Does Your Water Heater Need to be Replaced?
The average water heater lasts about 10 to 15 years. To extend the life and efficiency of your hot water heater, regularly flushing the hot water heater tank can go a long way. In time, parts can start to corrode or a buildup of minerals can begin to form. The buildup of minerals causes the […]
Types of Furnaces: What is a Modulating Furnace?
Evolution of Furnace Types The first single stage furnaces were simply called single stage. When the thermostat called for heat, it only knew one type of output , which was maximum. Thereafter a 2-stage furnace became available. It would initially kick on at about 50% of the heat output using 50% of the gas. If […]
Benefits of Multi-Stage Furnaces
Single Stage Furnaces Many older furnaces have only one stage of heat output and that is the maximum it can produce. This is great when the furnace kicks on first thing in the morning. Many people will use a programmable thermostat, which can be set for a specific temperature to be reached by a certain […]
Importance of a Comfort Adviser Assessing Your Home
When looking for a new heating or cooling system it is very important to have a trained consultant visit your home prior to the purchase. They will be able to advise you what is best for your current situation as well as quote a price. When installing a new heating or cooling system in the […]
How Efficient is Your Fan Motor?
Understanding Different Types of Fan Motors I last talked about high efficiency furnaces that are 95-98% efficient. Another feature that has occurred in the last 5-10 years is efficiency of fan motors. Standard Fan Motors Standard fan motors have three set speeds. Low, for air circulation, middle, to move heated air and high, to move […]
Furnace Season is Here! How Efficient is Your Furnace?
How efficient is your furnace? The winter chill has swept across Portland, and many customers are unaware their furnace is not operating at an optimal level of efficiency. Our HVAC service pros in Portland share several variables that can affect the efficiency of your furnace: Dirty filters and blowers Thermostat calibration Climate and weather […]
How To Keep Your Central Air Conditioner Running Efficiently
AAA has over 50 years of experience with air conditioning units. We wanted to share what we know about keeping your system running efficiently. Air conditioners account for about 6 percent of the energy used in the United States, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. In addition to helping reduce harmful emissions into the atmosphere, […]
Tips to Improve Your Home’s Indoor Air Quality
All of us enjoy breathing clean, fresh air. For those who suffer allergies and other respiratory problems, clean air is more than a luxury—it’s a necessity. Fortunately, today’s homeowners can choose from a wide range of options to improve interior air quality, helping family members breathe easier and feel more comfortable. In this article, we […]
Hybrid Heating
The term hybrid has been used extensively to describe today’s fuel efficient cars. The heating and cooling industry has used hybrid heating systems, also known as dual fuel systems, for decades. In a hybrid car the system decides when to use electricity and when to use gasoline for optimum performance and economy. The same holds […]
Which is cleaner, the air in your home or outside air?
I’ve been with AAA Heating and Cooling for 17 years and have specialized in dealing with indoor air quality issues. Last month I talked about the fact that I can control my indoor environment but not the outdoor environment. This month I’d like to talk about the difference in air quality between indoor air and […]