Press Releases Archive - Page 20 of 28

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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3 Common Signs That It's Time to Install a New AC

Reasons to Schedule New AC Installation

It's early spring, and the weather is perfect. While a warm afternoon might require the AC to be turned on, likely it isn't constantly running as it will be soon. During the hot and humid summers, ACs work overtime to keep the home cool but eventually, it will be time to look into AC replacement.

Deciding when to replace the AC can be a decision that is stressful to make for the homeowners. AC replacement is a big investment that requires careful planning since the new air conditioner will be in service in the home for decades. This article is a quick guide that can help homeowners understand when it is time to consider this big project. Understanding when the perfect time for AC replacement will be can give homeowners confidence when it comes time to make a decision.

1. Follow Your Nose – And Ears

The first signs of any mechanical trouble are usually perceived through two senses: sound and smell. AC equipment is designed to run quietly and odor-free so when smells and sounds crop up, they are usually signs that something is wrong. Some smell to look out for that are indicators of trouble are:

Musty Smells: Musty smells arise from dust build-up in the blower and ductwork of an air conditioner. When dust builds up it captures moisture and can allow mold to grow. A new AC can remove dangerous mold from air supplies and freshen up the air more effectively than an older unit.
Gas Odors: Part of the AC is the furnace since both units use the same blower and ductwork. If gaseous odors are perceived it is a sign of a serious problem. Either natural gas leaks from furnace pipework or refrigerant leaks from an AC coil.
Electrical Fire Odor: Older AC units are more susceptible to electrical problems. Electrical problems can result in overheating that can start fires or melt wire insulation. These odors are serious and should be dealt with quickly.

Common sounds that show the mileage of an air conditioner can be:

Squealing
Grinding
Rattling
Whistling
Hissing

2. Escalating Energy Bills

A new AC can bring welcome relief for homeowners that track their energy bills. The older an AC unit is, the less efficient it will be. Whether bills have slowly crept up over the last few years or if they jumped sharply last summer or at the beginning of this cooling season, a spike in energy usage is an obvious indicator that the AC is inefficient.

A new energy-efficient AC is just what is needed. New AC models operate much more efficiently, saving the homeowner money. They likely will also keep the home more comfortable while keeping costs low.

3. Other Signs

While high bills and mechanical problems are obvious signs, many more can be indicators that AC replacement is necessary. Repairs are cheaper than replacements, but it makes more sense to start over at some point. Keep an eye out for these indicators that problems are serious:

Age of 20 years or more
Increasing repair bills
Hot and cold spots
Poor airflow around the home
High humidity
Low air quality

About Chad's AC Direct

Need a reliable AC installation specialist to install a new energy-efficient AC? Chad's AC Direct is the local choice with hand-written estimates and itemized parts lists. Call today for AC service in Montgomery, AL!

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All About Spring (Air Duct) Cleaning

Long metallic ventilation duct showcasing industrial design, relevant for HVAC maintenance tips by Chad's AC Direct.

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!

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Women's History Month: HVAC Edition

Woman in safety goggles using a multimeter on electrical components for HVAC maintenance at Chad's AC Direct.

These Women Changed the Heating and Cooling World

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that as of May 2020, there were over 344,000 HVAC professionals. However, of that number, less than 10 percent of those workers are women. But why? Perceptions of womanhood, systematic oppression and other factors have prevented many women from entering this male-dominated field.

Yet, HVAC history is packed with dozens of "hidden figures"––meaning women who worked behind the scenes to improve the heating and cooling industry. Some of these iconic figures include Alice H. Walker and Margaret Ingles. Interested parties can continue reading to learn more.

The HVAC Industry Today

Before delving into Alice H. Walker and Margert Ingles' lives, here are some fast things to know about today's HVAC industry. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics:

HVAC is one of the most lucrative home improvement industries today. On average, workers make $53,000 a year at $25.68 an hour. Of course, this can vary by state and expertise.
Florida, California, and Texas have the most HVAC specialists in the country.

Furthermore, the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) notes that the number of women entering the HVAC industry is rising. Nine percent of HVAC professionals are women. Given the number of vacancies on the market, that number will likely go up; the ACCA notes at least 115,000 slots for HVAC technician jobs.

Alice H. Walker: an African-American Female Engineer (1895 to ??)

