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

Your furnace has many parts that must function correctly in order to heat your home the way you like. When components malfunction, the system can lose efficiency or fail to operate entirely. One common problem that homeowners across the Birmingham, AL, area sometimes experience is a furnace high limit switch that frequently trips. Douglas Cooling & Heating explains what high limit switches do, why this issue occurs, and how to fix it.

What Is a Furnace Limit Switch?

The high limit switch is a furnace component that controls elements of operation and safeguards the system. This component is connected to the blower motor as well as the gas valve and consists of a probe that detects temperatures mounted to a metal plate.

The limit switch has two functions.

• First, the limit switch tells the blower fan when to turn on and off. It does so by sensing air supply temperature, telling the fan to turn on once air is heated in order to circulate it into the home. It allows the blower to run even after the furnace has turned off its burners, so all heated air is distributed into the living areas.
• Second, the limit switch detects the supply air temperature in order to identify overheating. If the supply air is too hot, the interior of the furnace overheats, which can cause damage to components. The limit switch trips when temperatures are too hot, effectively shutting down the system and locking furnace operation until the unit cools.

Why a Furnace High Limit Switch Trips

You’ll realize that your furnace high limit switch is tripping because heating cycles will end shortly after they begin. This issue is called short cycling, and it’s known to cause excess energy consumption and wear out your furnace faster. 

When the furnace high limit switch trips, there are issues within the system that must be resolved in order to allow the limit switch to operate properly.

Dirty Flame Sensor

The high limit switch has a flame sensor rod that detects air temperatures in the plenum of the furnace. If it is dirty, it cannot properly detect temperatures, which is one reason why the furnace high limit switch trips.

To clean the flame sensor rod, carefully follow these directions:

1. Remove the furnace access panel to locate the high limit switch on the outside of the plenum.
2. Unscrew the switch from the plenum.
3. Use steel wool or sandpaper to gently clean away soot and other materials stuck on the rod.
4. Replace the switch and access panel.

If it is not possible to clean the dirty flame sensor, it can be replaced. Contact your HVAC technician to replace this part correctly.

Overheating

If the air inside your furnace gets too hot, the limit switch trips to prevent overheating. If the furnace high limit switch trips due to overheating, there is likely an airflow issue that is preventing proper air movement through the system.

• Check your air filter, and replace it if dirty. A dirty filter is the most common cause of airflow issues.
• Open all vents and registers throughout the home to ensure proper air movement through the system and ducts.

A dirty blower motor can also cause overheating, which is one reason why the furnace high limit switch continues to trip repeatedly. Schedule a maintenance tune up to have the entire system and the blower motor thoroughly cleaned.

Defective Limit Switch

If the furnace high limit switch is tripping, it will wear out at some point. Eventually, it will trigger a lockout mode, and your gas furnace will be unable to operate until the switch is reset or replaced. Make sure you contact your technician to perform this repair task.

Hire Douglas Cooling & Heating for Furnace Repair Services

If your gas furnace high limit switch keeps tripping, call Douglas Cooling & Heating for fast furnace repairs. Our technicians find the source of the problem and make accurate repairs to ensure your switch doesn’t trip and your furnace operates as it should.

Continue Reading

Posted in HVAC | Comments Off on Why Does My Furnace’s High Limit Switch Keep Tripping?

You notice a strange smell coming from your gas furnace – could it be a cracked heat exchanger? Upon further inspection, you also see that there is rust along the exterior of the system. You wonder: Is this something I need to call an HVAC company about?

The answer: Yes, immediately! Both of those signs could point to a cracked heat exchanger, which, if not handled soon, poses a serious health and safety risk to your family.

Heat exchangers are the largest component of your home’s heating system, and over the course of its lifespan, it can begin to develop cracks. When you have a cracked furnace heat exchanger, the system may leak combustion gasses. This can lead to dangerous levels of carbon monoxide entering your home.

What Do Heat Exchangers Do?

A furnace heat exchanger is a crucial component in home heating systems, responsible for a vital role in maintaining indoor comfort. Its primary purpose is to transfer heat generated during fuel combustion (like natural gas or oil) into the air circulated throughout your home. This process ensures warm and comfortable indoor temperatures during cold seasons.

What Causes a Cracked Furnace Heat Exchanger?

A heat exchanger’s lifespan can vary depending on factors such as usage, maintenance, and the quality of the unit. On average, well-maintained furnace heat exchangers typically last 15 to 20 years. However, some may reach 20 to 30 years or more with proper care.

If your furnace’s heat exchanger is between 10 and 20 years old, any cracks that have developed are likely from normal use. If your heat exchanger is less than a decade old, however, other factors may be to blame, including:

Poor Maintenance

Neglecting regular furnace maintenance can contribute to a damaged heat exchanger. Accumulated dirt, debris, and corrosion can weaken the metal over time, making it more susceptible to cracking. An overly clogged or dirty furnace filter or obstructed air ducts can also cause heat exchanger cracks.

