Douglas Cooling & Heating Blog : Archive for March, 2018

Warmer weather is right around the corner and so is a higher energy bill if you aren’t careful. Your HVAC system switches from heating to cooling with the rising temperatures. If your unit isn’t ready for the switch, its performance and efficiency are reduced and cause your energy bill to skyrocket. The added stress on your heating and cooling system due to the fluctuating temperatures leads to malfunctions and breakdowns when you least expect them. Follow these five heating and cooling energy saving tips this spring to reduce your energy bill without sacrificing your indoor comfort.

Tip #1 – Preventative Maintenance Is Vital

The most important thing you can do for your heating and cooling system is to schedule maintenance before spring arrives. Dirt, dust and other debris will accumulate throughout your system and ductwork during the winter. Maintenance cleans your unit, eliminating excess dust and preventing clogs in your ductwork. When the airflow in your home is compromised due to a clog or other obstruction, your unit has to work harder to provide controlled temperatures throughout your home. Maintenance improves airflow, which increases your system’s efficiency and produces heating and cooling energy savings immediately.

Tip #2 – Change Your Air Filter

Check your air filter on a regular basis to reduce clogging in your system and ductwork. When a filter is dirty, airflow is restricted and there is a greater chance for dirt, dust and other debris to get caught inside your ductwork. Clogged ducts prevent warm and cool air from circulating around your house, which interferes with your thermostat obtaining accurate readings. Your heating and cooling unit will have to work harder to provide ideal temperatures throughout your home, increases the amount of energy used by your unit. Inspecting and changing out your filter before it becomes a problem will boost heating and cooling energy savings every month.

Tip #3 – Inspect Your Outdoor Unit

Clear away any leaves, branches, twigs and other debris from around your outdoor unit restricting airflow. If you notice a layer of dirt, pollen or dust on your coils, gently hose them off with water or call an HVAC technician to properly clean your outdoor unit for you.

Rodents and pests are another problem affecting outdoor units. During the winter, small animals seek shelter in dry, warm places, including inside your outdoor unit. If you notice scratches around or on your unit or signs of an infestation, contact Douglas Cooling & Heating to have your outdoor unit inspected and cleaned. Our professionals will check for chewed wiring or damage to other components inside your outdoor unit during an HVAC repair. Catching problems with your outdoor unit will cut back on expensive repairs in the future and increase your heating and cooling energy savings.

Tip #4 – Schedule Air Duct Cleaning

Schedule an HVAC repair to have your air ducts, vents, and registers professionally cleaned before the start of spring. A thorough duct cleaning eliminates dirt and debris from accumulating and reducing the airflow in your system. During the service call, our NATE-certified technicians will check for air leaks throughout your ductwork and seal them if necessary. An inspection will also discover if any ductwork is damaged and will be replaced immediately. Damaged ducts and air leaks increase your energy usage without you realizing it. Most people forget about their ducts since they are hidden from view. Duct cleaning increases your heating and cooling energy savings by finding and sealing leaks and improving the airflow when air is circulated throughout your home.

Tip #5 – Upgrade Your Thermostat

If you have an older thermostat, now is the time to consider upgrading to a programmable thermostat before the change in seasons. The heating and cooling energy savings you will get with a new programmable thermostat are amazing. You can program settings to fit your schedule based on when you are home, away, asleep, and on vacation. A programmable thermostat prevents your HVAC system from kicking on repeatedly while you are at work or school, decreasing the wear and tear on your unit and reducing energy wasted during the day.

Take advantage of heating and cooling energy savings this spring by scheduling maintenance, replacing your air filter regularly, and inspecting your outdoor unit. Contact Douglas Cooling & Heating to have a professional clean your ducts or install a new programmable thermostat to boost savings further. Our NATE-certified technicians are standing by, ready to assist you with all your heating and cooling needs.

Continue Reading

Posted in HVAC | Comments Off on Spring Energy Saving Tips for Your Home Heating and Cooling

Spring is here, and summer is soon to follow, which means it’s time get your lakehouse ready. When you are opening up your lake house this year, consider doing more than just opening some windows and vacuuming. Your HVAC system needs some attention by scheduling lakehouse air conditioning maintenance from the experts at Douglas Cooling & Heating. Our technicians are experienced and will get your unit running smoothly. If you are unsure if maintenance is necessary, consider the following three signs when running your air conditioner.

Sign #1: What Do You Hear?