Very little is known about Alice H. Walker's life. That's mostly because, as an African-American woman, historians did not record much of her life and death. Historians were still debating when Walker passed away.

However, one thing is certain about her life: she hated New Jersey's freezing winters. In 1910, Walker graduated from Howard University, a Black college in Washington, D.C., and she cultivated a love of engineering.

In 1919, she received a patent for her invention, a gas heating furnace. She hoped to make a safer appliance that didn't need to burn overnight by creating a heating source that didn't rely on firewood.

The device was not the first of its kind, as many inventors hoped to create an efficient heating source for homes and businesses. Yet, Walker's invention would serve as the basis for many other inventions that came after hers. Researchers hope to uncover more of Walker's life and shed more light on her innovations.

Margaret Ingels: an American Female Inventor (1892 to 1971)

Margaret Ingles was born in Paris, Kentucky, in 1892. From a very young age, she was fascinated with science and engineering. Her curiosity was piqued when she learned about condensation forming outside of glasses as a young child.

In 1916, she graduated from the University of Kentucky with a bachelor's in engineering, and she is credited with being the first woman to graduate with this degree from the university. After taking a job as a traffic engineer, she found her calling in the HVAC world.

She created a host of inventions, one of which determined how much humidity was in a room. This was groundbreaking at the time, inspiring other engineers to build on her works. Ingles passed away in 1971.

About Chad's AC Direct

Chad's AC Direct looks forward to Women's History Month each year. It also loves helping those in Birmingham, AL with their HVAC systems. Interested parties in the area can call these professionals today for HVAC service.

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Celebrate Women's History Month By Learning About the Women Who Shaped HVAC

Technician using a clamp meter on electrical equipment, highlighting HVAC maintenance and safety at Chad's AC Direct.

Women Pioneered Change In the World of Heating and Cooling

At one point in time, being an HVAC contractor was considered "man's work." The first women to work in the heating and cooling industry were considered groundbreaking pioneers in a male-dominated field. The times have changed, and today, there are women at the forefront of the HVAC industry, managing heating and cooling companies and enjoying various leadership positions.

This March is Women's History Month. In honor of the women in the HVAC industry, HVAC experts take a look at a brief overview of women in the industry and some of the most notable female inventors.

Modern Women In the HVAC Industry

Thanks to the advancement of technology and the new tools that are available to modern HVAC technicians, the career of HVAC contractor is more accessible to women than ever before. According to US labor statistics, women still only make up around three percent of the total workforce in the HVAC industry.

Despite being small in numbers, the women in the HVAC industry have contributed greatly towards the innovations that make the industry what it is today. The inventions of female engineers completely revolutionized the way modern heating and cooling systems function. Alice H. Parker and Margaret Ingels are two of the most famous women in heating and cooling. Keep reading to learn more about their inspirational stories.

Alice H. Walker Invented the First Gas Furnace

Alice H. Parker was an African American and female inventor who invented the first-ever gas furnace. She was living in New Jersey with her mother and faced with chopping wood to survive the harsh NJ winter; she decided to develop a better solution. She created a system that would use natural gas to generate heat for the home, circulating through ductwork.

Her idea was patented in December of 1919, but unfortunately, she died shortly after, and her original design never came to fruition due to safety concerns. However, her design inspired generations of engineers after her to invent what we now know as a central heating system. Her design was groundbreaking for its use of gas and ductwork.

Engineering Trailblazer Margaret Ingels

Margaret Ingels was a female inventor and engineer from the 1920s who had a special interest in air conditioning. To this day, Margaret Ingels is one of the most inspirational figures for women in the engineering industry. She was the second woman in America to become an engineer and the first woman to ever become a mechanical engineer.

Shortly after graduating, she became interested in air quality control and began working on new systems for indoor temperature control. She decided to join the American Society of Heating and Ventilating Engineers and studied air conditioning systems for six years, and implemented industry-changing innovations in how air conditioners are built.

About Chad's AC Direct

Chad's AC Direct is available 24/7 for emergency heating and cooling services. Homeowners in Montgomery, AL, and the surrounding regions can depend on Chad's AC Direct for flat-rate pricing, on-time appointments, and expert technicians. Give them a call today to schedule an appointment with an experienced AC contractor!