HVAC Tips

What_Homeowners_Should_Know_About_R-32_Refrigerant_Before_Buying_a_New_HVAC_System
What Homeowners Should Know About R-32 Refrigerant Before Buying a New HVAC System
Note From Samantha If you’re shopping for a new HVAC system, you’ve probably noticed a term that wasn’t discussed much by homeowners just a few years ago: refrigerants. Traditionally, most... Read more...
Why_Furnace_Efficiency_Matters_More_Than_Air_Conditioner_Efficiency_in_Cold-Climate_Homes
Why Furnace Efficiency Matters More Than Air Conditioner Efficiency in Cold-Climate Homes
Samantha Reyes - The Smart Shopper | The furnace generally works much harder than the air conditioner throughout the year in cold-climate regions. This article discusses the reasons why furnace efficiency can be... Read more...
The_Hidden_Benefits_of_Variable-Speed_Blowers_Even_with_Single-Stage_Equipment
The Hidden Benefits of Variable-Speed Blowers Even with Single-Stage Equipment
A Note from Samantha When homeowners begin shopping for a replacement HVAC system, they usually start with the specifications that appear most prominently on the equipment label. They compare the... Read more...
How_Modern_Furnace_Safety_Features_Protect_Your_Home_and_Family1
How Modern Furnace Safety Features Protect Your Home and Family
Samantha Reyes - The Smart Shopper | Today’s gas furnaces have sophisticated safety systems that constantly monitor their operation. This can be accomplished through features like flame sensors, pressure switches, limit switches, and... Read more...
What 25 Years in HVAC Has Taught Me About Air Conditioner Replacements
What 25 Years in HVAC Has Taught Me About Air Conditioner Replacements
Tony Marino - your Trusted Tech | I've been installing and repairing air conditioning systems for over 25 years and I know replacing an AC unit is more than just... Read more...
What_I_Check_First_Before_Recommending_a_New_Air_Conditioner
What I Check First Before Recommending a New Air Conditioner
Tony Marino - your Trusted Tech | It’s more than just replacing the old one when you select a new air conditioner. After more than 25 years in the HVAC industry I... Read more...
0_7_Questions_I_Always_Tell_Homeowners_to_Ask_Their_HVAC_Contractor_1
7 Questions I Always Tell Homeowners to Ask Their HVAC Contractor
Hi, I'm Tony—Your Trusted Tech Guy After more than 25 years in the HVAC industry, I've noticed something interesting: homeowners usually ask plenty of questions when they're shopping for a new... Read more...
Don't Buy a New Air Conditioner Until You Read This First
Don't Buy a New Air Conditioner Until You Read This First ⭐
Hi, I'm Tony—Your Trusted HVAC Tech Every summer, I meet homeowners who are ready to spend thousands of dollars on a new air conditioner before they've had a chance to... Read more...
What Every Homeowner Gets Wrong About Air Conditioning Systems
What Every Homeowner Gets Wrong About Air Conditioning Systems
Tony Marino - your Trusted Tech | Air conditioning is easy: set the thermostat and enjoy a cool home. But I’ve been in HVAC for over 25 years now and I’ve learned that there... Read more...
How_to_Tell_If_Your_Existing_Ductwork_Can_Handle_a_New_High-Efficiency_Air_Conditioner
How to Tell If Your Existing Ductwork Can Handle a New High-Efficiency Air Conditioner
Tony Marino - your Trusted Tech | A new high-efficiency air conditioner is only as good as the ductwork that delivers the air. Find out why you should inspect existing ducts before replacing your... Read more...
What_Happens_During_a_Professional_Air_Conditioner_Installation
What Happens During a Professional Air Conditioner Installation? A Step-by-Step Homeowner Guide
Tony Marino - your Trusted Tech | A professional air conditioner installation is much more than just replacing an outdoor unit. Learn what really happens from the time the installation crew arrives to... Read more...
The Hidden Costs of Keeping an Old Air Conditioner Too Long
The Hidden Costs of Keeping an Old Air Conditioner Too Long
Tony Marino - your Trusted Tech |  You may be comfortable with an older air conditioner in your home, but it might be costing you a lot more than you think. Learn about... Read more...
Why_Your_Outdoor_Air_Conditioner_Needs_Enough_Space_to_Breathe
Why Your Outdoor Air Conditioner Needs Enough Space to Breathe
Tony Marino - your Trusted Tech |  Most homeowners are concerned about the efficiency rating of their new air conditioner but forget one of the most important factors that impact the long-term performance... Read more...
How_Weather_Affects_Air_Conditioner_Performance_and_What_Homeowners_Should_Expect
How Weather Affects Air Conditioner Performance—and What Homeowners Should Expect
Tony Marino - your Trusted Tech | Weather has far more to do with how well air conditioners work than most homeowners realise. Learn how heat, humidity, sun, wind, and changing outdoor temperatures impact... Read more...
