You may have put two and two together and seen your furnace put in more work in Colorado than it did at sea level. Or perhaps your air conditioner has been having a hard time of it one hot afternoon in Pueblo or Colorado Springs. One is inclined to ask if that mountain air is getting in the way of your home heating and cooling.

We are used to fielding such questions here at R Buck Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical. Our NATE-certified technicians can tell you how the climate up here dictates what an HVAC system will do; we have been doing so for Southern Colorado since 1994. For some expert insight on your own property, pick up the phone and call us at (719) 224-2800.

Most homeowners in the Pikes Peak area do not give altitude the attention it deserves as a factor in home comfort, yet it is of greater consequence than they think. We would like to share a few entertaining and informative facts on how being a mile high puts a different spin on your equipment.

Combustion is Harder in Thin Air

The higher you go, the less dense the air and the less oxygen there is in a given cubic foot. A gas furnace needs its oxygen to be an efficient burner of fuel. Without it, you get incomplete combustion, a waste of fuel and diminished heat.

That is why many of the furnaces in Colorado are derated, or otherwise adjusted by our technicians to suit the elevation. They will put in less fuel so the unit can burn with safety and cleanliness.

Thin air and combustion will have an effect on:

• How much heat your furnace puts out and its efficiency
• Gas pressure on your equipment
• Fuel burning in a safe and complete manner
• Soot buildup from an unadjusted unit
• The cost of energy over the course of a long heating season

Cooling Equipment is No Exception

An air conditioner will not act the same at altitude. With thinner air to carry off the heat, the transfer process is altered. The fans and blowers are moving a less dense product, so you cannot apply the same airflow figures to a residence in Monument or Woodland Park as you would at sea level.

Then again, a well sized system need not run for as long in Southern Colorado where summer nights are quick to cool, unlike in a low-altitude place with the humidity. Provided the sizing is right, you can make the most of it.

Airflow and the Deceptions of Pressure

There is less air pressure to push through the ducts. Blowers are working with air that is spread thin and static pressure in the system can be affected. Should your ducts not have been designed with altitude in view, the result could be rooms with uneven temperatures.

It is another case for having a professional install your system in this part of the country. Someone with an understanding of altitude will put the balance in your system where it should be. That is what we have been about at R Buck in Southern Colorado for the last 30 years.

Mountain Air and the Matter of Comfort

Southern Colorado has a reputation for dry air and lower humidity. In the summer it spares you from any need for dehumidification, but in winter it can be quite uncomfortable.

Some of the complaints we see with dry air include:

• A chill you feel despite what the thermostat says
• Cracking in wood floors and furniture
• Irritated sinuses and skin
• Static electricity in the house
• The temptation to turn up the heat and raise your bill

We often have customers inquiring about a UV air purifier for better indoor air quality, and a whole-home humidifier is a good way to put some balance back into your HVAC.

The Case for Service that Knows Altitude

Put an HVAC system made for sea level a mile up and it is not going to be at its best. You are better off with a local outfit that is familiar with the conditions. The Better Business Bureau has us at an A+ rating and your neighbors in the region have left us in excess of 4,400 reviews on Google. We have also been “Best of Pueblo” every year from 2019 to 2025.

From Cripple Creek to Castle Rock, Manitou Springs and all points in between, we know how to have your equipment in order.

R Buck Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical is available 24/7 for whatever plumbing, electrical, heating or cooling you require. Give us a ring at (719) 224-2800 and let our technicians show you how to make the most of your home comfort system.