Downsides of a Heat Pump

January 14, 2023

A heat pump is a type of HVAC system used to heat and cool buildings. While heat pumps have many benefits, such as being energy efficient and environmentally friendly, there are also some downsides to consider. Heat Pump Disadvantages One major downside of heat pumps is that they are not as effective in extremely cold temperatures. This is because the heat pump relies on the transfer of heat from the outside air or ground to the inside of a building. In very cold temperatures, there is less heat available to get transferred, making it more difficult for the heat pump to warm the building. This results in higher energy bills. Another downside of heat pumps is that they can be more expensive to install compared to traditional HVAC systems such as a furnace. The cost of installation can vary depending on the size of the building and the type of heat pump system getting installed. Heat pumps also require regular maintenance to ensure they are running at optimal efficiency. This can include cleaning the coils, replacing filters, and checking for refrigerant leaks. Failure to maintain a heat pump can lead to decreased efficiency and increased energy costs. Another downside of...

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Why You Should Start Improving Your Indoor Air Quality

December 20, 2022

Your family will likely spend most of their time inside the home this winter. Poor indoor air quality can impact your overall comfort and health. Maintaining healthy air quality is essential to your HVAC system, ductwork and family’s wellness. Keep reading to learn more about why your home’s air quality is so important. Alleviates Allergies Poor air quality is often characterized by excessive airborne particulates like dust, dirt and pollen. Constantly breathing in these contaminants can irritate your eyes, nose and throat. You’ll have a hard time breathing comfortably and falling asleep every night. Improving your indoor air quality ensures that loved ones with asthma or pet allergies are comfortable and protected. Lowers Energy Costs Your air filters work to pull pollutants out of the air before they can damage your HVAC system. The more airborne debris in your home, the faster your filters will fill up. More dirt and grime will find their way into your furnace, making it harder for the system to run efficiently. Removing airborne debris keeps your furnace safe and stops particulates from negatively affecting airflow in your ductwork. Protects Against Mold and Pests One significant cause of poor air quality is humidity issues. Once...

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4 Steps to Figure Out How Much Propane Your Furnace Uses Daily

November 19, 2022

Just like when you are shopping for a dependable vehicle, you will want to know ahead of time just how fuel efficient your new furnace will be. If your preferred model uses propane as its fuel source, this will be quite easy to figure out. What you are actually looking for is referred to as the furnace’s “burn rate,” or the value that estimates how long a particular furnace can run on a full tank of propane. This is how you do it: 1. Determine the Furnace’s Rating The rating of a propane furnace is measured in British thermal units, or BTUs, and it should be printed in your owner’s manual or along the side of your unit. The BTU rating is typically compared to the horsepower rating of a vehicle since it really gives us as professionals an idea of just how much strength and stamina your furnace has. It speaks of the total load that the unit is capable of handling when all other propane devices in the household are running at full power. 2. Convert the Rating You then convert the BTU rating of the furnace into gallons and pounds to get the burn rate. After all,...

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Do Heat Pumps Need Freon to Operate?

October 19, 2022

Many people in Las Cruces, New Mexico, use heat pumps during the winter to keep their houses warm. It’s easy to understand how a furnace that burns gas generates heat. However, many have questions about how heat pumps actually heat the home and whether they use Freon. How Do Heat Pumps Work? A heat pump heats your home by transferring heat from outside to inside. Heat pumps can do this even when the temperatures outside of your home are below freezing because there is always some heat in the air that can be absorbed. To transfer heat, a heat pump uses a chemical compound called refrigerant. Freon is a brand name for a type of refrigerant that DuPont produces. Refrigerants like Freon can be dangerous to people and the environment if not handled properly. For this reason, if your heat pump needs repair or maintenance, don’t do it yourself. Let the professionals at do it for you. Refrigerant’s Role in the Operation of Your Heat Pump Refrigerant only requires a small amount of energy to go from a liquid to gas and back to a liquid again. In times past, air conditioning and heat pump systems used flammable or toxic...

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How Ceiling Height Can Influence Your HVAC System

September 14, 2022

Ceiling height is an important factor to consider when designing your HVAC system. The height of your ceilings can affect the efficiency of your heating and cooling along with the size and type of equipment you need. Unit Size Tall ceilings can make a room feel more open and airy, but they also require more energy to heat and cool. That’s because the air in a taller space has further to travel, so it takes longer to reach the desired temperature. If you have high ceilings, you’ll need a larger HVAC unit to maintain comfortable temperatures. On the other hand, short ceilings can make a room feel cozier. And since there’s less space for the heat or cool air to travel, your HVAC system won’t have to work as hard – meaning it will be more efficient and use less energy. Airflow Good airflow is essential for an efficient HVAC system, and ceiling height can impact the way air moves through a room. In general, the taller the ceiling, the more air movement you’ll need to maintain comfortable temperatures. If your ceilings are on the shorter side, you may be able to get away with a less powerful fan. But...

