{"id":12,"date":"2014-07-11T22:26:56","date_gmt":"2014-07-11T22:26:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/devards.com\/?page_id=12"},"modified":"2021-01-02T04:38:35","modified_gmt":"2021-01-02T10:38:35","slug":"faq","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/devards.com\/faq\/","title":{"rendered":"FAQ"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

General<\/h2>\n
\n\n

General FAQ<\/h2>\n

Is your company licensed and bonded?<\/strong>
\nYes, our contractor’s license number is TACLA26830E, E-29618 and M-37893.<\/p>\n

How long has Devard’s been in business?<\/strong>
\nDevard’s have been in business since 1968. We do the service calls and answer the phones. Our goal is to provide our customers with competitive pricing, speedy service, and above all, that our customers be treated fairly. Devard’s has since grown to become one of the most respected air conditioning companies in PLANO TX.<\/p>\n

How does Devard’s define “Customer Satisfaction”?<\/strong>
\nCustomer Satisfaction is… the feeling that a product or service has met or exceeded the customer’s expectations.<\/p>\n

Why is it so important for Devard’s to keep our customers satisfied?<\/strong>
\nWe get hundreds of new customers each year who have been recommended to us through satisfied acquaintances, friends and family members. Besides, it just makes good business sense. We at Devard’s just think it’s the right thing to do!<\/p>\n

Do you use subcontractors?<\/strong>
\nNO, all repairs and installations are performed by Devard’s knowledgeable employees.<\/p>\n

How can I lower my electricity bill?<\/strong>
\nA few recommendations are:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Have your system checked every spring and fall<\/li>\n
  2. Replace filters regularly<\/li>\n
  3. Set thermostat to 77 degrees or higher if possible<\/li>\n
  4. Keep outdoor condenser coils clean, unobstructed, and shaded if possible.<\/li>\n
  5. Recommended space around condenser is MINIMUM 24″ around front and sides, and MINIMUM 12″ on back.<\/li>\n
  6. Top of unit must have a MINIMUM clearance of 6′.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    What’s included in our maintenance service?
    \n<\/strong>Devard’s ESA includes:
    \n1. Two semiannual visits (spring and fall)<\/p>\n

      \n
    • Cleaning of outside compressor<\/li>\n
    • Testing compressor and outdoor fan motor<\/li>\n
    • Testing refrigerant levels (permitted outside temp. >65 degrees)<\/li>\n
    • Oil fan motor (if applicable)<\/li>\n
    • Check operation of relays and starting components<\/li>\n
    • Tighten electrical connections<\/li>\n
    • Test gas furnace for correction sequence<\/li>\n
    • Check for gas leaks at furnace<\/li>\n
    • Check heat exchanger for cracks<\/li>\n
    • Test burners for proper ignition<\/li>\n
    • Test heating safety controls<\/li>\n
    • Monitor exhaust venting<\/li>\n
    • Test heat strips (electric heat)<\/li>\n
    • Testing of air temperatures<\/li>\n
    • Clean evaporator coil (if accessible)<\/li>\n
    • Check air filter (replace if necessary at additional charge)<\/li>\n
    • Clear condensate drains<\/li>\n
    • Check duct work condition and sealing of minor air leaks<\/li>\n
    • Check thermostat operation<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      2. 15% discount on all repair services (includes labor and materials) 5% of major equipment replacement
      \n3. Priority customer service
      \n4. 24-hour emergency service
      \n5. Agreement is transferable
      \n6. No Overtime Charges<\/p>\n

      What brands do you carry?<\/strong>
      \nWhile Devard’s works on all brands, we choose to carry Trane equipment for all our new installations. We are able to procure different brands for specific applications, but Trane is our primary equipment choice due to its reputation and reliability. Also, Trane offers one of the best manufacturers warranties in the industry.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>

      Heating and Air<\/h2>\n
      \n\n

      Heating and Air FAQ<\/h2>\n

      What is the difference between a compressor and a condenser?<\/strong>
      \nA condenser is the piece of outdoor equipment. The compressor is the part within the condenser which pumps refrigerant through the system.<\/p>\n

      What is a heat pump?<\/strong>
      \nA heat pump is essentially a condenser with the ability to reverse the flow of refrigerant. Like a straight cooling condenser, this unit pumps refrigerant to the evaporator coil inside the home. The main difference is that in cold weather, when the thermostat is set to heat, the condenser reverses the refrigerant flow and in turn heats the indoor air passing through the evaporator. Heat pump systems are more efficient that straight electric heaters in the fact that it costs less to run the heat pump that the electric strips in the indoor unit to heat the air.<\/p>\n

