Posts Tagged ‘hvac maintenance’
What to Know About HVAC Systems and the Rain
With all the precipitation in the forecast, now is a good time to go over the effects of rain on your heating and air conditioning system. Luckily, your outdoor HVAC unit is designed to withstand harsh weather conditions such as rain, snow — even minor hail. Unfortunately, if your unit needs service during extreme weather,…
Read MoreThe Leaks in Your Ductwork: a Drain on Your Budget and Your Comfort
Ductwork leaks are extremely common and they can cost Wichita homeowners hundreds of dollars per year on their heating and cooling bills. Over time, leaks in ductwork multiply and get larger, steadily increasing your energy usage–without you being aware of the cause. Many people just assume prices have gone up and keep paying more to the utility company, never…
Read MoreThe Energy-Efficient Home: How Your Systems Work in Sync
Committed to making your home more energy efficient? A key is understanding the whole-house systems approach. After all, the systems in your home work in sync. Thus, your home’s systems are much like the parts of your body. When one area suffers, it negatively affects another. For example, you can’t achieve an energy-efficient home if…
Read MoreForgot to Make an Appointment for Annual Service? Why You Shouldn’t Wait a Minute Longer
Your cooling and heating system is just like any other machine – parts and components can wear down, get dirty, and need to be replaced or adjusted. It takes regular checkups to catch these issues and solve them before they affect your system’s efficiency or damage it, reducing its longevity. Regular maintenance tune-ups will keep…
Read MoreCalculate Lifetime Cost Factors of Your New Cooling System Before Buying
Chances are good if you own a home that you’ll need to install a new cooling system at least once. The upfront costs of replacing your cooling system can be daunting, but considering that you might be living with this appliance for up to 20 years, it’s important to look for a system with the highest…
Read MoreThose Troublesome Air Leaks: Find Them, Fix Them
The air leaks in your home are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. That’s why the volume of heat that can enter during summer or escape during winter is so large. In a house without weatherizing, the sum total of leakage from all sources can be the equivalent of leaving an exterior…
Read MoreThe Summer Blackout: Have What You Need, And Know What To Do?
Power outage in winter are usually limited to ice storms and blizzards, but a summer blackout can occur for a variety of reasons. Here in southern Kansas, high winds associated with severe thunderstorms or even tornadoes can take down power lines. Lightning strikes can damage transformers or utility substations. During a heat wave, extreme demands on…
Read MoreThe 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 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…
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