No, you don’t
want your air conditioner to be too big. Air conditioners
control the comfort level in your home by cooling the
air and by removing humidity. An oversized air conditioner
will cool your home faster, but it will use more energy
and will not remove humidity adequately.
A unit that is too big for your home will have short run cycles.
It may take only a short time to cool the air, but the unit shuts
off before enough air blows across the coil where moisture condenses
into water and drains from your system. Too much moisture left
in the air can lead to mold and mildew problems.
These short run cycles also mean your system starts and stops
more often which uses more energy and causes a lot of wear and
tear. Think of it like a car – short run cycles are like
the stop and go driving in cities, whereas long run cycles are
like putting highway miles on your car. An air conditioner operates
more efficiently during long run cycles.
The same holds true with heating systems. An oversized furnace
will warm the house quicker, but it uses more fuel and causes
greater temperature swings in the home.
Proper air
filtration is just as important to the health of your heating
and cooling system as it is to the health of your family. Without
proper filtration, dust and dirt can build up on your system
which impacts operation and efficiency. A high efficiency filter
will remove more dust, dirt, pollen, mold, and other particles
from the air. If you suffer from allergies or other respiratory
problems, you should strongly consider a high efficiency filter.
No matter what type of filter you have – make
sure you change it regularly.
Yes. Regular
maintenance will prevent costly breakdowns and ensure your
system is operating safely and efficiently. Proper preventative
maintenance will prolong the life of your system and help save
energy.
Propane (LP) gas: You have this type if your
gas comes from a tank located outside close to your house. Propane
is stored as a liquid under pressure in tanks and cylinders.
In most residential applications, propane is used as a vapor.
When liquid propane changes into a gas vapor, it expands in volume.
This means that even a small leak of liquid propane can result
in a much larger quantity of propane vapor, which can be especially
dangerous in a confined space. A chemical odorant has been added
to propane to give it a distinct smell. Learn to identify this
odor. Propane gas is heavier than air, so it will sink to the
floor and spread. To check for the presence of propane,
carefully smell all over a room, especially in low spots.
If you smell propane (LP) gas:
- Exit your home immediately.
- Propane gas can ignite easily. Do not light a match,
start an engine, use a cell phone, or do anything that may
create a spark.
- From a safe area, contact your propane supplier and 911.
- If you are able, shut the propane gas supply off at the tank.
- Stay away from your home until you've been told that it is
safe to return.
Natural
gas: You have this type if you have
a gas meter and pay a natural gas supplier or utility. A
chemical odorant has been added to natural gas to give it a distinct
smell. Learn to identify this odor. If you smell gas faintly,
check all areas of your house for strong odor. If the smell
is only faint throughout all areas of your home, call your heating
contractor to get it fixed within 24 hours. Keep the house
well ventilated by opening windows.
If you smell a strong, persistent odor:
- Exit your home immediately.
- Do not light a match, start an engine, use a cell phone,
or do anything that may create a spark.
- From a safe area, contact your gas company or 911.
- If you are able, turn the gas off at the meter.
- Stay away from your home until you've been told that it is
safe to return.
Click here for definitions of some common
terms in the HVAC industry.
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