Downtown Air and Heat Blog

What Is a Ductless Heating System?

January 20th, 2014

Ducts are necessary for most forced-air heating systems to operate. The heater raises the temperature of the air, or removes the heat from the air, and then the blower in the air handler sends the air through the tight seal of ducts toward the vents, where the air enters the living or working space. It seems hard to imagine a forced-air heater could work without ducts.

However, ductless heating systems have existed for decades, and after many years working almost exclusively in business environments—particularly restaurants—they have become more common in homes. If you’re curious about ductless heating, call Downtown Air & Heat and ask about ductless mini split heating services in Orlando, FL.

For the moment, here’s a short explanation about how ductless heating works.

Ductless mini split heat pumps

Ductless heating systems are essentially heat pumps that use multiple indoor units instead of a single, central indoor unit. Like any heat pump, a ductless mini split operates using heat exchange: a flow of refrigerant from the outdoor cabinet to the indoor unit(s) carries outside heat and brings it inside, where a blower sends the heated air into rooms.

(Also like a heat pump, the process can reverse during the summer and remove heat from indoors, functioning as an air conditioner.)

The difference between the standard system with ducts and the ductless system is the multiple indoor units. Each of these indoor units is a small air handler with a refrigerant coil, blower, and individual controls. The unit is mounted up on a wall, and the refrigerant line runs out the wall and outside to the outdoor unit. The blower is powerful enough to provide heat for one area of the home, and it blows the air directly inside, without using vents.

Because ductless mini splits are placed in different spots in a home, they allow for “zone control,” with individual rooms capable of shutting off the heat to that area. This allows for energy savings, since you don’t need to heat rooms that aren’t in use. You’ll also receive savings from no longer needing to schedule duct cleaning or sealing. The lack of ducts also increases indoor air quality.

Should you go ductless?

To answer this question, you’ll need a consultation with professional who can analyze your home’s heating (and cooling) needs as well as its construction. If your home does not already have ductwork, or if you are planning a new home, ductless mini splits are often the ideal way to go. If you already have ducts from a furnace or heat pump, ductless may not bring you the same benefits. Listen to the advice from the professional installer to find out what your best options.

Downtown Air & Heat has NATE-certified technicians on staff to provide you with knowledgeable assistance and heating services in Orlando, FL. Talk to them if you think you may want to go ductless with your next heater.

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Does My Heat Pump Need a Repair Service?

January 14th, 2014

Heat pumps are invaluable in Florida weather, since they provide the perfect level of cooling (with humidity control) during the long, damp summers, and don’t encounter trouble providing efficient heating during the brief chilly spells of the winter. In colder parts of the country, heat pumps often need the assistance of a back-up system like a natural gas furnace, but they can work fine all on their own in Florida.

A heat pump is an intricate piece of technology that relies on a balance of numerous components to work correctly: chemical refrigerant, compressors, capacitors, multiple motors and fans, a reversing valve, and copper lines and coils. It requires special technical training to know how to properly repair one, and it also requires specialized equipment. If you encounter trouble with your heat pump, you most likely will need to call a professional repair service.

Downtown Air & Heat has 24-hour emergency service to help you out when you need heating repair service in Orlando, FL. If you experience any of these problems with your heat pump, they are a good sign that you need to call us for repairs:

  • Heat pump will only blow cold/hot air: If you cannot get your heat pump out of one of its modes, then it is likely that its reversing valve has failed. Only a professional can correctly remove and replace the broken valve. (The problem might also lie in your thermostat, and this also needs expert repairs.)
  • Icing develops on the coils: Ice along the coils doesn’t mean that the heat pump is getting too cold; it usually means that somewhere it is leaking refrigerant and cannot absorb enough heat. A repair service can locate where the leak is, seal it, and then recharge the refrigerant to its proper level.
  • Heat pump won’t start: If your heat pump won’t turn on at all, there are a number of possible reasons. One frequent cause for this is a burnt-out start capacitor, the device responsible for starting the motors with an electrical charge. Like the other components in a heat pump, this needs the work of a professional to replace it.

