This New Year Invest In Comfort With A New Heating System!

New Heater Installation for the New Year!

The weather outside is frightful, but the weather inside can only be delightful if the heating is working properly. People often want to allow their heater to limp along until it can no longer function because they are concerned about the expense. While heater installation is not cheap, it ultimately saves homeowners money. This article will discuss the various types of heaters and how to know if a heater is getting ready to stop working. 

Warning Signs of a Dying Heater

As previously stated, no one wants to think about heater replacement, but there comes a time when issues with the old heater are very obvious. Only so much can be done when a heating system begins to break down completely. Of course, it will happen gradually, but a few of the problems that come with heater failure include indicators from the following list:

  • Age (more than 10 years)
  • Banging or popping sounds
  • Burning smell
  • Constantly turning on and off (short-cycling)
  • Gas smell(applicable to furnaces and boilers powered by natural gas)
  • Low heat or no heat
  • Temperature fluctuations
  • Whistling noises

What Should Be the Heater Replacement?

heaterSeveral types of heaters can be installed, some with older technology and some with brand new. Even those heating systems that have been around for a long time have been improved by modern updates and can prove very useful and efficient for a home. Consulting with an HVAC professional is the best way to determine a particular home's best course of action. Pros and cons of each type of heater are listed below.

  • Furnace: This type of heater uses a flame to create heat and a blower to distribute it. They burn cleanly (no emissions) when functioning properly and are fairly easy to service. They can cause a serious hazard if something goes wrong with the fuel line or there is a gas leak.
  • Boiler: The technology behind the boiler has been around for a very long time. It is a reliable system that provides heat without affecting air quality. The boiler heats water that is then distributed through a closed system of copper tubing that radiates heat throughout the home via the floor or baseboards. The system can be difficult and invasive to repair if the tubing springs a leak.
  • Heat Pump: These highly efficient technological marvels have no direct heat source. They merely pull heat from the air, or from underground(geothermal). They usually are paired with ductless mini splits to create different temperature zones within the home. Though highly efficient, they sometimes have difficulty producing sufficient heat for large open spaces.

Remember Heating Maintenance!

maintainingOne of the best things a homeowner can do for their heating system is to have regularly scheduled professional service or maintenance. Professionals can keep the system working longer and catch problems before they start, saving money by avoiding emergency services.

About Chad's AC Direct

Chad's AC Direct is all about transparency and leaving their customers in the Montgomery, AL area with no surprises and no mess to clean up. They are available for 24/7 emergency heating service, so give them a call anytime.

Bad Heating and Cooling Habits to Break in the New Year

3 of the Most Common HVAC Mistakes to Avoid This Year

As a new year dawns, many homeowners find themselves with a whole list of things to do to get the year started right. They have lists for the plumbing system, the appliances, and the HVAC system. This can all be a bit overwhelming, as so many people give homeowners advice about what’s best to do. But the good news is that the HVAC system only requires three good habits to keep it running well all year long. On the flip side, these habits can be bad when ignored or performed improperly. Read on to find out what three things to do to maintain a healthy heating and cooling system. 

Failing to Replace Air Filterfilter

People who know HVAC techs are probably tired of hearing that they need to stay on top of changing their filters. But there’s a reason heating and cooling professionals keep harping on this habit: because it’s important. Not only does changing the air filter on time help the system function well, but it also helps those in the homestay healthy by keeping the air clean. 

The air filter should be changed more often for those with pets — once every one or two months. Those without pets can perform air filter replacement every three months unless directed otherwise by an HVAC professional. When air filters aren’t changed on time, they become choked with debris, making them thicker. This makes it harder for the system to move air through the filter, which can cause the system to work harder until the filter is replaced. 

ventShutting Air Vents

One commonly misunderstood habit is closing air vents around the house. Homeowners think this will save them money and efficiency by closing off unused rooms. However, this often has a detrimental effect on the balance of the HVAC system. Essentially, it causes the system to push more air through the open ducts to cool the whole house. It’s best to leave vents open instead of closing them. The HVAC components will benefit, and so will efficiency. 

Neglecting Maintenance

The third and final habit that drastically impacts the health of any HVAC system is maintenance. Like any complex system with moving parts that work year-round, the HVAC system needs care from professionals trained to care for them. Proper maintenance on the system will help prevent heater repair and AC repair. 

Heating and air conditioner maintenance mean an HVAC professional checks all system components. They check connections, lube moving parts, change filters, visually inspect the whole system, run diagnostics, and check the thermostat function, to name a few. Heater maintenance should be done at least once a year, preferably in the fall right before it sees a lot of use. AC maintenance should happen in the spring, just before the home uses the air conditioner. Sticking to this schedule can save homeowners money, prevent HVAC emergencies, and ensure max efficiency. 

About Chad’s AC Direct

Chad’s AC Direct has been serving Montgomery, AL, for years. They provide no-surprises service and honest recommendations. They also provide excellent service at competitive prices. Contact them today for HVAC service in Montgomery, AL. 

