We Have Answers For Your Frequently Asked Questions

No matter what your HVAC questions are, the techs at Air Max HVAC Inc in Burbank and surrounding areas have answers. Whether you have questions about choosing new HVAC equipment to best practices on care and maintenance, we can assist. Our online FAQs answers provide a fast response for your convenience, but if you want to know more on any topic, don’t hesitate to give us a call at 818-436-0006.

  • Why does my home comfort system need regular maintenance?

    Just like you need to take your car in to the shop for routine tune-ups, such as oil changes or looking at possible problems, your home comfort system should receive the same kind of attention. Scheduled maintenance by a trained technician provides a variety of benefits to your HVAC equipment, which can help your systems work efficiently and prevent costly breakdowns.
  • Where can I find prices for Lennox products?

    Call Air Max HVAC Inc at 818-436-0006 to get a comprehensive quote on Lennox equipment.
  • What is two-stage heating?

    With two-stage heating, furnaces may work on two different levels: high and low. Since you can heat your home on the low setting a majority of the time, a two-stage furnace can work longer and more efficiently. Two-stage heating also runs more quietly than traditional furnaces and can provide more even heat distribution and fewer temperature swings.
  • What is Prescise™ Comfort technology?

    Lennox’s Precise Comfort™ technology is an operating and control system that enables a furnace to adjust heat and airflow by incredibly small amounts, as low as a 1 percent change. The system is automatic and operates similar to cruise control, making adjustments gradually to meet your comfort demands with energy efficiency.
  • Will my new furnace work differently than my old one?

    Depending on how old your previous furnace was, you could experience a number of differences. Furnaces today are created to give more even and efficient heating than ever before. Modern furnaces also better regulate temperature and air flow, moving more air over the heat exchanger than older furnaces.

    Additionally, new furnaces are designed to integrate with other high-efficiency HVAC products, such as air conditioners. The air conditioner blowers offer your heating system an extra boost so it can deliver cool air around your home efficiently. Special features like variable speed motors will also help lessen noise associated with operating your equipment and easily meet your family’s airflow needs.

  • What is the energy efficiency standard for air conditioners?

    The Department of Energy recently increased the minimum efficiency levels for air conditioners, heat pumps and packaged units manufactured after Jan. 1, 2015, since heating and cooling contributes significantly to a home’s total energy usage. The requirements vary by region, so call Air Max HVAC Inc for the efficiency standards for Burbank and surrounding areas.
  • How can I reduce my energy costs?

    Heating and cooling makes up a significant portion of your monthly utility bill. Getting new HVAC equipment with high efficiency ratings, such as SEER for air conditioners and AFUE for furnaces, is a simple step that can go a long way in lowering energy output. Beyond these ratings, also consider:

    • Routine maintenance – regularly having an expert tune-up your equipment will keep it working at its peak potential.
    • Adding a zoning system – by focusing your heating and cooling on the rooms you use most frequently, you won’t have to pay to heat or cool areas of your home that aren’t used often.
    • Installing a programmable thermostat – the Department of Energy estimates that a programmable thermostat can reduce heating costs by up to 35 percent and cooling costs by up to 25 percent. Leave it up to your thermostat to turn down the heat when you’re gone and go back to your preferred temperature when you’re home.
  • Why should I buy a Lennox product?

    There are a number of reasons to choose Lennox, but the top three are:

    • You know and trust the name – Lennox is well-known around the world for its quality home comfort products.
    • Innovation and high quality – Lennox is an industry leader, offering a complete line of innovative solutions for your home comfort needs.
    • Commitment to excellence – We are devoted to providing customers not only quality products, but also quality service. You can trust Lennox dealers, like those of us at Air Max HVAC Inc, to help you identify the right system for your home, expertly install it, and keep it operating smoothly every time.
  • How can I improve my home’s indoor air quality?

