Douglas Cooling & Heating Blog : Archive for the ‘HVAC’ Category

Less than a year remains before a law banning the production of a common air conditioner refrigerant goes into effect. As part of Sections 601-607 of the Clean Air Act, manufacturers aren’t allowed to make Freon, also known as HCFC-22 or R-22, and must phase it out of use completely by January 1, 2020.

What does this mean for Birmingham homeowners with HVAC units that rely on Freon air conditioner refrigerant? Below we help clear the air about the upcoming R-22 ban and ways to stay in compliance with the new regulations.

Air Conditioner Refrigerant 2020 Regulations

For decades, residential air conditioners used R-22 as the main air conditioner refrigerant chemical. Studies found HCFCs (hydrochlorofluorocarbons), the chemicals refrigerators and air conditioners use to cool, contribute to ozone depletion and climate change.

The Environmental Protection Agency issued a mandate phasing out the production of R-22 by January 1, 2020.

What the Air Conditioner Refrigerant Regulations Mean for Homeowners

The good news for Birmingham homeowners? Air conditioning systems made after 2010 no longer rely on R-22. Instead, most new units use a more environmentally-friendly air conditioner refrigerant called R-410A. Also called Puron, it’s an HCFC harmless to the ozone.

If you had an HVAC technician install a new air conditioner sometime over the past decade, it’s possible it’s compliant.

However, it’s still best to look for your air conditioner’s refrigerant type on your condenser’s nameplate, consult your user’s manual, or check with an HVAC technician just to be safe. Have you scheduled a tune-up for your air conditioner yet? Now’s a great time. You can verify refrigerant compliance as well as benefit from maintenance services. 

If you cool your home with a pre-2010 AC unit that uses R-22, you have a couple options:

Option #1: Retrofit Your Current AC System

You’re not required under the mandate to buy a new air conditioner. However, you cannot drain your unit of R-22 and switch to an ozone-friendly air conditioner refrigerant.

Different refrigerants operate at different pressure levels and need different components to run. The retrofit process requires an HVAC technician to replace parts of your system to coincide with a new environmentally friendly refrigerant. Skipping this step may lead to system failure, in which case you have to purchase a new system anyway.

However, if your older AC unit’s coils are compatible with R-410A refrigerant, it’s possible for an HVAC professional to replace the condenser without modifying other components throughout your house. While costly, it keeps your current system working and in compliance with the mandate.

Option #2: Replace Your Older AC Unit

Retrofitting older air conditioners often costs as much or more than a new unit installation. Therefore, many homeowners replace their AC unit with a new system designed to use R-410A or other permitted coolants.

The average lifespan of an HVAC system is 15 years. A new unit ensures greater long-term savings through increased efficiency. Plus, system replacement eliminates the R-22 replacement cost and higher energy bills for the next several years.

Count on Douglas Cooling & Heating to Keep You Up-to-Date with Air Conditioner Refrigerant Rules

In conclusion, proper installation, servicing and air conditioner refrigerant replacement requires special training to prevent leaks of harmful chemicals. Contact Douglas Cooling & Heating for professional advice about the type of air conditioner refrigerant in your HVAC unit or the best solution for the older air conditioner unit in your Birmingham home. If you’re ready to upgrade, we offer finance options as well. 

We serve customers in Bessemer, Homewood, Hoover, Calera and Mountain Brook. You’ll also see our trucks en route to customers in Chelsea, Pelham, Helena and Vestavia Hills. Need a plumber? We recently expanded our services to include plumbing such as water heater installation, leaky faucet repairs as well as water quality and drain cleaning. 

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Air conditioning history is relatively short. It has only existed since the early 20th century, in part due to engineering pioneers who developed temperature control technology. At Douglas Cooling & Heating, we are big fans of air conditioning history, as you can imagine.

Did you know without the contributions of pioneer Margaret Ingels, we wouldn’t have air humidity measurement tools or have come nearly as far in air filtration technology? This Women’s History Month, we celebrate Ingels and her many contributions to air conditioning history.

Early Life and Education

Ingels was born in 1892 in Paris, Kentucky, and had an interest in science from the start. As a young girl, she watched moisture collect on glass and became curious about condensation. This curiosity eventually led to a successful career in air conditioning.

She enrolled at the University of Kentucky with intentions to pursue architecture. Because the school didn’t have such a degree program yet, a dean persuaded her to study mechanical engineering instead. She thrived and served as secretary for several engineering groups before she graduated with honors.

