by High Performance HVAC | Armstrong HVAC Reviews, Package Unit Reviews |
Armstrong Package Unit Reviews - Armstrong package units come in configurations of air conditioning only package units, air conditioning package units with electric heat, heat pump package units, air conditioner package units with gas heat also known as gas packs, and heat pumps with gas heat also known as dual fuel heat pumps where the heat pump uses gas heat for the backup heat rather than electric as most conventional heat pump system use. (more…)
by High Performance HVAC | Armstrong HVAC Reviews, Gas Furnace Reviews Index |
Armstrong Gas Furnace Reviews Armstrong offers a full line of gas furnaces from 80% AFUE all the way up to 97% AFUE. They also offer a high-efficiency line of gas furnaces models. Their furnace uses staging to increase efficiency and staging range from 75% for low-fire to 100% for high-fire. A modulating gas furnace is also available.
The Armstrong brand also uses variable-speed motors in their higher efficiency gas furnaces premium brand models. For a lower-end economical model, Armstrong offers economy model gas furnaces. Furthermore, Armstrong uses single staging with an aluminized heat exchanger that has a 20-year limited warranty. (more…)
by High Performance HVAC | Armstrong HVAC Reviews, Heat Pump Reviews |
Armstrong Heat Pump Reviews - Consumer Ratings - Armstrong heat pumps come in various capacities with efficiency ranges from 13 SEER 7.7 HSPF to 20 SEER 10 HSPF and selected heat pump units that use R410A refrigerant. Armstrong is owned by Lennox so some of the technology going into Lennox heat pumps also find their way into Armstrong heat pumps. (more…)
by High Performance HVAC | Air Conditioner Reviews, Armstrong HVAC Reviews |
Armstrong Air Conditioner Reviews - Armstrong manufacturers air conditioners and other HVAC equipment mainly for residential but they also make light commercial HVAC equipment. Their line of air conditioners ranges in efficiency level from 13 SEER to 20 SEER making their air conditioner average for efficiency ratings in the HVAC industry for air conditioners. Their air conditioners also come in a variety of configurations from the standard split system air conditioner to the package unit air conditioner with either gas heat or in the heat pump configuration. Some features of various their air conditioners are: (more…)
by High Performance HVAC | Air Handlers |

With proper maintenance, you can avoid common air handler problems
Common Air Handler Problems - Everyone loves to be comfortable, so when there is a problem with the HVAC system, we can become very uncomfortable. The air handler in the HVAC system has electrical and mechanical components inside it that can experience problems from time to time. Some of the most common problems with air handlers can help you identify the problem and possibly fix the issue — many common air handler problems you can avoid with regular air handler maintenance.
Although some of the issues listed will need the attention of a professional HVAC technician to repair the air handler, after all, an HVAC technician will have all the tools and likely the parts available to make a fast and efficient repair. Furthermore, since every air handler is different it is possible the problems described here do not apply to your situation.
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by High Performance HVAC | Buyers Advice |
Two-Stage Gas Furnace Buyer Tips - Two-stage gas furnaces make up over 30% of all gas furnaces installed in residences in the USA. Two-Stage gas furnaces are more efficient than single-stage gas furnaces in most cases. When purchasing furnaces always check the ARI website for and efficiency ratings and comparisons. (more…)
by High Performance HVAC | Thermostats |
Thermostat Wiring Colors Code Page Navigation
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- Essential Thermostat Wiring Color Guide Including Manufacturers Instructions
- Thermostat Terminal Designations Quick Guide - Detail Wiring Color Guide Below
- Red-Wire - connects to the R terminal with the red wire
- RC-Wire - connects to the RC terminal RC red
- RH-Wire - connects to RH terminal RH heat
- Y-Wire - connects to the Y terminal and is for cooling stage 1 with the yellow wire
- Y2-Wire - connects to Y2 terminal and is for cooling stage 2
- W-Wire - connects to W terminal and for heat stage 1 with the white wire
- W2-Wire - connects to W2 terminal and for heat stage 2
- G-Wire - connects to G terminal and for fan operation with the green wire
- C-Wire - connects to C terminal (common 24v power) with the C wire
- O or B-Wire - connects to O or B terminal and is for reversing valve operation
- E-Wire - connects to E terminal and is for Emergency heat
- X or Aux-Wire - connects to X terminal and is for auxiliary
- S1 and S2 Wires - connects to S1/S2 terminals and is for outdoor temperature sensor
- Thermostat Wire Color Code Chart
- Tracing the Wire to the Source
- Additional Resources
What you will learn in the
Thermostat Wiring Colors Code article:
- First, what thermostat wire colors is likely to go to which terminal on the thermostat in your heating and cooling system
- Secondly, the function of each wire terminal on the average thermostat highlighting some of the differences in those HVAC system functions from manufacturer to manufacturer as recommended for thermostat wire color
Thermostat Wiring Colors Code | HVAC Control
Always follow the thermostat manufacturer’s instructions whenever changing the thermostat. Always turn the power off at the air handler and the condenser and make sure there is no voltage at the transformer before proceeding.
Furthermore, the thermostat wire colors below are the most likely colors used for most installations; however, your thermostat wire colors may be different than what the indication is here. There is no official standard for thermostat wire colors. Additionally, thermostat wiring colors are not standardized. However, these are the most wiring methods used based on my years of experience in the HVAC field, where I successfully wired a lot of thermostats and as recommended by manufacturers and common sense for thermostat wiring colors code.
For instructions on how to wire a thermostat, please see how to wire a thermostat page. Refer back to this page for thermostat wire colors.
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by High Performance HVAC | Air Conditioning |
Air Conditioner Problems - As an HVAC technician I am aware of all the problems air conditioners can develop. Therefore, you will get a unique perspective on air conditioner problems. And hopefully, how to avoid these problems.
Air conditioners have become a norm in today’s society. Forty or fifty years ago air conditioners were considered a luxury. Now there are building designs where the occupants must rely on air conditioning to remain comfortable.
Additionally, with higher energy costs it is important that our air conditioners are maintained. Hence, a properly maintained system uses less energy and repair costs are lower and less frequent.
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by High Performance HVAC | Thermostats |
What you will learn from the Troubleshooting Broken Thermostats article:
- One of the most common trouble calls for HVAC heating and cooling
- Basic checks of the HVAC System thermostat to see if it is broken or?
- The basics of the thermostat for an HVAC system
- Learn what a heating anticipator is and what type of thermostat uses them.
- Fixing a Broken Thermostat for an HVAC System
- Finally, lots of related useful links to help you learn your heating and cooling HVAC system
Troubleshooting Broken Thermostats - The main connection between the air conditioning and heating system and the end-user is the thermostat. Beyond the air conditioning and heating thermostat, many people know nothing about the HVAC systems that keep them comfortable year-round. While the thermostat may be the problem, make sure you eliminate other possible heating and cooling problems.
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by High Performance HVAC | Thermostats |

Blank Display on Thermostat Problem - Screen Disappeared - The thermostat display is our interface with our HVAC equipment. The display lets us know what the temperature is in the house. The display tells us what the desired settings are including letting us know the setpoint setting the temperature.
Some displays give us time, and the newer modern displays show us family photos like a screensaver on our computer. But what happens when the display is not there, or there is a blank thermostat display or no display on the thermostat?
Is it a bad thermostat or something else that caused the display to disappear? What do you do when the thermostat screen is not working? (more…)