Know the Difference Between an Easy Fix and a Job Requiring a Professional

With the summer almost over, your air conditioning system might be experiencing some performance issues. Some HVAC repairs issues are easy to fix on your own, like replacing the filter or removing debris from the outside unit.

However, more serious issues can occur with your cooling system, and you may not be prepared to deal with them yourself.

This is when Douglas Cooling & Heating comes to the rescue. There are certain warning signs your air conditioner will exhibit when something is seriously wrong. If you are experiencing any of the issues below, call Douglas Cooling & Heating immediately for an HVAC repair. Our NATE-certified technicians are knowledgeable, and they have seen it all!

Call for HVAC Repair – HVAC Unit is Making Strange Noises

Air conditioners are designed to operate quietly, while supplying your home with cool temperatures. If you notice loud noises when your air conditioner is running, there may be a serious problem.

Excessive noise while your unit is running can result from a number of causes, which is why scheduling an HVAC repair is necessary. Our NATE-certified professionals will inspect your cooling system, diagnose the problem, and suggest options to fix the issue.

Call for HVAC Repair – Your Unit is Older than 10 Years

When air conditioning units get older, they experience more issues and require more HVAC repairs. If your system is 10 years old or more, call Douglas Cooling & Heating. The cost of HVAC repairs to an existing system will continue to rise. Often a new, more efficient system is more cost-effective than continuing to dump money into an old cooling unit.

Although older air conditioners may experience small HVAC repairs here and there, the wear and tear of added stress over time will catch up with your unit’s performance.

Douglas Cooling & Heating is a Bryant Factory Authorized Dealer, which means we do whatever it takes to make our customers happy and keep them comfortable in their homes.

We stock and install only the best Bryant products on the market! All our technicians are licensed and experienced to service your new unit, without voiding any new warranties. We offer free estimates for new units, as well as financing options to fit any budget!

Call for HVAC Repair – Cooling System Won’t Start

If you notice your air conditioning unit isn’t starting up, the problem might be an electrical issue or something wrong with the unit itself. Poking around inside your cooling system is not advised. This can lead to serious injury to yourself and damage to your home.

Before another heat wave hits, call Douglas Cooling & Heating to schedule an HVAC repair. Our technicians will find the problem, and they will discuss your options to correct the problem.

Call for HVAC Repair – Unexplained High Energy Bill

During the summer, you will notice if your energy bill matches with how much you are running your cooling system. If you aren’t running your AC often, and your energy bill continues to rise, something is wrong.

When the unit isn’t kept clean and maintained, problems occur. Normal wear and tear on a unit cause performance issues and decrease its efficiency. A preventative maintenance plan helps catch signs of unnecessary stress on your unit.

You might have issues with airflow, frozen coils or a number of other factors. The best way to diagnose what’s causing your high energy bill is to schedule an HVAC repair with Douglas Cooling & Heating.

We will inspect both the indoor unit and outdoor unit to find the problem, so you can relax in cool temperatures before the summer ends.

Call for HVAC Repair – Unit Keeps Short Cycling

Short cycling occurs when an air conditioning unit turns on and off every few minutes. This problem can be the result of an electrical issue or a damaged compressor. Either of these issues needs to be addressed by a heating and cooling expert immediately.

Short cycling can shorten the lifespan of your air conditioner and cause your unit to overheat unexpectedly. An HVAC repair technician will give you options for correcting the problem. If the compressor has failed, our NATE-certified experts will suggest the best option for upgrading to a more energy-efficient unit.

Douglas Cooling & Heating – HVAC Repair Experts

Don’t wait until it’s too late, and your air conditioning unit has called it quits. Contact Douglas Cooling & Heating to schedule an HVAC repair now. We will diagnose the problem, and present affordable options to get your cooling system up and running quickly.

If your unit is too far gone, we will suggest upgrade options to fit your budget. Concerned about expenses? Don’t be – we offer financing options. At Douglas Cooling & Heating, we care about your safety and comfort.

