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The Rise of Private Equity in the HVAC Industry

Sun, 12 Apr 2026 22:28:59 GMT

Know Who You're Doing Business With

Private investment groups that raise money to acquire companies or take a majority stake in businesses, better known as "Private Equity" (PE) firms, have led to a major shift in how HVAC contractors conduct business. "Apex Service Partners," "Wrench Group," and "Hidden Harbor Capital Partners" are investment groups that are actively buying ownership of HVAC businesses in the state of Georgia. It's happening in Metro Atlanta where some of the largest HVAC contractors in the Southeast call home and it's happening in Middle, Georgia where smaller contractors have operated for decades. Some PE firms acquire companies with the intent to create operational efficiencies, increase revenue, decrease costs, then sell them to another buyer, while other PE firms take a longer-term approach of growing the business over time. Some PE firms repackage HVAC companies by adding additional services, like plumbing and electrical. Other PE firms take a more hands-off approach, allowing the company to continue operating similarly to how it was before acquisition. They choose to operate in different ways, but there's one goal they all have in common – profitability.

There are many reasons why an HVAC contractor would decide to sell ownership and allow a PE firm to take control of their business. Increased cash flow for company assets, like service trucks, buildings, and inventory can help a business remain competitive in the market, while a national marketing budget can lead to increased sales opportunities. Sometimes an owner wants to retire and is looking for a succession plan. In other cases, HVAC companies are looking for more buying power related to their equipment or parts costs, which PE firms can offer by negotiating rebates and special price quotations with HVAC distributors. Whatever the case may be, PE firms are becoming increasingly active in the HVAC industry, especially in Middle, Ga. The question is, why?

"It's all about the money." A common phrase that stands the test of time and is relatable to just about any industry, job, venture, good, or service. Remember, PE firms are investment agencies. In order for them to sustain, they must make money, just like any other for-profit business in America. Independently owned HVAC companies in Middle, Ga are a top target for PE firms, mainly due to availability. There are over 1,000 registered HVAC contractors in the greater Warner Robins area. Some of these are small, one person, outfits while others employ upwards of 100 people. Some have been around for over 75 years while others have started within the last five years. PE firms often look for companies with a track record of success and after acquiring them, will leave the original business name in place to maintain a local feel and positive customer sentiment. Changes happening behind the scenes don't always show in public, but other times they do, in both positive and negative ways. Both of which depend on the perspective of the customer.

The customer is the one that gets to choose who they do business with and who they give their business to. Whether it be a residential homeowner, a local small business owner, a non-profit entity, a home builder, or a corporate chain, the customer is the most important aspect of how HVAC contractors sustain business because they get to determine who their hard-earned dollars go to when they need HVAC work done. Customer values range from price to quality, to availability, to convenience, and sometimes, to ownership. Sometimes, maybe more frequently in Middle Ga than in larger North Ga cities, familiarity means more to customers than anything else. After all, there is something to be said for "it's all about who you know." Sometimes those you know are able to do things for you that others simply can't, or won't.

There is value in having a strong, financially backed, business partner and there is value in maintaining an independently owned structure. At Speir Heating & Air we have been independently and family-owned since 1946. We strive to dedicate more effort to the quality of our service than to the quantity of jobs we turn. We operate with integrity and conduct business respectfully because it's our last name on the line. We know change is inevitable, but we also know we didn't reach a fourth generation, sustaining 80 years of independently owned business, without building a community in Middle Georgia. To have community, you must be community. We believe that if we invest in you, you will invest in us, and that's something we can both be proud of.

Celebrating 80 Years

Sat, 24 Jan 2026 23:27:26 GMT

Speir Heating and Air Founded in 1946

Since 1946 businesses and homeowners have turned to Speir for installation and maintenance of air conditioners and furnaces.

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Rumors vs Facts:

Sun, 05 Oct 2025 19:57:44 GMT

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) is a term used to describe the relative quality of the air inside of a conditioned space. Your home, place of work, gym, school, etc. all have some level of air quality inside, the question is, what level of quality is it?

You’ve probably heard of the term “indoor air quality” but if you’re unsure of what it actually refers to, here’s some common misconceptions and truths about the topic based on our expertise in the HVAC industry.

Outdoor air quality has a greater impact on your health than indoor air quality

Speir Heating & Air opinion: RUMOR!

How much time do you spend indoors? Likely more than you spend outdoors. Most indoor spaces will have some sort of HVAC system. HVAC systems constantly recycle air from inside the space, which, over time, will become dirty if the HVAC system is not properly cleaned or the bacteria in the air is not treated.