An air conditioning system should be quiet and if your unit is making strange or loud noises, it’s time to schedule lakehouse air conditioning maintenance. Loud or unexpected noises are a warning sign something is wrong and maintenance is your best way to diagnose the problem before it escalates into something bigger. Noises from your air conditioner can mean any number of things. Debris, such as leaves, twigs, trash and rodent nests, can get lodged in the blower motor. Simple maintenance will clean your unit of the debris and your system will be ready for hot weather in no time.

If the problem is more serious, such as a condenser close to breaking or a bad compressor belt, lake house air conditioning maintenance will diagnose the problem so the appropriate measures can be taken to fix the damaged component quickly. A typical noise from your air conditioner is the blower or fan circulating while the air conditioner is running. Banging or rattling indicates a serious problem, so schedule maintenance immediately with Douglas Cooling & Heating to reduce the chance of breakdown.

Sign #2: What Do You Smell?

A healthy air conditioning system won’t produce a smell when operating. If you start your air conditioner up and you instantly smell a mildew odor, schedule lake house air conditioning maintenance. A mildew or moldy smell indicates mold might be growing somewhere inside your air conditioning system. You won’t know if the mold growth is in your actual unit or the ductwork until a Douglas Cooling & Heating professional inspects your air conditioner. Mold in your system can cause damage to your lake house and reduces your indoor air quality. Anyone in your family or visiting your lake house with allergies, asthma or respiratory issues will be greatly affected by the mold in your system.

Sign #3: What Do You Feel?

The most obvious sign there is a problem with your air conditioning system is when it blows warm or hot air. A healthy air conditioner will provide cool, crisp air throughout your lake house and if you aren’t getting it, schedule lake house air conditioning maintenance. Your air conditioner might blow cool air less cool than the last time it was used.

The issue might be simple, such as recharging the refrigerant level in the air conditioner.  However, the best way ensure proper operation of your unit is to call Douglas Cooling & Heating. Our friendly and skilled NATE-certified technicians will inspect your system during maintenance and diagnose whatever is causing the problem with your unit preventing it from producing cold air.

Schedule your lake house air conditioning maintenance early and catch problems early! Our technicians will get your unit performing efficiently so you can seek shelter indoors from the summer heat. Call Douglas Cooling & Heating today!

Continue Reading

Posted in HVAC | Comments Off on Top 3 Signs Your Lake House HVAC System Needs Maintenance

Are you gearing up for March Madness by inviting family and friends over for a party? Before you start making a guest list and menu, ask yourself if your HVAC system is ready for houseguests and the fluctuating March temperatures. Dealing with furnace breakdowns at the last minute can be expensive and stressful. Here are some tips to get your heating and cooling system ready before you plan your celebration.

Tip #1: Schedule Preventative Maintenance

The most important tip to keep your system healthy and prevent furnace breakdowns is to schedule preventative maintenance. Douglas Cooling & Heating offers affordable maintenance plans conveniently with your busy schedule. Regular maintenance keeps your system clean, catches malfunctions early and extends the life of your equipment. Ensuring your system is kept healthy increases energy efficiency and saves you money on your monthly energy bill.

Tips #2: Change the Filter

One of the easiest ways you can prevent furnace breakdowns is by changing your furnace filter on a regular basis. The filter is responsible for catching any dust, dirt or debris in your air before it is circulated throughout your home. When the filter is dirty or clogged, it can’t properly filter the air and the dirt and dust reduce the airflow in your system. Restricted airflow forces your system to work harder and puts unnecessary stress on your HVAC system, creating higher energy bills.

Tip #3: Clean the Outdoor Unit

Most people forget about their outdoor unit, which can lead to malfunctions in the spring. Inspect the area around the outdoor unit for debris, such as leaves, twigs and branches. Check the exterior for damage from hail and winter storms. Debris on your unit and around it can interfere with the airflow and cause the unit to overheat. If you notice a layer of dust and dirt on the top of the coils, gently hose them off with water. If you notice a rodent or pest seeking shelter inside the outdoor unit, call Douglas Cooling & Heating to have the unit inspected. A pest infestation can lead to chewed wiring and damaged components. An HVAC repair is your safest bet to avoid HVAC failure this spring.

