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

This summer, you may notice some odor coming from your Birmingham home’s cooling system. Air conditioner smells occur for numerous reasons, but the smell means something’s not right. 

Douglas Cooling & Heating explains the causes of air conditioner smells and what you need to do to eliminate unwanted odors. When air conditioner repair is needed, don’t hesitate to contact us.

Reasons for Air Conditioner Smells

Air conditioners can emit different smells, which shine some light on the root problem at hand. The most common air conditioner smells Birmingham area homeowners report include:

• Mustiness
• Dirty gym socks 
• Burning

Mustiness and Dirty Gym Sock Smell

A musty odor can be a sign of humidity control issues in the home. When the relative humidity level of the house exceeds the balanced range of 30 to 50, this stale odor may develop. Mustiness and high humidity may be an issue for a few different reasons.

If your air conditioner is oversized for the house, the indoor air isn’t going to receive the dehumidification that an air conditioner usually produces. Oversized air conditioners run quick cooling cycles, starting up and shutting down in a matter of a minute because that’s all it takes to achieve the temperature change called for by the thermostat. While the large cooling system rapidly changes air temperature, the cooling process doesn’t occur long enough to achieve any dehumidification – so moisture remains in the air. Replacement with a correctly sized unit is needed.

Musty air conditioning smells also come from the filter. When indoor humidity is high, the filter may absorb moisture and produce a musty odor that mixes with circulating air. 

Musty air conditioning smells also arise when there is mold and mildew present within the system. Many homeowners also report a smell of dirty gym socks inside the home. This issue can be caused by several different factors working together, often pointing back to a lack of maintenance. 

Dirty air filters allow contaminants to be carried into the interior equipment chambers where dust and dirt come to rest upon the evaporator coil. Excess moisture surrounding the evaporator coil, either due to inadequate dehumidification by an oversized air conditioner or a clog in the drip pan or condensate drain that prevents condensation from exiting the system, is combined with debris and darkness to deliver ideal conditions for mold growth. Mold may be carried to areas within the ducts via regular airflow, spreading the problem deeper into the system.

Coil cleaning eliminates debris as well as mold growth on the evaporator coil. A UV air purifier may be recommended to kill mold and stop regrowth when installed inside the system. Regular air filter changes are necessary to ensure the filter is in good shape and able to trap contaminants from the air before they pass to the evaporator coil. A preventive maintenance tune up performed by your HVAC technician ensures components and cabinets are clean and that the condensate drain and drip pan are free of mold growth and clogs that prevent drainage. Make sure to schedule your air conditioning tune up each year.

Burning Odor

If you notice air conditioning smells that remind you of something burning or on fire, there may actually be electrical components within the system burning. When you notice a burning smell from your cooling system, shut it off at the home’s electrical panel immediately. 

The system’s motor could overheat and produce this odor. Problems with wiring, including damage, can cause an electrical burning smell. If the AC smells more like gunpowder, there could be a short in the system’s circuit board or motor. If the bad smell does not go away after turning off the air conditioner, everyone needs to exit the home quickly, and you need to contact your local fire department.

Eliminate AC Odors with Douglas Cooling & Heating

Whatever the cause of the air conditioner smell is, the skilled Douglas Cooling & Heating technicians have the solution. Contact us for fast air conditioner repair in and around Birmingham, AL.

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Ductless heating and cooling systems are a smart choice for homes and businesses, although many people may not know about these useful HVAC units. They are similar to a window AC unit because each indoor air handler is designed to cool a single room or space.

Ductless air conditioners, however, are like a traditional air conditioner because they operate using an outside condenser unit. What separates ductless air conditioners from central air conditioning units is that no ductwork is necessary. Ductless heat pump systems are available in single-zone units – meaning they provide heat and AC to just one room – or multi-zone units, which provide cooling to several rooms. Each room is equipped with a wall-mounted indoor unit to provide air.

With no ductwork requirements, a ductless mini-split heat pump system is a flexible and affordable option for homes with no existing ducts, a garage or a new home addition. Douglas Cooling & Heating offers a selection of top-of-the-line Bryant ductless systems, which are an excellent choice for a variety of applications. To learn more about mini split heat pump systems, contact the NATE-certified HVAC technicians at Douglas Cooling & Heating today!

Benefits of a Ductless System

Below are the top reasons ductless air conditioners can benefit you!

Healthier Indoor Air Quality

Ductless heat pumps have their own filter housed inside the indoor unit. The air inside a single room goes through the filtration process without mixing air from other areas of your house. Without ductwork, extra contamination is eliminated. Central air conditioning systems circulate dirt, dust, pollen and other debris as it moves air throughout the ducts. You will experience healthier, cleaner indoor air with a ductless mini split.

No Need for Ductwork

The main benefit to this type of system is in the name: ductless HVAC systems don’t rely on ducts. Instead, they use outside condensing units and indoor air handlers. Refrigerant comes directly from the outdoor unit through an insulated refrigerant line.

Installation is easier and less expensive without the need to install and connect ducts.

No Major Renovations Necessary

Older homes, renovated additions or a converted sunroom or garage may not have ductwork available to connect to your current system. Adding ductwork to a house is a major renovation project, which can be overwhelming.

Zoned Heating and Cooling

Ductless air conditioners are designed to cool a specific room without construction. You can pair multiple indoor units with a single outdoor unit to create a multiple-zone mini split system. This allows you to operate each indoor unit independently from the others.

If you have a central heating and air system, closing vents in rarely used rooms increases your chances of pressure imbalances or microbial growth issues. Ductless HVAC systems put you in control of the temperature for each zone in your home without the risk of harm to your unit or your home’s air quality.

If you use a room only occasionally, just turn off the unit in that zone so you don’t waste money heating and cooling it.

Zero Energy Loss

Traditional air conditioning units deal with energy loss daily because of holes, gaps and cracks in the ductwork. The cool air escapes through these leaks, resulting in higher energy bills. A ductless mini split delivers fresh, cool air directly to you. You won’t experience energy loss.

