FAQ

Unless you are both a licensed & experienced Electrician and Master Plumber, Kohler strongly recommends that you choose a local KOHLER Generators dealer like Princeton Air to install your generator.

Code requirements for installing standby generator systems vary nationwide. That's why Kohler recommends having a factory-authorized dealer like Princeton Air install your system, since they are familiar with both local and national codes & can (almost always) avoid code issues with local inspectors.

Generators ship from the factory without batteries to ensure that the freshest possible battery is installed at the job site, and some contractors will make the battery an additional purchase option. However, Princeton Air does not consider this to be an “option”, and therefore includes a battery with all generator installations - and makes sure it is the proper battery for your generator model.

Princeton Air, your local authorized KOHLER dealer, will perform an onsite analysis to determine which generator and transfer switch combination offers the best solution for your home or business.

Once an authorized Kohler service technician from Princeton Air completes a post-installation Warranty Start-Up at your home & the technician completes a checklist to make sure the system is properly installed, the information is brought back to our offices, where one of our Administrative Specialists will enter all necessary information onto the Kohler Warranty site. Then, instead of your warranty beginning on the date the generator left the factory, or the day the generator is purchased from Princeton Air, it begins on the day Princeton Air submits your generator system's details to the Warranty Start-Up program. This process officially moves the warranty start date for your generator to the day your generator is installed.

Yes, and No. In the home performance industry we talk a lot about low hanging fruit. Through a home assessment, we're looking for things your home does very badly that can be improved easily in addition to more serious home performance concerns. The assessment is essential in highlighting a home's weaknesses and requires an experienced building science professional, armed with the diagnostic tools to do the job right. While the assessment is something you can't do on your own, our technicians will suggest a range of improvement options for your home. Some will be bigger jobs that require the skills, equipment and expertise of home performance professionals, but other jobs might focus more on your home's low hanging issues, which you could potentially improve on your own.

Some common causes of indoor air quality issues that we see in the New Jersey area are:

• The infiltration of contaminants from either inside or outside the house;
• High moisture and subsequent mold due to leaks, high humidity and/or flooding;
• Poorly maintained air conditioning or heating systems;
• Poor ventilation that is either not filtering the air properly or bringing in enough fresh air.

Here are a few questions to keep in mind if worried about your home's indoor air quality:

• Do you have symptoms that occur only when you are at home?
• Is anyone else in your family experiencing these symptoms?
• Are the symptoms season-specific or time-specific?
• Have changes recently been made to your house (i.e. remodel or flooding).

If your answer to these questions is yes, we recommend checking with a doctor and contacting us or another qualified IAQ tester to find the source of the problem.

Around 50% of a building's total energy consumption is used to power its HVAC systems, making it a great place to start when looking to save on energy costs. Our advanced Commercial HVAC systems use less energy to help you achieve an ideal level of comfort while gaining better control of your building's energy costs.

We give you a custom system engineered to each building's unique heating, cooling & comfort requirements, rather than a “one-size-fits all” system that might initially be cheaper to install, but will not account for subtle nuances within your building, thereby costing you comfort; and if it’s not sized, installed & maintained properly, and will cost you much more to operate in the long run than the few extra dollars invested upfront in the “right-for-you” system. We can split your building into “comfort zones”, which allows for monitoring & control of airflow and temperatures on a room-by-room or area-by-area basis,and which will markedly increase the system’s overall efficiency as well as the comfort of the occupants.

If you have unused areas in your building, or an area that is consistently too hot or too cold, installing a system with zoning capabilities will not only help solve these problems, but decrease your energy costs while doing it. A zoning system improves your building in four main areas: comfort, efficiency, control and performance. Comfort and control are improved by adjusting the climate per zone so that each area is comfortable, rather than having a “cold zone” turn the heat up, thereby causing a “warm zone” to be too hot. This also saves energy as zones are not needlessly overheated or overcooled. Zoning will also increase the longevity of your HVAC systems by transferring heat from warm zones to cool zones, shutting off heat to unused areas and putting less stress on your building's HVAC equipment.

The main goal of home performance contracting is to improve a home's comfort, safety, health, durability and energy efficiency. This is accomplished by using the principles of Building Science, looking at the house as a whole, and examining the relationships between all of your home's systems. We focus on all the systems within the building envelope, which include heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment as well as the habits of the home's occupants.

