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HVAC
What Is an ENERGY STAR Verified HVAC Installation?
Whether you realize it or not, there’s a lot going on beneath the hood of your air conditioner — and HVAC systems get even more complicated when you add in your home’s duct system, registers, heating units, and filters. With that much going on in your system, true efficiency is about more than just purchasing…
HVAC
How to Use Your HVAC System During a Fire Advisory
Are wildfires a threat to your home? A majority of scientists believe that climate change has increased the prevalence — and intensity — of forest fires, meaning we could see more of these hazards to come in the future, particularly in the western United States. Their reasoning? Droughts have contributed to drier than usual conditions…
HVAC
Want to take control of your HVAC system’s performance and energy use? A smart thermostat is a good start — but it doesn’t tell you everything. It can adjust temperatures and track usage, but it won’t alert you when a component is close to failing or when your system is losing efficiency. That’s where smart…
HVAC
Schematic Diagrams for HVAC Systems: What You Need to Know
Heating and cooling systems are packed with moving parts and electrical components — motors, capacitors, relays, compressors, switches, sensors, and refrigerant lines. HVAC system diagrams (also called schematics) help make sense of how all those pieces connect and work together. HVAC units are a lot like cars: many systems share similar components, but layouts and…
HVAC
Pros and Cons of Reusable, Washable Air Filters
“Change your air filters.” It’s the number one piece of advice we hear from HVAC professionals. Clean filters extend the life of your system and improve its overall efficiency, since your unit doesn’t have to work as hard to regulate temperatures throughout your home. But what about the environmental impact of all those thrown-away filters?…
Other Home Projects
What Should I Turn the Thermostat to During the Day?
What’s the ideal temperature to set your thermostat to during the day? Like many homeowners, you might often wonder about just how high or low you need to set your furnace or AC to run when you’re away from home. You probably already know that it wastes money to heat or cool your homes when…
HVAC
Filters 101: HVAC Filtration Options
Many homeowners visit their local home improvement center to purchase a new HVAC filter and find a massive wall of filters in various sizes, types and efficiency ratings. Purchasing the right sized filter that meets your filtration requirements can be a daunting task — this post will explain the different HVAC filter options available as…
HVAC
Heat Pump vs. AC: Which Is Best for You?
When it’s time to install or replace a new HVAC system, you may face the difficult decision of choosing between a heat pump vs. a central air conditioning (AC) unit. While these systems generally work the same when cooling your home, there are some major differences on the heating side. This post will cover the…