Electric Heating: A Furnace or a Heat Pump?

February 11th, 2019

question-markThe natural gas furnace is one of the most common types of home heating system. But they’re not as common here in Tampa because we don’t need as much heating power. You’ll find gas furnace hard at work in places with chilly winters because the furnaces can produce high levels of heat—and that’s not something we often need. Many homes here also run entirely from electricity and don’t have a natural gas connection for a gas furnace.

What are the main options for central electric heating in Palm Harbor, FL? There are two main types of units for a consumer to consider: the electric furnace or the heat pump. Let’s look into the benefits and drawbacks of both.

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Why Your Heat Pump May Not Be Heating

January 28th, 2019

cold-sweater-manIf you use a heat pump in Clearwater, FL to provide both heating and cooling for your home, you’ll use it most of the time in its cooling mode. After all, Tampa Bay enjoys hot summers and warm to mild winters. It’s not often we need to have heating power for comfort. But this is one of the reasons heat pumps are such good choices for comfort in our climate: they are powerful air conditioning systems that can shift into working as efficient heating systems when necessary.

If a heat pump is working as it should, all it takes to change it to heating mode is to make an adjustment to the thermostat. But what happens if you do make the adjustment to your heat pump, but you either don’t get enough heat or the heat pump continues to send out cooled air?

Let’s take a quick look at what might be happening.

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What’s That Moldy Smell Coming From My Home’s Air Vents?

January 14th, 2019

girl-pinching-noseEverybody wants their home to smell pleasant, not just for guests but for their own enjoyment. And there are few things less pleasant than a moldy odor spreading around your house because it’s coming out of the vents along with the heated or cooled air.

If this happens in your home, you’re not alone: this situation is a common one called “dirty sock syndrome.” You can probably tell why it got that name when you smell those odors. We’ll take a look at what causes this and what can be done about it.

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How an Energy Recovery Ventilator Can Improve Your Home

December 31st, 2018

cardboard-house-skyPoor indoor air quality is a serious problem for homes in Florida, but it’s also a problem that’s often ignored. People tend to worry more about keeping their homes cooled rather than circulating fresh air. Humidity is the air quality issue that usually gets the most attention.

One of the easiest ways to improve a home’s air quality—and this includes helping with the humidity—is with the installation of an energy recovery ventilator. What is that? We’ll explain more below.

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Steps to Change Your HVAC Air Filter

December 17th, 2018

air-fliter-cuTaking care of both your air conditioning and heating in Tampa, FL requires ensuring you have a clean air filter for the HVAC system. This applies during the winter as much as any other time of the year. It’s true that our heating systems don’t see much use, even during the winter, because of the Florida climate. However, in the majority of homes, the heating system shares the same air filter with the cooling system. (A furnace/AC combination or a heat pump.) Regardless of which one is running, it must have a clear filter free from clogs to allow it to work effectively and efficiently. To ensure this is the case, you must change the air filter for a new one every 1 to 3 months throughout the year.

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Tips for Getting Your Home Ready for Heating Season

December 3rd, 2018

woman-relaxing-coffeeWinter here in Tampa Bay is … well, it’s not exactly bone-chilling! At night we can sometimes have temperatures down in the 50s, and there are more rainy days. But for the most part, heating needs for the winter are less complex and urgent than in parts of the country buried under snow for most of the season.

You still may need professional HVAC services in Tampa, FL during the winter, and with the proper preparation, you can enjoy a season with minimal heater issues. Most importantly, you’ll save money thanks to efficient HVAC performance—and that includes your air conditioner, which will still put in work during the winter. Below we have some tips for getting your house ready for this time of year so you enjoy maximum comfort, HVAC energy efficiency, and HVAC performance.

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How to Improve Your Indoor Air Quality This Fall

November 19th, 2018

woman-with-allergiesYou may not think too much about the indoor air quality in Tampa, FL, since your main comfort concern in your house is keeping it cool. However, keeping cool is often part of the problem with indoor air quality.

We have homes built with tight seals against the outside so extra heat doesn’t slip in. This keeps homes more energy efficient by removing extra work from the air conditioning system. But this also restricts the flow of fresh air into the house, resulting in fewer air replacements. Air replacements are necessary to prevent stuffy interiors and remove unhealthy indoor pollutants. Your house may have a high concentration of all types of unpleasant particles, from volatile organic compounds to mold spores.

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Air Conditioning Repair Issues to Watch for Over the Next Few Weeks

November 5th, 2018

Air-Conditioner-TechWhile the rest of the country gears up for heating season, we have just a bit more warm weather before the days start to really get cold. While you’re using your air conditioner these last few weeks, remember to keep your eyes open for any and all signs that the system is in trouble. You don’t want to have to deal with a full air conditioning breakdown right at the end of the summer, do you? That’s why it’s best that you catch any developing problems as early as possible so they can be repaired.

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Should I Replace My Air Conditioner Before Fall Starts?

October 22nd, 2018

Air-Conditioner-CashWhile most of the rest of the country braces for a drop in temperature, those of us here in Florida are largely still relying on our ACs to keep us comfortable. If your air conditioner has gotten you this far in the season, you might think it’s in pretty good shape overall. What about next season, though? If your air conditioner doesn’t seem like it’s going to last one more season, you may want to replace it now rather than wait until next spring.

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Before Cooling Season Ends, Make Sure You Get Your Air Conditioner Repaired!

October 8th, 2018

Air-Conditioner-TechThe heating season isn’t going to start for us for a little while, unlike most of the rest of the country. That means that you’re still going to be using your air conditioner for at least a few more weeks. There is still a chance that your air conditioner will end up with some sort of problem before summer ends, which means you need to be on the lookout for any and all signs that something is wrong with the system. Have a look at some of the most common signs that your air conditioner is in need of repairs below.

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