DuAll Heating & Cooling Blog : Posts Tagged ‘Naperville’

Air Conditioning Tip: Types of Repairs Ductless Mini Splits Might Need

Monday, September 17th, 2012

A ductless mini split air conditioning system is no different from a traditional central air conditioner in many ways. The types of repairs you might face during routine operation of your air conditioner are a prime example as any number of issues might develop that you need to deal with. Here are a few and how you should handle them.

Clogged Filters

Each of your satellite units and the outdoor condenser has a filter in it that needs to be cleaned or changed on a regular basis. If any of them gets clogged it can lead to that unit freezing over due to blocked air flow. Freeze ups are not as common in ductless systems but can happen and the result is messy and uncomfortable.

Inoperable Satellite Unit

A ductless system has more components than a traditional central air system. If you have multiple satellite units inside, you can have between 3 and 9 total devices that need to be serviced. So, a single satellite unit is just as important as any other. If one stops working for any reason, it’s possible that it is a standalone problem, but it could also be a systemic problem so the entire system should be inspected. Contact DuAll Heating & Cooling to schedule an inspection today. Our cooling experts have been a trusted provider of air conditioning services in Bolingbrook for over 20 years.

Electrical Issues

If your ductless mini split system starts short cycling, the cooling is suddenly inefficient or you hear any strange buzzing or smell burning wiring from the condenser, you should have a professional inspect your entire system immediately. Circuit breaker flips are also a problem if they occur repeatedly.

Refrigeration Line Problems

Each indoor unit has a refrigeration line stretching back to the condenser. While these lines are designed to withstand extreme weather conditions and are usually protected during installation, damage can occur. If you notice or suspect damage to any refrigerant lines, turn off your system and call for professional service immediately.

Call DuAll Heating & Cooling today, our Bolingbrook air conditioning technicians are experts in air conditioning installation and repair.

Continue Reading

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Air Conditioning | Comments Off on Air Conditioning Tip: Types of Repairs Ductless Mini Splits Might Need

Heating and Cooling Tip: Save Energy and Money While on Vacation

Monday, August 20th, 2012

When you’re on vacation you don’t want to have any worries about your Naperville home. There are plenty of steps you can take to ensure that your comfort systems and appliances are not eating up energy when you’re out of the house.  DuAll Heating and Cooling has some easy tips to save energy and money during your vacation.

Air Conditioning and Heating:  Turn your air conditioner off or use a programmable thermostat with a vacation mode. There’s no reason to keep the house as cool when there’s no one home. If you’re away in the winter set your heating system to 60 degrees: this will keep your pipes from freezing.

Water Heater:  Because having hot water is not a concern when no one is around to use it, water heaters can either be shut off completely at the breaker switch, set to “pilot”, or turned down to the lowest temperature setting.

Appliances and Electronics:  Unplug TV and entertainment systems; they still draw power when plugged in even while turned off.  Unplug computers that have instant-on features, toasters, coffee pots and any other devices that can leech energy.

Refrigerator and Freezer:  If completely empty, clean and unplug the refrigerator and freezer.

Water:  Shut water off at the main water line valve and drain faucets to prevent water leaks or pipes bursting while away.

Lights:  Shut off all lights except for those on timers that will turn on and off automatically at preset times of day.  Hook up exterior floodlights to motion sensors that will shut off after a certain amount of time.

By following these simple steps you can save energy and save money while on vacation. For more tips on how to more effectively use your Naperville heating and cooling system, give DuAll Heating & Cooling a call today!

 

Continue Reading

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Air Conditioning | Comments Off on Heating and Cooling Tip: Save Energy and Money While on Vacation

What You Need to Know About Adding Central Air Conditioning to Existing Homes

Monday, August 13th, 2012

There are a number of factors to consider when looking at upgrading or adding central air conditioning to your Bolingbrook home.  These range from the air conditioner type, to its energy-efficiency ratings, the necessary AC capacity and proper AC sizing, as well as the fact that a ductwork system will be needed for it to function.  All of these are items which our skilled AC technicians can help you understand.

Central air conditioners are very energy-efficient providing anywhere from 15% to 30% more efficiency than those that are ten to twenty years old.  This is because every AC goes through rigorous testing and receives its own SEER rating which shows how energy-efficient it actually is comparable to others on the market.  A central AC unit is usually placed in an inconspicuous place such as outdoors in the backyard or in a garage or basement.  Central air conditioning systems are very quiet and easy to use.

