FAQs

Our office is open weekdays from 8:00am to 5:00pm.

A furnace uses non-thermal energy and converts it to heat, which is generated by the combustion of a suitable fuel. On the other hand, a boiler heats and circulates water, and it turns it into hot water or steam to be used as a source of heat or power.

The most important part of HVAC maintenance is preserving unrestricted airflows. Dust, dirt, and debris are an HVAC system’s worst enemies. Whether it’s an indoor or outdoor unit, you must keep all filters clean and heat exchangers and coils free of restrictions. We recommend that your heating and cooling system be checked and serviced twice a year by a qualified service technician; ideally a spring and autumn tune-up. Keeping your system properly maintained will lower energy costs and repair costs, prevent breakdowns and prolong the life of your equipment. Also we recommend that you change your filter regularly, depending on the type of filter you have. This alone can eliminate many of the most common problems that need fixing and can significantly reduce the likelihood of a serious breakdown. Please see our preventative maintenance page under “Services” or click here to view.

Absolutely! Every day of the year!

An air conditioner seems as if it cools your home's air, but it actually makes your home less warm by removing heat from the indoor air and transferring that heat to the outdoor air.

Heat is extracted from the home by passing indoor air across a refrigerant coil in the indoor unit. Refrigerant lines then carry the heat to the outdoor unit, where it is released into the outside air. The cooling cycle continues until the indoor temperature reaches the thermostat setting.

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The frequency of filter changes is driven by how much your heating and air conditioning system operates, which is also driven by your individual climate. Start by checking the system’s filters at least once a month. Hold the used filter up to the light and compare it to a clean “spare.” When light is obscured by captured dust and dirt particles, the old filter should be changed. Keep a record for one year and then replace the filter on that basis. At a minimum, it is always a good idea to change filters at the start of the heating and cooling seasons and then in between according to your need. Also, it is a good idea to have your heating and air system checked at the beginning of heating and cooling season to insure proper operation.

Usually less than two hours.

Of course! We can mount a cooling coil on top of the furnace and install a condensing unit outside. If you’re ready for a new furnace installation, we can recommend energy efficient units that incorporate air conditioning. For a no-obligation evaluation, click here.

There are several factors that can cause system freezing. Most need to be corrected by Cooling Unlimited, Inc.

One thing you can do to prevent or correct this problem is to make sure the filter is clean or replaced. You can check to see if airflow is restricted.

Dirty filter

After replacing or cleaning the filter, you can speed up the thawing process by turning the system off and turning on 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 Cooling Unlimited to correct the problem.

Low refrigerant

In some cases, freezing is caused by a leak in the refrigerant lines. Weak solder joints, friction from piping rubbing or vibrating against an object, open valves or loose fittings are all factors that can cause leaks. When determining whether to have the system repaired or replaced, the age of the system and the nature and location of the leak are important considerations.

Dirty evaporator coil

Over time, the evaporator coil will become dirty. When this happens, you will begin to lose airflow, slowly enough that you probably would not realize it until it freezes up or cooling performance is compromised. At this point, you will need to contact Cooling Unlimited to correct the problem.

Defective blower motor or relay

A blower motor not running at the proper speed or not running at all is another factor that can cause freezing. Motor operation may be intermittent, 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. In either case, you will need to contact Cooling Unlimited to correct the problem.

Usually it’s only a matter of a couple of days. We can come out to your home at your convenience, during the day or in the evening. To recommend the right size system for you, we do a lot of calculations. One thing we look at is heat loss, or the amount of heat your home loses in the winter. This is just one way we figure how much BTU “power” your home’s heating system needs.

Most systems have a lifetime of 10 to 20 years. As your equipment gets older, its efficiency can decrease dramatically. You may notice that it gets noisier and needs repairs more often. When a unit begins to show its age, you have two choices. You can overhaul the system or replace it. Because heating and cooling technologies improve over time, a new system designed with newer, more energy-efficient equipment makes sense, especially if your system is 10 or more years old. We can estimate the cost of a new system as well as a payback schedule that will show you how newer technology will pay you back in lower energy usage.

