Tips & Quips Blog

from the McCullough Man and His Dog Scottie

The Right Questions to Ask

The Right Questions to Ask. Choosing the right contractor means asking the right questions. This short video explains the basic questions you should always ask, and what the answers should be!

I Can't Afford Cheap

We all want a good deal, but when the price is too good to be true, there are often consequences for not digging deeper.

My friend works for an HVAC company and can install my system… Is this safe?

I can save a lot of money with their help. Is this a good idea? Your heating and cooling system is probably the most costly system you have in your home and affects your day to day comfort, your monthly energy bills, and even your home value.

How many bids should I get before I decide on a new system?

How to choose a great contractor… like us! Three bids are generally enough.

Look for the NATE Patch

Consumers demand technician excellence, and NATE-certified technicians deliver. What is NATE?

Am I paying too much for utilities?

Based on our years of experience, McCullough Heating & Air Conditioning has developed a rule of thumb that works well in most cases.

Won’t my carbon monoxide detector tell me when I need a new furnace?

Every home should have a carbon monoxide detector, but the fact that it is not going off doesn’t mean everything is safe.

Should I have a new programmable thermostat installed with my new system?

Programmable thermostats allow you to have the temperature raise and lower automatically at specific times each day.

How long should my old furnace and air conditioner last?

The answer to this question often depends on the equipment you have, how well it was installed, and how well it has been maintained.

I have a floor furnace now and want to add central air & heat. What will this cost?

This will depend on how involved it is to run ductwork, install the equipment, connect the flue (or install a new flue), connect the gas & electric, etc.

should I do a full replacement at one time

Should I replace my furnace and air conditioner at the same time?

It depends. If you plan to replace them within a few years of one another, special warranties, rebates, and financing (available with approved credit) that are often available with a complete system may make changing the complete system the best option.

What is a heat pump? Is it better than an air conditioner?

In the summer, a heat pump works in exactly the same way as an air conditioner, i.e., cooling your home or office by moving heat from the inside to the outside.

If Your AC Still Requires R-22, Save Money and Replace Your System

Repair or replace… that is the question. R-22 refrigerant (aka “Freon”), used as a refrigerant in the AC systems of most homes, businesses, restaurants and stores built before 2010, is being gradually phased out by the EPA under the Montreal Protocol.

What is SEER?

This stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating. The “size” of an air conditioner is rated in BTUs (British Thermal Units) or tons; however the “efficiency” of a system is rated in SEER.

Air Conditioning without air ducts?

Many people looking to install air conditioning in an older home or a specialized space like a sunroom or garage run into a big issue – there is no place to put the ductwork.