      Do you service as well as install new Air Conditioners?<\/strong>
      \nYes, Devard’s has knowledgeable technicians available to you seven days a week for service and repairs. We are available to install new residential heating and air conditioning equipment Monday thru Friday.<\/p>\n

      Is the SEER rating the only important consideration when purchasing a new A\/C unit?<\/strong>
      \nS.E.E.R. (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) is established by manufacturers and reported by an organization named ARI (Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute). When purchasing a new a\/c it’s very important to consider<\/p>\n

        \n
      1. Unit capacity<\/li>\n
      2. CFU (cubic feet of air flow per minute)<\/li>\n
      3. The S.E.E.R. rating.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        All of the above are equally important, for instance what good is a 12 seer unit if it does not have the capacity to cool your home on a hot day?<\/p>\n

        How good are those $29.95 tune-ups?<\/strong>
        \nThe old statement, “You get what you pay for.”, rings true. Companies offering low cost tune-ups generally don’t spend the time necessary to take care of the customer’s needs. Devard’s is committed to helping our customers by doing a thorough job assessing their systems, and finding only the necessary repairs required to avoid future costly repairs. Most of what Devard’s perform in our Spring and Fall Tune-ups is considered “additional charges” by other companies.<\/p>\n

        What is a 10\/5\/1 warranty?<\/strong>
        \nMost a\/c manufactures offer a standard warrant of 10 years warranty for the compressor, 5 years on parts, and the installing contractor offers a 1 year labor warranty. Devard’s offers new equipment with 10 year compressor, 10 year parts and 5 year labor warranties. Most of the equipment Devard’s installs, receives a manufacturers standard 5 year parts warranty and we provide the 5 year labor warranty. On qualifying equipment, a 10 year part warranty is possible with product registration through manufacturer. Extended warranty contracts on new equipment are also available.<\/p>\n

        Which air conditioning unit is best for your home?<\/strong>
        \nThere are many considerations, price, efficiency, noise, etc.. Devard’s is equipped with a wide variety of Trane equipment to handle your needs.<\/p>\n

        Do you install on commercial buildings?<\/strong>
        \nYes, in some cases. We are mainly residential retrofit.<\/p>\n

        If I need to replace my A\/C, how long will it take?<\/strong>
        \nIn most situations it will take us from 2-3 hours to a condensing unit, and about 6-8 hours to replace complete systems. These times can vary.<\/p>\n

        Why am I getting bad air flow?<\/strong>
        \nThere are several reasons for bad air flow. The most common reason is a dirty filter. Make sure that the proper filter size is installed and replaced periodically. More often than not, most homes are not equipped with enough return air ducts. Restricted inlet air is directly related to restricted outlet air. Make certain that all vents are fully open and unobstructed by furniture and other household items. If air flow is a problem in certain parts of the house, then air balancing is an option.<\/p>\n

        What does A\/C stand for?<\/strong>
        \nAir Conditioning<\/p>\n

        What does S.E.E.R. stand for?<\/strong>
        \nSeasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. This much like MPG on a motor vehicle; the higher the SEER rating, the less energy it costs to operate.<\/p>\n

        How much money can I expect to save with a new A\/C?<\/strong>
        \nModern high efficient air conditioning uses about 50% less energy. This will vary depending on differences of applications and equipment types.<\/p>\n

        What does HSPF stand for?<\/strong>
        \nHeating Seasonal Performance Factor. This refers to heat pump efficiency.<\/p>\n

        What is B.T.U?<\/strong>
        \nBritish Thermal Unit. The amount of energy needed to heat one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit.<\/p>\n

        What brands of Air Conditioners do you service?<\/strong>
        \nDevard’s top notch technicians are qualified to work on all brands of Air Conditioners.<\/p>\n

        What is the difference between 7day and 5day-2day programmable thermostat?<\/strong>
        \nWith a 7 day thermostat, you can program each day to separate time settings and temperatures. With a 5 day – 2 day, Mon – Fri settings are the same and Sat\/Sun can be another separate setting for the weekend.<\/p>\n