As air conditioning contractors we will perform a heat-gain calculation that will determine how many BTUs the air conditioner needs to be in order to properly cool your space.  Things which get taken into account during this determination include square footage of the space, how much shade or sun is present throughout the home, whether insulation is present in the exterior walls of the home, as well as window and door placement.  These are all put together to calculate the AC capacity which is necessary to give you a properly sized air conditioner.

When looking at a central air conditioning system one of the biggest factors will likely be whether there is already an existing duct system which can be utilized, if it is in good shape, or if it needs to be repaired or replaced.  If there is no duct system then many central air conditioning systems require that a duct system be installed.  There are also other options such as ductless systems.

DuAll Heating and Cooling has experienced air conditioning technicians in Bolingbrook who understand the various factors associated with adding or upgrading to a central air conditioning system, and can walk you through the process of deciding whether it is the correct AC system for your specific needs.  Contact DuAll Heating and Cooling today!

Continue Reading

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Air Conditioning | Comments Off on What You Need to Know About Adding Central Air Conditioning to Existing Homes

The Benefits of Ductless Mini Splits

Monday, July 9th, 2012

A cooling system is a great comfort during the hottest months of the year. If you’re thinking about upgrading, replacing or installing your Naperville current cooling system, you might want to consider a ductless mini split system. While not as common as systems such as central air conditioning, ductless mini splits can provide a number of benefits and advantages over other cooling systems. Here is some helpful information for you to consider before shopping for a new cooling system. If you have any unanswered questions or concerns, call Duall Heating and Cooling for answers today.

First of all, one of the big advantages that these systems offer is right in the name. If the space that you want to service does not have room for bulky ductwork or if you are in a multifamily home, ductless systems eliminate the need for the ductwork. Like central systems, ductless mini splits have two main components. There is a compressor/condenser unit that is installed outside, and an indoor air handling unit that is generally installed on a wall. A conduit housing the power cable, refrigerant and drainage tubing connects the two components and requires only a small hole to be drilled in doing so. This makes the installation process fast and easy.

Another great benefit of ductless mini split systems is the zoning capability they allow you. If you are using the system to cool multiple rooms you can utilize multiple wall units. This allows you to control the temperature settings of different rooms individually. This is a great way to boost efficiency, as you will not be cooling rooms that do not require it. Remember, increased efficiency generally coincides with increased savings.

Along the same topic of energy efficiency, it’s no secret of the industry that most energy loss in cooling air is the result of duct losses, which account for more than 30% of energy consumption. It can be even less efficient if the ducts themselves are in an unconditioned part of the house such as an attic or basement.

In addition to all of this, there are numerous ways in which you can install your indoor air handling units. They can easily mount on a wall or hang from a ceiling. You can also mount the flush in a drop ceiling or opt for a floor standing model. We’ll leave the interior design options to you.

Weigh the pros and the cons carefully before making any decisions, and call Duall Heating and Cooling with any remaining questions about Naperville air conditioning installation.

Continue Reading

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Air Conditioning | Comments Off on The Benefits of Ductless Mini Splits

Air Conditioning Tip: Ductless Systems For Home Additions

Monday, June 25th, 2012

While ductless air conditioning systems can be used to cool your whole home, they are also a great option for home additions. In some cases, adding ducts to the new space can be difficult or expensive, so a ductless system is a great way to make sure that your entire home stays comfortable. They are also very energy efficient and versatile, which are features any homeowner can appreciate.

Ductless systems are composed of an outdoor unit, with the compressor and condenser, and an indoor air handling unit. Since the outdoor units are connected to the indoor components only by a small conduit (with the power cable, condensate drain, and refrigerant tubing in it), they are relatively easy to install. If you are adding a ductless system to a room addition, you only need a small hole in the wall for the conduit to connect to the air handler. The air handler itself can be hung from the ceiling or on a wall, giving you a variety of interior design options. Ductless systems are also very energy efficient, and, of course, they don’t require ducts to be installed in your new space.

Even if adding ducts to the new space seems feasible, you might still want to consider a ductless system. When your Naperville air conditioning contractor performed an initial load calculation for your home, they took into account the current size of your home. If you added a large addition, your central air conditioner might be too small to keep your whole home comfortable. An overloaded air conditioner will not only be unable to keep your home at the desired temperature, but it will also use a lot of energy. Adding in a ductless system for the new rooms can solve both these problems.

Ductless systems are easy to install and an effective solution for keeping your new addition comfortable. To learn more about having a ductless air conditioning system installed in your home, give DuAll Heating & Cooling a call today!

Continue Reading

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Air Conditioning | Comments Off on Air Conditioning Tip: Ductless Systems For Home Additions