DuAll Heating & Cooling Blog : Archive for August, 2012

New Camouflage for your AC unit

Tuesday, August 28th, 2012

   As funny as this looks, I can’t tell you how bad this is for your poor AC unit

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Air Conditioning Question: What is a Rooftop Unit?

Monday, August 27th, 2012

Rooftop units tend to be used in commercial buildings for both air conditioning and heating purposes.  As light commercial HVAC specialists in Bolingbrook, DuAll Heating & Cooling works with rooftop units for a variety of businesses in the area, so call us today if you are interested in installation or repair.

Rooftop units are specially designed heating and air conditioning systems that are placed on the rooftops of commercial structures.  They both cool and heat larger buildings such as retail storefronts, office spaces, strip malls, and even warehouses.  Rooftop units can include a wide selection of special features such as high-end filtration systems, humidifiers and dehumidifiers, and even the option of solar panels for a much higher level of energy-efficiency.

Commercial rooftop air conditioning and heating units are usually housed in one cabinet that conditions the cooled or heated air.  An air handler then pushes that air through an intricate series of ducts which are usually run between floors, or behind walls.  As the air moves at a uniform speed and is well-balanced throughout the ducts, each room with a vent will receive the proper amount of air that has been preset by the HVAC thermostat.

Rooftop units are designed to be dependable, working all year long to make the various indoor workspaces comfortable to be in.   They can provide cooled and heated air with one single unit, but there are also separate rooftop AC and rooftop heating units that are then connected to the same ventilation and ductwork system.

DuAll Heating & Cooling is a light commercial HVAC company in Bolingbrook that understands the intricacies of rooftop units and can help you through rooftop AC installation, repair or maintenance.  Contact DuAll Heating and Cooling today!

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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!

 

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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!

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Air Conditioning Question: How Much Do High Efficiency Air Conditioners Save

Monday, August 6th, 2012

High efficiency air conditioning systems are designed to save money by cutting the amount of energy that it takes to use them.  If the air conditioner being replaced is ten years old, your monthly utility costs could decrease anywhere from 15% to 30% with your new system.

If the air conditioner being replaced is twenty years old, it could save you up to 40% in monthly utility costs.

Every high-efficiency air conditioner must be built to very strict standards which are created by the US Environmental Protection Agency.  The SEER gives you an idea of an air conditioner’s energy efficiency: the higher the SEER, the less energy the unit will use to keep your home cool. While higher SEER can mean a higher initial cost to purchase the AC itself, you will quickly make up the difference in cost with your monthly energy savings.

In addition, when a high-efficiency air conditioning system is installed professionally it can qualify for tax credits, tax breaks, and government rebates that will save even more money.

The skilled Bolingbrook AC technicians at DuAll Heating and Cooling work with high-efficiency air conditioners through a variety of AC services which include air conditioner installation and repairs.  Let our experienced team help you determine which high-efficiency AC system is right for your specific needs, ensuring you understand exactly how much money you will be saving.

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