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Frequently asked questions

HVAC FAQs.

Straight answers about HVAC install, repair, maintenance, heat pumps, rebates, and warranties — from the Valley View team. Don't see your question? Call us at (971) 712-6763.

Residential · AC Installation

AC Installation questions.

How long does an AC install take?

Most single-family residential AC installs are a one-day job. Older homes needing duct modifications or electrical upgrades can extend to two days. — ac installation →

What size AC do I need?

Depends on your home size, insulation, window area, and duct condition — not just square feet. Our Manual-J load calc takes 15 minutes on-site and prevents costly oversizing. — ac installation →

What rebates am I eligible for?

Most Salem-area homeowners qualify for $300–$2,000 in Energy Trust of Oregon rebates plus a federal 30% tax credit on heat-pump AC systems. We file the paperwork at no charge. — ac installation →

Residential · AC Maintenance

AC Maintenance questions.

How often should I service my AC?

Once a year is the industry standard. Salem-area homes with heavy pollen or wildfire smoke exposure benefit from twice-yearly service. — ac maintenance →

Will tune-ups really save money?

Yes. A properly maintained AC uses 15–40% less energy than a neglected one and lasts 5+ years longer. The tune-up cost pays back within the first summer. — ac maintenance →

What if you find a problem?

We'll tell you what it is, what it costs to fix, and whether it's urgent or can wait. No pressure, no upsells — just the information you need to decide. — ac maintenance →

Residential · AC Repair

AC Repair questions.

How much does an AC repair cost?

Typical residential AC repairs range from $180 (capacitor replacement) to $1,200 (compressor hard-start, evap coil clean + recharge). Our estimator gives a more specific range once you pick the symptom. — ac repair →

Do you charge for diagnostics?

Yes — $149 flat diagnostic fee, but it's applied in full toward your repair cost if you approve the work. You only pay the diagnostic if you decline to repair. — ac repair →

How fast can you come out?

Same-day most in-season calls (May through September). During cold snaps we prioritize heating emergencies and AC calls may push to next-day. — ac repair →

Residential · Air Duct Services

Air Duct Services questions.

Do I really need my ducts cleaned?

Not on a schedule — only when you have a specific issue (renovation dust, mold, severe allergies, visible buildup). Most HVAC contractors over-recommend cleaning; we only sell it when it actually helps. — air duct services →

Does duct cleaning help allergies?

Sometimes. If dust, pet dander, or mold spores are living in your ducts, yes. If the allergen is pollen from outside, duct cleaning does less than a MERV 13+ filter. — air duct services →

How much does duct sealing cost?

Aeroseal for a typical 2,000 sqft home runs $1,500–$2,800 and pays back in 3–5 years through lower energy bills. Spot-sealing specific leaks runs $300–$900. — air duct services →

Residential · Furnace Installation

Furnace Installation questions.

How long does a furnace last?

A well-maintained gas furnace lasts 15–20 years. Heat pumps last 12–15 years. An electric furnace can push 20–25 years. When yours hits 12+ years and needs a significant repair, replacement usually makes economic sense. — furnace installation →

Should I replace AC and furnace together?

If either is 10+ years old and you're replacing one, replacing both together saves 15–25% on the combined install (one service trip, shared labor) and ensures matched efficiency between the systems. — furnace installation →

What size furnace do I need?

Manual-J load calc is the only right way to size. We measure your home's heat loss, not just square feet. Oversized furnaces short-cycle, over-dry your air, and cost more to run. — furnace installation →

Residential · Furnace Maintenance

Furnace Maintenance questions.

When should I schedule fall maintenance?

September through early November is ideal. Schedule before the first cold snap — once temperatures drop below freezing, every HVAC company in the Valley gets slammed and routine tune-ups push to December. — furnace maintenance →

What does a tune-up cost?

