HVAC : Guide

Angie's list Guide to
Heating and air conditioning

A homeowner's guide to furnaces, air conditioners and ventilation systems maintained by HVAC service providers.

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plumbing tips Quick Tips
Your air conditioning unit becomes 5 percent less efficient every year unless it is serviced.

Read more about air conditioning
steam boiler furnace

An old steam boiler is still in operation thanks to regular maintenance. (Photo submitted by Cindy Christiansen).

HVAC Videos


What is a home energy audit?
  Installing a geothermal heater
 

Hiring an HVAC service

furnace repair

What is an HVAC expert?

HVAC technicians need to to be trained on electronics, plumbing and working with natural gas.

How to check licenses

How to find out what your state requires of HVAC companies.

Questions to ask

Tips on what to find out before deciding on an HVAC company to hire.
 

Routine HVAC maintenance

furnace repair

Filters and tune-ups

Changing your filter and having regular tune-ups will keep your system running efficiently.

Heating system maintenance

Tips for caring for your furnace.

Cooling system maintenance

Your air conditioner becomes less efficient when not serviced regularly
 

Home heating systems

natural gas flame

Measuring heat efficiency

"Annual fuel use efficiency" is the ratio of how much heat a furnace produces versus of how much energy it consumes.

Gas and electric furnaces

Most homes have natural gas furnaces. Here's a step-by-step on how they work.

Alternative heating methods

Air-source heat pumps and geothermal heat can be a good investment.
 

Air conditioning and home cooling

air conditioning

How air conditioners work

Air conditioners work through the physics of evaporation, much like how your body cools through the evaporation of sweat.

Measuring AC efficiency

The "seasonal energy efficiency ratio" measures an appliance's cooling output versus its energy consumed while running.

Alternative cooling methods

Air-source heat pumps and geothermal cooling systems can be effective alternatives to standard air conditioning.
 

Home energy audits

home energy audit

Energy efficiency

The average household spends more than $2,000 a year on energy, so any new efficiency can lead to monetary savings.

What is a home energy audit?

An energy audit will find where drafts are getting into your house and where insulation is ineffective.

How energy audits are conducted

Energy auditors use high-tech equipment to reveal how energy is lost.
 

Duct cleaning and indoor air quality

air duct cleaning

Why indoor air quality matters

American spend 90 percent of their time indoors, relying on mechanical ventilation to keep the air clean.

Is duct cleaning worthwhile?

Many homeowners say they notice a difference after having their vents cleaned, but the EPA says there's no scientific proof it matters.

Avoiding duct cleaning scams

You can't easily confirm whether the work was done well, so make sure you hire someone you can trust.