HVAC Help: AC Starts and Stops

April 4th, 2019

If your AC starts and stops, your system is most likely short cycling. Certain system issues cause short cycling and it negatively affects your comfort as well as the energy bills for your Birmingham, AL home. Learn what it is and what to do to prevent it. Douglas Cooling & Heating offers the help you need to stop short cycling and improve indoor comfort.

What Is AC Short Cycling?

AC short cycling is a term that describes when an air conditioner prematurely ends its cooling cycle, then starts it back up soon after. These frequent starts and stops cause early wear and tear, which damages the air conditioner’s components. Left unchecked, short cycling may lead to early compressor burnout and the need for early system replacement.

In addition to the damage done to your air conditioning system, frequent AC starts and stops cause the cooling system to consume a greater amount of power. Once your air conditioner starts short cycling, your utility bills will drastically rise. Excessive electricity consumption will go on until the issue behind the short cycling is resolved.

What Causes Short Cycling?

There are multiple causes behind AC starts and stops, which the expert HVAC technicians diagnose. Common causes of AC starts and stops include:

  • Refrigerant leaks: Leaking refrigerant causes numerous problems within a cooling system, one of which is short cycling. Short cycling is one tell-tale sign that your system suffers a refrigerant leak. The short cycling combined with low refrigerant levels pose a damage threat to your system’s compressor.
  • Dirty air filter: When an air filter is clogged with debris, not enough air is able to move through the system. This prevents the evaporator coil from absorbing heat, causing the cooling cycle to abruptly stop.
  • Thermostat issues: Faulty thermostats may communicate early stops to cooling equipment. If the thermostat doesn’t take accurate temperature readings, it signals AC starts and stops at inappropriate intervals.

Prevent AC Starts and Stops

Prevent AC starts and stops when you take these steps to safeguard your Birmingham home’s cooling equipment:

  • Change air filters regularly. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for filter change frequency. This is anywhere from one to 12 months, depending on the filter.
  • Properly position your thermostat. Do not install it in direct sunlight or drafty areas, such as by the front door.
  • Sign up for a service plan. Annual preventative maintenance performed by Douglas Cooling & Heating’ technicians ensures your cooling equipment is tuned-up and working properly. HVAC techs change filters, check refrigerant levels and note signs of stress. They repair minor issues before they cause short cycling and extensive damage to your system. They clean, maintain and check all vital components of your air conditioner. This improves the performance and energy efficiency of the cooling system over the course of the warmer months.

If Your AC Starts and Stops Call Douglas Cooling & Heating for Help

Put an end to AC starts and stops today with the help of Douglas Cooling & Heating. Contact us for quick repairs that resolve short cycling, and preventative maintenance agreements to prevent it season after season. We are here to help you create a more comfortable and energy efficient Birmingham home!

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You Need Electrical Repair if You Notice Any of These Issues

April 1st, 2019

If you are like many homeowners, you probably don’t think about your electrical system too much, and that’s understandable. Though you rely on it every day, the majority of it is hidden. Wires and circuits are tucked away behind walls, which is great for aesthetics, however, this means that it can be quite difficult to tell when there is a problem.

Of course, of all the problems that can afflict your home, electrical problems are perhaps the most dangerous and problematic, which is why it is important to be aware of the signs that suggest that something is wrong. You should be familiar with some of these telltale signs so that you can contact a professional electrician in Hoover, AL right away. Keep reading below to find out more. 

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How Regulation Changes to Air Conditioner Refrigerant Affect Birmingham Homeowners

March 28th, 2019

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

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

Air Conditioner Refrigerant 2020 Regulations

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

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

What the Air Conditioner Refrigerant Regulations Mean for Homeowners

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

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

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

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

Option #1: Retrofit Your Current AC System

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

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

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

Option #2: Replace Your Older AC Unit

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

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

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

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

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

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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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