Poor indoor air quality can have a negative effect on your allergies

Speir Heating & Air opinion: FACT!

Whether you are dealing with a dirty coil or ductwork, pet allergens, high humidity, mold spores, smoke, or anything in between, poor indoor air quality can have a negative effect on your health. Itchy eyes, throat, nose, headaches, and asthma are all potential symptoms of poor IAQ.

Indoor air quality cannot be improved

Speir Heating & Air opinion: RUMOR!

There are many ways to address poor indoor air quality because there’s many ways it originates. Poor ventilation, pet odors and dandruff, moldy ductwork, and air-born pollutants are all potentially affecting your home’s IAQ. Changing filters, cleaning your HVAC system, and adding IAQ improving devices such as air purifiers and ionizers are all ways we treat poor IAQ!

Indoor air quality devices don’t help my respiratory health

Speir Heating & Air opinion: RUMOR!

We hear this a lot and understand why. Many people that have IAQ devices may not have the right device for their situation, so they don’t see the results they’re expecting to see. The device you need largely depends on what is causing poor IAQ in your home or your pre-existing health conditions. If you are sick, you need specific medication to treat the issue. The same goes for IAQ.

Bringing in outdoor air is good for HVAC systems

Speir Heating & Air opinion: FACT!

Adding a consistent stream of filtered, outdoor, air while exhausting stale, indoor, air can help improve IAQ. This can be accomplished with a Fresh Air Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV). An added benefit is that ERV’s increase the efficiency of your HVAC system by pre-conditioning incoming air, reducing the strain on your HVAC system.

Having high quality air within your home is a choice and investment we recommend you make! There are many options to choose from and it’s important to understand what decision is best for your home. Our technicians are happy to assist you by inspecting your HVAC system’s performance, informing you of your options, and giving a personalized recommendation on how to improve your indoor air quality! From air purifiers, to dehumidifiers, to electrostatic filters, Speir Heating & Air installs an array of products to help the quality of air circulating through your home!

Press Fittings: How they are changing HVAC installations

Thu, 17 Jul 2025 11:02:05 GMT

Installing copper fittings can be a tricky process:

For decades, HVAC contractors have used “brazing” as their method of adding in copper linesets and fittings to tie the HVAC system together. This practice involves using a material called “Sil-Fos” made of copper, aluminum, and phosphorus to melt and join with the copper lineset or fittings. When it dries, it creates a leak-free joint that traps the refrigerant inside the HVAC system.

So, what all is involved in brazing in a copper joint and why have contractors started adopting a new method of practice? Traditional brazing requires an HVAC contractor to carry the tools necessary to perform the braze, involving a torch kit, oxygene, acetylene and nitrogen gases. Oxygen and acetylene are sparked into a flame and used to melt the Sil-Fos to the copper lineset or fitting, while nitrogen is used to purge the line. Purging the line prevents oxidation, a chemical reaction that results from oxygen combining with copper to form copper oxide. Nitrogen prevents oxidation from occurring by displacing the oxygen in the line.

Brazing can be a tricky process to perform at a high level because it requires proper safety measures, cleaning, materials, heat control, and testing for leaks. An inexperienced contractor may find it difficult to perform a successful braze joint, especially in situations or spaces where it is difficult to work on HVAC systems. In some cases, brazing requires work permits for open flames to perform the action. All these can be potential deterrents to brazing and provide reasons as to why HVAC contractors are opting for a new solution to joining copper fittings and linesets – press fittings.

HVAC manufacturers have adapted and created a new solution to brazing with the creation of press fittings, a fitting that does not require brazing for a leak-free connection. The process involves pressing, or compressing, a fitting onto the copper line with the use of a specialized hydraulic tool. Although the initial investment in tooling is higher, many HVAC contractors are electing to switch their practices to using press fittings for many benefits, such as, ease of use, reduced safety risk, and faster installation.

How do press fittings work?

Ensuring the correct size fitting is a crucial first step in the process. With sizes ranging from ½” in diameter to 4”, there are plenty of options to choose from depending on the application a contractor is working on. Not only does the size apply to the fitting itself, it also applies to “jaw” used in the press tool. The jaw is responsible for clamping onto the fitting when compressed by the press tool.

