When A Heat Pump Does Double Duty, Maintenance Is Twice As Important

When A Heat Pump Does Double Duty, Maintenance Is Twice As ImportantHere in Siouxland, heat-pump systems perform double duty months on end. With the waning of the heating months, it’s time for a maintenance service call. Regular service twice a year, and easy DIY care between calls, will keep your heat pump in prime condition, delivering much better energy efficiency than the highest-rated furnace. Read More »

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Learning The ABC’s Of Manual J

Many people have never heard of Manual J, the protocol that heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) professionals use to calculate the heating or cooling loads needed for specific homes. Knowing the components of the Manual J is useful information for two primary reasons: accurately sizing equipment for maximum interior comfort and building health, along with learning how to lower the heating and cooling loads for homes. Read More »

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Replacing Your Air Conditioning? In Addition To The SEER Rating, Consider These 6 Features

Replacing Your Air Conditioning? In Addition To The SEER Rating, Consider These 6 Features  One of the most important factors to consider when choosing a new air conditioning system is the appliance’s SEER rating, which stands for seasonal energy efficiency ratio. All air conditioners have efficiency ratings to guide consumers on how well the A/C uses electricity to cool your home. In the United States, the minimum allowable SEER for central air conditioners stands at 13. Beyond this rating, six other factors play an important role in the decision-making process about air conditioning. Read More »

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Programmable Thermostats: A Smart Decision

Installing a programmable thermostat in your home is a great way to save money and make your temperature control system more efficient. And nowadays you can go one step better by selecting a programmable thermostat with a variety of “smart” features (as in “smart-phone”). When you want to improve your heating and air conditioning system, check out how a programmable thermostat with smart features can save energy and simplify your life. Read More »

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The Home Energy Audit: A Weekend Project That Can Yield Long-Term Savings

The Home Energy Audit: A Weekend Project That Can Yield Long-Term SavingsHere’s a weekend project that could end up giving you all-year savings: performing a home-energy audit. Read More »

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Duct Sealing: 5 Ways You’re Bound To Benefit

The ductwork in your home acts as a circulatory system, delivering heated and cooled air to every room. Are you considering having duct sealing performed in your home? If so, a number of benefits await you. Here are five ways you’re bound to benefit from by having your ductwork sealed: Read More »

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Have You Put Off A Needed Furnace Replacement? Why An End-Of-Season Purchase Can Make Sense

Have You Put Off A Needed Furnace Replacement? Why An End-Of-Season Purchase Can Make SenseWinter’s nearly over, though in our area, that’s not something you can bank on. This is relevant to the homeowner now facing marginal performance from a furnace at the end of its usable life span. If you’ve resisted installing a new furnace and are nursing a marginal system through the season’s final cold snaps, your procrastination may lead to sunnier days — both seasonally and financially. Read More »

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How Kalin’s AirAdvice Indoor Air Analysis Can Help You Breathe Easier

The quality of your indoor air is more important than you might think. Breathing in air filled with contaminants such as dust, mold spores and dander will greatly impact your health. Air impurities increase the likelihood of headaches, fatigue and nausea as well as aggravate asthma and allergy symptoms. Fortunately, with Kalin’s AirAdvice indoor air analysis, you can create a healthy and comfortable home or office that has clean indoor air. Read More »

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Duct Noise: That Banging And Clatter Mean Something’s the Matter

Duct Noise: That Banging And Clatter Mean Something's the MatterNoises coming from your heating and cooling ducts can be annoying, but they also can be a cry for help from your ductwork. Most ductwork is constructed of sheet metal, which is a good conductor of sound, and that banging and clattering could mean that your HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) needs service. Read More »

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Plan For Your Geothermal System Now, And You Can Break Ground Before Summer

The cold winter weather is receding, and the pleasant temperatures and cool breezes of spring already are brightening the days. You might be tempted to forget all about heating and cooling your home, at least for a little while, but you shouldn’t. In fact, now is an excellent time to consider the benefits of installing and using a geothermal system. If you break ground now, your geothermal system will be ready to keep you cool all summer long. Read More »

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