Warranty :
Ordering & Purchasing :
Shipping :
Air Conditioning System Selection :
Package Unit System Selection :
Heat Pump System Selection :
Ordering & Purchasing:
Can buying direct from Discount Heat and Air really save me money on my next heating/ cooling system? Back
Our customers tell us that they saved hundreds, even thousands of dollars on their equipment purchase. Simply check prices from local contractors then check our price and judge for yourself.
Savings of as much as 70% have been reported to us by our customers. Depending on your local conditions, a total savings of 30-50% is not unusual at all.
My contractor told me that our state does not allow me to purchase air conditioning and heating equipment without a license. Is this true? Back
Absolutley not! Federal regulation does require an EPA certification to handle refrigerant but does not govern purchasing or installation. If you install your air conditioner simply have a certified professional complete the start up to comply with this law. No state has the power to regulate the sale of heating and air conditioning equipment. Each state will govern the installation procedures but none govern or restrict the sales channel.
My contractor told that these prices are possible only by selling closeouts, discontinued and outdated equipment. Is that true? Back
Each and every item we sell is the latest generation, brand new and factory fresh. We never purchase overstock or closeouts and will prominently identify them as such if we do, passing along even greater savings. Full factory warranty is always included.
Why are your prices so much lower? Back
Contractors have a very rough road to travel these days. Federal and local business regulations, workman's compensation and liability insurance, vehicle costs, and payroll expenses are at all time highs. You completely eliminate most of these suffocating expenses when you buy direct.
We have no expensive service vehicles and a much lower cost on a sale-by-sale basis so these tremendous savings are passed along to our customers.
General Info:
- I can't find what I need on your site. Do you offer other brands or equipment not shown? Back
We are constantly expanding and updating our products offerings. Please feel free to call us toll-free at 1-866-461-5804 if you need something not on our site.
Air Conditioning System Selection :
- Do your cooling systems come pre-charged? Back
Yes. All of the air conditioning systems we offer are pre-charged to allow for the volume of about 20 feet of refrigerant lines. You must have an EPA certification to handle refrigerant.
I need to purchase an air conditioning system. What will I need to know? Back
Central air conditioners are offered in 6000 Btu (one half ton) increments. Proper sizing is critical to function and humidity control. An undersized system will run longer than needed, decreasing your comfort. An oversized system (a more common problem) will "short-cycle" causing frequent on/off cycling.
The shorter run times don't allow for proper dehumidification and will increase your energy costs due to frequent power "spikes", as well as significantly decreasing the system life. You will also want to compare the seer ratings of the systems you are considering.
The higher the seer rating the lower your operating cost will be. As a general rule, each one point increase in the seer rating will reduce operating costs by about 10%. If you live in a humid climate, you should consider a variable speed indoor blower unit.
What is a SEER?
There are special names for the efficiency ratings of various types of equipment. Air conditioning equipment is rated by the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating, or SEER. The higher the SEER rating, the more efficient the unit.
General Installation:
- I see the terms "upflow", downflow", and "horizontal" used when describing furnaces and air handlers. What does this mean? Back
These three terms refer to the furnace air delivery configuration.
Upflow means that the supply (warm) air is delivered upward, off the top of the furnace into an overhead duct system.
Downflow means the supply air is delivered from the bottom of the furnace into a duct system beneath it.
Horizontal means the furnace will lay on its side for use in an attic or tight basement
Warranty Related:
- If my new system should stop working, whom should I contact? Back
All properly licensed local heating/cooling contractors are certified to diagnose and repair any brand of equipment.
What happens if my new system does not work after installation? Back
Simply have a licensed professional diagnose the problem. All parts are covered by warranty and are available for replacement free of charge with the exchange. Many initial problems are the result of an improper adjustment or wiring and should be initially addressed by the installer.
Does the warranty include labor? Back
The manufacturer's warranties do not include labor (with the exception of Coleman mobile home equipment). We recommend that you negotiate a first year labor warranty with the installer at the time of your estimate. Otherwise, in return for the substantial upfront savings realized from buying direct you do assume this small labor risk. The odds are greatly in your favor that you will not encounter any first year labor costs and even if you do, on balance, the decision to buy direct is still a wise one.
What if I need a warranty repair? Back
All of our equipment comes with the original factory warranty. Warranty parts can be obtained by a local contractor through a nationwide parts distribution network or directly from Discount Heat and Air. If you wish to have us replace a defective part for you simply have a contractor diagnose the problem and include a copy of their service invoice with your return part. The invoice should clearly state the nature of the problem and identify the failed part. We will promptly provide a replacement for you.
