Journal
The airflow notes.
Plain-English guides on costs, sizing, ratings, ducts, humidity and care, written for homeowners and business owners.
Care and RepairWhy Your AC Freezes Up and What to DoIce on the coil or the line looks dramatic, and the causes are usually simple. Here is how to respond.
Care and RepairHVAC Maintenance Checklist for Every SeasonSome jobs are yours, and some are for a technician. Here is a simple calendar that keeps heating and cooling reliable.
Air and DuctsHow to Fix a Humid HouseA damp house feels warmer than it is and invites musty smells. Here are the causes and the fixes, in order.
Air and DuctsWhat MERV Rating Should You Use?A better filter catches more, until it chokes the system. Here is how to pick a rating that suits your home and your equipment.
Air and DuctsHow Leaky Ducts Waste EnergyAir you pay to heat or cool can escape into the attic before it reaches a room. Here is how it happens and what to do.
Air and DuctsWhy Some Rooms Are Too Hot or Too ColdIt is rarely the thermostat's fault. These are the usual causes, from airflow to insulation.
Heating and CoolingSingle-Stage, Two-Stage or Variable-Speed?Staging changes how a system feels more than how it looks. Here is what you will actually notice at each level.
Heating and CoolingAre Ductless Mini-Splits Worth It?Mini-splits are everywhere, and for good reasons. Here is where they shine and where ducted systems are still better.Heating and CoolingSEER, SEER2 and AFUE: What the Ratings MeanEfficiency ratings are everywhere in an HVAC quote. Here is what they measure and how much they should matter.
Heating and CoolingHeat Pump vs. Furnace and AC in Middle TennesseeBoth can keep a house comfortable in our climate. Here is how they differ, and when each makes the most sense.
Costs and PlanningWhen Is It Time to Replace a Furnace?Furnaces give warnings long before they quit. Here are the signs, and how to plan so it never happens in a cold snap.
Costs and PlanningHow to Size an Air Conditioner CorrectlyA bigger air conditioner is not a better one. Here is what sizing really involves, and why a load calculation beats a rule of thumb.
Costs and PlanningRepair or Replace Your HVAC System?A repair can be the smart move or money thrown at a failing system. These are the questions that settle it.
Costs and PlanningHow Much Does a New HVAC System Cost?There is no single price, but the factors that move it are easy to name. Here is how to read a quote and where the money goes.