Many people simply don’t have the proper HVAC size for their homes. They buy air conditioning systems that are too large for their houses assuming that the systems will work better for them. However, this can lead to short cycling, which is not good.

There are tried and tested ways to properly estimate the correct size of the HVAC system for your home. The proper HVAC size that is suitable for your home will not only save you electricity costs but will help you become more comfortable during the summer months and winter months.

Manual J Calculations

Manual J calculations are the most recommended way for HVAC systems to be properly sized for a house. These calculations are based on the airflow, the insulation, and even the amount of sunlight that a room gets. Manual J calculations are performed by designers and engineers. They involve room-by-room calculations, and they also involve calculating the duct system.

Typically, there are two types of Manual J calculations. Whole house Manual J calculations are done when there are no intended changes to the house. These calculations can size up the proper HVAC size that will be needed to heat or cool a house that is already built.

A room-by-room Manual J calculation is done when a renovation is going to take place, such as adding a den or bedroom. The information provided by a room-by-room calculation is important when determining the duct sizes that are needed for the entire house that will be affected by the addition of the room. Manual J calculations are the most accurate way to determine the right HVAC size for your home.

Need Help Deciding?

Contact TalkLocal today and let us help you find a professional near you! We can help you locate a professional who will help you perform Manual J calculations for you.

With temperatures ready to rise, it is time to shift your attention to keeping your home, apartment or condo cool. An air conditioner is ideal, however, there are other methods you can use to cool your residence.

Before you go rushing off to the local hardware store to purchase an air conditioning unit, it is important to stop and ponder ‘How many air conditioner BTUs do I need?’

What Are BTUs?

The acronym BTU stands for British Thermal Units. This is just a fancy term used to measure how large of an area an air conditioner is capable of cooling. The term also pertains to heaters when measuring how large of an area they can heat.

The number of BTUs listed on a box or chart might seem random, but all you need to understand is that the higher the number of BTUs, the larger the area it can cool.

The trick is finding the appropriate power for your specific room. There are a variety of tables and BTU calculators available throughout the Internet. While this makes the process easy, it does not necessarily address the unique aspects of your room. More on this later.

Rule Of Thumb

If you do not want to mess with a BTU calculator or pore over a chart, there is a general rule of thumb you can use to answer the question ‘How many air conditioner BTUs do I need?’

You can simply multiply the room’s cubic footage by five to reveal the appropriate BTUs needed in an air conditioner. To determine how many cubic feet your room is, simply measure the width, length and height of the room and multiply the dimensions together.

Again, this cookie-cutter method does not account for unique aspects of a room. You should answer the following questions before determining how many BTUs you will need.

Poorly insulated rooms, or rooms that allow the sun to enter in, will require a higher amount of BTUs to eliminate the heat.

Take The Guesswork Out

Heating and cooling professionals have this method down to a science. If you want to ensure you buy an air conditioner with the right amount of power, use TalkLocal to track down a qualified professional in your area now.

How do you lubricate a HVAC motor? That is a question that many people ask, and this article is here to help you figure out the answer! The following are some tips and tricks regarding how to properly maintain your HVAC motor.

How to tell if you need to oil your HVAC motor

Whether or not you need to oil your HVAC motor depends on the type of model you have. If you own one of the newer models, there are no oil ports because the newer models are made with a sealed bearing.

The older models are a different story and they will need proper upkeep. Place a few drops of oil in the oil ports each year and you should be good to go.

5-10 year maintenance

To maintain the proper care for your HVAC motor, we recommend performing the following checklist every 5 to 10 years.

Additional Help

Check out more HVAC cleaning tips here. Properly maintaining your HVAC motor requires a lot of time and effort. It may be a lot easier to simply have a professional do the upkeep or replace the motor in general. Check out TalkLocal to be directly connected to a service professional right in your neighborhood. You will be speaking to a professional that can fix your exact problem at the time that is most convenient for your schedule!

It’s getting hot outside and all you want to do it is keep it nice and cool inside. However, the sunny days have made it hot inside your house and your air conditioning system is not working.

Possible Issues

If you cannot get the air conditioning system to activate at all, then the most common causes lie with a blown circuit breaker or fuse, improperly set or faulty thermostat, or an internal switch being off. However, before you do anything, you should make sure that the thermostat is set in the cool position and not to off or heat.

If it is in the cool position and the air conditioning still won’t turn on, then you have your work cut out for you. You should check that the double breaker, aka the 240 circuit breaker, controlling the air conditioning compressor/condensing unit, and the 120 circuit breaker are in the on positions. If a circuit breaker has popped or a fuse is blown, you can reset the breaker and replace the fuse. If they fail again, you should probably call for expert help.

