DeHart Plumbing, Heating, and Air Inc. Blog: Archive for October, 2020

Have You Taken This Important Step Toward Winter Comfort?

Monday, October 26th, 2020
woman-hand-filling-out-calendar

The weather has started cooling down, finally! True, we aren’t going to have as chilly temperatures as states in the North or Midwest, but we still need fully functional and efficient heaters when winter does come. And the good news is, now is the perfect time to take one important step toward winter comfort—scheduling your heating maintenance.

There are some maintenance steps you should do on your own, like changing the air filter. The standard air filter in an HVAC system should be swapped out or cleaned every 1-3 months. But for thorough, comprehensive maintenance, you want to call on the pros.

So, don’t delay! Give us a call to schedule your next tune-up. Read on to learn why!

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Ways We Can Improve Your Home’s Ventilation System

Monday, October 19th, 2020
vent-cover-in-ceiling

The ventilation system in the walls and ceilings of your house is often neglected as part of the overall comfort system. People focus on the heating and air conditioning, but ventilation misses out on the upgrades, tests, and repairs it needs.  A poor ventilation system can ruin the best AC or heater, create massive energy waste, and harm indoor air quality. 

What can you do about it? In fact, is there anything wrong with your ventilation system?

We can answer the second question easily with duct testing services. This will give us the data about the state of your ventilation system we need to know so we can decide what else needs to be done. Below are three major services we offer to improve your ventilation system.

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3 Reasons to Consider a Heat Pump

Monday, October 12th, 2020
vent-low-on-wall

Are you considering a new heater before winter comes? Granted, it doesn’t get that cold around our area in comparison to other parts of the country, but still, you want an effective and efficient heating system when you do need it, right?

And if your air conditioner is also on its last leg after all these heatwaves, you’re probably left prioritizing which is more worth your money… replacing your air conditioner or your heater. What if we told you that you could do both, with one system?

We’re talking about the heat pump! These are great systems that keep your indoor climate right where you want it, all year long. Read on as we uncover 3 of the biggest benefits of having a heat pump installed in your home.

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How Can I Tell If I Have Leaking Air Ducts?

Monday, October 5th, 2020
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Leaks in the ductwork of a home are a major problem, and they are unfortunately one of those problems that often goes unnoticed or unrepaired for far too long. The consequences of leaking air ducts can be extremely high, so it’s important to know if your house has duct leakage. You can then arrange for a professional to seal the ducts and restore the integrity of the ventilation system.

Of course, that leads to the question of how to detect if you have duct leakage in the first place. The ducts are well-hidden within a home, so you can’t visually inspect them. But there are other signs you can watch for:

A drop in airflow from the vents

One of the immediate effects of leaks in the ductwork is that it lowers the air pressure in the ventilation system. Ducts must be kept airtight to maintain air pressure, and the consequence of a drop in air pressure is that the airflow from the vents will also drop. If you put your hand to the room vents and notice the airflow is weaker than normal, it may be duct leaks.

Uneven comfort around the house

Lower airflow will also mean rooms cool down/heat up slower, which will lower comfort around the house. This will happen unevenly: certain rooms will still feel normal, while hot and cold spots will appear in others. Duct leaks aren’t the only cause of uneven comfort, but it’s a serious problem no matter what the source.

Odd odors from the vents

Leaks in the ducts will allow air from closed-in spots of the home to infiltrate the ventilation system, such as between walls and from the attic. This will carry a musty and sometimes moldy odor to the rooms.

A rise in energy costs

The biggest chronic effect that duct leaks have on an HVAC system is that they place more stress on the blower, heater, and air conditioner. Around 30% of the air moving through the ductwork can disappear through leaks, and this is air you’ve already paid to heat/cool and push into the ventilation system. The HVAC system will need to put in extra work to overcome this deficit—and that means energy bills will rise. If you see steeper bills to heat and cool your house and you can’t account for the change, you probably have duct leaks.

Solving the Problem

If you suspect duct leaks, the next step is to contact our professionals. We will test the ventilation system to find out if it has leaks and how extensive they are. If you do have leaky ducts, the next step for us is to seal the leaks. We use a range of methods to ensure your ducts will be restored to airtight condition once more. (By the way, store-bought duct tape isn’t a method we use. This “duct tape” is not actually useful for ducts.)

To schedule duct testing and duct sealing in Modesto, CA, call our professionals. We’ll help you live green and save green.

Greenhart serves Modesto, CA and offers duct repair services for leaking air ducts. Live Green, Save Green!

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