What Is an HVAC Damper? A Straightforward Look

You’ve probably had this exact moment before. You walk into one room and it feels like an icebox, cold air blasting like the system’s stuck on overdrive. Then you step into another room and it’s the exact opposite, stuffy, warm, and begging for relief. And here’s the thing most homeowners never realize: That temperature tug-of-war? … Read more

What is a Plenum in HVAC? Understanding Air Distribution

Let me start with a scene that might feel a little too familiar. You walk into the living room and it’s comfortable, perfectly cooled by your central air system. But then you head down the hallway, open the bedroom door, and boom: it’s stuffy.  A few degrees warmer. Maybe even humid. You glance at the … Read more

What is an Air Handler in HVAC? A Comprehensive Guide

You can always tell when a homeowner has an air handler issue long before they know what an air handler [1] even is. They’ll describe a “weird hum,” or a room that suddenly feels like it stopped getting cool air, or that faint, dusty smell the moment the ac unit kicks on.  They think it’s … Read more

What is an ERV in HVAC? Improving Air Quality and Saving Energy

You’ve probably felt it before, the moment you walk into a room and the air feels heavy, almost like it hasn’t moved in days. A homeowner once told me their living room felt “swampy in summer and papery-dry in winter,” even though the thermostat insisted everything was normal. That’s the quiet warning sign most people … Read more

What Is an RTU in HVAC? Understanding Rooftop Units

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You can picture the moment. You walk into a store on a muggy afternoon, expecting relief, but the air feels tired, like it gave up halfway through the cooling cycle. The manager shrugs and says, “It’s the rooftop unit again.” Most people nod politely, pretending they know what that means.  But if you’re a homeowner, … Read more

What Does VAV Stand for in HVAC? Variable Air Volume Explained

There’s a moment every homeowner goes through the first time they walk into one room of their house and it feels perfect, cool, balanced, just right, then step into another room and suddenly it’s stuffy, stale, or ten degrees warmer. You stand there thinking, “How is it the same AC system… but a completely different … Read more

What Does a Capacitor Do in HVAC? Signs It’s Failing

It’s a sweltering summer afternoon. You’re home, expecting a blast of cool air from your vents, but instead, you’re met with a weak, lukewarm sigh. You walk over to the thermostat.  Yeah, it’s set to cool. You hear a faint click from your HVAC system, followed by a persistent, worrying hum from the outdoor unit.  … Read more

What Does CFM Stand for in HVAC? Explained Simply

If you’ve ever walked into your living room and felt that weird blast of cold air on your ankles, but the rest of the room still feels muggy, you’ve already met the silent troublemaker in your HVAC system. Airflow. More specifically: CFM. It shows up as cold spots in winter. It shows up as that … Read more

What HVAC System Qualifies for Tax Credit

If you’ve ever opened your utility bills in the middle of summer and felt that tiny jolt of panic, yeah, you’re not alone.  A homeowner I spoke with recently, Anne (not that Anne Fonda, though she joked about it), told me her July bill jumped 37% compared to the prior year.  Same AC unit, same … Read more