spring Archives - Page 2 of 2

How To Get the Upper Hand Over Spring Allergies

3 Simple Ways To Breathe Easier and Improve Air Quality This Spring!

After a long winter, nothing is more welcome than the warmer weather, wonderful smells, and colorful expressions of new plant life that spring provides. But with all the fragrant blooms and bustling vegetation comes the start of the dreaded allergy season! For so many people, seasonal allergies make it impossible to appreciate the joys of springtime, and it can seem like there’s no relief.

Many people try to hunker down indoors to steer clear of the pollen and dust in the air, but this often seems to make no difference - and it can even make matters worse as allergens and airborne pollutants collect inside the home. So this article will share a few easy (and inexpensive) ways to reclaim the indoors and help alleviate allergies this spring!

Open Windows To Bring In Fresh Air

Since the causes of most spring allergies come from outdoor sources, it may seem counterintuitive to let more outdoor air into the home - but this is one of the simplest ways to reduce the number of allergens and pollutants in the indoor air.

Aside from bathroom fans and vent hoods over cooktops, most homes are designed to keep the air inside to prevent the loss of cool or warm air (depending on the season) into the great outdoors. A consequence of this is that airborne pollutants tend to accumulate inside the house. This means pollen and other spring allergens can build up to much higher concentrations than in outdoor air.

So to help ventilate built-up pollutants, homeowners can open a few windows throughout the house, letting cleaner indoor air circulate and refresh the home’s air. This is best done on pleasant, breezy days (of which spring has many!) and can be done as often as homeowners like preferably at least once a week. If homeowners turn off the AC, this strategy can also help reduce their monthly energy bills!

Replace Air Filters Regularly

Opening windows to ventilate the house can do wonders in reducing airborne pollutants. Still, ensuring the HVAC system can capture the pollutants that inevitably hang around is vital. This is where the HVAC air filters come in. As the system circulates air throughout the home, the filters trap particles like dust, dander, and pollen. But if the filter gets too dirty, air won’t pass through the filter media, and the system won’t capture as many pollutants as possible.

To prevent this, homeowners can change air filters at least every 3 months. For some households, replacing the filters every 1-2 months may be necessary - particularly if they have multiple pets or any individuals are especially sensitive to allergies or have existing respiratory issues like asthma. Some homeowners may also want to consider using a different filter grade, as those with a higher MERV rating can capture smaller particles. However, it’s best to consult an HVAC professional to determine which filters are compatible with their specific system.

Keep Dust and Dirt To a Minimum

Regular air filter replacement is crucial for maintaining high indoor air quality (IAQ), but routine house cleaning is one more way to keep indoor pollutants to a minimum. The more dust and dirt build-up on surfaces throughout the house, the more can be kicked up and breathed in, aggravating allergies. So keeping the place clean can make a dramatic difference in IAQ!

Basic dusting, sweeping, mopping, and vacuuming of common areas every 1-2 weeks is a good protocol. Then, every month or so, homeowners can do deeper cleaning and hit those areas that often go overlooked, such as upholstery, curtains, and the tops of ceiling fan blades. It may be a bit of a chore, but a little spring cleaning can go a long way in making brutal seasonal allergies a thing of the past!

About Chad’s AC Direct

For years, Chad’s AC Direct has been one of the most trusted and highly-rated HVAC contractors in Montgomery, Alabama. Their trustworthy, licensed technicians always show up on time, provide written estimates before any work is done, and work efficiently to get the job done right the first time. They offer 24/7 emergency service, competitive pricing, and a money-saving membership program, so call Chad’s AC Direct today for HVAC maintenance and indoor air quality services in Montgomery, AL!

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Add a New Item to the Spring Cleaning Checklist' AC Coil Cleaning

Improve the AC by Unleashing Its Full Potential

Air conditioners in the area have to work hard all summer long to keep everyone cool and comfortable. Over the years, it has been common for air conditioners to lose efficiency. As the air conditioner gets older, it costs more and more money to run each year, likely leaving home feeling warm and humid.

