Heating & Air News

Allergy season hits Richmond, Virginia hard. In fact, RVA usually ranks as one of the least allergy friendly cities in the nation, especially during springtime. Dust mites, pets, mold, cockroaches, pollen, and cigarettes are the most common causes of indoor allergy problems. There’s not a lot that can be done about the pollen outside, but there are a variety of ways to combat allergens inside the home.

Do you know the SEER rating on your existing heat pump or central air conditioner? Effective January 1, 2015, the US Government required that split system heat pumps and central air conditioners installed in the Southeastern Region of the United States of America to be at least 14 SEER. (that includes us here in Hanover County and the metro Richmond area as well)!

Buying a replacement heating and cooling system is like buying a car. It's a mechanical system and there are high- and low-quality versions to choose from. There are the brands you know will break down more often and don't last as long, and there are those that run year-after-year without any mechanical problems, assuming you observe the recommended maintenance schedule.

Heating and cooling systems have lots of moving, mechanical parts. Keeping them cleaned, oiled and tuned-up allows your HVAC to work more efficiently - and it keeps it running far longer than it would otherwise. This is why regular HVAC tune ups are so important when it comes to saving money and extending the life of your system.

If you're building a new home, or installing HVAC system that has never had that type of heating and cooling system, cost is likely going to be a major consideration.

While a new HVAC system is one of the most expensive appliances you'll ever purchase, it's important to weigh both first-time and lifetime costs for each option to ensure you invest in the highest-quality system you can afford. In almost all cases, spending extra now for a system that is both energy-efficient, and has the features most important to your lifestyle, will pay off over time.

When you buy a new home, there’s always a phase of discovering little nuance issues a few months later. Things you never would have even thought about during the purchase. Cold spots are something that doesn’t usually register as a problem until temperature fluctuations are felt firsthand.

Carbon Monoxide, CO for short, is an odorless and colorless gas which can cause severe health issues, or even death, in humans and pets.  It is found in fumes produced when cars or trucks,  engines, generators, gas appliances and furnaces are running. If these fumes build up, or there is a leak, CO poisoning can occur in a matter of minutes. 

In Central Virginia's climate,  the ideal scenario is to have a furnace serve as the alternative heat source when you have a heat pump system.  Installing both a heat pump and furnace is not always financially feasible. In this article, we’ll discuss a few factors that will help settle the heat pump vs furnace argument and hopefully lead you to the right decision.

Once the cold weather hits, many a Richmond, VA homeowner is faced with an important question: Is it time to replace my heating system? If the answer to that question is, "yes," there are some serious decisions to be made.