Keeping your ductless air conditioner and heater in good working order is highly important now, and in the many months to come. If you haven’t booked this service just yet, we’d say that now is a great time to do so. And we are happy to explain why.
The shortest explanation: the better level of care that your ductless HVAC system gets, the better the comfort that it can provide. That’s why you should reach out to our team to schedule your appointment today before our calendar fills up!
If you have a ceiling fan in your home you may use this piece of equipment more often than you use your HVAC system. Ceiling fans can help improve the effectiveness of your HVAC system when in use. They can also help improve your comfort on milder days when the AC can be left alone. But because a ceiling fan sees so much use, it may also need a bit more attention.
Much like when your AC or heater runs into trouble, the need for a ceiling fan repair in Birmingham, AL is something that should be taken care of sooner than later and always handled by an expert.
Keeping a commercial space like an office or storefront comfortable throughout the year can be tough to do. This is especially true in the summer season with high heat beating on your door every day. But you aren’t without help, thankfully.
Using a commercial HVAC in Shelby County, AL can ensure that your space remains comfortable even when the weather seems out of control. And working with a trained professional to keep this system in good condition ensures that it will be able to help you for many years to come.
Read on to learn more about why working with a professional who is trained to handle your commercial HVAC system is so important.
Central Alabama is often hot and humid. Humidity can often make a hot day feel even hotter when the relative humidity is higher than 50%, which can be frequently in the summer months. You may have heard about whole-house dehumidifiers and are curious if they would be a good fit for your home. Are dehumidifiers a good idea? The HVAC specialists at Douglas Cooling & Heating explain the factors that you should consider if you’re thinking about adding a dehumidification system to your home.
Humidity is the measurement of water in the air, often displayed as a percentage. The higher the temperature of the air, the more moisture it can hold. That’s why you mostly experience humid 90-degree days and less humid 70-degree days.
A whole-house dehumidifier is attached to your home’s HVAC system. As air flows through the system, it passes through a cool coil that removed the moisture from the air. The air is then sent through your home with much less moisture in it, making it feel much more comfortable. Your dehumidifier should be able to bring down the moisture in the air to a relatively low humidity level of 30-50 percent.
Air conditioners and heat pumps are good at dehumidifying the air on their own, however, really humid days can cause a lot of strain on your systems, which makes them vulnerable to breaking down. Adding a dehumidifier to your home can help take some of the stress off your cooling system.
You can buy individual room dehumidifiers, but they often require regular maintenance such as emptying the collection tank and replacing the air filters. These little appliances only can provide relief for one room. A whole house dehumidifier can service the entire home, requires very little maintenance, and uses very little energy. Only about 3-16 cents an hour on average.
Would adding a whole-house dehumidifier benefit your home? Here are some specific instances that a dehumidifier would help with.
Humidity can make allergies worse. Common allergens like mold, dust mites and pollen thrive and spread easily in moist environments. If you’re allergic to any of these things, it can make your allergies worse. Humidity can also make it harder to breathe, especially for asthmatics. A dehumidifier can help lighten the air so you can breathe easily in your home.
Homes in hot climates with high humidity, like Central Alabama, can find additional relief in their home’s comfort with a whole-house dehumidifier.
Mold and mildew tend to grow and spread easily in humid climates. If you find that your home has a musty smell to it, you may have mold growing inside your walls. A dehumidifier will dry out your home, preventing mold from spreading any further.
There’s nothing worse than going into your home on a hot and humid day only to discover that it’s just as humid inside as it is outside. Your cooling system is most likely stressed from trying to both dehumidify and cool the air in your home. You may even notice your summer cooling bills spike from the added usage. A dehumidifier will relieve the strain your system is experiencing and it won’t have to work as hard. You might even notice a decrease in your cooling bills after you have a whole-house dehumidifier installed.
Not only do airborne contaminants like moist climates, but so do bugs. Spiders, silverfish, cockroaches, and other creepy crawlies might flock to your home if it is constantly hot and humid. Drying out the air will make your home less appealing to them and drive them away. If you’ve had insect infestations in the past, a dehumidifier could help.
If your home is humid, not only will you feel it, but you’ll notice moisture on the inside of windows, wallpaper peeling, worsening allergies, musty odors, and rotting wood. Excessive indoor humidity isn’t just uncomfortable it can also be damaging to the wooden floors and furniture around your home. Improve your home’s comfort and protect it for years to come with a dehumidifier.
If you’re looking for relief from the hot and humid weather, then talk to Douglas Cooling & Heating about whole house dehumidifier installation in your Birmingham area home. Call us today to schedule an appointment.
If you’re in the market for a new heating and cooling system for your Birmingham, AL home, you might have considered a heat pump. Heat pumps can both heat and cool your home with one unit and are better at dehumidifying that an air conditioner. But before you invest in a heat pump, you want to have all your facts straight including what to expect for maintenance, installation, and energy bills for your heat pump.
