HVAC filtration isn’t just a requirement for keeping your home clean- it’s a health and safety necessity. Clean air protects the overall well-being of your home’s occupants by ensuring that they do not become ill or develop respiratory issues. It also prevents safety hazards that arise when lint and dust become trapped in appliances that heat up. […]
Heating your home accounts for about ten percent of your yearly energy expenditure bill. That might not seem like much, but what if you could spend even less during the winter? What if you could keep your home warmer while having a few extra dollars in your bank account? Before old man winter comes knocking at your […]
Your HVAC unit is one of the most important pieces of equipment in your home. It can also be one of the priciest, which is why it’s important to make sure your HVAC unit is installed properly. There are several HVAC installation mistakes that can keep your equipment from working the way it should. So let’s […]
If you took a look at your current water heater, there’s a great chance it’s an open-combustion unit. While these are the most common among households, they may not be the most efficient or the safest. Open-Combustion Water Heaters vs. Sealed Combustion Water Heaters An open-combustion water heater draws air from the space around the […]
The COVID-19 pandemic is disrupting nearly every aspect of life and business around the world, and there appears to be no clear end in sight. In fact, it’s likely that measures such as social distancing will be in place—to some degree or another—well through AC season and beyond. As this new reality settles in, all […]
Just like a well-functioning cardiovascular system is a sign of a healthy body, a well-functioning HVAC system is a sign of a healthy home. But beyond the mechanical equipment used in that system—such as the furnace and air conditioner—ductwork plays a more significant role than some realize. There’s no shortage of rules to follow when […]
They might add a touch of that “winter wonderland” look to your home, but if you live in a snowy climate you should already know just how damaging ice dams can be. But chances are you’re clinging to many of the same myths most others are, and missing the real source of the problem. Ice […]
It’s hard to believe the first official day of autumn is a couple of weeks away. Soon the leaves will start to change colors and fall. The days will grow cooler and shorter. And, as HVAC specialists know, indoor air quality or IAQ, will start to degrade and deteriorate. Yes, as windows and doors in […]
Ask any homeowner who’s gone through a major flood or water leak in their home and they’ll likely tell the same horror story: In addition to the high cost of repairs and cleanup, insurance deductibles skyrocket after water damage claims. Fortunately, there are smart products aimed, not only at warning of leaks but actually stopping […]
It’s the height of summer and most of North America is sweating away under intense heat, so let’s talk about cooling things down. Way, way down. More specifically, let’s talk about an essential skill every HVAC specialist likely doesn’t think twice about: His or her ability to properly size an air conditioning system. Before reading […]
It’s no secret that mini-split systems are growing in popularity throughout North America. In fact, they’re one of the fastest growing segments of the HVAC industry, a trend being driven in no small part by advances in ductless technology and rising consumer awareness. And while this is great news for HVAC companies across the board, […]
The biggest contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions isn’t cars but buildings. Housing is responsible for about 54% of GHG while transportation releases about 42%. According to a government of Australia paper, a typical HVAC system accounts for approximately 40% of total building consumption. In the coming years, energy efficiency will become more important to […]
“Run it until it breaks.” For decades, this has been the way many business owners manage their HVAC equipment. They’ll happily let their heating and air conditioning units, or commercial fridges and freezers, deteriorate over the course of years even to the point of requiring replacement. If you’re an HVAC company, this presents a […]
Did you know that right now, raccoons all over North America are hunkering down in attics and crawl spaces to give birth and raise their young? It might not seem like the kind of factoid an HVAC specialist should know, but it is. Every year, pests of all kinds find their way into the warm […]
Heat pump water heaters (HPWHs) have been around for a while, with the vast majority of consumers showing little interest. Until recently, it’s been easy to see why: HPWHs are significantly more expensive than conventional gas or electric water heaters, and the potential cost savings can be hard to communicate. But all of that […]
For as long as people have been heating and cooling their homes, there’s been a complicated relationship between energy loss and indoor air quality (IAQ). In fact, conventional wisdom dictates the two are more or less always at-odds: The more efficient a building is, the poorer the IAQ is. Right? Well, not quite. It’s true […]
With spring in the air and summer on the horizon, perhaps you’re daydreaming about hitting the beach, mixing margaritas, and building sandcastles this summer, right? Unfortunately, this year, the onset of summer in North America will likely mean another round of intense wildfires, and that has major implications for HVAC technicians when they prepare to […]
If you’re an HVAC technician, you’ve heard it again and again: “This room never fully heats up or cools down.” It’s one of the most common complaints homeowners and building managers make about their HVAC systems, and the solution might be simpler than you think. Check the registers When responding to one of these calls […]
One of the most common complaints customers make about HVAC systems is the noise they generate. Sometimes it indicates a problem that needs fixing, such as a broken blower wheel or check valve, but most of the time it’s a result of normal operation. Business owners and commercial building managers are the most likely to […]
It’s never acceptable to allow carbon monoxide into a household, which is why a cracked heat exchanger has the potential to spell big trouble for any furnace. In fact, it’s an industry standard to immediately replace any furnace that shows cracks or holes in its heat exchanger. But how seriously is the problem really taken […]