Frequently Asked Questions

Check it monthly, and replace it when it looks dirty. If you aren’t sure, DOE suggests cleaning or replacing filters every month or two during the cooling season.

MERV is a filter efficiency rating. You should use the highest-rated filter your system can handle. If you’re not sure, we’d be happy to offer our own recommendation.

A good target is 30% to 50% indoor humidity. CDC also recommends keeping humidity no higher than 50% to help prevent mold.

For both comfort and energy savings, we suggest starting with 75–78°F during the day and raising the setpoint when you’re away.

We recommend annual pre-season checkups (cooling in spring, heating in fall). For heat pumps specifically, you should have one of our technicians service it at least once a year.

Yes. Leaky ducts can reduce heating and cooling efficiency by as much as 20% according to ENERGY STAR, and sealing can also help reduce pollutants pulled in from spaces like attics or crawlspaces.

It can happen briefly during a normal defrost cycle. If it happens often, lasts a long time, or comfort is poor, it is worth having a technician check airflow, controls, and the outdoor unit.

Proper sizing is done with an ACCA Manual J load calculation. In humid climates like we have in Chesapeake and Virginia Beach, avoiding oversizing also matters for better humidity control.

If your system is more than 10 years old, we recommend considering replacement, especially if repairs are frequent or performance is slipping. Check out our recent HVAC Replacement Cost Guide for more information.