Douglas Cooling & Heating can answer these questions along with what maintenance needs to be done on a heat pump to keep your home comfortable in every season.
Heat pumps are incredibly energy-efficient heating and cooling systems that can replace your current HVAC system, or be installed in your newly constructed home. Many homes in Birmingham have heat pumps installed already. Heat pumps are capable of cooling your home in the summer and heating it in the winter. However, since these systems work year-round, they don’t tend to last as long as a traditional HVAC system composed of an air conditioner and a furnace. The average life expectancy of a heat pump is 10-15 years.
Heat pumps are also more expensive than a traditional HVAC system, but they are much more energy efficient. Heat pumps do not rely on natural gas and only need electricity to make your home comfortable. Because of their efficiency, many homeowners notice a drastic increase in savings on energy bills when they make the switch from a furnace and air conditioner to a heat pump
Heat pumps need to be serviced twice a year, once in the spring before the cooling season starts and again in the winter before the heating season starts. Your technician will clean your system and make sure your reversing valve is working properly to ensure that your system will be able to make your home comfortable as the season changes.
Now you might think that a heat pump might not be worth investing in since it requires more service, however when you compare a heat pump to a traditional HVAC system that’s composed of an air conditioner and a furnace, the maintenance works out to be the same. A furnace and an air conditioner also need to be serviced once a year. When you do the math, you can have two systems, each serviced once a year or one system that needs service twice a year. In the end, you’ll require the same amount of maintenance.
When you call Douglas Cooling & Heating for heat pump maintenance, your technician will:
Remembering to schedule HVAC Maintenance can be a difficult task. Douglas Cooling & Heating helps by providing a service plan that can help make sure you never miss an appointment again. When you sign up for the 24/7 Club Membership, we’ll call you to make a heat pump service appointment around your schedule. Membership also includes benefits like a plumbing maintenance appointment, discounts on repairs and new units, and priority service. Contact us today to sign up.
Whether you’re looking to have a heat pump installed, or need someone who can repair your unit, you can trust the experienced technicians at Douglas Cooling & Heating. We have years of experience serving homes and businesses in the Birmingham area with all their HVAC needs. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.
Do you have ductwork in your home? If you do, then you should know how vital this part of your HVAC system is going to be. After all, this serves as the delivery system for the temperature-controlled air that your AC and heater create.
So what happens when something goes wrong with your ductwork? You have options of course but it may be hard to figure out which is right for you. The answer may depend on your budget, the age of your ducts, and other factors.
Let’s look at how you can differentiate between getting AC duct repair in Jefferson County, AL or whether you should switch to a ductless system.
Your air conditioner works hard to create cool air for your home. Or rather, it works hard to pull heat out of your home and distribute the cooled air throughout the house. But your air conditioner isn’t the only part that requires care to get your home comfortable on a hot summer day.
If you have ductwork that isn’t in the best condition, then you should schedule AC duct sealing Birmingham, AL. This service is going to be helpful in stopping up the leaks that would allow your cooled air to escape into areas that aren’t in need of cooling. Here’s what you need to know about the problems created by leaky ductwork so you know why duct sealing is so important.
Did you know that plumbing problems are one of the biggest nightmares homeowners deal with? There’s nothing more frustrating than dealing with a leaky faucet or a clogged drain – especially when you don’t know how to fix it! Knowledge and prevention are your best tools against creating plumbing problems. The experienced plumbers at Douglas Cooling & Heating are here to teach you some great tips to help you avoid plumbing system issues from developing in your home.
As we discuss the 5 ways to prevent plumbing problems, we’ll explain the common issue many homeowners face as well as what you can do to avoid experiencing these issues in your home.
At the top of our list is how to avoid low water pressure. Most of us have experienced the frustration of low water pressure in the shower or at the sink. While there can be several causes of this problem, one of the most common is sediment buildup within plumbing fixtures. Over time, minerals in the water can collect on the aerator or showerhead, decreasing the flow of water and leading to a loss of pressure.
The good news is that this problem can be easily fixed by regularly cleaning the aerator or showerhead. To clean an aerator, simply unscrew it from the faucet and soak it in vinegar for 30 minutes. For a showerhead, remove it from the arm and soak it in vinegar overnight. If you have hard water, you may need to scrub the aerator or showerhead with a toothbrush to remove all of the sediment. By taking these simple steps, you can help ensure that your fixtures always have strong water pressure.
Another thing on our list of how to avoid certain plumbing nightmares pertains to your washing machine. Many people don’t realize that their washing machine’s rubber hoses are at risk of bursting. This can happen when there is no one around to hear it, resulting in massive water leakage – about five gallons per minute. To avoid this problem, it’s important to replace the rubber hose of the washing machine with a stainless-steel braided hose. This will help you prevent unexpected plumbing emergencies. The braided hose is more durable and less likely to burst, so you can rest assured that your home is safe from unwanted water damage.
