What Happens If You Don’t Change Your Furnace Filter?

January 31st, 2022

Regular filter changes are an important component of maintenance for any forced air heating and cooling system, including furnaces, heat pumps, and air conditioners. What happens if you don’t change your furnace air filter when you should? Douglas Cooling & Heating explains what will happen to your HVAC system if it is left to run with a dirty filter in place.

What Happens If Your HVAC System Runs with a Dirty Filter?

Did you know that furnace air filters need to be changed on a regular basis? Changing your air filter is a must. This should happen as frequently as every month to every 12 months or so, depending on the air filter model in use. What happens if you don’t change your furnace filter and your system keeps operating with a dirty, old filter in place?

The furnace air filter’s role is to trap airborne contaminants so that they don’t make their way into the inner chambers of your furnace or air handler unit. Many homeowners believe their purpose is to trap air pollutants for the benefit of better indoor air quality, but this is actually just a bonus perk filters provide in addition to keeping the insides of your equipment clean. When the filter is full, it can no longer trap new particles from the air circulating through it, and these contaminants will be free to cycle into the HVAC equipment.

Let’s take a look at what happens if you don’t change your dirty air filter for a new one:

1. Dirt & Dust Accumulate Inside the Unit

Dirt and dust settling inside your furnace or air handler are what happens if you don’t change your furnace filter. These deposits build up on components inside the unit, restricting their performance. If you have a clogged air filter, the unit will draw more energy to power through this restriction and do its job, raising your energy costs. Your HVAC unit operates less efficiently and these parts encounter added stress that leads to more wear and tear, and eventually breakdowns.

2. Airflow Is Restricted

What happens if you don’t change your furnace filter is that the dirty filter will become a barrier inside the HVAC system, restricting air movement through the equipment and your home. In order to force air through the system and circulate conditioned air to your living areas, the HVAC system will consume more energy to do its job. As a result, your energy costs will increase because the system isn’t operating as efficiently as it should. The system will also experience added stress which takes its toll in the form of wear and tear and future breakdowns.

3. Equipment Overheats

With good airflow blocked by the dirty filter, the interior of your heating equipment can increase in temperature. When the inside of the unit becomes too hot, the limit switch will shut down the heating cycle in an attempt to protect the components from damage. Once the equipment cools down, it will be able to run again – but this issue will continue to repeat. Overheating can damage furnace components and prevent your home from reaching comfortable temperatures due to shortened heating cycles.

4. System Short Cycles

When your dirty furnace filters cause your HVAC unit to overheat and shut down, and then restart again repeatedly, is called short cycling.  Short cycling occurs when the HVAC system doesn’t run for the correct cycle length and the cycle ends prematurely.  Short cycling causes increased energy consumption as your HVAC unit experiences more starts and stops than it should. More frequent starts and stops also stress the system, increasing wear and tear, causing breakdowns and component failures, and ultimately forcing the unit to experience a premature total failure. Constant overheating with each cycle also damages components, leading to more repairs.  Replacing your air filter with a new air filter can help prevent short cycling.

Keep Up with Filter Change Needs

Ultimately what happens if you don’t change your furnace filter is that the system will run less efficiently, costing you more on your energy bills. Components will experience more stress along with wear and tear, causing them to break and require repairs or replacement. Ongoing operation with a dirty filter causes short-cycling, which will end up causing your HVAC system to break down for good and require total system replacement.

Avoid what happens if you don’t change your furnace filter and make HVAC maintenance a priority in your Birmingham, AL area home. Douglas Cooling & Heating offers heating and cooling maintenance tune-ups to care for your HVAC equipment in addition to the filter changes you perform throughout the year. Contact us today to schedule service.

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The Impact of a Clogged Condensate Drain

January 17th, 2022

Heat pump mini split systems are incredibly helpful for keeping homes in our area comfortable throughout the year. While these systems offer great benefits to their owners, they do also require expert care to continue doing what they do. No system can work effectively or efficiently forever and most systems will fail early without professional services. A heat pump is no different.

Loose parts and electrical issues aren’t the only repair issues that a heat pump may encounter though. Clogged condensate drains are a fairly common heat pump repair in Birmingham, AL that our team can help address. Here is what you need to know about clearing your heat pump’s condensate line.