No, this could indicate that you have a possible Freon leak. The leak affects the efficiency of your air conditioning system as well as adversely effects the environment. Also, a leak will cause your air conditioner to prematurely wear out. This condition can also cause your system to “ice up,” which can cause water damage to property and compressor damage. You should have a service technician check this problem and find the leak with electronic leak detection equipment.

Most of our installations are done in a day or two though every job is different some take longer than others.

A matched system is important for a variety of reasons. One is comfort. When all your components are properly sized to your home, you can control exactly how much heating or cooling you need so you can relax.

Also, a properly sized matched system enables every component to perform as designed, meaning proper cycle times are maintained, humidity is controlled, and system sound is minimized.

Another reason matched systems are important is efficiency. Most systems people buy are too large for their home, which uses more energy than needed for your home. A matched system outlined by a dealer who has completed a load calculation for your home provides just the right amount of heating and cooling you need so you get the most value for your utility dollar.

Installing a new furnace with a variable-speed motor is a good solution. These “smart” motors automatically adjust airflow volume and speed based on your home’s temperature requirements.

There will be fewer on/off cycles, smaller temperature swings, consistent even heat and lower fuel bills.

We are closed the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day. If Christmas or News Year’s falls on a weekend, the federal holiday will be observed.

We have an experienced technician “on-call” 24/7 365 days a year for emergency service, including all holidays.

Variable speed fans operate on a simple principle: they are able to spin at different speeds depending on the heating and cooling needs of your home. Usually they operate at lower speeds, delivering a steady, reliable stream of warm or cool air to your home. This helps control increased demand, guaranteeing that on even the hottest days or coldest nights, you’re comfort needs will be met.

If the air coming out of the vents is “room temperature” it could be something as simple as the outdoor unit is not running due to a tripped breaker, blown fuse or a simple electrical problem.

If the air is actually warmer than the room temperature it is something more severe, the system should be shut down immediately. In either case the system should be checked by a certified technician to find the cause of the symptoms.

Yes! We offer financing with approved credit through Wells Fargo and Synchrony Financial.

2-stage cooling is a method of cooling that can better manage the cooling of your home while outdoor temperatures are changing. It can also better maximize indoor comfort and energy efficiency. 2-stage cooling systems are typically the most energy efficient systems out there.

2-stage cooling can be done by having one unit with two compressors, one small and one large. The small one is typically capable of putting out about 50% the capacity of the larger one. The second way to have 2-stage cooling is to have a single scroll unloading compressor. This compressor can unload its capacity down to about 66% of maximum capacity. Both these methods of getting 2-stage cooling allow the unit to run at a lower stage when the high stage is not needed. By doing this, energy is saved.

2-stage heating has the same principle as 2-stage cooling. It allows the unit to adjust itself based on the amount of heating that is necessary. 2-stage heating is a good way to save on heating costs.

A heat pump system would have two different sized compressors, a small and a large one. The compressor that is used at a given time would depend upon the need. If only a small amount of heating is necessary, the smaller compressor would be used to save energy. The large compressor would only be used when a large amount of heating was needed.

A gas furnace that is 2-stage has a modulating gas valve that regulates gas flow depending upon the need.

While not always, you may notice an abnormal noise coming from the system, your heating or cooling system running non-stop, or warm air/cool air coming from the vents during the opposite season. Abnormally high utility bills are also a common indicator.

Problems can be caused by a number of different factors.  The most common include:

• Normal wear and tear associated with age.  As your HVAC system is nearing the end of its life cycle you may see an increase in maintenance bills.  This is a good indication that it is time to replace your system.


• A failed part due to any number of reasons.  Routine maintenance on your HVAC system can sometimes head off these types of problems.  You can catch them before they become major problems.


• Improper or poor maintenance.  Lack of maintenance also decreases the efficiency of your system and makes it more costly to run.

No we do not schedule installation or maintenance work on the weekends. We only offer emergency service after hours and on weekends.

Most of the time, the best thermostat setting is that temperature at which you feel most comfortable. However, when extremely high summertime temperatures set in, the best temperature setting is going to be 15 to 16 degrees below the outside temperature. Remember, your air conditioner can only produce so much cooling, no matter how low you set the thermostat. And no matter what temperature you choose, once you have found a ‘comfort zone’ leave that thermostat set in one place – turning it up and down constantly only costs you more energy!