Why_Bigger_Isn_t_Always_Better_The_Truth_About_Oversized_Air_Conditioners
Why Bigger Isn't Always Better: The Truth About Oversized Air Conditioners
Hi, this is Tony, your trusted tech guy One of the conversations I seem to have almost every summer starts with a homeowner looking at the aging air conditioner beside... Read more...
What_Actually_Happens_Inside_Your_Air_Conditioner_Every_Time_It_Turns_On
What Actually Happens Inside Your Air Conditioner Every Time It Turns On
Tony Marino - your Trusted Tech | Ever wonder what actually happens inside your air conditioner each time the thermostat calls for cooling? Tony Marino breaks down the entire cooling cycle in easy, homeowner-friendly... Read more...
Why_Preventive_Maintenance_Costs_Less_Than_Emergency_Repairs
Why Preventive Maintenance Costs Less Than Emergency Repairs
Hi, this is Tony, your trusted tech guy. One conversation I've had countless times over the past 25 years usually starts with a homeowner saying: “Tony, my air conditioner is... Read more...
How_Your_Thermostat_Controls_Much_More_Than_Temperature
How Your Thermostat Controls Much More Than Temperature
Tony Marino - your Trusted Tech | Most homeowners think of their thermostat as only turning the air conditioner on and off. Tony Marino explains how the thermostat controls the entire cooling cycle... Read more...
Why_Air_Filters_Matter_More_Than_Most_Homeowners_Realize
Why Air Filters Matter More Than Most Homeowners Realize
Tony Marino - your Trusted Tech | Many homeowners think of an HVAC air filter as just a way to keep dust out of the system. Tony Marino has been in the HVAC business... Read more...
Understanding_HVAC_Warranties_What_Homeowners_Often_Miss
Understanding HVAC Warranties: What Homeowners Often Miss
Tony Marino - your Trusted Tech | Many homeowners expect their HVAC warranty to cover all repairs for years to come. After more than twenty-five years in the HVAC industry, Tony Marino explains... Read more...
Why_Through-the-Wall_Air_Conditioners_Last_Longer_Than_Window_Units_in_Many_Homes
Why Through-the-Wall Air Conditioners Last Longer Than Window Units in Many Homes
Jake Lawson – the HVAC Specialist | Do you wonder if a through-the-wall air conditioner last longer than the window unit? Jake Lawson explains the key differences in installation, durability, efficiency, maintenance... Read more...
The_Biggest_Installation_Mistakes_People_Make_with_Through-the-Wall_Air_Conditioners
The Biggest Installation Mistakes People Make with Through-the-Wall Air Conditioners
Jake Lawson – the HVAC Specialist | Installing a through-the-wall air conditioner correctly is just as important as choosing the right model. Jake Lawson explains the biggest installation mistakes homeowners make, how to avoid them,... Read more...
How_Heat_Pump_Through-the-Wall_Systems_Handle_Humidity_Better_Than_Many_Older_Air_Conditioners
How Heat Pump Through-the-Wall Systems Handle Humidity Better Than Many Older Air Conditioners
Jake Lawson – the HVAC Specialist | Wonder why your house is still sticky even with the air conditioner running? According to Jake Lawson, modern heat pump through-the-wall systems are better at removing humidity... Read more...
Understanding_Heat_Pump_Defrost_Cycles_What_Homeowners_Should_Expect
Understanding Heat Pump Defrost Cycles: What Homeowners Should Expect
Jake Lawson – the HVAC Specialist |  One thing I’ve learned in years of experience with through-the-wall HVAC systems is that homeowners don’t always ask for lower humidity. Jake Lawson explains the automatic defrost... Read more...
How_to_Prepare_Your_Through-the-Wall_Heat_Pump_for_Winter_and_Summer
How to Prepare Your Through-the-Wall Heat Pump for Winter and Summer
By Jake Lawson One of the most important pieces of advice I give homeowners about HVAC equipment is simple: Don't wait for the weather to change before thinking about your... Read more...
Is a Through-the-Wall Heat Pump a Good Choice for Home Offices, Sunrooms, and Additions?
Is a Through-the-Wall Heat Pump a Good Choice for Home Offices, Sunrooms, and Additions?
By Jake Lawson One of the questions homeowners ask me most often isn't about replacing their entire HVAC system. It's much more specific: “Jake, I converted a spare bedroom into... Read more...
Why Proper HVAC Sizing Matters More Than Buying a Higher SEER2 Rating
Why Proper HVAC Sizing Matters More Than Buying a Higher SEER2 Rating
By Jake Lawson When homeowners start shopping for a new heating and cooling system, one number often dominates the conversation: SEER2. It's prominently displayed in brochures, product listings, and advertisements... Read more...
