HVAC Tips
The Return-Air Guardrail: Mike’s Guide to Keeping Furniture, Curtains & Corners from Killing Performance
Why your AC works harder—not smarter—when the return path is blocked.
Most homeowners obsess over:
BTUs
Sizing
Location
Sleeve alignment
...
The Quiet-Home Bolt Pattern: Mike’s Fastener Layout That Kills Sleeve Vibration at the Source
Why Mike’s bolt pattern turns loud, rattling wall units into whisper-quiet performers.
Most homeowners believe vibration and noise from a through-t...
The 3-Point Drainage Slope Formula: Mike’s Rule for Zero Drips, Zero Rot & Perfect Condensation Management
Why sleeve slope is the difference between a dry home and a rotted wall.
Most homeowners—and even many installers—believe that as long as the AC sl...
The Stud-Safe Cutout Blueprint: Mike’s Field Diagram for Perfect Wall Cuts Every Time
How Mike prevents structural damage, sleeve wobble, and wall failures before the first cut is ever made.
Every homeowner fears the same thing when ...
Centerline Thermal Pathing: Mike’s Rule for Placing the Amana PBE123J35AA Where It Won’t Fight the Room
Why the best place for a wall AC isn’t about convenience—it’s about thermal geometry.
Mike has spent decades installing through-the-wall AC/heat u...
The Weather Lock Strategy: Mike’s 4-Layer Defense Against Wind, Bugs & Backdrafts
Why Mike protects the wall cavity like it’s the front door of your home.
Most homeowners think the biggest risk with a through-the-wall AC install ...
Compression Zones: How Mike Maps Wall Pressure Points to Prevent Sleeve Warping
The structural science behind a perfect through-the-wall AC installation
Most homeowners have never heard the phrase compression zones, yet these i...
The Two-Plane Sleeve Alignment Method: Mike’s Trick to Stop Tilt Errors Before They Happen
Most homeowners think a through-the-wall AC sleeve only has to be “level.”Mike knows better.
For the Amana 11,900 BTU through-the-wall AC/heat unit...
The Structural Reality Check: Mike’s 12-Minute Pre-Install Inspection That Saves Homeowners Thousands
Why Good Installers Spend More Time Checking the Wall Than Cutting It
Before Mike ever loads an Amana 11,900 BTU through-the-wall AC/heat unit onto...
Heating Performance in Winter: Can the Amana PBH113J35CC Handle the Cold?
Mike reveals how the Amana PBH113J35CC performs in winter—covering heat pump output, backup electric heat, defrost cycles, cold-weather limits, and real heating costs.
How Efficient Is the Amana 11,500 BTU PBH113J35CC? SEER2, EER, HSPF2 & Real-World Power Usage (Mike’s No-BS Guide)
Mike breaks down the true efficiency of the Amana PBH113J35CC—explaining SEER2, EER, HSPF2, real-world heating/cooling costs, runtime behavior, and installation impact.
How Efficient Is the Amana 11,500 BTU PBH113J35CC? SEER2, EER, HSPF2 & Real-World Power Usage (Mike’s No-BS Guide)
Mike breaks down the true efficiency of the Amana PBH113J35CC—explaining SEER2, EER, HSPF2, real-world heating/cooling costs, runtime behavior, and installation impact.