HVAC Equipment and Service

HVAC represents Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning. HVAC is commonly employed to describe the whole heating and cooling system including of the duct work, air filters, humidification controls, and registers.


Yes. Noisy heating and cooling equipmentadd to sound pollution.Even though no financial savings are tied to less sound in your home, the sound rating of a cooling system can have a considerable effect on comfort and enjoyment of your Charlotte home. The sound level of an air conditioner or heat pump depends on a variety of factors, such as the , and the degree to which the compressor is insulated can increase the amount of noise it makes.

Although many heating and cooling systems built today are quieter now more than ever, it's a safe  notion to compare sound ratings when shopping for a new air conditioner or heat pump, particularly if the equipment location is near bedrooms or living rooms.


A Service Call fee is a charge for the effort associated with the time and travel to diagnose, inspect and share expert recommendations for a home's heating or air conditioning system by a certified professional technician. Coupons for the Service Call fee are often available on our web site, in the Yellow Pages, or by email when joining our Email Club at the bottom of this page.

A popping noise is a typically sign of an under-sized duct design. It may be attributed to greater air flow than the duct work can handle. Have a qualified company analyze your home's ventilation system for proper design and recommend adjustments. Improper duct work layout can create a variety of ventilation and air quality problems, including: 

  1. excessive noise
  2. higher energy consumption
  3. lowered life of the system
  4. uneven heating & cooling throughout your home
  5. damaged compressor in summer
  6. overheated unit in the winter
In addition, if your ductwork is incorrectly sized you may have other concerns, such as leaky ducts and poor layout that restricts airflow. In humid environments this can promote mold growth within your ductwork.


The answer is, most likely yes. Here's why.

Matched System Design: All air conditioner and heat pump outdoor units are specially fabricated to work with a matched indoor unit for peak efficiency and performance. The outcome of this matched equipment is a synchronized, top-performance team that ensures dependability and efficiency. Air conditioner and heat pump outdoor units may ”run” with indoor units other than those for which they have been specially fabricated; however, the outcome would be a definite compromise in system performance.


Higher Cooling And Heating Efficiency: The cooling and/or heating efficiency ratings that are posted for an air conditioner or heat pump are based on their performance as matched systems. While changing only the outdoor unit may give you improved efficiency compared to the old system, but efficiency will be lacking from what it was designed to be, and your savings will be less than with a matched system.

Equipment Age: If an air conditioner or heat pump is 10 years old or more and needs to be replaced, the indoor unit is likely just as old and has been subjected to the same amount of degradation. Changing both units means you won't have to replace the indoor unit in a brief time period… you'll have many years of efficient service from both units.



Similar to a value menu at many restaurants, charging a flat rate cost as opposed to an hourly fee provides more value for our customers because nothing is excluded, the pricing is up-front, and it does not adjust. Regardless of the cost of parts or amount of time it takes to finish the repairs, the price will not change. This is one of the reasons why Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning is the most trusted name in Charlotte.


There are many items that can prompt your HVAC system to freeze up; most of them usually need to be corrected by a professional technician. Determining the air filter is clean or replaced and confirming the airflow is not restricted are about the only things a homeowner should safely identify or handle themself.





If you are changing your Charlotte area home air conditioner, furnace or heat pump, it is a good time to also install a new zoning system to solve hot and cold spots or special temperature needs in the home. When your new comfort equipment is coordinated by a zoning system, you will gain customized temperature control in each zone.


Saving Energy at Home

With energy costs going up, there are a few steps you can take to drive down the expenses of heating and cooling your home. HVAC equipment usually utlizies more energy than any other appliance in the home. This inevitably shows up every month on the energy bill, but it's important to remember that energy costs can be controlled in several ways.

Maintenance: One method to control energy costs is to schedule annual maintenance to make sure your furnace and air conditioner is running properly and efficiently. Operating dirty heating or cooling equipment can result in unnecessary loss of efficiency and may even damage the equipment.

