ventilation systems exchange stale indoor air for cleaner outdoor air, without sacrificing energy savings.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas that is produced by the incomplete combustion of fuels such as wood, natural gas, gasoline, diesel, kerosene, coal and charcoal. It is caused by lack of oxygen or a disruption in the burning process. Household appliances such as a furnace, water heater, stove, space heaters, charcoal grill and gas dryer can be sources of carbon monoxide, especially if they are not maintained properly or have been installed improperly. Vehicle exhaust fumes from attached garages, as well as improperly operating fireplaces may also be a source of carbon monoxide. CO is poisonous to the body and is fatal at high levels or with long exposure.

Indoor Air Quality is a term used to define the level or amount of air pollution that exists inside a house or building, particularly occupied areas or rooms. Exposure to air pollutants can be up to 100 times higher indoors than outdoors, and the American Lung Association estimates that most people spend 90% of their time indoors. So the IAQ level and IAQ products that contribute to improving air quality and eliminate indoor air pollution have become an important factor for many families, especially those suffering from allergies and respiratory issues.

Installing a humidifier is typically an easy job if you are also replacing your furnace. But you can also have a humidifier fitted to your existing heating and cooling system. Periodic cleaning and draining of the reservoir is strongly recommended to maintain the system. Neal Harris Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing can provide maintenance on the humidifier as needed, or proactively as part of our PLUS Maintenance Agreement. Call for more information about humidifier maintenance or for a free estimate on a new humidification system.

Dry air in your home can make your throat feel dry or aggravate respiratory ailments. During extremely cold weather, your home rapidly loses its humidity to the outdoors. Humidity levels could be reduced down to 10 percent. The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) recommends that homeowners maintain a humidity level between 30 and 60 percent.

Dry air may also cause more than health problems. Static electricity is a direct result of very dry air and houseplants may suffer from "winter drought" caused by low humidity levels. A whole-home humidifier integrates moister with your indoor air and can help relieve ailments related to dry respiratory membranes and would be our recommended solution to this issue.