An additional benefit to consider with a ductless system is you won’t need to schedule duct cleaning services. No ducts mean no leaks or airflow restrictions due to obstructions clogging your unit.

Duct leaks account for 30 percent of energy consumption when it comes to central air, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. When you eliminate the need for ducts, you end up with a more energy-efficient system because you don’t lose any air through ductwork.

The result is long-term savings for you and improved heating and cooling in your home.

Flexible and Versatile

Window air conditioners take up more space in a single room and eliminate the view from a window, which is not ideal if you only have one window in a room.

Ductless air conditioners are compact, so they need only a small area for installation. You can install the indoor unit on the wall, floor or ceiling so you can still enjoy the view from your windows. Plus, you avoid the sight of an ugly window unit hanging out of your home.

Double-Duty Performance

One of the most significant advantages of ductless air conditioners is they do more than just cool an independent area. They operate similar to a heat pump, meaning you can enjoy your ductless air conditioners year-round.

Many ductless air conditioners are capable of heating during the colder months by a simple flip of a switch. This comes in handy when areas of your home are hard to keep warm. You operate each indoor unit only when necessary, which keeps you warm without running your heating 24/7 and increasing your energy bill.

Contact Douglas Cooling & Heating for Ductless Installation

Eliminate hot spots and reduce heat loss by installing ductless air conditioners in your home. Douglas Cooling & Heating carries several options to choose, and our NATE-certified experts will explain the features of each.

We offer free estimates on new units and provide financing options for those working on a budget. Contact Douglas Cooling & Heating today to schedule your free estimate!

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In regards to HVAC equipment, heat pump systems offer the best of both worlds – they heat your home in the winter and cool it in the summer. That’s enough to make your traditional furnace or air conditioning system jealous!

Because heat pumps function year-round and don’t take seasons off like air conditioners and furnaces, heat pump maintenance is critical to protecting the performance, efficiency and service life of your unit. Follow these maintenance tips to keep your system running properly throughout the year.

If you have any questions about heat pump maintenance, or would like to speak to a NATE-certified HVAC technician about installing a heat pump system in your home, contact the HVAC pros at Douglas Cooling & Heating. Douglas is Alabama’s most trusted heating, cooling and plumbing company. We are happy to answer all of your heat pump-related questions.

How Do Heat Pumps Work?

Before we discuss how to maintain a heat pump, let’s first talk a little about how a heat pump works. Heat pumps operate differently than a traditional air conditioner or heating system because they don’t actually create heat or cool air. Instead, they move heat around to achieve the heating and cooling process.

In the summer months, a heat pump extracts excess heat from your home, sending it outside (or underground in geothermal systems). During the winter, the heat pump draws heat from outdoor air, moving it indoors to heat your living areas.

Furnaces, on the other hand, create heat, through the combustion of fossil fuels or electrical resistance. Air conditioners and heat pumps operate in much the same way to cool a home, but an air conditioner cannot perform heating functions as a heat pump can.

Performing Heat Pump Maintenance

If your Alabama home is equipped with a heat pump, there are certain heat pump maintenance steps you should take throughout the year to safeguard the performance and efficiency of your equipment.

• Change the air filter as needed. Check the filter manufacturer’s recommendation for frequency while considering special factors about your home that may increase the frequency for changes, such as pets or smoking in the home.
• Keep exterior coils clean year-round. Cut off power to the unit and use a hose to clear away dirt.
• Keep vegetation at least 24 inches back from your heat pump to allow for proper airflow.
• Never store items around your exterior heat pump. This includes patio furniture, lawn tools and outdoor toys.
• Remove snow and ice from your unit’s exterior in the winter. This prevents damage and allows air to flow freely to the unit.
• Flush the unit’s condensate pan and drain to eliminate clogs that could cause mold growth and water damage to the surrounding areas.

Professional Heat Pump Maintenance

Furnaces and air conditioners each require maintenance once per year. Because they serve both functions, heat pumps should be maintenanced twice per year: once before heating season and once before cooling season. During professional maintenance, our technicians perform the following inspections to ensure your unit is ready to meet the demands of the coming season.

• Inspecting components for damage.
• Verifying proper airflow.
• Measuring refrigerant charge and identifying leaks.
• Inspecting electrical terminals, as well as cleaning and tightening of terminals, if needed.
• Lubricating motors.
• Inspecting belts.
• Verifying controls and safety switches.
• Verifying correct thermostat communication.

Heat Pump Maintenance Experts in Alabama – Douglas Cooling & Heating

Taking care of your heat pump is important in all Alabama homes. With the right care throughout the year, your system will provide reliable heating and cooling at costs much lower than air conditioners or furnaces. Douglas Cooling & Heating is here to help you with skilled heat pump maintenance performed by our NATE-certified technicians. Contact Douglas Cooling & Heating today to schedule heat pump maintenance services.

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The air conditioner’s evaporator coil is a component vital to the cooling process. When they malfunction, achieving indoor comfort becomes quite difficult.

Douglas Cooling & Heating explains the function of the evaporator coil, signs of bad evaporator coil components and what is needed to keep the evaporator coil in top shape. If you are in need of air conditioning repairs due to a failing evaporator coil or other cooling system issues, give us a call for quick, reliable repair service!

The Evaporator Coil’s Job

A cooling system’s evaporator coil is critical to the heat transfer process that provides comfortable indoor temperatures when the weather is warm. Housed indoors near the unit’s air handler, this coiled piping carries cold, liquid refrigerant that converts to a low-pressure gas within.

As the home’s air passes over, the evaporator coil extracts heat from the air in order to lower air temperature. This process also causes moisture to condense, which helps to dehumidify the home’s indoor air supply. From there, the refrigerant travels from the evaporator coil to the outdoor unit, and the cooled air is blown back into the home through the duct system. 

