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Unit heaters are a great way to heat your extra spaces that aren't connected to your central HVAC system. In this article, we will cover the most commonly asked questions about unit heaters.

Heat pumps have changed the way we think about climate control in our homes and businesses. It used to be simple: air conditioners cool, furnaces heat, and that was it. But then along came the heat pump concept, and the terminology changed … slowly. Even now, there remains some confusion between the terms heat pump vs AC.

What is a heat pump?

You might have heard the term "air conditioner with a heat pump." While that's not too far off the mark, it isn't exactly correct. A heat pump is an air conditioner - an air conditioner that cools in the summer and heats in the winter. All heat pumps are air conditioners but not all air conditioners are heat pumps. Heat pumps are air conditioners configured with the ability to reverse the air conditioning process and provide heat instead of cooling. Appearance-wise there is practically no discernible difference between a standard air conditioner and a heat pump. You might be able to spot the reversing valve - a horizontal brass pipe near the coil fins that allows a heat pump to function - but that's essentially the only visible difference.

If replacing your home or business air conditioning system ranks high on your to-do list, you should know the basics of the AC process beforehand. If you don't know what to look or ask for, you could spend thousands of dollars unnecessarily on equipment, installation and energy. You needn't rate as an expert in the subject, but a familiarity with the basics of an HVAC system can go a long way in matching your home to the type of air conditioning that suits it best. To help, we've provided an Air Conditioning for Beginner's guide. Here's what you need to know:

We get lots of questions about the legalities of buying furnaces and air conditioners online. Most of these questions start with: “The local HVAC guy said it’s illegal to …” The rumors range from “It’s illegal to buy central AC systems and heating systems online” to “If you buy the equipment online it voids your warranty” to “Online HVAC systems aren’t as good as what we carry locally” or “It’s inexpensive because it’s poor quality.” Read on or watch the video as we debunk these statements and give you the real deal on how to save on your HVAC equipment.

If you’ve done any research on home heating or cooling, you’re sure to have come across info on HVAC zones and zoned HVAC systems. In this article – and the accompanying video – we’re going to define the concept and give you some basic info on what it might mean for heating and cooling your home. Simply, an HVAC zone is an area in your home in which you wish to have specific heating or cooling control. So, an HVAC zoning system is one that allows you to create custom areas within your home’s HVAC system.

The secret is out and this video tells all on how to save thousands of dollars on your home heat and cooling equipment. The average quote from a local service installer for a new air conditioner and furnace system is $7,000 - $10,000. Shocked yet? This video will show you how to save $3,000 - $6,000 on replacing your furnace and AC system. Take two minutes to watch this and it could be worth up $6,000 in savings.

Furnace flue pipes may not be something you’ve thought about before, but they’re an important part of your gas furnace system. It’s good to have an understanding of what they are and why they’re important … and how they match to your furnace efficiency. A furnace flue pipe (also known as a vent pipe or simply as a flue), vents the exhaust from your furnace to the outside of your home. Furnace exhaust is dangerous and so having the right furnace exhaust pipe is important.

We review our 6 favorite patio heaters for Fall 2019 and Winter / Spring 2020. Patio heaters, also known as outdoor or outside heaters, help you extend your outdoor living and entertaining. With cold weather here and ready to last for many more months, we wanted to give you our recommendations on the best outdoor heaters. We’ve included both ceiling mounted and freestanding patio heaters, covering uses for home and residential and also restaurants and outdoor event venues.

SEER is the efficiency rating for heat pumps and air conditioners. In this video we'll review what it means for you, regarding your energy bills and how it affects the purchase and performance of your home HVAC system. As a homeowner, there is a lot to consider when making a decision on a new air conditioner or heat pump cooling system. One of the most important factors in purchasing an HVAC system is energy efficiency. And that's where SEER comes in.

Do-It-Yourself mini-split ductless systems are quickly becoming one of the most popular HVAC options thanks to a combination of cost effectiveness and energy efficiency wrapped in a straight-forward design that is easy to install. In this article we’ll walk through the features of benefits of these unique heating and cooling systems.

In this video, we will explain the different features of a Packaged or Rooftop HVAC system and why you might need one, all available at HVACDirect.com.

Now that winter is coming let us help explain the difference between AFUE & Furnace Staging. What is a multi-speed motor? What is a variable speed motor? Does this all sound complicated? It really doesn't have to be. Let us break it down so it is easy to understand.

Most people are familiar with the term heat pump. Millions own one, but ask them to explain how it works, and the great majority would shrug their shoulders. A heat pump is an energy efficient way to cool your home in the summer and heat it in the winter. We often get the question of what is a heat pump and is it right for my home?

 

While homeowners frequently overlook them, furnace filters are essential components of any furnace system. The major functions of filters are improving air quality and helping your unit function optimally.

TXV stands for Thermostatic Expansion Valve. Why do I need a TXV you might ask? Well let us first figure out what a piston does on a refrigerant line. The piston is a refrigerant metering device that the line set will attach to. The refrigerant liquid will pass through the small orifice with a fixed size in the piston.

Many homes will use a mini-split system for a section of the home that does not have central HVAC attached to it. This could be an addition that was added on after the central system was installed or maybe a porch area or separate building that could not have ducting connected to it. As Mini splits grow in popularity more homes have started using them to heat and cool the entire home.

With the cold season necessitating an effective way to keep your house warm, you need to decide which heating system is right for you. Heating options range from gas furnaces, electric furnaces, wood furnaces, and coal furnaces. The wide variety of options available can confound some homeowners, and in truth, no one heating solution fits all situations.

A dual fuel system is an electric heat pump paired with a gas furnace to assist in heating during colder months. A standard heat pump will operate at temperatures down to 35 degrees F, then will switch to auxiliary electric heat strips. This can lead to expensive electric bills if the sub-freezing temperatures persist for an extended amount of time.

Single stage furnaces have just stage of heat output: high. A single stage furnace will output 100% at all times, regardless of the temperature outside or inside the home. Imaging always driving your car at highway speeds, regardless of the recommended speed limit or road conditions. That's how a single stage furnace operates: the gas valve is either on or off.

A condenser heat pump and a furnace are two very common options for HVAC systems. As with other HVAC components, the core functionality of both units is to ensure that your home is at a comfortable temperature regardless of the weather outside.

Heating systems have come a long way since the fireplace and while new options and technological advances have enhanced heating efficiency, the number of available options today can make choosing a system seem daunting. During winter, there's nothing more significant than your heating system. Therefore, it's imperative you learn about the various options available. One of the most common heating systems is the furnace system, which works by blowing heated air via duct work. Here's what you should know if you decide to buy a furnace.