Press Releases Archive - Page 18 of 28

Loud Noises In The House May Point To AC Issues

Signs That The Air Conditioning System Needs Repairs

During the hot summer, the air conditioning system may be the only reprieve from the scorching heat and unbearable humidity. Until that point, the thought of having the AC inspected and optimized may never have crossed the mind.

When that happens, the air conditioner may give some telltale signs pointing to a repair soon. Hopefully, the signs will show themselves long before the unit breaks down.

AC Blowing Warm Air

The surest sign that there may be a broken air conditioner is when the cool air that is supposed to be blowing out of the vents turns to warm air. Worse yet, it turns to hot air and only succeeds in blowing around the already hot air in the room. Before calling an AC expert, there are a few simple things to check.

Thermostat – Check to see if the thermostat has been turned down or off. The other family members may have gotten cold and adjusted the settings without letting anyone else know.
Filter – If the filters have not been cleaned or changed out at least once a year, it may be a good idea. It may be as easy as that to get cool air back.

If those two objects are in good shape, and the thermostat is turned to the proper temperature, continued warm air means something else is wrong. A bad compressor, blockages, or even a broken air conditioner may be the culprit. At this point, it is highly suggested that professional AC services are called in to take over.

Insufficient Airflow From the AC

Another sure sign that there may be an issue with the air conditioning unit is insufficient airflow. If one room is like a day at the slopes, while another is more like a nice shady spot under a tree, an issue of uneven cooling is present.

This does not usually mean a broken AC unit but rather a blockage between the AC unit and the vents throughout the home. A professional will need to be called in to complete a deep clean to remove any issues that may be present deep within the vents.

Unusual Noises May Indicate A Broken AC Unit

If some unusually loud sounds come from the AC unit or vents, it is a good indication that something may be wrong. Nothing that will need the homeowner to call the GhostBusters, but a professional AC specialist will need to be rang.

Grinding, screeching, banding, and humming are not signs of ghosts, but they do point to a problem that will need to be addressed by calling a professional AC specialist.

The Ac unit is an integral part of comfortable living and should be included in the spring and fall inspection lists. An AC expert can complete the check within a short time, saving homeowners from having a longer, more expensive visit later on during the hotter months of the year.

About Chad’s AC Direct

The AC specialists at Chad’s AC Direct in Montgomery, Alabama offer a professional visit that will include personalized service for the exact issues. Their expert staff has the tools and expertise to handle any issue and always arrives on time. With upfront pricing and honest advice, homeowners can rest assured they’ll have stress-free HVAC service.

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Learn the Benefits of Installing a Dehumidifier

How to Achieve Ideal Indoor Humidity

The level of humidity in houses has an impact on respiration and on the home itself.

This blog post discusses why some homeowners turn to dehumidifiers to improve their indoor air quality. A dehumidifier is a device that lowers the amount of humidity in a house to a healthier level.

Too much humidity indoors can lead to the growth of mold and mildew. Mold is incredibly bad for human health and can lead to many health ailments. It is also tough to remove as long as high humidity levels remain. Mold and mildew are also not great for the house itself as it rots away wood and stains appliances.

Breathing is another important factor to consider. High humidity levels can cause asthma attacks and other respiratory problems. Some homeowners decide to install a dehumidifier as a health solution to solve respiratory problems.

How Dehumidifiers Work

Dehumidifiers are the best way to remove humidity from an indoor environment. They are often found in bedrooms and basements. Mold and mildew in basements are common due to groundwater run-off, which is why many homeowners opt for installing a dehumidifier to keep the space clean. People who suffer from respiratory problems due to too much humidity can find relief by sleeping with a dehumidifier in their bedroom.

So how do dehumidifiers remove moisture from the air? Dehumidifiers work very similarly to air conditioning units. Air conditioning units offer some of the same benefits as dehumidifiers. However, dehumidifiers only remove moisture from the air and do not impact the temperature.

The dehumidifier sucks the air into its air intake and then passes it over coils. These coils use the process of condensation to pull moisture out of the air. The coils are cold, and the air is warm, which forces the air to contract and shed the excess moisture onto the coils. The moisture in the air turns into liquid condensation and drips into a pan to be disposed of.

Warnings Signs a Dehumidifier Is Needed

Condensation on windows
Mold
Musty smell

Homeowners should look for warning signs that they need a dehumidifier. Mold and mildew caused by excess humidity can destroy respiratory health and cause property damage. Ignoring the problem can only cause it to get worse.

When the windows of a home get fogged up on the inside, this is a clear sign that there is way too much moisture in the air. This is common in very humid climates and during the summer months. The home should not turn into a greenhouse in the summer because high humidity makes it very hard to breathe in addition to causing mold growth.

Benefits of Dehumidifiers

Improve respiratory function
Prevent mold and mildew
Keep a cleaner house
Prevent property damage
More comfortable environment

Installing a dehumidifier can improve the quality of life for homeowners by creating a more comfortable interior climate. Many people feel uncomfortable in a hot and sticky home. Excess moisture in the air can even cause skin problems such as acne or a sticky feeling of condensation on the skin's surface.