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Does Your Furnace Have a Cracked Heat Exchanger?

January 3rd, 2022

gas-burnerDo you have a gas-powered furnace in your home? If so, you likely are able to rely on it on even the coldest of days to keep you warm. This system is known for being reliable and powerful. Over time though, regular wear and tear is going to take its toll on your furnace and create problems. One of the worst problems that your gas furnace can develop as it ages is a cracked heat exchanger.

If something goes awry with your heater, you’ll want to reach out to an expert for furnace service in Birmingham, AL. Specifically, you need repairs! But how quickly do you need repairs? And how severe of an issue is a cracked heat exchanger? We’ll get into more details about this repair issue below.

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How to Tell Your Water Heater Is About To Give Up

December 20th, 2021

No one likes the idea of trying to enjoy a warm shower only to be hit by a blast of cold water. This may be a highly effective way to wake up but it is an uncomfortable way to start the day, to say the least. This is avoidable by staying on top of system maintenance and repairs in most cases. However, these services aren’t always enough.

After years of hard work, your water heater may be ready to give up. This means that you will end up with a system that refuses to operate no matter how many repairs it gets. The best thing to do is replace your water heater ahead of time to avoid this situation of course. The question is, how do you know when you need to invest in a new water heater in Birmingham?

We can give you the details below.

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How to Prevent Frozen Pipes in the Winter

December 17th, 2021

With cold weather and the winter season upon us this month, Birmingham area homeowners need to prepare themselves for the possibility of freezing temperatures. When it gets this cold outside, the plumbing in your home becomes vulnerable. Frozen pipes can cause major damage, and you want to avoid them at all costs. Douglas Cooling & Heating reviews how to prevent frozen pipes in the winter so you can avoid serious water leaks and burst pipes this season.

Preventative Tips to Prevent Pipes from Freezing in the Winter

To prevent frozen pipes in the winter, Birmingham homeowners should practice a combination of preventative strategies as well as taking certain steps whenever the outdoor temperature drops. Before the coldest weather arrives, do the following:

Winterize Outdoor Spigots

  • Disconnect all garden hoses from outdoor spigots. Drain the hoses, wrap them up, and store them in a shed or garage for the winter.
  • Find the individual shutoff valve for each outdoor faucet, located a few feet behind the exterior wall in your crawlspace, basement, or utility room. Close the shutoff valve, and open the outdoor spigot which will allow water to drain out of the supply line.
  • Leave the outdoor spigot open over the winter months, which will allow any water that happens to get into the line to drain out so it does not freeze within your pipe.
  • Consider upgrading to frost-free hose bibbs, which are more resistant to freezing temperatures. You can also place insulating covers over regular hose bibbs if you choose.

Insulate Pipes

Insulating pipes, especially those that run in areas of the home that are not heated or are closest to the exterior of the home, can prevent freezing pipes in the winter when exposed to extremely cold air and temperatures. Products you can use to protect the pipes include:

  • Foam pipe insulation sleeves, which resemble a pool noodle
  • Heat tape; look for UL-listed products
  • Add other forms of insulation to the areas where these pipes run, which will help these spaces hold heat and keep pipes warm

How to Prevent Frozen Pipes in the Winter

When temperatures are expected to drop to or below about 20 degrees, your pipes are at risk for freezing. Before the outdoor temperature reaches this point, take these steps to prevent frozen pipes in the winter.

  • Open cabinet doors below sinks, which allows the home’s warm air to circulate in the area and keep pipes warmer.
  • Open faucets slightly, allowing a low stream of cold water to keep moving through the pipes – running water will help prevent frozen pipes in the winter.
  • If you have water pipes running in a garage, keep the overhead door and other access doors closed to help hold heat inside that space and keep pipes warmed.
  • Always keep the heat on in your home, even if you will be away. Never lower the thermostat below about 55 degrees over the winter months.
  • If you set back your thermostat during the day while you’re at work or overnight, raise the temperature of your setbacks a few degrees so your home always has ample heat to help prevent frozen pipes in the winter.

