DuAll Heating & Cooling Blog : Archive for April, 2013

Contaminants We Find During Duct Cleaning

Tuesday, April 30th, 2013

*DuAll Heating & Cooling no longer offers duct cleaning services. Take a look at our other indoor air quality services to find the best solution for your needs.

If you have a forced-air heating and air conditioning system then many different kinds of contaminants can start to accumulate in them. When you run your AC or heater, those contaminants can get picked up and carried into your home. Most people don’t realize what kind of things can get caught in their ducts so we thought it would be a good idea to put together some of the most common pollutants that we find.

Common Duct Contaminants

Probably the most common contaminant that we find is dust which is primarily composed of dead skin cells. During the winter when the air gets drier dust levels can increase. Because modern homes are built very efficiently it can allow indoor air contaminants to increase in the air—including dust. During regular duct cleaning, our technicians will thoroughly vacuum out your home’s ducts and remove most of the dust. Dust is a common allergen and it can also build up on your home’s furniture.

Pet dander is another common contaminant that can cause comfort problems in your home. If you have pets in your home it likely means that your ducts have a lot of pet dander in them. Pet dander is another common allergen that can wreak havoc on the comfort of people who are allergic to them.

Pollen and insect droppings are also very common to find in ductwork. Insect droppings from dust mites and cockroaches are terrible allergens for many people. During duct cleaning our technicians will vacuum out many of those contaminants which could increase the comfort of people in your home.

For all your Plainfield, IL indoor air quality services, make sure that you call the friendly experts at DuAll Heating and Cooling.

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Common Problems with Water Heaters – Do you Need Repair?

Tuesday, April 23rd, 2013

Dependable access to clean, hot water in our homes is one of the greatest luxuries that we enjoy. Any disruption to your water heater service can have a serious impact on your comfort and the convenience in your home. Water heaters, like any other appliance, are going to need to be repaired at some point. When that time comes, call the Naperville, IL water heater repair technicians at DuAll Heating & Cooling. No matter what issues you may be experiencing with your water heater, DuAll Heating & Cooling can help. Schedule your water heater repair services as soon as you discover a problem with your system.

Among the most common problems that homeowners experience with their water heaters is a complete lack of hot water. Opening a hot water faucet only to discover that the water is cold is very alarming and, as is the case with most water heater problems, there are a number of possible causes. To make sure that your water heater issues are properly diagnosed and resolved, enlist the aid of a qualified plumber. If you have an electric water heater, their may be an issue with the heating element. In a gas water heater, your pilot may have gone out. This can be an issue with the gas supply itself, or a faulty component. The thermocouple may be malfunctioning, stemming the flow of gas, which will then kill the pilot light.

Also quite common are issues with insufficient hot water. This is a problem that most of us have dealt with at some point. You’re in the middle of a relaxing hot shower, and all the sudden the water goes cold. Again, there are a few different issues that may require professional repair service. With both gas and electric water heaters, there may be a problem with your thermostat. It is also possible that it is just not set properly. The storage tank of your water heater may be inadequately insulated, allowing heat to escape. This can be fixed with a tank jacket or, if necessary, replacing the tank. If you have a tankless hot water heater there may simply be too much demand. The heating elements in your tankless water heater may also require repair service.

Make sure that your water heater is as efficient and reliable as possible. At the first sign of trouble, call DuAll Heating & Cooling. We can handle any Naperville, IL water heater repairs you may need.

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Getting Your Air Conditioning System Ready for Summer | Are You Ready?

Monday, April 15th, 2013

During the winter, you’re air conditioning system stays dormant for several months. During that time rust, dust, dirt and sometimes even insects or rodents can accumulate inside of it. Before you just crank it on at the first sign of hot weather there are a few things that you might want to consider doing. Call the Romeoville, IL air conditioning maintenance experts at Duall Heating and Cooling. We can help you get your air conditioning system ready to keep you nice and comfortable during the summer.

It’s Time for Air Conditioning Maintenance

One of the best things that you can do for your air conditioning system before you just turn it on for the first time is to get it inspected and maintained by a professional technician. During their visit, your air conditioning professional will thoroughly inspect and clean every component of your system. This will allow them to lubricate any moving parts that could have become stuck during the winter. They will also clean out any dirt or grime that has built up during the months of rest. They will also likely replace any worn out parts or broken parts. All of these things will help you air conditioning system work efficiently and consistently when you turn it on for the first time. Call the Romeoville, IL air conditioning maintenance experts at DuAll Heating and Cooling to set up regular maintenance visits for your AC system.

Perform a Visual Inspection

Before you turn on your air conditioning system you should probably perform a visual inspection of your air conditioning system. Look for any leaks that could have developed over the winter and also make sure that there aren’t any birds or rats living in it. If there are any leaves or branches in your air conditioning system make sure that you remove them. Not only will this help you AC system it will also save your technician the time of having to do it when they visit.

For all your air conditioning maintenance needs give the friendly experts at DuAll Heating and Cooling a call today.

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Only 3 weeks left in the Complete System Replacement promotion!

Tuesday, April 9th, 2013

Take advantage of the higher rebates that end April 30.

Remember:

• The promotional rebate amounts are available for installations from February 1st through April 30th, 2013
• Applications for Complete System Replacement rebates MUST be post-marked by June 15th, 2013
• Make sure you include an AHRI number with each application
• On May 1st, the Complete System Replacement rebate will return to the lower rebate amount; $600 – $750 total.