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Summer isn’t over yet, which means your air conditioner still has a lot of work to do before it’s time to fire up your heating system. Do you know if your unit will last the rest of summer? If you forgot to schedule a tune-up before summer started, it’s not too late.

Air conditioner service keeps you informed about the health of your equipment and provides insight into how well it’s operating.

If your air conditioner is too far gone and you think a repair is on the horizon, don’t wait! Call Douglas Cooling & Heating now. Discovering issues before your air conditioner breaks down will be less expensive and will save your unit from further damage.

If you are already dealing with a broken air conditioner and searching for options for a new unit, we have you covered!

Call for Service or Repair Before a Breakdown

An air conditioner is just like a car. It requires maintenance and the occasional repair to keep it running smoothly throughout the season. You wouldn’t take your car on a 72-hour road trip without having it inspected by a professional. The same goes for your air conditioning system.

Routine service, before the heat hits, checks for irregularities in your air conditioner’s performance and notifies the technician if there are potential problems to be addressed now.

Even scheduling service late in the summer can catch issues before they escalate. It’s never too late for your air conditioner to be cleaned and inspected.

During a service call, our technicians will take note of any signs of wear and tear and recommend the replacement of components before they fail. This allows your unit to operate more efficiently and extends its lifespan.

If you are at the point where a repair is needed, our NATE-certified technicians will assess the situation and offer solutions to get your unit working smoothly before the end of summer.

Sometimes the repair work is minor and catching it early will save you an expensive breakdown in the future. You only need to call Douglas Cooling & Heating, and we will provide you with the best air conditioner service possible.

From Breakdown to Upgrade

Unfortunately, your air conditioner breaking down is inevitable, especially if you waited too long to schedule service or repair. All is not lost, though.

Douglas Cooling & Heating has several efficient air conditioning units and will get your home to your desired temperature before summer ends. We offer free estimates so you can start to make decisions about your new investment.

If you are worried about your budget and how to afford a new air conditioner, try not to stress. We offer promotional deals on new systems, which come in handy when it’s time to purchase a new air conditioner.

Douglas Cooling & Heating also has several different financing options for you to choose from, which allows you to buy a new unit to fit your budget. The various financing options include:

• Wells Fargo
• Microf
• Synchrony Financial
• Alabama Power and
• Spire.

All of our financing options offer different features. You are given options for how often you make a payment and can manage your account online. Don’t let the expense stop you from enjoying ideal temperatures in your home.

Take the Next Step to a Functioning and Efficient Air Conditioner

Show your air conditioner how much you need it by scheduling service now. Our HVAC professionals can handle anything, from maintenance calls to tune-ups to repairs. Call Douglas Cooling & Heating today and get your cooling issues under control!

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Kids at Home? You May Need More Help From Your AC

Summer is a busy time for families, which means kids are at home and your air conditioner is working longer hours to keep everyone cool. Your air conditioner performance is affected by a number of things and many of them you can control on your own.

The easiest and most effective way of boosting your air conditioner performance is by scheduling routine service on your cooling system. Douglas Cooling & Heating offers service, tune-ups and maintenance with NATE-certified professionals to keep your HVAC system healthy throughout the summer, and all year.

More people in your home means more heat added to a room, which forces your air conditioner to kick into high gear to keep everyone cool. Give your air conditioner a break!

Tips for Improving Air Conditioner Performance This Summer

Adjust Your Thermostat: Your thermostat settings can either help or hinder your air conditioner performance. Turn your thermostat up a few degrees before you go to bed and turn it back down when you wake up.

This will allow your cooling system to not cycle on when you are asleep, giving it a much-needed break. If you are leaving the house for an extended period of time, adjust the thermostat settings again to give your unit a vacation from cooling when you aren’t home.

A programmable thermostat will improve your air conditioner performance even more because you can program the thermostat to adjust its temperature based on your daily schedule. You won’t need to remember to change the settings manually with a programmable thermostat.

