Press Releases Archive - Page 12 of 28

Everything You Need To Know About Duct Cleaning

What Is Ductwork Cleaning All About?

A home's HVAC system is one of its most important components, and as such, it requires regular maintenance to keep running smoothly and provide comfort to all who live there. But the HVAC system doesn't stand alone; it is connected to a system of air ducts that allow the cooled or heated air to be evenly distributed around the home. Suffice it to say that HVAC maintenance won't be complete if ductwork cleaning is left out of the equation.

Because a home's ductwork is hidden inside the walls, ceilings, and floors, it is not easily accessible to homeowners. This is why it is important to hire professional duct cleaning services to complete this task, as they not only have the skills and expertise to do a thorough job, but they also have the special tools necessary to complete the task, which often involves cleaning the supply and return ducts and registers, as well as system coils, diffusers, and grills. They will also vacuum, dust, wipe, and drain the different components of the air ducts, such as the condensate drain pan, fan motor, and cabinetry that houses the system.

Benefits Of Duct Cleaning Services

Homeowners who opt for duct cleaning services will be able to enjoy the following benefits:

Improved indoor air quality - Cleaning the air ducts will reduce the dust in the air, allowing people to breathe more easily indoors.
Reduce instances of allergy attacks - Cleaning the air ducts also reduces the presence of allergens that often trigger allergic reactions.
Decrease risk of respiratory illness - Viruses, germs, and other airborne microbes responsible for respiratory illnesses can be reduced with professional-grade duct cleaning.
Save money on electric bills - Cleaner air ducts also mean a more efficient flow of air around the home that is free from obstructions. Efficient airflow equates to more efficient heating and cooling, which in turn helps homeowners save money in energy consumption costs.

How To Tell If Your Ductwork Needs Cleaning

These are some of the most common issues that need to be addressed by scheduling air duct cleaning services:

Unusually visible dirt - A healthy amount of dust within the ductwork is within normal limits. The EPA has found that dust in the ductwork is not a cause for concern since most of the dust that gets inside it sticks to the ductwork and is not recirculated as indoor air at home. However, if there is an unusually thick layer of dust around the vents or if the vents seem to be emitting dust or debris, then it is necessary to have the dirty ducts cleaned.
Vermin infestation - The presence of mice or other vermin is never a good sign, whether it is inside the air duct or any other place within the home, so it is safe to say that a vermin infestation within the ductwork is reason enough to get the ducts a thorough, professional cleaning.
Mold growth - Visible mold growth is a big red flag anywhere in the home. If found in the ductwork, mold spores could spread and become airborne, creating a respiratory hazard for all who live there. It is imperative then that duct cleaning be conducted if mold is found there.

How To Maintain Clean Air Ducts

When it comes to keeping indoor air clean, ductwork cleaning is the big gun - something only brought out when out of options. Most of the time, simple maintenance and prevention tasks are all it takes to keep air ducts clean and indoor air quality at exceptional levels.

Simple activities that homeowners already do regularly, such as sweeping, mopping, dusting, and vacuuming to keep dust levels low, are already a big help. Keeping humidity levels low and leaving air supply vents open also go a long way in ductwork maintenance. It also helps to regularly change the furnace filter, as it traps dirt and dust particles to prevent them from getting into the HVAC system and, subsequently, the ductwork.

About Chad's AC Direct

Chad's AC Direct is a full-service heating and AC company serving the Montgomery, AL community. Customers can expect personalized and efficient service - from live answering to convenient scheduling and expert installation. Their team of expert technicians provides excellent service at a great value, with no surprise expenses and honest, upfront billing. Call them today for reliable HVAC services in Montgomery, AL.

Distribution Links +

This New Year, Make the Smart Choice - Go for a Smart Thermostat

Why a Smart Thermostat Is a Smart New Year Investment

Every new year, people automatically assess the past 365 days to look for areas of improvement. Everyone looks for aspects of their lives to make them better, stronger, or smarter. When it comes to the devices that help achieve those goals, anything “smart” enough to save time, effort, and money should cut the list of New Year’s resolutions.

A smart thermostat is one of these truly wise investments. They perform more sophisticated tasks than a programmable thermostat or the even simpler manual thermostat and also allow for greater flexibility and customizability when it comes to timing and temperature settings.

Understanding What Smart Thermostats Are All About

To understand how smart thermostats can have a huge advantage over programmable or manual thermostats, it pays to understand what they are and how they work. Essentially, a smart thermostat is a thermostat that can be connected via Wi-Fi to any internet-enabled device that can control it remotely. This means that it functions like a manual thermostat does - setting temperatures and giving the current temperature reading, but with more added features.

Because smart thermostats can be controlled by an app on a device such as a smartphone, tablet, or even a speaker, remote access is a welcome convenience. Homeowners don’t have to set or change the temperature physically. Instead, they can do it through their devices, wherever they are, even if they’re at work or out of town for a vacation.

