Frequently Asked Questions About Heat Pumps

October 19, 2021

Heat pumps can be very efficient heating systems, and they attract a lot of attention because they provide air conditioning as well. There are heat pumps that use ductwork as well as those that do not require ducts, making these units very versatile. While they offer many advantages, heat pumps may be unfamiliar to some people. Below, we have answered some common questions regarding heat pumps so that you can have a better understanding of how they work. Can a Heat Pump Heat an Entire Home? Yes. When configured properly, a heat pump can generate enough heat to warm your entire house. They work in all types of weather, so you can use them year-round. Are Heat Pumps Effective at Cooling? Yes. Heat pumps can function as air conditioners in the warmer months. They do so by using a refrigerant to absorb heat energy. The resulting cool air is moved into your home. In addition, they can dehumidify the air. This is especially useful in the summer. Should I Get a Heat Pump If I Have an Existing Heating System? It depends. Some heat pumps are intended to be used as standalone heating units, so these should not be used...

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3 Efficient Heating Systems to Consider for Your Home

September 20, 2021

Cold temperatures will soon arrive in Show Low, AZ, so it’s time to think about replacing your old, ineffective heating system with a new, energy-efficient option. An efficient home heating system lowers your monthly energy bills, reduces your carbon footprint and enhances your comfort. Here are three types of efficient heating systems to consider for your Show Low home. 1. Ductless Mini-Split A ductless mini-split is a combination heating and cooling system. Instead of relying on a bulky, complicated system of ducts throughout your home, this type of system uses multiple indoor units connected to an outdoor unit with a conduit. The indoor units can be mounted onto a perimeter wall or the ceiling. Ductless mini-splits facilitate zoned climate control, so you could just heat one part of your Show Low home at a time. These systems are at least 30% more efficient than ducted systems. 2. Dual Fuel Hybrid A dual-fuel or hybrid heating system includes a heat pump and a gas furnace. When the temperature is moderate, the heat pump provides the heating functions. It does this at temperatures of 25 degrees Fahrenheit or warmer. When the temperature drops below this level, the gas furnace delivers heat. 3....

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Some Summer Cooling Myths to Keep in Mind

August 17, 2021

Keeping your home cool should be at the top of your priority list in the summer, but you also want your energy bill to go down. Unfortunately, there are some summer cooling myths floating around that might make it more difficult for you to keep your home at a comfortable temperature and save money. Watch out for these misnomers that could cost you money or make your home less comfortable. Buy the Right Size If you’re going to be buying a new air conditioner soon, you might think that buying a bigger air conditioner is a great idea because you’ll be able to cool your house down that much more quickly. Unfortunately, air conditioners don’t work quite like that. A bigger air conditioner will cool the air down more quickly, but it can’t filter out the moisture in the air nearly as quickly, so you’ll end up with a cool but moist house, which most people don’t like. Don’t Block Airflow People try to cut down on their cooling costs by shutting the doors and vents in the rooms that they’re not using, but this plan backfires. When you shut doors and vents, you also block airflow. Your HVAC system...

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Common AC Problems in Summer

July 29, 2021

With the heat of summer upon us in Show Low, AZ, using our air conditioners is common. Unfortunately, several things can go wrong with your AC during the summer months, and you will want to keep an eye out for these issues. If you see any problems, you will want to call an HVAC technician out as soon as possible. Duct Leaks The duct in your home carries the cool air and puts it out through each room. If something happens to your ductwork, like holes, you will be losing some of that cold air. This will cause your AC not to work very well, leading to wear and tear. Refrigerant Leaks If your AC has a refrigerant leak, it will not be able to cool your home effectively. A coolant leak can also damage some of the other components that reside in your AC unit. Addressing the leak and replacing the refrigerant should only be done by a licensed HVAC technician. Dirty Air Filter Your HVAC system has a filter that should be changed every month or so. If this filter becomes clogged, it will cause your air conditioner to work harder and be less efficient. In fact, you...

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How To Keep My Home Cool Without Air Conditioning?

June 6, 2021

Temperatures tend to rise during summer; however, some of us cannot afford an air conditioner. If you are thinking of alternative ways of cooling your home without an AC, we have compiled some of them here. 1. Shut Doors to Unused Rooms When at home, it’s advisable to shut the doors of the unused rooms to ensure that they do not emit their warm air to the areas that you are using. It will help you regulate the air circulation within your house without using any air conditioning. 2. Choice Low-Heat Appliances Most people have adopted the use of modern appliances to perform their household chores. These appliances mostly give off significant amounts of heat that, in turn, makes the house warm. Therefore, you should choose the most convenient appliance that will emit minimal heat. However, choosing where to place these appliances is also a thing to consider as it will help you understand how to aerate your room. 3. Plant Vines Vines grow quickly and provide a cooling shade by reducing the temperatures as they block sunlight from heating the exterior wall. This reduces the heat emitted to the room by exterior walls, thus reducing the overall heat in...

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What Size Air Conditioner Do I Need for My Home?

