Why Is Your AC Measured in “Tons”? (And What That Really Means) When you’re shopping for a new air conditioner or reviewing an HVAC estimate, you’ll probably see something like a “2.5-ton system” listed. And if you’re like most homeowners, you might wonder—what does that even mean? Let’s clear it up. Spoiler alert: It’s not … Read more

When It Doesn’t Make Sense to Replace a Broken AC Compressor Every now and then, a client is faced with the decision if it’s worth replacing the compressor in their broken air conditioner. And while I’d love to say it’s always an easy answer, sometimes there’s a lot to consider. There are a few specific … Read more

Why That Chest Cooler AC Hack Isn’t Really Cooling Your House Every summer, it pops up again: the viral hack where you take a cheap chest cooler, fill it with ice, cut a couple holes in the lid, add a small fan, and voilà — a homemade air conditioner. You’ve probably seen it online or … Read more

How I Can Quote Your Furnace, AC, or Water Heater Replacement With Just a Few Pictures When it comes to replacing your furnace, air conditioner, or water heater, most people assume they need to schedule a full in-home visit, block out an afternoon, and prep for a long sales pitch. But the truth is — … Read more

When a “Better” Filter Makes Things Worse: The High-Altitude Problem with Thick AC Filters In theory, a thicker air filter sounds like a good thing. More surface area. More dust capture. Cleaner air, right? But when you live at higher elevation—say, anywhere above 5,000 feet—that “better” filter can backfire, putting extra strain on your system, … Read more

Why Giving the Power Company Control of Your AC Might Not Be the Deal You Think It Is Every summer, utility companies like Xcel dangle rebate offers in front of homeowners: “Sign up for our smart thermostat program” or “Let us cycle your AC during peak hours and we’ll give you $50.” It’s tempting. After … Read more

RunTru by Trane: A Solid HVAC Option That Won’t Wreck Your Wallet When it’s time to replace your furnace or air conditioner, most homeowners are stuck balancing at least two things: cost and quality. Everyone wants something reliable, but nobody’s thrilled about the price tags floating around. That’s where RunTru by Trane steps in. RunTru … Read more

Do You Really Have to Replace the AC and Furnace at the Same Time?(Short answer: No. But here’s when it might make sense.) A question that comes up when its time to replace either the AC or furnace is: “Do I have to replace both the AC and furnace at the same time?” And the … Read more

One of the saddest experiences during my time in this trade occurred some 7 years ago. I got a call to do a basic AC inspection. The homeowner—a woman in her early 60s—was getting ready to sell the house and wanted everything squared away for the buyers. Nothing out of the ordinary. I showed up … Read more

I received a call from a client explaining that their gas water heater kept going out. Simple enough, I figured. Probably a thermocouple or maybe a dirty burner assembly—nothing I hadn’t seen a hundred times before. So, I grabbed my tools, hopped in the truck, and headed over. When I arrived, the homeowner showed me … Read more

First, a special thank you to Alexa O. for the opportunity to replace her water heater! We are grateful for your business. Alright, maybe “hugging” your water heater is a bit much, but giving it some annual love is more important than you think. Your water heater works hard every day to keep your showers … Read more

Let’s talk about kilowatt-hours (kWh) for a second. A kilowatt-hour is just a fancy way of measuring how much energy you use. Specifically, it’s how much energy something that pulls 1,000 watts (or 1 kilowatt) will use in one hour. So if you run a 1,000-watt appliance for an hour, you’ve burned through 1 kWh. … Read more

Your AC condenser, the metal box outside with the fan, tends to collect debris and dirt over time. When it gets too clogged, airflow is reduced, causing the system to work harder, run longer, and use more electricity. Washing it out can help restore efficiency and reduce energy bills. Here’s a straightforward guide to cleaning … Read more

🧮 So, what is the expected lifespan of a residential AC in runtime hours? Let’s start with a Step-by-Step Calculation 1️⃣ Typical Lifespan in YearsMost residential AC systems, including 14 SEER units, are expected to last around 12 to 15 years, depending on usage, maintenance, and climate. Let’s use 15 years as an upper estimate … Read more

1. Replace the Filter Like It’s a HabitDirty filters = restricted airflow and extra strain. Pop in a fresh filter every few months (or more often if you’ve got pets or live in a dusty area). Think of it as a low-effort, high-payoff way to keep your system running smoothly. 2. Clear the ClutterLeaves, dirt, … Read more

If you’re not ready to shell out for a new system just yet, here are five things you can do to help your AC keep chugging along until it refuses to do its job anymore. 1. Change the Filter (Yeah, of course) It sounds so basic, but a clogged filter makes your AC work harder … Read more