Once a contractor has selected the proper size fitting and jaw, the next step is to deburr the end of the copper tube to remove any rough edges. This helps create a smooth surface for the fitting to attach to. After the tube has been deburred, the contractor will slide the fitting over the tube to the appropriate insertion mark. This ensures the O-ring within the fitting is properly seated on the tube. The last step is to lock the jaw on the fitting and use the press tool to compress the fitting, creating a leak-free joint.

Across the country HVAC contractors are finding that although press fitting applications requires a higher initial investment, the benefits outweigh the costs in many scenarios. They are able to install copper fittings and linesets at a safer and faster rate, leading to greater operational efficiencies.

HVAC Condensate Management: How to prevent the flood

Fri, 30 May 2025 00:29:35 GMT

In this article we will go in depth to discuss what condensate management is, what the most common condensate management devices are, and diagram some of the normal HVAC installation set ups. If you need someone to inspect your current system, please call 478-953-3041 and we will be happy to send one of our technicians!

In HVAC systems, condensate management is critical because water can cause significant damage when it leaks into unintended areas. The HVAC equipment, whether it be located in an attic, basement, closet, or crawlspace is where the condensation is created and the starting point of the condensate management system. It ends when the condensate water is disposed of in a way that won't damage inside your home or the equipment. A successful condensate management system may include electronic and electrical safety switches that detect condensate backing up in clogged drains or on surfaces and momentarily turn off equipment. We will break down some of those devices next!

Types of condensate management devices

Drain Pan : Most HVAC systems will have a primary and secondary drain pan. The primary drain pan is located under the evaporator coil in the air handler, while the secondary drain pan is located on the outside and beneath the air handler. The secondary drain pan is only used if water backs up and overflows the primary pan.
Condensate Pump : A condensate pump is used when an application does not allow for a gravity drain. It pumps the condensate through a tube to a safe location.
Primary Drain Switch : A primary drain switch is a device that is used to turn off the power to your air conditioning system if it senses water building up in the primary drain line.
Flood Detection Switch : Sometimes referred to as a “pan switch,” the flood detection switch has the ability to turn off the HVAC system if it senses water building up in the secondary drain pan.

Types of installations and condensate management devices

One of the most common types of HVAC installations is the horizontal air handler in the attic. In most cases, a primary drain switch, a secondary drain pan, and a flood detection switch can be installed.

A vertical installation could be used in an attic or crawlspace but is most commonly found in a garage or closet. It’s common to use a condensate pump with these applications due to the inability to drain the water using gravity.

A bottom intake with gravity drain is most commonly found in closets inside your home. A primary drain switch, drain trap, and flood detection switch are all common devices used with this installation to prevent flooding.

No matter what type of HVAC system you have, it’s important to have your condensate line routinely inspected and cleaned to avoid a build of debris! This is a major checkpoint on the list of things Speir Heating & Air does during a maintenance visit. To have one of our certified HVAC technicians inspect your system, click or call 478-953-3041 to schedule an appointment!

Common Summertime HVAC Issues and How to Handle Them

Sat, 08 Jun 2024 22:55:18 GMT

Summertime is the most likely time of year you may experience a problem with your HVAC system. Due to the need for your system to run frequently, it puts strain on all parts. How you handle your system when you first experience an issue is very important. You can avoid further complications by following these three steps:

No matter what the problem is, the first thing you need to do is note any abnormal noises or smells. This will be helpful information for an HVAC technician to know when they are diagnosing the issue.
Secondly, turn off your system by switching your thermostat into the “OFF” position. Turning off your system will shut off the power to your system and prevent it from continuing to run with malfunctioning parts.
Lastly, schedule a licensed HVAC professional to come diagnose the issue with your system. You should always consider using a company that has certified technicians with plenty of experience in all HVAC applications.

Low Refrigerant

The majority of households frequently contend with low refrigerant charges. An essential material for transferring heat from your home's interior to its exterior is refrigerant. Nevertheless, pinhole leaks can occur in the coils that contain this refrigerant over time. It may be more difficult for your air conditioner to extract heat from the air inside your house if enough refrigerant leaks out.

Poor Airflow

Poor airflow can be the result of many different things. Firstly, your air ducts may circulate less air if a filter becomes blocked. Secondly, the capacity of your interior vents to distribute cool air may be hampered by improper spacing in front of them or if there are objects blocking them. Finally, overgrown bushes close to your outdoor unit and dirty condenser coils may cause your system to remove warm air less effectively.