$149 for a full 27-point inspection, or $249 for the combined spring AC + fall furnace annual plan with priority dispatch and 10% repair discounts. — furnace maintenance →

Do gas furnaces really need combustion analysis?

Yes. It's the only way to catch a cracked heat exchanger, improper gas pressure, or partial blockage in the flue — all of which can produce dangerous CO levels. Any HVAC company that skips this is doing you a disservice. — furnace maintenance →

Residential · Furnace Repair

Furnace Repair questions.

My furnace is making a loud bang when it starts. What is it?

Usually delayed ignition — gas builds up for a second before the ignitor fires. Common causes: dirty burners, misaligned flame sensor, low gas pressure. We diagnose it on-site in 15 minutes. — furnace repair →

How much does a furnace repair cost?

Common repairs run $200 (flame sensor) to $1,400 (control board + blower motor). The estimator on our site gives a range once you describe the symptom. — furnace repair →

Should I just buy a new furnace?

Depends on age and repair cost. Under 10 years old + small repair: fix it. Over 15 years + major repair: replace. 10–15 + moderate repair: we'll walk you through the math. — furnace repair →

Residential · Heat Pumps & Ductless Solutions

Heat Pumps & Ductless Solutions questions.

Will a heat pump work in Salem's winter?

Yes. Modern cold-climate heat pumps maintain full heating capacity down to 5°F — Salem rarely sees below 20°F. We install models rated for much colder climates than ours. — heat pumps & ductless solutions →

Are heat pumps loud?

Modern inverter-driven heat pumps are significantly quieter than gas furnaces. Outdoor units run 50–60 dB (conversational volume). Indoor air handlers are near-silent. — heat pumps & ductless solutions →

Do I need a backup heat source?

Usually not. Modern cold-climate heat pumps handle 99% of Salem winter hours on their own. For worst-case cold snaps, a small electric resistance backup (built into the air handler) or a space heater in one room is enough. — heat pumps & ductless solutions →

Commercial · Commercial AC Installation

Commercial AC Installation questions.

How long does a commercial AC install take?

A straightforward RTU replacement is typically an 8–12 hour job. Full split-system or VRF installs run 2–5 days depending on scope. — commercial ac installation →

Do you handle the electrical work?

Yes — our team includes a licensed electrician who handles disconnect, breaker, whip, and labeling. Larger commercial service changes may coordinate with a separate electrical contractor. — commercial ac installation →

Can you work on weekends?

Yes. Most commercial replacements prefer weekend or overnight scheduling so the business stays open. No weekend upcharge for scheduled projects. — commercial ac installation →

Commercial · Commercial Heating Installations

Commercial Heating Installations questions.

Can I replace a boiler with a heat pump?

Sometimes — depends on the building's distribution (radiator vs. forced air) and electrical capacity. Hydronic boiler → hydronic heat-pump retrofits exist but require careful design. We'll walk you through feasibility in a free consultation. — commercial heating installations →

Do commercial heat pumps work in cold weather?

Yes — modern commercial cold-climate heat pumps maintain capacity down to 0°F, well below Salem winter lows. — commercial heating installations →

What about gas price volatility?

That's exactly why many commercial owners are switching to heat pumps — stable electric pricing and 30–50% lower operating costs hedge against gas price swings. — commercial heating installations →

Commercial · Commercial Repairs & Maintenance

Commercial Repairs & Maintenance questions.

What does a service contract cost?

Depends on equipment count and complexity. Typical small-retail or office contracts run $150–$400/month. We quote after a free on-site assessment. — commercial repairs & maintenance →

What happens during a breakdown?

Members get priority dispatch — typically on-site within 4 business hours vs. 1–3 days for non-members during busy seasons. — commercial repairs & maintenance →

Can I upgrade equipment under contract?

Yes — contract members get 10–15% off install pricing on equipment replacement, and the PM visits transfer seamlessly to the new equipment. — commercial repairs & maintenance →

Still have questions?

Call our Salem office and talk to a real technician — not a call-center.