General Tips & Info

AFUE

The measurement for heating efficiency is AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency), which ranges from 80% to 95% for new systems. The higher the AFUE, the more efficiently the system performs, the greater your energy savings.

Airflow

The distribution or movement of air.

Air Handler/Coil Blower

The indoor part of an air conditioner or heat pump that moves cooled or heated air throughout the ductwork of your home. An air handler is usually a furnace or a blower coil.

Bioaerosols

Microscopic living organisms suspended in the air ...

What size equipment do I need?

Cool Heat Mechanical Systems will measure your home and ask questions about your family’s comfort needs. Do you have a ranch-style home or a compact two-story? Are there cathedral ceilings, an indoor spa or an exercise room? How well insulated and weather-proofed is your home? What kind of windows do you have? Answers to these and other questions will help us design a system that is right for you.

Should ...

You can’t control the cost of energy. But you can control how much you use.

When it comes to reducing your energy bill, some small additions can add up to big savings. From weather-stripping to fluorescent lighting, little changes make a big difference. These energy-saving tips and products can help you reduce your energy costs.

Programmable Thermostats

Save up to 33% on heating and cooling bills by having Cool Heat Mechanical Systems install a Programmable Thermostat. Make sure not ...

Carbon monoxide poisoning results in headache, nausea, chronic tiredness, confusion, dizziness, and sometimes coma or death. It effects people by cutting off the supply of oxygen to their muscles and brain. The harmful effects of carbon monoxide exposure depend on both the concentration of CO in the air and the length of exposure.

* Maximum CO concentration for exposure at any time as prescribed by OSHA. Effects can vary significantly based on age, sex, weight and overall state of ...

Certain telltale signs indicate it’s time to consider replacing heating and cooling equipment, or improving the performance of your overall system. It may be time to call a professional contractor to help you make a change if:

Your heat pump or air conditioner is more than 10 years old

Consider replacing it with a unit that has earned the ENERGY STAR label. Installed correctly, these high-efficiency units can save up to 20 percent on heating and cooling costs.

Your furnace or boiler is ...

Properly sized equipment will run nearly continuously on the coldest and hottest days of the year. Oversized equipment runs for shorter periods at higher intensity, compromising comfort, performance and equipment lifetime. It costs more up front. Higher capacity equipment also requires higher air flow, meaning larger ductwork and larger blowers.

Excessive oversizing was observed for 70% of study home furnaces and every study home air conditioner. Furnaces were sized an average of 158% of the minimum required size (maximum 238%) versus ...

As much as half of the energy used in your home goes to heating and cooling. So making smart decisions about your home’s heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system can have a big effect on your utility bills and your comfort. Take these steps to increase the efficiency of your heating and cooling system. For more information, see our Guide to Energy Efficient Heating & Cooling (708KB).

Change your air filter regularly

Check your filter every month, especially during heavy use ...

Making your home as comfortable as possible is important. However, it can also be difficult to do, especially if you are worried about saving money on your utility bills. Thankfully, there are several ways that you can achieve better results, just by using your thermostat. Here are some important tips for comfort, energy conservation and savings.

First, during the winter, consider setting your thermostat about two degrees cooler than usual. If you keep your thermostat at 72, then cut it back ...