Absolutely! Here are some simple steps you can take before scheduling a service call:

• Check the disconnect switches (indoor and outdoor if you have a split system). Make sure that the circuit breakers are ON or that fuses have not blown.


• Check for sufficient airflow. Make sure air filters are clean and that supply-air and return-air grilles are open and unobstructed.


• Check the settings on your thermostat. If you want cooling, make sure the temperature control selector is set below room temperature and the SYSTEM switch is on the COOL or AUTO position. If you want heat, make sure the temperature control selector is set above room temperature and the SYSTEM switch is at HEAT or AUTO. The FAN switch should be set at ON for continuous blower operation or AUTO if you want the blower to function only while the unit is operating.

If these procedures do not work, you can Contact Us and a Cooling Unlimited technician will be able to solve the problem!

We charge “Overtime” for all time before or after our normal business hours which is Monday – Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm.

Split system air conditioners consist of an outdoor unit and an indoor unit. The outdoor unit consists of a compressor/condenser, while the indoor unit consists of an air handler/evaporator coil. This is the most common residential air conditioning system.

Matching the two units may reduce energy consumption and save on energy costs. Cooling Unlimited’s air conditioning experts will help you match indoor and outdoor units for optimal performance and energy efficiency.

Many everyday household items contribute to poor indoor air quality. Compounds found in carpeting, furniture, upholstery and drapery fabric consistently emit gas or fumes. Other sources of pollutants can include, but are not limited to, cleaning agents, paints and personal care products.

Also, newer homes that are tightly sealed for energy efficiency tend to limit air circulation, which can contribute to a buildup of contaminants. Likewise, things like weather stripping and storm doors keep stale air in and fresh air out.

Temperature differences of up to three degrees from room to room are not uncommon, but often one or several rooms are uncomfortably warm or cold.  This condition could be caused by a number of factors within your home including inadequate insulation, air leakage, poor duct system design, duct leakage, unwanted heating by the sun in warmer months, or a failure in part of your heating and cooling system.

Recommendations:

• Hire an energy specialist to do an in-home evaluation to find any trouble spots.


• Have a HVAC technician check to see if your heating and cooling system is operating correctly.


• Have a HVAC technician check your ducts for air leakage and proper distribution of air. 


• Seal any leaks in your home (around windows, doors, outlets) and add insulation.


• If the sun is making rooms too hot, consider using shades or solar screening.


• Hire an electrician to install ceiling fans to make room air circulation more uniform.

The answer is most likely yes, and here are the reasons why.

First of all, all air conditioner and heat pump outdoor units are specifically designed to work with matched indoor units for optimum efficiency and performance. The result of this matched system is a coordinated, 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 specifically designed; however, the result is a definite compromise in system performance.

In addition, through the years, indoor blower coil units have undergone numerous 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.

The cooling and/or heating efficiency ratings that are advertised for an air conditioner or heat pump are based on their performance as matched systems. While changing only the outdoor unit may result in improved efficiency compared to the old system, it will not be as efficient as it was designed to be and your savings will be lower than with a matched system.

If an air conditioner or heat pump outdoor unit is 10 years old and needs to be replaced, the indoor unit is just as old and has been subjected to the same amount of wear and tear. Replacing both units means you won't have to replace the indoor unit in a short time...you'll have years of service from both units.

Last, but not least, a new unit also gives you a new product warranty. Replacing the indoor unit at the same time as the outdoor unit results in peace of mind, knowing the new warranty covers your entire system.

At first glance, replacing only an air conditioner or heat pump outdoor unit may appear to be a bargain. 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 costs more, but you get more efficiency, reliability and comfort.

According to the National Safety Council, people, on average, spend about 90 percent of their time indoors. Of that 90 percent, 65 is spent at home and to make matters worse, those who are most susceptible to indoor air pollution are the ones who are home the most: children, pregnant women, the elderly, and those with chronic illnesses. Children breathe in 50 percent more air per pound of body weight than adults do. EPA studies have found that pollutant levels inside can be two to five times higher than outdoors. After some activities, indoor air pollution levels can be 100 times higher than outdoors.

No. Every system is designed to cool a certain number of square feet. By closing registers and doors in certain rooms, you disrupt and decrease the system’s airflow and efficiency. You system will have to work harder to cool less space, making it cycle more and become less efficient.