    Improving your home’s indoor air quality starts with four basic strategies:

    • Eliminate – poor indoor air quality leaves your home filled with air pollutants floating around your home, so to improve IAQ, the first step is to eliminate as many pollutants as possible. You can easily do this is by cleaning and vacuuming at least once a week, routinely washing linens and storing cleaning products safely.
    • Ventilate – proper insulation is great for keeping your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer, but it also makes it difficult for airborne pollutants to escape. Products like our Healthy Climate® ventilation system help swap out stale air for fresh, filtered outside air.
    • Clean – good ventilation and routine cleaning are a start, but Healthy Climate® air filters, germicidal lights and PureAire™ purification systems take your IAQ to the next level by capturing microscopic particles, killing germs and removing particles and germs while destroying chemical vapors.
    • Monitor – programmable thermostats will help you control the humidity levels and temperature to help prevent particles and germs from accumulating and keep your home comfortable.
  • How do I know which indoor air quality product will work best for my home?

    Our Healthy Solution Finder lets you select details specific to your family and home and will help you find equipment best suited to meet your needs. You may also consult with Air Max HVAC Inc experts who can make a recommendation based on their evaluations of your home and your current indoor comfort system.
  • How does an air conditioner work?

    You may be surprised to learn that air conditioners don’t technically make your home cooler; they actually remove the hot air and direct it outside. This hot air moves across a refrigerant coil on the indoor unit and then is sent to the outdoor unit where it is released. Your air conditioner pushes as much hot air outside as is necessary to reach the temperature you have set on your thermostat.
  • What is the minimum energy efficiency standard for air conditioners in my state?

    Minimum energy efficiency standards can vary by geographic location. Additionally, air conditioners, heat pumps and packaged units made after Jan. 1, 2015, have higher minimum efficiency levels than equipment manufactured prior to that date. The team at Air Max HVAC Inc can help you determine the minimum requirements for Burbank and surrounding areas, let you know if your current systems meets those requirements or help you find a replacement air conditioner that does.
  • How can I confirm the model and serial numbers for my cooling unit?

    Your system’s service panel will have a white label on it, with your system’s model and serial numbers at the top. M/N stands for model number and S/N is the serial number.
  • What size equipment do I need for my home?

    Since equipment size needs vary by home, the best way to figure out the right size equipment for your home is to have a technician from Air Max HVAC Inc come out to perform load calculation tests. The tests take factors such as square footage, insulation value and amount, and more into account to determine your home’s HVAC equipment needs.
  • Can frost, ice, dirt or other debris keep the outdoor unit of my cooling system from operating effectively?

    Yes – debris can limit your system’s ability to function effectively. It’s normal for heat pumps to have frost or ice on them in the colder months, but many include defrost controls so they can work efficiently regardless of the weather conditions.
  • What is two-stage cooling?

    When an air conditioner uses two-stage cooling, it means that there are two levels of operation. This allows the system to work as efficiently as possible since there is one level for milder weather and a second for harsher weather that demands the system work harder. Two-stage cooling also enables almost unnoticeable temperature changes so you don’t experience extreme differences in temperature. Aside from better efficiency, other benefits of two-stage cooling include quieter operation and better humidity control.
  • Why is my cooling unit freezing up?

    When your cooling unit freezes up, there are a number of reasons why it could be doing so. The most typical reasons include: dirty filters, low refrigerant, a dirty evaporative coil and a faulty blower motor or relay. A dirty filter is something you can fix as a homeowner, but the others need to be fixed by a professional like those at Air Max HVAC Inc. Contact them at 818-436-0006 with any additional questions.
  • What is the best thermostat to use for my cooling system?

    Air Max HVAC Inc has a number of great thermostat options for your HVAC systems. The best thermostat for you will depend on a variety of variables, such as whether you want one that’s programmable or not. No matter what kind of thermostat you’d like – or if you’re looking for something that can fit with a home automation system – call Air Max HVAC Inc to hear about which thermostats you can choose from. Our team will help you find one that fits with your system, your family’s needs and your budget.
  • What is a heat pump?