Smart thermostats can collect information about how a particular household uses energy and their heating or cooling patterns and then suggest more energy-efficient operations based on the data collected. This ability to provide insight into how we are heating or cooling our homes creates better energy efficiency and lowers energy bills.

Reasons To Install a Smart Thermostat

Aside from the fact that smart thermostats increase energy efficiency while providing remote accessibility, there are a few other reasons why switching to them can benefit homeowners. For one thing, smart thermostat installation allows homeowners to automate some important tasks they would otherwise be doing manually, such as keeping track of service reminders, battery replacements, calibration, etc. Instead of trying to keep these schedules in mind and then finding out that the thermostat has suddenly run out of battery without warning, smart thermostats alert one beforehand of needing these services.

Smart thermostats also provide energy usage reports that give homeowners information about their energy consumption. This can come in the form of a chart or graph that can be viewed on the app, and the information it contains can help homeowners make smarter decisions about their temperature settings to save energy and money.

Is It Time To Replace Your Smart Thermostat?

While smart thermostats last an average of 10 years, thermostat replacement may be necessary even before that. The technology may become outdated in that period, or the thermostat itself may no longer be working as intended - giving incorrect temperature readings or refusing to set temperatures correctly.

While this can be avoided by regular maintenance such as calibration, software updates, and battery replacement, homeowners should still be on the lookout for warning signs that the existing unit is no longer functioning properly and that a new thermostat installation must be scheduled. If the malfunctioning thermostat is ignored and allowed to keep operating, then HVACs may be given incorrect information about temperature settings, which can wreak havoc not just on energy efficiency but on the integrity of the HVAC system as well.

About Chad’s AC Direct

Chad’s AC Direct is a full-service heating and AC company serving the Montgomery, AL community. Customers can expect personalized and efficient service - from live answering to convenient scheduling and expert installation. Their team of expert technicians provides excellent service at a great value, with no surprise expenses and honest, upfront billing. Call them today for reliable HVAC services in Montgomery, AL.

Distribution Links +

Take a Breath of Fresh Air in 2024

Breathe Easy With Cleaner Air

Study after study shows that indoor air is more contaminated than outdoor air. This can shock some people who spend every season suffering from allergies, but the root cause of poor lung health is usually inside the house. At the beginning of the year, when everyone is focused on health, most people overlook that all the time they spend indoors can have a negative effect. Wouldn't it be great if there were easy ways to improve indoor air quality and, by extension, lung health?

Luckily, cleaning up the air inside the home is a lot easier than it seems. Homeowners can support their resolutions for better health by following a few easy steps. Here are the three best things everyone can do for cleaner air in 2024.

Resolve to Change the Air Filters

Stop right now. Set reminders on a calendar to change air filters every three months. Why every three months? Most manufacturers of air filters recommend this period. Three months is a good place to start for the standard air filter available at the hardware store. This year, start by aiming to change filters quarterly. If symptoms don't improve, change them more frequently.

Some of the factors that can necessitate more frequent air filter changes are:

Dusty home around the environment
Presence of pets in the home
Housekeeping habits
Humidity that can contribute to mold growth
Age of the home
Indoor plants
Number of people in the household

Upgrade to Air Purifiers or Air Filtration Systems

Air filters can do a great job of lessening the pollution in indoor air, but they aren't designed to purify the air drastically. If those in the home suffer from lung problems like asthma or allergies, or poor immunity is a problem, more deliberate interventions may be needed.

To purify air to a greater degree, homeowners can install air purifiers and air sanitizers, depending on their needs. Air purifiers use HEPA filters to remove even the tiniest particles from indoor air, while air sanitizers ionize grime in the air and pulverize biological threats. Both systems can be portable units, but the best way to get these technologies working for those in the home is with whole-home air filtration systems.

Keep the Home Clean

New Year's resolutions are all about making life better. Unfortunately, most people don't get creative enough and resolve to do some small things that will contribute to a better life. When living a healthier, stress-free life, nothing is as valuable as a clean home.

Keeping the home clean is a chore, but it can be done easily with resolve and discipline. And it supports cleaner air! To make serious strides in keeping the home clean, structure free time during the week to tackle chores. Start by sweeping or vacuuming for 10 minutes a day. Move to different rooms each day. Toss out the clutter that prevents good dusting practices and keep dust clothes handy to wipe down surfaces and remove dust. Use the weekends to launder bedding and bathroom towels. Finally, pull down the curtains and wash them as often as air filters are changed. With these simple habits, 2024 can be the healthiest year yet.

About Chad's AC Direct

Chad's AC Direct has the latest technology for indoor air quality solutions. They offer handwritten estimates and itemize everything to prevent surprises. Call today for HVAC service in Montgomery, AL.

Distribution Links +

Is It Time To Replace Your Furnace? Here's How To Tell

When To Replace Your Furnace

Every year, as winter rolls around, homeowners are faced with the question of whether their furnaces keep the winter cold at bay for nearly half the year when temps are low. For some, the answers come easy: newer furnaces are expected to be in peak working condition and aren't a cause for concern. But for others who have had their existing furnaces break down in the past, the question lingers: is it enough to do furnace maintenance to keep things warm at home, or is it time to consider furnace replacement? Fortunately, some signs can help homeowners decide, and three of the most important are listed below.