High Efficiency: If you are in the market for a new home comfort system, consider investing in a high-efficiency system. They are designed to help reduce your energy costs as well as help conserve natural resources. When picking out a new home comfort system, pay close attention to the SEER rating of the air conditioner and the AFUE of the furnace. The higher the SEER or AFUE, the higher the efficiency and savings.

Zoning: Zoning can dramatically lower your heating costs. Zoning divides your home into separate comfort areas, which are heated or cooled based on the occupancy of the rooms. That means a zoning system allows each room in your home to potentially have its own temperature setting. With a zoning system, you no longer pay to heat or cool the space of your home that are rarely used, and your family gets the exact temperature you want in highly occupied rooms.


Indoor Air Quality

No, HVAC air filters vary by quality and size, and some have technology that others don't. Mostly we recommend using the filter your HVAC manufacturer recommends pairing up with your installed system, but you may be tempted to try some other filter type for convenience or to remove more debris from your residence.

Filters have MERV ratings, which range from 1-20. MERV is an acronym for "minimum efficiency reporting value". A higher MERV rating equates to fewer particles pass through, and it captures finer particulates. This sounds like a good thing, and it can be, but a filter that stops finer dust and dirt will also clog up quicker, and pressure on your HVAC equipment will increase. If your system has not been crafted to function with this kind of filter, it can actually reduce your airflow around your house, affecting your comfort and energy bills. So what should you do? Unless you're a hospital, you simply don't need a MERV rating above 13. Fun fact, most residential HVAC systems are specifically designed to work with a filter with a MERV rating below 13, and frequently you will discover that quality systems have been made to work with a MERV rating of 8 or 11. All filters with a MERV rating of five should eliminate most of the everyday nuisances people care about such as pollen, pet dander, and dust. While some filters claim to be able to catch mold spores, we recommend hiring a pro to clean out any mold from your residence you find, instead of trying to cover up the issue with a finer filter.

Often the packaging shows how often your filter ought to be replaced. There are one-month filters and there are 3-month filters. Additionally we have filters that are made flat like screen windows, and you have some that are pleated with supporting wire. In our experience, the accordian style filters fare better, and are worth it for the extra durability.

You could also consider washable filters, also known as reusable filters. Some homeowners like the environmentally friendly aspect of it, as they don't want to add to a landfill, and others believe it's more convenient to simply pull out the filter and wash it off rather than making a run to the local hardware store for a filter of the right size. These filters are often made to endure several years and will save you money over those years, though they are pricier initially. However, washable filters have to be dried out all the way before returning it back to eliminate mold growth in your ducts. In addition, most washable filters reportedly have a MERV rating between 1 and 4, and they lose their efficiency over the years. Some washable filters have been built with new tech, such as electrostatic air filters, that are meant to basically improve the MERV rating.

And lastly, filters are made of different materials. Fiberglass filters are what is bought most often, and are the disposable type. Polyester and pleated filters normally catch more debris, but also lessen the airflow in your residence. And there are high efficiency particulate arrestance filters, which you may know as HEPA. While you could be tempted to buy a HEPA filter, just consider that's like putting a MERV 16 filter in your HVAC system and it's highly unlikely that your system was constructed to handle that kind of resistance.













How often to change your air filters can depend on a few things:

  • the type of air filter you are using
  • the overall indoor air quality
  • how many pets are in the home
  • the number of people occupying the home, and
  • the level of air pollution and construction around the home

For basic 1"-3" air filters, manufacturers usually recommend to change them every 30-60 days. If you suffer from light to moderate allergies, you could upgrade the air filter or change them every few weeks. Or, if you're in a more remote area or less occupied home (like a vacation home) and there are fewer cars around, annually may be quite sufficient.


  • "Average" suburban home without pets: every 90 days
  • Add a dog or cat: every 60 days

Yes. Carbon monoxide is an invisible threat to health and safety in the home. Though more commonly connected to fireplaces and vehicle emissions, carbon monoxide poisoning could be a danger in any home unless certain precautions are taken.

