Douglas Cooling & Heating is Going to Celebrate Hoover Day!

March 27th, 2019

Guess what?! Jay Douglas and Keith Posey of Douglas Cooling & Heating will be attending the Celebrate Hoover Day event that takes place on April 27th!

In case you don’t know what Celebrate Hoover Day is, it is a family-friendly event that Hoover Chamber puts on every year to celebrate their wonderful city. This is the first year that members of our team will be in attendance, and we are definitely excited. Jay and Keith will be setting up a booth at the event, so please stop by and say hello! More details about prizes, giveaways, and the location of our booth are to follow, so be on the lookout for those.

Douglas Cooling & Heating has been proudly serving the city of Hoover since 1972 and we look forward to celebrating its wonderful residents.

For more information about this event, please visit their website. 

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Better Sleep with HVAC Service in Birmingham

March 26th, 2019

Improve your sleep experience when you hire Douglas Cooling & Heating to perform your HVAC service in Birmingham! Whether your home is too warm, too dry, too humid or has poor air circulation, HVAC service helps.

Stop tossing and turning all night and wake up refreshed in the morning. Try any of these HVAC services and solutions designed to help you maximize comfort levels and get a peaceful night’s sleep.

Use HVAC Service & Products to Control Humidity

Optimize your home’s humidity level for ideal sleep conditions. Too little humidity leads to itchy, dry skin, which wakes you up. Too much leaves you uncomfortable and clammy. You won’t be able to relax, and you may not be able to breathe well.

Besides, thick, sticky air attracts insects and promotes mold and dust mite growth. That’s truly a nightmare for anyone in your home who suffers from allergies, asthma, or other respiratory issues.

Eliminate this problem when you install a whole-home humidifier or dehumidifier. In Birmingham, we have unique challenges with humidity at different times of the year. Ask your Douglas Cooling & Heating consultant for a customized plan based on your needs.

Wi-Fi Thermostats

As you approach sleep, your body temperature decreases. You need your bedroom’s temperature to do the same. For this reason, the National Sleep Foundation recommends setting your room’s overnight temperature to between 60 and 67 degrees Fahrenheit. Set it warmer or cooler and potentially negatively affect the quality of your REM sleep.

Install a programmable thermostat to make temperature control an automatic part of your bedtime routine. A programmable thermostat allows you to set the temperature to fall automatically every night just before bedtime.

Fans and Zoned Air Conditioning Systems

Ceiling fans are a great solution to help combat the higher energy costs of turning down the temperature a few degrees to promote restful sleep in the summer. The continuous air circulation they offer results in a cool and comfortable night’s sleep with a downdraft.

The hidden benefit is the soothing white noise helps many fall asleep. Zoned air conditioning systems are another option. They allow you to set different temperatures in different rooms or sections of the house.

This promotes targeted air circulation and temperature regulation in your home. By dropping the temperature in just your bedroom, you have the option of keeping it comfortable without spending money to cool the rest of the house at night.

Basic HVAC Service: Air Conditioning Tune-Up

No matter your home’s heating and cooling system setup, your HVAC system should function as efficiently as possible to help you get high-quality rest each night. It starts when you hire a licensed expert for HVAC services such as a heat pump or an air conditioner tune-up.

We recommend one every spring before temperatures climb. This makes it easier for your system to maintain your preferred temperature, humidity levels and air circulation. It also helps reduce your energy bills — great peace of mind as you drift off to sleep!

Trust Douglas Cooling & Heating for All Your HVAC Service Needs

The team at Douglas Cooling & Heating is happy to provide HVAC services to keep your system running smoothly and your family resting easily. From general maintenance to major repairs and installation, we have the skills and expertise to make HVAC product recommendations and handle any heating and cooling issues you’re experiencing. Contact us today to schedule a HVAC service appointment or consultation.

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Trust Our Award Winning Team!

March 25th, 2019

As you may have noticed, we have been celebrating success after success with our team of expert technicians here at Douglas Heating, Cooling, & Electrical. This week, we are proud to announce that we have been awarded three different awards, and we wanted to share this success with you, our valued customers.

