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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Furnace or Space Heater: Which to Use When You’re Cold

March 15, 2022

When the temperature drops in Las Cruces, NM, you’ll want to find the best heat source to help keep your home comfortable. Of course, comfort can look quite different from house to house. Two main heating options that people often choose are space heaters and furnaces. One question we get a lot at is whether it’s better to use a furnace or a space heater when you’re trying to stay comfortable. Here are a few variables that go into that choice. Size of Space One major consideration when choosing between different heating options is the size of the space you plan to heat. For a smaller space, such as a single bedroom, a space heater makes a great option. On the other hand, if you’re planning to heat an entire house, a furnace is much more effective because it can provide even heating to every room in your home at the same time. Length of Use Something else that encourages you to consider is how long you need to heat the space you’re considering. It can be dangerous to use a space heater overnight when you can’t keep an eye on it. That’s because space heaters can, on rare occasions,...

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Understanding the Benefits of Smart Thermostats

February 16, 2022

Smart thermostats are a great option for minimizing your energy bills while maximizing the comfort of your home. These units are operated through Wi-Fi and can be adjusted from wherever you are via an app. They have the ability to learn your habits so that they can adjust the temperature automatically as you come and go throughout your day. Keeping Your Home Comfortable Smart thermostats are highly programmable. You can set them to reduce your heating or air conditioning when you aren’t in the home. They can also be set to lower the temperature at night so that you can sleep better. When the thermostat knows that you’re about to come home from work, it’ll turn on your heater and air conditioner early so that your home is at the right temperature when you arrive. Improved Home Energy Efficiency With a smart thermostat, you won’t have to worry about turning your heater or air conditioner on and off when you leave the house. By allowing the thermostat to ramp the temperature of your home, it can optimize the energy efficiency of your heating and cooling system. This can reduce the load on a heater or air conditioner and extend its...

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Should I Get a Heat Pump or Furnace?

January 10, 2022

As a homeowner, you want your home to be comfortable throughout the winter. When deciding how to heat your home, it often comes down to whether you should buy a heat pump or furnace. What’s the difference between the two? What Is a Furnace? Furnaces use a fuel to produce hot air. The fuel is commonly natural gas. There’s a burner that burns the gas, a heat exchanger to transfer the heat, and a blower that distributes it throughout your home. Furnace Positives A furnace will heat your home more quickly than a heat pump. As they’re only used when it’s cold outside, they have longer lifespans than heat pumps. While they need annual maintenance, furnaces don’t need as much maintenance as a heat pump. Furnace Negatives Furnaces are more costly to operate than a heat pump. They also generate carbon monoxide, which could leak into your home if the furnace isn’t properly installed. What Is a Heat Pump? Heat pumps don’t use a fuel to produce heat. Instead, they use electricity to transfer heat between a cool space and a warm one. Unlike a furnace, a heat pump can cool your home in the winter. Heat Pump Positives Heat...

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Why Does My Furnace Have Rust

December 14, 2021

3 Causes of Rusting in Your Furnace It is essential to understand the importance of preventing rust in your furnace. Sometimes, people don’t think about it until they start noticing brown or yellowish stains on their home’s furnace. Rust can build up over time and cause problems like clogs, corrosion, and eventual equipment failure. Thankfully, there are ways you can take care of this problem before it becomes too severe. The following are the main causes of rusting in your furnace. 1. Leaking Air Conditioner Air conditioner leaks will typically cause rust in your HVAC system. If you notice that there’s water dripping from the unit itself or around any pipes, this could be how it all starts. It will ultimately lead to rust buildup and other issues with your furnace if left unattended long enough. The easiest way to prevent problems with your AC leaking is to make sure everything is properly maintained regularly. Also, consider checking for signs of damage to insulation over time due to naturally occurring wear and tear, which can cause further complications down the road without proper maintenance. 2. High Humidity In addition to how you operate your furnace, humidity levels in the air...

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