In 1916 she became the first woman to graduate from the school’s College of Mechanical Engineering. She was the first woman at the school to earn an engineering degree and only the second female engineering graduate in the United States.

Career

After college, Ingels worked in the traffic engineering department for the Chicago Telephone Company. She moved to Pittsburgh in 1917 to work for the Carrier Lyle Heating and Ventilation Corporation, where her interest in air conditioning began.

She received the Mechanical Engineering professional degree in 1920. The next year she joined the American Society of Heating and Ventilating Engineers research lab, where she studied air conditioning for six years.

In 1931, she returned to Carrier-Lyle, where she worked until retirement. Ingels helped develop the Anderson-Armspach dust determinator, which became the industry standard for air filtration, and the sling psychrometer, a relative air humidity measurement tool still used today.

Her career also included working in a U.S. Bureau of Mines laboratory to help create air cleanliness standards.

Industry Advocacy

Ingels’s contributions to air conditioning history weren’t limited to her work in laboratories. She also served as an advocate for the profession. From 1932 to 1952, she wrote more than 45 technical papers. She also traveled across the country to deliver more than 200 speeches to more than 12,000 people.

Her most well-known speech, “Petticoats and Slide Rules”, documented “the pioneer American women of the engineering field.” In it, she wrote female engineers had a responsibility to “widen the trails blazed for her — and more. She must build them into great highways for women engineers of the future to travel, free of prejudices and discrimination.”

Awards and Recognition in Air Conditioning History

Her advocacy and professional achievements earned Ingels several accolades throughout her lifetime. Along with 100 other American women, including Eleanor Roosevelt, she was selected to the 1940 Women’s Centennial Congress, which recognized females who had successful careers in fields not open to women a century earlier.

Her alma mater also awarded her an honorary law degree in 1957 and inducted her to the College of Engineering’s Hall of Distinction in 1993.

Improve the Comfort in Your Home with a Call to Douglas Cooling & Heating

Thanks to industry pioneers like Margaret Ingels, air conditioning technology continues to evolve and improve the comfort levels of homes in new and innovative ways today.

If you need help choosing a system for your home, our expert team at Douglas Cooling & Heating in Birmingham knows air conditioning and is happy to help you to find the most efficient and dependable equipment for all your home comfort needs. Contact us today to schedule a service call or consultation.

We serve the Birmingham, Alabama area including Bessemer,  Homewood, Hoover, Calera and Mountain Brook. You’ll also see our trucks in Chelsea, Pelham, Vestavia Hills and Helena. Finally, we’ve recently introduced plumbing services to better serve homeowners. Give us a call with plumbing or HVAC needs!

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Did you know right now is the best time of year to schedule heating and cooling service?

It’s true — to confirm it’s still in great shape for the long summer ahead, it’s a great idea to schedule an HVAC system tune-up for the spring. Below, we outline the many benefits of scheduling a routine springtime heating and cooling service appointment and inspection.

What Does Springtime Heating and Cooling Service Involve?

To verify everything is operating properly, a professional heating and cooling service call should include:

• Check and test refrigerant levels for undetected leaks.
• Ensure the condensate drain is clog-free and drains properly.
• Measure airflow through the evaporator and cleaning coils.
• Replace the air filter, check the blower and inspect the ductwork.
• Test thermostat settings and sensors for proper operation.
• Check electrical components for loose connections or corrosion.

Why Schedule Springtime Heating and Cooling Service?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends spring as the best time of the year for heating and cooling service. It ensures your home’s comfort in the heat of summer. Other advantages of getting a HVAC tune-up before summertime include:

Detect Potential Problems Early

If you already turned on your air conditioner for the spring and feel like it isn’t cooling the house off yet, you may have a problem with your unit. When your HVAC unit runs as it should, you feel cool air when your thermostat is set to cool almost immediately.

As part of a routine HVAC checkup, a technician tests your system for proper operation and, if needed, repairs the issue.

Maintain and Improve Your HVAC System’s Efficiency

Wait much longer and your HVAC unit is only going to continue to get dirtier — and much less efficient. Your heating and cooling service appointment ensures your coils are dirt and debris-free.

This way, your fan doesn’t work any harder than it needs to. This appointment also recalibrates the thermostat to prevent short cycling. Short cycling is when your unit turns on and off at the wrong time. This reduces your home’s comfort levels and puts more stress on your HVAC system.