Clogged Drain Lin e

To produce cool air for your home, your air conditioner removes excess humidity. As the warm air flows over the evaporator coil, heat is transferred out of it. When there is too much humidity, moisture droplets form and fall off the evaporator coil and into the drain pan. The accumulation of hard water and loose debris over time might clog the drain in your air conditioning system.

When this occurs, the moisture extracted from the air is unable to pass through the drain. In actuality, it will back up within your air conditioner. Water leaks surrounding your air conditioner will result from this.

Fan Issues

There are two major fans in your entire air conditioning system. The indoor unit has one of these fans, which has the responsibility of forcing warm air over the evaporator coils to product cool air. The outdoor unit's fan, is responsible for forcing air over the condenser coil to remove heat into the atmosphere. Your complete air conditioning system could malfunction due to a flaw in one of these fans.

A fan problem could arise from a variety of various problems. The most evident is that the fan's motor has to be changed because it isn't functioning. It’s also possible that the fans might not be operating correctly due to a lack of oil, worn belts, or a broken power supply source on the fan.

For any HVAC issues, please contact Speir Heating & Air at 478-953-3041

Checklist for Spring HVAC Maintenance

Fri, 22 Mar 2024 22:49:44 GMT

There are plenty of things to do when it comes to preparing your HVAC system for the heat of summer. Scheduling a licensed heating and air professional to tune up your system is one of them. But, for all the DIY people out there, this article will give you some tips on what you can do to help your system!

You need to do more than simply dust and scrub in spring cleaning if you want to keep your house comfortable and clean all summer long. Your heating and cooling system experiences a fair amount of strain from the bitterly cold winters and the intense summer heat. Because of this, it's a great idea that you schedule HVAC maintenance during your spring cleaning.

Before you turn the thermostat down to cool, make sure you finish these quick maintenance chores. By doing this, you can maintain your system operating efficiently, which will ensure a relaxing summer and save expensive repairs.

Starting with the outdoor unit:

1. Take off any lids, coil blankets, or condenser covers: Make sure to take off the cover before turning on the system if you covered the outdoor coil to keep it safe throughout the winter. These covers restrict airflow and potential heat transmission while protecting and keeping leaves out of your unit. Even for a little period of time, starting the system while any of these coverings are in place runs the risk of seriously damaging it. Every year, a lot of people fail to remove their covers, which frequently necessitates significant repairs or maybe the replacement of the entire system.

2. Examine the panels on the outside of the unit: They are meant to enclose the electrical connections, and they need to be there to keep your system and yourself safe. A misplaced panel or one that is missing (maybe from wind) could endanger your safety as well as the equipment's ability to operate safely. Before turning on your system, you should contact a skilled expert for an examination if the panel covering the electrical connections is missing or misplaced.

3. Clear any debris from the outdoor coil: Trash or grass may have been blown into or against the coil, depending on where you live and which side of the house your system is on. The purpose of the condenser coil is to transport heat, and any debris against it reduces this ability. Clear the coil and its surroundings of any debris to ensure optimal system performance. You can normally use a garden hose to clean off a lot of dust or pollen from the coils, but be sure to keep the spray directed only at the coil region and away from any electrical panels.

Next, inspect the indoor unit:

1. Replace the air filters: Changing the seasons is typically a good idea when it comes to indoor air filter replacement. The U.S. Department of Energy states that changing or cleaning your air conditioner's filters on a regular basis is the most crucial maintenance procedure that will guarantee its performance. When the regular airflow is blocked, dirt may enter the evaporator coil through the air bypassing the filter, reducing the coil's ability to absorb heat. Up to 5% to 15% less energy can be used by your air conditioner when a dirty or clogged filter is replaced with a clean one.

** Pro Tip: To save money, purchase your filters from Speir Heating & Air rather than the big box stores

2. Clean the supply and return vents and grilles: Throughout the year, dust, dandruff, pet hair, etc. accumulate on the surfaces of the supply and return vents and grilles. It’s easy to clean those off using a vacuum hose or a rag with some all all-purpose cleaning spray. Cleaning off the supply vents will keep debris from being blown into your living spaces while cleaning the return grilles will keep debris from being pulled into the ductwork. In general, cleaning these off at the change of a season is a good idea.

3. Turn your system to “cool” mode to make sure it works: Once you’ve gone through all these steps, turn your system to “cool” mode and drop the temperature down a few degrees. Allow your system to run for 10 to 15 minutes and make sure it is cooling properly. Turning your system to cooling mode now is a great way to ensure you won’t be stuck without cool air in the heat of the summer. Be sure to make a note of any strange or abnormal noises and/or odors that may pop up. If no air is coming out of the vents, or the air is not cool, there could be an issue with your system and you turn it off immediately to prevent further damage. It’s always a great idea to ask an HVAC professional to diagnose the system if you think something is wrong.

