What Does the HVAC Tonnage Number Mean?

November 20, 2020

If it’s time to replace your AC/heating system, you’ll want to be sure that your unit is strong enough to keep your home in South Central Texas comfortable without being so powerful that it has to constantly turn off and on. While we at GVEC are happy to help with this calculation to ensure your system is properly sized for your home, it’s still good to understand some basic terms related to air conditioning. Although the SEER rating of a specific system is an important place to start, the tonnage of a particular system is also important to consider. It All Comes Down to BTUs Although the concept of air conditioning is fairly new, the idea of energy transfer is quite old. Since an air conditioning system is essentially just a sophisticated energy-transfer system, the terms related to energy transfer apply. That’s why BTUs play an important role in determining the tonnage of a given system. Essentially, the tonnage measurement of an HVAC unit is the amount of heat a system can remove from a space in an hour, which is based upon a predetermined formula derived from how much energy it takes to melt a literal ton of ice...

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Simple Ways to Maintain Your Heating System That Don’t Require a Professional

November 5, 2019

While technical work on your heating system should always be reserved for a trained, licensed HVAC technician, that doesn’t mean you have to sit idly by and let your furnace absorb unneeded wear and tear. By administering regular maintenance to your HVAC system, you could extend its life while ensuring its efficiency. The following are a few measures you can take to keep your furnace running smoothly. Change or Clean the Air Filter Regularly This is the most important, and basic, maintenance task that you can handle on your own. Heating systems are equipped with an air filter to remove dust, pollen and other debris from the air. If it gets too dirty, it can restrict airflow. If your filter is reusable, remove it, vacuum off the dust and run it under warm water every few months. If your furnace is equipped with a disposable air filter, make sure to replace it every few months, as well. This chore is as easy as remembering to do it. Clean Out Your System While you won’t be able to administer a full air duct cleaning (call in the professionals for that one), you can thoroughly clean many components of your heating system...

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HVAC Load Calculation Explained

October 21, 2019

Buying an AC/heating system sized on a hunch can end up costing a lot of money in wasted energy, repair bills and/or a sooner-than-expected need for replacement. Decisions regarding heating and cooling equipment size should be made based on the interior size of the area to be heated and cooled. Load calculation is the way to determine the size of the HVAC system necessary to properly heat and cool your living space with maximum efficiency. Understanding Heat Load The first variable in calculating and properly sizing an HVAC system is heat load. Heat load is the sum of all sources that cause a room or building to heat up. It is expressed in BTU (British Thermal Units) or kW (Kilowatts). In other words, it is the sum of all factors that contribute to the space heating up, which you will need to account for with your AC/heating system. These heat sources include, but are not limited to, sun exposure; kitchen appliances such as ovens and refrigerators; office appliances; other household machinery; lighting and heat that enters through windows; doors and air leaks. Heat load even includes the warmth produced by your body and those of all other occupants. How Does...

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Five Tips for Extending the Life of Your HVAC System

October 10, 2019

GVEC Home has been providing HVAC services for more than five decades to Gonzales, Schertz, Seguin, La Vernia, Cuero and beyond. Here are five important recommendations we make to our residential clients to help them get the most out of their AC/heating systems. 1. Get Seasonal Tune-Ups We cannot stress enough how important seasonal tune-ups are to the long-term health of your system. GVEC Home recommends two AC/heating tune-ups each year. Our HVAC Spec Check maintenance plan fits the bill, with two tune-ups per year—one in spring and one in fall. These two checkups provide a range of routine maintenance and inspections for your system and are extremely cost-effective. Our seasonal checkups are designed to spot and resolve smaller AC/heating issues before they grow into full-blown problems that are expensive to correct. This helps increase the lifespan and dependability of your system. Plus, the U.S. Department of Energy estimates that regular maintenance can save between 5 and 10 percent on annual heating and cooling costs. And if you’re not interested in investing in a long-term maintenance-plan contract, GVEC Home also offers a one-time Check-N-Save visit, which provides the same basic tune-up for your system without a long-term commitment. 2. Invest...

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