        How do I determine the correct “Tonnage” (Tons) of most A\/C my home requires?<\/strong>
        \nTonnage is usually determined by square footage. The formula most commonly used is: every 500 sq ft = 1 Ton of a\/c. However, the fact that a home has vaulted ceilings or is multi-level can also be a direct influence. To avoid under\/over sizing a professional should be consulted.<\/p>\n

        Is a bigger air conditioning better suited for my home?
        \n<\/strong>No, bigger is definitely not better in air conditioning. An air conditioners functions is to cool the air by drying it. Over sizing a unit makes it more difficult to remove moisture from the air in your home, creating a “clammy cool” air.<\/p>\n

        What does AFUE stand for?<\/strong>
        \nAnnualized Fuel Utilization Efficiency. This refers to gas furnace efficiency.<\/p>\n

        What is a “scroll” compressor?<\/strong>
        \nIt sets new standards in cooling efficiency, and with fewer moving parts, it’s more reliable. They use less than 1\/2 of the energy that the old reciprocating compressors did.<\/p>\n

        What is the condensation drain for?<\/strong>
        \nThe cool temperature of the evaporator coil causes water to condense. In most cases a plastic pipe is used to drain the water outside of the home. There are usually two drain lines connected to the cooling systems. The primary drain line is connected directly to the evaporator coil in the attic or closet. The secondary drain line is connected to the auxiliary drain pan in the attic or the secondary drain on the evaporator coil. The secondary drain is normally routed to the outside of the house above a window or where visible. If you observe water running out of the secondary line, you may check the indoor auxiliary pan for standing water, before calling Devard’s.<\/p>\n

        Is it true that R-22 (Freon) will soon be obsolete?<\/strong>
        \nThe Environmental Protection Association (EPA) has called for a cease in production of all products that use HCFC refrigerants, such as R-22. However, the eventual phase out of R-22 is not scheduled to occur until the year 2020. We have just come upon a large restriction in R-22 production, causing prices to double. As time goes on and R-22 production declines, pricing will continue to rise and availability will become scarcer.<\/p>\n

        What does it mean when my indoor coil freezes up?<\/strong>
        \nThe #1 cause of a frozen indoor coil is… the restriction of air flow. The regular checking and changing of your air filter along with semi-annual maintenance check-ups should alleviate this problem. If you find that your filter is dirty, and possible the cause, turn the system off, change the filter and allow time for the system to thaw before resuming operation. If the system continues to freeze up after thawing and changing filter, call to set up a service call with Devard’s.<\/p>\n

        When I finally decide to replace my central air system, how do I know what I need?<\/strong>
        \nThis is commonly asked question and although the answer is not overly complicated there are certain questions we need to ask to provide you with the correct information.<\/p>\n

          \n
        1. Are there any areas that are too hot or too cold?<\/li>\n
        2. Do you suffer from airborne allergens?<\/li>\n
        3. Do you suffer from dry skin in the winter?<\/li>\n
        4. Are repair bills a concern?<\/li>\n
        5. Is your current system too loud?<\/li>\n
        6. What are some of the other things you don’t like about your current system?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          Will I still have a pilot light in my furnace when I get a new one?<\/strong>
          \nNo, gas furnaces that are built today have electronic igniters.<\/p>\n

          How often should I change my filters?<\/strong>
          \nAs often as they get dirty, check at least once a month. Most 1″ pleated filters are good up to 3 months, but we find that most have to be changed out monthly. A clean air filter is the first step to better efficiency.<\/p>\n

          Does Devard’s offer maintenance agreements?<\/strong>
          \nYes. Devard’s ESA (Energy Savings Agreement) helps maintain a systems overall performance. ESA’s are necessary by manufacturers, in order to keep any warranties up to date. They also help older, out of warranty, systems run longer and keep their efficiency at its peak. While no amount of tuning up can make an old system run like new, it does reduce any down time that may be experienced due to normal wear and tear, thus keeping more money in your pocket. Devard’s ESA’s not only cover your central heating and air system; they cover discounts on repairs for plumbing and electrical issues in your home.<\/p>\n

          How often should I have my A\/C or furnace maintained?<\/strong>
          \nEquipment manufacturers recommend having systems checked twice a year. Not maintaining your system, can void many manufacturers’ warranties.<\/p>\n

          What’s included in our maintenance service?<\/strong>
          \nDevard’s ESA includes:<\/p>\n

          1. Two semiannual visits (spring and fall)<\/p>\n