Many homeowners get flustered when it comes to HVAC, plumbing, repiping, kitchen plumbing, and other home services. Our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) guide will help you learn more about these common problems so that you can call with confidence whenever you need service.

HVAC FAQ


It varies depending on the type of filter you have. If you have the affordable, 1” disposable fiberglass filters, we recommend changing them every month. For pleated filters, those can last up to 90 days. Media filters can last much longer, and can last up to a year but should be checked for sooner to make sure they aren’t becoming restrictive from dust buildup.


Bigger isn’t always better, especially in the case of your furnace and AC. Furnaces that are oversized for the home, while they might heat the home quicker, will also run the risk of overheating and shutting down if the ductwork in your home isn’t the appropriate size. With the furnace running for shorter periods of time, you also will experience more inconsistent heat in your home’s different floors and rooms.
An oversized AC has just as many issues as an oversized furnace, and will run less efficiently and short-cycle. Basically, the system will not run long enough to remove the humidity from your home. In addition to being uncomfortable, this can also lead to the growth of mold and mildew in your home. For both furnaces and ACs, if they are constantly starting and stopping, they can become less efficient and wear down faster.


HVAC systems generally last 10 to 15 years. After the 10-year mark, most systems tend to perform less efficiently and start to require more frequent repairs.


We recommend having your furnace and AC maintained once a year. This helps catch issues before they leave you and your family without heat or cooling, and can help your HVAC system run more efficiently.


If your AC is low on refrigerant, this means that it was either not charged correctly when it was installed, or a leak has developed in your system. Refrigerant is in a closed loop, and should never need to be refilled unless there is a leak. While refilling an AC with refrigerant can be a temporary solution, without fixing the leak your home will be low on refrigerant again soon.


At TR Miller Heating, Cooling & Plumbing, most of our Furnaces and Air Conditioners we sell come with a 10-year part warranty, with an optional labor warranty.


Given the wide variety of issues, there is a wide range of repair costs that it could take to get a furnace or AC running again. What might seem like a quick fix at first glance, could have been caused by a much more serious issue. We always recommend having a technician out to diagnose the issue and get a 100% accurate price to get the system back up and running. If you do choose to move forward with a repair, we do waive the diagnostic charge.

Plumbing FAQ


We typically see water heaters last 8 to 12 years. Once it’s not feeling as hot as it used to, is leaking, or you end up with cold water, it might be time to replace it.


We recommend flushing your water heater once a year to prevent any sediment buildup that can affect your water quality and the longevity of your water heater. Our technicians can help with this!


In general, garbage disposals do best when they don’t get hard foods like bones, nuts, and pits that can jam the blades. They also don’t do well with very fibrous foods like celery, or spongey foods like pasta and rice.


When grease goes down a drain, it can cool down and harden, creating a block in the drain that most drain cleaners can’t penetrate. If you have a drain that isn’t working, one of our technicians can bring out special equipment designed to clear that blockage and get the water flowing again.

Instead of pouring grease or oil down the drain, you can safely wait for it to cool and drain it into a compost bin or a disposable container to throw in the garbage bin.

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