If you cannot immediately locate a simple source for an issue with your heat pump (incorrectly set thermostat, disconnect from a power source), don’t try to open up the cabinet and tool around with the components on your own. You don’t want to risk causing further damage to the heat pump with amateur work. An experienced technician should be able to locate the problem and fix it fast.

Call Downtown Air & Heat. We have NATE-certified technicians on staff who have the training and tools to take care of your heating repairs in Orlando, FL.

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Heating Systems for Your Business

January 10th, 2014

When you install heating in your home, you only have the needs of your family and occasional guests to worry about. When you install heating for your business, you have a much larger group of people to provide for: employees, customers, clients, etc. Picking out the right heating system in Orlando, FL for a business takes a great deal of thought, since it will have a large impact on daily operations.

Downtown Air & Heat stays current with commercial HVAC technology, so we are in an excellent position to help you find the right heating for your business. Here’s a short list of some of your options for commercial heating. Our NATE-certified heating technicians can install whatever system you need, and they will help you make the best choice.

Heat pump

Heat pumps have been popular for commercial use for years, long before they moved into the private sector. A heat pump has the advantages of taking care of heating and cooling with one system—no need for a separate AC and heater. Heat pumps sometimes struggle with temperatures below freezing… but that’s unlikely to occur in Orlando.

Ductless mini splits

If you are constructing a new space for your business, you may want to go with ductless mini splits, which eliminate the need for building ductwork into your designs. Ductless mini splits work the same as heat pumps, except they use separate blower units to distribute air, rather than ducts. This means that your employees can adjust the individual blower units to suit their own needs without having to change the temperature of the entire workspace.

Central furnaces

The traditional standby for most businesses is a central furnace—either gas or electric-powered—hooked up to ductwork. Furnaces remain common today because of their effective heat and the high temperatures they can reach. Furnaces are flexible; an installer can almost always find one to match a business’ needs.

Because your business space is likely much larger than your home, you need to have specialists perform a heat load calculation to determine the specific needs for heating. This involves numerous factors, including heat loss and gain through windows and the amount of heat the lights and other appliances radiate. With the right professionals on the job, you will end up with the perfect system for your business.

Contact Downtown Air & Heat today to get started with finding your ideal comfort for heating your business in Orlando, FL.

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New Year’s Eve: The Tournament of Roses Parade

December 31st, 2013

The East Coast has their own traditions for New Year’s Eve, notably the dropping of the ball in Times Square to signal the beginning of the New Year. We have our own traditions here on the West Coast, and with 2014 almost upon us, we thought we’d take a closer look at one of the biggest: the Tournament of Roses Parade.

The Parade is held every year on New Year’s Day, save when January 1 falls on a Sunday (in which case it is held on the 2nd). Tradition holds that they don’t host it on a Sunday in exchange for God preventing rain on the parade, though it has actually rained ten times since the first parade. It all began in 1890, when members of the Pasadena Valley Hunt club organized and staged it on Colorado Boulevard. Their parade consisted of horse carts covered with flowers, followed by a series of athletic events (including races and polo matches). Football was first added in 1902, when Michigan beat Stanford by a score of 49-0. The football tradition was dropped for a few years, but came back in 1916 for good. The game has traditionally featured the champions of the Big 10 and Pac 10 Conferences, though teams from different conferences have appeared from time to time.

As for the parade itself, it soon added motorized floats, marching bands and equestrian units to its array of features. A “Rose Queen” is chosen every year from the ranks of Pasadena girls ages 17 through 21, along with six princesses to serve as her court. 2014’s Rose Queen is high school student Ana Marie Acosta. A Grand Marshall is chosen every year as well, and has previously included such varied luminaries as Walt Disney, John Wayne, Dwight Eisenhower, Hank Aaron, George Lucas, Charles M. Schulz, Kermit the Frog, and Fred Rogers. The Grand Marshall for 2014 will be legendary Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully.

Wherever you are and however you choose to celebrate New Year’s Day, we here at Downtown Air and Heat wish you nothing but the very best. May 2014 bring you all good things, and may your New Year’s celebrations – in whatever form they take – be happy, safe and fun for your entire family. Happy New Year!

