• Regardless of how much research you put into heating installation, a professional is well versed in which equipment they require, the safety codes that must be kept in place, and what special aspects come with furnace installation.
• Your heating and cooling expert will have a fully-educated background in heating and cooling systems, and will be able to perform all installations, furnace repair and removals, with the appropriate tools! Breakdowns and costly bills are much more likely to occur if you attempt installation on your own.
• A professional will also be able to adjust your furnace so that it fits your specific needs and also complies with the furnace specifications. Having your furnace professionally tuned will increase its efficiency and prevent premature wear and tear.
• Make sure that if you’re looking to add whole-humidifiers or ventilators that tie-in to your furnace, you seek professional heating installation for them, too! They need to fit manufacturer’s specifications to ensure safety.
• One of the most important aspects of professional heating installation is maintaining your warranty. Many furnace and parts manufacturers will nullify their warranties if installation or repairs are not performed by a licensed technician. Your homeowner’s insurance may also be affected if you put your safety at risk by installing systems on your own. It’s in your best interests to seek professional heating service to get everything set up and working well.

Davenport-Campbell is more than happy to provide our specialized services in heating installation and all of your other heating and cooling needs! Your furnace is in good hands with our certified professionals.

Click here to schedule your heating installation today.

The post Why Heating Installation MUST Be Done by a Pro appeared first on Davenport-Campbell Heating & Air Conditioning.

Poor indoor air can result in asthma or serious allergies. We have some tips that can help you maintain good indoor air within your home to keep you and your family breathing comfortably.

• Say goodbye to noxious cleaners – they contain chemicals that can damage your lungs over time with repetitive use and inhaling the fumes. Opt for “green” cleaning supplies with natural ingredients or even try your hand at making your own, safer cleaners.
• Check for mould in areas that get damp often or experience regular moisture, like your bathrooms (especially under cracked tiles). Ensure the mould is cleaned properly and appropriate ventilation is in place to prevent future reoccurrence!
• Dust often – we know it’s everywhere, but proper vacuuming and the wiping down of surfaces can make a big difference in your indoor air. You should also ensure that you vacuum and clean rugs, curtains and upholstery to remove dust that has settled into the fabric.
• Invest in indoor air quality improvement systems, which can make a huge impact for your overall lung health:
  • Humidifier: we all know how dry the air gets in the winter. A whole-home humidifier will deliver optimum humidity to keep your home comfortable and breathing easier all season.
  • Purifier: The levels of pollution in your indoor air can be 2-5 times higher (and sometimes even 100 times higher) than outdoor air. A purifier can eliminate pollutants like bacteria, pollen, animal dander and more from circulating within your home.
  • Ventilation: Proper ventilation is necessary for your indoor air quality as it removes stale air from your home and replaces it with fresh air.

Learn more about your lung health and how to breathe better in the future by visiting lung.ca and contact Davenport-Campbell today with any questions you may have about improving your indoor air quality – we’re happy to help.

The post November Was National Lung Month – Keep Your Indoor Air at Its Best appeared first on Davenport-Campbell Heating & Air Conditioning.

Furnaces require a fresh-air intake and a way to exhaust air. Older, lower-efficient models usually tie into existing chimney structures. Newer, higher efficiency units run PVC pipes (polyvinyl chloride pipes) from the furnace, up through the foundation wall and are found about 12 inches from the ground.

If leaves are left unraked, they will pile up into and on the openings of both intake and exhaust pipes that are not covered. If leaves are not cleared at this stage, they will start making their way into the pipes leading to blockages and restricted airflow. This could cause your furnace to stop working and if left untreated could lead to costly repair bills.

Avoid a service call by completing some simple furnace maintenance. First, locate where the furnace exhaust and intake pipes are located. Second, ensure that you regularly check the area and clear it of debris and fallen leaves. Even if you have recently raked, be sure to check the area after storms as high winds can carry your neighbors’ leaves to your yard. If there is already a buildup around the pipes and you suspect there is a blockage, turn off the unit before attempting to clear the leaves.  

Davenport-Campbell Heating and Air Conditioning is proud of the reputation that we’ve built up over the years and we intend to make sure that we maintain our good name by always being deserving of the trust that our customers have placed in us.

If you’re having any trouble clearing leaves, we are happy to provide any furnace maintenance you may need and to demonstrate how you can safely and properly remove any blockages.

Contact us today!

