For your heat pump or air conditioning system to work effectively, its outdoor unit, which houses the compressor, must have enough clearance on all sides. The ideal distance between it and the exterior wall, fence or shrubbery is at least 24 inches. Local HVAC service contractor Schmitt Heating & Air Conditioning explains its importance in today’s blog.
Buying an HVAC system is a considerable investment. That’s why you should always be informed so you can make the right choice for your home and family. After all, you don’t want to buy an air conditioner or heat pump and then have to call on a local HVAC contractors a few weeks later.
Gone are the days when you had to stand up and walk over to the thermostat from time to time to manually adjust the temperature. With programmable thermostats and their smart versions that are accessible via Wi-Fi, indoor temperature control becomes much easier and more convenient. But do they really help save money? Local air conditioning repair contractor Schmitt Heating & Air Conditioning sheds light on the matter here.
Pets offer companionship and unconditional love. However, caring for them is a big responsibility. Among other things, you have to make sure they’re well-fed and well-groomed. Also, as a pet owner, you shouldn’t overlook your HVAC system; it should be in top condition to ensure their comfort and safety.
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It’s one thing to invest in an air conditioning unit to boost your home’s comfort this summer; choosing the best one to fit your needs is a whole other matter. While whole-home central air conditioners are the most commonly-used cooling systems in many U.S. households today, they’re not the only type of AC available. Many HVAC contractors recommend other options, including a window-type or a split AC unit.
Whether you’re replacing an air conditioner that’s past its service life or upgrading the furnace in your home, you must compare contractor estimates to find the one that provides the most savings. Expect these to vary, however. Today the HVAC service pros of Schmitt Heating & Air Conditioning take a look at the various factors that may affect replacement estimates.
Contractors use their experience and expertise when making HVAC replacement estimates. Expect high-end yet reputable HVAC companies to give you a higher bid since they’re more likely to have more equipment and overhead. Be aware that those who offer a lower bid may not have the proper insurance or a full understanding of local policies or applicable incentives.
Estimates also vary depending on the heating and air conditioning units being offered. Trusted HVAC service installers will tell you about the best features for your home’s system. The unit’s brand, size, hardware and level of efficiency will impact the total installation cost. Units from well-known manufacturers may cost you more upfront, but they tend to have longer lifespans, better warranties and smarter built-in features.
Inclusions in HVAC warranties also vary in many estimates. The manufacturer warranties that most installers offer provide protection against faulty equipment. Additional guarantees for the total HVAC installation may also be provided in other estimates.
The size of your home and how well it’s insulated play an important role in your new HVAC system’s ability to cool and heat your home with optimal efficiency. For instance, a 2,500-square-foot home will require much larger equipment than a smaller home. A unit with far less capacity may be needed if your home has energy-efficient windows and no cracks through which air can enter and escape.
For all your HVAC needs, turn to Schmitt Heating & Air Conditioning. We offer a wide range of services, including heating and AC repair, replacement and maintenance. Give us a call at (415) 689-7849 or fill out our contact form to request an estimate or schedule an appointment. We serve residents of San Francisco and the surrounding communities.
We’re now in the midst of the so-called “new normal”. Physical distancing is in full effect, and people are continuing to be encouraged to stay at home. This is done to limit your chances of getting the virus, keep yourself healthy and contribute to “flattening the curve.” However, as you stay indoors, you should make sure the air you breathe is clean and safe.
San Francisco winters are mild and rarely extreme, making it one of the many areas where a heat pump is a viable heating and air conditioning option. Unlike other types of HVAC systems, heat pumps don’t “produce” warm or cold air. Instead, they transfer heat from one place to another. This means it can function as either a heater or a cooler, depending on the season. Read more
With the heating season in full swing, homeowners across the nation are scrambling to get their heating repair and maintenance needs taken care of right away. As you do, don’t forget to include your indoor air quality (IAQ) levels on your list of routine HVAC tasks to be done. Read more
Every home has different heating requirements, and therefore needs a furnace that’s the appropriate size to meet them. In this blog, residential and commercial HVAC repair contractor Schmitt shares insight on the importance of furnace sizing.
Your home needs a furnace that will supply heat efficiently, consistently and in the appropriate amount, which is why choosing the right furnace size is important. An undersized furnace will redline all the time—and consume a lot of fuel in the process—just to meet minimum heating requirements. To illustrate using an extreme example, it’s like trying to heat an entire house using a portable space heater.
Oversized furnaces can also be problematic, as they provide too much heat too fast, leading to “short cycling”. In other words, the furnace turns off and on too fast, which places additional strain on it, consumes more energy and can potentially lead to premature breakdown. The right sizing applies to both heating and cooling systems, so your air conditioner needs to be properly sized as well.
Your HVAC technician will take several factors into consideration before estimating the furnace size that will fulfill your home’s heating requirements:
Your Home’s Square Footage — This includes all the rooms that require heating, including finished basements and attics. Rooms vary in size and shape, of course, all of which will be taken into account.
Heating Factor — Heating as well as cooling is relative to outdoor temperatures. There are five standard zones in the United States, all with different BTU (British thermal unit) requirements. The farther from the equator, the higher the required BTUs will be. California is located in Zone 2, with a heating factor of 30 to 35 BTUs. By contrast, some of the northernmost areas in the country, such as Minneapolis, require 50 to 60 BTUs.
Insulation — A well-insulated home won’t require as much heating. In addition to wall and attic insulation, ceilings and floors in certain rooms should be insulated, and don’t forget to caulk and seal your windows and doors as well.
To calculate your home heating requirements, multiply the square footage of your house by the heating factor. The better insulated the house is, the lower the required BTUs within the resulting range. For example, if your home’s total floor area is 2,000 square feet and is well-insulated, then it will take around 60,000 BTUs to heat your home. A furnace with a corresponding output will then be selected and installed.
Are you looking for HVAC contractors? If so, call Schmitt Heating at (415) 689-7849 or fill out our contact form. We serve customers in San Francisco.