Excessive Heat

High temperatures within the furnace, often caused by issues like restricted airflow from blocked registers or a malfunctioning thermostat, can accelerate wear and tear on the heat exchanger, potentially causing cracks. 

Improper Sizing

Improperly sized furnaces may turn on and off frequently. This is known as “short cycling.” Short cycling causes your heat exchanger to expand and contract more than necessary. This overuse of your system may eventually lead to cracks before you’d normally see them if your heating system was the correct size for your home.

Corrosion

Exposure to moisture and corrosive substances can lead to rust and corrosion, weakening the metal and making it more prone to cracking.

Manufacturer Defects

Though rare, manufacturing defects or the use of poor-quality materials can contribute to premature heat exchanger failures.

Why Are Cracked Heat Exchangers a Problem?

If you suspect your gas furnace has a cracked heat exchanger, it’s important to call a heating and cooling technician to diagnose the issue immediately. A cracked heat exchanger poses serious health risks for a couple of very important reasons:

Carbon Monoxide Leaks

The furnace heat exchanger contains and burns off carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrous oxide. A leak means they could escape into your home’s air ducts. Carbon monoxide poisoning is known to cause illness, including flu-like symptoms, or, in extreme cases, death. 

Flame-Outs

When a mixture of gas and hot air combust in the heat exchanger, uncombusted gas builds up until it reaches a high enough volume to be explosive. When it becomes explosive, it combusts and forces flames and air pressure out of any accessible hole, such as a cracked heat exchanger. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), heating equipment is to blame for one in six home structure fires across the U.S.

Signs of a Cracked Furnace Heat Exchanger

Detecting a failed heat exchanger is crucial for your safety and the proper functioning of your heating system. Signs of a cracked heat exchanger may include:

• Unusual Odors: Cracks can allow combustion gasses to escape into your home, producing unusual smells.
• Visible Rust: The presence of rust on the exterior of your furnace or on the heat exchanger itself can indicate potential cracks. 
• Carbon Monoxide Detector Alerts: If your carbon monoxide detector goes off or indicates elevated carbon monoxide levels, it’s a sign of a potential issue with your heat exchanger.
• Soot Accumulation: Cracks can disrupt the combustion process, leading to soot or black residue on or near the furnace.
• Visible Cracks: In some cases, you may physically see cracks on the heat exchanger if you inspect it closely enough.
• Inconsistent Heating: If certain rooms in your home are consistently colder than others, it could be due to a cracked furnace heat exchanger as it may struggle to distribute heat evenly.

What Do You Do If Your Heat Exchanger Is Cracked?

You may be unaware of a cracked furnace heat exchanger unless your carbon monoxide detector beeps, but you may also notice some of the other signs mentioned above. Unfortunately, you can’t really know for sure that your heat exchanger is cracked without an HVAC technician’s professional inspection.

A cracked furnace heat exchanger typically cannot be repaired and usually requires a complete furnace replacement.

Schedule a Furnace Check-Up with Douglas Cooling & Heating Today

If you suspect a cracked furnace heat exchanger, contact your local HVAC technicians for assistance right away. In the Birmingham, Alabama area, Douglas Cooling & Heating has earned a reputation as the most trusted heating company, boasting years of experience in the field.

Our regular furnace maintenance and professional inspections are instrumental in preventing and detecting potential heat exchanger issues before they become safety concerns. Better yet, enrolling in our 24/7 Club Membership provides year-round care for your home’s heating and cooling systems, ensuring their continuous performance.

Don’t hesitate to give us a call or reach out online to schedule a heating tune-up today. You can also schedule service for your other heating, air conditioning, or indoor air quality equipment to ensure your entire HVAC system operates efficiently and safely.

Continue Reading

Posted in HVAC | Comments Off on How to Identify a Cracked Furnace Heat Exchanger

Furnace short cycling is a common issue that Birmingham homeowners experience from time to time. Short cycling creates undue burden on your heating system while increasing your energy bills, resulting in performance issues and equipment damage. In our most recent blog, the heating and cooling experts at Douglas Cooling & Heating discuss the causes of short cycling and how to correct them.

What Causes a Furnace to Short Cycle?

Furnace short cycling occurs when the furnace starts up, then shuts down quickly after it starts. Typically, furnaces should run for 10 to 15 minutes per cycle. When a furnace is short cycling, a heating cycle lasts only a few minutes to half the time of a normal cycle.

Causes of Furnace Short Cycling

A furnace may short cycle for several reasons. Some of these issues can be quickly remedied by the homeowner, while others require professional repairs or even system replacement.

1. Dirty Air Filters

When the air filter is dirty, air movement through the heating system is restricted. Without proper airflow, the furnace and its internal components overheat. When high internal temperatures are detected, the furnace’s limit switch will shut down operation to protect the system and allow it to cool. This shutdown is a common reason heating cycles end sooner than expected.