What to Do If Your Pipes Freeze

Despite best efforts to prevent frozen pipes in the winter, freezes do sometimes occur. If you suspect a frozen pipe, which may be obvious due to low water flow or lack of water from certain fixtures, you need to take action fast. Warm the pipes by using cloth or towels soaked in hot water, electric blankets and heating pads. You can also warm the pipes with a hair dryer and a portable space heater. Leave the faucet open as you do this to alleviate pressure and allow melted ice to drain from the pipe.

If you need assistance thawing frozen pipes or help to prevent frozen pipes in the winter, call Douglas Cooling & Heating. Our Douglas Cooling & Heating are ready to help you prepare for colder weather and protect your home’s plumbing lines.

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What Is Ductless Heating, and Is It Right for My Alabama Home?

December 17th, 2021

Birmingham, AL homeowners have many options when it comes to heating systems for their residences. Furnaces and heat pumps are common choices that have been around for ages, but ductless heating is growing in popularity! Many don’t know about this type of heating system and ask what is ductless heating? Douglas Cooling & Heating explains ductless heating systems and why they should be considered for your Alabama home.

What Is Ductless Heating?

Ductless heating differs from the conventional heating system types most homeowners are familiar with. Most people know about furnaces and heat pumps that use a duct system to send warm air into living areas from the unit. As the name suggests, ductless heating is a type of heating system that does not use a duct distribution system to send heated air throughout the home.

Furnace systems operate using a single piece of indoor equipment, while heat pumps are a split system with an outdoor heat pump and indoor air handler. In both of these systems, the indoor unit is connected to ductwork which carries conditioned air to living areas. Ductless heating is much different in that a single outdoor heat pump connects directly to multiple individual air handler units, which are installed directly in the living spaces they are designated to heat.

The outdoor heat pump and indoor air handlers are connected via a line set, which is a small pipe that transports refrigerant between the units for heat exchange. Outdoors, the heat pump extracts heat from the air, just as a conventional heat pump does. Instead of transporting refrigerant back to a centralized air handler for heat exchange, refrigerant travels to the individual air handlers throughout the home. These air handlers transfer heat to the air as needed and send heated air directly into the room or area in which they are installed. 

Is Ductless Heating Good for Alabama Homes?

Now that we’ve answered what ductless heating is, let’s explore why Alabama homeowners may want to take advantage of this heating system technology.

  • Ductless systems provide individualized, zoned heating for improved comfort and better energy efficiency. Each indoor air handler is controlled separately from the other connected units, allowing users to adjust heating needs in their space without impacting the heating in other areas. Heating is only used when needed in each area, which saves energy versus heating the entire home to the same specifications, regardless of individual comfort preferences.
  • Ductless mini splits can be installed in a variety of applications, used as a whole home solution or a means to heat only one area. Add a ductless system to heat new areas of the home, such as a newly finished attic space or home addition. Install ductless heating in targeted areas for supplemental heat when your existing central furnace or heat pump just doesn’t meet the needs of these particular spaces. Expand a ductless mini split system to include multiple air handlers and provide heat across the entire home. The possibilities are abundant!
  • Without the ductwork requirement, ductless heating can go places traditional furnaces and heat pumps can’t. They’re great for older homes that don’t have ducts or central heating, nor the space to install ducts without taking up significant space. If you have older ducts that need replacement, that expense while upgrading your heating system can be prohibitive – installing ductless heating is a more affordable solution in this situation. In any situation, the absence of ducts makes these systems 20 to 30 percent more energy efficient than ducted heating options, as most duct systems are riddled with hidden and unknown air leaks.
  • While ductless heating equipment is installed directly in living areas versus out of the way in a utility closet, basement, or garage as most furnaces and central air handlers are, the indoor equipment isn’t large and intrusive. Plus, several options exist for wall or in-ceiling installation, so you can blend the HVAC equipment with your home décor.

Ductless Heating Systems in Birmingham, AL

Ductless heating is an excellent choice for warm comfort in Birmingham, AL area homes. If you have more questions about what ductless heating is or would like a quote for installation, please call Douglas Cooling & Heating today.

