Press Releases Archive - Page 16 of 28

Three Green Tips to Make Your Central Heater More Energy Efficient

Easy Ways to Go, Green,

Going green is easy. But Instead of green accessories or clothing, homeowners can look at 'green' habits and technologies to adopt for more energy-efficient home heating systems that will have them celebrating savings in energy and money.

Maximize the Use of Ceiling Fans

An oft-overlooked method of heating rooms more efficiently is ceiling fans. Although it seems counterintuitive, turning on a fan to heat a room is a tried and tested method of circulating air to bring warm air near the bottom of the room where its occupants are and pushing cold air up to the top. This is only possible if the switch on the fan's body is toggled to make it rotate clockwise. Spinning clockwise creates an updraft that naturally brings warm air down and cold air up.

By augmenting a home's central heating system with ceiling fans, the burden of heating a large space often placed entirely on the HVAC is somewhat reduced, allowing it to run with greater energy efficiency, making it cost less to operate.

Replace Air Filters Regularly

Air filters play an important role in improving the quality of indoor air that gets pushed and distributed through the HVAC system. Its finely woven, specially fabricated fibers trap dirt, dust, and other harmful particles floating in the air, removing them from the air flowing through the HVAC to make the indoor air cleaner and more comfortable.

As with all home fixtures and appliances, HVAC systems need to be kept in tip-top shape, which means changing the air filter regularly. The recommended frequency for filter replacement is every 30-60 days. If left on longer than this recommended period, filters become dirty. They can no longer trap particles and pollutants as effectively, which leads not only to poorer air quality but also to less efficient HVAC performance as dirty air filters slow down the flow of air that passes through the HVAC system.

Consider Switching to a Smart Thermostat

Using smart thermostats is another way to significantly reduce energy consumption in the home and subsequently lower monthly electric bills. Because smart thermostats have the ability to collect data points about each home's heating patterns and use this information to create custom programming, they help lessen energy that is wasted with older, less technologically advanced thermostats in use.

As a bonus, the latest smart thermostats have more advanced settings and often come with a smart display panel or connect to an app on the phone. This gives homeowners greater latitude for control even when they are not at home. This ability for remote access allows homeowners to tweak their home's settings even when they are away for extended periods, such as during long vacations. Because of this, heaters that are paired with smart thermostats often end up with less wasted energy, making them more cost-effective to operate.

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.

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Make Sure the Temperature is Just Right for Valentine's Day Plans

Optimize the Home's Efficiency for Greater Comfort

Valentine's Day is the perfect opportunity to show loved ones that they are cared about. That love may take the form of flowers or a night out on the town, but some other things need some TLC, too.

Beating the crowds on Valentine's Day by staying in for the evening is a fine choice, but the temperature has to be perfect to set the mood. If the house has yet to get the attention it needs, it won't make a romantic venue. This year, make sure the home is ready for a relaxing night by taking advice from local heating experts. Following these tips not only ensures that Valentine's Day will be cozy, but it can also save money and headaches. Here are local experts' tips to stay warm for the holiday.

Stop Drafts From Ruining Efficiency

To stay warm, a home has to keep cold air outside. Unfortunately, over time a home will develop drafts that allow the free exchange of air across the home's walls. Drafts rob a home of efficiency, raising utility bills and causing the heater to work harder. All that harder work puts extra stress on the heater, which can cause major problems down the road, requiring numerous repairs, not to mention compromising comfort.

Luckily, repairing drafts is pretty easy. Look for drafts around windows and doors. As a house settles, window and door frames can start to sag, allowing air to flow in. Using cheap and easy-to-install weatherstripping is the best choice for DIY draft repair. In some cases, caulking around windows indoors and outdoors can stop any draft that weatherstripping may miss.

Upgrade to Energy Star Windows

Once windows are sealed with weatherstripping and caulk, their true efficiency will be revealed. Windows are one of the largest sources of lost heat in the entire home, and even when low-quality windows are sealed, they still feel drafty from cold air transferring inside.

To stop the energy drain and pockets of cold air near windows, upgrade the windows to Energy Star windows. Installing new windows stops the constant waste of heat leaking out through the insulated glass. Although windows cost more upfront, they will continue to provide reliable service for decades, saving money through efficiency. Once rebates and energy savings are factored in, new windows are an obvious choice for big savings and better comfort.

Hire Reputable HVAC Technicians

Heating equipment is expensive to install and also costs a lot to operate. When it comes to Valentine's gifts, massages and spa days are popular. Why not schedule a spa day for the heater with a visit from an HVAC technician? Hiring reputable heating contractors allows these experts to maintain equipment leading to benefits like:

Increased longevity
Better reliability
Lower bills
More comfort

Find the right package for the heater today and make sure the heater is ready to set the right mood this Valentine's Day.

About Chad's AC Direct

Chad's AC Direct provides affordable AC and heating repair services in Montgomery, AL. Every job begins with a handwritten estimate catered to each customer's needs. Call today for HVAC service.

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Black Inventors Who Revolutionized Heating and Cooling

Four outdoor air conditioning units on a concrete pad, showcasing modern HVAC design by Chad's AC Direct in Montgomery, AL.

Celebrate Black History with These Inventors

Modern living wouldn't be possible without the inventiveness and ingenuity of people across the ages. All throughout history, people from numerous backgrounds have had a hand in building the civilization and society that we enjoy today. One of the necessities born out of this ingenuity is climate-controlled dwellings.