Signs of Damaged Evaporator Coil Components

As you can see, the evaporator coil has a very important role in the cooling process. Occasionally, homeowners may experience malfunctions which inhibit proper performance and cause indoor comfort issues, requiring the help of a HVAC technician for air conditioning repairs. Signs of damaged evaporator coil components, include:

• Air coming from the vents is warm
• Air conditioner starts and stops frequently but doesn’t properly cool your home
• Air conditioner does not turn on
• Refrigerant leak near the indoor cooling system components
• Unusual noises from the cooling system, such as banging or hissing

Common Evaporator Coil Repairs

Evaporator coils suffer from a few common issues. If you notice any trouble signs, one of these system issues could be to blame:

• Dirty air filter
• Dirty evaporator coil
• Evaporator coil leak
• Frozen evaporator coil

An annual cooling system tune up and coil cleaning service helps your evaporator coil stay in good shape and avoid performance issues related to dirty air filters and coils. Homeowners also need to perform regular filter changes to ensure the system has enough airflow for the evaporator coil to work properly. Problems like frozen or leaking coils require the help of a professional to correct.

When to Replace Your Evaporator Coil

When you experience the signs of bad evaporator coil components and a leak is to blame, Birmingham homeowners are faced with a decision: repair or replace? While some other cooling system issues require simple repairs to fix, an evaporator coil leak isn’t so straightforward.

As time goes on, the inner lining of the coil wears down due to erosion, which weakens its metal. The outer lining also experiences corrosion in some cases, also causing damage. These issues make the coil more susceptible to refrigerant leaks.

Whenever refrigerant leaks occur within the evaporator coil, replacement is generally the preferred option versus repairs. The cost to replace the damaged component with a new evaporator coil is oftentimes less expensive than the repairs necessary to fix a leak plus the price of recharging the system with refrigerant.

Call Douglas Cooling & Heating for Air Conditioner Repair Today!

Whether you have signs of bad evaporator coils or any other air conditioning system issue, Birmingham area homeowners place their trust into Douglas Cooling & Heating to combat the problem. Our skilled HVAC technicians perform diagnostics to uncover air conditioner malfunctions, as well as the tested repairs required to correct the problem. For air conditioning repairs in and around Birmingham, give Douglas Cooling & Heating a call!

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When a heat pump stops working it causes comfort concerns for homeowners throughout the Birmingham, Alabama area. If you depend on a heat pump for cooling once the weather warms up, learn how to troubleshoot minor issues and get your system back on track, fast!

Douglas Cooling & Heating shares troubleshooting steps to perform when your heat pump suddenly stops working. If heat pump troubleshooting does not solve the problem, give us a call!

1.  Check the Thermostat’s Power

The thermostat allows Birmingham homeowners to communicate their comfort needs to the heat pump. When heat pumps stop working, the first place to look is the thermostat. If there’s no power, it is unable to relay your comfort needs to the heat pump.

• If the display is not on, this is a sign the thermostat does not have power.
• For battery-powered units, replace old batteries with fresh ones to see if the power problem was simply caused by dead batteries.
• For hardwired units, check your home’s electrical panel. The circuit breaker or fuse controlling power to the thermostat may need to be reset or replaced.

2. Check Unit Power 

If your thermostat appears to be powered, next check power to your other heat pump system components. These components have their own power switches and dedicated circuits.

• Check the power switch located on or near the indoor air handler – it needs to be set to ON.
• Check the power switch located on the outside unit or nearby on the exterior wall of your home where the refrigerant lines run inside – it also needs to be set to ON.
• Check your home’s electrical panel to ensure the circuits controlling both the indoor and outdoor units are not disrupted by a tripped breaker or blown fuse. Reset or replace if necessary.

3. Check the Thermostat’s Fan Settings

Warm air coming from the vents inside your home could be caused by improper fan settings – there may not be a problem with your heat pump at all!

Check fan settings and make sure the switch on the thermostat that controls them is set to AUTO. It should not be set to ON, as this causes the system’s blower motor to continuously run, even between cooling cycles. With the AUTO setting, the fan only runs to assist a cooling cycle.

4. Adjust Thermostat Settings

Your thermostat only calls for your heat pump to cool if temperatures inside your home rise above the set point. If it feels like your heat pump isn’t working when it should be, adjust the thermostat’s set temperature down several degrees. If everything is working properly, this should trigger the heat pump to run a cooling cycle. 

5. Check Registers

Blocked registers often make it feel like the heat pump isn’t working because indoor living areas do not receive adequate cooling. Check all vents and registers throughout the home – they all need to be open and unblocked by rugs, furniture and other household items. Move items around and rearrange furniture to ensure rooms receive cool air from your heat pump.

6. Check Air Filter

A clogged air filter is a common cause behind a heat pump not working, as the system doesn’t receive adequate airflow due to this obstruction. The system often overheats and shuts down, leaving you without cooling. Or, not enough cooling makes it into your home due to the restriction.

Check your air filter – if its surface is full of debris, replace it with a fresh filter. Allow the system time to cool down and see if it restarts.

7. Call Douglas for Heat Pump Repair

If the troubleshooting steps above do not fix the heat pump, call Douglas Cooling & Heating to schedule heat pump service. Our technicians thoroughly evaluate your system to find the malfunction and make reliable repairs in order to restore comfort in your Birmingham home.

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Many things can interfere with an AC compressor’s performance and efficiency during the summer months. Flying rocks from lawn mowers, damaging wind or hail during storms or overgrown plant life near the exterior unit are just a few examples of what can harm your cooling system. Some problems might be small, which means they can be repaired quickly at an affordable price.

However, the AC compressor housed in your outdoor unit is vital to the performance of your entire system. If the AC compressor overheats or fails, it’s an expensive HVAC repair or component to replace. Douglas Cooling & Heating wants you to know the basics of caring for your outdoor unit so you can protect the AC compressor against expensive damage.