Check Your Filter: The air filter traps and eliminates any indoor air pollutants from entering your home. When your filter is dirty or clogged, contaminants escape filtration and accumulate inside your ductwork.

Excess dirt and debris will even build up inside your air conditioning unit, hindering your air conditioner performance. Check your air filter once a month and replace it every 2 to 3 months as necessary to reduce wear and tear on your air conditioner.

Seal Air Leaks: Holes, gaps and leaks in your ductwork allow cool air to escape, causing your air conditioner performance and efficiency to falter. Sealing your ducts will ensure precious air and energy doesn’t escape from your home and will help your cooling system maintain even temperatures in every room in your house.

Douglas Cooling & Heating offers duct sealing services performed by our NATE-certified technicians. We will seal any leaks and notify you of any issues likely causing the leaks.

Block the Sun: Direct sun into your home through windows and doors will make the temperature in a room increase without you realizing it. The increase in temperature will cause your thermostat to signal to your cooling system and kick into action.

You can reduce the amount of sun filtering into your home by pulling the shades down during the hottest times of the day. This will stop your thermostat from cycling on and improve your air conditioner performance when it’s hot outside.

Douglas Cooling & Heating Will Do “Whatever it Takes”

Help your air conditioner performance by taking advantage of the tips listed above. You will notice your system performing more efficiently and you will save money in the long run while everyone is crowded indoors this summer.

For maintenance or a tune-up on your air conditioner, call Douglas Cooling & Heating today. Our technicians have seen it all and are standing by ready to assist you with your HVAC needs.

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Deciding on a career comes with tremendous pressure. You want a reliable path with the state of the current job market. The pay has to be competitive, especially if you have a family to support.

Sometimes a four-year college isn’t for everyone, either. What do you do instead? How about pursuing a career as an HVAC contractor?

There are many advantages to working in the heating and cooling industry. Douglas Cooling & Heating is always looking for new HVAC service technicians with the passion to learn new things and problem-solve on the job. We proudly represent Bryant, and we also are experienced with other manufacturer products and equipment. Find out the benefits of an HVAC career and make the decision of a lifetime.

As Boomers Retire, HVAC Contractor Industry Continues to Grow

The heating and cooling industry continues to expand, which in turn creates a huge need for skilled HVAC team members. However, the enrollment in technical schools isn’t enough to meet the demands of the industry. Every year more baby-boomer generation workers retire, leaving even more vacancies in the heating and cooling industry. With job openings popping up left and right, you won’t have to worry about finding a position as an HVAC contractor.  

Additional reasons to pursue a career as an HVAC contractor:

• Healthy Salary: Depending on where you are located, the starting salary for an HVAC contractor is competitive with overtime hours throughout the year. The average hourly wage for heating and cooling technicians is around $20, with an average annual salary of around $49,000.
  
  New HVAC contractors earn between $28,000 to $40,000 to start. These salaries are comparable to many careers requiring multiple advanced and expensive degrees. A technical degree is vastly more affordable in the long term in these cases.  
• Advancement Opportunities: A career in the heating and cooling industry offers plenty of room for growth. How well you do depends on your commitment to ongoing training and certification programs.
  
  You can advance from a technician, to an installer, all the way to a distribution manager depending on your commitment and hard work. Other areas in the industry you can excel toward are HVAC engineers.
  
  A career as an HVAC contractor offers you many different options for advancements; the choice is yours!
• Stability: As an HVAC contractor, you will enjoy stable employment because the demand for heating and cooling technicians is so high. There will always be homes and businesses with air conditioners, heat pumps, furnaces and other HVAC equipment to be repaired, serviced and replaced.
  
  Plus, your job can’t be outsourced overseas or taken over by automation. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs within the heating and cooling industry have increased by 15 percent since 2016, which is a clear sign a position will be open just for you!
• Benefits: Most heating and cooling companies provide healthcare to their HVAC contractor employees, as well as vacation, life insurance and retirement plans. Company vehicles, tablets, tools and paid training are additional benefits when you join a reputable heating and cooling company.

