FAQ’s

Your Trusted HVAC Experts with 17 Years of Excellence

Common Queries

Frequently Asked Questions

Choosing the Right System

How important is it to get the right size of heating and cooling equipment?
Choosing the right size for your HVAC equipment is essential for maintaining comfort and optimizing energy usage in your home. Oversized heating and cooling units may run less frequently, but they operate in short bursts, leading to poor humidity control and noticeable temperature swings. This frequent cycling also results in inefficiency, causing increased energy consumption and wear on the system.

On the other hand, an undersized unit will struggle to maintain comfortable temperatures, particularly during extreme weather conditions. This lack of capacity can lead to inadequate heating or cooling, leaving your home uncomfortable when you need it most.

At National Refrigeration LLC, we understand the importance of getting HVAC sizing just right. Our experts assess your home’s unique needs to ensure that the system we install is perfectly matched to provide consistent comfort, efficient performance, and energy savings all year round.

How Do I Determine the Right Size HVAC System for My Home?
Determining the Right Size HVAC System for Your Home
There’s no one-size-fits-all formula for selecting the ideal HVAC system size for every home. Depending on your home’s construction, a single ton of air conditioning can effectively cool anywhere from 300 to 800 square feet. The best way to ensure that your system is properly sized—large enough to keep you comfortable but not oversized, which would lead to inefficiencies—is to have a licensed professional assess your home’s specific heating and cooling requirements.

At National Refrigeration LLC, our experts conduct a detailed in-home energy evaluation to recommend the ideal HVAC systems for your home’s needs and budget, ensuring maximum comfort and efficiency.

How do I know if my AC unit is big enough?

When choosing a replacement HVAC system, it’s crucial to ensure the system is properly sized to meet your specific needs and budget. A larger system doesn’t always mean better performance; in fact, an oversized unit can lead to inefficiency and comfort issues. At National Refrigeration LLC, our specialists conduct a comprehensive assessment of your home and comfort requirements to determine the right size for your system, ensuring it operates efficiently and keeps you comfortable all year long.

Service & Maintenance

Is a system with more capacity better?
No, a larger heating system doesn’t mean better comfort—it often means higher operational costs and decreased efficiency. Air conditioners are least efficient when starting up, and a system with too much capacity will frequently turn on and off in short cycles, leading to wasted energy and increased wear. Moreover, since air conditioners remove humidity only when running, shorter cycles result in poor humidity control, reducing overall comfort in your home. Properly sizing your system is key to achieving both efficiency and comfort.
What does SEER mean?
SEER, or Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, is a standard measure of an air conditioning system’s efficiency. It indicates how effectively the unit converts energy into cooling over an entire cooling season. Simply put, the higher the SEER rating, the more energy-efficient the system is, resulting in greater energy savings and better performance.
What regular maintenance do AC and heating systems need?

Maintaining unrestricted airflow is the most crucial aspect of HVAC maintenance. Dust, dirt, and debris can significantly hinder your system’s efficiency and lead to costly repairs. It’s essential to keep filters clean and ensure that both indoor and outdoor units, including heat exchangers and coils, remain free of obstructions.

To keep your system running smoothly, we recommend having your heating and cooling equipment inspected and serviced twice a year—ideally in the spring and autumn. Additionally, changing your filter regularly, based on the type you use, can prevent many common issues and significantly lower the risk of major system failures.

Why do I need to change my filter regularly?

Replacing your filters regularly is essential to keep your heating and cooling system running efficiently and to maintain good indoor air quality. Clean filters help ensure proper airflow and reduce the presence of dust, allergens, and germs in your home. Depending on the type of filter, replacements may be needed on a weekly or monthly basis. At National Refrigeration LLC, our technicians will provide expert recommendations on the best filters and replacement schedules to suit your system’s needs, ensuring peak performance year-round.

How Can I Tell if My HVAC System Is Working Properly?