Improve Your Home’s Air Quality

Air duct cleaning removes much of the dirt and debris that lodge in your home’s ductwork during the winter. These particles have the potential to recirculate up to five to seven times a day when your air conditioner kicks into high gear this summer.

Avoid unnecessary airborne debris and an uptick in respiratory illness with spring maintenance.

Beat the Summer Rush

It is more convenient to have your unit serviced before the summer rush. Once the temperature rises, demand for heating and cooling services increases in Birmingham. Schedule a maintenance appointment in the spring to ensure your house is ready for hot and humid Alabama summers.

Call Douglas Cooling & Heating for Springtime Heating and Cooling Service

Conclusion: Schedule a springtime HVAC system tune-up now so you won’t have to wait for service during the hectic summer season. With Douglas Cooling & Heating, it’s easy and affordable to make sure your equipment runs at peak performance all summer long. Regular service helps your heating and air system more efficiently, which saves money. Energy bills will be lower and you’ll need fewer repairs. 

Contact us today to learn more about the benefits of springtime heating and cooling service or to schedule an appointment. We serve customers in Vestavia Hills, Helena, Pelham, Chelsea, Mountain Brook and Calera. You’ll also find us in Hoover, Homewood and Bessemer. Need a plumber? We’ve recently added plumbing services to provide more assistance to homeowners in Alabama. 

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Home and business owners throughout Birmingham, AL depend on HVAC contractors for their indoor comfort needs. You count on your HVAC contractor to be knowledgeable of all HVAC equipment and provide correct and reliable installation and service of these solutions.

How can you be sure your HVAC contractor possesses the knowledge and skill he needs to care for your home comfort? NATE certification is one way an HVAC contractor can show customers like you that they are top industry professionals. Douglas Cooling & Heating employs NATE-certified HVAC contractors to provide our customers with peace of mind every job will be done the right way, the first time around.

What is NATE Certification?

NATE stands for North American Technician Excellence. NATE is the largest independent certifying organization serving the U.S. HVAC industry. HVAC contractors earn NATE certification when they pass the organization’s rigorous, specialized testing. Additionally, they must maintain continuing education requirements.

An expert committee of contractors, manufacturers, educators and utility companies develop the NATE certification tests. NATE testing covers basics such as installation and service of heating, cooling, and indoor air quality systems. It also includes specialized testing and certification for specific HVAC systems and technology.

To uphold NATE certification, an HVAC contractor must complete continuous training. Because the HVAC industry is always changing, advancing technology delivers new systems and equipment which require specialized skills.

Continuous training is one method NATE uses. It ensures an HVAC contractor has the knowledge and skills to serve the changing landscape of the heating and cooling industry.

Why Choose A NATE-Certified HVAC Contractor?

Working with a NATE-certified HVAC contractor offers many advantages for home and business owners. When searching for new HVAC contractors, NATE is an important difference. NATE-certified HVAC contractors prove their knowledge of the sophisticated equipment they install and service each day.

Working with a NATE-certified HVAC contractor provides many benefits for homeowners, such as:

• Technicians perform installations and maintenance correctly, which keeps the warranty intact. This also generates lower utility bills as equipment operates at peak efficiency, as well as fewer warranty returns.
• You have confidence installations and repairs will be right the first time, which limits callbacks.
• NATE-certified HVAC contractors deliver fast, efficient service.
• Your NATE-certified HVAC contractor is knowledgeable regarding HVAC solutions and equipment. He delivers the answers and advice you need to solve your indoor comfort challenges.

Why Douglas Cooling & Heating Employs NATE-Certified HVAC Contractors

At Douglas Cooling & Heating, all our HVAC contractors earn NATE certification. We feel this is important for our customers’ peace of mind. As a result, you will feel confident in the work our HVAC contractors perform in your Birmingham, AL home or business.

Our NATE-certified HVAC contractors also serve as a distinguished resource for you. The knowledge they’ve gained through NATE certification allows each of our HVAC contractors to answer any question you may have.

This also allows them to propose effective and efficient solutions to the comfort challenges you face. Rest assured with our NATE-certified HVAC contractors, you receive the best solutions. Plus, they’ll be installed correctly for optimal performance for many years.

When you call Douglas Cooling & Heating for assistance with your heating, cooling, or indoor air quality systems, rest assured that a NATE-certified contractor will be working in your home. For installation, repair and maintenance performed by our team of NATE-certified HVAC contractors, contact us today!