Additional Help

If you need more help with your air conditioning problem, go to TalkLocal.com. This free service will call numerous heating and air conditioning experts for you so you can get the help you need when you need it! Even if all you need is a consultation!

Is your gas furnace not working? While the outside world may be a winter wonderland, nobody wants his or her house to be that cold in the winter. Unfortunately, if your gas furnace is not working, your house could be as cold as the outdoors.

Why is the gas furnace not working?

One of the reasons that your gas furnace may not be working could be that the thermostat is set too low or not calling for heat. Check and make sure that it’s in “heat mode” or set it higher. If that isn’t working, then you might have to check the circuit breaker, the fuse, and the pilot light.

If the circuit breaker is tripped or blown, you will have to reset the breaker. However, if the fuse is blown then you will need to replace the blown fuse.

If the pilot light is out, then you will have to relight it. However, if the light isn’t out but the pilot light isn’t working then it may be the thermocouple that’s the problem. You will have to replace it if that is the case.

If you need more help with your heating problem, go to TalkLocal.com. This free service will call up to three heating and air conditioning experts for you so you can get the help you need when you want to! Even if all you need is a consultation!

For many of us, the word humidity often brings up feelings of discomfort.  We associate it with the heaviest, most tiring days of summer and that damp feeling that no one really enjoys.  When there are issues in regards to the humidity levels in the home, there is no indoor escape from unmanageable outdoor conditions.  Although, not only people suffer from humidity issues, houses themselves are also affected negatively from overly dry or damp conditions.

An atmosphere that is too dry is less than ideal, as well.  Less moisture in the air leads to less water vapor which reduces the size of building materials.  A prolonged period of dryness can eventually create visible damage to walls, floors, and ceilings.  This is especially true when it comes to wood detailing.  Hardwood floors, wood wall paneling, and wood furniture can shrink and crack due to lack of moisture.  Therefore, an appropriate humidity level is important when it comes to preserving your home’s structures.

Similar to dryness, dampness and hair air moisture can be damaging to your home’s structures.  Excess water vapor in the air can create stains on your ceilings and walls and cause paint and wallpaper to flake and peel away from its surface.  Condensation that forms on windows and walls can drip onto wood panes and paneling and cause rotting.  And on an even more disturbing note, severe dampness is the perfect environment for mold, mildew, and pests to thrive (Ew!).  Keeping your home’s humidity at the correct level is an easy way to avoid these household damages and menaces.

So what is an appropriate humidity level?  Most experts say that anywhere from 35-45% is healthy for you and your home.  The effects of dryness begin to occur at levels less than 30% and the damaging consequences of dampness are usually seen above 50%.  The simplest way to measure your home’s humidity is with a hygrometer – this is a rather inexpensive tool that allows you to measure and regulate humidity on your own. It is important to take readings at regular intervals because humidity levels are always changing.  Humidity can change seasonally or even after a specific household activity.

Activities such as cooking, bathing, and doing laundry all add extra moisture to the air. It is important to vigilantly monitor your home’s humidity level if you wish to regulate it yourself.

Heating and cooling companies can also provide you with mechanical solutions to control humidity levels.  Whole house (de)humidifiers, regulators that hook up to the rest of your home’s system, or simple ventilation devices in target areas can be installed and serviced by most companies.  As discussed, correct humidity levels are fundamental to the preservation of your possessions and home, so consulting with professionals is always a good plan.  For more advice or information on the best equipment for your home, use TalkLocal to easily contact a heating and cooling company near you!

Do you not have a central A/C system in your home? Are you trying to save money on your cooling bill this summer? Learn how to cool your house with window fans as a relatively inexpensive option.

The best time to use window fans is during seasons when temperatures are hot during the day and cool/dry during the night. These fans can be used to bring in the cool, dry air from the outside at night, which can lessen the need to turn on your air conditioner during the day. This way, electricity is used only at night rather than throughout the entire day.

Here are some situations in which using window fans may not be ideal:

– If temperatures are very hot and/or humid all throughout the day & night. In this case, window fans may not be very effective and you may be better off using a central A/C system.

– If your windows are not accompanied by adequate screens, putting a fan in these screen-less windows can bring in unwanted bugs and insects.

– If you live in an area with high rates of crime, window fans may make your house more susceptible or prone to break-ins or burglaries.

When choosing the right window fans, make sure to measure the size of the window opening before you purchase your fan. Whenever the temperature drops so that it’s cooler outside than in your home, turn on the fan to bring in that cooler outside air.

It is most effective to have multiple fans; some placed so that the cooler outside air is brought in during the night, and some which will push the hot air out from inside your home during the day. Be sure to place them strategically as well. Have the inward-blowing fans on the coolest side of your house, (sides that have shade if possible,) and have the outward-blowing fans on higher levels and on sides that are most hit by the sun.

