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Cunningham Associates
Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc.

5 Benefits of Ductless Heating and Cooling Systems

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If you’re considering new heating installation, you want to be sure you’re choosing the best option for your home. Ductless heating and cooling systems are becoming more popular with homeowners. Here are five of the benefits of a ductless heating and cooling system.

Lower Energy Bills

A ductless heating and cooling system uses considerably less energy than a traditional HVAC system. Air leaks in your ducts waste energy. In fact, more than 30% of the energy that your HVAC system consumes is due to air loss. With a ductless system, you’ll see a reduction in your heating bills, and you won’t need to worry about air leaks.

Better Indoor Air Quality

With a traditional heating and cooling system, dust, dirt, and debris often accumulate in the air ducts. The dust and debris are then circulated throughout your home. That’s why it’s important to regularly clean your air ducts. With a ductless system, there’s no ductwork where dirt can build up. It incorporates air filtration that removes dust and allergens from the air.

Zoned Control

With a ductless system, there’s no need to argue with your family over the temperature. A ductless HVAC system allows you to divide your home into separate zones, each with its own thermostat. Each member of the family can select the temperature that’s most comfortable to them.

Saves Space

Unlike window units or central HVAC systems, a ductless system is compact and inconspicuous. Whether you select wall-mounted units, floor consoles, or ceiling cassettes, the indoor components of your heating and cooling system can easily blend into your home’s decor.

Quiet Operation

Ductless heating and cooling systems are much quieter to operate than a traditional HVAC system. You may not even notice that it’s running. You’ll simply enjoy warm air without a noisy distraction to go with it.

Contact us to learn more about ductless heating and cooling systems.

Inspect Your Furnace Now to Protect Your Family

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Carbon monoxide is one of those terms we hear on the news, often as the result of a tragic loss of life, yet we often dismiss potential problem as something that happens to other people. On average 400 people a year die from accidental carbon monoxide exposure, with thousands more sickened and hospitalized. Most incidents occur during the winter months, however, accidental carbon monoxide poisoning can happen to anyone at any time, so it is important to implement a plan to both prevent and detect exposure.

Prevention

Prevention is the best course of action. The first step toward this is to have your gas, oil, and coal burning appliances and duct work inspected yearly by experts.

Combustion engines such as electric generators also create carbon monoxide emissions, so in the case of a power outage, be extra cautious and only use generators outside of your home, making certain there is at least 20 feet distance from all doors windows and vents. Never use your gas stove or oven as a heating source.

Other common causes of accidental carbon emission are blocked chimneys, charcoal burnt indoors, and the use of portable heaters. (Both propane and flameless chemical types can create CO omissions)

Detection

Carbon monoxide detectors are readily available and affordable, and every home, cabin, or camper space should have at least one of these devices. Keep in mind that batteries should be changed often and remember that hard-wired models will not work during a power outage, so if you have a backup generator for such situations, it is also vital you acquire a battery powered carbon monoxide detector.

Symptoms

CO poisoning is known as “the silent killer,” so do not rely on the onset of symptoms to realize there is a problem. If you do experience accidental exposure you may feel a headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion. Carbon monoxide exposure is often described as flu-like, but inhaling too much will make you pass out. People who are asleep or otherwise impaired can die from CO poisoning before they realize any symptoms.

If you have questions on carbon monoxide poisoning prevention, contact our team today.

3 Tips to Help You Avoid Costly Heating Repair

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No one enjoys paying a massive bill for heating repair. It’s not an inevitable part of adulthood, though. There are many things you can do to help reduce the cost of repair to your heating system. You may even be able to avoid those costs altogether! Here are three top tips from our heating repair professionals.

Get Your System Serviced Regularly`

When it comes to the heating system in your home, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Regularly servicing your heating system can help identify potential issues before they become major problems. We recommend having your system serviced at the beginning of the winter season with a thorough inspection. Our team will look for any parts that might be wearing out or hazards that could prevent the heating from working throughout the winter months.

Call in the Pros at the First Sign of Trouble

The longer you wait to have a problem with your heating system fixed, the more expensive the final bill is likely to be. That’s why we encourage our clients to contact us as soon as they suspect there could be an issue with their heating. Our team can come to your location right away and find out what’s wrong and get it fixed. While it might be tempting to delay the call (and the repair bill), the longer an issue continues the more damage can happen to the system. More damage means more time and expense for the repair.

