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Make HVAC Sexy AgainCan a Mini-Split Look Good? Line-Set Covers vs Exposed LinesYes. A clean ductless install hides the copper lines, drain and wire inside a paintable line-set cover that runs straight and tight to the…
Tips & TricksShould You Run Ceiling Fans in Winter, and Which Direction?Yes. In winter, run a ceiling fan on low, turning clockwise as you look up at it. That gentle updraft pushes warm air from…
MaintenanceWhy Is There Water Around My Furnace in Winter?Water around a furnace in winter usually comes from a high-efficiency furnace, which makes water (condensate) and drains it through a trap and line…
MaintenanceWhy Do Your Ducts Pop or Bang When the Heat Comes On?Ducts that pop or tick when the heat comes on are usually metal parts warming up: the furnace cabinet and heat exchanger, the metal…
Remediation & RestorationWhat Should a Texas Mold Assessor Check on Your HVAC System?A Texas mold assessment consultant should check the HVAC parts that hold water or move air: drain pan, drain line, coil cabinet, filter, duct…
Health & SafetyWhy Is Your Carbon Monoxide Alarm Beeping or Chirping?Four loud beeps and a pause, repeating, usually means the alarm has detected carbon monoxide: get everyone outside and call 911. A single chirp…
Health & SafetyWhat Should You Do If You Smell Rotten Eggs Near Your Furnace or Water Heater?A rotten egg or sulfur smell near a furnace or water heater can mean a gas leak. Get everyone out right away, and don't…
Health & SafetyAre Space Heaters Safe to Use Alongside Central Heat?Yes, if you follow the CPSC's basics: keep an electric space heater at least 3 feet from anything that can burn, plug it straight…
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…