To determine which home heating and air conditioning system is best for you, take into consideration factors such as: your budget, your comfort expectations, physical factors (such as your current system) and other unique features of your home. Because your geographical region is also an integral factor in choosing a home heating system or home central air conditioning unit, that should be taken into consideration as well.

There are other accessories you may want to consider to determine what system works best for you. Air cleaners, ventilators or a whole house humidifier may be useful.

System control is another factor when choosing a home heating system or central air conditioning. This involves being able to maintain a comfortable temperature, manually or automatically, to keep the home consistently comfortable with changing physical or environmental fluctuations.

To choose a heating and air conditioning system, you also must assess your current system. The three most likely energy sources for your comfort system are electricity, gas or oil. Here are some options based on your energy source.

Electricity

If you have no gas or oil service, you will need to go with an all-electric system, which means a heat pump or air conditioner. You may be able to have a gas line installed at your home, but that could be an additional cost. In some areas, electrical rates are so low that an all-electric system can still be the best option even if gas or oil are available.

Gas

If natural gas is available, furnaces and boilers become options for you. You may still opt to have an all-electric system if that suits your home or your personal preference.

Oil

If oil is available, furnaces and boilers are also options for you. However, you can switch over to an all-electric system to better fit your needs.

Everybody's home is different. Some are big, some are small. Older homes are not as tightly sealed as new ones, which mean the efficiency is reduced. The number and size of windows, what direction the home is facing, number of mature trees in the yard and many more factors can affect your comfort, and may play a part in deciding what type of system is best for you. A Cooling Unlimited comfort advisor has the expertise to assess any unusual circumstances surrounding the specific needs of your home.

With a high efficiency air cleaner, you can remove up to 99% of the pollen and spores that find their way into the home. There is also a great reduction in household dust, dirt, smoke, and other air pollutants. Your indoor air will become cleaner and fresher while reducing the allergens and dust that circulate throughout the house. With a whole house humidifier, you can relieve the irritating discomfort of dry indoor air. The humidifier reduces itchy skin, scratchy throats, static electricity, and damage to your furnishings and woodwork. Since humid air feels warmer than dry air, you do not have to set the thermostat as high to feel the comfort you want. A lower thermostat setting will reduce the costs of your energy bill. We offer a complete line of indoor air quality products to meet your needs. Click here to see our complete offering.

Yes!! Even though your system is new, it still needs to have annual maintenance performed. This will help keep the warranty in effect. Most all equipment manufactures state in the terms of their warranty that annual maintenance must be performed by a qualified technician. Keeping your system maintained will give you assurance that it is operating at peak efficiency and safety.

The SEER is used to measure the efficiency of your cooling system. It stands for “Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio,” which basically tells you the amount of cooling your system will deliver per dollar spent on electricity. 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. By federal law all units must be 10 SEER or higher. Nowadays, the SEER rating of any given unit can range anywhere from 13 to 20.

When humid air passes over chilled cooling coils, water condenses and drips through the coils into a collection pan, from which it continuously drains. Problems with these systems may occur when this water collects and becomes stagnant when it becomes blocked, either on the coils or in the drip pan. The pan will grow mold that can infect your home with dangerous mold spores very quickly. Problems also exist when the HVAC ducting contains microscopic mold spores that stay continually present and blow contaminants around the home or office often caused by mold in other parts of your home.

You can do 3 things to prevent mold growth in your system:

1. Preventative maintenance will ensure that the collection pan under the indoor coil stays clean and clog free. Click here to view our preventative maintenance program.


2. Install ultra violet lights next to the cooling coils to kill any mold or bacteria growing on the coils or collection pan. Click here to view the UV lights we offer.


3. Keep your ductwork clean by using our duct cleaning service and use a high-efficiency filtration system to keep your entire HVAC system clean.

Nothing is wrong with your unit. What appears to be smoke is steam from the outdoor coil after it completes a defrost cycle. After extended run times the outdoor unit will start to build frost or ice on the coil. The system is designed to go in a defrost mode when needed to clear the ice away and keep the efficiency level up.

The higher the SEER number, the more energy efficient the unit. Higher SEER rating air conditioners and heat pumps can pay for their cost many times over because they consume less electricity. And the savings continue year after year.