May 19, 2021

When choosing a new air conditioner for your home, it’s critical that you get one that’s the right size. An AC system that is too large or small for your home will cause several problems. There are many variables that go into figuring out the right size AC system. Load Calculation When you hire an HVAC company to replace your air conditioner, they will perform a “load calculation.” The software they use takes many factors into account. Some of these are where your home is, its square footage, the number of windows, the quality of insulation, and whether it’s shielded from the sun. How Are Air Conditioners Rated? Air conditioners are rated according to their cool capacity and energy efficiency. Cooling capacity is measured in tons. AC systems for homes have cooling capacities between 1.5 and 5 tons. The energy efficiency of an air conditioner is its SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating. The higher the SEER, the more efficient it is. Why You Don’t Want Too Large of an Air Conditioner If your air conditioner has too much cooling capacity, it will short cycle. This means it turns on, rapidly cools your home, and then shuts off. This is...

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Are Modern Air Conditioners More Energy Efficient?

April 5, 2021

Heating and cooling your home make up a large part of your energy usage. Modern air conditioners are much more energy-efficient than ones that came out even a decade ago. There are a few things to look for when deciding which air conditioner is best suited for you. EER and SEER Ratings EER (energy efficiency rating) and SEER (seasonal energy efficiency rating) are the two measurements of how energy efficient an air conditioner is. The higher the number, the more energy-efficient it is. Old air conditioners had a SEER rating of 6 or less. Modern ones have to be at least SEER 13, but some are SEER 20 or more. If you upgrade an old air conditioner to a modern one, you can save between 20-40% on your electricity bills. in Show Low, AZ, replaces air conditioners. We’re a Lennox Premier Dealer but work with all makes and models. Energy Star You should look for an air conditioner with Energy Star certification. This certification tells you that the AC unit is more energy-efficient than similar models. Variable Speed Motors Some modern air conditioners feature variable speed motors. Older air conditioners work just as hard when it’s cooler out as when...

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What Are the Most Common Indoor Air Pollutants?

March 17, 2021

The Environmental Protection Agency recognizes several indoor air pollutants, such as dust particles, pesticides, and excessive moisture. All these pollutants affect your health, causing dampness, stuffiness, odors, and your home’s structural state. Fortunately, you can purify your indoor air from these pollutants through proper ventilation, installing air filters, or using activated charcoal. These are some of the most common indoor air pollutants that threaten the air quality in your home. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) Furnishings, such as carpets and furniture, cooking processes, pesticides, and building materials can emit VOCs to your indoor air. VOCs can have short and prolonged effects on your body when exposed for a long time. You might suffer eye and nose irritation, liver and kidney damage, and headaches when exposed to VOCs indoors. An effective way of getting rid of this indoor air contaminant is by increasing ventilation to your house and following the manufacturer’s instructions. Excess Moisture Moisture is often overlooked as an indoor air pollutant, but it can be harmful. Mildew and dust mites thrive when moisture settles on surfaces in your home. Dust mites and mildew trigger allergic reactions like asthma. Also, high moisture levels indoors can be uncomfortable. Some sources of excess...

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How To Make An Old Home More Energy Efficient

February 16, 2021

Old homes display charm and character, but they are not always as efficient as new homes. Surprisingly, owning an old home can be more costly than you realize. You might incur high maintenance and renovation costs when living in an old home. You probably don’t know that an old home has a low energy efficiency, which can be costly. Here are ways to make your old home in Show Low, AZ, more energy-efficient to reduce the cost of energy bills. Change Showerheads and Faucets While old showerheads, faucets, and toilets may appear beautiful, they are not always energy-efficient. Given that they were made or installed several years ago, faucets and showerheads might become faulty or consume more energy than the modern ones. It would be wise to make your home more energy efficient by updating your faucets, flushing toilets, sinks, and showerheads to significantly save on your water bill. Insulate Attic and Walls A home’s effective insulation reduces the heat flow rate into the house during summer or out of the house during the winter months. Therefore, you need less energy to cool or heat your home. If the walls of your old home are not well-insulated, consider insulating them...

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What to do if your furnace will not stay lit

January 20, 2021

A common problem that furnaces have is that the burners won’t stay lit. The furnace will start but then turn itself back off after a few minutes when this problem occurs. There are a few things that cause this. Malfunctioning Thermostat Your furnace could be malfunctioning. It’s falsely telling your furnace that the desired temperature has been met. You can fix this by replacing it with a new thermostat. If this doesn’t solve the problem, you can return the thermostat and look for other problems. Broken Thermocouple Your furnace has a thermocouple called the heat sensor. Its job is to close the gas valve if the pilot light goes out. A broken one can randomly close the gas valve, which shuts down your furnace. of Show Low, AZ, can replace broken heat sensors and perform other furnace repairs. We’ve been helping customers since 1993. Restricted Air Flow If your furnace doesn’t get proper airflow, it can overheat and shut down. This often happens because the air filter is clogged and needs to be replaced. You should check the filter every month and replace it when it appears dirty. Blower Motor Isn’t Running Your furnace will shut itself down if the...

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