North American Technician Excellence

Here's some frequently asked questions that might help. If your question isn't answered here, please don't hesitate to call and ask us personally!
Q: How long should my old furnace and air conditioner last? Typically a furnace or air conditioner will last 15-20 years. Sometimes it pays to replace the old system sooner because of the higher efficiency (and lower gas & electric bills) provided by newer equipment.
Q: My gas & electric bills are high. Will a new furnace and air conditioner lower my bills? YES! A new 13 SEER air conditioner can usually cut the electricity used by the old air conditioner in half. A new 90% furnace can usually cut the gas used by the old furnace by as much as 30%, and a new 80% (minimum allowed by the federal government) will use approximately 20% less.
Q: What is SEER? This stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating. The “size” of an air conditioner is rated in BTU or Tons, however the “efficiency” is rated in SEER. It’s like mpg (miles per gallon) in a car - the higher the mpg (or SEER) the lower the gasoline (electricity) bill.
Q: What is a heat pump? Is it better than an air conditioner? In the summer, a heat pump is no different than an air conditioner. In the winter, a heat pump operates in “reverse” and heats the indoors. Heat pumps need auxillary heat (electric resistance heat or gas furnace) to help them when it is real cold or when the thermostat is moved more than 2 degrees at a time. The initial investment for a heat pump is higher than for an air conditioner, they have higher maintenance costs, they don't last as long and the ductwork must be exactly “right” for proper operation. One common complaint of a heat pump is that the air coming out of the registers is not hot enough (compared to a gas furnace). With all their drawbacks, heat pumps will reduce the winter heating bills. If you have a gas furnace, the savings usually isn’t enough to justify a heat pump, however if you have electric heating, the savings is dramatic and you will probably want to stay with a heat pump.
Q: What about a Water Source heat pump? Water Source heat pumps operate like a standard heat pump, however instead of using outside air to cool & heat the freon, they use water from the ground. The water can come from wells or can be circulated in pipes buried in the ground. Water Source heat pumps are very efficient and will use less electricity than a traditional system. If you already have a Water Source heat pump, you probably want to replace it with a Water Source heat pump. If you have a high volume well and a pond to discharge water to (or a disposal well), you may want to change to a Water Source heat pump.
Q: Should I replace my furnace and air conditioner at the same time, or can they be installed separately? Either way. If they are installed at the same time, the coil cabinet (part of the air conditioner and sits on top of the furnace) will match the furnace in color & style. Also it may be more convenient to replace them at the same time, but they will operate OK whether they are installed at the same time or not.
Q: It’s winter and I need a new furnace and air conditioner. Should I wait until spring to buy a new air conditioner? If you think you are going to install an air conditioner in a few months you probably want to have it installed with the furnace. Generally the cost will be lower to have an air conditioner installed in the winter. Also, the warranty doesn’t begin until we “start up” the unit in the spring.
Q: It’s summer and I need a new air conditioner. Should I install a new furnace too? Not necessarily, however the blower in the furnace moves the air for air conditioning as well as heating. Usually the new furnaces have stronger blowers and can move more air which can help cool your entire house better. If your furnace is getting old, you should have the heat exchanger checked for “cracks”. If it is “cracked” you should have the furnace or heat exchanger replaced before winter anyway.
Q: What is a “cracked” furnace? How serious is this? The part that transfers heat from the gas flame to the air in the house is called a “heat exchanger”. If the heat exchanger has a crack or rust hole in it, the fumes (part of which is carbon monoxide) enter the air that comes out of the registers. This is why a “cracked” furnace can be so dangerous. A small crack may not be dangerous yet, but will get bigger and even small amounts of carbon monoxide can be dangerous to some people. Heat exchangers can be replaced, however if they are out of warranty, it is usually not much more to install a new higher efficiency furnace.
Q: Won’t my carbon monoxide detector tell me when I need a new furnace? Every home should have a carbon monoxide detector, but the fact that it is not going off doesn’t mean everything is safe. Even small amounts of carbon monoxide have an accumulative effect and detectors have a minimum threshold before they sound their alarm. If your alarm does go off, call Roth and have a serviceman check your furnace immediately.
Q: Is it OK to install a different brand of furnace (or air conditioner) to work with my existing air conditioner (or furnace)? Yes, this is fine. It is important that the furnace have the proper size of blower to match the air conditioner, but this can be determined easily.
Q: My home has a forced air furnace but no air conditioner. Can I add central air? Yes. Air conditioners require more air flow than furnaces and it may be necessary to add more ductwork. Also, local codes require that your ductwork be insulated in attics and crawl spaces, and your electrical service may need to be upgraded. Roth can determine all of the costs required to add central air.