What Homeowners Should Know About Variable-Speed Air Handlers vs Standard Models
What Homeowners Should Know About Variable-Speed Air Handlers vs Standard Models
By Jake Lawson When homeowners start shopping for a new HVAC system, the conversation almost always begins with the outdoor equipment. They compare brands, look at SEER2 ratings, ask about... Read more...
How Heat Pumps Handle Defrost Cycles During Cold Weather
How Heat Pumps Handle Defrost Cycles During Cold Weather
By Jake Lawson When temperatures begin to fall and winter settles in, I get a surprising number of calls from homeowners who are convinced that something is wrong with their... Read more...
Can_Your_Existing_Electrical_System_Support_a_New_Heat_Pump_2
Can Your Existing Electrical System Support a New Heat Pump?
By Jake Lawson One of the questions I hear surprisingly often from homeowners has nothing to do with refrigerants, efficiency ratings, or smart thermostats. It usually sounds something like: “Can... Read more...
How_Seasonal_Maintenance_Helps_Protect_Heat_Pump_Performance_Year_After_Year
How Seasonal Maintenance Helps Protect Heat Pump Performance Year After Year
By Jake Lawson One of the first questions I hear when homeowners are considering a new heat pump is how long they can expect it to last. They want to... Read more...
How Variable-Speed Air Handlers Improve Everyday Home Comfort (Even with a Single-Stage Heat Pump)
How Variable-Speed Air Handlers Improve Everyday Home Comfort (Even with a Single-Stage Heat Pump)
By Jake Lawson When I visit a homeowner who's preparing to replace a heating and cooling system, the conversation usually starts with the outdoor heat pump. Homeowners want to know... Read more...
Why Heat Pumps Are Becoming a Four-Season HVAC Solution Across More of America
Why Heat Pumps Are Becoming a Four-Season HVAC Solution Across More of America
Jake Lawson – the HVAC Specialist: Once upon a time, heat pumps were only suitable for mild climates, but current technology has changed all of that. Today’s systems can heat and cool efficiently... Read more...
Understanding_HVAC_Noise_What_Homeowners_Should_Expect_from_a_Modern_Heat_Pump
Understanding HVAC Noise: What Homeowners Should Expect from a Modern Heat Pump
Jake Lawson – the HVAC Specialist | One of the first questions a homeowner has after a new heat pump is installed is, “Is that sound normal?” Like all HVAC systems, heat pumps make some... Read more...
Preparing Your Home Before Installing a New Heat Pump System
Preparing Your Home Before Installing a New Heat Pump System
Jake Lawson – the HVAC Specialist | A new heat pump is one of the best investments you can make for the comfort and energy efficiency of your home. But successful installations start long before... Read more...
How Smart Thermostats Help Modern Heat Pumps Operate More Efficiently
How Smart Thermostats Help Modern Heat Pumps Operate More Efficiently
Jake Lawson – the HVAC Specialist | The intelligence of a modern heat pump is only as good as the controls that run it. Homeowners generally focus on compressors, efficiency ratings and variable-speed technology, but... Read more...
The First 30 Days After Installing a New Heat Pump: What Homeowners Should Expect
The First 30 Days After Installing a New Heat Pump: What Homeowners Should Expect
Jake Lawson – the HVAC Specialist | Getting a new heat pump is a big investment in the comfort of your home. However, the first month after installation is just as important as installation day... Read more...
Why Proper Air Conditioner Sizing Matters More Than Buying a Bigger Unit | Samantha's Smart HVAC Guide
Why Proper Air Conditioner Sizing Matters More Than Buying a Bigger Unit | Samantha's Smart HVAC Guide
Samantha Reyes - The Smart Shopper | Many homeowners are under the impression that a bigger air conditioner is the answer to a cooler and more comfortable home. In fact, proper air conditioner... Read more...
Should You Replace Just the Outdoor Condenser or the Entire Air Conditioning System?
Should You Replace Just the Outdoor Condenser or the Entire Air Conditioning System?
Samantha Reyes - The Smart Shopper | When an outdoor air conditioner fails, many homeowners ask if it is cheaper to replace only the condenser. It can sometimes, but not always. In this guide,... Read more...
Understanding Noise Ratings: Why a Quiet Air Conditioner Makes Everyday Living Better
Understanding Noise Ratings: Why a Quiet Air Conditioner Makes Everyday Living Better
Samantha Reyes - The Smart Shopper |  When homeowners shop for a new air conditioner, most of the attention goes to efficiency ratings and price. Noise ratings are often an afterthought – until... Read more...