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We all want an HVAC system that leaves our home feeling just right. Too hot and you're dabbing your brow and downing ice water. Too cold and you're digging out the blankets. But the steps to getting comfy can easily leave you feeling baffled. What's SEER and why is it important? How often should you do maintenance? And what about air filtration? We've got you cov- ered—so to speak. for your HVAC FAQ ing cooking smoke, pollen, mold, bacteria, pet dander and household dust. Look for a system that's certified by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. 2 What is a SEER rating and why does it matter? SEER, which stands for Seasonal Energy Ef- ficiency Ratio, is an important acronym to know, it is the ratio of the cooling output of an air conditioner over a typical cool- ing season divided by the energy it uses in watt-hours. The higher the SEER, the more efficient the system will be. 1 How can an HVAC system make your air cleaner? Today's homes are better insulated and more tightly sealed, which means air qual- ity can be worse inside than out. For this reason, having an effective whole-home air cleaner installed as a part of the HVAC sys- tem is a fantastic idea, especially for those with allergies and/or asthma concerns. The air in your entire house will be cleaned repeatedly several times per hour. Well-designed whole-home filtration systems can remove 99.98% of airborne pollutants, and reusable filters can trap particles as small as 0.1 micron, includ-