What are the 4 Major Indoor Air Pollutants?

January 19, 2023

The air inside our homes is crucial to our health and well-being. Unfortunately, indoor air can be polluted by a variety of sources, including smoking, cleaning products, and other items that emit gases. Here are the four major indoor air pollutants. 1. Biological Pollutants Your home should be relatively free from excess moisture. High levels of humidity can create an environment that is favorable for the growth of mold and other biological pollutants. Maintaining the humidity levels in your home between 30% to 50% is important. Try to use exhaust fans in areas high in moisture, such as bathrooms and...

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How Long Do Control Boards on Furnaces Last?

December 21, 2022

A residential furnace can be a pretty complex system. Inside modern furnaces, you’ll find control boards that are responsible for turning on and off various components to make them work properly. Just like any other internal part, control boards do go bad and will need to be replaced by a professional. Expected Lifespan The average furnace circuit board, also referred to as its “motherboard,” will last anywhere between 10 and 15 years. Depending on the specific type of furnace that you have, this means that your control board could last the expected lifespan of your entire system. What Causes Failure?...

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4 Signs You Need to Call a Furnace Repair Expert

November 18, 2022

The hot weather has come to an end, which means it’s time to start thinking about firing up the furnace and getting your home cozy for the colder months ahead. But what do you do if your furnace isn’t working properly? How can you tell if it’s time to call in a professional for furnace repair? 1. Your Furnace Is Making Strange Noises If your furnace starts making strange noises, it’s definitely time to give an expert a call. These noises could be anything from a light humming to a loud banging, and they’re usually an indication that something inside...

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The Consequences of Having Your Furnace Run Out of Oil

October 20, 2022

If you have an oil furnace, it is crucial to make sure that you never run out of oil. But what happens if you do? This article will discuss what happens if your furnace runs out of oil, why it happens, and how you can avoid this problem. Damaged Components First, you need to know that running out of oil can damage your furnace. The heat exchanger can overheat and crack when a furnace runs out of oil. The cracked heat exchanger will then need replacement, which can be a costly repair. Additionally, running out of oil can also cause...

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How Can I Cool My Home That Doesn’t Have Ductwork?

September 15, 2022

If you live in a home that wasn’t built with a central forced-air HVAC system, you have limited options to cool your home in the summer. That’s because it’s very costly and destructive to try and add ductwork to a home with already-finished walls, floors, and ceilings. You could, of course, purchase window AC units to cool individual rooms. But that’s an inefficient and expensive proposition and can cause property damage. There’s a better option, however. Here’s how a ductless mini-split AC system can solve your cooling problem. How Ductless Mini-Split Systems Work Ductless mini-split AC systems are a bit...

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Is It Safe for Me to Replace My AC Capacitor?

August 11, 2022

AC capacitors are one of the most frequently replaced parts in AC units. These components directly contribute to the system’s ability to efficiently cool your home. When you notice your unit randomly shutting down or only producing warm air, it’s time to call in a professional technician for a replacement. Your AC Unit’s Capacitor An AC capacitor is a small, tube-like component that acts like a short-term battery. Some AC units have two capacitors while others have a single dual capacitor. AC units need a lot of electricity to start the cooling cycle. Many residential homes can’t deliver that amount...

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What Is a Multizone HVAC System?

July 18, 2022

If your family has different ideas of what hot and cold are, a multizone HVAC system may be the solution for you. This type of system gives you the ability to heat and cool different areas of your home to everyone’s liking. But how does a multizone HVAC system work? How Does This System Work? As the name suggests, a multizone HVAC system can independently heat and cool different areas of your home. Each zone has its own thermostat. You can configure this system in many ways, depending on the size of your home and budget. It’s common to zone...

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4 Creative Ways to Reduce HVAC Noise at Home

June 17, 2022

Besides playing a critical role in your home, the HVAC system has noise challenges. It’s common for the heating unit to carry the noise from one room to another. Ductwork and vents are the paths that noise travels in your house. However, with the following HVAC soundproofing strategies, you can enjoy your silence and a good night’s sleep. 1. Line Ductwork Interiors Lining the interior of the ductwork with acoustical insulation is an effective way to muffle the noise that comes from the HVAC system. The most common type of material used for this project is fiberglass, which is available...

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Do You Save Money When You Close the Upstairs Air Vents?

May 16, 2022

It seems reasonable to close the upstairs air vents in summer; after all, the upstairs doesn’t get much use, and you want the AC to only cool where it’s necessary. But this does more harm than good, as we’ll show below. Don’t Close Vents to a Single-Speed AC It’s true that some ACs are variable-speed and come with zoning controls that allow you to disperse less air to unoccupied rooms. However, a single-speed air conditioner is meant to cool a precise square footage of living space, and if you reduce that square footage by closing vents, it won’t cool as...

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Should I Buy a Used Furnace to Save Some Money?

March 17, 2022

Replacing your old furnace can be a difficult process. You might have considered cutting costs by buying a pre-owned system. While this may seem like an option that saves you thousands, it’s a bargain that comes with several hazards. Here’s why you’re better off buying a new furnace. Expensive Additional Costs Furnaces usually have a lifespan of between 15 and 25 years. As they age, the internal parts and functions slowly wear down. Older furnaces need more maintenance and repairs than new systems. A preowned furnace may already need to have certain components replaced. These systems are also at a...

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