Heated and cooled dwellings are a recent invention by humans. With the power of electricity and the engineering of our forefathers, humans can now successfully avoid the violent temperature swings found outdoors. But it hasn't always been this way. This technology has become available in the last century thanks to a handful of inventors. This month, celebrate the black inventors that made civilized living more comfortable. In honor of Black History Month, here are three prominent black inventors that contributed to the development of climate control technology.

David Crosthwait

Breaking racial barriers early, David Crosthwait became an engineer in 1920 at 22 years old. From there, he moved to Iowa to develop equipment for a local manufacturer. He quickly excelled in the heating and cooling field, patenting devices that became part of a comprehensive heating system.

His career reached new heights by patenting revolutionary thermostats and developing advanced heating and ventilation systems. His most notable projects were designing heating systems for the Rockefeller Center and Radio City Music Hall. For his achievements, he became the first black member of the American Society for Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Engineers.

Alice H. Parker

Heating homes in the winter in New Jersey took a lot of work, and Alice Parker knew there had to be a better way. Instead of hauling around heavy wood and messy coal, what if natural gas could be used instead? Until Parker proposed the idea, no one had considered heating homes on a large scale with natural gas.

A graduate of Howard, Parker was awarded a patent for a natural gas heating system in 1919. Although the system was deemed too dangerous for production, her developments led to some breakthroughs for the heating industry, like ducted heat and zone control, paving the way for cleaner and easier access to heat.

Lewis Latimer

For those looking for a success story, look no further than Lewis Latimer. From humble beginnings, born to enslaved parents, the deck seemed stacked against Latimer. But, defying the odds, he served in the US Navy during the Civil War, fighting for the freedom of his people. After the war, he sought employment as a draftsman for the patent office. His excellence in drafting led him to work on projects for Alexander Graham Bell for the telephone and Thomas Edison to improve the production of carbon filaments for light bulbs.

His contributions to indoor air quality came from a device for cooling and disinfecting the air. In this relatively rudimentary device water or disinfectant was wicked through a cloth held taught by a frame. He was awarded a patent for this design and held over 100 others internationally.

About Chad's AC Direct

Chad's AC Direct aims to provide the best-valued AC service for residential and commercial customers. First-time customers can expect personalized attention and hand-written estimates explaining the scope of work. Get better AC service and call Chad's AC Direct today for affordable heating and cooling service in Montgomery, AL.

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

Two technicians working on an HVAC unit in a garage, with organized tools nearby, from Chad's AC Direct in Montgomery, AL.

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?

Several 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!

One 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.

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The Inflation Reduction Act: What Does It Mean for Homeowners?

A man in casual clothing inspects HVAC equipment with a flashlight, focusing on electrical components for maintenance.

What to Know About the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022

Goods and services have undeniably become more expensive since the pandemic. To combat these related challenges, President Joe Biden has signed the Inflation Reduction Act, which seeks to make certain things more affordable for lower- and middle-income families. It also aims to reduce the nation’s collective carbon footprint.

Here, one can learn more about how the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 applies to them, including how it can make purchasing and installing certain appliances more affordable.

The Inflation Reduction Act Offers Tax Credits and Rebates

Forbes notes that contrary to popular belief, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 is not a single bill or law. It’s a collection of initiatives that seek to:

Increase taxes on billion-dollar companies
Make affording medications easier for those on Medicare
Invest money in the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Extend Affordable Care Act subsidies
Offset the cost of purchasing and installing energy-efficient appliances
Reduce the country’s carbon emissions by 40 percent by 2030

PR Newswire reports that some households could qualify for up to $14,000 in rebates when installing certain appliances. These appliances include heat pumps, water heaters, furnaces, and others. A household could even get a new air conditioning system.

Who Qualifies for the Benefits Offered by the Inflation Reduction Act?

Many households in the U.S. qualify for the benefits offered by the Inflation Reduction Act––including the initiative that offers tax credits and rebates on energy-efficient upgrades. One’s eligibility primarily depends on their family’s median income. Here’s what to know:

Households making less than 80 percent of the area median income qualify
Families making 80 percent to 150 percent of the median income can get certain breaks
Whether a multifamily residence qualifies depends on many outside factors

One can learn more about their eligibility by checking with the U.S. Department of Urban and Housing Development. This site provides information on income limits and other elements that affect a homeowner’s options.

The Three Main Benefits of Upgrading

At its core, the Inflation Reduction Act allows homeowners to upgrade outdated appliances and get energy-efficient ones. Yet, a homeowner may wonder whether it’s worth upgrading in the first place. By getting a new furnace, heat pump, or air conditioner, one could benefit from the following:

Saving money. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) notes that a home’s heating and cooling system requires the most energy. Energy-efficient appliances are generally cheaper to operate and maintain.
A longer lifespan. Newer appliances on today’s market are made to last longer than their predecessors. For instance, standard tank-reliant water heaters generally last about 10 years. Yet, newer tankless water heaters can easily pass the 15-year mark with no problems.
More features. Many of the appliances that qualify for discounts under the Inflation Reduction Act come with state-of-the-art features. For instance, some users can check their water heater’s temperature on their phones. Others can give voice commands.

About Chad’s AC Direct

Chad’s ACt Direct does it all––air filter replacement, installation––the list goes on and on. For years, these professionals have served the residents of Montgomery, Alabama, with their home improvement needs. These experts offer written estimates, itemized receipts, and prompt service. For more information about HVAC service, one can call today.