Whenever short cycling is detected, the air filter should be checked first. If the filter is dirty, replace it with a fresh one, allow the furnace time to cool, and watch to see if the problem persists when the furnace resumes operation. Remember to change filters on a regular basis to protect the furnace.

2. Bad Thermostat Positioning

To properly control the heating system, the thermostat must be positioned in a spot where it can accurately sense indoor temperature. This means it must be kept away from heat sources, such as appliances or exterior doors. When the thermostat is by a heat source, it will detect heat and end a heating cycle soon after it starts. It will soon detect cold again, forcing the furnace to turn back on.

Put an end to furnace short cycling caused by poor thermostat location by enlisting your trusted technician to relocate it for you.

3. Damaged Flame Sensor

The furnace is equipped with a flame sensor that detects the presence of a flame when the gas valve is open. If it doesn’t detect a flame, it closes the gas valve to prevent a gas leak. This will shut down the furnace prematurely.

Over time, flame sensors can corrode or experience dirt buildup that interferes with flame detection. This damage can cause the sensor to misread and fail to detect the active flame, ending a heating cycle early.

The flame sensor may be salvageable through careful cleaning if dirt buildup is an issue. If corroded, the component requires replacement. Have your technician address these issues that cause furnace short cycling.

4. Exhaust Blockage

Furnaces have a flue pipe which expels combustion gases safely away from the home. If this pipe becomes blocked, the furnace can overheat. Safety controls detect high temperatures and shut off the heating cycle, causing furnace short cycling.

Check the exit opening of the flue pipe on your roof. Remove any debris, animal nests, snow or ice accumulation, or other blockage. If the blockage is not visible or reachable, have your technician inspect the furnace for a blocked exhaust vent.

5. Wrong Furnace Size

When the installed furnace is too big for the home, furnace short cycling occurs. A furnace that’s too big for your home produces excessive heat which warms the home too fast, so cycles run short. Short cycling uses excess energy and wears out equipment at a faster rate.

The only solution to an oversized furnace is to replace it with one of proper size. Work with your trusted contractor to determine the correct furnace size required by your home.

If Your Furnace is Short Cycling, Contact Douglas Cooling & Heating

Furnace short cycling is a problem that should never be allowed to persist – it burns excessive fuel and increases wear and tear to the heating system. Contact Douglas Cooling & Heating for fast, reliable furnace repair service to stop short cycling, save energy, and protect your furnace.

Continue Reading

Posted in HVAC | Comments Off on Why Is My Furnace Short Cycling?

Does it seem like your furnace starts up, yet you don’t feel any heat in your home? If your furnace turns on but no heat seems to come into your Birmingham home, try some simple furnace troubleshooting steps as the problem may be an easy fix. If troubleshooting doesn’t work, call a professional Douglas Cooling & Heating for furnace repair today.

Troubleshoot When a Furnace Turns on But No Heat Comes Out

When a furnace is turning on but no heat is produced, a few different furnace problems could be to blame. Find out how to troubleshoot some of the simple problems that stand in the way of a warm home before you call in a pro.

Thermostat Settings

The wrong thermostat settings can make it seem like your furnace turns on but no heat comes through your vents.

If not hot air is coming from your furnace, you’ll first have to make sure that your thermostat is set to heat, rather than cool. As simple as this can seem, it is a common mistake that we see more often than you might think.

If the fan is turned ON, it runs constantly. It can sound like the furnace itself is running, but it’s just the blower motor. When the motor runs alone, heating is not circulated absent a heating cycle.

• Make sure the fan is set to AUTO, which allows the blower motor to run only when a heating cycle occurs. Leaving it set to ON will push cold air from the blower, rather than hot air, out the vents when the furnace is not on and use more energy.
• If the furnace doesn’t kick on, make sure the thermostat is set a few degrees higher than the current room temperature. This should trigger a heating cycle and cause the furnace to start up and stay lit.

Once you check the thermostat and see that the temperature is set where you want it, but your furnace is still blowing cold air, call a professional.

Airflow Problems

Airflow problems within the furnace or ductwork can prevent heat from effectively moving through the unit and into your living areas. When you turn the furnace on but no heat comes out, there may be an obstruction.

Dirty air filters restrict airflow, which can make it feel like not much heated air is coming out of your vents.

• Check the furnace filter and replace it if its surface is covered with contaminants.
• Change the furnace filter on a regular basis to prevent airflow problems.
• Closed or obstructed vents can also cause it to feel like the furnace isn’t making enough heat, because not all of its hot air makes it through the vents into your living areas.
• Check all vents to make sure louvers are open. If louvers are stuck in the closed position, try removing the vent cover and cleaning it. Replacing the cover may be necessary if louvers are jammed.
• Check to see that all registers and vents in the home are uncovered. Common obstructions include rugs, carpeting, furniture, and other large items in your Birmingham home.
• If you get low airflow coming from a particular vent, take a peek inside to make sure no items have fallen into the vent, causing an obstruction. It may be possible to remove items using your hand or a long wire.