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Longer Days Ahead: Why Winter Solstice Is a Reason to Celebrate

December 24th, 2013

Holiday greetings from all of us at Downtown Air & Heat!

December is a time of celebrations across the globe, despite the cold weather that affects much of the countries in the Northern Hemisphere. In fact, the cold weather is one of the reasons that it is so important for people to embrace celebrations of light, color, food, and warm drinks—what better way to cheer up during a time of short days and low temperatures?

There is another reason to feel joy at the end of December, regardless of your religion or culture: an astronomical event called winter solstice.

Four astronomical markers divide the seasons on planet Earth: two solstices and two equinoxes. Equinox (a combination of the Latin words for “equal” and for “night”) is the point in Earth’s orbit when its axis is parallel to the Sun. Solstice (from the Latin words for “sun” and “to stand still”) is the point in orbit where the Earth’s axial tilt points toward the Sun. During the equinoxes, which occur at the start of spring (vernal equinox) and fall (autumnal equinox), the periods of day and night are the same length. During the solstices, which occur at the start of summer (June solstice) and winter (winter solstice), either day or night is at its longest period. June solstice is the longest day of the year; winter Solstice is the shortest day of the year.

Occurring on the 20th or the 21st of the month (this year it falls on the 21st), winter solstice marks the official beginning of winter, but also the point at which the days start to grow longer once more. The sun, which has dropped lower in the sky since the June solstice (June 20-21) and reaches its lowest point above the horizon on noon on winter solstice, once again begins to rise.

From the earliest human prehistory, people have recognized the winter solstice as an important event in their lives. When winter survival was difficult for early human societies, the sight of the sun beginning to rise in the sky once more was a symbol of hope and a reason to celebrate.

(All of the above applies to the Northern Hemisphere of Earth. The equinoxes and solstices flip in the Southern Hemisphere. For example, in Australia, Christmas is a summer holiday.)

However you commemorate and observe this time of year, we hope you and your family have a joyful and safe season!

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Warning Signs You Need Duct Repair Service

December 18th, 2013

Ductwork presents a challenge for homeowners: It is vital for providing you with comfort from your air conditioner and heater, and it must stay in good repair. But yet you don’t see it most of the time and have difficulty accessing it.

Getting access to your ducts is actually quite easy: just call duct repair experts to take on the job. But how do you know you need to call them if you can’t see your ducts? This list of signs that you require repair and duct sealing in Orlando, FL should help.

Something else that will help: a call to the Orlando, FL ductwork experts at Downtown Air & Heat!

Signs to call for duct repair:

  • A sudden increase in your energy bills: Whether you are currently using your ducts for air conditioning or heating, if you notice a leap in your power bills that you cannot explain, then it is possible that duct work damage has caused it. Breaks in ducts will cause a loss of heat/cooling, and your home comfort system will need to work harder to achieve its set temperature, resulting in those elevated bills.
  • Unusual odors from the vents: When breaks occur along the length of your ducts, they will start pulling in air from sections of your home that have little ventilation: spaces between walls, the attics, crawlspaces. These areas often contain heavy amounts of dust and dry, stuffy air. If you detect unexpected odors wafting from the vents, it is likely because of unseen breaks.
  • A decrease in your air quality: If you start to notice symptoms that resemble the common cold—dry throat, itchy eyes, running nose, headaches—and develop irritation from dry skin, then the issue may not be from germs, but from a drop in your air quality due to ducts contaminated with dust. Broken ducts will draw in dust from those same closed spaces that cause the unusual smells. If you have people in your home with allergies to airborne pollutants, pay close attention if their symptoms suddenly begin to turn worse.

Put away the duct tape and call the experts!

No, you can’t repair broken ducts using duct tape; duct tape wasn’t even invented for this purpose. You need to call professional duct technicians, who can safely access your ducts and apply repair methods such as mastic sealant and any necessary replacements to get your ducts in proper shape once more.

