Residential Cooling

The best and easiest thing any homeowner can do is make sure their air filters are changed and clean. Another precaution would be trimming the bushes and limbs surrounding your HVAC unit. This prevents debris from naturally entering the system and causing problems.

Homeowners can also utilize our Parthenon Partners program which includes two seasonal tune-ups for your HVAC (once in the spring and another in the fall), as well as 20% discounts on repairs, priority service and more!

Choosing the best air filter is relative to the homeowner’s desired result: less air particulates or greater unit efficiency.

The best filter to use to maximize efficiency and get the most air to your unit would be the cheapest, thinnest filter you could find. But if you have allergies or sniffles and sneezes, you’re going to want a filter with a higher MERV (minimum efficiency rating value) rating.

The higher the MERV rating, the thicker the filter and better ability to capture smaller particles out of the air. The lower the MERV rating, the thinner the filter and stronger air flow, but at the sacrifice of letting more microparticles circulate in your home.

Parthenon recommends checking your air filters every month. Whether it’s at the time of your electric or gas bill or on Filter Fridays (that’s the first Friday of every month), it’s important to have a monthly reminder to check them.

Most of the time, your air filter is going to be indoors at the air returns (or grills) located in your walls or ceilings. However, some homes may have a filter located in the actual unit.

If you have a filter at your unit, then you’ll want to refrain from using filters in your home, and vice versa, simply to prevent too much restriction of airflow to your unit.

AC tonnage in the heating and cooling industry refers to an HVAC’s ability to cool a home by removing heat. Tonnage depends on how many BTUs (British Thermal Units) your unit absorbs and removes per hour. The tonnage in average residential HVAC units can range from 1.5 tons, at its smallest, to 5 tons.

In its most basic calculation, tonnage is often determined by the square footage of a home. A general rule of thumb is 600 square feet per ton on an average home. However, square footage may only be one half of the qualifying criteria to determine tonnage. If you go by square footage alone, you may risk installing too much and having your unit frequently short-cycle, sacrificing home comfort.

For the most accurate measurement, you’ll want to have a load calculation performed by a licensed HVAC technician. On top of square footage, load calculations take into consideration the volume of the home, insulation efficiency, roof type, home elevation direction and other determining factors.

A load calculation will say how many BTUs you will lose in the winter versus how many BTUs are you going to gain in the summer. And based off those two numbers, an ideal tonnage size is determined.

For an accurate load calculation, contact Parthenon Plumbing Heating & Cooling by calling 615-298-2995.

Dirt caused the most HVAC issues. We often see dirty outdoor coils, dirty indoor coils, dirty filters and dirty drains. Most HVAC issues can be traced back to dirt that was allowed to get dirtier over time until reaching a critical mass and unit failure.

This is why Parthenon recommends two seasonal tune-ups a year: to keep your unit clean and prevent future issues if left untreated. Parthenon Partners is the best way to receive your tune-ups for a fraction of the cost, as well as receiving top priority and discounts on repairs, installs, and plumbing services!

Your unit can range in the noises it makes. Some noises, though unusual, are harmless whiles others are not. For units with a heat pump, defrost mode will often sound different from its normal heat mode. Depending on how much ice there is outside your unit, it can sound anywhere from a flushing toilet, whooshing of pressures, to a low throttling motorcycle. These noises will continue until the defrost is complete.

Noises of concern sound like metal against metal or screeching or grinding. If your unit sounds like that, it’s best to contact a professional as it is likely to indicate something is wrong.

A simple change in a unit’s performance might be the first sign a homeowner will notice, as temperatures in the home fail to keep at normal settings. Other signs to watch out for are unusual screeching sounds, burning smells that linger, and even higher than usual energy bills.

If you’re not sure what type of heating system you have, first consider your home utility bills. If you only have an electric bill, chances are you have a heat pump or straight electric-style unit. If you have a gas bill, it’s possible you could have a furnace, which utilizes fuel consumption to generate heat.

You can also use your home’s thermostat as an indicator. If you see an emergency (or auxiliary) heat setting on your thermostat, chances are likely that you’ve got a heat pump.

If you’re still not sure, a qualified HVAC technician can help you determine the type of system you have.

For Tennessee homes, Parthenon recommends a heat pump system because it is a simpler system with less parts to break, it’s eco-friendly, and it doesn’t require the additional installation of a gas line and vent. Ultimately, it comes down to the homeowner’s comfort preferences.

Some homeowners may not like heat pumps because they have a lower temperature discharge. Gas burns hotter in furnaces, and you can feel the difference at your registers.