Careers in the HVAC Industry

August 15, 2019

If you’re interested in HVAC careers, you may be surprised at how lucrative the field can be for technicians. These individuals earn an average of $50,000 per year, as noted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, but some individuals have an even higher earning potential. Read on to learn more about careers in the HVAC industry. HVAC Technician This is the person who comes to your home for HVAC service. He or she has the responsibility of repairing or replacing a unit. The tech is also the person who performs routine maintenance to prevent issues in the future. System Designer or Engineer A designer or engineer is the one responsible for creating designs for units. This person finds ways to improve an HVAC system so that it runs as effectively as possible. Generally, a designer or engineer has a background in HVAC already and then furthers his or her education to earn a degree in mechanical engineering. HVAC Owners and Supervisors An HVAC owner or supervisor is in charge of all of the technicians. Sometimes, they handle the financial aspect and marketing. Typically, the owner or supervisor isn’t the one who performs the work of repairing, replacing, or maintaining the...

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Ways to Fix Uneven Cooling in Your Home

July 16, 2019

Uneven cooling in your home can make it warmer than you’d like in some rooms. It could be indicative of an issue with your AC unit that should be repaired by experienced AC technicians, but here are a few things that might help. Check Your Air Filters Having excess dust in your air filters can cause air to be backed up in certain rooms. Replace them regularly with new filters to avoid air being stagnant in some areas of your house. Inspect Your Ductwork Cracks in your duct system mean that cool air will leak out before it gets all the way to its destination. This usually happens in older systems or when they have not been cleaned regularly. A professional can inspect and repair them. Use the On Setting for Your Fan Your air will circulate more evenly with the fan setting turned to the on position. If you keep the fan on automatic, it will only blow when the air conditioning is actively cooling. This fan setting may run up your summer electric bill a bit because the fan will use some extra energy. Redirect Cool Air For homes with multiple stories, you may notice that the hot...

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3 Easy Ways to Be More Energy Efficient

June 25, 2019

Reconciling comfort and energy efficiency can be tricky. You want to keep your home livable during times of extreme heat or cold. However, you also want to do your part for the environment as well as keeping your bills low. These three things can help you be more energy efficient without sacrificing your comfort. 1. Install Adequate Insulation Even with a furnace on full blast, you may still find yourself shivering in the winter. This is likely due to your home’s lack of insulation. Without proper insulation, a great deal of the heat can just escape while the cold seeps back in. You need to keep drafts from intruding around doors and windows. In fact, if there’s any place in your house that’s giving access to cold air, you should find a way to seal it off. Of course, these same principles apply to maintaining a cool interior during the summer. 2. Replace Your Equipment Most heating and air conditioning systems that are more than a decade old weren’t designed with the intention of conserving energy. If you’re using one that has been showing signs of age by either not performing as effectively as it should or taking longer than...

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Find the Right HVAC Contractor for Your Project

May 22, 2019

When you have a problem with your heating or AC system, you want to find the right contractor for the job. It doesn’t have to be hard to find the best company. You want to find a contractor who will perform high-quality work at an affordable rate. If you need to find an HVAC contractor for your project, here are a few things you should know. Always Do a Little Research Before you hire an HVAC company for your project, you will need to do some research. You can find plenty of online sites with past customer reviews. Many people check out a contractor’s rating at the Better Business Bureau. You want to choose a company with an A or better rating. When you choose in Littleton, you can trust our great reputation in the neighborhood. Choose a Licensed Company Your company should have a team of bonded, licensed and insured technicians. For added peace of mind, many companies even perform background checks on their technicians. You also want to look for a company with NATE, EPA or Diamond certifications. The contractor’s license number is easy to find on any website or printed materials. A licensed company like will be...

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Why a Filter Is Important to Your Furnace

April 16, 2019

If you want the best air quality in your home, you’ll need a furnace filter. This filter keeps dust and small particles out of your ventilation system. You can even find filters to stop bacteria and germs as well. Most people don’t realize the importance of a furnace filter. Here are some reasons you should always use one with your device. It Blocks Debris and Dust The filter is an important part of your furnace. When the air travels through your system, it must pass through this barrier. The filter traps most of the dirt and particulates in the air. This means cleaner air for your home. If you fail to replace your filter, it can become clogged and prevent proper airflow. When you schedule a maintenance visit from , we’ll make sure all the filters are replaced. It Protects Your Heating System The filter prevents dust and dander from clogging your equipment. In addition to giving you better air quality throughout your home, it keeps your system from working too hard to move that air. The filter does this by blocking dirt from getting into the unit. When excessive dust enters your system, it can cause components to malfunction....