As you now know, there are plenty of great ways you can help yourself when it comes to HVAC system performance. Doing any of these tasks on the checklist prior to Summer will only help your system run as it should!

In addition to these great tips, there are other, more in-depth solutions to ensuring long-term system performance and efficiency. At Speir Heating & Air, we provide a comprehensive maintenance inspection that includes cleaning and tuning your system. Our team will check electrical connections, the refrigerant charge, parts voltage and amp-draw, as well as clean the coils with an environmentally safe chemical solution. We recommend having your system inspected one to two times per year depending on its age and condition. Please reach out to our team if you have any questions or you’d like to learn more about what we can do for you!

Humidity: What it is and how to deal with it

Sun, 21 Jan 2024 22:46:56 GMT

Humidity is something that you deal with every single day. Whether you’re inside your home or outside in the elements, humidity exists, and it varies with the weather conditions. In excess, it can make you feel uncomfortable and sweaty, but in deficits it can make your skin feel dry and stale. In this article we will discuss humidification and dehumidification and how they are applied to your HVAC system.

We have currently been dealing with a frigid cold front throughout the United States. Temperatures have decreased below freezing and as you might expect, the average humidity levels in the atmosphere have dropped. This is because colder air cannot handle as much humidity as warmer air.

Consider this for example, it is 41 degrees outside, and the relative humidity is 100%. That equates to 0.2 grams of water in the atmosphere. Since you would be very uncomfortable at 41 degrees indoors, you decide to heat your home to 73 degrees. The absolute amount of water in the air stays the same, but the relative humidity drops to only 33%.

This same principle holds true in the summer as well. At 86 degrees and 80% humidity, the air holds 0.8oz/m3 of water. Obviously, you do not want your home to be 86 degrees inside, so you cool it down to 78 degrees. When this happens the humidity level rises to 100%, meaning the air cannot hold any more moisture.

Why does this matter? Well, humidity greatly influences your comfort level inside your home. The answer is not as simple as turning up or down the thermostat. By controlling humidity and temperature together, you can find your optimal level of comfort no matter what time of year or environmental circumstance.

For some people, your situation might call for additional humidity. For others, you may need a decrease in humidity. Correcting the humidity levels in your home can help alleviate the following symptoms:

Sinus congestion
Asthema/respiratory issues
Dry throat
Nose irritation
Dry cough
Cracked lips or hands
Feeling sweaty and/or cold

If you need additional humidity, you can consider having one of these humidifier options installed in your house:

Bypass humidifier – a bypass humidifier adds humidity to your home by using the fan inside the air handler and a water panel. Although a less efficient option it is often a cheaper alternative to other humidifiers.
Flow- through humidifier – flow-through humidifiers are like bypass humidifiers, but they have their own fan, so they can add humidity even when the air handler is not running.
Steam humidifier – steam humidifiers are often the most effective and expensive option. They use boiling water and air from the air handler to add humidity to your home.

In situations that need dehumidification, in addition to the symptoms listed above, you may notice that your house has mold spores, musty odors, mildew, and a build up of bacteria in certain areas. Excessive damp air can also contribute to damage to your home’s structure and items you have stored.

If this is your situation, you can consider adding a dehumidifier. A dehumidifier removes humidity from the air by taking in moisture through a high-efficiency air filter. That wet air is pulled through the dehumidifier which contains a cold evaporator coil. Once the humid air condenses on the coil, the water droplets are expelled from the house through a condensation line. The new, cold air is then warmed by the condenser coil and supplied to the area(s) that needs it.

So, what are some steps you can take to address the humidity levels in your home? The first step is to contact our office and have one of our technicians address your situation. There are plenty of options we can take to monitor and adjust the humidity levels in your home. To begin the process now, you can view some of the products we have available by following the link to our website! Whatever your situation is, Speir Heating & Air aims to provide you with the best solution possible. We have the knowledge and experience to give you a comfortable home to live in!

Is your HVAC system ready for Winter?

Wed, 22 Nov 2023 22:41:14 GMT

Winter is quickly approaching and if you haven’t had to use your heat yet, chances are you will this week. Whether you have an electric heat pump or a gas furnace there are some things you can do to help prepare your system for those cold temperatures of winter! In this article we’ve compiled some tips to help you along the way.

