Donald P. Dick Air Conditioning Blog: Archive for February, 2014

Why Higher-Efficiency Air Filters Are a Good Buy

Thursday, February 27th, 2014

Why Higher-Efficiency Air Filters Are a Good BuyDid you know that the average home contains pollution levels that are often higher than outdoors? Many of the most common respiratory health problems, including asthma, can be linked to constant exposure to indoor pollutants. Given that people spend about 90 percent of their time indoors, it pays to have the best filtration money can buy.

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Do You Have Pet Allergies? Tips for Dealing With Them

Tuesday, February 25th, 2014

02.25.2014If you have found yourself suffering from pet allergies, you’ll be happy to hear about some things you can do to make the situation bearable and keep your furry family members. When it comes to dealing with pet allergies, here are some things you can do to control the situation in your home:

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Your Furnace: How Efficient Should It Be?

Thursday, February 20th, 2014

Of course, efficiency matters when choosing a new furnace for your Fresno area home – but there are trade-offs to think about. Highly efficient heating systems (with 90-97 percent efficiency ratings) have a higher purchase price. Since you won’t be relying upon home heating like someone from the Northeast U.S. would, paying a premium for super-high efficiency may not be your biggest concern. As an educated consumer, you’ll want to weigh the following factors regarding a new furnace:

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Furnace Installation: Three Important Factors to Consider

Tuesday, February 18th, 2014

Furnace Installation: Three Important Factors to ConsiderAn impending furnace installation for your Fresno area home brings with it some important decisions for you to make. Right from the beginning of your research, consider three key points to discuss with your reliable HVAC contractor. 

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Gas Furnaces: How Long Will Yours Last?

Thursday, February 13th, 2014

Gas Furnaces: How Long Will Yours Last?There are many factors that contribute to the lifespan of gas furnaces, including the quality of the furnace, installation quality, how hard it works, and regular maintenance as per the manufacturer’s recommendations. On average, a furnace will last somewhere between 15 and 20 years. Unfortunately, many furnaces simply give out at the end of their lifespan without a great deal of warning. Therefore, if your gas furnace has passed the 15-year mark, it is a good idea to begin researching replacement options.

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When There’s No MERV Rating on Your Filter Packaging: What to Do

Tuesday, February 11th, 2014

When There's No MERV Rating on Your Filter Packaging: What to DoYou’d think that MERV, which stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value, would be a common rating on practically any HVAC filter’s packaging. Devised by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) as a helpful way to analyze and compare air filtration media performance, most companies rate their filters based on the MERV system.

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What’s Fenestration? Why Windows, Doors and Skylights Are Key to Energy Savings

Thursday, February 6th, 2014

What's Fenestration? Why Windows, Doors and Skylights Are Key to Energy SavingsFenestration, a collective term for the doors, windows and skylights that penetrate a building’s exterior, is a key element of your home’s design, providing attractive natural lighting, ventilation and access. With proper design and maintenance, fenestration can enhance your home’s energy efficiency. However, even in our mild climate here in the San Joaquin Valley, bad design, improper installation and neglected maintenance can lead to unnecessary energy losses. 

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Some Whole-House Air Cleaner and Filtration Options

Tuesday, February 4th, 2014

Some Whole-House Air Cleaner/Filtration OptionsA whole-house air cleaner/filtration system can make a drastic difference in the quality of the air you breath in your home. This is even more important in today’s energy-efficient, tightly sealed homes, as chemicals, dust and other irritants get trapped indoors with you.

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