HVAC FAQ

Heating  |  Cooling  |  IAQ   |  Misc

Heating

What is the right size furnace for my home?

Finding the right size of gas furnace for a home often runs into the Goldilocks problem — some are too large, and some are too small. Getting the right one requires a combination of knowing the proper criteria and the experience to put the information into a workable...

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Do I need a new furnace?

The process to replace your existing furnace shouldn’t be a difficult one! The professionals at HAMCO Heating & Cooling Ltd. are here to answer all of your questions when it is time to invest in a new system. So, how do you know it’s time? For some it isn’t as...

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When should I change my furnace filter?

The furnace filter has a dirty job to do, which is why it should be changed frequently. Without a clean filter on your system, you could be breathing in more dust and allergens, but even worse your system could fail sooner than expected. A dirty filter restricts...

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What you can expect when upgrading your furnace

When you are in the market for a new furnace you might have noticed something, you won’t be able to replace your existing mid-efficiency unit with another mid-efficiency unit! The laws behind the efficiency allowability of gas-fired appliances has changed, including...

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What is two-stage heating?

Two-stage heating means the furnace has two levels of heat output: high for cold winter days and low for milder days. Since the low setting is adequate to meet household heating demands 80% of the time, a two-stage unit runs for longer periods and provides more even...

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What are furnace ratings?

Furnaces are rated by the Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency ratio (AFUE), which is the percent of heat produced for every dollar of fuel consumed. Like the miles per gallon on your car, the higher the AFUE rating, the lower your fuel costs. All furnaces manufactured...

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What is a heat pump?

Despite its name, a heat-pump doesn’t “generate” heat. These are electrically driven systems that move heat from inside to outside to cool your home, and from outside to inside when heat is required. HOW DOES A HEAT PUMP WORK? Think of a heat pump as a heat...

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How often should I have my fireplace serviced?

Gas Fireplaces need an annual inspection to keep up to snuff. This is a very important practice, which many overlook; myself included. Because gas fireplaces burn clean and are very easy to take care of, some assume that this means it doesn’t need cleaning. While it...

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Cooling

Heat Pump vs Central Air: Which is Right for My Home?

Heat Pump vs Central Air: Which is Right for My Home?

Heat pumps and central air conditioning are both good options when it comes to choosing a cooling system for your home. Each has its own pros and cons, which are essential to understand when making this decision. The best way to determine which is best for your home...

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When should I be covering my air conditioner?

Why you DON’T need to cover your air conditioner! There are a few reasons why you don’t need to cover your air conditioner, even in the winter. The most important reason is that it is not really necessary. Here’s why: all outdoor HVAC equipment is made to withstand...

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How does an air conditioner work?

An air conditioner seems as if it cools your home’s air, but it makes your home less warm by removing heat from the indoor air and transferring that heat to the outdoor air. Heat is extracted from the home by passing indoor air across a refrigerant coil in the indoor...

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Why is my system freezing up?

Several factors can cause system freezing. Most need to be corrected by contacting HAMCO. There are a few things you can do to help prevent your system from freezing up, and also to do if you have found that your system is frozen. Dirty filter Check that filter! A...

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Can homeowners repair their own air conditioners?

In most cases, definitely not. Air conditioning systems today are more complicated to service and usually require expert attention to comply with federal regulations, such as the Clean Air Act which prohibits releasing refrigerants into the atmosphere. An...

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Indoor Air Quality

General

What is an Air Handler?

When you take a quick glance at an air handler, you may think it’s a furnace due to its very close resemblance, but an air handler actually acts like the “lungs” of your home or business.   An air handler’s main function is to circulate the air in your home...

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Why is ventilation important for proper indoor air quality?

At one time, it was possible to achieve natural ventilation in our homes by simply opening a window. However, with growing concerns about rising energy costs, we have been busy making homes “tighter” from an efficiency standpoint. Armed with weather stripping and...

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How much water does a humidifier use?

Depending on the model you choose and the size of your home, a humidifier uses from 1.5 to 12 gallons per day when the furnace is operating. This minimal amount of water is enough to raise the humidity to your desired level, but not enough for you to notice a...

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What is Carbon Monoxide?

