Blog | HVAC Information | Brennan Heating and Air Conditioning

Furnace AFUE: A Guide to What It Is and Why It Matters

November 14, 2022

When looking to replace your furnace or install a new unit, the two most important things to focus on are the size of the furnace and its energy-efficiency rating. The size or strength of a furnace is measured in BTUs (British Thermal Units), which refers to how much heat it can produce in an hour. How large of a furnace you need is dictated by both the size of the home and the local climate. As such, furnace size is something you don’t have much of a choice in since you need to be

7 Tips to Make Your Home’s Furnace as Energy Efficient as Possible

November 10, 2022

Each year as winter approaches, homeowners across the Seattle, WA area start to think about how much their heating bills will be for the year. As they examine current energy prices, they inevitably start to wonder if there’s anything they can do to increase the efficiency of their home’s furnace. Clearly, the best approach is to purchase a brand-new high-efficiency furnace from Brennan Heating & Air Conditioning. In lieu of that, however, there are some ways homeowners can improve the efficiency of their existing furnaces. Here are seven tips that can help achieve greater furnace efficiency. 1. Lower Your Thermostat by

6 Possible Reasons Why Your AC Unit Is Short Cycling

October 18, 2022

Air conditioning problems are always frustrating. And when the Seattle, WA summer is in full force, you most certainly need your AC unit to be doing its job effectively. However, if your cooling system is short cycling, it can affect your comfort, energy bills, and the overall health of the appliance. When an air conditioner is short cycling, it will typically only run for a few minutes at a time before shutting off prematurely. As a result, it takes significantly longer for your home to reach your preferred temperature, which uses more electricity and puts extra wear and tear on

7 Benefits of Getting a Fall Tune-up for Your Furnace

October 18, 2022

Your furnace is arguably one of the most important appliances in your home during winter. While you might be bundling up your blankets and socks for extra relief due to the freezing temperatures, your furnace should be in tip-top shape to keep your home warm and comfortable. The best way to ensure that your heating system performs effectively is by scheduling tune-up services during fall with an experienced technician. This way, your appliance will be ready for the chilly season. Without a reliable heating system, your home will be uncomfortable, and you’ll struggle through

How to Adjust AC Fan Speed and Why It May Be Necessary

September 19, 2022

The blower fan inside your home is one of the most important parts of your air conditioning and heating system. When your HVAC system is on, the fan is what circulates the heated or cooled air throughout the building. If the fan isn’t running at the optimal speed, it can reduce the effectiveness of your heating or cooling system or create other issues such as high indoor humidity. This means that having an HVAC technician adjust the speed of your blower fan could hold the key to improving your home’s comfort and overcoming any AC or

How R401a Outperforms R22 and Why You Should Upgrade Now

September 13, 2022

Refrigerant is often referred to as the lifeblood of home cooling systems. Without it, air conditioners would simply be moving air around rather than lowering its temperature. Refrigerant is the magical addition that transforms residential ACs from glorified fans into veritable powerhouses that can create and maintain comfortable living environments. While you probably don’t think much about the refrigerant that moves through the air conditioner in your Seattle, Washington home, now is definitely the time to do so. This is especially true if your current air conditioner was manufactured before 2010. What Is R401a Manufactured under

Tips for Properly Flushing Your Water Heater

August 17, 2022

If you’re like most homeowners, you don’t give much thought to the hot water that comes out of your faucet. However, your water heater works hard to ensure that you have hot water when you request it. To ensure that your water heater continues to work great, it’s imperative that you flush it out at least once per year. Why Does Your Water Heater Need to Be Flushed? The water that flows through your water heater will naturally have sediment in it. Over time, this sediment will accumulate at the bottom of your water heater tank.

What Is an AC Capacitor and Can It Be DIY Replaced?

August 10, 2022

Most folks have a good understanding of what an air conditioning unit is and how to use it. In fact, most people couldn’t live without the creature comforts of temperature-controlled air. But when it comes to the inner workings of an AC unit, many people are left in the dark. If your air conditioner has stopped working and you are trying to troubleshoot the problem, you may have come across the term “capacitor.” But what is an AC capacitor, and can you replace it yourself? Brennan Heating & Air Conditioning has been proudly servicing the Seattle area in all things heating

What Can I Do When My AC Unit Freezes Up?

July 19, 2022

You may be surprised to see your AC unit freeze up. Can it really do that in the heat of the summer? It happens more frequently than one would think. You can do something about the situation. It’s important to find out why your AC unit froze up so you can prevent it from happening again. Thaw It Out If you see your AC unit frozen over, the first step is to turn the unit off at the electrical breaker box. You then need to let the ice thaw. It can take up

Reasons Your Home Feels Humid When Your AC Is Running

July 15, 2022

Seattle is one of the most humid cities in the country, and this can make it extremely difficult to properly manage your home’s humidity level. High indoor humidity can create numerous problems. For starters, it will make your home feel hotter and more uncomfortable. It also forces your air conditioner to work much harder, which can lead to increased wear and tear, more frequent need for repairs, and higher energy costs. High humidity can also potentially lead to water damage and allow mold to grow inside the home. The good news is that you don’t have to suffer with high