Tip #4: Schedule Ductwork Inspection

Before you get your March Madness party started, schedule an inspection of your ductwork. Our HVAC technicians will clean your ducts, vents and registers. If there are any air leaks found during the inspection, we will properly seal them to promote energy savings this spring and promote healthy airflow throughout your ductwork. Clean ducts free of leaks help your thermostat achieve accurate readings, also helping prevent furnace breakdowns.

Tip #5: Check Thermostat Settings

Thermostat settings can either make or break your HVAC system’s performance. When the thermostat settings are too high or low for the season, it puts extra stress on your unit. A furnace constantly kicking on when the outside weather is warm wastes energy and adds wear and tear to the components. A system always in use eventually experiences furnace breakdowns, which become costly to fix every time.

Tip #6: Upgrading to a Smart Thermostat

If you have an old thermostat now is time to upgrade to a smart, programmable thermostat for your March Madness party. Smart thermostats increase energy savings by boosting your HVAC system’s efficiency. You have more control over your temperature settings due to Wi-Fi capabilities between the smart thermostat and your smartphone, tablet or other Wi-Fi devices, as well as the thermostat’s learning capabilities for ideal comfort control. Energy reports are sent via email to share your heating and cooling system’s energy usage and suggest where savings can be achieved with your HVAC system. Smart thermostats even provide reminders to schedule maintenance and change filters. Alerts are sent when there is a problem with your unit so an HVAC repair can be scheduled quickly.

For more information about upgrading to a smart thermostat, call Douglas Cooling & Heating to speak with one of our NATE-certified technicians. We will suggest the best thermostat for your HVAC system and your home.

Save your money for snacks and prevent furnace breakdowns during your March Madness party by scheduling maintenance with Douglas Cooling & Heating. Our NATE-certified technicians are experienced and will deliver exceptional service every time. Call Douglas Cooling & Heating today!

Continue Reading

Posted in HVAC | Comments Off on Don’t Go Broke Dealing With Furnace Breakdowns Before March Madness

Winter has been especially hard for some families in Alabama, which can affect their heating and cooling system heading into spring and summer. A furnace gets a break during late spring, summer and early fall and an air conditioner gets to relax during late fall, winter and early spring. A heat pump, on the other hand, operates year-round to provide ideal temperatures without taking a break.

The best way to ensure your heat pump is ready for the shift to spring is with heat pump maintenance performed by our NATE-certified technicians at Douglas Cooling & Heating. By scheduling maintenance with Douglas Cooling & Heating, you will experience several perks during the spring, summer and fall seasons.

Fewer HVAC Repairs

A heat pump irregularly cleaned or inspected will experience minor and major issues during the year. Heat pump maintenance catches these problems early and repairs them cheaper than if the problem continues, becoming expensive to repair in the future. The best defense against heat pump malfunctions and breakdowns is with regularly scheduled maintenance. You will save money down the road and reduce your stress from unexpected heat pumps failures.

Increased Energy Efficiency

Heat pump maintenance prevents a buildup of dust, dirt and other debris throughout your system, which affects its performance. When dust and other debris accumulate throughout your system, the airflow becomes restricted, forcing your system to work harder than necessary to supply controlled temperatures in your home. A heat pump constantly cycling on and off wastes energy, resulting in decreased efficiency. Your heat pump will provide ideal temperatures evenly throughout your home with regularly scheduled heat pump maintenance.

Reduced Energy Bills

Your heating and cooling system is responsible for almost half the energy use in your home. Heat pump maintenance allows your unit to operate less often and reduces the amount of stress put on its components. By reducing how often your heat pump cycles on and off, less energy is used during the day and creates a more efficient system. Less energy consumed by your heat pump produces lower monthly energy bills.

Longer Life of Your Heat Pump

A heat pump maintained on a regular basis can last an average of 14 years. When a heat pump is neglected, its lifespan is greatly reduced and needs expensive HVAC repairs to keep it operational. Problems are caught early with proper maintenance, which reduces the wear and tear on your unit and its components. Heat pump maintenance is important, especially when you aren’t ready to fork out extra money on a new heat pump. Call Douglas Cooling & Heating to schedule your heat pump maintenance with one of our experience NATE-certified technicians before temperatures start to rise.

What Happens During Heat Pump Maintenance?