Turn up the heat when you don’t need it

Yep, you read that correctly – turn up the heat when you don’t need it. What you want to do is identify if your HVAC system has any issues heating your home BEFORE it’s 35 degrees outside. Turning your system to heat mode and running up the temperature on your thermostat will kick on your heat pump or gas furnace. Identifying if there are any problems with the heating mode and getting them fixed could save you on a chilly day.

Inspect your insulation

Whether you have an attic or a crawlspace you need to make sure you don’t have any areas with missing or damaged insulation with a routine insulation inspection that you can co on your own. If you do, the cold air will find those spaces and could have an impact on the temperature inside your home. Another good place to start is with any weather stripping on doors and windows. The valuable heat you pay for could be escaping through these cracks. A well-insulated home is an efficient home!

Change your filters

Changing your filters is the most basic but important thing you can do to help your HVAC system. Dirty filters lead to clogged air flow which leads to a less efficient system and a service call. Do yourself a favor and change your filters! While you’re changing your filters, you might as well clean off the return duct. This will help reduce dust from being trapped on your new filter.

Schedule a maintenance inspection

We recommend that all of our customers get their HVAC system inspected at least once per year, twice if you can. Furnace inspections are beneficial to your air conditioner’s efficiency, cleanliness, and longevity. Our technicians do a comprehensive inspection of the system and clean it up. Investing in a maintenance inspection can save you a lot of money and stress down the road. Before our tech arrives, take note of any unusual noises and odors so we can be sure to check them out!

Schedule service

Give us a call and we'll send one of our local, professional technicians to your home. You can reach us at 478-953-3041, or contact us online. A Speir technician will help you understand if your heating and air conditioning system needs basic maintenance, or if it's time for a new HVAC system.

Why Is My House Hot Upstairs?

Mon, 14 Aug 2023 22:28:32 GMT

It’s summer, your air conditioner is blasting, and every room downstairs feels cool. But what about your second floor? It’s as though the heat hits you in the face as soon as you get to the last step. Does this sound familiar?

Many homeowners are frustrated during the hottest months of the year when their two-story houses become hot and humid upstairs while remaining cool and breezy downstairs. The good news is that you don’t have to live with the temperature discrepancies. Learn why this occurs and what you can do to change it!

Common Reasons Why Your Upstairs Is Hot

1. Heat rises - Blame it on physics: hot air rises. That means your upstairs is at a disadvantage, meaning it could be hotter than your lower levels, even if your air conditioner is on.

2. It’s hot on the roof - Unless you have enough shade from trees, your roof absorbs a lot of heat from the sun. That hot air seeps into your attic before making its way to the top floor. You’ll feel hotter upstairs if you don’t have attic space to buffer the heat or if your roof isn’t well-insulated.

3. Faulty ductwork - Ducts absorb and transmit cool air from your HVAC system throughout your home. If your ducts are old, poorly fitted, or leak, your air conditioner may struggle to chill your home evenly.

4. Single-zone systems - One zone air conditioning systems work to cool anywhere the duct work runs, not a specific section of your home. They’re ideal for controlling the temperature in a single level or specialized space. However, single zone systems may struggle to cool the second floor of your home during the heat of summer. Consider converting to multi-zone air conditioning, which allows you to manage the temperature in many rooms, or zones.

5. Air conditioner age – Your air conditioner might be outdated. If your system isn’t effectively cooling your upstairs, it could be due to its age. Over time air conditioners wear down. It might be time to upgrade your system to a newer one that balances temperature more evenly.

Four Tips For Keeping Your Upstairs Cool

1. Insulate – Try adding additional insulation to your attic or having a professional company use spray foam. This will greatly reduce your attic temperatures, giving you a cooler upstairs and reducing your electric bill.

2. Ventilate – As simple as it sounds, adding a ceiling or floor fan to your upstairs will help circulate the air and limit the amount of hot air lingering around.

3. Add a multi-zone system – Adding a multi-zone system will allow you run the air conditioning system where you need it at any time. You can choose to force air to any zone or all zones at one time.

4. Reduce light/block heat – Consider purchasing heat blocking or blackout shades. These reduce the amount of light that enters the room, effectively keeping heat out.

What is a Heat Pump and how does it work?

Fri, 07 Jul 2023 22:20:36 GMT

You’ve probably heard of the term or maybe you have one currently installed in your house, but what exactly is a “heat pump?”

