FAQs

What size furnace and A/C do I need and how much will it cost?

We offer free whole house estimates to determine the size and provide a no obligation proposal. We will work with you to determine the best system that will work for your needs.

I have allergies, what is the best filter?

Developed during W.W.II to remove radioactive particles from the air in manufacturing plants, a HEPA filter would be superior. Our HEPA will remove 99.97% of all particles 0.3 microns or smaller that pass through it.

What are the different types of heating systems?

Heating systems come in all sizes, types and fuels. You can check out a brief history of heating. In residential systems there are basically two different distribution systems, forced air (ductwork) and radiation (baseboards). These systems can be fueled by one or more of electricity, natural gas, LP propane, oil, hot water, steam, geothermal, heat pump or wood. For most purposes you can categorize home heating systems into two broad categories, furnaces and boilers. Generally speaking furnaces heat air and use a system of fans and ductwork to move that air around the house. Boilers heat water and use a circulator pump and piping to move the water through radiators, thus heating the home. Furnaces come in all shapes, sizes, efficiencies and fuels. The most common furnace in urban areas is a forced air, natural gas unit. In rural areas, or areas that do not have access to natural gas pipelines, furnaces often use propane or electricity to produce heat. Regardless of the fuel all residential furnaces work on the same principle. A fuel is burnt in a heat exchanger to produce heat. Air is then passed over the heat exchanger where it picks up heat, the air is then delivered to the house through a ductwork system. Furnaces are often classified according to efficiencies. You’ll often hear furnaces being referred to as Standard, Mid and High Efficient units. The efficiency is determined by the furnace’s AFUE . According to the Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Energy a Standard furnace is one whose AFUE is below 70%, a Mid Efficient furnace is one whose AFUE is between 71% and 82% and a High efficient furnace is one whose AFUE is above 90.

Is there anything special I need to do to get my heating system ready for winter?

Most heating systems are quite reliable and will provide you with quick, comfortable heat when you need it, providing you take good care of the system. We recommend that you check out your furnace, to make sure it is working properly, BEFORE the first cold night hits. If you have air conditioning you should shut it down and cover it for the winter. Follow these easy steps: • Clean or change your furnace filter • If your furnace or boiler has a pilot light, make sure it is on. • Some homes are equipped with a “FRESH AIR INTAKE” that brings in fresh air from the outside for combustion. If your home has one, make sure it is not blocked and clean the outside lint trap. • Set your furnace to the “heat” position and turn up the thermostat. • Allow your furnace to run through a couple of cycles to make sure it is working properly. • Do a quick visual inspection of the furnace area to make sure there are no items that could interfere with air flow or combustion. • Call us to arrange for a professional cleaning and inspection.

Is annual maintenance really necessary?

YES! Your heating system is a finely tuned piece of machinery that is designed to squeeze the most heat from your energy dollars. Your heating system operates for months on end and if one of the components of that system is not working in harmony with the rest of the furnace, you are losing efficiency and money. Annual maintenance inspections often spot small problems before they become large, and very expensive repairs. Annual maintenance can also spot dangerous operating conditions that could lead to production of carbon monoxide, which could be a potentially deadly situation. A comprehensive annual maintenance and safety inspection takes time and should be performed with care.

How often should I clean or change my furnace filter?

How often you change your furnace filter will depend on the type of filter you use, and how you operate your furnace. Select the type of filter you use from the list below to find out what you should be doing. DISPOSABLE FILTERS – Disposable filters should be changed every 6 to 8 weeks. A lot of people try cleaning these filters but they are not really meant to be cleaned and may actually become even less efficient. Disposable filters are not very efficient and provide only a basic amount of air cleaning. If you run your furnace fan continuously, cleaning should be performed every 3 to 4 weeks. WASHABLE FILTERS – Washable filters should be cleaned every 6 to 8 weeks for normal use. If you run your furnace fan continuously, wash filters every 3 to 4 weeks. When you wash your filter be sure to inspect it for wear and tear. HAMMOCK – Hammock filters are not meant to be washed and should be replaced every 8 to 10 weeks. When you purchase a replacement hammock filter it may be a little larger than the metal frame it’s attached to. Install the filter on the frame and then trim off the excess. ELECTROSTATIC AIR CLEANER – Electrostatic air cleaners must be cleaned monthly. To clean them first vacuum the nylon media and then rinse the filter with water. Be sure to rise the filter in the opposite direction from the air flow. ELECTRONIC AIR CLEANER (EAC) – The most important thing to remember about electronic air cleaners is to keep them clean. EACs are very efficient until the cells get dirty and then lose a lot of their efficiency. When cleaning the cells be careful not to break any of the thin wires that run along the outside of the cells. If one of these wires break, the cell current will be broken and will not work. Do not forget to clean the small prescreens as well. LARGE PLEATED MEDIA FILTER – This is the easiest filter to clean. All you have to do is replace the media cartridge annually. Arrange to have your cartridge replaced at the same time as you have your annual maintenance performed.

What are the different types of air conditioners?

CENTRAL Air Conditioners: – Central air conditioning units will cool a large area by using an air distribution system. The most common application is to add a central air conditioning unit to an existing forced air furnace. basement or attic.

What is the life expectancy of a typical air conditioner?

Life expectancy is one of those things that will vary widely from location to location. Generally speaking units in cooler climates tend to last 15 to 18 years.

What people are saying

  • Ryan Heating and Cooling provided us an energy audit for our newly purchased home. Over the last three years Ryan has installed a high efficiency boiler, two new air conditioning units and air handler, and sprayed our roof deck with foam. The work was solid with attention to detail. We have been very pleased with the energy efficiency of our home after following the findings of the energy audit.

    Everyone at Ryan has been courteous and great to work with. Unlike many of the other contractors utilized for various jobs in our home, we were always able to get a hold of Ryan, even on weekends, if there were ever any issues.

    Very pleased and highly recommend this team for any heating and cooling needs.

    Jeffrey Nau
  • We have used Ryan Heating & Cooling for years. They fixed an existing problem from a previous heating contractor. Later, they installed a new HVAC system which worked terrifically.

    They have been doing our service for years as well. The maintenance agreement is a good deal. It includes service twice a year and really does cover emergencies. The entire staff is knowledgeable and friendly. We’ve always been happy with the work and the response time.

    I wish everyone I use for home services were as good as these people.

    Chris Welker
  • Technician showed up right in time. Very courteous and respectful. Good experience for the second year in a row. Will continue to use this company.

    Phillip Craven
  • They were on time getting here. They did a great job letting us know what they were going to do while cleaning out our furnace and what if anything needed fix. Thanks guys keep up the great work.

    Kristyn Gaskins