Q: I have a floor furnace now and want to add central air & heat. What will this cost? This will depend on how involved it is to run ductwork, install the equipment, connect the flue (or install a new flue), connect the gas & electric, etc. Roth will calculate the heating & cooling load on your home to determine the proper size of equipment, ductwork, flue, electrical, etc. Generally the investment will run between $4,500 - $6,500 for a complete furnace & air conditioner system.
Q: I think my ductwork has asbestos on it. How can I tell? What should I do about it? Asbestos usually looks like a gray or white paper material that wraps around the ductwork and/or narrow strips around duct joints. It is safe as long as it is not disturbed. Often it is best to leave it undisturbed or to paint it to seal the asbestos fibers. Sometimes it is best to remove all exposed asbestos, or at least the narrow strips that touch the furnace. As a homeowner, you can remove this yourself, however it can be dangerous and even contaminate the entire home. Roth can handle any asbestos removal using an EPA approved company and can include this as part of the total investment for a new system.
Q: My friend works for a heating & air company and says he can install a new furnace (or air conditioner) for me for a lot less money. Is this a good idea? Be sure he has a Masters license and a business license, obtains all required permits and has adequate insurance. It is illegal to have someone install a system for you that does not meet these requirements. Keep in mind you will be dependent on him and his schedule for warranty repairs. If he meets the above requirements, has the needed experience and you understand that repairs may not be timely - you may save some money, but be sure you are not getting a "cheap" installation that will cost you more in the long run. Roth has a Masters and business license, always obtains all permits and is fully insured.
Q: How long does it take to install a new furnace or air conditioner? Generally allow one day for replacing a furnace and one day for replacing an air conditioner. Ocassionally an additional day is required, especially if you are having an air cleaner or humidifier installed.
Q: Does someone need to be home when the new system is installed? Much of the time it is not possible for the homeowner to be home during the installation. Possibly a friend or relative can be home during the installation, or you can be there to let the installers in before you leave for work. Sometimes homeowners give us a key and our installers don't even meet them until the installation is complete. As added protection, all of Roth's employees are bonded.
Q: How do you pour a new concrete pad that the air conditioner sits on? We bring them in on a two-wheeler. They are pre-cast concrete (3" thick) and are steel reinforced.
Q: How does Roth determine what size of furnace and air conditioner to install? Roth's comfort consultant will measure your home and calculate the actual heating & cooling load on the home (calculation based on window size & direction, walls, ceiling, floor, appliances, insulation, etc). This will determine the proper size of equipment that is needed. This will be compared to your current equipment & ductwork and will be adjusted based on your lifestyle, etc.
Q: I want a “big” air conditioner. Someone told me this is not good - what are the advantages & disadvantages? An "oversized" air conditioner will cool your house quicker, but it will use more electricity and will not remove humidity adequately. If your ductwork is not big enough for the "oversized" air conditioner, the coil may freeze and then the air conditioner won't work at all. Obviously the air conditioner must be big enough to cool the house, but too big is just as bad. We recommend the proper size to cool your home to 77 degrees when it is 100 degrees outside, then increase the size slightly, if needed, based on your temperature preferences.
Q: Will a larger furnace work better than a smaller furnace? An "oversized" furnace will warm up the house quicker, but it will use more fuel and there will be greater temperature swings. A smaller furnace will maintain more even temperatures, use less fuel, but will take longer to raise the temperature. Roth will calculate the proper furnace size to maintain 80 degrees inside when it is zero degrees outside.
Q: Does Roth take care of permits, gas connections, electrical work that is needed, etc? We always obtain all required permits. We can take care of the electrical and gas connections also, and we can work with your electrician or plumber if you prefer.
Q: How do I know if my ductwork is adequate? The size of the air conditioner will determine the amount of airflow needed. Roth's comfort consultant will measure the ductwork during the initial survey and determine if there is adequate ductwork, registers and grills.
Q: Some rooms in our house don’t get enough heat (or cooling). Can this be fixed? Sometimes running the blower continously will solve this problem. Usually the new furnace will have better air flow which will help, and there is usually a way to install an additional register in the area to obtain more air flow.
Q: Should I run the blower continously, or use the “auto” position on the thermostat? Try both ways. Running the blower all the time will use a little extra electricity, however the home is usually more comfortable, the temperature is more even throughout the home, and the air is cleaner because it is filtered more. The motors generally last longer because they are not starting & stopping. Some of the new furnaces have the ability to use a slow blower speed for continous operation, and a faster speed when the furnace or air conditioner are running.
Q: What brand of equipment is best? There are several excellent brands available as well as several "cheaper" brands. Roth could choose any brand to sell and install, however we have chosen Rheem & Amana because of their quality, reputation, availability of parts, support from our distributors, etc. Even more important than the equipment, is the quality of the installation and the reputation of the dealer behind the installation.