Recently, we have won the following:

We are so proud of our team and all of their hard work. We will continue to work towards creating a comfortable and efficient environment for every customer. With the best products on the market today, and with our NATE-Certified technicians, we are sure that we will only see more success.

 

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Birmingham Asks: What’s the Difference Between Drain Clearing and Drain Cleaning?

March 20th, 2019

What’s the difference between drain clearing and drain cleaning? Residents of Birmingham ask this question all the time. The differences are more important than you think! Luckily, Douglas Cooling & Heating’ new plumbing division helps you decipher the differences to best help your home.

What’s the Difference Between Drain Clearing and Drain Cleaning

Before you take action with your drain, it’s best to know if your drain needs clearing or cleaning. Drain clearing removes a blockage. After the clog is removed, a jet of pressurized water shoots through the pipe. This is called drain cleaning and it ensures any leftover debris moves through the pipe.

Seems simple enough, but at-home remedies often misdiagnose the problem.

Drain Clearing

Though drain clearing sounds like an easy task, professionals often need to get involved. Here’s how to tell if you actually need your drain cleared.

  • Main drain blockage- Low water pressure throughout your home indicates a block between the main line and your plumbing system. Often, a camera is needed to see the problem before you take action. Luckily, Douglas Cooling & Heating has this equipment and takes care of the problem for you.
  • Deep clogs- Secondly, clogs too far down in your pipe to be snaked or plunged need professional help. A professional plumber has the right tools to clear the blockage without damage to your pipes. Like with the main drain block, a camera diagnoses the problem; the plumber then clears the clog with the appropriate tools.

Sometimes, drain clearing is all that’s needed. In some cases, however, drain cleaning is necessary to prevent clogs from quickly resurfacing. In the cases of crumbling pipes or tree root infestation, the situation may be even more serious.

Our licensed plumbers perform the necessary assessments to provide you with as much information as possible before you make a decision about services.

Drain Cleaning

Unlike drain clearing, drain cleaning relates directly to surface-level clogs and leftover debris. At-home methods—such as baking soda, borax, or washing soda—can only clean close to the top of the drain. However, professional plumbers clean deeper with their specialized tools.

First, a plumber uses a camera to assess the problem. Next, they puncture a clog if needed. Once the clog is removed, a hydro-jet sprays your pipes with pressurized water. This clears any debris unable to be snaked or removed manually.

Why Is It Important?

So, now you know the difference between drain clearing and drain cleaning, but what does it mean for your home? When you understand why you experience blockages as well as why home fixes do not resolve the issue then you can understand what type of service you may need.

A good snake of your drain removes surface-level blockages but leaves larger clogs farther down the pipe untouched.

If you get frustrated with the process, excessive force with the snake usually follows. This actually causes more harm than good; damaged pipes are even more difficult to treat.

Last, excessive use of chemical cleaners also damages pipes. The chemicals erode the inside of the pipe. This leads to breaks and leaks which require more attention than a simple clearing and cleaning job.

The only way to clear your drain completely comes from professional assistance. Plumbers have the correct tools to remove deep blockages. After the drain clearing, a concentrated jet of water leaves your pipes sparkling clean and—most importantly—undamaged!

Call Douglas for Plumbing Services in Birmingham

Now you know the difference between drain clearing and drain cleaning. Damage to your pipes through excessive force with a snake or too many chemical cleaners causes more harm than good. Use at-home methods sparingly to maintain a healthy plumbing system.

When you’re stuck, call Douglas Cooling & Heating in Birmingham, Alabama! We give you a free estimate on your plumbing service. Trust us, we finish the job quickly and reliably.

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Why Professional AC Installation Matters

March 18th, 2019

Summer is just around the corner, and for many of us here in Alabama, we are already beginning to feel its effects. Temperatures are starting to climb, and we can bet that many of you are starting to daydream about diving into a pool, eating some ice cream, and roasting some marshmallows in a campfire. And, in addition to all that daydreaming, you might find it best to start thinking about the condition of your air conditioner.

If you currently own an old, outdated AC, it might be time to consider a replacement. Purchasing a new air conditioner is just the first step in the installation process, and it definitely does not stop there. You are going to need expert AC installation in Birmingham to ensure that your new system is set up for success. In case you are not yet convinced, we have highlighted a number of reasons why professional installation certainly matters. 

