Your HVAC system is an integral part of your home. Whether providing heating, cooling or ventilation, HVAC equipment can influence not only the comfort level inside your house, but also the overall value of the residence. There are several HVAC system upgrades and add-ons that you can apply to boost HVAC performance while also improving your home’s value, both immediately and in the long term. Here’s a short list of those upgrades, along with information on who should perform them. Air Sealing Sealing air leaks in your home is a good first step toward improving HVAC performance and...

You know that a clean house is important to your family’s health and safety, but what about your home’s indoor air quality? Dirty Air Pollutants There are a multitude of pollutants that are often found in homes throughout the U.S., including dust, dust mites, tobacco smoke, radon, carbon monoxide, pet dander, pollen and mold. Even volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from such sources as formaldehyde, carpet and textile emissions, paint, pressed wood, pesticides and cleaners are often found in Tallahassee area homes. Pump Up the Freshness Six Steps Florida Homeowners Can Take To Raise...

Maintaining good indoor air quality in your Tallahassee home is important for the health and comfort of your family, and an effective home ventilation system contributes to this. Older homes that weren’t built with energy efficiency in mind get enough natural ventilation from air leaks around doors and window, as well as through cracks between walls, floors and ceilings. But new, energy-efficient homes require mechanical ventilation systems to keep the right amount of fresh air moving through the home. There are three popular methods for providing home ventilation: exhaust-only systems,...

If water has ever started pooling around your central A/C, you might wonder why and what causes it. Chances are, it’s your evaporator coil that’s causing the leak. The good news? The causes of evaporator coil leaks are 100 percent preventable. By understanding these causes and knowing what can be done about them, you can keep your home and A/C from damage. Why Does My A/C Leak? A big part of what your A/C does is pull humidity from the air. Your A/C unit pulls in hot, humid air, then runs it over the evaporator coil to cool the air down before recirculating it throughout your home....

The amount of heat gain through the home envelope is proportionate to the amount of cooling needed to keep your Tallahassee home comfortable. To maximize cooling efficiency and comfort, sealing and insulating the home envelope may be in order. Here’s the scoop. What Exactly Is a Home’s Envelope? A home’s envelope is comprised of the structure, systems and components that separate the air conditioned living spaces from the non-conditioned spaces of the home, such as the attic, crawl space and garage. The envelope may also be referred to as the shell or insulation barrier of a home. The typical...