HVAC

Right-sizing: bigger is not better

An oversized AC unit cools the air quickly and shuts off before it has run long enough to actually pull humidity out of the house. That is why a system can feel like it is running constantly while the house still feels sticky. Proper sizing comes from a load calculation on the actual house, not a rule of thumb based on square footage.

Ductwork is half the system

The Department of Energy estimates typical duct systems lose 20 to 30 percent of conditioned air through leaks and poor connections. Layer on sagging or undersized flex runs and a big share of a system’s capacity never reaches the rooms that need it, no matter how efficient the equipment rating is.

• Read the full breakdown on the blog: Rigid vs Flex Duct.
• Hot and cold rooms in the same house usually point to a duct problem, not an equipment problem.

Ductless mini-splits

For additions, garage conversions, or homes with failing ductwork, ductless mini-splits are often worth it. They sidestep duct losses entirely by delivering conditioned air directly to the room.

Maintenance basics

Filter changes, coil cleaning, and refrigerant charge checks are unglamorous, but a neglected system loses efficiency well before it fails outright. Most of what shows up as "the AC just can’t keep up anymore" is a maintenance or duct problem hiding behind an equipment symptom.