What is fastest possible way for me to get a defective part replaced from Discount Heat and Air? Back
If time is of the essence, then you may purchase the replacement part and we will ship it right out without having to wait to receive the defective part. When you return the defective part we will credit you in full, less shipping and handling.
I read that the warranty from Goodman is not valid for internet purchases. Is that true? Back
As with all of our equipment all of our Goodman systems are fully warranted if they are properly installed. This requires a startup and inspection by a licensed contractor. Goodman does not monitor how the system is purchased. They just want to be sure it is properly installed. Our Goodman supplier has committed to nationwide fulfillment for the full term of the warranty
Shipping Related:
- Do I need to be home to receive my order? Back
Yes. You will need to inspect it for damage prior to signing the freight bill. Your signature provides proof of delivery by the trucking company.
Do you notify me when my order ships? Back
We will email or call you once your order ships and provide full tracking information including the carrier name, phone number and your tracking number.
Will the carrier call me before delivering my order? Back
The carrier will call prior to delivery to a residential address. We do provide the tracking information for your order once it leaves our Customer care center as well. You may then contact the terminal if you like and make the arrangements for your delivery ahead of time.
Heat Pumps System Selection :
- What is a Heat Pump and how is it different? Back
A heat pump is a central air conditioning and highly efficient heating system that will "extract" heat from the air in the winter time for cost effective heating comfort in all but the most severe winter climates. The system actually "reverse-cycles" in the heating mode and captures heat from outside and "pumps" it into your home.
Unlike a furnace it doesn't burn fuel to make heat - It simply uses electricity to move heat from one place to another. In the cooling mode, an air conditioner or heat pump simply capture heat from inside your home and transfer it outside. In heating, a heat pump actually "reverse-cycles" and captures heat from outside and moves it inside. This process is more efficient than electric heat as it is much less expensive to transfer existing heat than to actually generate it.
There is usable heat in the air down to about 0 degrees Fahrenheit. It feels cold to us because our skin temperature is 98.6 degrees. A heat pump's heating capacity is rated at 47 degrees ambient (outside) temperature. As the outside temperature drops the heat pumps capacity drops in a linear fashion relative to the outdoor temperature.
Most heat pumps will produce about half of their rated capacity at 12 degrees ambient. An electric heating element provides supplemental heat to assist the heat pump as it's capacity declines. The heat pump monitors both the outdoor temperature and inside supply air temperature and energizes the assist as needed, automatically
How does the supplemental heat feature of a heat pump work? Back
Because the heat pump is located outdoors and is subject to the temperature conditions around it, the heating capacity of a heat pump will diminish as the outdoor temperature drops. The heat pump will measure the demand you are placing on it at the moment (your indoor temperature setting) and compare this to the outdoor temperature.
If the spread is high it will automatically energize the supplemental heating element to maintain the indoor thermostat setting you have selected.
I've heard that heat pumps don't work below a certain temperature. Is this true and if so, what is this temperature?
There is no certain temperature that a heat pump ceases to produce heat. The heating capacity of all heat pumps is rated at a standard 47 degrees. As the outdoor temperature drops, a heat pumps' ability to produce heat decreases in a linear fashion.
For example, let's use a 3 ton heat pump with a heating capacity of 35,000 Btu's for discussion. At 47 degrees outside temperature this heat pump will produce it's rated capacity of 35,000 Btu's. At 27 degrees outside temperature, it will produce about 22,500 Btu's.
When the outside temperature drops to 17 degrees it now produces about 18,000 Btu's. At this point the supplemental heating element will have energized automatically to restore the heat pump's ability to heat your home.
You can see that there is really isn't one temperature point at which it can be said the heat pump is no longer useful for heating. Instead, this decline is gradual and relative to the outdoor temperature. Speaking in general terms however, it can be said that in very cold climates a heat pump may not be the best choice for heating.
Package Units System Selection :
- How do I determine if I need a split system or package unit? Back
The vast majority of homes have a split system. These are advantageous because the blower unit can be centrally located for better air distribution.
A package unit is normally used for homes on an elevated crawl space, mobile homes or for roof-top installations or anywhere that an indoor furnace is not desirable because of space or closet limitations.
Where and how are package units most commonly used? Back
Package units are commonly used in mobile homes or homes on an elevated crawl space where there is limited indoor space for the indoor section of a split system. Best uses include structures where the ductwork is located beneath the home and for roof-top installations.
How is a "split system" different from a "package" unit? Back
A split system simply means that the equipment is "split" into two separate indoor and outdoor components. If you have a furnace inside your home and an air conditioner outside in the yard, you have a split system.
A package unit means your heating and cooling system is self-contained in one outdoor unit. If your ductwork connects directly to your outdoor unit, then you have a package unit. |
