Benchmark Air Conditioning & Heating - Sales, Service & Installation. North Dallas and Collin County. Preventative Maintenance and Repairs. Frisco, Texas. Questions & Answers Page.

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Q & A

Benchmark Air Conditioning & Heating is proud to provide air conditioning and heating services to our fellow citizens of the North Dallas and Collin County area, including the cities of Addison, Allen, Carrollton, Celina, Frisco, Highland Park, Lewisville, McKinney, Little Elm, Plano, Prosper and The Colony.

Whether we are servicing your existing heating and cooling system, or we are customizing a new system, Benchmark Air Conditioning & Heating wants you to be completely knowledgeable of not only your system but also the service we are providing. This page has been designed to answer many of the questions you may have. If you have any further questions or would like to schedule a consultation with one of our specialists, please feel free to contact Benchmark Air Conditioning & Heating at 972-377-9724 or you may also request services from this site.

Q. How does my A/C system work?

A. Your air conditioning system is actually designed with two separate units which perform a unique partnership to constantly provide you and your home the ultimate comfort you deserve. The unit on the outside of your home contains a liquid refrigerant that is distributed over the coil located indoors. As the coolant transports itself the heat and humidity are removed from the air and your comfort is maintained by cooling the house.

Q. What does "SEER" mean?

A. Efficiency of a heating and cooling system is calculated by utilizing a ratio standard referred to as "SEER" or Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. As governmental standards state, the "SEER" of any air conditioning system must meet a minimum of 13 SEER as originally enacted in 1992, when at that time SEER ratings where only at 10 "SEER". An A/C system that is considered to be "high efficient" must be between 15-18 "SEER". In order to recieve the benefits of a 13 SEER or higher, you must upgarde the entire system.

At Benchmark Air Conditioning & Heating, we are committed to the product excellence of Trane and the products they produce. By purchasing a high efficiency system, such as the XL20i, you can also have the peace at mind that each unit is in compliance with all regulations as established by the Department of Energy and the Energy Star Program that was enacted in 2004. Benchmark Air Conditioning & Heating we will be happy to custom design a heating and cooling system for your needs and financial budget.

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Q. What factors contribute to my home's comfort levels?

A. There are four contributing factors that play a vital role to the efficiency of your heating and cooling system and to your overall comfort.

Temperature - To the average consumer, temperature is typically the beginning and the end of discussion when the topic of indoor comfort arises. However, temperature is actually just the beginning. At Benchmark Air Conditioning & Heating we will recommend a heating and cooling system customized to your needs.

Clean and Fresh Air - A dusty home can have disastrous effects on both the efficiency of your heating and cooling system and your health. Our specialists will be happy to suggest an Accuclean air cleaner that will assist to remove the dust and other allergens within your homes air so that not only will you and your family breath easier but your system will also have the opportunity to run more effectively.

Humidity - As a Texas resident we are well aware of the harsh and continual weather fluctuations. The air is always dry, static electricity and dry itchy skin are always an issue during the winter months. If humidity is added then you remove the uncomfortable feelings of dry skin. In the summer months if the humidity is removed, the air becomes less sticky and the summers in Texas become more enjoyable and your comfort is restored.

System Control - On a daily basis we seem to always answer the same question. “Why are the temperatures so inconsistent from room to room? The front of the house is warmer or cooler than the back and vice versa. Why?” Your answer to that question is a self-adjusting thermostat will balance the air throughout your home and provide an even distribution of air throughout the home. Our specialists at Benchmark Air Conditioning & Heating will be happy to suggest a deluxe programmable thermostat designed by Trane perfectly designed for your needs. Feel free to contact us at 972-377-9724 for our expertise on improving your home comfort.

Q. What causes a condensation leak problem?

A. The evaporator or cooling coil is located in the unit inside the home. As it creates condensation by removing moisture from the air a drain pan will normally collect the water. However, if the drain line becomes clogged, then a leak occurs from the overflow. Some causes for a drain line to become clogged include algae build-up, crimped lines, settled wood platforms, snakes or other animals or just poor system maintenance.