Apply Today For Success Tomorrow

Get the most out of your future by pursuing a career as an HVAC contractor! The sky’s the limit in the heating and cooling industry.

Contact Douglas Cooling & Heating if you are interested in learning more about a career in the HVAC industry or to discuss job openings within our company. We hire only the best with NATE certification backing their training!

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

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

Outdoor HVAC Equipment Can Help or Hinder Your Comfort

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

• Keeping It Clean:

When you mow, grass clippings spray out across your yard and, most times, the clippings get lodged inside your exterior unit. Grass clippings combined with dirt, dust, leaves and other debris accumulate on and around your outdoor HVAC unit. Debris restricts airflow around the unit.

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

• Landscaping Wisely:

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

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

• Creating Protective Shade:

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

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

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

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

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An air conditioner going out is never a planned event, especially when it happens in late June to Birmingham residents. Even though you can’t predict when your cooling system is going to break down, you can take preventative steps to keep it healthy and operating at its most efficient. Douglas Cooling & Heating offers emergency HVAC repairs for those surprise moments, but we also offer maintenance plans and air conditioner tune-ups to ensure your HVAC equipment lasts all summer long. 

How to Prevent Emergency Air Conditioner Fixes

The stress of waking up or coming home to a hot house in the middle of the summer can be crippling. There is a multitude of reasons why your air conditioner might break down and diagnosing the reason requires professional help. Residents in and around Birmingham, AL, can rest easy knowing Douglas Cooling & Heating is standing by and ready to help 24/7!

Invest in a Preventative Maintenance Plan:

Regular HVAC maintenance on your air conditioner diagnoses potential problems before they snowball into emergency repairs. However, many homeowners forget until the last minute to schedule service. During the hotter months, cooling systems operate harder to keep your home cool when the temperature and humidity reach unbearable levels.

Continuous operation puts unnecessary stress on the components inside your air conditioner. Too much stress causes wear and tear, which reduces the lifespan of your unit and compromises its efficiency. A healthy system will operate more efficiently and deliver even temperatures throughout your home.

Let Your Air Conditioner Breathe:

Both the indoor and outdoor unit of your air conditioner requires adequate airflow at all times during operation. When airflow is restricted, your HVAC system can’t effectively deliver cool air throughout your home. Airflow can be obstructed due to the air filter being dirty, excessive buildup of debris, dirt and allergens inside the ductwork, or the outdoor unit has debris accumulating on it.

• Filter Replacement:

First, check your air filter often and replace it every two to three months. When it’s dirty or clogged, it stops filtering pollutants from the air, and the debris starts to build up on the components inside your air conditioner. Layers of dirt, grime, and dust prevent parts from cooling off and increases the risk of overheating.

• Duct Cleaning:

The ductwork is the second area, which can hinder airflow. Schedule duct cleaning with Douglas Cooling & Heating. Our NATE-certified technicians will thoroughly clean your air ducts, registers, grilles and vents. Obstructions inside the ductwork cause your air conditioner to deliver temperatures unevenly throughout your home. This results in hot spots and triggers your air conditioner to cycle on more often, without getting a break to cool off.

• Exterior Unit:

Your air conditioner’s outdoor unit houses the air compressor, evaporator coils and other components, which work together to extract heat and moisture from the outside air before sending on to the indoor component. Leaves, grass, twigs and other debris get blown around your yard, landing near or on top of the exterior unit. Even rodents can seek shelter in your outdoor equipment, leaving behind chewed wiring and scratch marks. Call Douglas Cooling & Heating immediately if you suspect issues with your outdoor unit. The air compressor is essential for cooling your home, and it’s expensive to replace when it breaks down.

Don’t get blind-sided by your air conditioner suddenly breaking down! Prevent emergency HVAC repairs by investing in a preventative maintenance plan and taking steps towards improving the airflow. Contact Douglas Cooling & Heating for air conditioner maintenance and emergency HVAC repairs.

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