Home Services HVAC

Winter is the time of year when people rely on their HVAC systems the most. That’s especially true in the Midwest and on the East Coast, where winters can be brutal. However, many people make some serious winter HVAC mistakes that cause nothing but trouble.

When the temperatures start to drop in the winter months, your furnace may struggle to maintain a comfortable temperature in your home. While that may sometimes mean that you need a new furnace, it most often means that one of your furnace parts could benefit from a little maintenance. Understanding all of the various parts of a furnace can help you to make an informed decision about what is best for your home.

If you get manicures and pedicures often, you’re probably familiar with the smell of nail polish remover. It’s certainly a unique smell, and when it emanates throughout a home it’s impossible to miss. So, what causes a house to smell like nail polish remover?

The urge to adjust the temperature on your thermostat throughout the winter can be overpowering. As tempting as it may be, choosing the wrong temperature for too long can be expensive and damaging. So, what should you set your thermostat to in the winter?

Are you in the market for a new furnace? If so, it’s a good idea to treat this as a significant investment which is why you must choose the best furnace for your home. While name brands may seem ideal, have you researched the furnace brands you should avoid? If not, we did it for you!

The heat exchanger in your furnace is a group of tubes and coils. These tubes and coils heat the air that then shoots out into your home or workplace. There are many reasons why your furnace heat exchanger can go bad, and if this happens you need to act quickly.

Every component of your HVAC system affects its performance and your comfort at home. That even applies to small parts such as furnace filters that many homeowners overlook. So, does furnace filter thickness matter?

Many people don’t think about their air filters until it’s time to change them. However, it can be confusing when you notice that your filter is dirtier than it should be. So, why does my AC filter get dirty so fast?

With record heat waves becoming the new normal in many regions, air conditioning has become more important than ever. A properly functioning air conditioner can make a miserably hot day tolerable. So when you have an air conditioner that malfunctions in the summer you don’t want to waste any time fixing the problem. This is particularly true if your air conditioner is no longer blowing cold air.

Installing a refrigerated AC system always comes with some challenges. One of the greatest is finding the optimum place to set the condensing unit. Many small residential lots limit the places that a condensing unit may reside. Many times, these locations may be far from the HVAC unit and the condensing coil. The question of how far you can run an AC line set is critical to a proper installation.

Whether it be your stove, furnace, or boiler, old appliances simply cannot work at full capacity. Old HVAC systems must work much harder than they used to, but the results aren’t as good. For example, the typical furnace lasts 15 to 20 years.

In the summertime, when it can get quite hot both indoors and outdoors, having an air conditioning system is critical. But not all homes and businesses can accommodate massive HVAC systems, and those that can’t tend to rely on the classic window AC units.

Heat pumps are amazingly efficient for heating your home under most normal conditions. However, when conditions aren’t right, your heat pump depends on its emergency heating capability to keep the temperature in your house comfortable and stable. If you own a heat pump, there are some facts about emergency heating you should know.

Furnace problems can be inconvenient, uncomfortable, and expensive to deal with. Whether it is your thermostat or your furnace, it is never pleasant to sit in a cool home when something isn’t working properly. So, what does it mean when your thermostat clicks but there’s no heat?

Air conditioners will no doubt play an important role in your home. When you live in hotter climates especially, going without air conditioning means a very sweaty experience. But choosing the right unit is key as well.

In the winter months, your heating system is one of your home’s main energy users. Since your home’s heating system has such a huge impact on you and your family’s comfort, it’s important that you consider all of your options. While you may already be familiar with forced air or hydronic heating systems, hydro-air heating is a less common choice. However, they are slowly gaining popularity largely because of their flexibility and reliability.

It is alarming when you discover that your HVAC system sends some unknown white dust into your home through the vents. With no clear understanding of the material and whether it is hazardous or just annoying can lead to panic in some cases. If your HVAC system is new, the dust problem can be even more upsetting.

When you are feeling chilly and turn to your heating system, you expect warmth and comfort. The last thing anyone wants to experience when the heat kicks on is a terrible smell. Unfortunately, it is not that uncommon for a sewer smell to invade your home with your heating system.

While going through the process of building your home, you’ll eventually have to consider how the ducts will be designed. You cannot overlook the ductwork because doing so will affect the type of comfort you’re able to experience at home. However, when it comes to determining an HVAC duct sizing rule of thumb, you need to avoid generalizations.

When it comes to your home, there are few things that are as important as having a good HVAC system. It’s what will keep your home warm and also regulate your home’s temperature. In recent years, heat recovery ventilation systems have become very popular. As one of the newest “hot features” of homes, it’s worth taking a look at what they can and cannot do for your home.