Outdoor HVAC Equipment Can Help or Hinder Your Comfort

The exterior unit of your HVAC system is responsible for pulling warm air in and cooling it off, using refrigerant and evaporator coils. The AC compressor works to compress the refrigerant and deliver it throughout the unit. All outdoor units are designed to withstand Mother Nature’s temperamental weather, but it doesn’t mean they’re invincible. Protect your AC compressor and the other components in your exterior system by:

Keeping It Clean

When you mow, grass clippings spray out across your yard and, most times, the clippings get lodged inside your exterior unit. Grass clippings combined with dirt, dust, leaves and other debris accumulate on and around your outdoor AC unit. Debris restricts airflow around the unit. Dirty air conditioner coils cause your AC compressor to work harder to facilitate heat exchange, which places the compressor under excessive stress.

The AC compressor needs proper ventilation around the exterior unit to cool off between cycles. When an outdoor unit can’t cool off, it overheats and shuts off. Frequent overheating results in the unit failing, and the only option is to call for Birmingham air conditioning repair service to replace the component. Prevent overheating by clearing away any debris. Call Douglas Cooling & Heating if you notice the outdoor unit working hard but not able to cool down.

Change your air filter regularly to maintain proper airflow through your cooling system – keeping all of the system’s key components, including the compressor, in good working order.

Landscaping Wisely

Your outdoor unit needs room to breathe, which means two feet of space around the unit at all times. Trees, bushes and shrubs grow quickly during the summer, especially when the rain hits. They can quickly overrun your exterior unit and restrict proper airflow for the AC compressor. Trim any vegetation back to at least two feet away from the outdoor equipment. Protective shade helps your AC compressor cool down between cooling cycles.

If your home’s exterior unit was already installed when you moved into the house, make sure there are two feet of space between the HVAC equipment and the side of your house. If it looks like the system is too close to the house, call Douglas Cooling & Heating quickly! Our NATE-certified technicians offer suggestions to improve airflow and prevent the system from overheating.

Creating Protective Shade

Always install your outdoor unit in shade or indirect sun. Any time your outdoor equipment is shaded against the hot sun, the AC compressor can cool off before restarting to deliver cool temperatures throughout your home. If you don’t have tall trees or shrubs near your exterior unit, consider planting something to provide additional protection against direct sunlight.

The best sort of foliage is deciduous, meaning it loses its leaves each winter and blooms in the spring. Trees with big leaves provide adequate shade during the hottest times of the day, and when the weather changes, the leaves fall, letting direct sunlight shine on the exterior unit when it’s cold outside. The right landscaping can boost your AC compressor performance and keep it healthy longer.

Checking for leaking refrigerant

Over time, the refrigerant line can develop cracks, which can lead to a leak. A leak lowers the refrigerant level and causes the compressor to work harder, which can eventually damage it. Fixing this issue as soon as possible can prevent you from replacing this expensive part.

Protect your AC compressor from summer storms

Turn the AC off

Before a summer storm or hurricane hits, turn off the entire AC system. This prevents damage to the AC compressor if a power outage occurs. Outages can cause circuits to blow when the power turns back on. Leave the AC off until the storm has passed.

Cover the exterior unit

In the most severe weather, covering the outdoor unit with a tarp will stop water and other harmful debris from getting inside and damaging the AC compressor. 

Keep the unit clean

After the storm, check the unit for damage from falling tree branches, leaves, sticks or other debris.

Maintaining Your AC

Hiring a reputable HVAC technician to routinely maintain your AC system will keep your compressor in good shape for years to come. Aside from cleaning the coils and checking the refrigerant levels, a routine maintenance will also address:

• Oil levels. Oil lubrication is vital to the function of your AC compressor. A technician will change the oil and make sure it’s at the right level.
• Suction lines. The suction line is responsible for transporting the refrigerant between the evaporator and condenser. HVAC technicians can check that the line is clear. If the AC isn’t cooling well, the line could be blocked, which can cause the compressor to overheat and break down.
• Electrical issues. Routine maintenance will also inspect to see if there are any electrical issues that can damage the compressor.

Concerned about Your AC Compressor? Contact Douglas Cooling & Heating in Birmingham

Take steps to protect your exterior HVAC unit and you will notice improved performance and more energy efficiency from your AC compressor. The compressor is durable but needs to be serviced at least twice a year during routine maintenance. Contact Douglas Cooling & Heating to schedule service for your AC compressor before the heat waves start rolling.

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Working in a garage year-round is ideal for many residents in Alabama, even though the weather is often unpredictable with wildly fluctuating temperatures and humidity. Efficiently heating your garage to combat extreme temperatures while working comes down to this: install a mini-split ductless HVAC system. That’s where Douglas Cooling & Heating comes in! We offer the best ductless mini-split installation in Birmingham.

Going ductless in the garage has several benefits for homeowners. Contact Douglas Cooling & Heating for installation and maintenance of your ductless system or to learn more about the benefits of mini-split ductless technology.

What Is Mini-Split Ductless Technology?

Mini-split ductless technology has many names, such as split systems, mini-split systems and split-ductless systems. The technology consists of an outdoor heat pump unit connected to one or more indoor air handler units to provide heating or cooling to a desired area of a home. There is no ductwork required – conditioned air is pumped directly into the intended area through its dedicated air handler. One ductless heating system is able to accommodate multiple air handlers, so when you add one to the garage, you are also able to add zoned heating and cooling to other areas in your home that may need it, too.

These systems are utilized most often in new additions, new construction, apartments, condominiums, garages, sunrooms and other areas lacking proper climate control. In addition, ductless heating installation is often used to replace space heaters, which makes these systems a safe and efficient option for heating your garage. They also replace electric baseboard heaters and window air conditioning units, which use more energy and consistently increase energy bills. 

How to Heat a Garage with Ductless HVAC

Why is this a great option for how to heat a garage? Mini-split technology is used in homes or businesses currently using a ducted forced-air system. Most homes’ garages are not connected to the main HVAC system. To add heat otherwise, you would need to run ducts and likely resize your furnace to accommodate for the extra heat needed to warm the garage. If your garage is detached, that option isn’t even a possibility – how do you get the heat you want?

