New Furnace Installations in Older Homes Require More Information

If you don’t do your research, a new furnace update in a historic home easily becomes a nightmare. Don’t worry though – at Douglas Cooling & Heating we’re unafraid of the challenge! Our professionals train to expertly assess and install modern equipment, like a new furnace, in older and historic homes.

For example, before you make any decisions, consider the insulation and ductwork available. Also review fuel, speed types and the restrictions of preservation rules. We encourage you to discuss all of these factors with our team before a new furnace installation.

Update Insulation During New Furnace Installation

Many older homes are not well-insulated. Even if insulation is present, it may be inefficient or unsafe for a new heating unit. An upgraded furnace requires modern insulation materials, so one of Douglas Cooling & Heating certified technicians will need to inspect your current insulation.

Douglas Cooling & Heating is equipped to recommend adequate insulation so you get the most value from your furnace upgrade.

Ductwork Available to Your New Furnace

The current heating system technology available today is vastly different. It can require more care when installing an updated furnace in your historic home. Our team helps you with the installation process, first with a current ductwork inspection.

Second, a modern furnace may require additional ductwork throughout your home. This prevents “cold spots” in the future.

Our team suggests which furnace is right for your historic home and determines what modifications may be necessary to customize your new heating system. If additional ductwork is necessary or if the current ductwork needs repairs, we notify you and make adjustments to fit your budget and heating needs. Our NATE-certified installers engage in continuous training to provide the best experience for you.

Fuel Types for a New Furnace

When choosing a furnace for your historic home, consider the fuel source. Older furnaces typically use oil, but newer furnaces have more efficient options available. A popular and cost-effective choice is a furnace powered by natural gas.

New Furnace Speed Options

Typically, older furnaces use a single-stage blower with only one speed. One speed makes it difficult for a furnace to achieve and maintain warmth throughout a historic home. This means higher energy bills and forces the furnace to operate harder than necessary.

New models feature two-stage blowers, so they operate at either full or half speed. Two stages of heating offer better temperature regulation and reduce the energy used to heat your home.

Variable-speed furnaces offer even more energy efficiency and greater accuracy with temperature control. We encourage you to consult with us if you plan to update your thermostat as well.

Certain thermostats work better with single-speed models versus variable-speed furnaces. Use our expertise to save yourself hassles and to pair your new furnace with the right thermostat for its design.

Historic Preservation Rules

Historic homes are sometimes governed by preservation rules intended to maintain the home and neighborhood historic integrity. If your historic home falls within these preservation rules, seek approval of upgrades and changes to the home by a historic preservation committee or municipal authority.

Check to see if a furnace installation interferes with any preservation rules before you make any decisions. When you’re ready to research a new furnace in your historic home, contact Douglas Cooling & Heating.

Our heating and cooling experts assess your home’s insulation and ductwork prior to installation. They also recommend any steps to take beforehand. We ensure your upgraded furnace works well with your home so you can enjoy warm temperatures throughout your historic house.

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Don’t get scared by bumps in the night when your furnace kicks on and off – schedule furnace maintenance. Keep your home a scare-free zone when you book preventative furnace maintenance early and know which sounds mean trouble. Douglas Cooling & Heating is standing by to assist you with all your heating and cooling needs, even spooky ones!

Furnace Maintenance “Scares off” Strange Noises

A typical furnace makes some noises but nothing which should scare you or your family members. Furnaces are designed to operate quietly and not draw attention to themselves. Most make a sound when they start and stop.

You may notice the sound of air as it moves through the vents or a gentle hum in the background. If, however, you notice new or jarring sounds from your furnace at any time, call Douglas Cooling & Heating immediately. Here are some examples:

Screech Noises

This sound typically is due to motor bearing problems. Our technicians apply lubricant to the motor during routine furnace maintenance, which stops the offending sound. However, a screech or high-pitched noise might indicate a problem with a belt. We will inspect your furnace and diagnose which problem is causing the sound.

Scrape Noises

You might notice this noise if something is wrong with the blower wheel. It will sound like metal parts rubbing together or a scratching noise, like nails on a chalkboard. If you hear this noise, call Douglas Cooling & Heating immediately!

There are a number of reasons why the blower wheel is making this sound and our technicians know exactly what to do for any circumstance.

Click Noises

Gas furnaces which turn on and off repeatedly emit a clicking sound. The issue could be a problem with the compressor or control panel. Schedule furnace maintenance to catch the problem early before the clicking noises start.

Grind Noise

A grinding sound indicates something is wrong with the motor. Worst-case scenario, the motor needs to be replaced. Our NATE-certified technicians recommend the best solution for your motor issues so you can enjoy warm temperatures without the deafening grinding noise.