The home performance improvement process starts with a comprehensive home assessment that is used to identify problem areas and pinpoint the source of any issues. From the assessment, we are able to provide a range of improvement options from easy do it yourself jobs to more in-depth retrofits. Once our work is complete we re-assess a home's performance to ensure that all of the improvements are functioning properly.

You’ll get longer life from your water heater and prevent breakdowns if you follow this simple guideline:

• Every three months, drain a gallon of water from the tank. Do it every month if you have hard water. This reduces the amount of sediment collecting in the bottom of the tank, which can make the burner or heating coils work harder.

Yes! In our area, comfort systems work hard; and just like anything that might be operating virtually non-stop for months on end, a little regular maintenance goes a long way. Think about the car you drive daily -  without the regular maintenance of a tune-up, you lose efficiency (Miles Per Gallon) and money (to replace those gallons used).

Regularly-scheduled & performed tune-ups keep your system working at their peak efficiency, and can extend the life of your equipment by giving our technicians a chance to potentially catch minor problems and signs of wear before they turn into major trouble down the road. An annual tune-up also protects your family/building occupants by helping prevent life & health-threatening conditions from occurring, likecarbon monoxide poisoning for example.

We have a service technician on-call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. So you will always speak to a person, not a machine.

If you are calling to schedule a tune-up, we’ll put you on the schedule and confirm the date and time with you the next day during regular business hours.

Either find your owner’s manual to get it back to Fahrenheit, or call us to help you out. Some of the older models will read Celsius if you accidentally push two buttons by mistake.

That’s right. As of January 2010, cooling system manufacturers can no longer make equipment that uses R-22, commonly known as Freon. R-22 has been found to damage the Earth’s ozone layer, which is a key factor involved in global warming. By 2020, R-22 will no longer be produced. The coolant that has replaced R-22 is known as R-410A, which was developed by the Allied signal company in 1991. Several companies have since trademarked their own version of R-410A, including Carrier (Puron®), Honeywell (Genetron® AZ20) and Dupont (Suva® 410A). Years of commercial use and testing have proven that, in addition to being more environmentally friendly, R-410A is superior in performance and energy efficiency to Freon.

Before you call or e-mail us, go through the troubleshooting steps below to make sure a service call is really needed. It will save you the cost and inconvenience of an unnecessary service visit, and will ensure our technicians are working where they are most needed.

• Make sure the thermostat is set above room temperature or in the “heat” position. If it’s a digital thermostat and the display screen is blank, you either need new batteries or the power supply has been interrupted.
• Check for a tripped circuit breaker or a blown fuse.
• Look to see if the power switch for your heating system is turned on. Sometimes, these get turned off accidentally.
• Check your tank to see if you have heating fuel.
• If you have an oil heating system, press the reset button on the burner relay—ONCE ONLY. If your system doesn’t start after you push the reset button the first time, do not push it again. Pushing this button more than once can cause your heating system to “flood.” Too much oil will get pumped into the combustion chamber, resulting in a lengthy and costly repair.

If at this point you still don’t get heat, call Princeton Air immediately.

When a service technician arrives, let him know everything you did to the system before he begins working on it. You should also let him know if anything out of the ordinary happened, like an unusual noise, a strange smell or smoke.

In many cases, this will help the technician find the problem—and get your heat back on again—faster.

During our 45 year history, Princeton Air has invested significant time & money into being able to offer our Clients a “1-stop” purchasing experience, by employing & training the most capable technicians in the area, and being able to control all facets of the products & services our clients demand “in house”, meaning without the use of outside tradesman/professionals, often referred to as “Subcontractors”.

 However, no matter how hard we have tried, the bottom line is that everyone needs some help some of the time; and rather than continue to expend resources in technical areas that can sometimes require “expert-level” know-how, we have decided to instead developed long term Strategic Alliances with well-known & reputable local industry professionals in some fields “best left to true experts”, such as Plumbing, large-scale Spray Foam Applications, Mold / Asbestos Remediation, Oil Tank Removals, High-Voltage Electrical Modifications, Chimney Repairs & Liners, and Duct Cleaning.