How to heat a garage with ductless heating is very simple and requires no alterations to your home’s existing heating and cooling equipment. The ductless air handler is installed in the garage and connected to the outdoor heat pump. This system in no way interferes with your existing HVAC equipment. And because of this, comfort levels in the garage are adjusted independently of the home – you are able to provide the extra warmth a garage needs without throwing off heating in other indoor living areas.

Ductless HVAC Benefits How to Heat a Garage

When you choose ductless HVAC for how to heat a garage, you benefit from many great advantages, including:

Greater Flexibility

Traditional air conditioners and heat pumps control the climate in a home through forced heated or cooled air circulated through ducts. These ducts travel all over a home, yet with mini-split ductless technology, the ideal temperatures are delivered directly to a specific zone. Comprised of a small outdoor unit and one or more indoor units, ductless systems offer more flexibility with their mounting capabilities and access to electricity. With the installation of only a small indoor unit, the ductless system requires less space. Add heating to the garage without extensive renovations or HVAC upgrades.

Increased Savings and Energy Efficiency

Mini-split ductless technology systems use less power to operate due to their small size and their ability to deliver temperature-controlled air directly to a room. These units have great energy efficiency ratings, which makes them a smart solution for how to heat a garage efficiently.

There is no risk of restricted airflow or energy loss from clogged or damaged ductwork, which allows the ductless system to operate more efficiently than a traditional forced-air system. Energy loss through ducts causes up to 30 percent energy loss in forced air systems! There is zero opportunity for this loss in a ductless system.

Focus heating and cooling in specific areas with a “zoned” system and cut down on wasted energy occurring when your forced air system tries to supply hot or cool air to unoccupied rooms. Your ductless system heats only your garage, only when you ask it to.

Improved Indoor Air Quality

Garages are notorious for bad air quality due to the activities that go on inside. With mini-split ductless technology for how to heat a garage, there are no ducts to gather debris that blow back into the area, plus your garage gains air filtration to remove potentially harmful airborne contaminants.. Ductless systems use multi-stage filtration to reduce bacteria, pollen, allergens, dust and other particulates in the air. You experience healthier and fresher indoor air quality with a ductless system.

Easy and Quick Installation

Installation of a traditional heating and cooling unit takes more time and disrupts your home life and activities. Installation of mini-split ductless technology is easy and quick compared to regular forced air systems. Ductless systems are less invasive and are usually ready to use within one day. The time it takes to install the system depends on how many indoor and outdoor units you want to be installed in your home. If you are just using it for how to heat a garage, the installation process is quite simple. Small pipes ran through a three-inch hole make installation easy and require no construction for installation.

Let Douglas Cooling & Heating Show You How to Heat a Garage

Installing mini-split ductless technology in your garage or another area lacking ductwork increases energy savings and improves your indoor air quality. Call Douglas Cooling & Heating today and talk to one of our NATE-certified technicians about installing a new ductless system in your home.

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Excessive moisture in your home produces a number of problems, such as mold and mildew growth inside your HVAC system and ductwork. Prevent microorganisms from spreading throughout your home when you know how to prevent mold in HVAC systems. We walk you through how to detect mold growth in HVAC and solutions to keep your HVAC system protected.

Causes that Lead to Mold in HVAC Systems

The leading causes behind mold growth inside HVAC equipment are:

1. Humidity
2. Condensation
3. Poor Ventilation

Humidity

High humidity levels in your home are the biggest cause of mold growth inside the HVAC system as well as inside the house itself. Summer months are usually the time when natural humidity is at its highest, though moisture issues exist in the home year-round. This includes excess humidity caused by showers and baths, washing machines, and other appliances.

Condensation

While your HVAC units run, your system develops condensation through the air ducts due to moisture within the air. The cooling process also creates a great deal of condensation, as it naturally removes moisture from the air. Normally, this condensation drains away from your home through the condensate drain pan and condensate lines, but if malfunctions or clogs occur, moisture cannot escape and backs up.

Poor Ventilation

If your home is poorly vented, it causes pockets of stagnant moist air to form indoors. Any steam or evaporating water in your air creates more humidity that cannot be circulated out because of poor ventilation. These issues often arise when bathroom exhaust fans and range hoods are not properly used or have malfunctioned.

Indoor Air Quality Solutions for How to Prevent Mold in HVAC Systems

Excess humidity inside a home as well as mold growth are indoor air quality issues. Indoor air quality systems address these issues and provide an affordable solution for how to prevent mold in HVAC equipment as well as mold exposure and growth in the home.

Whole Home Dehumidifiers

Alabama residents battle humidity constantly, which is why a whole home dehumidifier is the best weapon against excessive moisture indoors. Portable dehumidifiers only tackle the humidity in one place, while a whole home unit works directly with your HVAC system to control the moisture throughout your entire house. Notice fewer health issues, such as allergies, asthma and respiratory infections, when a dehumidifier is working alongside your HVAC system.

Ultraviolet Air Cleaners

This indoor air quality product strips your HVAC system of mold before it’s circulated throughout your home. This air cleaner is installed directly within your HVAC system or ducts and uses ultraviolet light energy to neutralize active mold spores so they cannot regrow. Ultraviolet air cleaners also help protect families from bacteria, viruses, and germs, ensuring the air you breathe is pure.

Media Air Cleaners

A media air cleaner traps and eliminates indoor pollutants from your air. They utilize a high efficiency media filter with a long service life, so maintenance is minimal. Media air cleaners with almost any brand of ducted HVAC system can capture up to 99% of particles, depending on the model and filter. Douglas Cooling & Heating offers several different media air cleaners with various features for you to choose from.

Energy Recovery Ventilators

Mold, mildew and dust mites gather in damp, moist areas of your home, and better ventilation prevents moisture accumulation throughout your home. Energy recovery ventilators (ERVs) increase ventilation in your home. They allow stale, contaminated air to vent outdoors while bringing in fresh air. What’s great about this style of ventilation system is that it helps you retain more of your heating and cooling energy to eliminate that waste when stale air is vented outdoors.