One of the most annoying plumbing issues is a clogged drain in a sink, tub, or toilet. One of the main causes of these clogs is simply what gets put down the drains. To avoid frustration and costly repairs, there are some common items that should never be put down any type of drain. Never pour cooking grease down the drain in the kitchen sink, and instead wipe your pan or plate with a paper towel and throw it in the trash. It may seem liquid when hot, but it will solidify once it cools and can quickly build up, causing a clog. Also, be careful with what you put down your garbage disposal. While it may be tempting to put down every food item, there are some that should be avoided as this can cause clogs or damage to the disposal. Never put coffee grounds, egg shells, fruit or vegetable skins, or non-food particles in the garbage disposal.
Only toilet paper should be flushed down toilets. While many items are advertised as “flushable,” they often do not break down as quickly as toilet paper and can cause serious clogs.
If your plumbing is in need of a good cleaning, you may be tempted to reach for the nearest bottle of drain cleaner. However, research has shown that many of these cleaners are actually quite harsh and can damage your drains. As a result, many people have turned to simpler and gentler store-bought or DIY cleaners, such as baking soda and white vinegar. These cleaners use common household ingredients like baking soda and vinegar to break down buildup and gunk. For shower drains that are clogged, the common culprit is often hair and soap scum. A drain screen can help prevent hair from going down the drain, and then you can throw the hair out in the trash.
If your toilet is running constantly, this is one of the many plumbing issues that can result in an unexpectedly high water bill. You’ll want to fix a running toilet right away because not only is it annoying, but it’s also a huge waste of a lot of water. If your toilet is constantly running, it is likely that the flapper valve is not fitting properly. The flapper valve is responsible for stopping the flow of water into the bowl after the tank has been flushed. If it does not fit properly, water will continue to run. To fix this, you will need to adjust the chain that connects the flapper valve to the handle. The chain should be long enough so that when the handle is lifted, the flapper valve opens fully. However, it should not be so long that it gets caught under the flapper valve when it closes.
When it comes to plumbing, prevention is the best cure. By following these 5 ways to prevent plumbing problems, you can help keep your pipes and fixtures clear and functioning properly all year long. If you do experience a plumbing problem or even an emergency, don’t hesitate to call Douglas Cooling & Heating for fast and reliable repair service.
HVAC systems play a vital role in keeping your home comfortable and energy efficient. If you’re considering installing a new system or upgrading your old one, you may be wondering if high-efficiency HVAC systems are for you. The HVAC team at Douglas Cooling & Heating lists the benefits of opting for an energy-efficient HVAC system so you can decide on the best choice when it comes time to shop for a new HVAC system.
High-efficiency HVAC systems are becoming increasingly popular, especially as homeowners look for ways to reduce their energy costs.
There are a few different types of high-efficiency systems, but one of the most common is an electric heat pump system. Heat pump systems use electricity instead of gas to heat a home, and they can be up to 50% more efficient than traditional gas furnaces. In addition to being more efficient, heat pump systems also tend to be smaller and quieter than their gas counterparts. Because they don’t produce any emissions, they’re also better for the environment. Heat pump systems can also cool your home in the summertime, making them a very high-efficiency HVAC system because you only need one system to control your home’s comfort in every season.
High-efficiency gas furnaces are another option for high-efficiency HVAC systems. There are a few key features that make high-efficiency gas furnaces more efficient than traditional models.
When it comes to shopping for modern HVAC systems, understanding their energy efficiency ratings will help you better see how much energy these units can help you save. These ratings tell you how efficiently a unit uses the energy it intakes.
For heat pump high-efficiency HVAC systems, SEER ratings usually start at 18 SEER and go up, while HSPF ratings are 9 HSPF and higher. For a furnace, a high-efficiency HVAC unit will start with an AFUE rating of 90% AFUE and go up to about 98.5% currently. With higher efficiency ratings, high-efficiency HVAC units typically cost more than standard systems. However, the energy savings they generate through lower energy consumption can provide homeowners with a greater value in ongoing lower energy bills.
Installing a high-efficiency HVAC system is one of the best investments you can make for your home, for many reasons. If you’re ready to upgrade your current HVAC system with a new high-efficiency system call Douglas Cooling & Heating today. We offer top-of-the-line high-efficiency HVAC systems and have many available options to choose from. Our team will help you find the perfect energy-efficient heating system for your needs and install it quickly and professionally.
You need a reliable and energy-efficient HVAC system in your home. Thankfully, the systems made today are designed to be as efficient and effective as possible. However, there is one system that takes things up an extra notch. Using geothermal heating and cooling in Birmingham, AL can offer you almost unmatched comfort and efficiency along with a lower environmental impact.
If you are in the market for a new HVAC system, you may want to consider a geothermal heat pump. Our team can provide for your system installation and upkeep as well. However, that is only going to be a good idea if a geothermal system is right for your home. Here’s what you need to know about geothermal systems.
8752 Helena Rd.,
Pelham,
AL
35124
Payments / Mailing Address
P.O. Box 362163
Birmingham, AL 35236
HVAC License AL#17181
Refrigeration License AL#51718