This article gives an overview of what a heat pump is and how it works!

A heat pump often looks the same and gives the same outcome, but in most cases operates more efficiently than a traditional air conditioner. The difference is found in the components that cool and heat your house. Both an air conditioner and heat pump use refrigerant to move heat from inside your house to outside in cooling mode. It’s important to note that providing cool air is predicated on the removal of heat from inside your house. The advantage of a heat pump is that it doesn’t rely on a furnace to heat your home in the wintertime like an air conditioner does. A heat pump cools and heats your home efficiently.

How does a heat pump remove heat?

Another term you’ve likely heard of is “refrigerant.” Hopefully you’ve never experienced a refrigerant leak in the middle of the summer, but if you have, you know how crucial the product is. Side note - it’s important to have your refrigerant levels checked as part of a routine maintenance inspection - refrigerant is responsible for the removal of heat from inside your house during cooling mode. It absorbs heat inside, carries it outside, and dispels it into the outside atmosphere.

The Refrigerant Flow Cycle

STEP 1

Refrigerant travels through an expansion valve at the evaporator coil (located in the air handler, often in your attic or crawl space) in a cool, liquid state. As the air from inside your home travels through the ductwork and across the cold evaporator coil, the refrigerant absorbs the heat energy and evaporates into a gas. Think back to your middle school science classes – when a liquid heats up, it turns to gas.

STEP 2

The refrigerant continues to travel, now toward the outdoor unit’s compressor. “Compressor” is a great name for the part because it compresses the gas, heating it up as it moves on to the outdoor condenser coil.

STEP 3

The fan in the outdoor unit moves air across the condenser coil, simultaneously cooling the hot gaseous refrigerant. This process cools the refrigerant down, so much so that it turns back into a warm liquid state. The heat (from inside your home) the refrigerant was carrying, is dispelled into the outside air via the outdoor unit’s fan. If you ever put your hand over the outdoor unit fan, you should notice the air is warm – now you know why.

STEP 4

The warm liquid refrigerant travels back to the expansion valve where it is metered and de-pressurized. This process cools the refrigerant significantly, allowing it to be a cool liquid when it hits the evaporator coil. The room-temperature air from your ductwork’s return system blows over the cold evaporator coil and travels through the supply ducts, giving you a blast of cool air.

What about heat-mode?

Now that you know how refrigerant flow works, it’ll be easy to understand how a heat pump can provide cool air in the summer and warm air in the winter. A heat pump system has a nifty part called a “reversing valve.” The reversing valve is responsible for switching the flow of refrigerant. Because of this valve, the refrigerant can travel in the opposite direction and provide heat in the winter. Believe it or not, refrigerant captures heat from the outside winter air, and moves it inside your house. The aforementioned evaporator coil and condensing coil switch roles and continue the refrigerant cycle.

Do you feel like an expert yet? Even if you don’t, the next time you are getting “tech talk” from an AC repairman, you’ll better be able to understand what they’re saying. At Speir Heating and Air, we believe in educating our customers so they can make decisions that best fit their specific needs. A heat pump is a great option for our area of the country. Typically, our winters don’t get cold enough to need a gas furnace, however there are some applications where gas furnaces are the preferred choice. It’s important to have all options available to you when deciding on a new system. Our staff is fully trained to help you along the way!

Healthy Air: Help your HVAC system help you

Thu, 04 May 2023 21:57:55 GMT

How much time do you spend in your home? The answer varies from person to person, but everyone should come home to a house full of clean air. Air conditioners provide us with a comfortable quality of life, but they can bring unwanted impacts to our health. Dust, mold, pollen and bacteria build up over time if they aren’t properly neutralized. A decreased chance of respiratory infections and a lower risk of developing chronic ailments can all be attributed to the availability of clean, healthy air to breathe.

What are the impacts of unhealthy indoor air? Symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, itchy eyes, headaches, and respiratory congestion can all be attributed to indoor air pollution. Additionally, unhealthy indoor air can exacerbate some pre-existing conditions. The good news is that there are a range of options to choose from that will help your HVAC system produce cleaner air.

Three ways to improve your home’s air quality:

The easiest way to help your HVAC system is to regularly replace your air filters. You’ve probably heard that 1,000 times, but how often do you actually replace your filters? Each house varies, but a good rule of thumb is to replace your air filters at the start of every month. Your filter works to stop pollutants from entering the HVAC system, but they lose effectiveness over time and need to be replaced.