The post An Important Part of Furnace Maintenance – Raking the Leaves! appeared first on Davenport-Campbell Heating & Air Conditioning.

To determine efficiency, there are 4 HVAC Ratings every homeowner needs to know:

AFUE – Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency 

This rating is assigned to measure the fuel efficiency of your furnace. It does not count the electrical energy that your furnace requires to run its controls, pump or fan. The AFUE Rating is located on the EnerGuide label on your furnace. The higher the AFUE rating, the more fuel-efficient your furnace is.

BTU – British Thermal Unit

This is the unit of measurement used to gauge the heating and cooling ability of your system equipment. A BTU is the measurement of how much heat is required to raise 1 pound of water by 1 degree Fahrenheit. The higher the BTU on your furnace, the higher its heating capacity and therefore it should be performing at a higher efficiency.

MERV – Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value

This rating informs you of your air filter’s efficiency. It’s found by measuring the size of particles your filter is able to remove from the air compared to the amount of particles it removes. A filter that removes large amounts of the smallest particles possible is best, so the higher the MERV value, the more efficient and effective your air filter.

 SEER – Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating

Summer may have come and gone, but SEER is still one of the most important HVAC ratings for homeowners to know and understand. SEER is used to measure your air conditioner’s efficiency. It’s found by dividing the total cooling output in an average cooling season by the total electrical output in the same seasonal period. The number is calculated in BTU’s and the higher the SEER rating, the more efficient your air conditioner.

Contact Davenport-Campbell for more information about your system and how to improve your energy efficiency and save.

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Furnace repair is critical for two reasons:

1. Your furnace’s fan runs continuously through both cooling and heating seasons. Long months of use require expert care to determine if the fan is working properly and efficiently to get you through the winter.
2. A lot can happen to the rest of your heating system when it’s not in use all summer. One of these things is corrosion, which can be incredibly hazardous to your unit and even to your personal safety. Professional service will ensure that your furnace repair is completed properly and your home comfort system will work well all season.

While performing furnace repair, a professional will also be able to fix any signs of damage, such as cracking, that can result from age or regular wear and tear. A lot of damage and other issues evade homeowners, so it’s vital that an expert be called to correct any problems. A professional will also be able to remove grease build-up, tighten up pipes, find and repair any leaks and complete any preventative maintenance.

As a homeowner, you can keep a lookout for things that indicate furnace failure:

• Higher energy bills indicate a lower system efficiency and probable furnace problems
• An onslaught of allergies indicates poor air quality and possible furnace breakdown
• A thermostat that doesn’t seem to work no matter how much you crank it up likely means the problem lies with the furnace, not the thermostat

Don’t suffer through the winter with a malfunctioning home comfort system! Choose to schedule furnace repair and have your home comfortable and warm no matter what.

Davenport-Campbell’s professionals are highly trained and qualified to complete all of your furnace repair needs to ensure everything runs smoothly this winter season. We are more than happy to help with any and all of your HVAC needs!

Don’t get stuck in the chill, schedule a furnace repair appointment today.

The post Invest in Furnace Repair Before the Winter Chill Strikes appeared first on Davenport-Campbell Heating & Air Conditioning.

It is always important to do seasonal maintenance to keep your home comfort at its best. Don’t be caught unprepared; a bit of attention now can save you a lot of time and headache later. Davenport-Campbell has made a list of important things to check and maintain before the cold days start to sneak up on you.

1. Check for Drafts Due to Cracks in Sealing

Feel for cool drafts coming through around the edges of windows and doors. A good tip to use is to light a candle and if the flame flickers, around the windows and doors, there is most likely a draft coming through. If this is the case, use caulking around window frames to seal any spaces.

2. Roof Check and Gutter check

Visual inspection is important when checking your roof. Look for missing, damaged or loose shingles; you’ll need this protection in the wintertime. For gutters, remove leaves and debris to create a cleaner look.

3. Check for Driveway Cracks

Driveway cracks almost always start off pretty small and can suddenly force huge splits down the middle once cold weather hits and they fill with ice. Make sure you examine your driveway and seal any cracks you find.

4. Complete HVAC Inspection

Hiring an HVAC professional to check your HVAC system is critical to its efficiency this season and all year long. A professional will test for leaks, check efficiency and change filters. They can also do a carbon monoxide check to ensure air safety.

Your professional HVAC technician will also be able to properly clean your entire system. There are many areas that may need careful attention and need a pro to assess them. A technician will also be able to analyze your units for any repairs that are needed before you start up your furnace for the season and turn off your air conditioner until next summer.

