HVAC Archives - Woodward Heating Air Plumbing

Using Small Wind Turbines to Supplement HVAC Energy Needs

September 16, 2025

Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems account for a large share of energy use in homes and businesses across the United States. The U.S. Department of Energy notes that they can represent up to 50% of residential energy consumption. With energy prices climbing and climate concerns growing, many Salem homeowners are turning to renewable options. Wind energy, for example, can reduce reliance on the grid—but can it generate enough electricity to support HVAC systems? While solar power often gets the most attention, small-scale wind turbines are capable of producing enough energy to run most systems.

Dehumidifiers: Can They Improve Summer Comfort and Cut Your Energy Bills?

August 12, 2025

When it comes to cutting energy costs during the summer months, most homeowners are looking for some of the easiest strategies they can implement. While using ceiling fans and routinely keeping up with air filter changes are great methods to use, a whole-home dehumidification system can be exceedingly helpful. Here, we’ll go over what this system is and how it can benefit your household during the summer season. How Humidity Affects Your Comfort and Home Throughout the summer months, humidity levels outside are high. When you combine heat and humidity, it can spell disaster for your

Geofencing Thermostats: Automatic Adjustments Based on Your Location

August 5, 2025

The HVAC world has seen numerous innovative technologies in the last several years. As a homeowner, you likely want to stay up-to-date on these technologies to optimize your comfort and energy savings throughout the year. One technology you don’t want to sleep on when purchasing your next thermostat is geofencing. It sounds complex, but once you get the hang of it, it’s surprisingly simple and intuitive. Here’s what you need to know. What Are Geofencing Thermostats? Geofencing thermostats are a specialized type of smart thermostat that uses your phone’s physical location to adjust your home’s thermostat

Inverter-Driven HVAC Systems: Enhanced Efficiency and Quiet Cooling

July 5, 2025

When your air conditioner kicks on, you probably expect a cool breeze and a quiet hum. But if your system sounds more like a truck and cycles too often, you might be living with outdated technology. Inverter-driven HVAC systems offer a different experience altogether. These systems don’t blast at full speed every time they start. Instead, they adjust gently, matching your cooling needs more precisely. At Woodward Heating Air Plumbing, in Salem, OR, we’ve seen how inverter systems can shift the way people experience comfort at home. Inverter HVAC Explained An inverter HVAC system

Evaluating Your Home’s Insulation: A Key to Better HVAC Performance

June 12, 2025

If your HVAC system runs constantly but your home never feels quite right, your insulation might be part of the problem. Heating and cooling equipment can’t do the job alone if heat escapes too easily or outside air keeps sneaking in. Woodward Heating Air Plumbing in Salem, OR, helps homeowners spot those weak points in insulation that silently decrease comfort and increase energy use. Your HVAC System Doesn’t Stand a Chance Without Help From Insulation Heating and cooling your home isn’t just about the unit itself. Your HVAC system can be top-of-the-line and still fall short if your

Mold Prevention in Humid Climates: Keeping Your HVAC System Clean

June 5, 2025

Although Salem, OR isn’t as humid as some other areas, it’s still vitally important to protect your HVAC system from mold. Whenever a more humid day does occur, it can easily cause your HVAC system to experience issues. To protect against this, you’ll need to regularly inspect and clean drip pans, along with changing your air filter regularly. Fortunately, if you run into an issue with your HVAC system in Salem, Woodward Heating Air Plumbing can help. We have the necessary skills to help prevent mold from happening in the first place, which makes it imperative to get tune-ups

Understanding Variable-Speed HVAC Systems

May 14, 2025

If your Salem, OR home is like most, it likely depends on a single-speed HVAC system for year-round comfort. They are by far the most common type of HVAC unit found in American homes. However, they’re not the only option available. When the time comes for a new HVAC unit, you’ll likely encounter variable-speed HVAC systems during your search. If you’re unfamiliar with them, they can deliver significant benefits you’ll love. Courtesy of our AC and heating services experts, here’s everything you need to know about variable-speed HVAC systems to decide if one is right for you.

Cool Outside, Cool Inside: How To Landscape for Maximum HVAC Performance

May 5, 2025

When you think about saving energy in your home, you look indoors at things like sealing windows, adjusting thermostats, or upgrading insulation. Doing these things can improve energy efficiency, but you can also lower your energy bills and help your HVAC system last longer by taking specific steps outdoors. Your landscaping choices can have a direct impact on the workload your heating and cooling system has to endure and how much energy it uses along the way. Thoughtful landscaping involves more than curb appeal because you can create a yard that’s harmonious with your home HVAC

How to Keep Your HVAC System Safe During Spring Storms

April 9, 2025

Spring storms bring not just rain and thunder but also power surges that can seriously mess with your HVAC system. These quick bursts of electricity might not seem like a big deal, but they can damage sensitive components or knock out your cooling when needed. That’s why surge protection and storm prep matter this time of year. At Woodward Heating Air Plumbing in Salem, OR, we help homeowners get ahead of the weather with smart steps that keep your equipment running and your home comfortable, no matter what’s happening outside. Why Spring Weather Creates a Risk for Your HVAC

HRV vs. ERV: Which Is the Right Ventilation for Your Home?

April 2, 2025

Modern home construction techniques achieve tight building envelopes. The upside is that highly efficient homes are more comfortable and cheaper to heat and cool. The downside is that there is little to no natural ventilation. A solution is to install a mechanical ventilation system. There are three core types: whole-house fans, heat recovery ventilators (HRVs), and energy recovery ventilators (ERVs). Let’s explore the key differences between them. Whole-House Fans Whole-house fans are ventilation systems that draw air from a home’s living spaces into its attic. Fresh air enters through natural ventilation, such as open windows and