DuAll Heating & Cooling Blog

How Can A Clogged Air Filter Damage My AC System?

October 18th, 2013

Air conditioning repair in Plainfield involves more than simply fixing problems when they arise. It means keeping your air conditioner in good shape so that it cools the air efficiently without developing any serious issues. That entails a regular maintenance program, which involves changing the air filters when they become clogged as well as scheduling a cleaning session from a trained service technician. That will prevent larger problems from starting, as well as lowering your cooling bills and extending the life of your air conditioner. “How can a clogged air filter damage my AC system?” you ask. The answers can illuminate just how important routine care can be.

The air filter serves to keep dust and dirt out of the air conditioner’s internal components, as well as preventing dust from circulating in your home. When it gets clogged, it can’t do that job, and dust begins to accumulate in your air conditioner. This can have a number of potentially harmful effects. On a general level, it increases the overall wear and tear on the system, forcing it to work harder and raising your energy bills in the process. Over time, it can cause a more severe breakdown, as an overloaded component suffers damage necessitating significant repairs.

Here’s a concrete example.  When dust gets on the evaporator coils, it interferes with the cooling abilities of the refrigerant inside the coils. The air around the coils doesn’t get as cool – a problem in and of itself – and more importantly, frost forms on the coils themselves. That frost can damage other components when it melts, as well as clogging the drain line and causing similar sorts of mischief. The coils need to be cleaned in order to let the cooling process continue, but unless the filter is cleaned or replaced, the whole process will soon start all over again.

You can prevent this by changing your air filter regularly and planning a maintenance call from a qualified professional. At DuAll Heating & Cooling, we handle air conditioning repair in Plainfield, as well as providing upkeep and maintenance designed to keep your system running the way it should. Call us today to make an appointment.

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3 Reasons You May Not Have Enough Hot Water

October 9th, 2013

If you have a water heater in Bolingbrook – or anywhere in the greater Chicagoland area, for that matter – you probably don’t think much about it. As long as it works, it’s out of sight and out of mind. But what happens when it doesn’t work – when your hot water runs out too quickly or never arrives in the first place? A qualified technician can likely correct the issue, but it helps to first have some idea of the causes. Here are 3 reasons you may not have enough hot water: not the only reasons, but certainly among the most prevalent.

  • Thermostat. The thermostat controls the temperature setting and ensures that the water is hot and ready to go when you need it. If the thermostat is misreading the temperature, you won’t get water of the proper temperature. It’s usually attached to the gas valve, which controls the flow of gas into the water heater (thus controlling the temperature) if there are problems with the valve, the thermostat won’t work either.
  • Dip Tube. The dip tube runs from the top of your water heater to the bottom, and moves cold water from the plumbing system to the bottom of your tank. This keeps the water at the top of the tank hot and allows it to be sent into your home when you need it. If the dip tube develops a fissure or a leak, cold water will leak out into the top of the tank, turning the hot water into lukewarm or cold water.
  • Burner. The main burner receives gas which is lit by the pilot light and heats the water. If the burner isn’t working, then the amount of gas feeding the fire will be lowered and may be cut off entirely. That results in reduced hot water, which you can feel whenever you turn on the tap.

There are many reasons you may not have enough hot water, beyond these three. For issues with your water heater in Bolingbrook, call upon the experts at DuAll Heating & Cooling for help. Our trained professionals are dedicated to your complete satisfaction, so don’t hesitate to contact us!

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Types of Available Water Heaters

October 4th, 2013

There are few greater annoyances on an early morning than discovering that you don’t have any hot water available in your house. A broken water heater isn’t something you want to occur in any month, but it’s especially uncomfortable during a sharp Illinois winter.

However, if you’re looking to get a new water heater to replace an old one that’s aged beyond repair, you don’t have the simple choice that you once did. New water heaters are now on the market that may offer you better options than your older system. Don’t go without hot water again. For Naperville, IL, water heater installation and advice, contact DuAll Heating & Cooling.

Although there is a large variety of water heater models and types that rely on differing energy sources, there a two broad categories that you will have to decide between: tank or tankless.

Tank water heaters: This is the most familiar kind of water heater, with a large tank where water is kept and heated continually until it is needed in the home. Their big advantage is their relatively inexpensive initial cost and installation. If you don’t frequently have problems with hot water running out in your home, then the standard storage heater is a viable option. But these systems have high energy use because they constantly maintain the water temperature, whether you’re using the hot water or not. And in a household with a large number of people, the hot water supply can get depleted quickly.

