How to Tell if Your Ductwork Is Damaged

January 11, 2022

When it comes to proper HVAC operation, most people focus on the mechanical components that make up their system. One of the most important components of your system, though, is the ductwork, and this component can have issues just like the other components. If your Mount Airy home seems uncomfortable, recommends looking for any of the following signs that your ductwork might need to be repaired or replaced. Temperature Differences Between Rooms If you notice wide temperature differences between various rooms in your home, it could be a sign that your ductwork is damaged. Large gaps and cracks in your ductwork can allow conditioned air to leave the ducts before it arrives at its intended destination. This means that rooms located before the gaps and cracks might be comfortable, while the rooms further down the line aren’t very pleasant at all. Noisy System A noisy HVAC system can be an annoying problem to have. While strange noises could be caused by clunky mechanical components, they could also occur because of ductwork damage. Damaged ducts can prevent air from flowing through the ducts properly, increasing the pressure in the ducts to the point that they creak and pop when your system...

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Furnace Heat Exchangers: What They Are and How They Work

December 20, 2021

Your furnace has a heat exchanger inside it. It’s the most critical component in your furnace and is often referred to as its heart. But what is it and how does it work? What Is a Heat Exchanger? A heat exchanger is a furnace component that’s made of metal shells and tubes. When your furnace turns on, gas is combusted to produce heat. The resulting flue gas enters the heat exchanger and warms it. The heat is transferred to the air passing over it, and that is then blown throughout your home by the furnace fan. The heater exchanger separates flue gas from the warm air it produces. The flue gas is vented outdoors, as it’s dangerous to breathe. Primary and Secondary Heat Exchangers All gas furnaces have a primary heat exchanger. High-efficiency furnaces have a secondary heat exchanger as well. This allows them to extract more heat from the flue gas than just a primary heat exchanger can. High-efficiency furnaces are those rated as 90% efficiency or more. Health Risks Heat exchangers can become cracked and deteriorate. When this happens, flue gas can enter the warmed air that is blown into your home. The flue gas contains carbon monoxide...

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How to Successfully Prep Your Home for Winter

November 20, 2021

When the cold winter weather hits, it’s time for your family to enjoy spending time together indoors. However, you want to ensure that your home is ready to take on the long winter months before the snow hits. We’re going to share with you some of the best preparation tips below so that your home will be ready for the winter. Clean Your Gutters If your home is near trees, it’s likely that your gutters are full of leaves and other loose debris. This debris can prevent water from being able to adequately flow through your gutters and down your downspouts. When the water can’t freely flow, it will back up onto your roof and damage the wood underneath your shingles. Get Your Heating System Serviced Before the colder weather arrives, it’s best to get your heating system serviced. This will prepare your heating system to run optimally during the winter months. It will also allow you to understand if you have any problems that need to be addressed before you actually have to use your heating system. Get Your Fuel Delivered Now is the time to check your fuel tank to see if it needs to be refilled. If...

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Fire Prevention Week: Safety Tips for Space Heaters

October 19, 2021

At , we are always available to discuss space heater safety. We want our community to have a good understanding of fire prevention for Fire Prevention Week and beyond, so we’ve included a few tips so you can make sure that your home is as safe as possible. Avoid Using Extention Cords Extension cords with space heaters are a fire hazard. If you have a space heater, make sure that you only use it by attaching the cord to the wall outlet. It is also a great idea to unplug the space heater when you are not using it. Inspect the Unit Regularly If you have a space heater, especially an older one, it is important to check regularly that the unit is in good condition. Don’t forget to check out the cord as well. Are Your Smoke Alarms Working? It is crucial to take care of your smoke alarms, especially if you have a space heater in the home for winter. When using supplemental heat, especially at night, adding a few more smoke alarms to your home won’t hurt. Use an alarm or add a notification to your calendar on your smartphone to regularly change the batteries for your...

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How to Protect Your Outdoor Lighting

September 20, 2021

Outdoor lighting is a great way to spruce up your yard. However, outdoor lighting can also be a fire hazard and can also suffer damage when exposed to the elements. There are several things that you can do to help protect your outdoor lighting. Think About Location You may think that since your outdoor lighting is outside, that you will not have to worry about the elements. Rain can easily cause a wire to short out. To keep them from sparking, it is a good idea to keep your outdoor lights near your home and undercover. For example, if you have a porch light, you need to put it close to your front door where the roof can protect it. You can also mount lights to the overhang of your house. While this will not protect them 100% from the elements, it will give them some protection. Only Use Lights That Are Rated for Outdoors When you purchase your outdoor lights, you will want to ensure that they are rated for outdoors. Never put a regular lightbulb in your porch fixture. While it will work fine when there is no snow or rain, the minute moisture creeps in, you will...