The most important benefit of dehumidifiers for most people is that they prevent the growth of mold and mildew. Health and safety should always be the most important concerns for homeowners. Installing a high-quality dehumidifier can help homeowners keep their indoor air quality safe and healthy.

About Chad's AC Direct

Chad's AC Direct is available 24/7 for heating and cooling emergencies in Montgomery, AL. The team of expert HVAC technicians from Chad's AC Direct is dedicated to the safety and comfort of their community. Homeowners can depend on this local HVAC company to always be on time, honest, and professional at every service appointment. Call them today to schedule an appointment for a dehumidifier installation in Montgomery, AL!

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How to Know When Evaporator Coils Need Cleaning

Person in gloves using spray nozzle to clean HVAC surface with cleaning solution, emphasizing cleanliness and maintenance.

Why Dirty Evaporator Coils Are Bad

Cleaning the evaporator coils is one of the things that HVAC technicians do during annual maintenance appointments because it helps to keep the AC running smoothly. The AC evaporator coils are essential to the efficient performance of the HVAC unit. The evaporator coils and the condenser coils are the main parts of the function of an air conditioner. This blog post discusses the warning signs that evaporator coils are dirty and need to be cleaned.

The coils are filled with refrigerant that makes them very cold, so when the fan blows air over them, the air is instantly cooled. This causes some of the moisture in the air to condense into a liquid recycled by the system. When the AC coils are too dirty, they can not do their job correctly.

Evaporator coil cleaning is pretty simple, but a qualified technician should always do it for safety reasons. The air conditioner needs to be taken apart to reveal the coils, and then the technician can use a soft cloth and cleansing solution to wipe down the coils and remove any grime build-up. Cleaning the coils can improve function almost instantly and lead to a longer lifespan for the air conditioning unit.

The Loss of Cooling Function

Man holding a thermometer displaying high temperature, expressing discomfort, related to air conditioning efficiency and cooling function.

Having dirty evaporator coils reduces the air conditioner's ability to cool air and do the job efficiently. When the AC coils are dirty, the system loses cooling function until it stops cooling the house completely. As the air conditioner struggles to cool down the air with dirty coils, it drives up utility bills. Homeowners can save money on cooling costs by installing HVAC maintenance and regularly cleaning their evaporator coils.

A build-up of grime, dust, and debris on the coils' surface impacts the coils' temperature. When the coils are too cold or not cold enough, it negatively impacts the air conditioner's function. To keep an air conditioner working at its optimal capabilities for fast and efficient cooling, the AC coils need to be kept clean. Changing the air filter can help keep the coils clean between maintenance appointments.

Frost On AC Evaporator Coils

Frozen evaporator coils are often caused by not getting the coils cleaned enough. Because dirty evaporator coils can impact the temperature of the coils, this often leads to them freezing over. The condensation becomes frozen to the surface of the coils rather than dripping off like it is supposed to.

Homeowners should pay attention to warning signs of dirty AC coils because the problem can worsen over time. The grime and ice on the coils can cause corrosion of the metal. Once the metal coils have corroded, they are often beyond repair and must be replaced. Cleaning the AC coils improves the AC system's lifespan so that homeowners can make the most out of their investment.

AC Runs Longer Cycles

Frozen evaporator coils on an air conditioning unit, highlighting the impact of dirty coils on performance and potential corrosion issues for homeowners.

When the AC cannot produce cool enough air to lower the house's temperature to thermostat settings, the air conditioner ends up running forever. Homeowners may notice that the AC is always running, but the home is never quite cool enough. For example, the thermostat may always hover several degrees above the desired temperature.

This is due to the reduced cooling capabilities of dirty AC coils. The system needs to be able to efficiently cool the air to keep AC cycles short. Why are long cycles a bad thing? The longer the AC runs, the higher the utility bills will be. Cooling can be extremely expensive for homeowners, and keeping the AC coils clean helps to lower costs. It is also better for the environment to promote efficient performance from cooling systems.

About Chad's AC Direct

Chad's AC Direct is a local team of expert AC technicians that provide outstanding service at an affordable price. Homeowners can depend on this local HVAC company to provide top-rated service with honesty and integrity. Call them today for evaporator coil cleaning in Montgomery, AL!

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Get Safer Indoor Air for National Wellness Month

Young man relaxing in living room with natural light, promoting HVAC tips for Chad's AC Direct services.

What Is Good Indoor Air Quality?

Air is all around everyone, and all it takes is a quick dunk under water to understand its importance and urgency. Since air is all around pretty much all of the time, it is easy to forget that air quality is vastly important to human health.

During National Wellness Month, take a moment and examine the air in common spaces, especially inside the home. Indoor air is heavy with humidity and particles that can harm health. Instead of taking risks with health, take some advice from local air quality experts and make some changes for the better.