Extra $100 from ComEd for Complete System rebates with a > 14.5 SEER central A/C:

• $700 = > 92% AFUE furnace & > 14.5 SEER A/C ($350 from ComEd and $350 from Nicor Gas)
• $750 = > 95% AFUE furnace & > 14.5 SEER A/C ($350 from ComEd and $400 from Nicor Gas)
• $850 = > 97% AFUE furnace & > 14.5 SEER A/C ($350 from ComEd and $500 from Nicor Gas)

Extra $250 from ComEd for Complete System rebates with a > 16 SEER central A/C:

• $850 = > 92% AFUE furnace & > 16 SEER A/C ($500 from ComEd and $350 from Nicor Gas)
• $900 = > 95% AFUE furnace & > 16 SEER A/C ($500 from ComEd and $400 from Nicor Gas)
• $1,000 = > 97% AFUE furnace & > 16 SEER A/C ($500 from ComEd and $500 from Nicor Gas)

Value Package rebates are included in the promotion!

Extra $100 from ComEd for Value Package rebates including a > 14.5 SEER A/C:

• Can be combined with any of the Value Packages (requires the installation of a furnace + central A/C + water heater + programmable t-stat + pipe insulation)
• Rebates range from $1,100 – $1,600

Extra $250 from ComEd for Value Package rebates including a > 16 SEER A/C:

Please visit www.NicorGasRebates.com/Home for Program details.

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Common Air Duct Contaminants : Dust, Mold Spores, Pollen

Monday, April 8th, 2013

*DuAll Heating & Cooling no longer offers duct cleaning services. Take a look at our other indoor air quality services to find the best solution for your needs.

Keeping the components of your heating and cooling systems clean is imperative to their effective and efficient operation. While many of our clients are rigorous when it comes to changing their air filters and sweeping debris away from the outdoor compressor, many forget about the impact that dirty air ducts can have on their home comfort. It’s not only an air quality issue, but also a matter of heating and cooling performance. Even small amounts of resistance in your ductwork can contribute to inadequate airflow and cause damage in other parts of the system. In this post, we’d like to review some common duct contaminants that you may have in your home.

Dust. While the EPA maintains that dust poses no serious health hazard, it can be a serious respiratory irritant to homeowners suffering from allergies or respiratory problems, such as asthma. When dust accumulates in your ductwork, it becomes airborne when cooled and heated air moves through your system. It’s not only an irritant, but it also leads to more cleanup throughout the home. We know you have enough of that already, so duct cleaning allows you to tackle the dust problem at its source.
Mold spores. Mold is another contaminant that can accumulate inside your ductwork. Indeed, during the heating and cooling seasons, our homes are so tightly enclosed and insulated that moisture and ventilation problems can lead to ideal conditions for mold spores to thrive. While it’s easy to notice when mold is growing in the bathroom shower, it’s less easy to spot mold when it’s hidden within the ductwork.
Pollen. If you suffer from seasonal allergies, you need your home to be a haven from outdoor allergens like pollen. Unfortunately, pollen can enter into your ductworks and become airborne when you turn on your heating and cooling systems. Duct cleaning ensures that your home receives clean and filtered air.

For more information about how your air ducts affect indoor air quality and energy efficiency, make sure you call the Naperville, IL indoor air quality experts at DuAll Heating & Cooling today!

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April 5, 2013: DOE Issues Enforcement Policy Statement on Regional Standards for Furnaces

Monday, April 8th, 2013

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has today issued an enforcement policy statement regarding non-weatherized gas furnace standards while the regional standards lawsuit is still pending, indicating that DOE will not enforce the standards.

On Jan. 11, 2013, DOE and the American Public Gas Association (APGA) filed a joint motion asking the court to enter an agreement to settle APGA’s challenge to DOE’s regional energy efficiency standard for residential furnaces. The settlement agreement would, among other things, vacate the energy efficiency standards applicable to non-weatherized gas furnaces, which have an upcoming compliance date of May 1, 2013.

The statement said, “In an exercise of its enforcement discretion, DOE will, during the pendency of the litigation, act in a manner consistent with the terms of the settlement agreement with regard to the enforcement of the standards.”

This means that DOE would act as if the non-weatherized gas furnace standards were vacated and would not enforce them.

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Water Heater Replacement Benefits – Energy Efficiency, Long Term Solution, Upgrade Potential

Monday, April 1st, 2013

Because up to 25% of our energy bill goes towards hot water, it is prudent to consider the benefits of replacing your water heater, rather than to continue repairing your old model. There are more options on the market today than ever before. Water heaters can be powered by a fuel, such as gas or oil, or by electricity. If they have a tank, they store the heated water in a large storage cylinder; tankless units provide limitless water that is continually heated. Only trust a local professional for your Bolingbrook, IL water heater replacement. Call DuAll Heating & Cooling today!

There are many benefits to replacing your old water heater with a brand new highly efficient model. Here are just a few:

Energy efficiency. This is perhaps the best reason; it is certainly the most cost-effective. Today’s water heaters are more and more efficient. Engineers and product designers have spent years fine-tuning the basics of efficient water heater so that you can enjoy clean, efficient hot water.
Long-term solution. If you’re tired of throwing your money at an obsolete and ultimately doomed appliance, take control and invest in the future of your home comfort with a new water heater. While repair may seem like an option in the short-term, there comes a point at which replacement becomes more financially sensible.
Upgrade potential. Are you interested in going tankless? Tankless water heaters do not run out of hot water, have no standby heat loss, and are highly efficient systems, running on electricity or gas. Water heater replacement is a great way to make the jump to a different type of system, one that fits the hot water needs of your home. Tankless systems can be outfitted at several points in your home to offer a versatile approach to water heating. They can also be combined with a conventional system to run an auxiliary appliance or fixture, if you need a boost.

Continuing to deposit your money into repairs for that old water heater may be ultimately more costly than simply replacing the system outright. For Bolingbrook water heater replacement, call DuAll Heating & Cooling today!

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