Articles & FAQs

Q: Additional Articles & FAQ's

Comfort by Design Efficiency and Comfort Humidity Indoor Air Quality Maintenance Tips Preventive Maintenance The Air You Breathe The Nate Patch The Truth about Mold Three Steps to Better Indoor Air Quality

Question 1

How Often Should You Get Your Drain Lines Cleaned?

Answer

Most of us rarely think about our drains unless they develop some problem. While it’s certainly a good idea to call for professional drain cleaning once you notice a problem with your drains, that is not the only time you should have them cleaned. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to how often everyone should schedule drain cleaning, but it’s advisable to schedule drain cleaning services at least once a year, even if your drains haven’t shown any symptoms of developing clogs. This is the best way to prevent waste buildups and clogs while also keeping your drainage system healthy.

Answer

The Department of Energy recommends setting your water heater temperature to 120 degrees F to save energy. However, depending on your home’s needs, you may require hotter water. The standard temperature for most water heaters is 140 degrees F. Just bear in mind that any setting below 120 degrees F creates a conducive environment for the growth of bacteria inside your tank. Consider the following variables as they may affect what temperature you should set for your water heater.

Your health
Your dishwasher
The number of people in your home
Whether you have kids or older adults

Answer

Water heaters are typically sized depending on whether it’s a storage tank unit or a tankless system. Traditional storage tank units are sized depending on the amount of water they can heat in an hour, or recovery rise. Chances are you’ve experienced the woes of running out of hot water or waiting for water to heat up before taking a shower. The higher your water demand, the higher the recovery rise you’ll need. Tankless units, on the other hand, are sized depending on the amount of hot water they can provide per minute at a certain temperature rise.

Answer

When the air coming from your AC smells like vinegar, the problem could be a dirty air filter, excess condensation on the coil, a clogged condensate drain or pan, or mold in the ductwork. If your AC smells like gas, you’re likely dealing with a gas leak. Be sure to turn off the gas, take necessary precautions, and call your gas company right away. Do you detect a musty scent near your unit? If so, you may have a clogged air filter, drip pan, or condensate drain. Another possible cause could be poorly sealed ductwork that causes it to be moist. Mildew or fungus may also have begun to grow in or around your unit.

Answer

Where you place the indoor air handlers and outdoor units impact the performance and comfort of your mini-split system. When determining where to put the indoor unit within a room, you must factor in accessibility and air distribution. These units require regular filter cleaning and maintenance, so you should place them where they can be easily and safely accessed. They must also be centrally located within a room to allow the air to reach all areas of the zone. Wall-mounted units should be at least eight to ten feet from the floor. When placing the outdoor component, keep open space available to facilitate free air movement. You also want to make sure the unit is well protected and that there’s a clear path for air exiting the fan to vent outdoors.

Question 2

What Temperature Should I Set My Water Heater At?

Question 3

What Size of Water Heater Is Best for My Property?

Question 4

Why Does My Air Conditioner Smell Like Vinegar, Gas, Or Musty?

Question 5

Where Is the Best Place to Put a Mini-Split?

Question 6