Fuel & Ignition

If your furnace turns on but no heat is produced, there may be a problem with the fuel supply or the ignition system.

If something is stopping your furnace from receiving gas, there is no fuel to combust so the furnace will not create any heat. The furnace turns on but no heat comes out.

• Check the gas valve on your gas supply line and make sure the gas valve is open.
• If you use liquid propane or oil for heating fuel, check your tank and make sure there is enough fuel – you may need to schedule a refill, as the tank might be empty.
• For natural gas, check with your utility provider to make sure there have been no interruptions in service.

If the furnace’s ignition system malfunctions, gas will not combust to create heating.

• If you have an older furnace that uses a pilot light, check to see if the pilot is out. You may need to relight it – follow the instructions listed in the furnace owner’s manual if you do, in fact, need to relight it.
• If your furnace has an electronic ignition system, it is possible that the metal strip of the igniter switch is dirty. Check to see if this is the case. If so, you may gently clean it off, but this component is very fragile – do so with care.

Call Douglas Cooling & Heating for Furnace Repair

If your furnace turns on but no heating is produced, and these troubleshooting steps don’t solve the problem, it’s time to call for professional repairs on your heating system. Your furnace should be blowing hot air, and if it isn’t, request a service call from a professional.

A bad thermostat, faulty ignition components, or other furnace problems may be the cause of the furnace not working properly. Contact Douglas Cooling & Heating today to schedule furnace repairs for your Birmingham area home.

Continue Reading

Posted in HVAC | Comments Off on Why is My Furnace Turning On, But There’s No Heat?

Programmable thermostats provide Birmingham area homeowners with expanded control over their home’s heating and cooling energy consumption. About 15 to 20 years ago, their popularity ignited as homeowners were eager to lower their utility costs. It’s far easier to save energy with programmable thermostats versus manual thermostats. Even with newer technology available today, programmable thermostats are still extremely popular in American homes.

In our most recent blog, the technicians at Douglas Cooling & Heating explain how homeowners use programmable thermostats and other thermostat technology to control household energy consumption while maintaining comfortable conditions inside the home.

Types of Thermostats

Today, there are three basic categories of thermostats available: manual thermostats, programmable thermostats, and smart thermostats.

• Manual Thermostats: With manual thermostats, users must manually adjust temperatures up or down when desired.
• Programmable Thermostats: Temperature adjustments can be programmed based on a schedule. Different models exist offering several scheduling capabilities. The thermostat follows the programmed settings and adjusts temperatures in the home on this schedule.
• Smart Thermostats: Smart thermostats are the newest generation of thermostats. They can use sensors, Internet connectivity, and more to learn the homeowner’s preferences and assess indoor conditions to choose the most energy-efficient temperature setpoints.

Types of Programmable or Smart Thermostats Douglas Cooling & Heating Offers

Douglas Cooling & Heating offers a variety of programmable and smart thermostats from Bryant to meet your home’s unique needs.

Bryant’s Evolution Connex Control

This is one of the industry’s best thermostats. This Wi-Fi-enabled thermostat allows for real-time management wherever you are and can lower your energy bills through intuitive programming.

Bryant’s Housewise Wi-Fi Thermostat

The Bryant Housewise Thermostat is Energy Star certified and can save you up to 20% on heating and cooling costs. With its Wi-Fi capability, you can access this thermostat from any tablet or web portal.

The ecobee3 lite

The ENERGY STAR-certified ecobee3 lite offers smarter control of your home’s temperature through Wi-Fi capabilities and can increase savings by up to 23%.

Contact Douglas Cooling & Heating today to learn more about our offerings of programmable and smart thermostats.

Scheduling Options for Programmable Thermostats

When purchasing a programmable thermostat, it is important to pay attention to each model’s scheduling capabilities and find one that offers scheduling appropriate for your household. Typically, up to four temperature changes are allowed for each setting period. The scheduling functionalities of programmable thermostats work as follows:

• 7-Day models allow the homeowner to program unique temperature schedules for every day of the week. These programmable thermostats offer the best scheduling variation for a busy household with a schedule that frequently changes.
• 5-1-1 Day programmable thermostats permit one set of temperature adjustments utilized Monday through Friday and unique schedules for Saturday and Sunday. They are ideal for households with consistent schedules during the week and each day of the weekend.
• 5-2 Day programmable thermostats use one set of temperature schedules Monday through Friday and a second set that covers Saturday and Sunday. They are used in households with consistent weekday and weekend schedules.
• 1-Week programmable thermostats use one set of temperature adjustments for all seven days of the week. This is the most limited programming ability offered for programmable thermostat models.