Luckily, there is a simple way to restore lost efficiency to an air conditioner and slow down the aging process of AC systems. Springtime AC maintenance is crucial for homeowners who want to get the most from their air conditioners. This quick article focuses on one aspect of AC maintenance: coil cleaning. Coil cleaning may be the most crucial step in AC maintenance. Here's what that means.

What Do Evaporator Coils Do?

For most people, all they want to know about an air conditioner is if it blows cold air. But where does the cold air come from? Knowing some of the basic principles of how an AC works can help homeowners troubleshoot their system and appreciate its complexity.

To make cold air, the warm air in the house is blown across a very cold coil called the "evaporator coil." The evaporator coil is cold because it has refrigerant that expands and pulls heat out of the warm air being blown across it. Over time, the evaporator coil can become fouled with dander and dust. This limits the amount of heat that one can pull out of warm indoor air, so the whole system loses efficiency.

Where are Condenser Coils Located?

The other half of the air conditioner's coil system is challenging at work outside the house. Once refrigerant absorbs heat from the evaporator coil, the heat is "pumped" outside, where it is blown off by fans that cool the condenser coil. This is why the air coming from the condenser unit outside is always hot; that's the heat from home's inside!

The condenser coil is very sensitive to dirt and debris that block its airflow as the evaporator coil. Because air is constantly moving across it, it can get filthy in a cooling season. Additionally, it has no filter to keep grime from getting into it.

Don't Forget the Rest of the AC Maintenance

Professional AC coil cleaning is a common part of any good AC maintenance program. During the coil cleaning process, a technician will use chemicals to clean dust and grime built up on the air conditioner's coils. The inside coil takes a foaming cleaner that sits on the coil and gets washed off as moisture condenses on the coil while the AC cycles.

The outdoor coil will probably get hosed off once it has been cleaned. The cleaning result is a highly-efficient air conditioner that will save the owner money in the coming season. In addition to coil cleaning, AC maintenance will cover things like:

Lubrication of moving parts
AC filter changes
Cleaning of the blower wheel
Topping off refrigerant levels
Visual and electrical inspection

About Chad's AC Direct

Need professional help saving money on cooling bills? Chad's AC Direct has a great AC maintenance plan that can start saving owners money today. Call now for fast and personal AC service in Montgomery, AL.

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Don't Forget to Add Coils to the Spring Cleaning List

Improve Air Conditioning Systems by Cleaning Dirty Coils

Not many homeowners know that an evaporator coil cleaning is necessary and a part of annual AC maintenance. When coils are dirty, they can cause severe cooling system issues.

Various things can happen when a homeowner does not schedule a compressor coil cleaning at least four times a year, including rust, worsening coil problems, and a higher electric bill. It is easier to focus on AC coil cleaning to save the headache.

Check on Evaporator Coils

There is a lot to consider regarding AC coil cleaning, including checking the evaporator coils. The first step is to start inside of a home. Although it is a good and safe bet to call a professional air conditioning coil cleaner, homeowners can lightly clean the coils with a light solution.

With time, just like AC air filters, evaporator coils inside the home collect debris like dust and dander. Not only do these particles cause allergic reactions, but when the coils are too dirty, the system overheats and has trouble cooling the house down. This is especially true when the dust also collects on the fins of the indoor evaporator.

Using a microfiber towel at least once a week during cleaning, homeowners should wipe off the dust on the AC coils.

Clean the Outdoor Condenser/Compressor Coils

The inside is not the only area that collects dust, debris, and dander. It is just as important to clean the outdoor condenser and compressor coils. These get even dirtier than those inside because they are left to mother nature.

This is especially true because condenser coils are exposed, which means seasonal storms and animals can affect the cleanliness of the coils. To clean these coils, homeowners should choose a light and non-breezy day. The dirt and debris do not kick back up into the system.

Using a specific coil cleaning brush can take care of the collecting debris and dander in the compressor coils. After using the brush, spray a coil cleaning solution and scrub again. Afterward, homeowners can spray away the debris leaving their condenser and compressor shiny and clean with a high-pressure hose.