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Q. I live in the North Dallas area. Do you service my area?

A. Located in Frisco Texas, Benchmark Air Conditioning & Heating is proud to serve The North Dallas and Collin County Area including the cities of Addison, Allen, Carrollton, Celina, Frisco, Lewisville, McKinney, Little Elm, Plano, Prosper and The Colony.

Q. Why are my indoor A/C coils/pipes/compressor covered with ice?

A. There are two reasons why ice would be found on coils, pipes, etc. The first being a low level of refrigerant or a clogged air filter. If the problem is not corrected as soon as possible, it could have disastrous effects on the compressor of the system. Should you notice freezing, you should first turn the system off, check and change the air filter and if the air filter is not clogged, then immediately consult our professionals at Benchmark Air Conditioning & Heating. We will promptly be at your service to resolve your freezing problem.

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Q. What can I do to fix the "hot spots" in my house?

A. Typically there are many things that can be done to correct the variations in temperature from room to room. One of the first would be a programmable thermostat that will even distribute air throughout the home. The second would be duct work that has been improperly sized for the size of the home. Feel free to consult our technicians so that we may rework your ducts for an improvement in airflow. Additional solutions may be to replace the windows in a hot room with Low-E glass or have the existing windows tinted. The reduced sun load will cool the room and save energy.

Q. What does Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) mean?

A. Recognized by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) is a fair and objective measure of air cleaner technologies. CADR provides the number of cubic feet of clean air a unit delivers each minute. A higher CADR means a greater amount of clean air is being delivered to your home.

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Q. What can you do to help make my home's “Air” cleaner?

A. Trane is proud to offer the world's most effective whole-house air filtration system. Trane CleanEffects is designed to let air flow freely through the most advanced filtration system available. A CleanEffects whole-house air filtration system can remove up to 99.98% of airborne allergens from your home's filtered air. Feel free to speak with one of our specialists for the installation of your new Accuclean Air Cleaner.

Q. How often should my filters be cleaned or replaced?

A. It is recommended to inspect your filters at least once a month. Cleaning and replacement should be done on an as needed basis. As with the rest of your heating and cooling system, cleaner is always better!

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Q. Why should I consider a new high-efficiency filter?

A. High-efficiency filters remove more of the smaller particles from the air. This will help us breathe better and reduce sinus problems, headaches and colds. Many people miss fewer days from school and work and use less allergy medication. The air is filtered before entering the air conditioning and furnace. Benchmark Air Conditioning & Heating has a variety of filters available, please contact us at 972-377-9724 for more information.

Q. How often should my system be checked?

A. In able to ensure your system maintains a maximum operating standard, our experts at Benchmark Air Conditioning & Heating recommend a thorough check-up at least twice a year. In doing so, we have designed our preventative maintenance agreement that will do exactly that! Our preventative maintenance agreement will provide two scheduled visits each year. You will also have the benefit of a priority status should you need a repair within your servicing year. Please refer to our preventative maintenance page of this site for further details.

Q. How do I pay for my new system?

A. At Benchmark Air Conditioning & Heating we are happy to provide a variety of payment options. We are happy to accept all major credit cards, personal checks and cash. We would like to thank you for our opportunity to serve you and we look forward to hearing from you in the near future!

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Q. How much am I overpaying on my utility bills?

For any system that is in excess of 10 years old, unfortunately you are paying an average of 30% more on your overall utility expenses due to a lack in efficiency standard. For example, by upgrading your unit which has a "SEER" rating of 10 "SEER" to a new updated system with a minimum of 13 "SEER" you will see a savings of at least thirty percent. An important point to remember is that when you upgrade to a 13 SEER or higher you must install an ARI matched system. Feel free to contact our experts at Benchmark Air Conditioning & Heating at 972-377-9724 for a free consultation.

We hope this page has been informational and provided us an opportunity to earn your trust. If you have any further questions please feel to contact Benchmark Air Conditioning & Heating at 972-377-9724 or you may also request services from this site.

Thank you for your interest in Benchmark Air Conditioning & Heating, we look forward to serving you soon!

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