Tankless water heaters: These heaters are becoming increasingly popular as replacements for standard tank systems. They are sometimes called “demand” heaters, since they only supply heated water when it is needed. Water from the household supply runs through a heat exchanger that raises the temperature of the water whenever someone in the house turns on a hot water faucet, starts the washing machine, or anything else that requires hot water. The big advantage is the household will not run out of hot water since it isn’t coming from an established supply. Because they don’t constantly expend energy to heat a large water tank, tankless systems also offer energy savings. However, they cost more to install, take longer to heat up water, and depending on how many water outlets are operating at one time, they may not be as efficient for your needs.

It can be tricky to determine which kind of water heater is best for your home: it depends on the amount of hot water you use, the available energy supply, the number of people in your household, and your long-term energy saving plans. You can read more about tank vs. tankless water heaters, or you can consult with the experts at DuAll Heating & Cooling when getting a water heater in Naperville, IL becomes a serious possibility. We can help you decide if tank or tankless is the way to go, and then help you install the system you choose.

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Why Is My Air Conditioner Making a Weird Noise?

September 30th, 2013

The sound that an air conditioner makes during regular operation can provide soothing white noise: it’s a sound we are very accustomed to hearing during the summer and on into fall. But if a strange or unpleasant sound starts to interrupt your AC’s relaxing hum, it’s more than noise pollution. It might be a red flag that your system needs repairs. If an air conditioner making weird sounds is left without attention, it could lead to worse problems, causing a loss of cooling ability, increased energy bills, or even a complete breakdown.

Contact DuAll Heating & Cooling when you have concerns about your air conditioning in Naperville, IL. We’ll find out what is causing the strange sounds and get your AC the repairs it needs.

Here are some possible culprits for unexpected AC noises:

Compressor problems

If the sound you hear is a grinding noise, then the compressor that sends refrigerant through the air conditioner might be struggling. This can happen because of overwork or damaged wiring. You won’t get any cooling from your AC if the compressor fails; it will need to be fixed or replaced. The grinding noise may point to other problems—such as a refrigerant leak—so get professional help analyzing the problem.

Failing capacitor

The start capacitor sends the voltage to the motors that gets them running when the air conditioner turns on, and the run capacitor keeps them working. If you hear clicking or odd humming noises from your AC, one of the capacitors may be failing. Because of the risk of a high voltage shock, do not attempt to tamper with capacitors yourself.

Trouble with the blower motor

If something goes awry with the blower motor, you’ll hear a noise similar to what you would hear from a bad car engine. The fan belt may have developed cracks or come loose and started rubbing against other components. If left unrepaired, this will cause further damage to the AC’s interior. Even if you have experience fixing car fan belts, blower motors in air conditioners are another matter and will require assistance.

It’s crucial to act on troublesome noises from your air conditioner as soon as possible. Because of the many different causes that might lie behind the weird sounds, it will take HVAC experts to correctly diagnose and repair the problem. Don’t hesitate to call DuAll Heating & Cooling when strange noises—or anything else unusual—starts to affect your air conditioning in Naperville, IL.

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Are Dirty Coils an Easy Air Conditioning Repair?

September 18th, 2013

For almost any machine to operate as effectively as possible, it should be kept clean and maintained on a regular basis. Dirt interferes with mechanical operation, making a device inefficient and possibly leading to breaks and a complete shut down. Your air conditioner is no different from other machines in this way: if the unit becomes contaminated with too much dust and other debris, it will reduce the amount of cool air it provides you, cost more to run, and eventually require expensive repairs. Dirt blocking the AC’s coils is especially troublesome if it is neglected.

DuAll Heating & Cooling wants you to be comfortable in your home with an AC that does the best job it can. When you require air conditioning repair in Plainfield, IL, call on our reputable services for assistance.

The two sets of coils in your air conditioner, located in the indoor and outdoor units, are vital for the heat exchange that gives you cooled air. If either becomes too dirty, they can’t do the job of absorbing heat or releasing it.

Fixing dirty coils is not an easy repair job. You can’t just pry open the unit and use a damp cloth to wipe them down. To get a thorough cleaning requires removing the coils and then reinstalling them—and that means dealing with the refrigerant flowing through them. You should leave this to an HVAC professional, who will cut the refrigerant lines, take out the contaminated coil for cleaning, then reinstall it afterwards and recharge any refrigerant lost during the process.