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a highly poisonous gas, often referred to as ‘the silent killer’ because you can’t see, touch, or smell it. This odourless gas is produced as a byproduct of combustion when common fuel-burning appliances and equipment that use natural gas, oil,...

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What are some of the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning?

Signs and symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning may include: Dull headache Weakness Dizziness Nausea or vomiting Shortness of breath Confusion Blurred vision Loss of consciousness Carbon monoxide poisoning can be dangerous for those who are sleeping or intoxicated....

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How can I ventilate my home without losing energy?

It is now possible to exchange stale indoor air with fresh outdoor air without compromising the energy efficiency of your home. Heat recovery ventilators (HRVs) and energy recovery ventilators (ERVs) exchange stale, recirculated indoor air with fresh, filtered outside...

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What can I do myself to enhance my homes air quality?

There is a common belief that the air outside your front door is much worse to breathe than the air inside your home. But, as studies show, the air inside your home may also come with health implications. How did your indoor air get dirtier than your laundry? Think of...

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What are the benefits of Clean Air?

Allergies and asthma are two health problems that can be helped with clean indoor air. When airborne irritants are removed, allergy and asthma sufferers often find relief from their symptoms. Even healthy people who have never suffered from allergies can benefit from...

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Should I be concerned about carbon monoxide in my home?

Carbon monoxide can be an invisible threat to your family’s health and safety. Though more commonly associated with fires and automobile emissions, carbon monoxide poisoning can accumulate in any home unless precautions are taken. Home heating systems and water...

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Carbon Monoxide

What is Carbon Monoxide?

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a highly poisonous gas, often referred to as ‘the silent killer’ because you can’t see, touch, or smell it. This odourless gas is produced as a byproduct of combustion when common fuel-burning appliances and equipment that use natural gas, oil,...

read more

What are some of the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning?

Signs and symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning may include: Dull headache Weakness Dizziness Nausea or vomiting Shortness of breath Confusion Blurred vision Loss of consciousness Carbon monoxide poisoning can be dangerous for those who are sleeping or intoxicated....

read more

Should I be concerned about carbon monoxide in my home?

Carbon monoxide can be an invisible threat to your family’s health and safety. Though more commonly associated with fires and automobile emissions, carbon monoxide poisoning can accumulate in any home unless precautions are taken. Home heating systems and water...

read more

Ventilation

What is an Air Handler?

When you take a quick glance at an air handler, you may think it’s a furnace due to its very close resemblance, but an air handler actually acts like the “lungs” of your home or business.   An air handler’s main function is to circulate the air in your home...

read more

How can I ventilate my home without losing energy?

It is now possible to exchange stale indoor air with fresh outdoor air without compromising the energy efficiency of your home. Heat recovery ventilators (HRVs) and energy recovery ventilators (ERVs) exchange stale, recirculated indoor air with fresh, filtered outside...

read more

Why is ventilation important for proper indoor air quality?

At one time, it was possible to achieve natural ventilation in our homes by simply opening a window. However, with growing concerns about rising energy costs, we have been busy making homes “tighter” from an efficiency standpoint. Armed with weather stripping and...

read more

Humidity

How much water does a humidifier use?

Depending on the model you choose and the size of your home, a humidifier uses from 1.5 to 12 gallons per day when the furnace is operating. This minimal amount of water is enough to raise the humidity to your desired level, but not enough for you to notice a...

read more

Miscellaneous

Which type of thermostat should I have in my home?

Home thermostats can range from simple manual units to sophisticated programmable units. This guide will help you understand the different types of thermostats, what you should know when selecting your thermostat, and the special features that increase convenience,...

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When do I know it’s time to replace my system?

Certain telltale signs indicate it's time to consider replacing heating and cooling equipment, or improving the performance of your overall system. It may be time to call a professional contractor to help you make a change if: Your heat pump or air conditioner is more...

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How does a home comfort system work?

Understanding how a home comfort system works starts with knowing what it is and what it consists of. A home comfort system, also called an HVAC system or a split system, has four parts: Indoor units, such as a furnace or air handler The outdoor unit, either an air...

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How often should I have my equipment serviced?

Heating and Air Conditioning equipment, no matter what kind you have, should be inspected, cleaned, and serviced at least once a year. The best scenario is to have the heating system checked in the Fall and the air conditioning checked in the Spring. Oil-fired...

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