Health Effects of Poor Indoor Air

Low-quality air tends to affect so many things in the body. Starting with the lungs, low-quality air can be hazardous for good lung health. Some of the effects of poor air quality on lung health are:

Chronic sinus infections
Worsened allergies
More intense asthma symptoms
Sore throat

All of these symptoms can greatly reduce the health of people constantly exposed to low air quality, but the bad effects don't end there. Some of the other ways that poor air quality can affect health are:

Chronic headaches
Dizziness
General fatigue
Eye irritation
Dry skin

With everyone spending so much time indoors, especially over the summer, long-term health effects can be even more serious. Some of the long-term health effects of low-quality indoor air are:

Respiratory disease
Heart disease
Cancer

While all these symptoms and diseases are bad, they are avoidable by changing a few simple habits.

Air Filter Changes and Maintenance Practices

Air conditioner maintenance is an important process for every home. It all starts by partnering with a professional AC maintenance contractor who handles annual air conditioner maintenance. Professional maintenance can yield benefits beyond better indoor air, like energy savings and better comfort.

One of the steps that homeowners can take to help with AC maintenance is to replace air filters every three months or more often if necessary. Keeping clean filters in service removes dust and allergens from indoor air, restoring the health of everyone who lives in a home.

Portable Air Quality Devices

If high-quality air filters aren't enough to make symptoms of poor indoor air quality subside, then maybe more air filtration or sanitation is necessary. While devices will purify the air in the entire home, most homeowners are content with keeping certain areas cleaner, like bedrooms, with portable air purifiers and air sanitizers.

Air purifiers use high-quality filters to remove nearly all particles from indoor air, including pollen and viruses. Air sanitizers use UV light to destroy pollutants like odors, smoke, and VOCs that can damage the lungs. By figuring out the source of lung problems, homeowners can use these portable devices to further remove pollutants from the air to improve their overall health.

About Chad's AC Direct

Chad's AC Direct is the local choice for indoor air quality solutions. Customers know they're always getting honest prices with hand-written estimates and itemized parts lists. Call today for personal attention for air quality services in Montgomery, AL.

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Air Duct Cleaning 101: A Back-to-School Guide for Better Health

Dimly lit ventilation fan in a tunnel shaft, showcasing industrial air conditioning infrastructure by Chad's AC Direct.

Duct Cleaning Basics for a Cleaner Home

One common problem in homes with central air conditioning is air quality. Air quality is related to the amount and type of particles in the air, as well as the humidity present in the home. The problem with these systems is that they rarely have the opportunity to refresh the air in a home. The result is humid and dusty air constantly circulating the home, picking up more grime on the trip resulting in low indoor air quality.

One problem contributing to low-quality air in the home is the ductwork that conveys air in a central air conditioning system. As air gets dirty, dust cakes onto the interior of ductwork. This dust attracts more and more dust and starts a vicious cycle of dirty air caused by dirty ducts and dirty ducts caused by dirty air. Instead of falling victim to this nasty cycle, start with duct cleaning services. Here is a quick guide from local experts to orient homeowners to the concept of duct cleaning.

Signs That Duct Cleaning Is Needed

All of the air in a home is constantly recirculating around and around. With the possible exception of cracking a window in the spring or fall, the same air is in the house all the time, slowly getting dirtier and dirtier. This can lead to ductwork showing signs that it needs to be cleaned. Some of the signs that duct cleaning is a good idea are:

Weak airflow around the home
Inconsistent cooling
High humidity
Higher power bills
Musty odors in the home
Chronic health problems, especially lung problems like sinus infections and allergies

Reasons to Get Air Duct Cleaning Services

Reversing the problems caused by low-quality indoor air is as simple as scheduling a duct cleaning visit from a local specialist. Once ducts are cleaned, homeowners can notice benefits like:

Increased comfort
Savings on cooling bills
Improvement of allergy symptoms
Fewer problems with mold, especially in humid environments like bathrooms
The disappearance of stubborn musty smells

Most duct cleaning visits are short, and the process is only recommended every few years, making this an obvious choice for air quality improvements.

Ways to Keep Air Ducts Clean

Ductwork will always eventually get dirty, but most homeowners want to know how to keep their ducts clean in between duct cleaning visits every few years. Conveniently, the best way to protect ductwork is the same as protecting air conditioning equipment, and that starts with high-quality air filters and frequent air filter changes. In a new home, homeowners should take time to try different styles of air filters to find the one that meets their needs. Then, they should remember to change them at least every three months.

A few other things that homeowners can do to protect their ductwork and AC equipment include:

Keeping the house cleaner
Dusting a few times a week
Washing bedding and curtains regularly
Vacuuming
Sweeping and washing rugs and doormats

About Chad's AC Direct

Chad's AC Direct is a family-owned business committed to high-quality indoor air for all of their customers. They understand that their customers don't like surprises like high repair or installation bills. That's why they handwrite estimates and account for every one of their technician's hours. Call today for superior AC service in Montgomery, AL.