Q: How many bids should I get before I decide on a new system? Three bids are generally enough. If Roth is servicing your current system, or if we have installed equipment for you in the past, you should be comfortable in obtaining a proposal from Roth, then determining if you feel the need to obtain additional bids. Another way to obtain several bids without the effort is to call current customers that have had a system installed recently and ask why they chose Roth (your comfort consultant can give you a list of customers).
Q: How do I check out the companies I am considering to install my new system? This is the easiest, yet most important step - call customers. Eliminate any company that doesn't give you a long list of customers that they have installed during the last 1-24 months. Call a few customers at random and tell them you are considering a new system and ask about their experience with Roth (or any other company you are considering).
Q: Will Roth be the lowest price on a new system, or can I get a better price from someone else? Roth is competitive with other companies that will use quality equipment and do the work properly. We will not "cut corners" to be the lowest price. Our reputation is that we stand behind our work and are committed to customer satisfaction.
Q: How do I pay for my new system? For installation of new equipment, we do not require any downpayment, however we ask for payment after the installation is complete (unless other arrangements have been made). We accept VISA, Mastercard, American Express and Discover. We also have financing available for low monthly payments.
Q: Why should I consider a new high-efficiency filter? High-efficiency filters remove more of the smaller particles from the air. This will help you breathe better and reduce sinus problems, headaches and colds. Many people miss fewer days from school & work and use less allergy medication. The air is filtered before entering the furnace and air conditioning A-coil which makes the equipment last longer and will reduce fuel consumption 10%-15% over the life of a new furnace and air conditioner. Roth has several different filters available and can show you the differences in efficiency and installation cost.
Q: What about a new humidifier? Aprilaire humidifiers are great! They reduce dry skin and especially help with dry sinuses. They help reduce colds and allergies, keep furniture from drying and eliminate shock from static electricity. You will also be able to set temperature one or two degrees lower and have the same comfort. We have several models available and the investment is surprisingly low.
Q: Should I have a new programmable thermostat installed with my new system? Programmable thermostats allow you to have the temperature raise and lower automatically at specific times each day. They will reduce your energy bills and increase your comfort (ie. get up to a "warm" bathroom during the winter). If your family follows a fairly regular schedule, a programmable thermostat will pay for itself in a few months.
Q: Should I have my ductwork cleaned? Does Roth do this? Dust builds up inside our ductwork just like it builds up on our furniture. It is important to clean the ductwork every few years to prevent this build up of dust, pollen fungus and bacteria. You will breathe better, your home will be cleaner, possible health hazards will be eliminated, and your heating & cooling costs will be reduced. Included with each "PowerVac" duct cleaning, is a complete cleaning and inspection of the combustion components of the furnace.
Q: What are Roth’s installation rates? All installation work (except minor duct changes) is performed at a pre-agreed upon price and you will receive a proposal showing the total investment and detailing the work to be done, model numbers of all equipment, warranties, etc.
Q: What are Roth’s service rates? We are competitive with other reputable companies. Please call us for current rates.
Q: What brands does Roth work on? All brands and types of equipment. We even work on many systems that other companies won't touch.
Q: Does Roth have experienced servicemen? Absolutely! All of our servicemen are licensed and bonded. We have some of the best & most experienced servicemen anywhere.
Q: What are Roth’s hours? Our service hours are 8:00am to 7:00pm Monday thru Friday, Saturday from 8:00am to 5:00pm at no extra charge, and emergency service at any time of the day or night.
Q: Do I pay the serviceman at time of service? Yes, unless other arrangements have been made. We also accept VISA, Mastercard, American Express and Discover.
Q: Can I have a service call on Saturday? Does it cost extra? Saturday service is available if needed - from 8:00am to 5:00pm at regular rates.
Q: What kind of maintenance/ service plans does Roth offer? Roth has several plans available. Our most popular is the "Blue Ribbon" plan which includes a pre-season preventive service and system cleaning in the spring and fall. This is performed at a reduced rate (payable at time of service - not prepaid in advance). Any additional work during the year is performed at a reduced rate also. The "Blue Ribbon" will make your equipment last longer, reduce your utility bills and assure you of a safe & properly operating system. We have pre-paid maintenance plans available too.
Q: A “cracked” furnace is dangerous. How often should I have it checked? If your furnace is over 5 years old, it should be inspected by a licensed servicemen every fall before the heating season begins. Any other time the furnace is not operating properly (ex. the pilot blows out) it should be checked too.
Q: Why should I have my air conditioner checked in the spring and my furnace checked in the fall? They should be checked, and cleaned, to be sure they are operating at their top effeciency, are operating properly and to be sure they are operating safely.
Q: Is there a charge for diagnosing what is wrong with my system? Yes, this is part of the service call. If a new furnace or air conditioner is needed for your home, the diagnostic portion of the service call is voided if you purchase the new system from Roth.


4141 Maple • P.O. Box 3727 • Wichita, Kansas 67201 • License #1805
Tel: 316-942-4141 • Fax: 316-943-4108