Category Archives: Tips

What exactly is a Split Unit in HVAC?

If you’ve ever been looking for a new heating and air conditioning unit then you’ve probably come across the term “split unit”. There are various types of split units in the HVAC world and in this post I’m going to explain the basic understanding of what a split unit is.

The Basic Concept

A split unit is usually compared or contrasted with a packaged unit. There’s very good reason for this. A typical packaged unit will consist of the air conditioner and its components along with the heating system and it’s components all located in one unit outside. So the ac and the furnace, for example, along with its components, would all be in one accessible unit outside. If you’ve ever noticed a large rectangular unit on the rooftops of a business or outside of a home, then you’ve probably seen a packaged unit. These larger unit’s appear much bigger as far as what you can see because everything is located inside of that one unit. 

Cracked Heat Exchanger: Symptoms and Causes

A cracked heat exchanger in a furnace can be a potentially dangerous situation. The main reason for this is due to the fact that furnaces are located inside the living area of the particular home or business. For this reason, I want to share with you some of the common symptoms and causes of a cracked heat exchanger in a furnace.

Symptoms of a Cracked Heat Exchanger

If there is a crack in the furnace’s heat exchanger, there will be some signs and symptoms that are normally evident concerning the furnace.

Evidence of Soot: If there is evidence of soot buildup inside of the furnace, then it’s very possible that there could be a crack in the heat exchanger. This is due to the combustion process being incomplete. Other problems could cause this symptom as well such as balance issues with the burners.

Carbon Monoxide Levels are High: If there is a carbon monoxide detector/alarm in your home or business (preferably near the furnace), then it will notify you if carbon monoxide is invading your living space. Normally there will also be a strong strange odor as well. If this is the case, then it’s possible that the heat exchanger is the culprit.

What are BTU’s for your AC and Furnace?

In this post the focus of BTU’s is going to be on heating and air units such as air conditioners and furnaces, but much of what is going to be shared is universal to other appliances as well. So what are BTU’s?

What are BTU’s?

Very simply, a BTU is an acronym for “British Thermal Unit”. A British Thermal Unit is the standard of measurement used for generating or increasing thermal energy. A single BTU is the amount of energy it takes to raise the temperature of an environment of 1 pound of water by 1 degree Fahrenheit (per hour, normally). This standard of measurement is used for heating and air units, grills, stoves, and other common appliances.

What are BTU’s for a furnace?

When it comes to your furnace or any other heating system for your home or business, BTU’s are going to be what are used to determine the unit’s heating capacity.

What Size Furnace Do I Need?

When it comes to replacing your furnace or installing a new furnace at a newly constructed location, it’s important to know what size furnace that you need for your particular situation. You don’t want to install a furnace that is too big or too small for the area that is being heated. This can cause issues with the furnace itself, which can lead to premature furnace repairs. The utility bill can also be affected if the furnace isn’t the correct size. So having a properly sized furnace is essential for efficient operation and the lowest utility bills.

But, how do you determine what size furnace that you need?

The Size of a Furnace is Categorized by BTU’s

Top 10 Causes of Air Conditioning Problems

The average lifespan of an air conditioning unit system is 10-15 years. Once a unit hits 10 years of age and begins to have air conditioning problems, it is time to see if AC repair costs will outweigh replacing the unit. New units will improve the indoor air quality and also help the resale value of the home.

Noticing white dust in the home? That happens to the duct work as it gets older. The combustion exhaust in a furnace is acidic. If this makes contact with galvanized steel, the acid will react with the zinc in the galvanizing, and this can produce a white powdery residue, as is commonly seen on the terminals of a car battery. If this substance is getting into the circulating air system, there could be a crack or hole in the heat exchanger, and that would be hazardous.

Excess noise shows the possibility of the duct work not being large enough for the square footage or a problem with the unit’s indoor coil.

Are you experiencing a rise in the energy bill but no change in how the unit is being used? That is always a big indicator the system is not running as efficient as it once was. In this post we are going to share with you some common air conditioning problems that hinder air flow.

Top 10 Air Conditioning Problems That Hinder Air Flow

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