Guides & Articles

In-depth guides to help you understand the concepts behind our calculators.

Furnace Sizing Guide: How to Calculate the Right BTU for Your Home

Learn how to size a furnace correctly using BTU calculations, climate zones, and home characteristics. Avoid costly oversizing and undersizing mistakes.

AC Unit Sizing: How to Choose the Right Air Conditioner for Your Space

Determine the correct AC unit size for your home. Learn about tonnage, SEER ratings, and the factors that affect cooling load calculations.

Duct Sizing Basics: How to Design an Efficient Duct System

Learn duct sizing fundamentals including CFM requirements, static pressure, and how to calculate the right duct diameter for each room in your home.

HVAC Maintenance Schedule: A Complete Year-Round Checklist

Keep your HVAC system running efficiently with this seasonal maintenance checklist. Covers filters, coils, refrigerant, and when to call a professional.

Heat Pump vs Furnace: A Complete Comparison Guide

Compare heat pumps and furnaces across cost, efficiency, climate suitability, and comfort. Find out which heating system is right for your home.

Home Insulation Guide: R-Values, Types, and Where to Insulate

Understand insulation R-values, compare fiberglass, cellulose, and spray foam, and learn which areas of your home need insulation upgrades for energy savings.

Smart Thermostat Guide: How They Work and How Much They Save

Compare smart thermostats from Nest, Ecobee, and Honeywell. Learn installation requirements, energy savings potential, and which features actually matter.

Mini-Split Systems: Ductless Heating and Cooling Explained

Learn about ductless mini-split heat pumps including sizing, costs, efficiency ratings, and where they make sense as a heating and cooling solution.

Indoor Air Quality Guide: Improving the Air in Your Home

Improve your home indoor air quality with practical strategies. Covers filtration, ventilation, humidity control, and reducing common indoor air pollutants.

Window Energy Efficiency: Understanding U-Factor, SHGC, and Replacement ROI

Understand window energy ratings including U-factor and SHGC. Learn when window replacement saves money and how to choose the right windows for your climate.

Home Energy Audit: How to Identify and Fix Your Biggest Energy Wasters

Learn how a home energy audit works, what it reveals, DIY audit steps, and how to prioritize fixes for the biggest energy savings in your home.

Ceiling Fan Guide: Sizing, Efficiency, and HVAC Cost Savings

Choose the right ceiling fan for your room size. Learn how ceiling fans reduce HVAC costs, proper sizing, installation, and the winter reverse trick.

Boiler Heating Systems: Types, Sizing, and Maintenance Guide

Understand residential boiler systems including hot water, steam, and radiant types. Learn sizing, efficiency ratings, maintenance schedules, and replacement costs.

Humidity Control Guide: Dehumidifiers, Humidifiers, and HVAC Solutions

Control home humidity for comfort, health, and building protection. Learn about whole-house dehumidifiers, humidifiers, and HVAC humidity management strategies.

Geothermal Heat Pumps: How They Work, What They Cost, and Is It Worth It

Understand geothermal heating and cooling systems including ground loop types, installation costs, efficiency, and when the investment makes financial sense.