For professional duct sealing in Orlando, FL, call up Downtown Air & Heat. Our NATE-certified technicians will get the job done right the first time, and just in case, we guarantee all our work for one year. We also perform duct cleaning and duct sanitizing so you’ll have the cleanest ducts on the block.

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3 Signs You Need Professional Duct Cleaning

December 10th, 2013

This is an unfortunate reality of modern life: we spend approximately 85% of our time indoors, and the quality of the air trapped inside modern, almost sealed indoor environments is far below that of the outdoors. (According to the EPA, it can be up to 100 times worse!)

One of the major contributors to low indoor air quality inside homes is contamination within ductwork. Regular duct cleaning will help improve the time you spend in your home, which is a major part of that 85% of your indoor time.

Downtown Air & Heat takes your indoor air quality seriously. Not only do we install purifiers and dehumidifiers, but we also perform professional duct cleaning and sanitizing. Our NATE-certified ductwork technicians will give your ducts the cleansing they need to give you high indoor quality air.

3 signs to call for Orlando, FL duct cleaning

This trio of warnings will tell you that your ducts have become contaminated with dust, dirt, pollens, dander, hair, or biological pollutants:

  1. You notice foul odors coming from your vents. Many contaminants that can develop inside your ducts will create unpleasant smells. You may also notice a burning stench, which usually means dust has infiltrated your heating system’s cabinet.
  2. The power bills start to climb for no obvious reason. The more contaminated your ductwork becomes, the more resistance the contaminants will create to the airflow from your heater and air conditioner, forcing them to overwork. Watch for spikes in your bills when nothing else seems to be wrong—it might indicate filthy ducts.
  3. Dust builds up in your home, and no cleaning you do seems to take care of it. This can indicate that your ducts aren’t helping you keep your living spaces clean, but are instead wafting dust in along with the air.

Call for professional duct cleaning

Your ducts are difficult for you to access on your own, and the dirt, dust, and other contaminants inside will not come out with a broom or a rag soaked in cleaner. Duct cleaning is a specialized field that requires an array of professional tools like environmentally-safe sanitizers and UV germicidal lights. Summon professionals with the proper certifications for this job, and you’ll have the peace of mind that your ducts are the cleanest they can be.

Downtown Air & Heat has extensive experience with ducts, from designing them to fixing and cleaning them. We guarantee our work for 1 year and are always available around the clock for emergencies. Get started with duct cleaning in Orlando, FL today with Downtown Air & Heat.

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How the Size of Your Ductwork Can Affect Your Heating

December 2nd, 2013

The ducts are a key part of your heating (as well as cooling) for your home. If you have a furnace or a heat pump keeping you warm during the Florida winter nights, then ductwork is the way you receive the toasty warm air from your HVAC system.

However, homeowners usually don’t think much about their ducts and tend to take their work for granted because their construction keeps them mostly out of sight within walls and ceilings. It’s easy to imagine that the design of the ducts doesn’t make any difference: ducts are ducts.

But poorly designed and sized ducts can present problems for your heater and end up costing you extra on your heating bills while bringing you substandard performance. Having properly sized ductwork is important if you want to get the most out of your heating system. For custom design ductwork in Orlando, FL, call up the experts at Downtown Air & Heat.

The importance of ductwork size

If you had your heating system professionally installed, the technicians sized it to fit your home’s heating specifications. But if your ducts are too large, they will cut into the effectiveness of a properly sized heater. Overlarge ducts will cause low air flow, which in turn will lead to uneven heating throughout the house. But ducts that are designed too small are also a problem: they will restrict air flow and result in a noisier system overall.

How major is this impact on your heater’s performance? Studies have shown that improper ductwork design and sizing can cause as much as a 60% loss of heating efficiency and effectiveness. The more your heater struggles to overcome flawed ductwork, the more it will wear down. You will end up spending more on your energy bills, and eventually more on repair bills.

Rely on professional duct design and repairs

If you have ducts that are giving you problems because of poor sizing and design, you should call in ductwork design specialists. Usually, you won’t need to have all your ducts ripped out and replaced (although that is occasionally necessary if the original job was amateur); the designers will find places where they can improve performance with replacements.