Proper Cleaning and Frequent Maintenance

Coil maintenance and coil cleaning are important parts of annual maintenance that homeowners often forget. Since coils are small and mostly unseen, it is easy to forget about them. This does not mean that coil maintenance is not important.

When coils are too dirty, they can stop a system from working as the dirt and debris trapped on the coils and in the flaps prevent air from blowing out and coming in. Sometimes, this causes the AC system to work harder to cool a home, leading to an increase in utility bills.

About Chad's AC Direct

Chad's AC Direct offers its community and clients excellent and high-quality HVAC services, including coil cleaning. They also offer no surprises and cost-saving measures! Contact them today for a quick coil clean in Montgomery, AL.

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All About Spring (Air Duct) Cleaning

Air Duct Cleaning - Everything You Need To Know

Spring cleaning is all about tackling those chores that tend to get neglected or put off for months - or even years - on end. Whether it’s something fairly small like cleaning out the no-man’s-land behind the laundry machines, or a bigger task like decluttering and organizing the garage, there’s a special satisfaction in checking each item off the list.

But one item that doesn’t always make the list is air duct cleaning. A home’s HVAC air ducts can become contaminated over time with dirt, dust, mold, and even vermin. This can lead to unpleasant odors, poor air quality, and reduced AC efficiency, so it’s not something homeowners will want to skip. Learn to tell when duct cleaning is needed, why it’s so important, and how to keep ducts clean in the meantime!

Why Get the Air Ducts Cleaned?

There are several reasons why duct cleaning is a good idea. Most importantly, it can help improve indoor air quality by reducing the number of airborne pollutants and allergens in the home. If the ducts contain a lot of dust and debris, they will get kicked up and sent into the home whenever the AC is running. Mold growth is an even bigger concern, especially in humid regions like Alabama). Mold spores can cause respiratory irritation or illness, even in those without allergies, so getting rid of mold growth is a must for healthy, clean indoor air.

Along these lines, a thorough duct cleaning will also eliminate unpleasant odors caused by mold, mildew, or vermin infestations in the ducts. Duct cleaning can also help improve the AC unit’s efficiency and performance by getting rid of debris that may impede airflow or interfere with the unit’s internal components.

Signs a Home’s Air Ducts Need To Be Cleaned

The effects of dirty air ducts mentioned above can be unpleasant and even harmful, but they also alert homeowners of the problem. For instance, if the air conditioner seems to be struggling, airflow is weak, or the electric bills are unusually high, it could result from too much debris in the ducts.

Other possible indicators of dirty air ducts include musty odors, debris behind air registers or invisible portions of ducts, and a perpetual layer of dust on surfaces that get cleaned regularly. Physical symptoms that often stem from poor air quality (coughing, sneezing, runny nose, eye irritation, etc.) could also point to contaminated air ducts. Still, it’s best to consult with a doctor to rule out other possible causes of these health effects.

Tips for Keeping Air Ducts Clean

After a professional duct cleaning service, the trick is to keep the ducts as clean as possible. After all, cleaner ducts mean cleaner air! The best way to do this is to stay on top of AC maintenance. That means replacing the air filters every 3 months (give or take, depending on the home’s overall level of dust and pet dander), and having the unit cleaned and serviced by a professional once or twice a year.

Keeping the home clean will reduce the amount of dust and debris that one can pull into the ducts in the first place. Maintaining acceptable indoor humidity levels (generally between 30 and 50%) will help discourage mold growth in the ductwork. It’s also good to have the air ducts inspected by a professional as part of the routine annual or bi-annual maintenance visits.

About Chad’s AC Direct

Chad’s AC Direct has been serving the Montgomery community with pride for years. They offer financing, up-front pricing, personalized solutions, unbeatable warranties, and a rewarding membership program. Their friendly licensed & background-checked technicians are available 24/7, so don’t hesitate to call Chad’s AC Direct for air duct cleaning in Montgomery, AL!