Studies have proven that indoor air is commonly five times more polluted than outdoor air. Modern construction practices and the need to optimize energy efficiency have led to tightly sealed homes. Insulation, caulking and weatherstripping as well as Energy Star rated windows and exterior doors help to prevent heated and cooled air from escaping. Stopping […]
It can be difficult to decide the right time to replace the air conditioner. It’s important to have an efficient and effective cooling system that provides reliability. Even with yearly professional maintenance, equipment eventually wears out. While it might continue to operate, the air conditioner isn’t necessarily worth keeping. At some point, the smarter decision […]
For areas with severe winter weather, it can be a challenge to create a perfectly warm living environment. The cost of heating adds up quickly. If the furnace is older, it might struggle to keep up with demand. Too often, homeowners feel they are saving money by putting off a heating system replacement. Getting by […]
The duct system is largely concealed inside walls, ceilings, garages, basements, attics and crawl spaces. Because it’s not attractive, the system is actively hidden. However, this network of pipes is responsible for removing stale air and supplying freshly heated or cooled air into every room in the house. The breathing air passes through the ductwork […]
There are several different types of heat pumps, including ductless, air-source, water-source and ground-source models. Heat pumps are a rather amazing innovation. The system combines both heating and cooling capacity into a single unit, taking up less space and reducing maintenance requirements. These modern temperature control solutions operate very much like a conventional air conditioner […]
For cold weather areas, heated floors are an ideal winter solution. The only drawback of radiant flooring is the lack of a centralized cooling option. For northern locations with especially short summer seasons, this isn’t a problem. There is electric heated flooring that is designed in mats that cater to retrofit installation. The hydronic alternative […]
Central air conditioners use refrigerant to pull heat from the indoor air and transfer it outdoors, creating a cooling effect. Today’s air conditioners have replaced ozone-depleting Freon refrigerant with a more friendly variation. As a result of the Clean Air Act of 2010, Freon or R22 refrigerant has been completely phased out. Today’s cooling system’s […]
A well-maintained furnace can last fifteen to twenty years. However, it can prove cost-effective to replace an older furnace that continues to operate. Models that are more than ten years old gradually diminish in efficiency, heating capacity and reliability. Wear and tear on the system can result in frequent minor repairs that quickly add up […]
The Environmental Protection Agency considers geothermal heating and cooling as the most environmentally responsible choice for indoor temperature control. These sophisticated systems utilize the free and renewable energy supplied by the sun. No matter the change of seasons or severity of the weather, the earth remains at a fairly constant temperature all year round. A […]
Over the last few years, there have been considerable advances in the engineering of air conditioners. At one time, whole-home cooling systems created a significant energy draw that was hard on the budget. They used freon refrigerant that negatively impacted the environment. Modern air conditioners achieve up to a 26 SEER and have been converted […]