Fortunately, dirty coils are easy to prevent. Make sure you keep a clean filter in your air conditioner so it will effectively trap dust and other particles. You should change the filter once a month during seasons when the AC operates regularly. Every three months is sufficient at other times. Scheduling regular maintenance with an HVAC company will help spot possible dust build-ups before they become serious, such as breaks in the ductwork.

If you experience troubles with your AC because of dirty coils, call on experts to handle the job. One of your first choices should be DuAll Heating & Cooling, where we take pride in our professionalism and quality work. For air conditioning repair in Plainfield, IL, turn to our highly-trained technicians.

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Why Is My Air Conditioning System Iced Up?

September 9th, 2013

You expect cold air to blow from the vents of your air conditioning system, so if the coils on the indoor unit of your AC start to ice up, you may imagine it’s something as simple as having the temperature turned down so low that it is freezing up your system. But a working air conditioner should be able to handle its lowest temperature setting without difficulty. Icing on the indoor unit is a sign of serious malfunction with your AC that needs immediate attention. For reliable Naperville air conditioning repair, contact DuAll Heating & Cooling to get your repairs started.

A common cause for icing on your AC unit is a problem in the thermostat. It may not be telling the air conditioning to stop cooling when it should. Modern thermostats are complex electronic devices, and need professional service to get them working correctly.

Another reason that the evaporator coils might ice over is one you probably haven’t thought of: a low refrigerant charge. The refrigerant running through your AC is fixed and does not get used up during evaporation and condensing. Losing refrigerant from a leak will likely cause the evaporator coils to freeze because they can no longer absorb enough heat. Not only will the leak need to be sealed, but an HVAC professional will have to recharge the refrigerant.

If the air inside your home is not properly reaching the coils to warm up the cold refrigerant moving through it, icing could also occur. The most common reasons for reduced air flow is a dirty or clogged filter, but the problem may be more complex, such as issues with your ductwork.

You need to stop your evaporator coils from freezing as soon as possible. If you let the problem continue, you could have a large block of ice preventing the coils from working effectively and making it difficult for your AC to do its job. You’ll need HVAC experts to diagnose the problem and find a solution, whether fixing a coolant leak, replacing the thermostat, or repairing problems with ducts and filters.

When you need to get your iced up air conditioner fixed—or any other problems you may have with your AC — DuAll Heating & Cooling is ready to give you the high quality service you deserve. With 12 years of experience in Naperville air conditioning repair, we can make sure that ice stays out of your AC system.

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Why We Celebrate Labor Day

September 2nd, 2013

We hope our present and future customers had a pleasant Labor Day this September. We know how hard you work to ensure that you and your loved ones have a good life, and we feel the same way about the work that we do throughout the year. Home comfort is our business, so you can rely on our technicians to take care of any issues that you may have. To many of us, Labor Day means BBQ, the start of the football season, and spending quality time with our friends and family. But there is much more to this holiday, and we wanted to share its true purpose with you.

Like many US holidays, the origins of Labor Day are somewhat disputed. While many cite Peter J. McGuire’s (of the American Federation of Labor) suggestion of a demonstration and picnic as the inaugural Monday, others cite Matthew Maguire, then secretary of the Central Labor Union of New York. In the wake of the massive and violent Pullman Strike of 1894, which pitted George Pullman and US Marshals and Military against workers of the Pullman Palace Car Company outside Chicago. Designated as a federal holiday by Congress and President Grover Cleveland in 1894, a mere six days after the strike ended, Labor Day has since become a way of recognizing the contribution that hard working Americans have made to this country.

We wish you all the best, and hopefully you took the time to relax, eat some good food, and take a load off.

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Should I Get a Gas or Electric Water Heater?

August 30th, 2013

You probably depend on your water heater much more than you realize. It is responsible for hot showers and baths, and for keeping your dishware and laundry clean. Your home is simply not the same without a reliable and bountiful amount of hot water. Among the decisions you have to make during your search for a new water heater, deciding between gas and electric is one of the most important. Buying a new water heater is an important investment in the future of your home comfort. Because it’s something you and your family members will come to rely on, you need to ensure that its size matches the hot water needs of your home and that it is installed correctly.

Call DuAll Heating & Cooling today for all of your water heater installation needs in Plainfield, IL.

