HVAC News You Can Use

We’ve been in the business almost 20 years now and have installed and serviced a variety of HVAC units. We do not promote brands but rather recommend brands we have experience with and best fit the client’s need. In the event the client has a preference for a certain brand we will do our best to provide it.  Here are the facts with regard to the different HVAC (central air-conditioner, heat-pump, or furnace) brands.  

When sizing up a new air conditioner, heat pump, or HVAC unit, it is common to hear the pros throw around terms involving tonnage, saying for example, you need a 3-ton or 4-ton unit.  For reference, 4 tons is about the weight of an adult elephant!  But don’t be alarmed: they’re not talking about the weight of the unit!  This is a throw-back from the 1800’s and the term stuck.  You may also hear pros refer to the capacity of HVAC units in terms of BTUs.

It’s no surprise that the demand for air-conditioners is highest in the summer, and the demand for furnaces is highest in the winter.  If you have an old or failing HVAC system, it will likely go out when it is stressed the most - on the coldest or hottest day of the year – when the demand is greatest.  Well, that’s when everyone else is calling for service,

One of the common problems we encounter is a heat pump that has iced up.  A heat pump in good condition should be able to operate in below freezing temperatures without icing over, so why does this happen?

You’ve probably heard us talk about the benefits of using a programmable thermostat, or have read our  head to head comparisons of the Nest and Honeywell smart thermostats. We’ve touted that swapping out your thermostat can be a do-it-yourself project, but, any time you replace a thermostat, you’re left with what to do with the old one. 

It always seems your heat will go out on the coldest day of the year!  Why spend money when you may be able to fix it yourself? This post describes some trouble-shooting and fixes you may be able to do before calling a technician.

The efficiency of your furnace can make a big difference in your energy bills. A new furnace will save money on your heating bills, be safer, and greener (better for the environment).  Our best advice is to plan ahead!  Do not wait until the dead of winter and your heat has gone out to start thinking about replacements. In fact, you’re likely to get the best pricing on a furnace in the spring or fall.

We all try to make our dollars go farther and last longer.  Big expenditures – like a new HVAC system or a major HVAC repair – can break the budget… and who has time for that anyway?  Here are some true stories from real-life customer experiences we can all learn from.

Harnessing solar energy does not mean you need photovoltaic panels on your roof and technological solutions.  There are myriad ways to design passive solar concepts into a home that will allow you to lower your heating and cooling costs year-round, and make your home more environmentally friendly.

Regardless whether it’s your HVAC unit, your car, or some other device, it’s easy to feel caught in the middle by “finger-pointing” from different service companies. See if any of these sound familiar: Company B tells you they need to install a new part that Company A just recently replaced. Company B says that Company A did something wrong and they are having to un-do it or re-do it. What should you do?  You’re probably not a technical wiz about the issue – that’s why you called a service technician to begin with! 

Mold in your home can be an unsightly and smelly problem, as well as a major health issue.  Despite what others may tell you, adding UV lights to your HVAC system will not completely solve an air quality or mold problem in your home.  In this podcast, we’ll help explain why and point out some of the downsides of UV lights.

Cooling an empty house – either when you’re gone during the day at work, or when you’re away for an extended vacation – seems like a bad idea since it uses electricity and energy, and wastes money. So, it’s natural to assume that the best way to save money is to turn it off when not in use, right?  Not so! Here’s why.

As the summer heats up, our thoughts turn to cooler technologies.  In this post, we highlight some of the latest revolutionary and disruptive technologies when it comes to cooling.  Here is just a brief taste of what’s to come in the not-too-distant future.

We hate to be the bearer of bad news (maybe good news to a few of you). But if Winter just happens to be right around the corner in this year, winter will come roaring in like a lion on December the 21st also  known as 4 days before Christmas! We don't want you to be blindsided by this event, so today we're giving you 4 simple steps to take to prepare your home for the upcoming cold winter months.

You rely on your HVAC all year long. But now is when your HVAC is relying on YOU to take the necessary steps to keep it healthy all winter long. Here are six things you should do in Octpber to prepare for the heating season ahead.

In our last podcast, Add-on Space dilemmas we talked about some of the things to consider when calculating the peak cooling capacity for an add-on space. In this podcast, we’ll discuss some options for providing cooling to your add-on space.

With real estate prices soaring in Nashville, many homeowners are opting to stay put and enhance their existing home rather than move. Perhaps you’ve decided to close in a garage to be used as living space, finish off a bonus room, add a sunroom, or turn 

Can Leak Repair Kits Fix HVAC Refrigerant Leaks

Going Green: Tankless Water Heaters

It may surprise you to learn that indoor air pollution is among the top five environmental health risks. That’s why we’ve been devoting a series of posts on air filtration.  If you’ve been watching and listening to our posts, you’ve heard us talk about the MERV ratings of air filters, and how to select the best air filter for your needs. As a general rule, prices are higher for filters with higher MERV ratings. But here is one instance when the buying the best, most expensive filters – those with MERV ratings greater than 16 – may do more harm than good.