How to Prevent Mold in HVAC Systems with Maintenance

Maintenance for your HVAC system doesn’t just help it perform better, it goes a long way toward how to prevent mold in HVAC equipment. These maintenance tips help you prevent mold from taking over your heating and cooling equipment.

• Schedule seasonal air conditioning preventive maintenance tune ups. With regularly scheduled HVAC maintenance from Douglas Cooling & Heating, our NATE-certified technician keep your system clean, so that it is able to best control the moisture level in your home.
• Inspect your drip pans and make sure they are cleaned on a regular basis. This prevents condensation buildup and ensures the drainage system is clog-free to prevent mold growth.
• Use a high efficiency air filter and replace it on a regular basis, as recommended by the manufacturer and your HVAC technician. Filters with a MERV rating of 5 to 13 offer capture of mold spores circulating through your air supply to prevent their spread – the closer to MERV 13 your filter, the better protection you have.

Stop Mold Growth in Your Ducts

Ductwork is typically home to an environment favorable for mold and mildew growth – warm, moist, and dark. Any mold that grows in your ducts can be picked up by circulating air and cycled into your HVAC equipment as well as your living areas.

In addition to indoor air quality solutions that treat humidity levels across the entire home, there are measures homeowners take that address how to prevent mold growth in HVAC ducts:

Insulate Ducts

Ducts run through uninsulated areas of the home, they are affected by the cool air that surrounds them. When circulating warm air from your home comes into contact with cold metal ducts, condensation forms inside the ductwork, just like condensation forms in the cooling process as warm, moist air reaches the cool evaporator coils. This condensation has nowhere to go – there is no drainage system as there is with the evaporator coils, which have the condensation drain pan fitted below. Therefore, it stays in your ducts where it creates an environment for mold growth.

Insulate your air ducts to control the amount of condensation that is produced. Insulation protects your metal ductwork from exposure to cold temperatures in the surrounding areas of your attic, crawl space, or basement where the ductwork runs. This measure helps keep moisture in the air until it reaches the HVAC system and indoor air quality equipment, where it is removed from the air and drained away.

Duct Inspection 

During our inspection, our technicians are also able to identify duct leaks and other malfunctions of the duct system which may be allowing more moisture into the ducts. As the air in the areas where ducts typically run is unconditioned, it usually has a higher humidity level. Air that leaks into the duct system from these areas can deposit moisture that leads to mold issues if unresolved.

It is important to seal duct leaks to stop mold development. Sealing your ducts also keeps conditioned air in, resulting in better comfort and energy savings. The average home loses up to 30 percent of its heating and cooling energy through duct leaks – this service helps prevent that problem.

Duct Cleaning

Have your ducts inspected by a Douglas Cooling & Heating’ HVAC contractor for mold growth. If mold is present, we thoroughly clean and treat your ducts to remove mold growth and help combat recurrence. 

Douglas Cooling & Heating Knows How to Prevent Mold in HVAC Systems

Don’t let mold in your HVAC system or its components affect your family’s health and comfort! Douglas Cooling & Heating offers many solutions to help homeowners manage indoor humidity and moisture levels to prevent mold growth in HVAC systems. Contact us today and work with our NATE-certified HVAC technicians to find the right solution for your home.

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During hurricane season, Birmingham residents experience severe weather, which includes heavy rainfall and thunderstorms. Winter storms are also sometimes an issue here, even in the South. Strong winds, intense rain, and heavy snow and ice leave you, your home and your air conditioner vulnerable to extensive damage, as do some everyday issues. Your AC compressor is the most expensive component in your air conditioner. If it’s damaged, AC compressor failure costs a great deal to correct.

Keep safe by taking precautions when big storms roll through, and year-round. Call Douglas Cooling & Heating if you are concerned your AC compressor or air conditioner is damaged due to storms and other issues.

Our NATE-certified professionals are trained to spot inconsistencies with your AC compressor and ensure it’s operating smoothly after sustaining damage. If the AC compressor is too far gone, we will suggest replacement options to fit your budget. We also provide you with financing options.

Prevent AC Compressor Failure Before the Storm Hits

Take preventive steps before a hurricane or other storm hits your home. Early prevention will help keep your home and AC compressor safe against damage from winds and excessive rainfall.

• Begin by turning the power off to your air conditioner. In the event of a storm, power outages and surges are common, which can fry the AC compressor or start an electrical fire.
• Air conditioners running when a storm occurs are at risk to experience blown circuits and fuses when the power returns. This can lead to AC compressor failure.
• When the power is off, you reduce the risk of damage to your AC compressor and other vital components inside the exterior unit.
• Many homeowners think covering their outdoor unit is enough to protect it. If the storm isn’t a hurricane, however, a tarp can do more harm than good. Using a tarp during regular storm activity causes moisture to build up inside your equipment, which leads to mold and rust.
• Hurricane weather is the ideal time to cover your exterior unit with a tarp. This protects the AC compressor against the intense winds and rain. Just make sure you uncover your equipment soon after the storm passes to prevent moisture accumulating inside on wiring, circuits and the AC compressor.

Proper Lawn Care Protects Against AC Compressor Failure

Intense winds blow debris, such as tree limbs, branches, and yard waste, across your property and hit your outdoor equipment. Damage can occur on the components inside your unit, including the AC compressor and condenser.