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How Frequently to Service Your Air Conditioning Unit

August 16, 2022

Air conditioning is a vital part of many households. After all, during the hottest months of the year, you likely want to be able to relax in a cool and comfortable house. In order to keep your air conditioner functioning properly, though, you need to have the unit serviced on a regular basis. Therefore, you may be wondering how regularly you should schedule service. The Short Answer In summary, how frequently to have your unit serviced is going to depend upon multiple factors. However, you should typically have your air conditioner serviced at least once a year. Consider when you usually turn the air conditioner on for the first time each year. Scheduling an appointment for service about a month or so before that time is a smart idea. Do keep in mind that many people will be trying to schedule service appointments before the hot season, so book your consultation well in advance. Age of Your Unit The age of your air conditioning unit can also affect how frequently you should schedule service. An older unit may be prone to more problems than a newer system. If you have an older air conditioning system, consider scheduling a second service...

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Top Reasons Why Your AC Makes Your Home Feel Humid

July 26, 2022

Your air conditioning unit should cool your home and reduce the humidity to enhance indoor air quality. Thus, if your home still feels humid even when the AC is on, this isn’t a good sign. You’ll need a licensed service technician to inspect your unit if this is the case. Here are some of the reasons why this could be happening. Dust and Dirt Accumulation Dust and dirt accumulate on the outdoor and indoor AC coils when you put off preventative maintenance for a long time. Dust accumulation on the outdoor coils prevents the system from dispersing heat outside, interfering with the refrigerant cycle. A disruption of the refrigerant cycle makes it difficult for the air conditioning unit to dehumidify indoor air and perform correctly. You need consistent maintenance and professional cleaning to prevent this issue. Leaky Ductwork Ductwork is located in humid and unconditioned areas of your home, like crawlspaces and attics. It forms gaps over the years that allow moisture to mix with the conditioned air. The issue can also happen with new ductwork that isn’t correctly installed or sealed. Your local HVAC technician can inspect your current ductwork for leaks and seal them to help prevent humidity...

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How Many Years Should Your HVAC System Last?

June 16, 2022

Your HVAC system is integral to the comfort of your home. It is advised to have it maintained at least once every year to prolong its life and enhance performance. Unfortunately, even the best HVAC systems will struggle to perform at peak condition at some point. Assessing the condition and age of your current unit can help you plan for the future. Average HVAC Units Lifespans The type of HVAC unit you have contributes to the number of years your system should last. With regular maintenance, a gas furnace should last 20 to 30 years. A properly maintained oil furnace should serve you for about 10 to 15 years. If you rely on a boiler to maintain optimal temperatures in your home, you will be glad to know that boilers are more durable than most HVAC systems. Your boiler might serve you for about 20 to 35 years if properly maintained. When it comes to air conditioners, most last 15 to 20 years. However, the lifespan of your AC might decrease depending on the usage frequency, duration, and environment. Heat pumps usually last 10 to 20 years based on size, area, maintenance, and usage frequency. Your heat pump is likely...

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Will Closing Vents Upstairs Save Me Money?

May 16, 2022

Your upstairs rooms are unoccupied, so you want to close the vents that supply them with cool air. However, this is not as good of an idea as it sounds. Rather than saving you money by minimizing AC usage, this practice will cause a great deal of problems and cost you more money and headaches in the long run. Your AC and Ducts Are Sized for Your Home Remember that your central air conditioner and your ductwork have been specifically chosen based on the square footage of the living space they’re cooling. Assuming that your AC is a single-speed unit, its cooling capacity will be compromised if you close off one or more vents. The air that should enter those rooms that are closed off will turn back; some of it will enter the other rooms, but a lot of it will escape through cracks and holes in the ductwork. Meanwhile, the return vents in those rooms you closed off are still open and will suck air from its surroundings. This can mean sucking air through windows and doors, which can result in hot and cold spots all throughout your home. Closing Vents Forces the AC to Work Harder Sucking...

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How to Install a Smart Thermostat.

April 11, 2022

Buying a smart thermostat is a great way to save money and efficiently heat and cool your home. Before buying one, make sure it’s compatible with your heating and cooling system. You can follow these steps to ensure that it’s properly installed. Turn Your HVAC System Off The first thing to do is go to your breaker panel and turn off your entire HVAC system. This will prevent shorting electrical components while you’re moving wires around. Check your HVAC system’s thermostat to make sure it doesn’t turn on. Remove the Faceplate Remove the thermostat’s faceplate. It should just pop off, but you may need to remove a screw. Label the wires with stickers before moving to the next step. Remove the Backplate You can remove the wires from the backplate by either unscrewing them or pressing small tabs to release them. Use a screwdriver to remove the backplate from the wall. Add a C-Wire If your existing thermostat doesn’t have a C-wire, one will need to be added for the smart thermostat. The smart thermostat may come with this wire, or you’ll need to buy one. If you’re uncomfortable performing this task, hire an HVAC company to do it for...

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