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Perks of a New Furnace Installation

March 20, 2019

If you have an older furnace, you may want to get a new system. There are many perks to ditching that old gas furnace in your home. A new gas furnace will give you many benefits, including more comfort and better energy efficiency throughout your home. As the technology improves, you will wonder how you ever lived with that old furnace. Here are some of the benefits of buying a new furnace. A Boost in Energy Efficiency One of the biggest benefits of a new furnace is the boost in energy efficiency. You will see your heating bills decrease after you install a new system. When choosing a new furnace, you want to find the Energy Star rating for that model. The rating will give you a good idea about the amount of money you can save. In some cases, you may even recoup the cost of the installation with a more efficient model. A Comfortable Home Throughout the Year Modern heating systems have features that can help you keep your home comfortable during the winter. Furnaces now offer new features such as zoning systems and variable-speed operation. If you are noticing cold spots in your home, it could be...

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Should I Replace My Leaking Hot Water Heater?

February 19, 2019

Hot water heaters can leak for many different reasons. If your tank is old and losing water, there is a good chance you need a new one. For recently installed systems, repairs are usually able to fix the leak. What Causes a Hot Water Heater to Leak? Common reasons behind a leaking water heater include excessive pressure inside the tank, loose drain valves and old age. If the set temperature on the tank is too high, it may cause excessive pressure within. Alternatively, your exterior water supply may be too high in pressure. Sometimes, a broken pressure-relief valve is the cause behind excessive pressure inside the tank. A loose drain valve is something you can fix by tightening it with a wrench. Don’t overtighten the drain valve. It should only be tightened until snug. Average Lifespan of Hot Water Heaters Hot water heaters typically last eight to 12 years. Some people want to wait until an old hot water heater breaks down completely before replacing it. However, this puts their homes at risk of water damage, which will cause extra expenses in remediation. Old water heaters often flood the home when they finally die. Is your hot water heater close...

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Can You Save Money by Closing Vents in Unused Rooms?

January 29, 2019

Since the dawn of time — or at least since the dawn of heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems — man has had a simple question: “How can I save money on my bill?” There are many ideas as to how you can do this. One of these ideas sounds straightforward: Close off the vents in the rooms you’re not using to save money. Will this actually save some cash, or is it a terrible idea? Littleton Heating and Air Conditioning did the research to discover the answer! Busting the Myth Hope you don’t mind ripping the Band-Aid off right away; closing off your vents isn’t going to save money. And this is actually a bad idea for several different reasons. First, the HVAC is still pushing air when the vents are closed, and the pushed air is going to other parts of your home. Second, that leads to wasted energy that may be driving bills up instead of down. Finally, it can also lead to things like leaks in your HVAC system. Under Pressure One of the biggest consequences of closing the vents is that it increases the pressure your HVAC system is putting out. And that can lead...

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Can Furnaces Run Without Filters?

December 17, 2018

Routine maintenance and cleaning is key to keeping your furnace running efficiently and properly. A furnace that has been well maintained pays big dividends for efficiency, comfort, and safety. Littleton Heating and Air Conditioning, located in Littleton, CO, is committed to providing customers with exceptional service and unsurpassed quality to ensure that all of our customers have a safe and comfortable living environment. Understanding the Role of a Furnace Your furnace is designed to circulate heated air throughout your home. To block harmful particles from entering your HVAC system, a filter is necessary. While your furnace will operate without a filter, it is likely to lead to expensive HVAC system repairs and poor air quality. Running your unit without a filter is an open invitation for all types of dirt and debris. Without a filter, dust will either accumulate in your unit, leading to contaminated ductwork, or it will remain in the air where it will be inhaled. The Importance of Changing the Filter If your furnace is not operating efficiently or you are experiencing poor air quality, Littleton Furnace repair technicians are trained to troubleshoot any performance issues and make necessary repairs to get your unit operating efficiently. We...

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Refrigerants and Your Air Conditioning System

June 27, 2018

What you need to know about the HCFC refrigerant phase-out and servicing or purchasing a home cooling system Refrigerants make air conditioning and refrigeration possible, which contributes enormously to our quality of life. In this equipment, refrigerants are the working fluid that absorb and transfer heat from one part of the air conditioning system to another. Through the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, the United States committed to regulate and phase out ozone-depleting substances. Two of those substances – chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydro-chlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) – have been used as refrigerants in air conditioning systems for decades. CFCs were phased out of use more than 10 years ago. Today, the most common refrigerant used in central air conditioners and heat pumps is known as R-22, or HCFC-22. Starting in 2010, equipment manufacturers cannot make new R-22 systems with new R-22 refrigerant. After 2020, chemical manufacturers cannot produce R-22 for servicing central air conditioners and heat pump equipment. How the Phase-out Affects You It is important to keep in mind that the production — not use — of R-22 is being phased out. You are not required to stop using R-22 air conditioners nor to replace existing equipment....

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