Frequently Asked Questions

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much do you charge per hour?

How do I know which contractors are good and which aren't?

Do you subcontract your installation or do you have your own men?

Are your servicemen paid hourly or on commission?

Do you have an office or address where I can reach you or do you work out of your house?

Do you have a service department staffed with people or is there just an answering machine?

Are your servicemen trained? Do they wear company uniforms? Do you have your name and other information on your trucks?

Why should I maintain my HVAC system?

I think I need a new HVAC system. How can I know for sure?

How do I know which kind of system I need?

How do I know which equipment is best?

Why is my unit icing-up? I have frost on the coil and copper tubing.

Is it really necessary to match my condensing unit and outdoor coil?

Why is water leaking through my ceiling (or onto my floor)?

How often should filters be cleaned or replaced?

My thermostat has an "auto" setting and an "on" setting? Which do I use?

How do I know what a fair price is for the work I need done?

How does my central air conditioner work?

Why is maintenance so important to my HVAC system?

My current system isn't cooling my home. Does that mean I need a bigger system?





How much do you charge per hour?

Air Force One Air Conditioning charges by the service, not the hour. That's the only fair way to charge a customer because different jobs will take different amounts of time, due to weather conditions, location of the unit, experience of the technician, etc.

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How do I know which contractors are good and which aren't?

The most important feature to look for in a HVAC contractor is that they are licensed by the State of Texas. Our license number is TACLA1761C and you can check us out at www.license.state.tx.us. Air Force One Air Conditioning has been in business since 1992 and our owner, Danny Sides, has been licensed since 1973. We're not going anywhere. So, when you have problems in the hottest part of summer or the coldest part of winter, you can call us and know that we'll still be there. You're welcome to call us for references as well. Be sure and check us out on Angie's List, too. We're proud to say we won the coveted Angie's List Super Service Award in 2005 and 2006. We live up to our motto, "Installed With Pride/Serviced With Pride".

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Do you subcontract your installation or do you have your own men?

Air Force One Air Conditioning employees licensed HVAC installers - We do not subcontract our work.

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Are your servicemen paid hourly or on commission?

The servicemen at Air Force One Air Conditioning are paid by the hour. We don't offer commission to our servicemen to avoid the practice of selling unnecessary products or services to our customers.

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Do you have an office or address where I can reach you or do you work out of your house?

Air Force One Air Conditioning is located at 10226 Plano Road, #104, Dallas, TX 75238. We can be reached at 214-340-5522. You can also check us out at www.af1ac.com.

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Do you have a service department staffed with people or is there just an answering machine?

Air Force One Air Conditioning is staffed by actual people and our retail location is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM and on Saturday's from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM. The only time you will reach an answering machine during regular office hours is if all of our lines are busy at once. This can sometimes happen and when it does, we return your call as quickly as possible.

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Are your servicemen trained? Do they wear company uniforms? Do you have your name and other information on your trucks?

Air Force One Air Conditioning has fully trained servicemen, in uniform and in trucks marked with our name and contact information, as well as our Texas license number. We have continuous training for all staff, including the service personnel.

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Why should I maintain my HVAC system?

Even if your heating and air conditioning system is new or was built to go the distance, it has to be maintained in order to ensure that it continues to run properly. A properly maintained system will last longer with fewer breakdowns and also save you money every month through lower fuel bills. Much like a car, you won't notice any problems with your heating and air conditioning system until it stops running. An oil change for your car is much cheaper than the cost of a new engine. The same goes for your heating and air conditioning system. The cost of maintaining your system is much cheaper than having to repair or even replace it's parts.

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I think I need a new HVAC system. How can I know for sure?

Deciding when it's time to replace your overall system can be confusing. Following are a few guidelines to help you make your decision.

It's time to call Air Force One Air Conditioning if any of the following apply:

  1. You're A/C or heat pump is more than 10 years old or your furnace is more than 15 years old.
  2. If you're spending increasing amounts of money each year to maintain and repair your current system. When you are spending as much or more to maintain your current system as it would cost you to replace it, it's definitely time to consider a new HVAC system.
  3. If you're monthly bills are steadily increasing, then you're system isn't as efficient as it should be. A new system can pay for itself within a few years simply by the tremendous savings you should see on your energy bills.
  4. Humidity problems are caused by faulty equipment and/or leaky ductwork. This causes the air to dry out in the winter and become too humid in the summer. This is not only uncomfortable, but can create health hazards in your home. Leaky ducts can cause excessive dustiness in your home as well. If you've noticed an increase in allergy problems within your family, your system needs to be inspected for mold and dust. Some systems are more prone to these problems than others and replacing your current system with a healthier model will greatly reduce these health risks.
  5. You notice excessive noise. This can be caused by undersized duct systems or with indoor coil problems. A faulty indoor coil can also cause increased energy costs.
  6. There's no sense in cooling & heating an empty house. Air Force One Air Conditioning can design a system specific to the needs of you and your family. Installing a programmable thermostat can be one of the first steps to saving both energy and money. A programmable thermostat can be set to cool and heat your home when you need it, not when you're away from home.

Call Air Force One Air Conditioning and get started on a healthier, more cost efficient cooling and heating system today!

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How do I know which kind of system I need?