How Programmable Thermostats Help Homeowners Save

With heating or cooling systems, the greatest energy savings are achieved through temperature setbacks over a period of time. This means adjusting the temperature for heating lower than what is typical and setting the temperature for cooling higher than what is typical in the home. It’s recommended to adjust household temperatures in this manner for periods of eight or more hours. Temperature setbacks of seven to 10 degrees or more over eight or more hours each day can cut yearly heating and cooling costs as much as 10 percent, according to the US Department of Energy. 

Technically, any one of the three main types of thermostats allow you to adjust temperatures in this manner. However, doing so on a manual thermostat is far more involved, requiring you to physically go to the thermostat and make the adjustment multiple times per day. As you can imagine, not many people bother to take the time to do so, nor do they always remember.

When programmable thermostats were introduced to the market, they removed the inconvenience of making temperature setbacks. Setback schedules could be programmed, allowing the thermostat to handle adjustments automatically!

By removing the need for a person to make all temperature adjustments, homeowners avoided much of the discomfort associated with temperature setbacks. Popular setback periods are during the day and overnight when occupants are gone from home for the day or asleep and unlikely to be affected by the temperature change.

However, with a manual thermostat, you must make the adjustments and wait for temperatures to return to normal, leaving the family in a state of discomfort for a period of time. With programmable thermostats, settings can be programmed to adjust temperatures just ahead of the morning alarm clock so the home is at the perfect temperature when you are awake, up and about in the home.

Upgrade Your Thermostat Today!

If your Birmingham home still has a manual thermostat, it’s time to make the switch. Programmable thermostats offer effortless energy savings you can’t afford to miss out on! Contact Douglas Cooling & Heating today to learn more and receive an estimate for new thermostat installation.

Continue Reading

Posted in HVAC | Comments Off on What Type of Programmable Thermostat Should I Buy?

A furnace that makes loud rumbling noises is a cause for concern among Birmingham area homeowners – as is any unexpected, new noise from your home’s heating equipment! New noises, especially those loud enough to be disruptive, should never be ignored. In our most recent blog, the technicians at Douglas Cooling & Heating discuss what a loud, rumbling noise typically tells you about your heating system and what to do when you first hear it.

Causes of a Loud, Rumbling Noise from Your Furnace

The range of potential problems in play when you have a furnace making loud rumbling noises varies from minor to serious and demands immediate attention. Rumbling is typically associated with a few specific heating system issues, but there are some other malfunctions that have the potential to produce a rumbling noise.

Dirty Burners

The most common reason for this noise is that the burners are dirty. Soot collects on the burners during normal furnace operation and should be cleaned regularly. Douglas Cooling & Heating does this as part of your annual furnace tune up. If the burners do not receive a regular cleaning, the soot can block airflow. In this case, the burners don’t receive adequate airflow for combustion, which leads to a furnace making loud, rumbling noise. The rumbling occurs when a heating cycle first starts and during furnace operation.

Yearly furnace maintenance typically prevents this problem. If you haven’t had a furnace tune up recently and hear this noise, inspect the burners to see if soot is present on or around them. Call your HVAC technician to clean your furnace burners if they are covered in soot.

Pilot Light Problem

If your gas furnace is more than 15 years old, it probably uses a pilot light to initiate combustion. This component can cause a furnace to make rumbling noises when it isn’t properly adjusted or is covered in soot. The sound occurs while the furnace runs and even after a heating cycle is completed.

Take a look at the pilot light – if the flame appears low or the component has visible soot, this could be the cause of this concerning noise. Call your HVAC technician to inspect, clean, and properly adjust the pilot light. If your heating system still operates using a pilot light, you’d be wise to start investigating replacement options before the aging system fails on you.

Dirty Draft Inducer Motor

A furnace’s draft inducer sits near the heat exchanger. It moves combustion gases into the flue pipe so they are safely exhausted out of the home, preventing exposure or explosion inside the heat exchanger. It also directs oxygen to the burners to aid in their efficient performance. When dirty or loose, this component can lead to a rumbling noise when the system first starts up for a heating cycle.

Call your HVAC technician to inspect the furnace and its draft inducer. Your technician will clean the component and ensure it is properly secured within the system.

Loose Panels

The exterior access panels of the furnace can become loose and produce noises as the system operates. Typically, they bang around, but if the screws are only a little bit loosened, rumbling can occur.

Check the exterior of the furnace and ensure all metal panels are properly fit and secured. Tighten screws as needed.

Cracked Heat Exchanger

A cracked heat exchanger is perhaps the most serious issue a furnace can have, requiring immediate service with discontinued use until repair or replacement is completed. A crack in the heat exchanger allows carbon monoxide to escape and mix into the air supply rather than venting safely outdoors, creating the potential for deadly carbon monoxide exposure inside.

Usually, the sound produced is more of clink or rattling noise, though a low-pitched rumble can occur in some units. If you do not find signs of the other causes outlined above, a cracked heat exchanger may be the source of the sound. Turn off your furnace, cut its gas supply, and call your HVAC contractor for emergency furnace repair.

