Get matched with top heating and air conditioning pros in Crawford, CO

The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers, or ASHRAE, sets the standard guidelines for air changes per hour in homes and businesses. The International Residential Code, or IRC, also sets ACH requirements for residences and bases those requirements off of ASHRAE standards plus climate specifics related to your location.

A calculation method that your HVAC contractor will use to ensure your system does what it's supposed to is measuring duct output, or its CFM. The calculation requires knowing the cross-sectional area of the ductwork and determining the air speed past any given point within it.

Set your house temperature between 55 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit while on vacation, depending on the season. If it’s winter, don’t go below 55 degrees. In the summer, the best AC temperature for energy savings is no higher than 85 degrees. You can save anywhere from 10% to 15% on your energy costs by adjusting the temperature while you’re away. If you have a smart thermostat, set up vacation modes for each season. On your way home, turn off vacation mode to allow the home to warm up or cool down before you arrive.

If possible, avoid placing furniture in front of a return air vent. A blocked air vent can cause your HVAC system to use more energy, which in turn can lower the life span of your unit and raise your energy bill. Furniture can also trap hot or cold air, damaging your furniture or appliances. 

Professional duct installers suggest leaving between six and 12 inches of space in front of an air return vent. If you must place furniture in front of a return air vent, try to aim for putting furniture over a floor vent instead of in front of a wall vent, and avoid draping curtains over any vent system.