A good rule of thumb for choosing an HVAC unit that will properly heat/cool your home is to select a unit that has a BTU rating of 20 for every square foot of your home. So, if your home is 1,500 square feet, look for an HVAC system with 30,000 BTU or higher. However, it’s best not to choose a unit that outputs more than 15% BTU over this calculated amount.
It depends on your home, the type of filter you use, whether you have pets, and whether anyone in the home has allergies. Generally, manufacturers recommend that you change your air filters every 90 days. However, if you or someone in your family is prone to allergies, or if you have pets, you may want to change them every 60 days instead.
R-22 refrigerant has been phased out for the more environmentally friendly R410A, which makes it more expensive. An AC unit that uses R410A refrigerant has more fluid temperature-changing capabilities, which helps it to heat or cool your home more quickly. It’s also more energy-efficient, which saves you money in the long run.
Covering your AC system during the fall can help prevent debris such as leaves, nuts, and seeds from blocking the airflow to your AC unit. Covering it during the winter is not required (since your HVAC unit is manufactured to withstand rain and snow), but it won’t damage it. In both cases, make sure you cover it with breathable fabric to prevent moisture buildup.
Humidifying your home can lead to healthier skin, better sleep, and fewer allergy symptoms. Humidified air also helps prepare for flu season by keeping your sinuses from being irritated by the dry winter air. If you have antiques in your home, humidification can help keep the furniture in good shape and extend its lifespan.
Having your air ducts professionally cleaned can help to reduce contaminants in the air and improve overall indoor air quality. It also helps your HVAC system work more efficiently, saving you money on energy costs and preventing repairs!
It depends on your goals and your priorities. Gas and oil HVAC products generally heat your home more quickly but can be more expensive to operate. However, they also wear out faster and can be more dangerous (although overall, they are still very safe). Electric HVAC products often have higher upfront costs but are less expensive month-to-month. They’re also better for the environment and can be more efficient overall.
While your air conditioner lowers the temperature inside the house, it only removes a minimal amount of moisture. To effectively reduce and control moisture, you will need a dehumidifier.
Choosing the best air conditioning unit depends greatly on your home and your priorities. Our certified HVAC experts can help talk you through your options and provide personalized recommendations based on your unique situation!
An air conditioner should generally run for about 15–20 minutes at a time. If it’s running for longer than that, it may not be the right size for your home or may need repair.
If you run your air conditioning when the outside air temperature is below 62 degrees, the pressure inside the system can drop, potentially freezing the unit.
It depends on your home, whether you have pets, and whether anyone in the home has allergies. Generally, manufacturers recommend that you change your air filters every 90 days. However, if you or someone in your family is prone to allergies, or if you have pets, you may want to change them every 60 days instead.
A number of factors can affect how long the furnace runs, including the temperature outside and your home’s insulation. However, generally speaking, it should run for approximately 15–20 minutes at a time and cycle about 2 to 3 times per hour.
Your furnace should start within 5 minutes of you turning on the thermostat. However, it may take 10–15 minutes to warm your home. To maintain its temperature, your furnace will likely cycle 2 to 3 times per hour.
Depending on the size of your home and its insulation, your house will start to cool down immediately after it is no longer being heated. However, it should maintain warmth for about 8–12 hours.
A “short cycle” refers to when a furnace turns off before it reaches the desired temperature. Typically, when this happens, it will shut off rapidly and it may be in the middle of a cycle.
If your circuit breaker is repeatedly tripping, there could be a serious electrical issue. If this is happening to you, we recommend calling our team of professional electricians immediately to ensure there is no danger to your home or family.