Furnace Repair from Douglas Cooling & Heating

Furnace sounds should never be ignored. If your furnace is making a loud rumbling noise, let Douglas Cooling & Heating get to the bottom of the issue today! We will find the cause of the sound and perform the necessary repairs to restore safe, efficient, and quiet operation! Call us to schedule service.

Continue Reading

Posted in HVAC | Comments Off on Why Is My Furnace Making a Loud, Rumbling Noise?

During the winter months, Birmingham, Alabama, homeowners often struggle with heat pump temperature settings, as they aim to find a balance between comfort and energy efficiency. Higher temperature settings result in more energy use, so it’s important to be conservative with the thermostat’s setpoint to prevent high heating bills.

Douglas Cooling & Heating shares ideal temperature settings for your heat pump during the fall and winter months to help you stay warm without high utility costs. Also, we’ll discuss ways to maximize heat pump efficiency during the heating season.

Ideal Winter Heat Pump Temperature Settings

According to the Department of Energy, 68°F is the sweet spot that balances comfort and energy efficiency during the fall and winter months. When your home is occupied and when family members are awake, a heat pump setting of 68°F keeps the living areas reasonably warm.

Now, if you’ve used a gas furnace in the past, you may have heard about temperature setbacks overnight and during the day that increase energy savings. It is advised to adjust settings down 7 to 10 degrees overnight or during the day for nine-hour periods to achieve up to 10% energy savings. This only works for furnaces, not heat pumps, so do not create a big temperature setback for your heat pump.

Temperature settings for heat pumps should remain fairly consistent for optimal energy efficiency. It’s OK to set back the temperature a few degrees to save energy overnight and during the daytime hours, but large setbacks in heat pump temperatures can cause inefficiencies, rather than improving efficiency.

When your heat pump temperature setting is greatly reduced from the home’s usual preferred temperature, the heat pump unit has a big jump to make when it’s time to get the home back up around 68°F. When the temperature differential is 10 degrees or more, this may cause the heat pump to activate its backup electrical heat strips, which are more expensive to operate. Heat pumps decline in energy efficiency as outdoor temperatures fall lower, so a severe setback is a bad idea in the middle of winter.

Reduce Heating Use without Sacrificing Comfort

While a heat pump temperature setting at 68°F provides greater energy efficiency, you may be able to set back the temperature a bit further without causing family members to shiver. 

• Take advantage of natural solar energy to warm living areas. Open curtains and blinds on south-facing windows during daytime periods of direct sunlight.
• Eliminate the chill of sitting by windows when you use tightly fitting window coverings during the evenings and overnight. Doing so also prevents heat loss that occurs when warm air makes contact with the cold glass.
• Make sure your fireplace damper is not open unless a fire is burning. Open dampers allow heat to escape the home, making it colder inside.

Call Douglas Cooling & Heating for Heat Pump Help

If you have questions about heat pump temperature settings for winter, Douglas Cooling & Heating is here to help. Our heat pump experts are available to help you maximize heat pump efficiency throughout the winter, from utilizing the right settings to making repairs that improve system performance. Contact us today to schedule service.

Continue Reading

Posted in HVAC | Comments Off on What Temperature Should I Set My Heat Pump in the Winter?

Many Birmingham area residents suffer from allergy symptoms during the fall season – inside the home as well as outside. Fortunately, your HVAC system can be used to prevent fall allergies indoors when used with the right solutions. Our heating and cooling pros explain how to create a more comfortable indoor environment so your loved ones experience fewer fall allergy symptoms while at home.

1. Heating System Tune Up

The insides of your furnace or air handler can accumulate a buildup of dust, dirt and indoor allergens over time. These contaminants are brought into the equipment as air flows through the system, and the particles are able to fall out of suspension and settle inside on sensitive heating unit components. As air continues to cycle, these particles can be picked back up and moved back into the home, which increases the volume of allergens one is exposed to indoors.

A heating system tune up is standard service for your furnace or heat pump each fall, helping to improve the system’s performance and energy efficiency going into the winter months. One important component of an annual tune up is a thorough cleaning to remove matter that has built up inside equipment chambers. Beyond protection for the system, a tune up also helps prevent fall allergies through the removal of allergens that have settled inside the system.

2. High-Efficiency Filters and Regular Filter Maintenance

A home’s forced air heating system uses a filter to capture airborne contaminants when air cycles into the furnace or air handler. The main purpose of the filter is to keep these particles out to prevent component damage.

Not all furnace filters are equal, though, so you may not receive the level of protection you want with just any old filter. Filter efficiency is rated by MERV rating (minimum efficiency reporting value), and this rating shares how efficiently the filter is able to remove particles up to a certain size. Disposable filters for home HVAC systems range from MERV 1 to MERV 20 – the higher the rating number, the more efficient the filter.