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Spring break will be here before you know it! With the kids off school, many families choose to leave Birmingham for a vacation. When you think of trip preparations, you may overlook a thermostat adjustment for your absence. It can be a costly one! If you have a spring break trip planned, don’t forget to use programmable and smart thermostats to your advantage when away from home!

Programmable and Smart Thermostats

Programmable and smart thermostats are any homeowner’s top tool for saving money on heating and cooling costs! These tools make adjusting heating and cooling system usage a breeze while they cut unnecessary energy use for lower bills.

A smart thermostat builds upon the capabilities of programmable models – instead of preprogramming temperature schedules, the smart thermostat does the work for you!

After a couple weeks of manual program adjustments, smart thermostats learn the habits and preferences of your household. Then they automatically make temperature adjustments based on what is most efficient at the time, without sacrificing your comfort.

Using Smart Thermostats for Spring Break Savings

Setting your thermostat back is a quick way to save up to 10 percent on annual heating and cooling costs! While your family is away for spring break and other trips throughout the year, set back your thermostat for effortless savings.

Achieve energy savings with a reduction of 7-10 degrees for periods of eight or more hours. While you’re on vacation is the perfect time to do so, as no one is home in need of heating or cooling. If you have pets staying home, be mindful of their needs. Consult with your vet for breed-appropriate needs.

If your home is equipped with a programmable thermostat, switch the thermostat to vacation mode or hold before leaving. Doing so pauses your normal temperature schedules, allowing you to set back your thermostat several degrees for the entire period you are away.

During colder months, set your thermostat to no less than 50 degrees to cut heating use while protecting your home from potential damage due to cold weather, such as frozen pipes.

Smart thermostats are a little different, as they do the setting work for you. Your smart thermostat detects your home is unoccupied and will do an automatic setback. It raises or lowers the temperature for optimal energy efficiency depending on the season.

Using your smart thermostat’s geofencing technology, your thermostat detects when you are approaching home at the end of your trip. Geofencing tells your thermostat you are returning home so the smart thermostat adjusts temperatures to make your home comfortable when you walk back in the door.

Wi-Fi Connectivity with Smart Thermostats

Smart thermostats are WiFi connected, allowing you to access it while you’re away from home. Using the smart thermostat’s app on your smartphone or tablet, you are able to monitor temperature settings from pretty much anywhere.

Also, smart thermostats alert you if issues are detected which require attention when you’re gone. This is often helpful for everything from filter changes to malfunctions or spikes in activity.

Douglas Cooling & Heating Happily Recommends Smart Thermostats Best for Your HVAC System

Douglas Cooling & Heating connects homeowners with money-saving solutions like smart thermostats for improved energy efficiency whether you’re home or not! Contact us today to learn more about how smart thermostats and programmable models help you lower utility costs over spring break and throughout the year. We strongly encourage a thermostat consultation. Certain smart thermostats work better with specific heating and air systems.

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HVAC systems consist of many components, each playing an important role in the heating process. Whether your Birmingham, AL area home utilizes a furnace or a heat pump for wintertime warmth, a blower fan is the component responsible for moving heat to living areas, keeping your family cozy.

Douglas Cooling & Heating provides expert HVAC services in Birmingham to care for all heating system components. Below, we’ll share more information about your heating system’s blower fan to better understand its importance to the heating process. In addition, we’ll cover how to know if yours requires service.

What Is an HVAC Blower Fan?

The HVAC blower fan, also called a blower motor, is the system component responsible for circulating heated air through the home’s ductwork. The blower fan also works during the cooling process to circulate chilled air throughout the home.

Blower motors can be single-speed or variable-speed.

• Single-speed blower motors work at one speed. They operate at full energy capacity to blow air through the ductwork.
• Variable-speed blower motors operate at different speeds based on the comfort needs of the home. This type of blower motor uses less energy and delivers better temperature and humidity control.

HVAC Blower Fan Trouble Signs

If your HVAC system’s blower fan isn’t operating correctly, comfort control issues result. Solving blower motor problems often requires the assistance of a qualified HVAC technician. Below are some signs your blower fan needs service from an HVAC professional.

Heating system runs constantly without creating comfortable indoor temperatures

A furnace that runs around the clock without keeping indoor living areas at a comfortable temperature needs service. While the furnace or heat pump is creating or transferring heat to warm the air, this warm air is not being sent into your home.

A blower motor malfunction is likely the source of this issue. Loose, worn out belts or bad bearings may prevent the blower fan from operating correctly. Another example is the blower fan may not be receiving power. This may be due to a flipped breaker or a short in the component’s electrical wiring.

