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Top Reasons Indoor Air Quality Gets Worse During the Winter

January 19, 2023

You may wonder why the air in your home starts feeling heavier in the winter. You may feel like it is harder to breathe, you could sneeze more, or your skin itches. These issues are symptoms of poor indoor air quality in the colder months. So, why does this happen in the winter? No Airflow If you have a more modern home, then the windows and doors in your home are probably sealed tight. There are also well-insulated areas in your home, so it is hard for there to be airflow in your home.

A Quick Look at Boilers and Heat Pumps

December 20, 2022

When it comes to heating your home, you have a few different options to choose from. Two popular options are heat pumps and boilers. Knowing the differences between the two and what benefits come with each will allow you to make a more informed decision about which one to invest in for your home. Boilers A boiler, at its simplest definition, is an enclosed vessel where water is heated. The vessel is warmed by a burner that can be fueled by natural gas, propane, electricity, or heating oil. In hot water boilers, the system will heat

Tips for Hiding Your Furnace

November 18, 2022

If you have a furnace in your basement, you’ve probably thought about whether you can hide it. After all, furnaces are not designed to look appealing. You have a few options when it comes to keeping your furnace from being seen. Curtains Curtains are the least expensive way to hide your furnace. You can choose curtains that match the decor of your basement and change them whenever you want to keep them updated. You can hang them from a curtain rod or pin them to the ceiling joists. When hanging the curtains, leave

Why Does My Furnace Keep Shutting Off on Me?

October 19, 2022

If your furnace fires up, heats up for a couple of minutes, and then turns off before reaching the target temperature, your home never feels comfortable. The following are some of the reasons why your furnace could be malfunctioning. You Have a Poorly Calibrated Thermostat Your HVAC system’s furnace serves as its brain, sending signals and telling it when to activate, how long to run for, and when to shut down. If the thermostat is not calibrated correctly, it thinks it has reached the desired temperature after only running for a few minutes. Our HVAC professionals

How Does Ceiling Height Affect AC Efficiency in Virginia?

September 14, 2022

When you’re considering what size air conditioner would be best for your Virginia home, there are many factors to remember. The most obvious one is the square footage of your place. It makes sense that larger air conditioners are required in larger homes. Ceiling height also affect sizing since tall ceilings can increase the overall volume of air that needs to be cooled. Sizing Air Conditioners The size of an air conditioner is measured in BTUs. A BTU is a British Thermal Unit. It’s a unit of measurement that was adopted by the industry to

Why Is My AC Making a Squeaking Sound?

August 15, 2022

Central air conditioners contain an evaporator unit, an air handler, and a big outdoor unit that houses a compressor. Every time your AC begins a cooling cycle, there are a variety of mechanical sounds produced. Nonetheless, squeaking from an AC unit is unusual. It is usually an indication of a mechanical problem in the air handler components or the compressor. Reasons Why Your AC Unit Is Squeaking There are several possible reasons why your air conditioner produces a squeaking noise. In most cases, the unusual sounds are caused by a mechanical problem. The following are some

Problems That Can Develop With Your AC Compressor

July 20, 2022

AC compressor problems aren’t uncommon, especially when you overlook preventative maintenance. These issues often require professional attention, so it’s best to avoid repairing an AC compressor without the pros. Preventive AC maintenance is vital to keeping the compressor in great shape and preventing most of these problems. Also, prompt repairs are necessary as soon as you notice a faulty compressor to avoid costly replacements. Faulty Cooling Faulty cooling happens when the AC compressor is sluggish or air fails to come out even when you turn on the compressor. Cooling problems often arise when the compressor is

How Does Static Pressure Affect an HVAC System?

June 14, 2022

Static pressure is a term that many people aren’t familiar with, but it can play a big role in how well your air conditioning and heating system performs. Maintaining the right static pressure can help you keep your home comfortable and can increase the efficiency of your system. What Is Static Pressure? In an air conditioning and heating system, air flows through ductwork and the system itself. Static pressure is defined as the resistance to airflow through these systems. If there is a blockage or the system isn’t working correctly, static pressure can increase. An

You Won’t Save Money by Closing the Upstairs Air Vents

May 17, 2022

Some homeowners who don’t use their upstairs so much will close the air vents in that area when summer comes. However, far from reducing their cooling bill, this can compromise indoor comfort downstairs and put great wear and tear on the AC. You Lose Cool Air One might think that closing the air vents to unused rooms will lead the AC to cool the other rooms more quickly. This isn’t exactly the case. Remember that single-speed air conditioners have a specific cooling capacity and that installers fit them to each home depending on factors like:

Does It Matter Where I Place My Thermostat?

April 18, 2022

Does It Matter Where I Place My Thermostat? For your thermostat to get an accurate reading of the temperature in your home, where it is placed is important. If you place it in the wrong spot, your home may get too warm or cold. Follow these rules to get accurate readings. Height Matters Warm air rises, so how high you place the thermostat on the wall matters. It should be between 52 and 60 inches above the floor. Don’t Place You Thermostat in Sunlight If sunlight hits your thermostat, it

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