There are several factors that go into deciding what type of system is right for your home. If someone in your home suffers from allergies, filtration systems and humidifiers may be your best option. If energy savings and/or noise reduction are your main concerns, there are a wide range of systems that will meet your needs. Air Force One Air Conditioning can design a system that is specific to your home and family, which will offer quiet, energy efficient and healthy alternatives to your current system. Many decisions will affect the design of your new system, including the times of day your home is occupied; the type of energy your home uses, whether it's electric, oil or natural gas; and what you personally feel you need in a system, including quiet, energy efficiency and health needs. The first step in determining the system that is right for your needs is calling Air Force One Air Conditioning!

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How do I know which equipment is best?

There are many options in HVAC equipment. The needs of you and your family must be taken into consideration when deciding on the type of equipment best suited to your home. Call us today to discuss your options and to schedule an appointment for a free, on-site proposal.

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Why is my unit icing-up? I have frost on the coil and copper tubing.

There can be any number of reasons that your air conditioning system will freeze up, but proper maintenance will avoid this sometimes costly problem. Most often, freezing up is caused by either a lack of Freon or a lack of airflow. Air Force One Air Conditioning performs a comprehensive check of your system during our twice-yearly, seasonal check up and will measure and adjust, if necessary, the refrigerant in your system. There is an additional cost when we add Freon to your unit.

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Is it really necessary to match my condensing unit and outdoor coil?

Your central air conditioning system is a split system and consists of two parts; the indoor coil and the outdoor unit. They are designed to work together to provide maximum performance, efficiency and comfort. Since most systems are installed in a new home at the same time, they tend to wear out at the same time as well. It's therefore best to install matching indoor and outdoor units to insure top performance.

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Why is water leaking through my ceiling (or onto my floor)?

Have you had your roof replaced within the past few months and has it rained recently. If so, it could be a roof leak. Call your roofer, it should be under warranty. If the roof is not an issue, it may be an air conditioning problem. One of the functions of your air conditioning system is to dehumidify the air in your home. During times of high humidity, there will be a higher amount of water condensing in the air. Normally the water drains into the condensate pan and is disposed of by the condensate drain. If your drain system is clogged or your evaporator pan is rusted through, you could see water on your ceiling or floor. While a clog is very simple to repair, a rusted coil is a much more serious problem and can be quite costly. Let the experts at Air Force One Air Conditioning diagnose the problem and give you an exact cost of any repairs necessary.

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How often should filters be cleaned or replaced?

Your filters should be inspected each month and replaced when necessary. The more you use your system, the more often you will need to change your filters. A clogged and dirty filter will cost more in efficiency and comfort in the long run than simply checking them once a month. Our seasonal system check-up includes checking and replacing filters as necessary without additional charge, up to a certain size. We offer larger size filters at a reduced rate as well.

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My thermostat has an "auto" setting and an "on" setting? Which do I use?

The usual setting on your thermostat is "auto", which means the fan will operate only when the temperature requires it to. When the fan is set at "on", it will run constantly, without shutting off until you manually shut it off or by setting the thermostat to "auto" again.

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How do I know what a fair price is for the work I need done?

This is a difficult question to answer because there are many things that affect the cost of installing a new system in your home. Easier accessibility, such as in new construction, will reduce the time necessary to install a system. Also, homes with a basement or crawlspace allow for easier access, thereby reducing the hours necessary to complete the job. Adding, removing or reconfiguring ductwork will also take additional time, as will inspecting for leaks in your existing ductwork. At Air Force One Air Conditioning, we strive to offer excellent work at the best price possible. Sometimes, paying less at the outset will cost you more in the long run. Make sure you can trust your HVAC installer when discussing the expense of a new system for your home. Our promise is "Installed With Pride/Serviced With Pride" and we mean it!

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How does my central air conditioner work?

An air conditioning system consists of two parts; the outdoor unit - condenser, and the indoor unit - coil. The air conditioner moves heat from one place to another via Freon (refrigerant). The compressor in your outdoor unit pushes Freon into the evaporator coil. As it is compressed, it turns into gas, then as it passes through the evaporator coil it takes on the heat from the air circulating over the coil, thus cooling the air. The cooler air is then moved into your home. At the same time, the heat is absorbed by the Freon and is transported outside as the fan pulls air over the condensing coil in your outdoor unit. As the warm air is cooled inside your home, it cannot carry as much moisture as it did at a higher temperature. The excess moisture condenses and is carried away through a drain. Therefore, your air conditioner does double-duty as a dehumidifier in your home.

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Why is maintenance so important to my HVAC system?

Just like anything with moving parts, your expensive HVAC system won't last forever. But, you can stretch your dollars much further with proper preventative maintenance of your system. After all, it's much less expensive to have them checked twice a year than it is to replace them because proper maintenance wasn't maintained. At Air Force One Air Conditioning, we offer a comprehensive system check of your unit(s) twice a year, before the hot or cold weather has arrived. We also offer a Maintenance Agreement which will save you even more money when you pre-pay for two system checks at one time. So, don't get caught out in the cold (or the heat!) give us a call today!

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My current system isn't cooling my home. Does that mean I need a bigger system?

Do you need a bigger system to cool your home? Not necessarily. Failure to cool properly could be caused by many different factors, including poor installation, duct leaks, improper coolant levels, and dirty coils. It's not uncommon to actually replace a poorly functioning unit with a smaller one that's functioning properly.

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