To determine if your system is functioning as it should, ask yourself the following questions: Is it making strange noises? Is it cooling or heating your home evenly? Has it started taking longer to reach the desired temperature? Have you noticed an unexpected increase in your utility bills? These are all signs that your HVAC system may need servicing. Addressing issues promptly can prevent them from escalating into more costly problems. If you notice anything unusual, be sure to contact National Refrigeration LLC for a thorough system check.

Is Your Home Too Humid?

Excessive humidity in the summer or dryness in the winter can often be traced back to poor equipment performance, improper installation, incorrectly sized units, or leaky ductwork. If you’re experiencing uncomfortable humidity levels, National Refrigeration LLC can conduct a Complete Home Evaluation to identify and address the root cause, helping you maintain a comfortable indoor environment year-round.

How Often Should I Replace My Filters?

Generally, National Refrigeration LLC recommends replacing disposable filters at least once a month. If you have washable filters, they should be cleaned monthly. Our service technician can recommend the ideal replacement schedule to ensure optimal efficiency and filtration for your specific system.

What Maintenance Can I Perform on My AC or Heating System?

While most maintenance tasks should be handled by a qualified technician, there are a few things you can do to help keep your system running smoothly:

• Keep outdoor units clear of debris, clutter, and weeds to ensure proper airflow.
• Be cautious when using weed trimmers near the unit to avoid damaging control wiring.
• Keep pets away from the unit, as pet urine can lead to costly damage.

Taking these simple steps can help maintain optimal performance for your HVAC system.

How Often Should I Schedule AC Maintenance?

 It’s recommended to have your air conditioning system professionally serviced at least once a year, ideally in the spring or early summer. Regular maintenance ensures your system runs at peak efficiency and allows technicians to identify potential issues before they become major problems, helping to prevent unexpected breakdowns during the hottest months.

General Questions

What Should I Check Before Calling for HVAC Service?
Before calling for service, make sure to check the following:

• Ensure the air conditioner or furnace is turned on.
• Verify that the breakers and disconnects are switched on.
• Confirm that the thermostat is set correctly.
• Take note of any unusual noises or odors coming from the system.

These simple checks can help determine if there is an issue that can be easily fixed or provide important information for your technician.

Do You Offer Same-Day Service?
Yes! Most of our services are available for same-day scheduling. If we’re unable to reach you on the same day, we’ll do our best to get to you as soon as possible. We understand the importance of having a functioning AC in the intense Valley heat, and we’re committed to restoring your comfort quickly.
Should I Repair or Replace My HVAC Unit?
If your AC system is over 10 years old, your energy bills are unusually high, or you find yourself needing frequent repairs, it may be time to consider replacing your unit. A new, energy-efficient system will not only provide better comfort but also lead to noticeable savings when your next electric bill arrives.
How Much Does an AC Unit Cost?
The cost of an AC unit can vary greatly depending on the specific problem and the type of solution required. Once our technicians diagnose the issue, they will provide you with a clear explanation and offer different options for repair or replacement. At National Refrigeration LLC, we believe in transparency—no upselling or pushing unnecessary products. Our honest approach has earned us a reputation for reliable service and customer satisfaction over the past 17 years.
Do You Provide Valley-Wide Service?
Yes! National Refrigeration LLC offers valley-wide service across the Rio Grande Valley. Whether you’re in South Padre Island, Sullivan City, or anywhere in between, our team is ready to assist you with all your HVAC needs.
What Is a Complete Home Evaluation?
A complete home evaluation involves a thorough inspection of every room and AC unit in your home to identify any issues throughout your entire HVAC system. Even if your AC unit appears to be functioning well, you could still experience hot spots or uneven cooling. Our evaluation helps pinpoint these issues, allowing us to recommend solutions that improve overall comfort in your home.
What does HVAC mean?
HVAC stands for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning. It refers to the systems used to regulate indoor temperature, ensure proper airflow, and maintain air quality in residential, commercial, or industrial buildings.

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