Invest in a New System

Sometimes it isn’t worth your money to keep an older heating system going. You can prevent those big repair bills by investing in a new heating system for your home. While the initial cost may be more, the long-term cost savings can balance it out. Not only will a new system help you save on repair costs, but many of the newer systems are also more energy efficient. That means you’ll end up spending less on your monthly energy bills.

If you have any questions, or are in need of service, our team here at Cunningham Associates is happy to help!

Why is My Furnace Making That Weird Sound?

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Your furnace operates at a relatively low noise level. The few sounds it does make are not disruptive and usually go unnoticed as the winter drags on. That’s why a sudden change can indicate your furnace is suffering from a malfunction. The type of noise your furnace is emitting can help you pinpoint the cause behind the sound. If your system is making an unusual noise, and you’re concerned, keep reading to find out what the sound means for the health of your furnace.

Rattling…

A rattling or banging sound can indicate a component in your furnace has come loose. Unfortunately, without inspecting the unit there is no way to tell which part is no longer secure. Ignoring the sound can lead to the malfunction getting worse, meaning the rattling will grow louder, and the loose component will completely disconnect. If this happens, turn your furnace off immediately, and contact a HVAC specialist. Having your system inspected before the rattling or banging increases in volume is crucial when it comes to saving your furnace from a serious breakdown, and keeping your repair cost manageable!

Squealing…

A furnace that squeals points to a blower motor that lacks proper lubricant between its moving parts. The friction created as the components in the motor rub together produces the unfortunate noise. During a yearly inspection, a HVAC technician examines the blower motor to ensure it has enough oil, and if it doesn’t, they add the needed amount. If you didn’t get your furnace serviced before the heating season started, and your unit is squealing, it’s time to give us a call.

Clicking…

Clicking sounds coming from your furnace can signal an issue with your unit’s igniter. If the sound lasts for only a minute or two, the igniter is likely dirty and needs to be cleaned. A problem with the flame sensor is also a possibility. The flame sensor acts as a safety mechanism, which ensures there’s a flame present when the gas valve opens. Without a flame sensor, gas would be released with no flame to ignite it. If the sensor is malfunctioning, it may not sense a flame even when a flame is present. If this happens, the gas valve will close prematurely. Problems with your furnace igniter should be addressed immediately by a highly trained HVAC technician.

When your furnace works to warm your home, the only sounds you should hear are a quiet hum and a rush of air flowing through your vents. If those noises are replaced by a sound you’re not familiar with, please contact our team here at Cunningham Associates to schedule an appointment.

The Top Signs That Your Furnace May Need to be Replaced

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With winter right around the corner, you may want to take a moment to consider the condition that your furnace is in and whether you should consider having it replaced this fall. By replacing your furnace before winter arrives, you will ensure your comfort in the coming months by preventing your furnace from breaking down on you when you need it most.

Hitherto, how will you know when your furnace is in need of replacement? While one of the clearest signs that your furnace needs to be replaced is age, as furnaces are only made to last between 15-20 years, there are several other indicators that your furnace may be nearing the end of its usable life. Below are a few of the signs you can look out for in your home.

You Cannot Keep Warm

When trying to determine the condition of your home’s furnace, think back to the last time you had to run it; did it keep you and your family warm? Or were you constantly cold no matter how often you adjusted the thermostat? If you were unable to keep warm, this is a clear sign that your furnace is failing and needs to be replaced, as it is no longer able to sufficiently do its job.

Different Rooms Are Different Temperatures

Similarly, your furnace likely needs to be replaced if there are great variations in temperature throughout your home. If some rooms are freezing while others are hot, this is a sign that your aging furnace is having trouble distributing heat evenly throughout your home, and it will likely need to be replaced before winter.

Your Furnace is Making Unusual Sounds

One of the clearest signs of a failing furnace is if it begins to make any unusual sounds. While your furnace may make a certain amount of noise when it first turns on and off, you will be able to tell that something is wrong if these noises get louder, or if they change drastically. For instance, if your furnace begins to make popping, banging, clanging, or screeching sounds, this is a clear sign of trouble. While your furnace may be able to be repaired, you will want to consider your furnace’s age before you invest more money into it.