Taking care of your lawn properly promotes a healthy outdoor unit and reduces the need for an emergency HVAC cleaning from a professional. Easy ways you can properly perform yard work while increasing your HVAC unit’s performance efficiency and lifespan include:

• When mowing the yard, keep the discharge pointed away from the outdoor unit, preventing grass from blowing into the unit and clogging the coil. You can also install a bag attachment to your mower to reduce the amount of leftover grass clippings.
• After mowing, gently hose the condenser unit off to remove any excess debris clinging to the coil which might restrict airflow.
• Trim back any shrubs or vegetation around the unit, so there’s at least 2-3 feet of clearance on all sides. Gather up the clippings and dispose of them so they don’t accumulate on the coil.
• When using yard equipment, like a weed eater, be cautious around the outdoor unit. You can accidentally bend the coil fins, damage tubing and cause a refrigerant leak or cut important wires. The best option is to hand pull weeds or spray them with herbicides.
• Lastly, remove any loose objects from your yard. Lawn furniture, toys, bikes or other objects can be destructive when the wind picks them up and blows against your AC compressor.

Effects of Poor Lawn Care Maintenance

Poor lawn care maintenance can produce disastrous results with your heating and cooling system and lead to higher energy costs and malfunctions from your outdoor unit. Examples of improper lawn care include:

• Allowing tall, uncut grass to grow around your outdoor unit which interferes with the airflow and reduces your unit’s ability to cool your home efficiently.
• Leaving grass clippings and stray leaves around your unit, which can form a clog at the bottom, restricting airflow in your outdoor unit.
• Out of control vegetation growing around your outdoor unit will restrict airflow and damage the concrete pad the unit is on.
• Twigs and branches falling on the condenser fan can damage the fins or get wedged within the fan blades, preventing them from working properly.

Build Protection for Your AC Compressor

In addition to storm preparation and proper yard work practices, there are a few additional measures that help protect your system against AC compressor failure. These measures reduce damage to the unit and enhance overall protection:

#1 Create Shade

The most important landscaping tip is adequate shading for your outdoor unit. The outdoor unit houses the AC compressor, which can easily overheat during the hottest part of the day or if placed in direct sun. Creating shade for your outdoor unit allows heat to dissipate faster from the AC compressor and condenser, preventing your unit from overheating.

The heat emitted from the AC compressor and other components in the outdoor unit can lead to complete system failure if the unit isn’t able to cool off. Typically, the outdoor unit is built to handle the outdoor elements and providing extra shade will boost your HVAC’s ability to keep you cool indoors.

#2 Create a Barrier

Heat penetrates your home through the roof of your home, which raises the temperature indoors quickly. Your roof is the first place direct sunlight hits and with the aid of tall trees, you can provide shade against the sun. By planting tall trees around your house, especially on the side where the sun hits your house most often, you can drastically reduce your energy bills. Trees on the east and west sides of your home are prime locations to block direct sunlight during the early hours of the day and late afternoon hours.

Evergreen trees are popular for shading and for boosted energy savings, consider planting deciduous trees with broad leaves. Deciduous trees will provide shade during the summer, and in the winter when the leaves fall, the trees will allow direct sunlight to hit your home, providing warmth when you need it.

If you want another alternative to planting trees for shade, consider building a trellis along the exterior walls where vines can grow. The vines will coat your exterior walls, creating a barrier between the direct sunlight and your home.  

Pro Tip: Remember to preserve space of approximately 1-3 feet around your outdoor AC units. Allowing shrubbery or other plantings to grow too close may hamper the airflow, negatively affecting your unit’s efficiency. Also, remember to clear away any leaves and debris from the unit following storm activity.

#3 Create Breezes

Trees providing shade for your AC compressor, condenser, and other outdoor unit components provide an additional benefit. During the summer, cool breezes float in at night, and the trees will catch the cool breezes, pushing them toward your windows.

Even shrubs play a role in capturing and controlling the breeze. By planting shrubs under windows, the wind is pulled up and works with nearby trees to push the breeze down. Make sure shrubs aren’t planted too close to your exterior walls, which can create moisture problems when the humidity is high.

Cooling your house off at night, when the sun is down, let your air conditioner have a break from operating all day to maintain ideal temperatures in your home. The AC compressor and condenser will be able to cool off, and heat will fully dissipate before cooling your home the next day.

Time for an AC Compressor Inspection, Cleaning, or Possible Repair

If you notice damage to your outdoor unit or debris caught inside. Contact Douglas Cooling & Heating to have your outdoor unit cleaned properly. A thorough air conditioning maintenance inspection detects AC compressor failure and other damage, and allows our NATE-certified technicians to repair the damaged component immediately. The cost to have your HVAC unit cleaned is nothing compared to the expense of a breakdown of your unit when temperatures are running hot outside. 

HVAC cleaning by a Douglas Cooling & Heating technician keeps your system healthy and prolongs its lifespan. A clean outdoor unit also experiences boosted performance and efficiency, saving you monthly on your energy bill.

Ensure your air conditioning unit is safe from the storms by calling Douglas Cooling & Heating before you start your cooling system back up. Turning on your unit after a storm hits without scheduling an inspection can be disastrous, especially if it’s sustained electrical damage.

We train our NATE-certified technicians to inspect and diagnose potential problems after a storm. We will ensure your system is safe to operate, so you can rest easy and stay cool inside your home.

Hurricane-generated intense wind and heavy rain are here through November, so your HVAC equipment needs extra protection. Concerned about your AC compressor? Call Douglas Cooling & Heating. We’re here for you before and after the season’s storms.

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Cold weather is right around the corner! As a homeowner in the south, you need to know how to winterize your southern home to stay warm and safe this season. Douglas Cooling & Heating shares winterization tips and how to maximize indoor comfort this winter!

How to Winterize Your Southern Home’s Air Conditioning Equipment

Before cold weather hits, take the time to address your outdoor air conditioning equipment now that it’s not in use. Some simple winterization steps work to protect this important equipment and prevent damage that could affect your comfort come spring.

