ERV vs HRV ventilation in Tucson: which one fits
In a Tucson home an ERV usually fits better than an HRV. Here is why, what dust and monsoon air change, and what to ask a licensed pro before you buy.
Tag · 18 articles
Energy efficiency
18 articles tagged Energy efficiency. Climate Pros Tucson matches Tucson-area homeowners with licensed local HVAC pros.
Explainers
Rebates & costs
Why is my TEP bill so high in summer?
Why a Tucson summer bill jumps: 100F days, warm nights, TEP peak pricing windows, dust on coils and duct leaks. Plus what to check.
Rebates & costs
AC and rooftop solar in Tucson under TEP net billing
Does rooftop solar cover your Tucson AC? How afternoon cooling load, TEP time-of-use peaks and export credits fit together, and what to ask your installer.
Seasonal
How to lower your AC bill in a Tucson summer
Tucson summers run hot for months. See the TEP on-peak window, thermostat habits, duct and coil checks and shade tips for your AC bill, minus invented savings.
Buying guides
Whole house fan vs AC in Tucson: when each wins
A whole house fan can cool a Tucson home on cool desert nights but fails in monsoon humidity and warm July nights. Here is when a fan helps and when AC wins.
Troubleshooting
AC short cycling in Tucson: why it happens and what it costs
A short cycling AC turns on and off every few minutes, which wears parts and wastes power in Tucson heat. Here are the causes and the fix path.
Explainers
What is SEER2 and EER2? A Tucson buyer's guide
SEER2 rates seasonal AC efficiency, but Tucson's long hot afternoons make EER2 worth a look too. Here is what each means and what to ask a licensed pro.
Buying guides
Are ductless mini splits right for your Tucson home?
Ductless mini splits fit Tucson additions, Arizona rooms, casitas and rooms your main system misses. See where they fit, where they don't, and what to ask.
Explainers
Duct leak repair in Tucson: how leaks are found and sealed
Leaky ducts waste cooled air, especially in hot attics and on flat roofs. See how pros test and seal ducts in Tucson and how the TEP duct sealing rebate works.
Buying guides
Ceiling cassette vs wall-mounted mini split
Wall-mounted heads suit most rooms. A ceiling cassette needs depth above the ceiling, which a flat-roof Tucson home may lack. Compare both before you decide.
Buying guides
Single, two-stage or variable speed AC in Tucson: what pays back
How single-stage, two-stage and variable speed ACs differ, and how Tucson's long runtimes and TEP peak hours change whether the upgrade pays back.
Buying guides
Heat pump water heater in Tucson: worth switching from gas?
Switching from gas to a heat pump water heater in Tucson: garage heat, hard water, TEP time-of-use, permits and the rebate picture after 25C ended.
Explainers
Should you close vents in unused rooms?
Closing vents in unused rooms usually does not save energy and can strain your system. Learn why, what to do in a Tucson home and when zoning helps.
Explainers
AC battery backup in Tucson: what actually works
Can a battery run your AC through a monsoon outage? A central AC is a hard load. Here is what batteries, generators and mini splits can and can't do.
Buying guides
Adding zones to an existing ducted heat pump or AC
Zoning a ducted Tucson system adds dampers and controls, but not every duct layout or heat pump suits it. Compare zoning with a mini split for one hot room.
Explainers
How to run your AC on TEP time-of-use without losing the house by 6 p.m.
TEP's summer on-peak runs weekdays 3 to 7 p.m. Here is how to pre-cool, set a thermostat schedule and handle winter peaks on a heat pump in Tucson.
Explainers
Is it cheaper to leave the AC on all day in Tucson?
Leaving the AC running all day usually costs more than a modest setback, but TEP's 3 to 7 p.m. peak and block walls change the plan. Here's how to set it.
Explainers
Leaky attic ducts in Tucson heat
Ducts in a Tucson attic lose cooled air to the heat around them. Learn the signs of leaks, how sealing differs from repair, and where roof-unit curbs fit in.
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