Loud noises when furnace starts, stops, or runs

Faulty blower fan components can be responsible for sudden, unsettling sounds when your furnace or air handler runs.

Squeals

Loose blower motor belts often cause a squeal when the heating system runs. Unlubricated shaft bearings can also cause a similar noise. Our HVAC technicians solve the issue when they tighten or replace belts and lubricate bearings.

Scrapes or Clanks

These sounds of metal against metal result from a loose blower fan wheel. When the blower fan is loose, it strikes the housing casing. This causes the scraping sound during heating cycle operation. If you hear this sound, turn off the heating system right away and contact us for help. Our HVAC technicians inspect the system for damage and replace broken components.

Screeches and Rattles

Sounds at the start of a heating cycle are often related to the bearings within the blower fan. If the bearings are not lubricated regularly, the blower fan may seize and cause damage to the system as well as strange noises.

Your heating system’s blower fan is key for the distribution of warm air throughout your Birmingham, AL area home.  Regular preventative maintenance and tune ups can keep your blower motor in good working order. Service prevents performance issues such as efficiency and comfort loss, plus potential damage.

For the most convenience and value, check out our Maintenance Agreements. We offer three levels to fit every budget.

Douglas Cooling & Heating in Birmingham is Your HVAC Partner

Protect your HVAC system’s blower fan with maintenance and repair from Douglas Service. If you experience any of the issues mentioned above, contact us now and schedule a service call. If you find you need to replace, we offer free estimates and finance options.

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Many Birmingham, AL homes choose heat pumps for year-round indoor comfort. An excellent, low-energy choice for the Birmingham area, heat pumps work together with air handlers to supply your home with warmth during the winter and cool air during the summer. Learn how this equipment operates and how to care for it for optimal comfort throughout the year.

What Is an Air Handler?

While many Birmingham, AL homeowners are familiar with heat pumps and their function, the air handler is a lesser-known component which plays a big role in indoor comfort. Air handlers are paired with heating and cooling equipment and manage airflow in the home. The air handler is the indoor component of a heat pump system and contains critical components housed in a metal cabinet.

Air Handler Components

The air handler cabinet houses components which work with the heat pump for indoor comfort control. Within the air handler cabinet, you’ll find:

• Blower motor, which moves air through the duct system
• Evaporator coil, which absorbs heat from the air within your home for cooling and expels refrigerant heat into the air for heating
• Air filter, which removes airborne contaminants from the air circulating through your HVAC system

Some air handlers for heat pumps also contain electric heat strips. These heat strips serve as a backup heating source for heat pumps when temperatures drop for extended periods.

Heat Pumps and Air Handlers Work Together

Heat pumps and air handlers work together to deliver the conditioned air your home needs throughout the year. They maintain comfortable indoor temperatures whether it’s hot or cold outside.

Air handlers help heat pumps perform heating and cooling processes and circulate conditioned air into the home. The air handler’s evaporator coil aids in the transfer of heat between indoor and outdoor air. The blower motor moves air between indoor and outdoor spaces.

Care for Heat Pumps and Air Handlers

Both heat pumps and air handlers need routine maintenance to perform well. Because air handlers and heat pumps operate all year and provide both heating and cooling for Birmingham, AL homes, we recommend preventative maintenance by skilled HVAC technicians every six months.

Preventative maintenance provides necessary care to undo the damage of wear and tear between the heating and cooling seasons. Technicians inspect components so they operate more efficiently and lower energy bills.

They tighten and lubricate bearings and belts within the blower motor. In addition, they clean the evaporator coil to eliminate dirt and debris. If neglected, this buildup reduces system efficiency.

Air handler maintenance also includes an air filter change, if needed. We recommend an air filter check monthly. For most Alabama homeowners, a change is needed every two to three months. During the summer and winter, heat pumps and air handlers operate heavily – this frequent use can increase the need for filter changes.

If you have multiple cats or dogs or smoke, you may need a monthly change. Check your air handler’s filter to see if it has become clogged with contaminants. A clogged filter can stress your system, reduce its efficiency and cost more to operate.

Douglas Cooling & Heating: Birmingham Experts in Heat Pumps

Douglas Cooling & Heating helps Birmingham, AL homeowners keep their heat pumps and air handlers in top shape for optimal comfort. Schedule routine maintenance today with our skilled technicians for improved system performance – contact us now! Interested in an upgrade for better efficiency and lower utility bills? We offer free estimates and finance options.

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