 And for our Clients, the best part of these relationships is that we are still able to be price-competitive; by using equipment out of our extensive inventory while simultaneously giving each partner a large volume of work, they are able to afford us a lower industry rate for their labor, so your investment ends up being the same as if we were performing all of these measures “in house”.

 Nonetheless, please be assured that during projects that one of our partners are engaged in, Princeton Air is the Project Manager, and will handle most, if not all, of the scheduling, permits, and paperwork; and we hold our partners to the highest of quality standards – the same standards that you would expect from Princeton Air.

 We thank you for the opportunity to earn your business, and in advance for your anticipated understanding of our situation & decision. Please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns that you might have regarding this policy, or any other Princeton Air Standard.

Air conditioners run on electricity, and electricity is the most expensive energy source. Converting fuels like coal or natural gas into electricity is inherently inefficient. What’s more, much of the original electricity generated at the power plant is lost during transmission over power lines. So, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, by the time it reaches your home, electricity is only 33% efficient on average.

The good news today is that air conditioning systems are much more energy-efficient than they once were, and things are improving all the time. Another important factor is design—if your AC system is not carefully planned to meet the cooling needs of your home, it will run less efficiently than it should. Princeton Air takes great care in evaluating and designing efficient systems, and we can recommend high-efficiency equipment from quality manufacturers like American Standard.

Heat is generated by burning natural gas or propane inside the furnace. This happens in the combustion chamber, which gets very hot. Air absorbs this heat in the furnace’s heat exchanger. Next, the blower sends the heated air through a system of ducts, and warm air circulates through the home.

Usually it’s only a matter of a couple of days. We can come out to your home or building at your convenience during the day or in the evening. To recommend the right size system for you, we do a lot of calculations. One thing we look at is heat loss, or the amount of heat your home or building loses in the winter. This is just one way we figure how much BTU “power” your heating system needs.

An air conditioning tune-up and inspection will help catch service problems before they get you hot under the collar. Many breakdowns occur on the hottest day of the year—because that’s when your a/c is under the most stress. And because a tune-up ensures that your system will run at peak efficiency, you’ll lower your electric bills. A system that’s running efficiently can save you as much as 30% on your cooling costs. So give us a call to schedule your annual tune up!

The heat exchanger is the main component of your furnace. If the heat exchanger has a crack or a rust hole, combustion fumes (including carbon monoxide) can contaminate the air in your home. This is a potentially deadly situation and should be addressed IMMEDIATELY. A cracked heat exchanger usually requires replacing the entire furnace. If you suspect that you might have a cracked heat exchanger, or a carbon monoxide problem caused by your furnace, turn the system off immediately. Then call us right away for service.

It’s never a good idea to mix and match a/c components of different SEER. You might save money initially by replacing only your outdoor unit with one of the new mandated 13 or higher SEER compressors and hooking it up to your 10 or 12 SEER system. However, it just doesn’t make sense in the long run. It’s like buying a brand-new stereo set and hooking it up to your old, antiquated speakers. You’re just not going to get your money’s worth in terms of comfort and efficiency. You’re better off paying a little extra up front because you’ll be saving a lot more over time. At Princeton Air, we have the expertise to help you choose the right efficiency system for your home. For a no-obligation evaluation, call us.

Most of our installations are done in a day and a half, although every job is different and some take longer than others. In extreme weather conditions, we usually get your system working the same day.

Installing a new furnace with 2 levels of heat and a variable speed motor is a good solution. These “smart” motors automatically adjust the volume and speed of air based on your home’s temperature requirements.

There will be fewer on/off cycles, smaller temperature swings, consistent, even heat, and lower fuel bills.

You bet! We can mount a cooling coil on top of the furnace and install a condensing unit outside. For a no-obligation evaluation, call us today.

Yes. Our Gold service maintenance plan covers a multitude of things that typically go wrong with your heating and AC system and includes annual 12-point heating and cooling tune-ups to maximize performance and longevity. Other benefits include a 15% discount on repairs, Loyalty Credits and more. All this for little more than the cost of an annual tune-up. For more comprehensive coverage, we offer the Platinum plan, which includes all of the Gold member benefits as well as 100% parts coverage!

If we don’t arrive at your home on the day of your service, you can deduct $100 from your invoice. Guaranteed! In addition, we offer the options to schedule an 8 AM appointment OR provide you with a 3-hour time window OR schedule an appointment after work (until 7 PM) OR we can call you at work/page you before the technician arrives at your home OR schedule a Saturday appointment.