Our NATE-certified Orlando, FL ductwork service technicians at Downtown Air & Heat are also trained in airflow. They can analyze the issues in your airflow and pinpoint where they need to repair and replace your ducts. You can trust to the job we do: we offer a 1-year guarantee on our work.

If you need to enhance your heater’s performance through better ductwork in Orlando, FL, call Downtown Air & Heat.

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Thanksgiving, 2013: The Presidential Turkey Pardon

November 25th, 2013

Thanksgiving began in 1621, but didn’t become a national holiday until 1863, when Abraham Lincoln declared it in hopes of bringing a divided nation together. We have many Thanksgiving traditions in this country, from turkey at the meal to the annual Cowboys and Lions games on television. But one of the most beloved is the annual Presidential turkey pardon, in which the U.S. President “pardons” a turkey to life in a petting zoo rather than ending up as someone’s main course. As we celebrate this Thanksgiving, we thought you’d like to know a little more about the history of this fascinating tradition.

Farmers have sent turkeys to the White House as far back as the 1800s, hoping to have the honor of providing the President’s annual meal. There have been scattered stories of individual turkeys being “pardoned” throughout that time, including one in which President Lincoln’s son Tad successfully convinced the president to spare a bird intended for the family’s Christmas dinner.

Starting in 1947, the National Turkey Federation became the official supplier of the President’s Thanksgiving birds. The White House arranged for an annual photo op that year with the President receiving the turkey in the Rose Garden. Sadly, there was no pardon as yet; those birds all ended up on the Presidential table.

The push for an official pardon picked up steam in 1963, when President Kennedy ask that the bird be spared just a few days before his assassination. President Nixon opted to send each of the birds he received to a nearby petting zoo after the photo op, though there was no formal pardon attached.

But it wasn’t until 1989 that the pardon became official. On November 14 of that year, President George H. W. Bush made the announcement, and sent the bird to a Virginia game preserve to live the rest of its life out in cranberry-and-stuffing-free bliss. Since then, every President has held an annual pardoning ceremony, with the lucky turkey spared the axe and sent off to live in peace. Since 2005, the pardoned birds have gone to Disneyland in Anaheim, California where they have lived as part of a petting zoo exhibit in Frontierland.

No matter what traditions you enjoy this holiday, or who you enjoy them with, all of us here wish you a peaceful and happy Thanksgiving weekend.

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Your Commercial HVAC Installation Options

November 19th, 2013

It’s important to make sure that your business or commercial property has an excellent heating and cooling system so that you can control the temperature year-round. This can only be achieved with professional commercial HVAC services. Such systems are larger and more complex than residential systems and they need to be installed by a qualified technician to function properly. Let Downtown Air and Heat take care of your commercial space, whether it’s an office space, restaurant, or retail store. Call us today to find out more about your commercial HVAC installation options in Orlando, FL.

  • Central air conditioner.When it comes to cooling in Central Florida, you need to make sure that you have an AC that can outperform the heat and humidity. A central air conditioner is a powerful system that uses ductwork to remove air from your space, cool it, and return it. It can be paired with a furnace.
  • Heat pump. A heat pump is an excellent year-round solution for business owners looking for a heating and cooling solution in a single unit. They use a refrigerant cycle just like central AC, but possess a reversing valve that allows them to reverse the flow, thus heating your home during the colder months of the year. They make a great fit for the moderate winters of Florida.
  • Ductless mini splits. If you want an alternative to ducted systems, then you may want to have a ductless mini split installed in your home. These types of systems have multiple indoor air handlers so that separate zones of the space can be controlled separately.
  • Furnace. While staying warm is hard to prioritize during the summer, your commercial space needs a heater to make sure that your customers, visitors, tenants, and employees are satisfied at all times.

It’s important to hire a contractor who can address your entire HVAC system, from custom ductwork design and construction to finding a heating and cooling system that matches your commercial property or business exactly. Call Downtown Air and Heat today to learn more about what we can offer you.

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