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Professional Heating Repairs Give the Gift of Peace of Mind

December 6th, 2021

When your heater starts to act up, what are you going to do? No, you shouldn’t need to prepare for heater malfunctions every year but these issues do pop up. When repairs rear their head, the question is whether or not you have a plan to handle them.

Thankfully, as long as you have our contact information on hand, you don’t need much more of a plan to deal with the situation. Our team is here to handle any heating repair in Birmingham, AL effectively and efficiently. With our help and knowledge of the warning signs we’ve provided below, you can enjoy a worry-free season knowing your heater is in great hands.

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What Is Dirty Sock Syndrome?

November 23rd, 2021

Running the air conditioner in your Birmingham area home shouldn’t produce an odor. Every now and then, local homeowners turn on the cooling and are hit with a foul smell wafting from their vents – this is what we call dirty sock syndrome. What is dirty sock syndrome and what can be done to stop it? Douglas Cooling & Heating explains what you need to know about this bothersome cooling system symptom.

What Is Dirty Sock Syndrome?

In the HVAC world, dirty sock syndrome refers to the presence of an odor from the air conditioner that, well, smells much like dirty socks. No dirty socks are present, fortunately, but what is present and causing that odor is bacteria and mold.

Homeowners typically notice the dirty sock smell after turning on their air conditioners for the first time in the spring as this is usually when the syndrome strikes. As the HVAC equipment sits dormant in between heating and cooling season, the interior of the system can contain the right ingredients for bacteria and mold to grow and thrive.

Inside the air conditioning system and often within the location of the home where the unit is installed, conditions are cool, dark, and damp. In addition to these three elements, there’s typically plenty of food in the form of organic materials sitting around to help mold and bacteria growth, thanks to pollutant deposits inside the system. Mold and bacteria grow to excess along the system’s evaporator, producing that dirty sock odor that finally becomes noticeable once you start running the system again.

Fixing and Preventing Dirty Sock Syndrome

Let’s go over how to stop dirty sock syndrome and prevent it from recurring. You don’t want to let this problem persist. Not only is the odor bothersome, dirty sock syndrome poses real health risks and can drastically damage your HVAC equipment.

Step 1: Change the filter

First, you want to remove the old air filter and replace it with a brand-new one. A new filter will ensure your system is able to capture contaminants travelling through so they won’t settle in the unit and feed the mold or bacteria. Plus, air filters can easily become damp when in this environment, creating another location for this growth and a second source for unpleasant odors. It is often helpful to upgrade to a higher-efficiency filter for increased contaminant removal.

Step 2: Clean the drip pan

The drain pan is situated below the unit’s evaporator coils. With mold and bacteria growing and reproducing on the indoor evaporator coil, the drip pan is a likely location for its spread. Pull out the pan from the unit, dump any water inside it, and thoroughly clean it with a mild soap or bleach before reinstalling.

Step 3: Schedule duct cleaning

As air circulates, it picks up bacteria and mold from the evaporator coil, and these pollutants can easily spread into the home’s ducts. The duct environment is also ideal for their growth, and you may end up with a bigger contamination problem than before. Professional duct cleaning will remove existing growth and help prevent any future growth of mold and bacteria throughout the duct system.

Step 4: Schedule evaporator coil cleaning

Next up, it’s time to remove that colony of mold and bacteria growing on the air conditioner’s dirty evaporator coil. Schedule this service with your cooling company, and an HVAC technician will treat the coil to remove the pollutants while protecting the coil from damage that will impact your air conditioner’s function.

Step 5: Consider indoor air quality equipment installation

There are two types of indoor air quality solutions that are helpful in preventing dirty sock syndrome: dehumidifiers and UV lights. Both of these systems are installed with your cooling system, and they work together so air is treated while the HVAC unit circulates it through the home.

  • Dehumidifiers reduce airborne moisture levels, preventing conditions in your air conditioner from becoming so moist they lead to dirty sock syndrome.
  • UV lights are installed within the air conditioner and sometimes inside ducts to neutralize pathogens circulating in the air. Ultraviolet energy kills bacteria and mold as it passes the light so it is no longer able to spread nor cause symptoms.