So, should you get a gas or electric water heater? There are advantages to either system, and it may come down to practical and economic considerations rather than performance. Both electricity and natural gas are adequate energy sources for the production of hot water.

Here are some factors that might help you decide:

  • Existing setup. Did you have a gas water heater before? If your new system is a replacement model for an old one, then you may want to simply stick up with the type of system that you have. This often allows for a smoother integration of your system components, and it often cuts down on labor time.
  • Gas piping. If you currently run your stove or oven on gas, or you previously had a gas water heater, then you already have a gas line and gas piping. Installing gas piping from scratch will obviously add a bit to the upfront cost, which is something you probably want to consider. But, depending on your local utility rates, it may be a good decision in the long run.
  • Cost of electricity. Know how much your electricity rates are before installing an electric water heaters. While some homeowners choose an electric water heater out of sheer necessity, you may want to make the most of your choice.

Call DuAll Heating & Cooling today for excellent water heater installation services in Plainfield, IL.

 

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Why Is My Air Conditioning System So Loud?

August 22nd, 2013

Few things are as irritating as a loud noise emitting from one of your home appliances. You should expect a reasonable amount of noise during your air conditioner’s operation, but a particularly loud or unusual sound is often an indication that something has gone wrong with your system itself. We have seen a wide variety of issues in our time, but a loud noise is one of the most frequent signs that a problem with your AC should be fixed. If you find that your air conditioning system has become noisy, then you should call for professional air conditioning services in Naperville, IL from DuAll Heating & Cooling.

Let’s take a look at  few different loud noises that may frustrate your cooling experience as well as their possible causes:

  • Banging. If you find that your AC emits a banging noise, it could be a strong indication that there is some kind of loose part within your system. This is probably responsible for the metal-on-metal sound. But another possible cause is a bent or damage part whose deformed shape is now hitting an adjacent component. For example, your AC may have a bent fan blade that now hits the interior surface of the unit as it spins.
  • Buzzing. If you hear a loud buzzing noise emitting from your AC, then it could be an indication that your system has an electrical problem. This is potentially hazardous so it’s best not to tamper with any parts on your own. It’s far better to ensure that your AC is serviced by a professional. Electrical “arcing” can be hazardous to your home and your health.
  • Grinding. If you hear a grinding noise, you should shut off your AC and call for professional assistance. This is likely an indication of dried-out bearings, whether at the blower motor or somewhere else. It’s an indication that there is something seriously wrong with system, and continuing to operate it could potentially lead to serious damage and major component replacement.

Call DuAll Heating & Cooling today for all of your air conditioning repair needs in Naperville, IL., or learn more about our company.

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What’s the Difference Between Central Air Conditioning and a Heat Pump?

August 19th, 2013

One of the great luxuries that homeowners enjoy today is the wide selection of cooling systems available for installation in their homes. There is no need to feel as though you have to stick with what you know. As energy prices continue to rise, more and more homeowners are looking for more efficient, effective ways in which to cool their homes. If you are interested in exploring your air conditioning options, contact the Bolingbrook, IL air conditioning professionals at DuAll Heating & Cooling. We have many different air conditioning systems for you to choose from, and we can help you determine which is best for your home. Here is some information to consider about what sets a heat pump apart from central AC systems.

Here Are the Differences Between Central AC and Heat Pumps

Heat pumps and central air conditioning systems are actually very similar in many ways. Both feature an outdoor condenser unit, and both use a ductwork system to distribute cooled air throughout your home. The big difference between the two is the way in which they work to cool that air. Traditional split central air conditioners rely on the consumption of fuel in order to cool air. Heat pumps, on the other hand, utilize the heat transfer process. It is this innovative operation that allows them to operate so efficiently.

By transferring ambient heat out of your home (as well as back in when the heating season arrives), a heat pump is able to cool down your house while consuming just a small amount of electricity. The less energy your air conditioning system consumes, the less money you have to spend to operate that system. This means that you can cool your home more affordably and in a more environmentally friendly way. Contact a member of our team today if you are interested in learning more about the benefits of cooling your home with a heat pump.

Stop paying too much money to cool your home down. Schedule a heat pump or air conditioning installation with the Bolingbrook, IL air conditioning professionals at DuAll Heating & Cooling. No matter how you decide to cool your home, we can help you do so in the most efficient and reliable way possible.

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