Hum Noises

A motor on its last legs emits a humming noise. Don’t wait too long; otherwise, you will start to hear a grinding noise. Furnace maintenance in the fall catches humming noises early and prevents your furnace from a breakdown in the middle of winter.

Furnace Maintenance Prevention Is Key  

Whether your furnace is making noise due to something minor or major, you have the power to prevent the noise. Furnace maintenance with our licensed and knowledgeable HVAC technicians keeps your heating system operating smoothly throughout the fall and winter.

Preventative furnace maintenance allows our professionals to catch and diagnose problems early. This reduces the risk of expensive HVAC repairs in the future.

Stop scary noises before they escalate by scheduling furnace maintenance for your heating system. Catch problems now and save yourself money and stressful headaches before winter weather arrives. Contact Douglas Cooling & Heating today to ensure your furnace is ready for the colder temperatures.

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One easy way for Alabama homeowners to improve their home and save money is to keep the central heating and air unit healthy with proper attic ventilation. Let’s discuss how your attic ventilation affects your home’s comfort and the life of your HVAC system.

Saves You Money on Your Central Heating and Air Bills

An improperly ventilated attic causes inefficient performance in your central heating and air unit. This means you notice hot air entering your house during the summer and cold air during the winter.

The air which penetrates your home will force your central heating and air unit to operate harder to counteract the temperatures from outside. It’s likely your central heating and air unit won’t be able to keep up with the demands.

This leaves your home with uneven temperatures from room to room. Adequate ventilation and insulation in your attic work together to prevent air from entering your home.

When hot or cold air isn’t lost through your attic you have lower energy bills. Your central heating and air system operates less, meaning lower daily energy consumption.

Reduces Signs of Wear and Tear on Your Central Heating and Air

Your attic ventilation directly affects your central heating and air unit’s performance and signs of wear and tear. Our NATE-certified experts look for poor attic ventilation when they notice signs of excessive stress on your HVAC system during a tune-up or repair visit.

Stress on your heating and cooling unit comes from the constant temperature changes from your attic and this forces it to work harder and more often than necessary. The stress our professionals’ notice lead to frequent breakdowns, resulting in expensive HVAC repairs over time if not addressed.

If you notice your central heating and air unit experiences more breakdowns than usual or operates more often, call Douglas Cooling & Heating to schedule maintenance. Problems diagnosed early help prevent future repairs and save you money.

During maintenance, our trained professionals thoroughly inspect your system. They let you know if the attic ventilation is responsible for unseen issues.

Extend the Lifespan of Your Central Heating and Air System

Proper attic ventilation saves you money on your energy bill and reduces signs of wear and tear, plus it lengthens the lifespan of your HVAC system. Your central heating and air unit operates as necessary to keep your home at ideal temperatures.

Less wear and tear lets your system breathe and take a break when it’s not repeatedly cycling due to varying temperatures from the attic. In the long run, your central heating and air unit performs more efficiently and lowers the risk of system replacement before you are financially ready.

Other Central Heating and Air Benefits of Attic Ventilation

Besides energy efficiency and the performance improvements, proper attic ventilation offers you other advantages in your home. The structure of our house will be more sound and reduce the risk of structural deterioration. Excess moisture compromises wood rafters and the roof’s decking if unchecked. Attic ventilation is an effective way of removing moisture and heat from your attic throughout the year.

Know the ins and out of your attic’s ventilation by calling our HVAC professionals at Douglas Cooling & Heating. We will gladly inspect your central heating and air unit for signs of wear and tear. We’ll determine if your attic ventilation is the problem. Call Douglas Cooling & Heating today!

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Winter is almost here, and critters will soon be searching for a place to hide during the colder weather. Typical places they love to invade are warm, dry heating and cooling systems. Protect your equipment from an infestation by scheduling an HVAC inspection now! Douglas Cooling & Heating is qualified to perform an HVAC inspection, evaluate any signs of pest problems and remove any debris, feces or nesting.

Various gaps and holes allow rodents, pests, and other insects to crawl through to make a hiding place during the winter. Our NATE-certified technicians will stop the pests before they become a problem. Let’s review the benefits of an HVAC inspection and other ways you can protect yourself against harmful pests.

HVAC Inspection First

An HVAC inspection performed by our licensed professionals detects signs of an infestation early during the fall months. Pests, rodents and insects leave behind an assortment of debris, including their dead bodies.

These remnants in your heating and cooling system impact your indoor air quality and increase health risks inside your home. You will notice strange smells whenever your HVAC system operates, and the odors won’t dissipate until the offending pest or detritus is removed.

We will clean your outdoor and indoor unit, including the ductwork, to ensure all traces of the infestation are gone. Not only will an HVAC inspection prevent pests from hibernating in your unit, it will improve its performance for the winter months.

