Air duct cleaning involves removing dust, pollen, debris and other particles from a forced-air heating or cooling system’s supply and return air ducts. All air ducts will get dirty over time; therefore, an inspection from a qualified Birmingham Alabama air conditioning company is recommended. While many people choose not to have this service performed, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends having your air ducts cleaned if the following conditions are present:

• Visible mold is growing inside ducts or other parts of your air conditioning and heating system

• Vermin, including rodents and insects, are present in your duct system

• Significant buildup of dust and debris present in your air ducts is actually released into your home

Your Birmingham HVAC specialist can help you determine whether or not an air duct cleaning is necessary. Most likely, the HVAC technician will examine the depths of your duct system with a camera and share the results with you. If you decided to proceed with the air duct cleaning, the dust and debris will be thoroughly removed with a high-powered vacuum system. As part of the process, your air conditioning system may also be treated with antimicrobial agents.

Looking to reduce your environmental “footprint” and save some cash at the same time? Follow these helpful tips and alleviate some of the extra baggage your air conditioning is having on the Earth – and your wallet.

The most important tip for lessening your environmental impact is having your air conditioning serviced twice a year. A Spring and Fall tune-up by a licensed Birmingham AC Repair team allows your system to return to top-notch efficiency – meaning you’ll have to run your A/C less and that it will more efficient.

Cooling and heating is almost always the biggest chunk of the average family’s energy bill. Reducing that number directly correlates with the inverse impact your actions are having on the environment. Think your A/C temperature could spare a couple degrees? Try raising your air conditioner’s temperature 2-3 degrees and you’ll reap the rewards when you receive your bill. A warmer A/C temperature also releases fewer harmful CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) into the atmosphere.

This one is important – repair refrigerant leaks! Older air conditioners often use R22 Freon refrigerant fluid that is environmentally harmful (as well as harmful to humans) – leaks only make this issue worse. If you have a leak in your air conditioner, contact a Birmingham air conditioning expert ASAP. To resolve the issue for good, have a new air conditioner installed. Most newer air conditioning units use refrigerant that is environmentally-neutral. In fact, as of this year, R22 Freon cannot be used in any new cooling units.

Wanna “go green” and save some green? Call our Birmingham HVAC technicians today!

A programmable thermostat is a great way to regulate the temperature in your home.  A thermostat is a device for regulating the temperature of a heating and air conditioning system so that the temperature is maintained near a desired set temperature.

The thermostat does this by controlling the flow of heat energy into or out of the system. Which means the thermostat switches heating or cooling devices on or off as needed to maintain the correct temperature.

We recommend a talking thermostat, because talking programmable thermostats give you clear step-by-step instructions provided by a voice that helps you find a great comfortable temperature setting. And programmable talking thermostats remind you when to change your system’s filters with a ‘call for service’ alert when your system needs maintenance.

Need help installing a programmable thermostat? Call One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning of Birmingham today!

A lot of people think that air conditioners lower the temperature in their homes by pumping cool air in. The actual process removes warm air from your house and cycles it back in as cooler air.

The unit extracts heat from indoor air and transfers it outside, leaving the cooled indoor air to be recirculated.

A compressor compresses cool refrigerant, causing it to become hot, high-pressure gas. This hot gas runs through a set of coils so it can dissipate its heat, and it condenses into a liquid. The liquid then runs through an expansion valve, and in the process it evaporates to become cold, low-pressure gas.

This cold gas runs through a set of coils that allow the gas to absorb heat and cool down the air inside the home.

Contact One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning of Birmingham with questions about air conditioning repairs and maintenance.