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Air Conditioning History: Margaret Ingels

March 12th, 2019

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

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

Early Life and Education

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

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

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

Career

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

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

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

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

Industry Advocacy

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

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

Awards and Recognition in Air Conditioning History

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Ultraviolet Air Cleaners vs. Media Air Cleaners: What’s the HVAC Difference?

March 7th, 2019

Before you improve the indoor air quality in your home, it’s best to understand the HVAC difference between an ultraviolet air cleaner or media air cleaner. Both keep unwanted contaminants out of your home’s air.

Both allow you to breathe easier and healthier air. But, each system works differently and has its own advantages. Below, we explore the similarities and differences between these two indoor air quality products.

Media Air Cleaners

Media air cleaners serve as a great first line of defense to improve your home’s indoor air quality. Essentially, they are highly effective air filters which trap tiny invisible air particles. These pollutants include dander, pollen, mold and dust. Media air cleaners are installed on a return duct line and prevent particulates from entering your home.

How Media Air Cleaners Work

A media air cleaner is a cabinet placed in the return air duct of the forced air system. As air passes through your HVAC system, the media air cleaner traps airborne particles within the filter media before they reach your indoor atmosphere.

The main HVAC difference between a media air cleaner and a standard air filter is size. Conventional air filters are an inch thick while media cleaners are 4 to 5 inches thick. This allows for more and better air filtration.

IAQ Advantages of Media Air Cleaners 

Here are ways a media air filter improves air quality in your home:

  • More effective than traditional filters: A media air cleaner provides up to 40 times more filtering media than a traditional 1-inch thick air filter.
  • Captures invisible particulates: As air flows through the cleaner, it traps tiny particles as small as 0.1 microns. To give you an idea of how small that is, consider the average thickness of a human hair is between 30 to 100 microns!
  • Captures pathogens: A media air cleaner captures up to 98 percent of airborne particles containing bacteria, mold spores, and viruses. These have the potential to cause dangerous and even deadly diseases in humans.

Ultraviolet Air Cleaners

The main HVAC difference between media air cleaners and ultraviolet media cleaners? One is a filter and one uses light to prevent harmful particles from entering your home’s air. Ultraviolet air cleaners live inside your HVAC system and kill any potentially harmful bacteria before it enters your living space. They do not rely on filters to remove airborne contaminants.

How Ultraviolet Air Cleaners Work

Ultraviolet air cleaners use state-of-the-art ultraviolet (UV) light technology to stop virus reproduction. This effectively prevents the spread of diseases or re-infection. Ultraviolet air cleaners often combine a UV lamp with a media air filter to remove harmful particles from your home’s air and kill germs and bacteria.

IAQ Advantages of HVAC UV light

UV air cleaners help purify your home’s air in the following ways:

  • Kills mold and bacteria: It’s almost impossible for air conditioners to stay dry from within. UV light significantly reduces microbes on the coils within your system. Also reduces the risk of mold and other bacteria from entering the rooms in your home.
  • Removes VOCs: UV lights lower the amount of VOCs in your home. Volatile organic compounds include both human-made and naturally occurring compounds. These range from acetone in furniture polish and wallpaper to benzene in paint and carpeting. VOCs have a direct effect on your home’s indoor air quality as well as your family’s health. This is especially true for those who suffer from allergies, asthma, respiratory illnesses or certain cardiac conditions.

Call Douglas Cooling & Heating to Install a Media Air Cleaner or Ultraviolet Air Cleaner

Are you looking to install a media air cleaner or ultraviolet air cleaner in your Birmingham home? Now that you know the HVAC difference between the two devices, contact Douglas Cooling & Heating today for a free estimate!

Our indoor air quality specialists conduct a comprehensive analysis of your HVAC system and recommend an indoor air quality system to keep your air, allergen and contaminant-free.

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Common Plumbing Problems in Birmingham

March 6th, 2019

Common plumbing problems weigh on every homeowner’s mind. When should you deal with plumbing yourself? Is it time to call a plumber? The professionals at Douglas Cooling & Heating, located in Birmingham, Alabama, are here to help. Tell the difference between at-home fixes and common plumbing problems requiring a professional with our help.

