Heating & Cooling
Heating & cooling guides for everyday homeowners
Learn how your furnace, AC, and heat pump actually work so you can handle basic troubleshooting, ask better questions, and know when it’s time to call an HVAC pro.
No scare tactics. No jargon. Just what you need to keep your home comfortable and safe.
Quick view: comfort vs. emergency
No heat in freezing weather? Shut the system off if it smells hot or odd and call an HVAC pro.
AC leaking water indoors? Turn the system off at the thermostat and prevent further damage.
Burning or exhaust smell from vents? Shut it down, ventilate, and treat as urgent.
If you’re not sure, turn the system off first. Comfort issues can wait—fire, exhaust, and refrigerant risks cannot.
Start with what you’re feeling today
Choose the issue that matches your home right now. Each guide walks through simple checks, safety warnings, and realistic next steps.
Furnace running but home still cold
Learn the first filters, thermostat, and airflow checks you can do safely before you call for service.
AC running but not cooling well
Go through simple outdoor unit, filter, and vent checks—plus signs that point to low refrigerant or bigger issues.
Some rooms hot, others cold
Balance vents, check duct issues, and understand when a zoning or ductwork fix might be worth the cost.
Banging, whistling, or water around the unit
Tell harmless sounds and condensate from warning signs that can damage equipment or your home.
Popular heating & cooling guides
Start with these deep-dive guides if you’re learning how your furnace, AC, or heat pump works and want clear “DIY vs pro” boundaries.
Furnace 101: Lifespan, Maintenance & When It’s Time to Replace
Understand normal cycling, filter changes, and red flags like short cycling, soot, or flame issues that mean “stop and call a tech.”
Central AC & Heat Pump Troubleshooting: Before You Call for Service
Walk through thermostat, filter, coil, and outdoor unit checks, plus what “low refrigerant” really means for your wallet.
Ducts, Vents & Returns: How Air Really Moves Through Your Home
Spot crushed ducts, blocked returns, and closed-off rooms that quietly overwork your system and raise bills.
Thermostat Basics: Modes, Schedules & Settings That Actually Save Money
Learn how to use “heat,” “cool,” “auto,” and “emergency heat” correctly and set comfortable, efficient schedules.
Learn your heating & cooling system by pieces
Break the system into manageable parts so you’re never guessing whether to look at the thermostat, furnace, AC, heat pump, or ductwork first.
Thermostats & controls
Modes, fan settings, schedules, and batteries—small adjustments that prevent many “no heat/no cool” calls.
Furnace or air handler
Gas, electric, and air handler components—igniters, blowers, and safeties explained in plain language.
Outdoor unit (AC/heat pump)
Coils, refrigerant lines, and fan operation—what you can inspect safely vs. what requires a licensed pro.
Ducts, returns & filters
How filters, supply vents, and returns work together—plus simple changes that improve comfort and air quality.
DIY or call an HVAC pro?
Use this quick comparison to decide when a project is a reasonable homeowner task and when it’s smarter—and safer—to bring in a licensed heating & cooling contractor.
Generally OK for careful DIY
Low-risk tasks that mainly require patience, a screwdriver, and turning power off at the switch or breaker.
Jobs to leave to a pro
These can become dangerous or very expensive very quickly if done wrong—even if they seem straightforward.
Heating & cooling red-flag list
Stop and call a pro if you notice:
When in doubt, turn the system off and treat the situation as urgent. A short service visit now can prevent damage to equipment—or your home—later.
Heating & cooling questions homeowners ask most
These short answers are a starting point—each FAQ links to a deeper guide if you want the full details and diagrams.
How often should I really change my furnace or HVAC filter?
It depends on your filter type, pets, and dust levels—but many homes do well at every 1–3 months. Thick media filters can last longer. If you can’t see light through the filter, it’s time. See the full filter timing guide
What thermostat setting saves the most money without freezing or baking us?
Many households land around 68–70°F in winter and 75–78°F in summer while home, with small set-back or set-up amounts while sleeping or away. Learn more about efficient thermostat schedules
When is it better to replace instead of repair my HVAC system?
Age, cost of the repair, and efficiency all matter. A common rule of thumb: if the repair is more than ~30% of the cost of a new unit and your system is near the end of its expected life, pricing replacement makes sense. See our repair vs replace checklist