In most parts of life, being an overachiever is a great thing. This is true with academics, but when it comes to keeping your home toasty, overachieving isn’t that hot. A furnace that keeps running after your goal temperature is reached can be downright uncomfortable for both your body and your wallet. Rather than open up a window, it might be time to address the issue before your bills shoot through the roof.

Nothing can make a home feel comfortable quite like a reliable HVAC system. Sometimes, that means that you need to upgrade to a new thermostat or add one. Can you have two thermostats and one AC unit?

You’ve probably come across the names SpacePak and Unico in your search for heating and cooling solutions. They are the leaders in high-velocity HVAC systems. These systems have a lower profile and require less space than your average air conditioning unit. Their supply tubing is more compact than traditional ducts, and they are often used in older homes that have space limitations.

The weather outside is frightful, but your furnace fire ain’t feeling so delightful. If your furnace won’t stay lit, trying to deal with winter weather can become a serious problem. Furnaces that don’t stay lit are more than just a pet peeve. This is a major problem that can harm your wellbeing. So, what’s the deal with this issue, anyway?

Experienced HVAC technicians and contractors have less to prove than others. That’s not to say that a new company can’t be equally trustworthy. However, it’s a good sign if an HVAC contractor has been around for 5 to 20 years or longer.

The cleanliness of most parts of your house has nothing to do with the results of your home inspection. However, it does affect how easy it is for an inspector to move through your house, which affects how long it takes. You can also set a good tone and make a great impression on the inspector if your home is clean.

As a homeowner, you’re already used to dealing with repairs and maintenance projects throughout your home. That said, it should come as no surprise that issues can arise with your furnace, too. A furnace can be a life saver during the cold winter months, which is why it’s important to ensure it is working properly. That means you can count on it to blow hot air through your home when you need it and to shut off when you don’t. So, what should you do if the furnace won’t turn off at all?

Reversing valves are some of the more important small parts of an HVAC system, especially if you run a heat pump during the winter. During the winter, reversing valves have a tendency of getting locked into place. This makes it very difficult for the valve to adequately do its job. If your valve gets stuck, don’t get frustrated. Get good at loosening it up instead.

Adding some warmth to your home through the winter can keep your space cozy and comfortable. Many people opt for a furnace blower to help push the hot air through the house effectively. While this is a great solution to heat a home, sometimes the furnace blower can become quite loud. Fixing a furnace blower yourself is possible for the technical and savvy DIY homeowner.

If you recently noticed a strange pool of water near your HVAC unit, then you probably have been thinking about checking out the condensate pump. Condensate pumps are a vital part of most air conditioning units. This is doubly true if you live in a humid environment prone to lots of moisture. It’s normal to wonder if your pump’s actually working. So, how can you tell if it is?

Whether you’re moving into your first home or you own an apartment complex, you’ll need a working water heater. Until it comes time to install one, you may not even realize how often you use it.

It’s hard to imagine a world without air conditioning, even if air conditioners can be a mystery themselves. The average homeowner doesn’t have professional-grade knowledge when it comes to air conditioner amperage, voltage, and wattage. So, how many amps does an air conditioner use?

Thermostats act as the heart of every home’s AC system, but that doesn’t mean they don’t get glitchy. A common issue that you might have with a digital thermostat happens when your thermostat’s face suddenly goes blank, then turns back on. It’s almost like a reboot…except it’s not supposed to happen. If this happens to you, you might be wondering what this means for your HVAC system.

It wasn’t until I owned my own home that I realized how coveted storage space is. Having an entire closet dedicated to a furnace seems like a giant waste of storage space. So, what about the attic? Could that be a practical place to install a furnace to save storage space on living floors?

When it is working properly, your furnace is capable of making your home comfortable in even the coldest of temperatures. The process requires several components coming together at once to produce warm air that blows throughout your home.

Most people are familiar with heat pumps when it comes to using them as air conditioners. A unique feature about a heat pump is that it can be used during the winter to heat your home and not just during the summer to cool it. But how can a split system like a heat pump perform both of these functions?

Honeywell thermostats are beloved for their fair price, useful settings, and effective interface. They especially come in handy during winter when you need to adjust the heat and enjoy your furnace. So, what does it mean when your Honeywell thermostat says “Heat On” but there is no heat?

In the past decade or so, freon prices have gone up drastically. But anyone who has central air in their home knows that freon is a necessity, especially for those in temperate climates that can get into the upper 90s or 100s in the summer. With Freon being a necessity, you must know exactly how much this will cost you per pound.

Central air conditioning is a modern commodity and it’s hard to get comfortable when it isn’t working properly. HVAC system problems can be overwhelming and even expensive, especially if you don’t know what you’re doing. So, why is your central air conditioning line freezing up?