Common Plumbing Problems Which Require a Professional

Professional help with plumbing is needed more often than you think. A number of common plumbing problems must be fixed with the expertise of a plumber. These are a few issues to seek help from a plumber to fix.

Clogged drains

Everyone gets a clog now and again. If all your at-home methods—plungers, chemical cleaners or drain snakes—don’t fix the clog, call a professional. Additionally, if you experience clogs on a regular basis, the problem most likely stems from a complete clog far down in your drain. At-home methods can’t fix these clogs.

Leaky pipes

Similarly to clogged drains, leaky pipes are temporarily fixed with at-home remedies; however, these fixes need a professional to be correctly treated. Your leaky pipe seems like an easy fix, but it points to larger issues.

Use leak tape before your plumber visits to keep leakage contained. Then, call a professional. They fix the underlying problem instead of the surface-level issue.

Low water pressure

Though it’s one of the most common plumbing problems, many believe this issue doesn’t need attention. Quite the contrary! Most of the time, low water pressure stems from build-up of minerals on faucets and shower heads.

If a quick clean of faucets doesn’t remedy your water pressure, get in touch with a plumber. A deeper issue, like a pipe leak or breach, could be the culprit. In that case, call a plumber to assess the problem.

Installation

Even for DIY masters, plumbing installation requires professional help. Attempt to install plumbing on your own and face potential hazards later on. Professionals are trained to install plumbing, so call them when you want a new set of pipes, sink or tub.

Septic tank leaks

Finally, septic tank leaks need professional assistance. No one wants to tread through septic tanks, especially if you don’t know how to fix the problem. You need a professional for any septic tank problems you have.

Schedule Regular Maintenance

The best strategy to avoid emergency plumbing repairs employs regular visits from a professional. Here are some benefits to regular plumbing maintenance.

  • Always clean- First, your faucets and pipes benefit from regular cleaning. You clean your pipes externally, but plumbers go deeper. All parts, inside and out, must be cleaned for the best performance.

 

  • Proactive not reactive- Maintenance allows your plumber to come across small problems before they become big ones. Common plumbing problems are solved quickly, but large issues take time—and rack up expenses.

    Get professional help to alleviate the need for emergency calls to your plumber. Even a small water leak can create big, expensive problems so it’s best to get those check-ups!

 

  • Ensured safety- Last, plumbers check potentially dangerous problems during annual checks. For example, water heaters need to be checked for problems because any damage leads to gas leaks, fires and possibly explosions.

    While these are extreme examples, they are possible and should be taken seriously. Regular maintenance ensures your water heater runs smoothly.

Call Douglas to Solve Common Plumbing Problems for You

At the end of the day, professional help from plumbers guarantees your water flows as it should. While at-home fixes temporarily fix your common plumbing problems, they do not treat underlying issues.

This is why you must call an expert. Luckily, Douglas Cooling & Heating is here to help the residents of Birmingham, Alabama. For professional, reliable service, call us today and schedule a maintenance visit.

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The Benefits of Springtime Heating and Cooling Service in Birmingham

March 5th, 2019

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

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

What Does Springtime Heating and Cooling Service Involve?

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

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

Why Schedule Springtime Heating and Cooling Service?

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

Detect Potential Problems Early

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

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

Maintain and Improve Your HVAC System’s Efficiency

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

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

Improve Your Home’s Air Quality

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

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

Beat the Summer Rush

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

Call Douglas Cooling & Heating for Springtime Heating and Cooling Service

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

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

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3 Reasons to Go Ductless

March 4th, 2019

Owning both a great heater and air conditioner is not only a luxury, but a necessity. So, why not invest in a system that can do both? A ductless system serves as a singular alternative to owning both a heater and an air conditioner. It is versatile, highly efficient, and very effective. As a homeowner, it is important to create a comfortable and efficient environment inside your home, and a ductless system will allow you to do just that! So, if you are in the market for a new heating or cooling system, consider going ductless!

Investing in professional residential heating services in Birmingham is the best way to ensure that your new system is the best choice for your home, as not all systems have the same capacity and capabilities. Installing a ductless system is definitely a worthwhile investment. Keep reading below to learn more about the benefits of installing a ductless system. 

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