Our FAQ's
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you give free estimates?
Answer: Absolutely. We offer free estimates on new equipment and unit replacements. Frequently we can give you approximate costs on required repairs or replacements over the phone, however we always put it in writing if the job exceeds $500.00.
Do you offer free second opinions?
Answer: We will happily provide you with a free second opinion when we are provided documentation of the other company’s findings.
What products do you offer?
Answer: We can offer you any brand available. With 20+ years of experience in the service & repair side of the business, we have learned what brands are well-designed with reliable, quality components and innovative features. Here is a short list of brands we recommend, use & install in our own homes & place of business.
• Lennox heating, air conditioning, air purification, humidification, ductless heat pumps
• Noritz tankless water heaters
• American Standard heating and air conditioning
• Carrier/Bryant heating and air conditioning
• Honeywell comfort zone systems and controls
• Venstar commercial thermostats
• White Rodgers/Emerson, Ecobee residential thermostats
Is it normal to add refrigerant to a system?
Answer: No, refrigerant is not consumed like gas in a car. It also does not lose its ability to be effective. As long as the system does not have a leak, you should not have to add any refrigerant. If a refrigerant leak does exist, we can usually electronically locate it with special sensing equipment. The EPA requires systems that have refrigerant leaks to be repaired or replaced due to the negative effects the refrigerant has on the Earth’s atmosphere.
What does your company do to protect the environment?
Answer: We strive to tame the Earth’s environment, while at the same time protect it. Any member of our team who handles refrigerants are formally trained and EPA licensed. Our technicians carry the best electronic leak detectors. This helps minimize refrigerant loss that is harmful to the Earth’s atmosphere. All mercury thermostats are responsibly collected and disposed at a hazardous waste facility. All old metal equipment is picked up daily and recycled.
How can we increase the air quality in our home?
Answer: Usually the best way to combat allergy and indoor air quality problems is with a quality electronic or high efficiency air cleaner installed inseries with the air duct system. A secondary protection method can be a purifying ultraviolet light installed in the air stream. These methods have been tested and proven to improve your indoor air quality.
How do we clean our air ducts?
Answer: In our opinion (and the EPA’s), ductwork does not typically require cleaning even if you have allergies. In fact, it is found that many times duct cleaning can actually worsen symptoms for a period of time due to stirring up the dust in your ducts. We often find it is not a good use of our clients funds and provides no benefit. Another concern is damage that can occur, causing air leakage & lack of efficiency. In some limited instances, dirty ductwork can cause air quality concerns. Duct cleaning is available upon request and when required. Our recommendation is to contact us to perform a detailed cleaning and maintenance on your HVAC system. At that time we can check your ducts to determine if cleaning is possible or recommended.
What is HVAC?
Answer: It stands for heating, ventilating and air conditioning
What is HERS testing?
Answer: Home Energy Rating System (HERS) is an efficiency test required by the California Energy Commission. It is performed by a third party, not Triton. This testing helps ensure that a new heating, duct distribution and air conditioning system, provides the minimum efficiency required by the state. Triton works frequently with local certified HERS testers.
What is SEER?
Answer: The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio is a rating that measures the cooling efficiency of a heat pump or air conditioner. The higher the number, the more energy efficient the unit. Units older than 2005 are likely operating with a lower SEER number (10 seer or less). As of January 2015, The Department of Energy mandated that all new residential air conditioning equipment have a SEER rating of 14 or higher. The additional cost of investing in a new air conditioning system with a high SEER rating may be offset with significant operating cost savings, as well as rebates.
What is AFUE?
Answer: The Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency is a thermal efficiency measurement of equipment like furnaces and water heaters. The higher the percentage number, the higher the efficiency.
What is a BTU?
Answer: It stands for British Thermal Unit. It is a measurement for the amount of heat required to raise or lower the temperature of one pound of water by one-degree Fahrenheit. One-ton cooling capacity is equal to 12,000 BTU’s.
When replacing my air conditioner outside, do I need to also replace the coil inside?
Multiple tests have been performed to see what happens to an air conditioning system operating costs, capacity and reliability when the requirement above is not done. The findings were surprising. When the 14 seer outdoor unit was installed with an older 10 seer or less pre-existing indoor coil, the system actually cost more to operate than the existing system that was being replaced. The mismatched system also was plagued with repairs and comfort complaints from the end user.
How can I even out the temperature in my home or business?
Answer: There are multiple strategies we employ to help with this issue. One is a temperature-controlled comfort zone system. A comfort zone system can be the most energy saving, gratifying choices you make. Once the system is installed, you will only be cooling/heating the areas where desired instead of your whole home/business. The zone system will eliminate the common complaint that it is too cold downstairs and too hot upstairs or too hot in one office and too cold in the other.