If you would like some advice on using window fans, or if you need help repairing or installing a central A/C system, try using TalkLocal, a free service that will connect you with top-quality, reputable heating & cooling specialists in your area within minutes. Simply enter your specific need, location and availability, and TalkLocal will contact multiple HVAC service providers, who will then call you directly. Save time searching companies on your own, and let TalkLocal find them for you.

If you don’t have an air conditioner, are paying too much for central A/C, or just want to find some air conditioner alternatives to keep your house cool during the summer months, you have a few options:

– Try setting up some small and/or standing fans around your house. Turn on your ceiling fans if you have them.

– Make sure to close your windows, blinds, and curtains during the day to keep the warm air out and the cool air in during the hottest hours.

– Fill up a glass bowl full of ice and place it in front of a fan. As the ice melts, the fan will create a chilled breeze throughout the area.

– Try taking a spare bed sheet, spray it with cold water, and put it up in front of an open window. The incoming breeze with blow through the sheet and create a nice, cool breeze.

– Cut down on activities that use up a large amount of electricity and create heat (i.e. turn off computers when not in use, air dry your clothes instead of using a dryer, or hand wash dishes instead of using a dishwasher)

– You can even consider getting ceiling fans installed. While the upfront installation costs may be steep, it can be a considerably less expensive option to central A/C.

If none of these alternatives work for you, you can find reputable HVAC specialists through TalkLocal. Contact them if you want to install a ceiling fan or if your A/C is broken and you need someone to come take a look. TalkLocal is a free service that will connect you directly with HVAC businesses in your neighborhood. Once you enter your location, availability, and problem into the service request form online, they will be with you on the phone with solutions for you!

Air conditioning is a gift sent straight from heaven during the summer.  The sweet relief of waking into a pleasantly cool house after being outside during the hot sticky day is like no other.  But what happens when your air conditioner starts to break down?  When your A/C stops workin,g your entire machine could be failing.

Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC), more commonly know as Freon is a derivative of methane/ethane.  It is used as a refrigerant, propellant, and solvent.  Freon is commonly found in air conditioners as it has cooling properties.  Most common residential properties use the R-22 version of chlorofluorocarbon in their air conditioners. Sometimes Freon levels can become low, so how do you know if your AC is low on Freon?

Signs that Freon is low

1)   Low airflow in vents

2)   Air coming from vents feel warm

3)   Water on the floor near your unit

4)   Ice buildup on copper lines from A/C to indoor coil

5)   High electricity use

6)   Longer wait for house to cool

Methods to detect leaks/low Freon

One option is to use an electronic refrigerant detector called a sniffer. This device will give off a sound and visual indication when the sending probe senses a leak. You can also inject fluorescent dye into the system. It will circulate the same path as the Freon and come out wherever there is a leak. Once you use an ultraviolet light to illuminate the system, the dye will glow and indicated where it has pooled.

You should also check your filters and change them every 30 days to make sure that they are kept clean. If you stand in front of your air handler and someone turns the thermostat to engage the air the fan should start up and you should be able to hear the refrigerant running. Touch the copper lines to see if they are getting any colder. If not then there is a problem with your Freon.

Continuing Issues

If you cannot seem to figure out what you want to do about your air conditioner you should seek professional help. Use TalkLocal to be put in contact with reliable local businesses almost immediately.  You don’t have to do any work! Simply input your problem and availability and TalkLocal will do the rest. Within minutes your should be connected with a qualified HVAC company.

One of the cheapest things you can do to maintain your home A/C system is to change out the filters, as dirty filters can release dirt and pollutants into your home that can damage your health and equipment. Asking yourself, “When should I change my AC filter?”  will depend on several factors about the environment that your A/C system is servicing.

Type of Filter

The quality of filter you use will significantly impact how often you need to change the filter. As a general rule of thumb with standard 1″ to 3″ air filters, you should change them out approximately every one or two months. However, if you are more sensitive to dust or have allergies, you may want to upgrade to a high quality filter that usually lasts longer (these have a higher upfront cost).

Overall Air Quality

The lower the air quality in the home, the more often you’ll need to change out your A/C filter since it will be picking up more debris and pollutants in the air. This can be influenced by many geographical factors, such as if you live near warm, dusty climates or by high levels of air pollutants (from factories and other industrial sites). Likewise, the amount of smoking, mold, or moisture deposits can decrease the air quality in the home and, correspondingly, the life of your A/C filter.

Occupancy of the Home

The number of people and pets living in the home will also impact the life of the air filter.  Pet dander and hair can quickly block up your AC filter. In general, the more traffic there is in your home, by pets or people, the more often you should change your filter. Vacation homes that are hardly used other than the summer can last up to a year before needing to be changed.

If you want to contact a HVAC service to replace your filter, TalkLocal can connect you directly to a high quality local business in minutes!