Here are the top 3 signs that your AC is nearing the end—and what you, as a homeowner, can do to figure out the next best move. 1️⃣ The Cooling Just Isn’t Cutting It Anymore If your AC is struggling to keep up with demand—especially on hotter days—it’s a strong indicator that the system’s efficiency … Read more

When your AC starts limping through summer—barely cooling, constantly breaking down, or driving up the electric bill—it’s tempting to patch it up and stretch one more season out of it. But the numbers tell a different story. Let’s take a hard look at the math behind replacing an aging AC system now versus waiting a … Read more

Trying to decide between a swamp cooler and central air for your home? You’re not alone. As energy prices climb and the summer heat rolls in, homeowners are weighing the real-world costs of comfort. In this post, we’ll walk through a side-by-side comparison—installation costs, power bills, and repair expectations—so you can get a clear picture … Read more

I’ve had this conversation with a lot of homeowners: “We’re thinking of going with the 20 SEER system — it’ll save us on our electric bill, right?” It’s a fair question. And the answer is… well, it depends. If you want peace of mind, let’s break it down with some real-world numbers. Two Heat Pumps, … Read more

There’s a lot of talk around SEER ratings when it comes to buying a new air conditioner. SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, and in plain terms, it tells you how efficient a unit is. The higher the SEER, the more efficient the Ac is at removing BTUs of heat from your home for … Read more

If you’ve lived with an evaporative cooler long enough, you’ve probably been through the drill: cracking windows open in just the right places, dealing with pollen and dust, and hoping humidity levels stay low enough to get through the next heatwave. There comes a point when the daily balancing act isn’t worth it anymore. Switching … Read more

There’s a rapid change happening in the HVAC world that many homeowners haven’t heard about — but they should. New air conditioners are being built to use a refrigerant called R-32, and while it’s praised for environmental benefits, it comes with a catch that salespeople may not mention: It’s flammable. Why the Change? For years, … Read more

Nobody plans for their air conditioner to quit during a heatwave, but that’s exactly when it can happen, at the worst time possible. If your AC just gave up on the job, here are some thoughts on how to stay cool, stay smart, and avoid throwing good money after bad. 1. Don’t Rush Into a … Read more

“Should I keep fixing my furnace or AC, or is it time to replace it?” And here’s the honest answer: If your equipment’s getting up there in age, the cost of repairs starts making less and less sense — and the numbers back it up. 1. Age Isn’t Just a Number Most furnaces and AC … Read more

If you’ve been keeping an eye on HVAC trends, you’ve probably heard a lot about GWP — Global Warming Potential. It’s the number that supposedly tells us how much a refrigerant contributes to global warming compared to carbon dioxide. Seems simple enough. But like a lot of things in this industry, the deeper you dig, … Read more

Air conditioners don’t last forever — and they definitely don’t run at peak efficiency when neglected. Every year, I get calls from homeowners with sky-high energy bills and underperforming AC systems. I specialize in furnace, ac, and water heater replacements for the Denver Metro area, and do not offer maintenance or repair. Even though I … Read more

Locking refrigerant caps have become a standard feature in modern HVAC systems, mandated by building codes to enhance safety and prevent misuse. Here’s an in-depth look at why they’re essential, situations where they might not be necessary, and the historical context that led to their requirement. 🔒 Why Do We Need AC Locking Caps? 1. … Read more

At Claim Your Comfort, we believe in making sure you’re comfortable and informed—not just about your home’s temperature, but about the technology that keeps it just right. So, let’s talk about R-32 refrigerant—the next-generation option in HVAC systems. 🌿 What Is R-32? R-32 is a newer refrigerant that’s starting to show up in modern air … Read more

Summer’s fiery embrace is soon to arrive. The battle against soaring temperatures is on. While air conditioners (ACs) offer a tempting blast of cool air, their energy bills can leave you feeling sweaty all over again. But fear not, budget-conscious comfort seekers! A powerful alternative awaits. Let’s delve into the cost-saving showdown between these cooling … Read more

Let’s face it, summer heat can be a real drag. But before resigning to a life of sweaty misery and sky-high energy bills, consider this: your AC might be the culprit! While it’s tempting to crank it down to arctic levels, there are smarter ways to stay cool and save some green. Filter Frenzy: Your … Read more

With summer fast approaching, this guide will equip you with the knowledge to better understand your AC, and navigate air conditioning repair with confidence. Understanding the Chill: Before diving into repairs, let’s demystify your AC’s magic. Your system works like a tireless magician, using refrigerant to absorb heat from your home and release it outside. … Read more