Absolutely! Programmable thermostats are especially useful for people who are away from home at regular intervals. They allow for customized comfort settings around the clock, and they can cut heating and cooling costs by as much as 10%!>

Absolutely! Today simple, ductless air conditioning options make it possible to install a quiet, efficient air-conditioning system in your home even if it doesn’t have ductwork.

Ductless air-conditioning systems consist of one or more indoor air-distribution units linked by refrigeration lines to an outdoor compressor. These flexible “hoses” can be positioned inside your walls and ceilings with a minimum of inconvenience. Installing ductless air conditioning costs a little more than standard central air-conditioning systems but much less than the cost of installing ductwork and a central air-conditioner.

We can give a ballpark if we have enough information, but it’s hard to determine without physically seeing the equipment.

It’s really up to you, typically you’re told 3. Sometimes getting a bid will be a good indicator of the kind of company you’re working with, that’s why we guarantee reasonable rates and quality service with careful attention to details.

Replace your system if it is more than 10 years old and only in average condition, it does not keep you as comfortable as you would like, it breaks down frequently, or you will be living in your home for at least five more years.

Repair your system if it is less than 10 years old and in good condition, your cooling costs have been acceptable, you’re pleased with your level of comfort, its performance is reliable, you will be moving within the next five years, or it is still under warranty.

A regular installation (or a change-out) is normally what people get when you’re bidding jobs, which includes the replacing of your equipment, takes 1 day, the installation turns it on, Freon levels look OK, they’re done. An ESQI follows recommended industry standards by the Air Conditioning Contractors of America, starting with load calc and you measure everything. Most houses across the country deliver less than 60% of what you’re paying for in terms of BTUs. If you have a 5 ton, you only actually get a 3 ton. So you’re wasting 40%.

SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. It is used to indicate the efficiency of air conditioning systems. The higher the SEER number, the more cooling you get per unit of energy. As of January 2006, only units with a SEER of 13 or higher will be allowed to be sold in the United States. Today’s cooling units are up to 40% more efficient than those made as recently as 10 years ago. SEER is only one way to judge efficiency. Some better factors to look at are EER.

One indicator is Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE). All heating equipment manufactured after 1980 has been required to have a label indicating its AFUE. The AFUE ratio is a measurement of a heating system’s seasonal efficiency, taking into account how well the system performs over an entire season of starts and stops. Modern heating systems can range in efficiency from 81% to 95%. If your system’s AFUE is lower than this range, talk to us about your replacement options.

There are many different factors that come into play when determining the cost of your air conditioner. When you buy a car for example, you just pick your amenities and it’s ready to drive away. But when it comes to AC, aside from the actual unit it also needs to installed properly first in order for it work. It’s a FREE estimate, no-obligation, no high pressure.

The experts at Princeton Air will be happy to come to your home or building and calculate your cooling and heating “loads.” They will then be able to recommend a system that is the correct size and model to meet your requirements. Please call us for more details.

Most units are easy to install, particularly when they replace another forced-air system. They can be installed in areas unsuitable for fossil fuel furnaces because there is no combustion, thus no need to vent exhaust gases. Ductwork must be installed in homes that don’t have an existing air distribution system. The difficulty of installing ductwork will vary and should be assessed by a contractor. Another popular way to use geothermal technology is with in-floor radiant heating, in which hot water circulating through pipes under the floor heats the room.

Geothermal heat pumps don’t use large amounts of resistance heat so your existing service may be adequate. Generally, a 200-amp service will have enough capacity, and smaller amp services may be large enough in some cases. Your electric utility or contractor can determine your service needs.

Split systems can easily be added to existing furnaces for those wishing to have a dual-fuel heating system. Dual-fuel systems use the heat pump as the main heating source and a fossil fuel furnace as a supplement in extremely cold weather if additional heat is needed.

For the most accurate, detailed estimate, we strongly recommend that you contact us, your local KOHLER Generator dealer, and schedule a no-charge site visit with one of our Generator Specialists; we can analyze your home and/or business’ electrical load and lifestyle/workstyle needs, and then specify & install your generator system. However, if just getting a rough idea of what size your home or business might require is enough, you can use this Sizing Tool to get an idea of your power requirements.