Your plumbing contractor tells you it is time to replace your old boiler. Now you face several decisions. The first decision that faces you is replacing your old boiler with a new high-efficiency condensing boiler or sticking with a more traditional non-condensing boiler. There are advantages and disadvantages to both.

Your home’s air ducts are an essential part of your comfort, especially during the peak of summer or the dead of winter. Understandably, it can be concerning to hear your air ducts sound much louder than usual. So, why are my air ducts so loud?

The liquid line on your air conditioner is a big part of its proper operation. It is common for the line to become hot, and it is often due to it being dirty or underpowered. Follow along as we explore how you can cool down the liquid line on your AC.

Back when I used to have to get up early for school, I’d pour hot water on my car’s glass to get the ice off. It didn’t take too long for a crack to develop. I still occasionally use hot water on frozen items as a way to speed-defrost, even if it’s not a good idea. I’ve even done it with heat pumps. But, should anyone really try this on something as delicate as a heat pump?

We all rely on air ducts to deliver hot and cool air throughout our homes and keep us comfortable. Naturally, it can be pretty disconcerting when you notice foul and musty odors coming from your air ducts. You’re not alone if you’ve ever wondered how to make your home's air ducts smell better.

When the seasons shift, you remember just how critical your home’s heating and cooling systems are. Whether you’re entering a cold winter or a sweltering summer, make sure your thermostat is in good working order. The thermostat tells the HVAC system when it’s at the right temperature– but there are many ways miscommunications can happen.

Air conditioning, also referred to as cooling, is more intricate than heating. With heating, energy is used to create heat, whereas, air conditioning systems use energy to remove heat. While you may know how to turn on your air conditioning, do you know which type that you have? Although conventional air conditioning systems are what first comes to mind when you think of cooling, there are other alternatives that use less energy.

A great heat pump can boost your home’s HVAC system. However, some brands such as Nordyne and Rheem are worth avoiding. Whether it be Ameristar or Lennox International, let’s take a look at the 6 worst heat pump brands.

If the flame sensor on your furnace is broken or faulty, you may be looking for a temporary solution. Those who live in especially cold areas of the country rely on their furnace to keep them warm during winter months. Since your flame sensor is a safety device, when it’s not working properly, your furnace will not operate.

Nothing is more annoying in the HVAC world than when your furnace won’t kick on. It can also be intimidating at first because we all know that furnace problems sometimes lead to expensive repairs. So, what should you do when the pilot light is lit, but the furnace won’t kick on?

Your furnace is a complicated piece of machinery. There are so many components involved to ensure that your home stays nice and toasty without so much as a second thought. But those various components can mean that things will go wrong from time to time.

Problems with AC units can be understandably unnerving, especially when they hum without turning on. This is caused by several reasons such as a bad capacitor or broken motor. Whether it be replacing parts or replacing the entire unit, let’s explore what you should do when your AC hums but won’t turn on.

AC units are more complicated than they seem, yet many problems are repairable, such as:

A heat pump can be an efficient way of delivering hot or cool air into your home depending on the time of year and the temperature outside. When the temperatures soar in the summer, a heat pump that blows hot air is doing you no favors.

Depending on where you live, a functioning air conditioner can either be a convenient feature or an absolute necessity. Whatever the case, it’s important to know what to look for when buying one for your home.

You are currently dealing with one of the worst problems an air conditioning unit can have: a bad compressor. It’s been diagnosed, your repairman confirmed it, and you are upset. You should be. It’s a pricey repair, no matter what type of AC unit you own! Right now, you have to figure out the answer to a pressing finance question. Should you replace your compressor, or just buy a new unit altogether?

Like it or not, your heat pump is going to run into common issues from time to time. They can be easy to fix depending on the issue or they can be a precursor to larger issues. Being able to identify those issues is of the utmost importance.

Setting a schedule on your Honeywell thermostat is indeed an effective way to avoid the extra hassle of setting its temperature every time. You can have your thermostat automatically switch modes at intervals without having to do any extra work. However, there are times when you might want to reset the schedule setting or even get rid of it.

When you start to notice your home furnace is acting abnormally, you might start to picture your savings account shrinking. While your furnace may have lasted 20 years or longer, the cost of a new one can be quite painful, especially in 2022 with energy costs and inflation soaring. With so many new furnace options, add-ons, and potentially hidden fees, you might even struggle to understand exactly how much it will cost to replace your furnace. 

Periodically, your furnace will turn on to reach a desired temperature before shutting off. This is called cycling, and the frequency in which it occurs depends on a few factors.