Left unchanged, dirty old air filters begin to restrict the air flow causing your home to feel less comfortable and cost you more money to operate. Reduced airflow increases the run time of the unit trying to reach your set point and causes the blower to draw more current to operate.

Pro Tip: Buy your filters from us so you don’t pay outrageous prices from stores like Walmart or Lowe’s. We can even provide a case (12 filters) so you have one for the start of each month for a year.
The next way to improve your home’s air quality is to have your HVAC system regularly serviced. Having a technician come to your house and clean your system will do wonders. Cleaning the evaporator coil, blower wheel, and air handler cabinet are key to producing fresh air. Even new systems need to be regularly serviced to ensure they maintain their effectiveness and efficiency.

Pro Tip: Schedule your preventative maintenance before summer begins so you know your system is clean when you need it most.
Last but not least, you can invest in indoor air quality equipment to improve your home’s indoor environment. There are plenty of options available, some that only require a wall plug and others that can be installed into your duct work. Some equipment works to capture air born particles through ionization, while others work to control the humidity in your house. There’s no shortage of quality options created for every budget. Having a technician lay out your options and explain the benefits of each will help you decide what’s best for your situation.

Pro Tip: Our website has a page for indoor air quality products. Find it under the “Services” tab.

No matter what your budget is, how old your HVAC system is, or what time of the year it is, you can always do something to improve the quality of air entering (inside) your home. Your HVAC system is designed to make you comfortable, but it needs help. Consistently replacing your filters, having your system cleaned, and investing in IAQ equipment will help your HVAC system help you. Do not hesitate to call us if you’re interested in learning more about what Speir Heating and Air can do for you.

The Cost of a New Heat Pump

Tue, 21 Mar 2023 21:41:24 GMT

Indeed, HVAC systems frequently have a long lifespan. You will inevitably face the period when it's essential to begin looking into heat pump rates and installation labor expenses. And when that time comes, a number of new technologies as well as general quality and efficiency enhancements are often accessible.

Naturally, some of those more recent innovations can have an effect on prices. So, to make sure you are making a well-informed purchase, we want to give you all the information you need.

The easiest way to find out the typical price to replace a heat pump is to contact Speir Heating and Air’s certified technicians to assess your current system's condition. Things we consider when determining the cost of a replacement system include:

Size and style of your house
Model of heat pump system
Secondary heat source, if needed
Existing condition of duct work

The size of your home might be the biggest element that affects how much it will cost to replace a heat pump. To transmit heat efficiently and appropriately cool your home, a larger home may need a higher heating and cooling capacity. BTUh (British Thermal Units per hour) is how a heat pump capacity is calculated. This is also referred to as the heat pump's "size," and it is occasionally denoted by the word "tonnage" (i.e. you might need a 5-ton unit, a 3.5- ton, or 2.5-ton unit, etc).

The price of materials is also influenced by the size of the house, particularly if additional copper refrigerant lines or ductwork must be added. Higher capacity units often cost a little bit more. For example, 10' ceilings, vaulted ceilings, and rooms with an open second story and/or a loft can all result in a greater need for heating and cooling capacity.

Larger, more dispersed single-story homes or multi-story homes may benefit from the installation of a ductless heat pump or a zoned system with a second heat pump. Zoned systems will increase labor and material costs in addition to the price of an additional outdoor unit, but they will produce more efficient airflow. This greatly reduces energy usage. Why heat or cool an area that isn’t needed?

In addition to the size of your home, the model heat pump you choose will influence the price of your new system. Heat pumps are produced with various efficiency (SEER) ratings. With product offerings between a 15 and 20 SEER, you are assured to have a range of options that best fit your budget and comfort needs.

The Carrier Infinity system is a top of the line product that offers Greenspeed Intelligence. When paired with an Infinity Thermostat, the heat pump will intuitively ramp its capacity up or down based on the temperature you prefer. Compared to lower efficiency systems, the Infinity heat pump will operate at a steadier pace over a longer period of time, increasing the system’s overall efficiency and reducing your power usage! To get a better idea about how this works, think about your car’s gas mileage driving on the highway compared to stopping and starting across town.

No matter the SEER rating of your new system, you must have everything properly installed to reap the benefits of lower energy bills. At Speir Heating and Air, we offer over 75 years of knowledge in the HVAC industry. We are confident in our ability to address your needs and properly install a system that best suits your situation and budget requirements. For any questions, don’t hesitate to call our office!