Please feel free to contact us to learn more about the signs that you can look out for indicating that your furnace needs to be replaced. The team here at Cunningham Associates is always happy to help!

How to Fix a Stuck Vent Register

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Many central air conditioning systems use vent registers with movable shutters to control the amount of air entering a given space. In most instances, a small lever located on the front of the register can be adjusted to open and close the register. Over time, however, these levers can become hard to operate and make controlling airflow difficult or impossible.

However, homeowners are often able to correct problems with vent registers through cleaning and lubrication. Below is more information on this process and what you can do to get your malfunctioning registers working again.

1. Remove the Defective Vent Register

The first step in the process is to remove the defective vent register from its location. Registers are held in place by sheet metal screws, and they can be quickly removed in most instances. Be careful when removing a register, however, so that it doesn’t fall on you or drop to the ground.

2. Clean the Register

The next step in the process of rehabilitating a stubborn vent register is to clean it thoroughly. Use a shop vacuum to remove as much dust and debris as possible from the register, then immerse the register in a bucket of hot water mixed with liquid dish soap.

Allow the register to soak for fifteen minutes, then remove it and use an old toothbrush to scrub it clean. Rinse the register thoroughly in warm water, and then dry it with a clean rag or cloth.

3. Lubricate the Shutter Lever

Once the register is clean, locate the pivot point for the shutter lever and apply a drop or two of light machine oil. Manipulate the lever until it opens and closes smoothly; do not use too much lubricant and avoid the use of spray penetrating oils that will only attract and hold dust.

4. Reinstall the Register

After oiling the shutter lever, reinstall the freshly cleaned and lubricated register in its position. Verify the lever is still working correctly by testing its operation a few times.

Please give us a call with any questions and/or service needs that you may have. The team here at Cunningham Associates is at your service!

AC Installation & Contractor Responsibilities

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Now that you’ve decided to replace your air conditioning unit, you’re probably wondering what to expect of the contractor’s responsibilities. Many homeowners are unaware of what should be included in the installation price, so be sure to check with your contractor for exactly what is included! Let’s discuss some of the items that typically come as part of the installation.

Payment

Contractors who demanded full payment up front should be avoided. Smaller companies may request one half of the total charge up front. This is not an uncommon practice. Larger HVAC companies usually won’t accept any payment until the installation is complete.

Installation and Removal

Your installation should include the removal of your old unit and any associated debris. Most installs will be completed in a day. When the contractor leaves you shouldn’t be able to tell they were even there, except for your cool house and sparkling new air conditioning unit.

Circuit Breaker

The new air conditioning unit will have its own circuit breaker. This breaker is usually outside near the unit. The contractor should not use the old breaker.

Permits and Inspections

Depending on the extent of work and your locality, there may be permits and inspections involved with your installation. If so, the contractor should be solely responsible for getting the permit(s), scheduling and passing any inspections, as well as any associated fees.

Test Operation

Once the install is complete, the contractor should operate the unit for you. This may occur before the inspection (if any) is complete.

Instruction on Newly Installed Control Equipment

In the case of new control equipment like a fancy thermostat, most contractors will demonstrate the most basic functions. Don’t forget to get your owner’s manual.

Information Regarding Tax Incentives

Many contractors will give you information on tax incentives if your new unit qualifies. This is more of a professional touch than a requirement.

The above list is not all inclusive, but knowing this information will help you come to a more informed assessment of the contractor. We encourage you to contact us here at Cunningham Associates with any questions and/or service needs you may have.

Warning Signs of an A/C Refrigerant Leak

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Now that it’s the middle of summer, you’re relying on your air conditioner more than ever. Like any other equipment in your home, your air conditioner will malfunction from time to time. Having that said, one of the common problems that you might encounter with your air conditioner is a refrigerant leak. Here are four warning signs of a refrigerant leak:

Air Conditioner Blows Warm Air

When your refrigerant is low, the air coming from your registers will not be cooled efficiently. If your air conditioner is blowing warm air, it’s possible that you have a refrigerant leak.

Increased Energy Bills

Have your energy bills gotten higher? Your air conditioner might be to blame. When your air conditioner is losing refrigerant, it needs to run longer and work harder to keep your home cool, leading to higher energy bills.