MERV 1 to 4 filters are less than 20% effective for the removal of particles 0.3 to 10 microns in size. They offer minimal removal of high pollen counts, dust mites and other common indoor allergens. These are basic disposable filters which many homeowners use, but upgrading to a higher MERV filter helps your HVAC system remove more allergens to prevent fall seasonal allergies indoors. 

A high-efficiency filter is a powerful tool to use as you prevent fall allergies indoors. Use filters with a MERV rating of 8 and higher for better allergen and contaminant removal. MERV 13 filters offer 90% or better efficacy for the removal of particles 1.0 to 10 microns in size and up to 75% efficacy against particles 0.3 to 1.0 microns in size.

For filters to work efficiently, they must be replaced at regular intervals. The filter manufacturer will state how frequently replacement is recommended on the filter packaging, but you may find it necessary to change the filter in your home more often. Doing so can be especially helpful as you prevent fall allergies indoors, ensuring an efficient filter with plenty of surface area to trap allergens and contaminants is in use at all times.

3. Air Cleaners 

Consider adding an air cleaner to prevent fall allergies indoors with your heating and air conditioning system. Advanced filter media units offer high MERV ratings and thicker filters to efficiently capture allergens and airborne contaminants, up to 99% depending on the model! They are installed between the furnace and return duct so all incoming indoor air passes through the air cleaner before it moves into the furnace for heating.

Prevent Fall Allergies Indoors with Douglas Cooling & Heating

As you prevent fall allergies indoors, know you are not alone on this mission. The HVAC professionals of Douglas Service are ready to help you with the solutions and services your home needs to remove allergens this season. Request an estimate or schedule your maintenance tune up today!

Continue Reading

Posted in HVAC | Comments Off on How to Fight Fall Allergies Indoors

It can be difficult to know when to replace air conditioner equipment in your Birmingham area home. While early replacement saves you the scrambling involved when faced with the sudden death of older equipment, no one wants to spend money on something new when the old one is working just fine!

Birmingham area homeowners find it hard to make the decision between repairs for an older cooling system and when to replace air conditioner equipment. When you face this dilemma, try evaluating the situation based on the factors below – you may find replacement is the best option after all.

When to Replace Air Conditioner Equipment and Skip Repairs

Repairing and replacing an air conditioner are completely different ball games – in terms of the extent of work typically required, the results and the expense. Before you make another repair to your older AC system, think about these key points to determine if now is the right time for replacement.

Age of Existing Air Conditioner

Knowing when you need to replace air conditioning equipment can be like a gamble – you want to find that perfect balance point between saving yourself future headaches and saving money by maximizing years of service from your old system. As you assess when to make the bet, the most important number you need to consider is the age of your home’s existing AC.

The expected service life of an air conditioner is about 15 years. How you care for it over that span can reward you with extra years of service beyond the anticipated lifespan or punish you for its neglect with a shorter service life.

Verdict – consider skipping repairs and move to replace your current AC system if it’s almost 15 years old or older and in need of repairs.

Present Energy Costs

Beyond expected service life, you have to think about how efficiency is affected by system age. Technology advances rapidly in the HVAC world, and your existing system is nowhere near as energy efficient as the models offered today, even when it was first installed! Plus, efficiency declines each year of use. With a newer model, you know what to expect, and can count on the savings generated by higher-efficiency equipment.

When your energy bills steadily climb year after year, replacing your air conditioning equipment sooner than later will  save you money each month.

Verdict – skip repairs made in hopes of improving the efficiency of an older air conditioner, as they likely won’t produce a noticeable difference. The better choice is to replace the old unit with an efficient model.

Comfort Discrepancies

Can you rely on your existing air conditioner to keep your home comfortable? Many homes with older AC units are plagued with hot spots, which occur when some areas or rooms are warmer than others and are difficult to properly cool. This is often due to diminished performance from an older cooling system.

If you choose to replace your air conditioning system now, you can guarantee many years of reliable comfort thanks to newer technologies and better performance capabilities available.

Verdict – repairs to your older system can help the aging AC maintain its current level of performance, but if that isn’t enough to keep your home comfortable, replacement is a better choice.

Benefits Come with a New Air Conditioner

If you decide there’s no time like the present to replace AC equipment, you’ll enjoy immediate benefits from your new system including:

New Air Conditioner Warranty 

When you upgrade to a new AC, one of the greatest benefits is a new warranty. Most new ACs come with a 10-year limited warranty when installed by a licensed technician. A new AC unit offers peace of mind and several years of protection in case certain issues arise. Our licensed technicians perform flawless installation of any new Bryant AC, abiding by manufacturer terms to ensure the warranty stays valid after installation. We deliver the ongoing maintenance services necessary to protect your warranty through the length of its term.