    A heat pump covers both your home’s heating and cooling needs, offering you one HVAC system that can be used in all four seasons. In the warmer months, heat pumps act like an air conditioner, capturing the hot air from inside your home and moving it outside; in the cooler months, this process is reversed. Heat pumps can be very energy efficient and may produce two to three times more heat than the energy used.
  • When replacing the outdoor unit, should the indoor unit also be replaced?

    At Air Max HVAC Inc, we do recommend replacing both your indoor and outdoor units at the same time because:

    • Outdoor systems are now built to work with their matching indoor system for the most efficiency. When you replace only one of your systems, you may not see the same energy savings as if you had replaced them together.
    • Thanks to technological improvements, newer systems mean increased efficiency. This is true for HVAC products as well. While the advancements focus on greater heating and cooling efficiency, they also include benefits such as better air handling, filtering and noise reduction.
    • If your heating and cooling systems are more than 10 years old, they need to be replaced. Older models have outdated technology that is likely contributing to higher energy bills due to poor efficiency. So by replacing your indoor system at the same time as your outdoor equipment, both your systems will provide better energy efficiency that helps you decrease your energy bills and keep your home more comfortable.
  • Can I see whether my solar HVAC system is performing at its full potential?

    Yes. Your SunSource® Home Energy System has a communication module that sends the system’s performance data to a website. The website includes information about your system’s status, energy production and environmental benefits, as well as carbon offsets in real time.
  • Does the SunSource® communication module use an Internet connection?

    Yes, you will need an Internet connection if you want to utilize the system’s online monitoring system. The system allows you to view energy production and environmental information. The monitoring service is provided free of charge for five years, and the performance-monitoring website is maintained by an independent third party, Enphase Energy Inc.
  • Do I need to clean off my solar modules?

    Rain will clean the modules automatically in most areas; however, if you live in a dusty area, you might see improved performance after periodically spraying the modules with water. Please note that high-pressure hoses and detergents should never be used to clean solar modules, as they can damage the product.
  • Which thermostat is best for my HVAC system?

    Air Max HVAC Inc can help suggest the right thermostat for you based on your home and current heating and cooling equipment. We have a variety of programmable and nonprogrammable thermostats, which can help improve the efficiency of your home’s furnace and/or air conditioner. Take a look at our thermostats or give us a call at 818-436-0006 for more information.
  • How can I improve my utility costs?

    Your heating and cooling equipment can contribute significantly to your monthly energy expenses. However, these costs can be lowered with innovative and high efficiency products from Lennox®. Look for high SEER and AFUE ratings when you’re searching for a new air conditioner or furnace, respectively, as higher SEER and AFUE ratings signify higher efficiency products. If you’re not looking for new heating and cooling equipment, consider factors such as: 1. Maintenance: Furnaces, air conditioners and other HVAC equipment run more efficiently when they are regularly maintained. 2. Zoning: When portions of your home are rarely used, you’re spending more money to heat or cool them to the same temperature as the rest of the house. A zoning system enables you to section off different parts of your home and control the temperature by each area. 3. Programmable Thermostats: Programmable thermostats could help you reduce your heating costs by 35 percent and your cooling costs by 25 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
  • Why should I buy a zoning system?

    A zoning system allows you to divide your home and heat or cool each area differently. While these systems work well for homes that have areas that are rarely used, they could also be beneficial in situations where you and your family can’t agree on the temperature in certain areas of your home. There are a collection of additional benefits of zoning systems, including efficiency and comfort. Look through our selection of zoning systems or give Air Max HVAC Inc a call to see how a zoning system could work for your home.
  • Additional Questions/Resources Such as the Below Can Be Found On Our Blog!

    How To Care For Your AC System
    When Should Air Conditioner Maintenance Take Place
    Furnace Efficiency Tips
    Protect Your Home With Proper HVAC Service