Eliminate Dirty Sock Syndrome with Help from Douglas Cooling & Heating

Douglas Cooling & Heating is ready to help you implement solutions that stop you from experiencing the unpleasant odors associated with bacteria and mold growth in your air conditioner or heat pump. To learn more and discover solutions to protect your HVAC system and your health, give us a call today.

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The Best Way To Prevent Furnace Trouble: Annual Maintenance

November 22nd, 2021

No one wants to find themselves without a working furnace in the middle of winter. Repairs will pop up over the course of your system’s lifespan of course but what if there was a way to prevent a majority of them? We have good news: there is a way!

System maintenance scheduled each year can make a huge difference for the long-term operation of your furnace heater. And you will be happy to hear that, if you haven’t scheduled maintenance yet, it isn’t too late! Let’s discuss the benefits of scheduling maintenance each year for your heating system.

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The Benefits of Using an HVAC Humidifier in Alabama

November 22nd, 2021

The Birmingham, AL area is notorious for being humid, which leads many homeowners to question if a humidifier is really something they need. Believe it or not, the benefits of whole house humidifier use in Alabama are numerous! The indoor air quality experts at Douglas Cooling & Heating explain why it’s helpful to have one of these units installed alongside your home’s heating and cooling system.

What Are the Benefits of Installing a Whole House Humidifier?

Even though the Yellowhammer State can get pretty muggy at times, this doesn’t mean we don’t have periods of dryness, too. When the outdoor temperatures dip in the late fall and winter, the air naturally becomes less humid. The outdoor air conditions have a great impact on air quality inside the home, so expect indoor air to be less humid during this time of year, too.

When enough moisture is absent from the circulating air, dryness will cause a host of problems in the home. A whole house humidifier helps homeowners counteract the physical symptoms and discomfort they may feel while protecting their homes and helping their heating systems operate more efficiently throughout the cold season.

1. Reduce Winter Dry Air Symptoms

Over the winter, people are more likely to fall ill – would you believe that drier air has something to do with this? Because it does! Exposure to dry air causes a person’s skin and mucus membranes to dry out. You may experience uncomfortable symptoms like chapped lips and dry skin, along with nosebleeds as nasal linings are robbed of protective moisture. Itchy eyes, scratchy throats, and other physical symptoms often attributed to colds can actually stem from dry air.

You may be more likely to actually fall ill when surrounded by dry air because some viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens thrive in such an environment. Increasing indoor moisture levels with a whole house humidifier prevents these harmful germs from traveling through the air and infecting bodies easily.

2. Your Body Feels Warmer

When the air is dry, you feel cooler. This is because there is little moisture to help trap warmth around your body. In a home with dry air issues, occupants may waste significant energy and money turning up the heat when they should have been turning on a humidifier.

The benefits of whole home humidifier use include reduced heating system operation because occupants are able to maintain comfort at temperatures a few degrees lower than they would in dry air conditions. The result is energy savings and owing less money to your utility provider each winter.

3.  Prevent Home Damage

Dry air can drastically affect the different woodwork and furnishings throughout your house. When the air is dry, wood loses moisture which can lead to warping and cracks. That annoying creaky floorboard or door that doesn’t seem to fit right in its frame is likely the result of not enough humidity. Adding moisture to the home’s air through the benefits of whole house humidifier operation in the winter will help your wood items maintain their shape and condition. 

4. Humidifiers Are Easy to Use

Adding moisture to the air is necessary at times, but it doesn’t have to be a big chore. One of the best benefits of a central humidifier is the convenience this equipment offers! Unlike a portable humidifier that needs constant refilling and cleaning, a whole house model requires very little maintenance. A dedicated water line supplies the system at all times, and cleaning can be done annually as part of regular heating and air conditioning system maintenance work. Change the water panel once per year, set it, and forget it!

Whole House Humidifier Installation in Birmingham, AL

If the benefits of a whole house humidifier sound good to you, prepare for winter by calling Douglas Cooling & Heating today to ensure your home’s humidity levels are in check. Our team of indoor air quality pros will help you find the right equipment for your needs and provide expert installation so your new humidifier is sure to offer the many benefits you can’t wait to enjoy, including a healthy and comfortable environment.

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