Increased Savings

The expense involved in upgrading to a new air conditioner might seem high, but the savings – in the long run – make up for the initial cost. Newer, more efficient air conditioners reduce the amount of energy used to cool your home and generate utility savings every month they’re in use. Look for a new air conditioner with a cooling efficiency at least 14 SEER or higher. The higher the SEER rating, the greater efficiency and energy savings for you down the road.

Increased Comfort

Newer ACs deliver increased efficiency and even temperatures in every room through advanced features not found on older models. If you upgrade to a new air conditioner with a variable-speed compressor, you won’t deal with hot or cold spots in your home. Newer models control humidity better, too, so you can enjoy cooler temperatures indoors regardless of the humidity levels outside. Humidity allows mold, mildew and dust mites to take root in your home – by controlling the moisture in your air, you experience fewer problems with mold growth as well as allergies and asthma.

Reliable Performance

Older air conditioners are unpredictable, especially if you deal with HVAC repairs every other month. You never know when your AC unit will break down or not start at all, making it hard to know when you need to replace it.

Upgrading your air conditioner equips your home with a new unit that performs as expected for many years without causing worry over surprise repairs. A preventative maintenance plan for the new unit helps prevent breakdowns even longer!

Noise Reduction

New air conditioners operate quietly compared to older HVAC systems. The compressor stays quiet with sound-reduction technology. Each unit includes a sound rating that shares how quiet it performs. Proper installation of a new air conditioner by a licensed technician ensures your new investment is correctly sized for your home’s needs. A system that’s too large or small performs inconsistently. Also, the pressure of the air moving through ducts is louder if the unit is too big for your home.

Wondering When to Replace Your Air Conditioner Equipment? How About Now!

Douglas Cooling & Heating will help you decide when to replace your home’s air conditioner equipment by helping you accurately assess the condition of your existing system and exploring replacement options that will offer the improvements you desire. Talk to a knowledgeable HVAC technician today to learn if replacement is right for your air conditioner – give us a call!

Continue Reading

Posted in HVAC | Comments Off on Signs You Need a New Air Conditioner

By this point in the year, Birmingham area residents are already used to the steady hum of the air conditioner running. This is one reason it comes as a surprise when the cooling system starts singing a different tune! Some common AC noises are undeniable and are typically the ones that spell trouble.

If your air conditioner is making sounds other than the typical humming, don’t fret – our team explains what air conditioning noises usually mean and what we do to correct them.

Clicking Noises

You may be used to hearing a slight click as a cooling cycle starts then again as it ends – that’s normal. What is not normal is clicking that occurs throughout the cooling cycle. If the noise comes from the indoor air handler or outdoor condenser unit, this kind of clicking is typically a sign that a control within the cooling system has malfunctioned. If you hear clicking from around the thermostat, the thermostat may be the system control that has gone bad.

These air conditioning noises typically warrant replacement of the offending component. A technician inspects controls in the component where the noise originates to find the source of the sound. If your thermostat has gone bad, we can install a new one quickly.

Banging Sounds

A banging sound coming from your outdoor cooling equipment as it operates is a sign something has come loose related to the compressor. A bolt holding down the unit may have come loose, which needs to be re-tightened. Or, a piston pin, rod or other interior component may have come loose inside the compressor. In this case, compressor replacement is often recommended as an attempt to repair the issue may not be worthwhile due to the way this component is constructed.

Squealing

A squealing noise from the indoor air handler unit is typically made by the blower motor belt when it needs to be replaced. The repair is fairly straightforward – a new belt needs to be installed. However, do not wait to have this fix completed because if the belt does break, you won’t be able to run the cooling system until a new belt is in place.

Squealing from the outdoor unit is another issue entirely. A very high-pitched squeal, or a noise that sounds like a scream, is often indicative of high pressure within the system’s compressor. If you hear this concerning noise, shut the cooling system off immediately. Sometimes, the squealing noise is accompanied by a hissing sound.

When pressure rises in the compressor, a sensor typically shuts down the system for safety. The sensor may be faulty and require replacement. A valve within the compressor may have been damaged, causing the high pressure levels. 

Hissing

If a hissing noise is heard with squealing or screaming, high pressure in the compressor is typically the issue. Hissing can also indicate a different issue – a refrigerant leak. You may notice hissing anywhere along the refrigerant line and connected indoor and outdoor units. 

To repair this issue, a technician first finds the location of the leak. Repairs are made, and the system’s refrigerant charge is measured. If the system leaked enough refrigerant, refrigerant levels must be recharged to ensure the air conditioning system has appropriate refrigerant to cool the home.

Call Douglas Cooling & Heating When You Notice Air Conditioner Noises

These air conditioner noises don’t happen too often to Birmingham homeowners, but when they do, air conditioner repairs are needed to avoid damage to system components and an interruption in equipment service. If you hear any of these air conditioning noises this summer, call Douglas Cooling & Heating for reliable repairs to your cooling system.

Continue Reading

Posted in HVAC | Comments Off on Common AC Noises and What They Mean