Icy Evaporator Coils

Another sign of a refrigerant leak is ice build-up on the evaporator coils. When your HVAC system does not have enough refrigerant, the evaporator coils cannot absorb enough heat. This causes condensation to build up on the coils and freeze over.

You Hear Hissing Sounds

A refrigerant leak is caused by holes in the refrigerant lines. You may hear a hissing sound as refrigerant leaks from these holes. Given that, be sure to keep your ears open.

What to Do When You Suspect a Leak

It’s important to note that your air conditioner should not normally lose refrigerant. Your unit always contains the same amount of refrigerant when it’s operating properly. The refrigerant is not used up the way an automobile uses gas and refilling the refrigerant will not solve the problem if you have a leak.

Exposure to refrigerant can be dangerous without the proper training and experience. If you suspect a leak, you’ll need help from an HVAC professional. We encourage you to contact us so that we can get the issue resolved, and you can get back to enjoying summer!

3 Reasons to Add an Air Conditioning System to Your Home

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Whether you are building a new home or updating an older home, it is important that you consider adding an air conditioning system to the home. There are so many great benefits that come along with adding an air conditioning system to your home; three of these reasons will be discussed here:

Increase the Value of Your Home 

When you install an air conditioning system in your home, you are increasing its overall value. When an appraiser comes to appraise your home, they will take the fact that you have an air conditioning system into consideration. This not only helps to protect your investment in your home, but it can allow you to make more money if you sell your home down the road. On top of this, a home that has an air conditioning system is often a lot more appealing to potential buyers.

Make Your Home More Comfortable 

Another excellent reason to install an air conditioning system in your home is to make it much more comfortable. During the summer months, the temperatures rise; both outdoors and in your home. If you don’t have an air conditioning system to cool the interior of your home, it can become uncomfortably warm. The heat can also lead to problems with bacteria and germs growing inside of your home. An air conditioner will cool your home and can be set to kick on whenever your home gets to a certain temperature; thus giving you complete control.

Reduce the Humidity in Your Home 

If you have tried to cool your home with a swamp cooler in the past, you have likely noticed how humid your home becomes once the swamp cooler is turned on. This is due to the water used within the swamp cooler. This humidity can lead to a lot of issues within your home, such as mold, warping of wood, wet furniture, etc. When you choose to go with an air conditioning system instead, the humidity will be removed from your home, while still providing you with the cool air you desire.

Overall, the installation of an air conditioning system is an excellent idea because it increases the value of your home, it makes your home more comfortable, and it helps to reduce the humidity in your home.

We encourage you to contact us at Cunningham Associates with any questions or service needs you may have.

5 Signs Your Air Conditioner Compressor is Failing

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The compressor is one of the key components of your air conditioning system as it produces cool air by pumping refrigerant throughout the system. If your compressor is failing, it needs to be addressed right away before your air conditioner stops working. Here are five warning signs that indicate a potential compressor problem:

  • Your air conditioner does not cool. When the compressor is starting to fail, it cannot properly pump refrigerant through the system. Warm air coming from your vents is a surefire sign of a compressor problem.
  • Your circuit breaker repeatedly trips. Frequently tripping the circuit breaker is another sign of a failing compressor. The compressor might be working too hard and overheating, tripping the circuit breaker and cutting off the power to the unit. You should have your unit repaired if this continues to happen.
  • Your air conditioning unit makes a lot of noise. It’s normal for your outdoor unit to make some noise. However, if it’s making much more noise than usual, it’s a sign of trouble. If you hear a chattering, clicking, or rattling sound, the compressor is likely to be the cause. The noise can indicate a loose belt in the compressor or an issue with the fuse.
  • Your outdoor unit vibrates or shakes when starting. Does your condenser unit shake while it’s turning on? This is a “hard start,” which means that it is struggling to turn on. One of the most common causes of hard starts is a failing compressor.
  • You see puddles or moisture around your air conditioning unit. Puddles around your air conditioning unit indicate that there is refrigerant leaking from the compressor. If the leak isn’t fixed, your air conditioner will no longer be able to generate cold air.    

If you suspect that your compressor is failing, contact us to schedule an appointment.