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End of Summer Maintenance

August 16, 2021

An air conditioner plays a vital role in keeping you cool throughout the hot summer months. Taking the extra time to maintain your system near the end of summer is important in maximizing its lifespan and avoiding any problems in the future. A well-maintained AC unit will also run more efficiently, which helps to lower your energy bill. Here are a few simple yet important tips for performing end-of-summer maintenance for your air conditioner. Replace Air Filters One of the first things that you need to do is to change your air filters. Replacing your filters enables your air conditioner to operate efficiently with less wear and tear on your system. New filters will also improve the quality of the air in your home. It’s recommended that you change out your filters every three months. Changing these filters more often is a good idea if you have young kids or pets in your household. Trim Back Foliage You may also notice weeds or brush growing around your outdoor unit. These plants often grow fast throughout the summer season. Trimming back foliage and removing any debris is important in allowing your air conditioner to operate without the risk of overheating. Keeping...

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How To Make the Best Use of Your Air Conditioning

July 26, 2021

Installing an air conditioning system in your home is not a cheap investment. Yet, you may find an AC to be a necessity during the hot summer months. With a properly installed AC unit, you can be sure of enjoying comfortable and refreshingly cool air in the summer. The following are tips to help you make the best from your air conditioning. Pre-Program Your Air Conditioning Nowadays, most air conditioners have a programmable thermostat. This allows you to set your system to turn on one hour or so before getting home. A programmable thermostat will help you avoid running your air conditioner at full blast to achieve comfortable temperatures during the summer. As a result, you’ll save money on your electric bills. Give Your Air Conditioner Free Space Are you looking forward to getting the most from your air conditioner? If so, make sure the AC unit is not confined in a space with restricted airflow. Your air conditioner should be able to have enough free space around it to work efficiently so it can cool your home within a short time. Throw Some Shade While finding a place to install your air conditioning unit, it would be better if...

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How To Clean Air Conditioning Unit

June 28, 2021

Cleaning your AC unit isn’t exactly fun, but it’s important to keep it running smoothly. AC units that are dealing with blockage under the hood, whether in the condenser lines or fins, run inefficiently, which means a higher utility bill. Give your AC unit a good clean with these five tips: Learn Your AC Unit’s Anatomy A central AC system is made up of two components – a condenser and an evaporator. The condenser unit is the portion of the AC that’s located outdoors, while the evaporator unit is the part that’s mounted on the furnace. Note that most repairs to a central AC unit cannot be done as a DIY project. Contact a Mount Airy, NC professional to handle these complex and delicate repairs for you. Clean the Condenser Coils Your condenser coils and fan accrue debris over time. Depending on your area, the rate of debris accumulation may be quicker, which means you’ll want to clean the condenser coils more frequently. Wear work gloves and pick up large debris surrounding the condenser unit. This may include leaves, rocks, dirt, etc. If debris has clogged the coils, you’ll need to remove the protective panels or grills to reach the...

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Why Does My Air Conditioner Smell?

May 13, 2021

An air conditioner can smell bad due to a variety of reasons. These bad smells can often get worse over time, so it’s a good idea to investigate and take care of the problem as soon as you can. Keeping a few things in mind can help you determine the source of the smell and the best way to keep your home odorless and fresh. Here are a few of the most common reasons for an air conditioner to smell bad, put together for you as a courtesy from in Mt Airy. 1. Mold and Mildew Problems Too much moisture in your home can cause mold and mildew to grow within your ductwork. This musty smell, while always unpleasant, also creates significant health concerns for you and your family members. Always repairing water leaks, improving drainage, and scheduling HVAC tune-up services can help you avoid mold and mildew problems. 2. Dirty Evaporator Coils Another common problem with air conditioners is dirty evaporator coils. These evaporator coils can often get dirty over time due to a lack of maintenance. Stagnant water and clogged condensate drain pains can often create a “dirty socks” smell throughout your house. The easiest way to take...

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How Do UV Light Indoor Air Quality Products Work?

April 5, 2021

A great way to reduce harmful substances in your home’s air is to have UV lights installed. They’re placed inside your HVAC system and reduce the number of viruses, bacteria, dust mites, and mold spores in your home. UV lights are especially useful in homes where someone suffers from allergies. What Are UV Lights? UV, or ultraviolet, light is the same as the UV light the sun emits. It’s a natural disinfectant that cleans the air. UV lights have been used in medical, food service, and daycare facilities since the early 1900s. This light changes the DNA and RNA in small celled organisms, so they’re sterile and unable to reproduce. While you could use disinfectants in your home, many have volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are a health hazard. These cleaners also only work on surfaces, not in the air you breathe. How Are They Installed? A technician installs UV lights either in the evaporator coil or in a duct nearby to it. The evaporator coil is where your air conditioning system collects heat from your home. As humidity collects at the evaporator coil, it has a drain pan below it that collects water and sends it outside via a...

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