How Old Is the Furnace and How Often Does It Break Down?

With a typical furnace lifespan ranging from 15 to 20 years, it's safe to say modern heating systems are made to last a long time, so homeowners who have furnaces that are under the lower end of this range, that is to say with furnaces less than 15 years old, don't have to be overly concerned about needing to replace them. It's easy to tell which furnaces are outdated, too. Most older systems still use a furnace pilot light as an ignition source - a system no longer in place for modern heaters.

However, if a relatively newer heating system is experiencing frequent breakdowns and has been needing ongoing furnace repair that can't seem to be resolved once and for all, then it would be wise to weigh whether an outright replacement might yield more savings than the total cost of all the repairs combined.

Is It Affecting Your Energy Bills?

Another consideration when deciding on a furnace replacement is whether the furnace is losing energy efficiency and causing a home's energy bills to rise unreasonably. Problematic heating systems that aren't working as they should typically require more power to operate than a furnace in great condition, and this loss in efficiency could mean higher energy bills.

If repairing the furnace doesn't dent the energy bills, there are other indications that the heating system is no longer working as it should. It might be time to consider replacing the newer, more energy-efficient unit.

Has Comfort Become an Issue at Home?

Regarding heating systems, an important measure of whether they are still serviceable is the comfort level they can deliver indoors. This primarily concerns the home's humidity level when the furnace is running. Homeowners who feel that their homes aren't evenly heated or feel stuffy and uncomfortable may be experiencing high levels of humidity indoors. While humidifiers can easily counteract this, it would be best to take other signs together with this one to see if heater replacement is the best course of action. If all signs - age, frequent repairs, lost energy efficiency, and discomfort indoors - are present, then it's a pretty glaring indication that a replacement furnace is needed immediately.

About Chad's AC Direct

Distribution Links +

How To Tell If a Heater Is Dangerous

Identifying the Signs

Heating systems are supposed to heat the whole home without overheating. Since many homeowners can’t feel when their heater is overworked, a few common signs indicate trouble. A dangerous heating system can cause house fires and carbon monoxide poisoning, so knowing the basics is crucial.

How To Tell if There Is a Carbon Monoxide Leak

Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless, toxic gas that happens when the furnace is broken. Since it is virtually undetectable, most homeowners have carbon monoxide detectors.

A carbon monoxide detector has a small microchip built into a chamber that houses the gas sensor. This measures the concentration of carbon monoxide in the air via parts per million. When carbon monoxide is present, the detector will sound a loud alarm to warn all household members of the problem.

There are a few reasons why carbon monoxide leaks occur. The most common problem lies within the heat exchanger. If the heat exchanger is cracked, fumes circulate throughout the home. Carbon monoxide poisoning can happen in hours or days, depending on how big the crack is. All household members must leave the house right away.

Signs of a carbon monoxide leak can be physically detected. Carbon monoxide poisoning leads to headaches, dizziness, nausea, confusion, blurred vision, and even shortness of breath. If carbon monoxide goes unnoticed, it can also lead to death.

Moldy Heaters

A moldy heater will create health hazards for anyone inside the home. This includes children, pets, and long-term guests. No matter the outdoor humidity, mold is not a natural part of the healing process and should be removed immediately.

Mold tends to grow in moist environments. This means the air ducts are a perfect spot for spores to thrive. Heating systems that have little ventilation are at risk of developing condensation and excess moisture that eventually causes toxic mold.

It can be difficult to see mold if it is trapped inside the heating system. Indications of indoor mold include unusual musty smells. A mildewy scent that can be smelled anywhere in the home is usually a sign of trapped moisture. Household members may experience skin rashes, allergies, and even respiratory issues if it is not removed.

Overheating Furnaces

If the HVAC system overheats, it can cause furnace fires, carbon monoxide poisoning, and damage to the heater. Luckily, sometimes overheating can be prevented by homeowners.

Closed vents cause problems with the household temperature. If more than one or two vents are closed, homeowners are advised to turn down the thermostat before opening them. This type of issue blocks airflow and can be dangerous.

Another way homeowners can prevent this problem is by regularly changing their air filters. After three months, furnace filters become coated with dust particles and lint. Once the airflow is restricted, the furnace must work twice as hard to achieve the desired temperature.

Furnace overheating produces a smokey smell. Sometimes, this is because of an actual fire. Humming noises can predict fires and should never be ignored, even with low volume. To stay safe throughout the winter, annual heating maintenance is recommended. Heating repair services are less expensive if the problem is fixed early.

About Chad’s AC Direct

Chad’s AC Direct provides trustworthy service in Montgomery, AL, with an itemized list of parts so customers know they are getting the best deal. They always arrive on time, offer honest advice, and work to find a well-budgeted solution. To learn more about their financing options or to schedule a heating service, call Chad’s AC Direct today.