During heat pump maintenance a variety of tasks are performed by our HVAC technicians. We will test all the electrical components in your system and the control board. Electrical malfunctions are common when a unit has been used excessively during the winter. If the filter hasn’t been replaced recently, we will check the current filter and replace or clean it depending on the type used in your heat pump. Inspection of the components during the maintenance call is vital so our technicians can identify signs of stress and repair or replace any damaged parts. We will also make sure the belts are in good condition and lubricate the motors. Other tasks performed during heat pump maintenance include:

• Inspecting the refrigerant levels and checking for leaks
• Measuring the airflow of the unit
• Cleaning the outdoor and indoor unit thoroughly
• Inspecting the ducts for leaks and repairing them if found
• Checking the thermostat settings
• Ensuring all connections are tight and
• Inspecting the indoor coil and blower motor.

With winter coming to a close, your heat pump needs to be inspected, cleaned and prepped for the upcoming spring and summer weather. Call Douglas Cooling & Heating to schedule heat pump maintenance with one of our NATE-certified technicians. With proper care, you can prevent costly repairs in the future on your heat pump.

Continue Reading

Posted in HVAC | Comments Off on Did Your Heat Pump Make it Through the Cold of Winter?

Many homeowners don’t think about their ductwork because it’s out of sight, and therefore, out of mind. However, your ductwork plays a pivotal role in the heating and cooling needs of your home. One size does not fit all when it comes to your HVAC ductwork and the size of your heating and cooling system determines the size ductwork you need. If you suspect the quality and size of your HVAC ductwork is a problem, call Douglas Cooling & Heating today. We offer preventative maintenance plans, HVAC repairs, emergency service and installation for all your heating and cooling needs.

The Importance of HVAC Ductwork Sizing

Proper sizing of your HVAC ductwork is imperative to the efficiency of your system and your energy bill. Higher energy bills are common when the ductwork is too small or large. Another common issue from ductwork sized incorrectly is more wear and tear on a heating and cooling system, resulting in your unit failing earlier than it should and forcing you to install a replacement unit before you are financially ready. Other common problems of incorrectly sized HVAC ductwork include:

• Forces your HVAC system to work harder
• Creates hot and cold spots throughout your home
• Decreases the rate of airflow
• Contributes to uneven heating and cooling between floors
• Furnaces have to work in overdrive to breathe
• Causes the motor to wear out faster and
• Increases the chance of a breakdown.

Types of HVAC Ductwork Materials

The material used for your ductwork is another element impacting your home’s heating and cooling system. Before you install new ductwork, discuss your ductwork options with our Douglas Cooling & Heating technician to ensure you get the best material for your new ductwork. The different materials all come with their own pros and cons and not every material works well for every situation. The different HVAC ductwork options include:

• Flexible ducts, also known as flex ductwork, are made from reinforced plastic. They are tube-shaped with a wire coil inside the bendable plastic. Homes with tight spaces are ideal for flex ductwork. They are cheaper and easier to install and require proper support to prevent snagging and snaking.
• Sheet metal ducts are made of galvanized steel and aluminum, with aluminum being the lighter and easier material to install of the two. They are less likely to have mold or mold growth occur in them due to their non-porous surface.
• Fiberboard ducts are the quietest and most efficient material for ductwork. They are made from fiberglass strands crushed and joined with a resin. The resin is then covered with a sheet of foil laminate to protect against moisture.

The Importance of HVAC Ductwork Quality

The quality of your HVAC ductwork is just as important as the sizing. Healthy ductwork ensures even temperatures, reduces the wear and tear on your HVAC system, and increases energy savings. Ductwork with long runs between the heating and cooling system and a desired location causes uneven temperatures in different areas of a home. Sharp bends in ductwork prevent airflow from circulating effectively and decreases the amount of cool or warm air delivered to a space.

If ductworks aren’t properly sealed or supported it will lead to air leaks within the ducts. Valuable warm or cool air will be lost through the air leaks, resulting in wasted energy and higher energy costs. Another issue of poor quality ductwork is the lack of returns installed in your home. Returns help balance the air pressure and air movement within a room. When there aren’t enough air returns, the room temperature and comfort within a room is compromised.

If you are noticing increased energy bills and more repairs on your heating and cooling system, regardless of continued maintenance, your HVAC ductwork might be the problem. Call Douglas Cooling & Heating to schedule an HVAC repair to diagnose the problem. Our NATE-certified technicians will inspect your ductwork and determine if there is an issue with the size of your ducts or if the quality of the installation is at fault.

Continue Reading

Posted in HVAC | Comments Off on HVAC Q&A: Importance of Quality and Proper Sizing of Ductwork