These guides go further than a service page. Each takes one question that comes up again and again in San Jose homes and answers it with the detail you need to decide for yourself: what to check, what the numbers look like and when the job needs a technician.
The guides
How often should you replace your HVAC filter? The cheapest part of the system causes a surprising share of service calls. A clogged filter starves the system of air, which can freeze an AC coil, overheat a furnace until it shuts itself off, and push dust back into the house. The guide gives intervals by filter type, what shortens them (pets, allergies, pollen season, remodeling dust) and the signs a filter is overdue.
Should you repair or replace your HVAC? The 5 key factors A worked method rather than a calculator: the age of the system, the repair cost against the cost of a new one, the repair history, efficiency and comfort. It runs through an example so you can redo the numbers with your own quote.
HVAC solutions for older San Jose homes: Victorians, Eichlers and more Older houses rarely fit a standard system. Victorians often have no ducts and high ceilings, Eichlers are heated through the slab and have no attic for ducts, Craftsman bungalows tend to have tired crawlspace ducts, and mid-century ranch homes often have aging attic ducts and systems old enough to use R-22. The guide matches each type of house with the options that work in it.
Other questions, and where they are answered
| Question | Where to read |
|---|---|
| Why is my AC blowing warm air or icing up? | AC repair and AC short cycling |
| AC or heat pump for my house? | Heat pump installation and its cost guide |
| Mini-split or central air? An addition, garage conversion or ADU? | Mini-split installation |
| The house feels too dry or too humid | Humidifier installation |
| Allergies, asthma and dust | Poor indoor air quality and air purification |
| Signs a furnace is near the end | Furnace repair and the repair-or-replace guide above |
| What can I maintain myself? | AC maintenance and furnace maintenance |
If something is wrong right now, the problem guides start from the symptom, and the cost guides show typical prices before you call.