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HeatingHow Long Should a Furnace or Heat Pump Run Per Cycle in Winter?There's no single right number. Many thermostats aim for about three heating cycles an hour, so each run lasts longer as it gets colder:…
MaintenancePre-Winter HVAC Checklist for Central Texas HomesIn Austin, get your heater ready in early to mid October: change the filter, test-run the heat, clear the outdoor unit, test smoke and…
Tips & TricksWhy Does the Thermostat Say Heat Is On but Nothing Happens?When the thermostat says Heat is on but nothing happens, the system is often just waiting: many thermostats pause a few minutes before starting,…
HeatingWhy Does My Furnace Turn On and Then Shut Off After a Few Seconds?A gas furnace that lights and shuts off within seconds usually can't confirm its flame, and the most common cause is a dirty flame…
HeatingWhy Is My Furnace Blowing Cold Air?A furnace that blows cold air usually has a simple cause: the thermostat fan is set to ON, the furnace is in its first…
Humidity & Moisture ControlWhat Should You Set Your Thermostat to When You’re Away?In summer, raise the thermostat a few degrees instead of turning the AC off, generally no higher than the mid 80s, so the house…
Air ConditioningHow Cold Should the Air From Your AC Vents Be?Air from your supply vents is usually about 15 to 20°F cooler than the air going into the return, a difference called the temperature…
Ductwork & Air FlowWhy Is One Room Hotter Than the Rest of the House?One room runs hotter when it gains more heat than its air supply can carry away. Usual causes: afternoon sun on west or south…
Humidity & Moisture ControlWhy Do Your Windows Sweat, and Is It a Problem?Windows sweat when the glass is colder than the dew point of the air touching it. In Austin, outside fogging on muggy mornings is…
DehumidificationDo You Need a Dehumidifier If You Have Central AC?Many Austin homes don't: a correctly sized, well-maintained central AC in a reasonably tight house usually keeps indoor humidity below 60 percent in summer.…
DehumidificationWhy Is My House Humid Even With the AC Running?Your AC only removes moisture when it runs long enough with air moving slowly across a cold coil, so anything that cuts that short…
Humidity & Moisture ControlWhat Indoor Humidity Level Should You Keep in an Austin Home?Aim for about 40 to 50 percent relative humidity indoors during an Austin summer, and don't let it sit above 60 percent for long.…