Proper air filtration is just as important to the health of your heating and cooling system as it is to the health of your family. Without proper filtration, dust and dirt can build up on your system, which impacts operation and efficiency. A high-efficiency filter will remove more dust, dirt, pollen, mold, and other particles from the air. If you suffer from allergies or other respiratory problems, you should strongly consider a high efficiency filter. No matter what type of filter you have – make sure you change it regularly.

Yes, this is normal. A heat pump generally produces air that is 80 degrees, which is considered warm, and will heat the house evenly. However, 80 degrees may feel cool to your hand, which is usually closer to 90 degrees.

Absolutely! Programmable thermostats are especially useful for people who are away from home at regular intervals. They allow for customized comfort settings around the clock, and they can cut heating and cooling costs by as much as 10%!

When cool outdoor air enters a home it tends to dry out as it warms up, which increases the static electricity in the home and causes sinus problems. Adding a humidifier with help to add moisture back into the air and limit sinus problems. In the summer, even with outdoor relative humidity hovering around the single digits, the humidity in your home tends to be around 40%. The average comfort range for relative humidity in a home is from 35 to 45%.

This is a difficult question to provide a “blanket” answer for. As an analogy, it is a similar process of considerations that a car owner must consider when deciding whether to replace a vehicle or not.

• The age of the current system. Our philosophy is that if the current heating system is 15 years old or older, replacement should be seriously considered.


• What is the history of the air conditioning system? Has it required frequent repairs throughout its lifespan? Is it noisy? Does it show signs of excessive wear (rust)? Has it been well maintained by an HVAC company on an annual basis?


• Are there any current rebates or tax credits available towards the purchase of a new high efficiency air conditioning system that will help offset the initial investment?


• Does the current system provide the level of comfort that you want? There is a growing difference between “builder grade” and consumer choice in what a system can offer in terms of comfort and convenience.


• How much will the repairs cost…and how many more repairs will you need in the future? Is keeping an older system operational worth the time, the money and the inconvenience? Often, replacing an old air conditioning will prove to be the less expensive option than paying for repeated repairs.

There are two indicators of efficiency.

1. Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE). All heating equipment manufactured after 1980 is required to have a label indicating its AFUE. The AFUE ratio is a measurement of a heating system’s seasonal efficiency, taking into account how well the system performs over an entire season of starts and stops. Modern heating systems range in efficiency from 81% - 95%. If your system’s AFUE is lower than this range, talk to us about your replacement options.


2. Combustion efficiency. When we tune up your heating system, we do a combustion efficiency test that tells us how well your burner is converting oil into heat. If your combustion efficiency is below 78, you may want to evaluate your upgrade options, which could include an oil burner retrofit. A new burner will burn the fuel/air mixture in a cleaner, more controlled manner, resulting in lower heating costs and less combustion bi-products going out of your chimney.

Carbon monoxide, also known as the silent killer, can pose a serious threat in some instances and is yet another reason to have your furnace and water heater inspected by Cooling Unlimited. A carbon monoxide detector is a wise investment. Cooling Unlimited offers a high quality carbon monoxide detector that has a 5-year warranty.

The Earth absorbs almost 50% of all solar energy and remains a constant temperature of 50°F to 70°F depending on geographical location. A geothermal unit utilizes this constant temperature for heating and cooling your home.

You can realize up to 60% energy savings vs. traditional systems.  There is no flame, no flue, no odors and no loud outdoor equipment. Heating, air conditioning and hot water can all be attained from a single compact unit.

UV is the abbreviation for ultraviolet. Located in the return air ductwork and by the indoor cooling coil, the ultraviolet air treatment system continuously emits high intensity ultraviolet (UV) energy. The energy eliminates (kills) a very high percentage of airborne bacteria and germs passing over the UV light field inside the ductwork. The UV light mounted next to the indoor cooling coil will help eliminate the growth of mold, mildew and other contaminates from the drain pan and coil surface. At Parker and Sons we recommend installing non-ozone-producing UV products.

With a traditional heating and cooling system, if you wanted to save more, you had to use less. But a Hybrid Heat system combines the benefits of intelligent control for both gas and electric heating to create an intuitive system that can actually react to changing conditions.

