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111 guidesHow heating, cooling, ductwork and ventilation work in Central Texas homes: sizing, efficiency, maintenance and the problems that show up when a long summer or a hard freeze pushes equipment to its limit.
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Health & SafetyIs It Safe to Use a Fireplace While the Heat Is Running?Yes, with some care. Open the damper before lighting the fire and keep it open until the ashes are cool, use a screen and…
Health & SafetyIs It Safe to Run a Generator During a Winter Power Outage?Yes, if the generator runs outdoors only, at least 20 feet from doors, windows and vents, and never in a garage, even with the…
Case StudyZilkr on the Park Condo Case Study: Clammy at 68°F, Comfortable at 74°FA corner condo at Zilkr on the Park felt clammy at 68°F with 65-72% indoor humidity. A 2-ton variable-speed heat pump now holds it…
HeatingWhat Is a Condensing Furnace?A condensing furnace has a second heat exchanger that pulls so much heat from its exhaust that the water vapor in it condenses. That's…
Case StudySouth Austin Home Case Study: When Nearly New HVAC Isn’t RightBuyers of a South Austin home asked us to inspect three nearly new heat pump systems before closing. We found restrictive ducts, high static…
HeatingWhat Does AFUE Mean on a Furnace?AFUE stands for Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency: the share of a furnace's fuel that becomes heat for your home over a typical year. An…
Health & SafetyWhat Is a Furnace Heat Exchanger, and Why Does It Matter?The heat exchanger is the metal chamber inside a gas furnace that keeps the flame and exhaust separate from the air going to your…
Health & SafetyWhy Does My Furnace Rattle or Rumble When It Starts?A brief rattle as the blower spins up is often a loose panel, screw or duct connection. A rumble or boom as the burners…
HeatingDoes Your Furnace Have a Pilot Light?Probably not. Most modern gas furnaces, including most in Central Texas homes, use electronic ignition, usually a hot surface ignitor that glows like a…
Health & SafetyWhat Color Should a Furnace Flame Be?A gas furnace flame should be mostly blue, sometimes with a small yellow tip. A flame that stays yellow or orange can mean the…
Tips & TricksSmart Thermostat vs. Programmable Thermostat: What’s the Difference?A programmable thermostat follows a schedule you set at the wall. A smart thermostat adds Wi-Fi for phone control, and many models learn your…
Air ConditioningWhy Is My Heat Pump’s Outdoor Fan Not Spinning?In winter, a heat pump's outdoor fan that stops for a few minutes while the unit whooshes or steams is usually just a normal…