During heating season, people are confined indoors with unusually dry air during a long period each year. Humidifiers help to keep comfortable levels of moisture, and properly maintained levels of humidity are beneficial for your respiratory system. Whole-house humidifiers work like your more typical room humidifiers. They put moisture into the air, making harsh, dry air much easier to breathe. And whole-house humidifiers automatically humidify the entire home, no more moving a humidifier from room to room, spilling water on the floor as you go.



Unfortunately, the symptoms of carboxyhemoglobin saturation are easily overlooked because they they tend to be flu-like. With mild exposure, most commonly you may experience headaches, fatigue and nausea. Medium exposure can cause a severe throbbing headache, drowsiness, disorientation, confusion and an accelerated heart rate. Extreme exposure could even cause unconsciousness, convulsions, cardiorespiratory failure, coma and possibly death.

Prevention is the most important step. Taking proper safety steps will reduce your risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Because cars and trucks are a major cause of carbon monoxide poisoning, always take your car out of the garage to let it warm up. Never leave it going in the confined space of a garage. The same holds true for lawn mowers or snowmobiles.

Never use ovens or grills as heating devices. These items are designed to be safe and efficient and not produce substantial amounts of carbon monoxide. However, it is important to check all combustion appliances to be sure they are operating properly and to be sure that all chimneys and vents are connected properly and not blocked. Schedule annual maintenance by a qualified technician to check the condition of these appliances.

Many everyday household items may contribute to poor indoor air quality. Compounds found in carpeting, furniture, upholstery and drapery fabric constantly emit gases or fumes. Other sources of pollutants are cleaning agents, paint and personal care products.

Though they are typically more efficient, modern homes do not breathe (ventilate) the way older homes have. Tight-sealing weather stripping and storm doors keep indoor air in and outdoor air out. This provides higher energy savings, but the limited exchange of outdoor and indoor air can mean a buildup of contaminants on the inside of the house. In these circumstances, a whole home ventilation system is recommended. Ventilation systems exchange poor indoor air for fresh outdoor air, without sacrificing energy savings.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas that is generated by the incomplete combustion of fuels such as wood, natural gas, gasoline, diesel, kerosene, coal and charcoal. It is caused by lack of oxygen or a disruption in the burning process. Household items such as a furnace, water heater, stove, space heaters, charcoal grill and gas dryer can be sources of carbon monoxide, especially if they are not maintained properly or have been installed improperly. Vehicle exhaust fumes from attached garages, as well as improperly operating fireplaces may also be a source of carbon monoxide. CO is poisonous to the body and is fatal at high levels or with long exposure.

Indoor Air Quality is a term used to explain the level or amount of air pollution that exists inside a house or building, particularly occupied areas or rooms. Exposure to air pollutants can be up to 100 times higher indoors than outdoors, and the American Lung Association estimates that most people spend 90% of their time indoors. So the IAQ level and IAQ products that help to improve air quality and eliminate indoor air pollution have become an important factor for many families, especially those suffering from allergies and respiratory issues.

Installing a humidifier is usually an easy job when you upgrade your furnace. But you can also have a humidifier fitted to your existing heating and cooling system. Periodic cleaning and draining of the reservoir is strongly recommended to maintain the system. Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning can provide maintenance on the humidifier as needed, or proactively as part of our PLUS Maintenance Agreement. Call for more information about humidifier maintenance or for a free estimate on a new humidification system.

We suggest that a home's humidity level be between 30 and 60 percent. However, during extremely cold weather, a home loses humidity to the outdoors and the level may drop to as low as 10 percent. When humidity levels drop, it’s best to have a whole-home humidifier to help ensure that the proper level of moisture is distributed throughout the house. Not having enough moisture in the air can cause dryness in the membranes of the nose, throat and bronchial tubes and can be the source of several health-related problems. Relative humidity also has a significant effect on controlling the occurrence of airborne infections.

Dry air contributes to making your throat feel dry or aggravate respiratory ailments. During cold winter months, your home rapidly loses its humidity to the outdoors. Humidity levels could be reduced down to 10 percent. The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) recommends that homeowners maintain a humidity level between 30 and 60 percent.