No matter what the temperature is outside, a Hybrid Heat system will automatically select the fuel source most efficient for your home, which means you'll stay warm in the winter, cool in the summer and save money all year long.

To design a Hybrid Heat system for your home, we professionally match one of our heat pump units with a natural gas furnace. Contact us to see how much energy you can save over your existing system.

The High Velocity Air Conditioning system removes 30% more humidity than a conventional system, allowing you to feel more comfortable at a higher setting. High Velocity also takes up much less space than the conventional system.

Furnaces are rated by the Annual Fuel Utilization (AFUE) ratio, which is a percent of heat produced for every dollar of fuel consumed. Like the miles per gallon rating on your car, the higher the AFUE rating, the lower your fuel costs. All furnaces manufactured must meet at least 78 percent AFUE.

AFUE tells you how much of your fuel is used to heat your home and how much fuel is wasted. Example: If your furnace has a rating of 80%, the furnace converts 80% of the fuel that you supply to heat and 20% is lost out of the chimney.

The heating and cooling systems are sized according to their tonnage. One (1) ton equals 12,000 BTU/H. Residential systems can range from 1 to 5 tons.

No. you don’t want your air conditioner to be too big. Air conditioners control the comfort level in your home by cooling the air and by removing humidity. An oversized air conditioner will cool your home faster, but it will use more energy and will not remove humidity adequately.

A unit that is too big for your home will have short run cycles. It may take only a short time to cool the air, but the unit shuts off before enough air blows across the indoor coil where moisture condenses into water and drains from your system. Too much moisture left in the air can lead to mold and mildew problems.

These short run cycles also mean your system starts and stops more often, which uses more energy and causes a lot of wear and tear. An air conditioner operates more efficiently during long run cycles.

The same holds true with heating systems. An oversized furnace will warm the house quicker, but it uses more fuel and causes greater temperature swings in the home.

Contrary to popular belief, there is no rule of thumb for sizing a system to a home. Depending upon the construction of your home, one (1) ton of air conditioning can cool anywhere from 300 to 800 square feet. The only way to ensure the size of the system you purchase will be large enough to cool your home, but not any larger than you need, is to do a heat load calculation for your home. The capacity needed is based upon how quickly your home gains or loses heat, not by square footage alone. ACCA’s Manuel J is an industry-approved method that Cooling Unlimited uses to insure the proper system is selected for you.

In accordance with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), newly manufactured air conditioning systems will not contain R-22 refrigerant. This went into effect on January 1, 2010. R-22 will continue to be produced for use in existing units, but production will be phased out over the next several years. In accordance with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), newly manufactured air conditioning systems will not contain R-22 refrigerant. This went into effect on January 1, 2010. R-22 will continue to be produced for use in existing units, but production will be phased out over the next several years.

R-22 is considered an HCFC and is harmful to the ozone layer. Ozone-friendly refrigerants are now used in units manufactured after January 1, 2010. R-410A is the most common replacement and is found in most new units. R-410A has several names including Puron and Genetron AZ20.

While R-410A is used in most new systems, it may not be used in existing systems designed to use R-22 refrigerant. Design specifications to handle the increased pressure and cooling capacity of R-410A are required.

A heat pump is an all-in-one heating and air conditioning system that works year-round to keep you comfortable.

During warmer months, a heat pump works as a normal air conditioner. It extracts heat from inside the home and transfers it to the outdoor air. In colder weather, however, the process reverses—the unit collects heat from the outdoor air and transferring it inside your home.

Even when the air outside feels extremely cold, the air still contains some heat. The heat pump pulls the heat from this cold outdoor air and sends it inside to warm your home. When there's not enough heat in the outside air to meet the demand of the thermostat setting, an electric heater supplements the outdoor air to warm the home. Extremely efficient, this process produces two to three times more heat than the energy it uses.

Also, a heat pump can be an effective add-on option to use in conjunction with an existing gas furnace. With this dual-fuel option, the two systems share the heating load, but never function at the same time. Each system operates when it is most cost effective. The heat pump will be the primary heating and cooling system.

However, when the temperature drops below the heat pump's ability to operate as efficiently as the gas furnace, the gas furnace will take over until the temperature rises enough for the heat pump to operate more efficiently.