• Clean your exterior unit. Take the time to remove all debris from your air conditioner’s exterior components. Turn off power before performing this maintenance. Brush away debris such as leaves and grass clippings from the fins and grill. Carefully remove any branches or twigs stuck between them. Use a hose to gently wash away dirt and debris.
• Clear the area. As you’re packing away patio and outdoor furniture for the winter season, make sure the area near your air conditioner does not become a storage spot. Never store outdoor items around your air conditioning unit. Additionally, if there is vegetation growing up around the unit or shrubbery encroaching, take time to trim and clear it back. You want to leave a 2-foot area clear around the outdoor equipment. If heavy items could be knocked its way during a winter storm, it’s best to secure these items in a shed or garage for the season.
• Trim nearby trees and remove dead branches. The weight of ice on limbs or a strong winter wind has the power to knock branches down onto your outdoor unit, resulting in damage. Cut back limbs that hang over your equipment and remove dead limbs from nearby trees to prevent this possibility.
• Check your gutters. Clogged or improperly routed or pitched gutters send water from rain and snow melt dripping down onto your exterior air conditioner. This water freezes within your unit, causing damage to components.
• Cover your unit. While not a must-do step, some homeowners feel safer with a cover for their outdoor air conditioner. This is fine, just make sure to do it the right way. Cover the top of your exterior air conditioner for the winter to keep out debris and discourage rodents from nesting. Check with your air conditioner manufacturer to see if a cover is recommended. In most cases, a piece of plywood held by a brick or two provides protection from debris and rodents entry points. Be sure to monitor it for excess moisture throughout the winter – don’t accidentally create an opportunity for mold to grow in the system.  

Get Your Heating System Ready

A few simple steps help your heating system perform at its best throughout the winter. Do what you can now before cold weather arrives to limit the risk of comfort disruptions throughout the season.

• Schedule a preventive heating maintenance tune up. Have your heating system professionally serviced by our NATE-certified technicians to ensure superior performance over the winter season. Our technicians thoroughly examine your system, identify performance or repair issues for correction, and provide the care the system needs. This counteracts wear and tear to improve energy efficiency and performance over the winter.
• Change your air filter. Your furnace’s filter should be changed on a regular basis. How often depends on the frequency recommended by your manufacturer and household factors. Before winter, visually examine your filter – if it’s gray and caked with debris, change it now. Throughout the winter months, do a monthly inspection to determine if a new filter is warranted – filters sometimes need to be changed more frequently during the winter when the HVAC system experience periods of heavy use.
• Clear the area. Never store items in the area surrounding your furnace, as this is a fire hazard. Keep the 6-foot area around your furnace clear if it’s installed in an open area, like your garage or basement. If you have a smaller utility closet, never store items near the furnace. Keep all combustible materials in another location.
• Schedule repairs right away. If there are issues you know of that were not corrected last heating season, don’t put off repairs. Problems with different HVAC system components place the system under stress and force it to draw excess energy. This not only burdens the equipment, it raises your energy bills. Call Douglas Cooling & Heating to schedule an inspection and heating repair service in Birmingham.

Why Heating Maintenance Is Important

The minute you turn on your heating and air unit, you expect it to work flawlessly and keep even temperatures throughout your home. However, ignored HVAC equipment increases the risk of unexpected breakdowns, poor health and higher energy bills.

Save yourself time and money and schedule maintenance for the fall. Waiting until your furnace or heat pump is broken leaves you vulnerable to the cold weather outside. Plus, it will cost more to get your unit up and running quickly. This makes your job more difficult as you work through how to winterize your southern home.

Our heating and air professionals know what to look for during routine maintenance calls and how to winterize your southern home when it comes to HVAC equipment. We will catch early signs of wear and tear, and repair or replace worn or broken components.

Preventing malfunctions and breakdowns keeps your heating and air system healthy and lengthens its lifespan. You won’t have to deal with replacing your equipment around the holidays, which means less stress financially when you are planning family gatherings and buying gifts.

Besides saving money, maintenance promotes healthy indoor air. Your furnace or Birmingham heat pump experiences a buildup of dirt, dust and other debris. When you fire up your heating system for the first time, anything accumulated inside will be transferred to the indoor air you breathe.

Scheduling maintenance with Douglas Cooling & Heating clears away the dirt and debris. Our experts also remove excess moisture before mold or mildew grows inside your unit or the ductwork.

Mold spores spread throughout your home via the air ducts when a heating and air unit isn’t routinely inspected and cleaned.

How to Winterize Your Southern Home for Better Comfort

As you learn how to winterize your southern home, don’t forget about comfort! These tips help your home stay warmer throughout the season and make your HVAC system more energy efficient.

• Identify and seal air leaks throughout your home. Seal cracks and gaps which let indoor air out and outdoor air in. This prevents heat loss and keep more of your heating energy in the home where you can use it.
• Add weather stripping around door frames to prevent drafts of cool air into your home. This also requires your heating system to work harder.
• Keep fireplace dampers closed unless you are burning a fire in the fireplace. An open damper allows warm air from your living areas to escape out the chimney.
• Prevent heat loss when using the fireplace by opening dampers in the firebox’s bottom. If not provided, open the nearest window approximately one inch and shut all doors to the fireplace room. This helps you stay warm even with lower thermostat temperatures.
• Use plastic sheeting or film to cover window interiors to prevent cold air infiltration.
• Use heavy, insulating drapes or curtains to prevent cold air infiltration in your rooms whenever you do not have sunlight exposure. In south-facing rooms, open curtains during the daytime to take advantage of natural solar energy.

Thermostat Settings for Winter

How to winterize your southern home doesn’t just involve tasks before the season starts. When you know the right thermostat settings to maximize energy efficiency, you help your HVAC system work at its best all winter long.

• When you are home and awake, choose temperature settings as low as you can comfortably tolerate.
• For periods where everyone is asleep or out of the home, set back your thermostat 10 to 15 degrees. Doing so for eight or more hours can lead to a savings of up 10 percent annually. A programmable or smart thermostat makes this adjustment easy!

Get HVAC Winterization Help from Douglas Cooling & Heating!

Don’t neglect your HVAC system as you work through these steps for how to winterize your southern home. Schedule HVAC service in Birmingham today from Douglas Cooling & Heating! We’re here to assist with the HVAC services your air conditioner needs to stay protected and your heating system needs to maintain warmth.

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