Potential problems are caught early so you can plan accordingly and schedule HVAC repairs if necessary. Problems diagnosed early keep your heating and cooling system from malfunctions during the holidays and keep your loved ones comfortable indoors.

Common Pests Found in an HVAC Inspection

There are several indicators pests, rodents and insects are inside your heating and cooling system. If you notice strange odors coming out of your vents? Blowflies appearing out of nowhere?  Evidence of nesting? You probably have something living inside your heating and cooling system. Common pests which like to seek shelter in your HVAC system include:

Mice and Rats

You might be shocked how these small animals love to crawl into the tightest spaces, which of course includes your heating and cooling system. Additionally, they are incredibly destructive and can chew through refrigerant lines and other components. This easily leads to expensive repairs in the future.

Mice and rats often use duct material to build nests. Call Douglas Cooling & Heating for an HVAC inspection. This will help eradicate them completely from your home.

Spiders

These small, pesky creatures like to crawl into small areas, like your ductwork, vents and indoor HVAC unit. Reduce the risk of spiders when you keep these areas clean and schedule routine HVAC maintenance.  

Snakes

Finally, when the weather turns cold, snakes crawl into your HVAC system because it’s warm. Because they aren’t able to regulate their own body temperature, nesting in ductwork provides them with the warmest place in your home. Often snakes breed inside ductwork, too.

Snakes coil themselves inside the condenser unit and when the fan blade starts up, the snake dies. This can damage your blades and lead to a foul stench circulating throughout your home.

Make the smart choice this fall and schedule an HVAC inspection with Douglas Cooling & Heating! We will inspect your system and remove pests which might interfere with its performance and your comfort. Contact Douglas Cooling & Heating today to schedule your inspection with our NATE-certified technicians.

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As Weather Shifts Be Sure to Book HVAC Maintenance

Colder temperatures are on their way, so Alabama residents are advised to perform HVAC maintenance soon. The best way to stay warm and avoid malfunctions with your heating system is to regularly service your heat pump or furnace. This allows you to maximize its efficiency and performance.

This practice saves you energy and money in the long run during the winter months. Douglas Cooling & Heating want you to get the most out of your heating system, so we have compiled a list of tips to boost your HVAC’s energy efficiency. Try these four tips for HVAC maintenance to improve comfort in your home and save on your energy bill.

Thermostat Settings – HVAC Maintenance Tip #1

HVAC maintenance on your thermostat includes a check of the battery and its settings. Try not to operate your furnace or heat pump when no one is home or at warm temperatures when you are asleep. It leads to unnecessarily high energy use. Program your thermostat to lower the temperature a few degrees overnight or when you are away.

This practice helps you enjoy comfortable temperatures when you’re home without sacrificing energy. This tip also lessens wear and tear on your heating and cooling system.

Typical HVAC maintenance calls inspect your thermostat and diagnose any current or potential problems. Accurate temperatures and communication between your thermostat and your heating and air system are critical to efficient performance.

A faulty thermostat forces your heating system to operate harder and during times when it’s not necessary. Keep your thermostat in check with regular HVAC maintenance. You will notice better energy consumption and lower bills throughout the winter.

Weatherization – HVAC Maintenance Tip #2

Another fall energy saving tip is to weatherize your home, including your heating and cooling system. When you prevent heat loss and stop cold air it allows your heating system to maintain even temperatures. Common weatherization tactics include:

• Check and replace weather-stripping around your windows and doors.
• Locate and seal drafts in your home, including holes or gaps in your ductwork.
• Check your home’s insulation and replace it in worn or ineffective areas.

Routine Care – HVAC Maintenance Tip #3

There are several ways to support your system between professional HVAC maintenance visits, such as:

• Check your filter once a month and replace it when you notice excessive dirt or clogs. For most homeowners, filters last two to three months.
• If your filter is a reusable filter, clean it regularly to avoid dust, dirt and other debris before it accumulates.
• Clean your vents to eliminate any airflow obstructions and to reduce dust and other contaminants in your HVAC system.

These maintenance tasks are easy to handle on your own, or you can call Douglas Cooling & Heating to schedule an HVAC maintenance call. Our NATE-certified professionals ensure your equipment is cleaned from top to bottom. We also diagnose any potential problems and ensure your heating system is operating smoothly before the winter weather arrives.

Inspection and Tune-up – HVAC Maintenance Tip #4

Douglas Cooling & Heating offers comprehensive inspections outside of and as part of regular HVAC maintenance calls. Play it safe with accurate information of your heating and cooling system’s status before a break down happens.

A proactive and preventative mindset saves you money throughout the year on your energy bill. Make smart choices by calling Douglas Cooling & Heating today and schedule an HVAC maintenance call for your heating system. Let our experts inspect your unit and improve energy efficiency this fall.

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