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

Do You Understand AFUE? Here’s Why You Should

Thursday, November 27th, 2014

Do You Understand AFUE? Here's Why You ShouldFurnace efficiency is measured by AFUE, short for Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency. It’s a simple percentage that gives consumers a basis to compare energy efficiency among similar makes and models of furnaces at a glance. AFUE isn’t the only element that impacts your efficiency and operating costs. Other factors include the airtightness of your home, the amount of insulation, and how many hours a day you typically run the furnace.

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An Oversized Furnace Causes 2 Major Problems

Tuesday, November 25th, 2014

An Oversized Furnace Causes 2 Major ProblemsTo ensure comfort and optimal efficiency, your home’s furnace must be sized accurately just like the air conditioner. Instead of using a rule of thumb to estimate the size, an HVAC contractor should perform a load calculation and consider key factors such as the home’s square footage, orientation, insulation level, windows and ductwork system.

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The Types of Insulation That Can Help You Keep Warm or Cool

Thursday, November 20th, 2014

The Types of Insulation That Can Help You Keep Warm or CoolWinter is approaching quickly, which means things are cooling off in the Jan Joaquin Valley. Many of us live here to enjoy the milder climate and to escape the harsh winters of the Midwest and Northeast, but many homeowners forget that proper sealing is still a necessity, even in a warmer region. Insulation is extremely important whether you’re using the furnace or the A/C, as both will run more efficiently in a properly-insulated home. Plus, the house will stay more comfortable in any season with added insulation.

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How Do Your Know If Your Heat Exchanger is Cracked?

Tuesday, November 18th, 2014

How Do Your Know If Your Heat Exchanger is Cracked?A cracked heat exchanger in your furnace is a serious problem that needs to addressed quickly. No homeowner wants to check on their furnace and find that the heat exchanger is cracked, but you should be able to identify the symptoms of this serious and potentially deadly problem.

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Choosing the Right Furnace Filter

Thursday, November 13th, 2014

Choosing the Right Furnace FilterAre you choosing a good quality air filter for your heating and cooling system? Many people replace the filter regularly, but don’t take the time to choose one of good quality. The result is poor air quality in your home and possibly added strain to your HVAC components. 

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Dust Mites Could Be One of the Allergy-Causing Culprits in Your Home

Tuesday, November 11th, 2014

Dust Mites Could Be One of the Allergy-Causing Culprits in Your HomeOne morning you wake up and your nose is runny, you’re sneezing and itchy, and you’re having breathing difficulties. At first you might think you’ve just picked up a virus or common allergy, but you could be suffering from a dust-mite allergy. Every home has dust mites, and they can cause a variety of health problems for people who are sensitive to them. Here are some facts about dust mites and how to reduce their presence in your home. 

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Time to Assess the Insulation in Your Attic

Thursday, November 6th, 2014

Time to Assess the Insulation in Your AtticAir leaks and poor insulation in the attic will make it more difficult to keep your home cool during the summer and warm in the winter. While air leaks allow conditioned air to escape and hot or cold air to infiltrate your home in winter and summer, respectively, inadequate or missing insulation allows heat to transfer in and out. Both issues force your HVAC system to work harder to compensate. Before the cool fall weather arrives, assess the insulation in your attic to determine if it needs more.

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When Was the Last Time You Had Your Dryer Vent Cleaned?

Tuesday, November 4th, 2014

When Was the Last Time You Had Your Dryer Vent Cleaned?A lint-clogged dryer vent is a serious matter. If you can’t recall the last time your dryer vent was inspected, then you’re definitely overdue for a clean-out. Consider the lint build-up in your dryer venting as flammable as tinder and, therefore, a potential fire hazard. Removing the lint from your dryer’s lint trap each time you dry a load of wet clothes isn’t enough. Having your dryer vent cleaned not only improves your dryer’s efficiency, it prevents catastrophic fires and loss of life.

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