Archive for August 2012
The Elements Of A Well-Designed Zoning System
A zoning system allows you to divide your home into separate cooling/heating zones while still using a single air conditioner and furnace. Diverse parts of the house often have different cooling or heating requirements at the same time. A sun-facing room on an upper level needs more A/C in summer than a shaded downstairs den. A family member in…
Read MoreAir Conditioning Terms: Understanding The Lingo
Air conditioning terms, just like central air conditioning technology, have gotten more complex recently. However, if you’re considering an A/C upgrade, scheduling a service call or just looking for ways to improve efficiency, you need to know the lingo. Technical terms get thrown around fast at such times, and a general knowledge of the nomenclature helps you…
Read MoreThe Noises Your Air Conditioner’s Making Are Telling You Something — Do You Know What?
Today’s central air conditioners have gotten a lot quieter than units of just a few years ago. High-efficiency units incorporate sound-dampening technology and two-stage compressors to produce noise levels below 69 decibels. So if you hear unusual sounds coming from your air conditioner during normal operation, that could be a sign that something is amiss…
Read MoreStandby Power: The Greedy Energy Consumer In Your Home
Did you know that standby power in your home can raise your electric bills by as much as $100 a year? On an individual basis, that’s not an overwhelming amount, but across the U.S., the federal EPA estimates that people spend $10 billion a year by consuming power that serves no purpose. It comes from…
Read MoreReplacing Your Water Heater: 5 Factors To Consider
If you’re considering replacing your water heater, don’t base it on cost or brand name alone. There are five factors to consider before you buy. These include:
Read MoreManual J: Why The Technician Who Sizes Your System Should Know It Inside Out
Many people haven’t heard of Manual J, which is the primary tool that HVAC contractors use to size a home’s cooling or heating equipment. It’s essential when replacing a system to go through the steps this tool requires to pinpoint the right size HVAC equipment for your home. Going by the size of the existing…
Read MoreAvoiding The Problem Of Moisture Damage When Your A/C’s Running All The Time
These hot summer months can challenge your air conditioner’s ability to satisfy your indoor temperature demands. Record temperatures, heat waves and a blanket of humidity force you to keep the air conditioning running nonstop. Unfortunately, this also means potential moisture damage.
Read MoreWorking Toward Lighter Energy Bills? Lower Your Cooling Load
As summer in the Wichita area gets hotter, your cooling system has to work harder, which means your energy bills will rise along with the temperature. To get lower energy bills, lower your cooling load by taking some of the following steps:
Read MoreYour Heat Pump’s Ailing? Try These Simple Remedies
If your heat pump is acting up, or it’s not cooling properly, try these simple remedies before calling an HVAC technician. It may save you the time and expense of a service call.
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