HVAC Articles

An air conditioner that no longer keeps up with your comfort needs can quickly become more of a hassle than a help. Whether you’re facing frequent breakdowns or rising energy bills, knowing when to make the switch can save you time, stress, and money in the long run.

Most homeowners should expect to spend $175 to $350 for annual HVAC maintenance, the typical cost of a professional tune-up. Annual HVAC maintenance is more than just a box to check—it’s a way to protect one of the most important systems in your home or business. Regular service helps keep your equipment running smoothly, prevents unexpected breakdowns and ensures your HVAC system operates efficiently year-round.

Regular air conditioning maintenance is one of the smartest steps homeowners can take to keep their systems running smoothly. Without proper care, air conditioners lose efficiency, break down more often, and have shorter lifespans.

At Gene May Heating & Cooling, we understand that managing a commercial facility means balancing performance, comfort and cost. HVAC systems often represent one of the largest energy expenses in any building, so knowing what influences maintenance costs is essential.

If your air conditioner keeps cycling on and off, you may be dealing with short cycling. This common problem can make your home less comfortable, increase energy bills and cause unnecessary wear on your system

In many cases, taking on both tasks at the same time is more energy-efficient and cost-effective. Although furnaces and air conditioners have opposite roles in keeping your home comfortable, they often work in tandem to accomplish these goals.

A better question might be, how long should an AC unit last? Again, answers vary, but generally, newer central air-conditioning units getting normal use and regular maintenance should be expected to provide around 15 years of reliable service. Let’s look at the variables that could make that lifespan higher or lower.

The use of Freon for AC has been phased out except in certain very specific cases. If your home or business has an AC unit that still uses Freon, it’s important to know some of the basics about what it is, why it has been phased out and what you should do if your system needs servicing.

There are several reasons that would cause your air conditioner to leak water. Condensation is a regular byproduct of the cooling process. Anything that increases the rate of condensation or makes it more difficult for the condensation to drain could lead to leaks or water damage.

Without regular attention as recommended by the manufacturer, your systems can become dirty and worn-out. Its performance will suffer, and you may wake up one day to find out it’s stopped working altogether. It’s for these reasons that you’ll want to give it a tune-up on an annual basis.

Whether you’ve just installed a new thermostat or not, chances are you’re not really using it to its full potential. Many people don’t dive as deeply into the full functionality of modern programmable or smart thermostats as they should, only bothering to learn which buttons raise and lower the temperature.

Before the freezing temperatures arrive, you should disconnect and drain your sprinkling system and other outdoor plumbing equipment. To winterize hose equipment, you should start by draining it of water and disconnecting it from the tap. Your sprinkling system should have a function that allows you to empty it and turn off the water for the year.

Older homes, as well as homes with insufficient insulation, are not as good at maintaining heat. If your home is too cold in the winter, you’ve got a few options you can try. Here’s how to warm up a room without a heater.

Furnace filters are an important component of your HVAC system. They collect and trap dust, pet dander and other particulates so they aren’t blown into your home and impact your indoor air quality. However, there are several different types of filters that offer their own unique pros and cons.

Is your furnace trying to tell you something? Whether you own your home or rent, knowing the warning signs of a furnace in distress is important to ensure your comfort in the cold. If your furnace is making a humming noise and smells like burning, for example, it’s probably time to seek professional help for it.

A dry, hacking cough usually is a sign of an illness or allergies, but did you know the quality of the air inside your home could be the true culprit? If your home is filled with dry and cold air, a cough may be a warning that it’s time to have your HVAC system serviced.

Rainy weather is enough of a downer on its own, but add in a flooded basement and it’s more than that. This is why homeowners should know how to install a battery backup sump pump to keep their properties dry even when a storm causes an interruption in power. Installing a backup sump pump powered by batteries means you can avoid the cost and cleanup that result from water backing up into your home.

In short, the answer is no. It’s true that your home’s AC unit picks up a lot of debris and grime that can affect its performance and lifespan. It’s also true that a pressure washer can be a great way to remove dirt from elements of your home such as your driveway or patio.

Regulating the temperature in soaring interior spaces can be a challenge. In this post, we’ll outline the reasons that temperatures in such spaces are difficult to regulate and offer tips on how to keep a high-ceiling room cool or warm, as the season and the weather dictate.

If you’re in the market for a new water heater, you have your choice between traditional models with a tank or tankless units. Water heaters with a tank keep water in the tank hot whether or not you’re using it, while tankless models heat water as it flows through them. This means they only work while you’re using hot water.

Clogged sinks, septic tank issues, and other problems with your plumbing could be avoided if you know what not to put down the drain. After all, the last thing you want is to deal with costly repairs caused by carelessness. To help, let’s go over certain kitchen products and household items you should never put down the drain.

When your clients are concerned about their homes or businesses being near sources of pollution such as factories or wildfires or need to improve indoor air quality to address allergies or other health concerns, you can better meet their requirements by installing state-of-the-art filter systems.