Home heating and cooling, explained
What is your system actually doing?
Direct answers to AC, furnace and thermostat questions. Each one lists its sources and goes to a Texas-licensed air conditioning contractor for review.
Who checks the answers
A licensed contractor, with a license number you can look up
Our reviewer's Texas license was checked against the state's records on October 18, 2026. A guide shows his name only after he has approved it in writing; until then it is labeled Expert review pending.
J.T. Bratcher
- License
- TACLB00138638E
- Type
- Texas Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractor License (Environmental, Class B)
- Status
- Current · expires April 11, 2027
Topics
Ten systems and problem areas. Pick one to see every answer in it.
Featured answers
Researched against the top search results, with the gaps filled in.
- 01 Th · Thermostats
Should Your AC Fan Be On or Auto? What the Humidity Research Shows
In humid climates, keep the AC fan on Auto: measured tests show fan On puts water from the coil back into your air. When On or Circulate makes sense, and a simple test for your home.
- 02 Ac · Air Conditioning
How Long Should an AC Take to Cool 1 Degree? Why There Is No Single Number
There is no industry standard for minutes per degree. What a normal AC run looks like in mild weather vs a heat wave, why sites disagree, and a 1-hour test to tell if yours is too slow.
- 03 Ac · Air Conditioning
Water Dripping From Your Furnace in Summer? It's Usually the AC Drain
Water under a furnace in summer almost always comes from the AC coil sitting on top of it, not the furnace. A 2-minute check to find the source, a cause table, and safe fixes.
Read the competition
We check what the top results say and where they disagree.
Go to the source
DOE, ENERGY STAR, EPA, codes and lab research.
Fact-check every number
An editor traces each claim to its link.
Licensed review
A Texas ACR contractor signs off in writing.