Industry-Leading Heating Ventilation & Air Conditioning FAQ's

The Top HVAC FAQ’s for You

The new year is here, and it’s important to start right. Keeping your home running in top condition is critical as you transition from the holiday season back to the regular pace of life. While you may not be running your air conditioner much these months, you are running your heat, and it’s just as crucial that you continue to maintain it along with maintaining good air quality. The following are essential steps you should take now to maintain your system and running all season long.

Steps for Improving Air Quality

One of the best things you can do to keep your HVAC system working smoothly is by improving the air quality in your home. There are numerous ways you can do this, and the cleaner your air, the less your HVAC system will have to work at cleaning the air that circulates through your home.

improving air qualitySo what can you do?
  • Vacuum carpets a minimum of once a week with a HEPA filter equipped vacuum. This will help pick up allergens and dust and keep them out of your air.
  • Purchase an air purifier. While your HVAC system does have a filter, a dedicated air purifier will remove pet dander, allergens, dust, and spores from your air. Whole-house air purifiers are relatively inexpensive and worth the investment.
  • Open your windows to let fresh air in from time to time. Circulating the air in your house with fresh air from the outside will help improve the quality of the air you breathe.

The Importance of Changing Air Filters

Your HVAC system is equipped with air filters. If you have a single-story unit, you likely have one air filter in your HVAC unit itself. Two-story houses often have a second filter in the vent work in the second story. Both of these filters are vital for keeping the air in your home clean and free of dust and allergens.

changing air filters

Every time air circulates through your house, mold, dirt, and allergens in the air will get sucked into the filter and trapped. This continues for the life of your filter. It’s essential to change your air filter every one to three months. Around the three-month mark, air filters will be so clogged with dust and mold from the air that they won’t be able to filter as effectively any longer. Leaving filters in longer than three months will reduce the effectiveness of the filter and increase the number of allergens and dust in the air.

Do You Need Air Duct Cleaning?

air duct leaningIf you want to keep your home as allergen and dust-free as possible, getting your air duct cleaned is essential. All the air in your house circulates through ductwork. Over time, dust, mold, and dander can build up inside the ducting. When the air flows through your home, it will pick up on dirt and other debris in your ductwork and you’ll breathe it.

Cleaning your ductwork will clear the house of the source of allergens. It’s recommended that you have your ducts cleaned every two to five years, the more frequent being if someone in your house has allergies or breathing issues.

The AC Company You Can Trust

Chad’s AC Direct serves the Montgomery, Alabama area for all heating and air conditioning needs. With Chad’s AC Direct, you’ll receive personal attention, the promise of full transparency and up-front prices, and the best value for your heating and AC needs.

Heating & Air Conditioning Decorations: Tips & Tricks For the Holidays

Decorating For the Holidays? Don’t Forget to Adorn the HVAC!

As the holiday season approaches, folks begin to bring out the holiday lights, plastic reindeer and elves from storage. Often forgotten, the HVAC system can actually be an opportunity to add to the festive decor, not an obstacle!

While that can sound like a bit of a stretch, with a bit of creativity and some thoughtful integration, it can be one of the highlights of your home’s winter look. Here are some tips on how to decorate your HVAC for the holidays.

Best Decorations For Outdoor HVAC Unit?

outdoor hvac unitThere are several ways to decorate outdoor HVAC units safely for the holidays. It is important that the decorations don’t affect the function, so the decorations need to be built up around the HVAC instead of directly on it.

Some fun ideas for decorations that can be built around the outdoor HVAC is a gingerbread house made out of cardboard or styrofoam. Arts and crafts could also be used to make the HVAC system into a chimney, that a cut-out or blow-up Santa Claus can climb out of.  Simply placing a large decoration in front of the HVAC can also work to conceal it.

Some people have already built a wooden fence around their outdoor HVAC unit. If this is the case, the fence itself can be decorated with stickers, ornaments, and lights. A simple wreath can also be placed on the outdoor HVAC unit to give it a festive touch.

How to Safely Hide Your HVAC System Vents

HVAC system vents can be hidden away with Christmas and holiday decorations, as long as the airflow is not blocked! Blocking the airflow from the HVAC system vents can be very bad for it, so the decorations will need to be placed in front of and around the unit instead of directly on it.

hvac system vents

HVAC safety is very important when considering how to decorate for the holidays. Some garlands and string lights can work as decorations for an HVAC system because they will hide the HVAC system vents without totally obstructing airflow.

Window HVAC Units Need Love Too

window hvacWindow HVAC Units are a convenient option for heating that can be less expensive than other ventilation and heating solutions. Because they can be used to only heat one room simply by closing the door, it can be a more effective and lower-cost solution to heating for the wintertime.

Window HVAC units can be decorated for the holidays as well, but it is of course important not to block the airflow. Fairy lights can be added around the window HVAC to make it look super cute and festive.

A garland would also be a nice touch. Just like with the outdoor HVAC unit, the window HVAC unit can be covered up by placing something in front of it as well, as long as the airflow isn’t obstructed.

Chad’s AC Direct Wishes You Happy Holidays

Chad’s AC Direct are a group of trusted HVAC experts in the area of Montgomery, Alabama. They are highly trained and provide the best quality HVAC services in Montgomery. They have years of experience under their belt and are always honest and dependable.