FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do you provide free estimates?
Yes, on any type of new installation.
What payment methods are accepted?
Cash, check, ACH or card
Do you offer financing?
Yes! We have partnered with Synchrony and FTL Financing to ensure you have the best financing options.
What is a diagnostic fee?
A diagnostic fee is a break-even cost we have to come out and diagnose any problem you may have with your residential or commercial property. Comfort Shield itemizes the diagnostic fee in order to be upfront and transparent about the true costs of our service. Our diagnostic fee covers the time it takes to get to your home or business, gas, auto insurance, liability insurance and the portion of time it takes to evaluate your HVAC, plumbing or electrical problem.
How often should I replace my filter?
We recommend replacing your filters every 3 months. If you have a pet in the home, we recommend replacing them more frequently.
Why is there steam coming from my heat pump when it’s cold outside?
Your unit is going into defrost mode, which forces the reverse flow of refrigerant to create warming in the outdoor coil in order to defrost the coil. This can happen in 60-90 second intervals. This is completely normal.
How often should I flush my water heater?
We recommend flushing your water heater once a year.
What is a SEER rating?
SEER stands for “Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio or “Rating”” SEER is a representation of how much energy or money the unit requires to operate effectively over a single year. There are many other factors figured in this rating.
What does it mean when your heater blows cold air?
- Lack of cleaning: Have you changed your filters recently? When air filters become congested with dust and dirt, this can overheat your furnace, causing HVAC issues. Avoid a chillier than usual afternoon by taking the time to clean and replace your air filters!
- Check the thermostat: Be sure that your thermostat is in heat mode. If your thermostat is reading correctly and is in heating mode there could be an issue with your thermostat wiring, but no worries, this is a simple repair. Call a professional to assist you.
- Check your pilot light: Some homeowners/businesses will have a heating unit that uses a pilot light for gas-powered heating systems. This issue can be resolved by relighting your systems pilot light
- For heat pumps: This could mean the compressor portion of your system or back up heat strips are malfunctioning. Call a professional.
What are ways I can improve my indoor air quality?
- Air Cleaners: Choosing the right air cleaner for your home can be difficult. APCO-X is proven to neutralize air contaminants and deliver healthier HVAC systems. It is proven to neutralize odors, allergens, mold, germs, and viruses
- Ventilators: A home with poor ventilations puts you at a much higher risk for allergies and respiratory issues. Choose an energy efficient ventilator to minimize energy loss while also bringing in fresh air.
- Humidifiers: The ideal home humidity level is between 30 and 50%. Choose a humidifier that puts out moisture vapor right from your ducts. This offers whole-home dehumidification. With improved humidity levels you’ll notice better health and even more benefits.
What are sump pumps and how do they work?
Sump pumps are designed to protect your basement/crawl space and home. The pump is installed in your basement or crawl space. When water reaches a certain level, the sump pump will turn on and redirect the water through a drainage pipe outside of the home, preventing standing water and flooding. There are many benefits to having a sump pump. It protects the home from mold and mildew, decreases the homes humidity level, prevents electrical damage, reduces the risk of fire and aids in sewage backup prevention.
What could cause my water bill to be so high?
- Toilet: Is your toilet continually running? Check the flapper in your tank, you need to contact a professional to rebuild your tank’s components.
- Main water leak: There could be a leak coming from your main water line. Call a professional to locate where the leak is and get it repaired.
What are signs that my toilet needs to be replaced?
Constant repairs. If you find yourself needing to call a plumber frequently for your toilet issues, it may be more cost effective to replace your toilet,
cracks in the bowl or tank constantly running. This is a common issue due to interior damage of a part of the toilet. Sometimes this can be temporarily repaired. But if the toilet is outdated, installing a new one will ensure this issue does not continue to happen.
Why is my sink not draining?
There may be a blockage in the P-trap (The elbow-shaped pipe underneath your sink). Food, grease and other debris may be stuck in the pipe, causing it to drain slowly or not at all.
5 Things you should NOT put down the drain in your kitchen:
- Rice: Rice can absorb water and clog your pipes
- Eggshells: Eggshells can stick to your pipes
- Grease/Fat: This can cause a major back up in your pipes
- Cooking oil: Oils can cling to your drain pipes and cause blockages over time.
- Pasta: Pasta can swell up and coat the blades of your garbage disposal or clog your pipes
Why does it smell like a sewer in my house?
- Broken seal around toilet: There could be a broken seal around your toilet. Your toilet attaches to the drain with seals. If they are loose or broken, they will allow sewer gasses into the home. If the seals are leaking water around the toilet, bacteria can grow and create a smell.
- A Dry P-Trap: A dried P-Trap will result in sewer odor coming from a sink that has not been used in a while. The P-Trap is designed to use water to block sewer gasses from leaking up the drain
- Burst Pipe: A sanitary sewer should be airtight, with the exception of vent stacks on your roof which allows the sewage smell to move up and away from your home.
How do I know whether to repair or replace?
With the seasons changing, now is the time to think about your heating and air conditioning system. Is it in good shape? Does it need major work? Take in mind these factors to decide if it’s time for a new, more efficient model.
REPAIR IF:
- Age of the system is less than 12 years
- Extent of the problems is minor
- Loose or broken ductwork
- Clogged drain line
- Electrical problem
- Cost of repairs if less than 50% of the cost of a new unit and the unit is still under warranty.
- Efficiency of unit is more than 13 SEER.
- If still efficient, it may be worth salvaging
- Frequency of repairs is less than 2 repairs in the last 10 years.
- If the size of your unit is right-sized.
If your unit was installed properly and professionally using load calculations, the unit will last longer and run more efficiently
Replace if:
- Age of the system is more than 12 years
- Extent of the problems is extensive.
- Blower motor
- Compressor
- Condenser coils
- Cost of repairs if more than 50% of the cost of a new unit.
- Efficiency of unit is less than 13 SEER.
- New units can have up to 20 SEER efficiency ratings, reducing monthly costs significantly
- Frequency of repairs is more than 3 major repairs on your unit.
- If the size of your unit is over or undersized.
An over sized units constant cycling leads to poor humidity control and premature failure.