With professional maintenance, you’ll notice increased efficiencies in all of your systems, and lower utility bills in return. Proper maintenance also significantly improves the lifespan of your HVAC unit, so consider scheduling a service call today!

Davenport-Campbell is pleased to offer complete HVAC services, whatever your needs may be! We are happy to answer any further questions you may have about how to prepare your home for fall and to help you make sure your HVAC system will run smoothly all winter long.

Feel free to contact us here!

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Ductless split solutions for your home essentially replace your central air conditioning unit with much smaller and efficient systems. Ductless systems are made up of (at least) two main parts: the outdoor component and indoor unit(s). These components are connected by special copper tubing that transfers the refrigerant between the parts which, simply put, effectively allows the system to cool specific rooms or your entire home, depending on how many indoor units you install.

That’s one of the great things about ductless split solutions; you can adjust it to fit your needs because there’s no duct installation required! Ductless split solutions are so easy to install and incredibly versatile. Many people are opting into this effective and efficient system that they have much more control over than a central air conditioning unit. These systems are much smaller and can be mounted on the walls throughout your home or in a single specific room.

If you opt for getting a multi-split system throughout your home, you’ll note that it’s significantly more efficient than a central air conditioning system and you don’t have to deal with the pesky addition of even more ductwork installed inside your home. You may also consider this system if you have a home that has no space for ducts to be installed and is perpetually hot and uncomfortable during the hot summer months! These are homes that are often heated with radiant heating through electric baseboards and would benefit with the complementary addition of a ductless split system!

Many homes have specific rooms, especially those over the garage, that never seem to get cool enough through existing HVAC systems. You can actually have your ductless split system complement your existing HVAC and cool those specific rooms and areas of your home to bring them to the same level of comfort you’re accustomed to.

The benefits of ductless split systems are abundant, and one of the last things we’d like to point out is their Energy Star certification. Many of the models available are certified through Energy Star, thus significantly reducing the carbon footprint being left on the environment and lowering your utility bills at the same time!

Here at Davenport-Campbell, we pride ourselves on the superior heating and air conditioning services we provide for our customers. Click here to see a few of our ductless split solutions and don’t hesitate to contact us for more information or get a free estimate on a new home comfort solution this season!

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There are a few things you can do yourself to prepare and maintain your air conditioner, but there are others that you’ll need to seek out professional service for so you don’t do any damage rather than make improvements during your air conditioner preparation.

You can certainly take care of switching or cleaning your air filters. They should be cleaned at least twice a year to ensure that your unit isn’t going to have to work extra hard and due to that, run inefficiently. Filters clogged with dirt recirculate dust throughout your home, which can cause a host of separate problems for you and your family.

You can also remove any accumulated debris around your unit. While your unit is powered off, you can use a vacuum and rag to remove debris that’s gathered and stuck around your air conditioner and wipe away grime from the fan blades.

Once you complete some of the basic maintenance, a professional can check the condenser coils, coolant lines, coil drainage, and replace or repair any damaged pipe insulation for your summer air conditioner preparation. They’ll be able to accurately assess if parts of your air conditioner have been damaged from use or from nature, and make any repairs and adjustments before your unit runs continuously for the summer season.

For example, a professional can examine the inside of your unit and deduce if your air conditioner’s foam insulation is intact. If it’s damaged, your home won’t receive all of the cooled air your unit is producing, and thus force it to work much harder to keep your home cool and comfortable. Your unit’s life expectancy is significantly decreased from such inefficiency, and an increase in utility bills will become apparent if this happens!

It’s important to bring in a professional, especially if you haven’t started your unit up in over a year, because they will be able to properly aid in air conditioner preparation and avoid any damage that might result if the unit isn’t handled properly.

Once everything has been checked, turn your unit on and ensure it’s running properly! On a hot day, power it up and make sure cool air is blowing into your home steadily.

Davenport-Campbell is pleased to offer air conditioner service and happy to answer any further questions you may have about air conditioner preparation. Feel free to contact us and we’ll be in touch to help as soon as possible!

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But what happens when it fails and you’re stuck without air conditioning? This would leave your home at its least comfortable– a hot and sticky night with little sleep and a long day ahead of you in the morning.

So what can you do if faced with this situation? We have a few tips to help you in case you face this situation:

• Sleep in crisp cotton or satin sheets. They will help cool you off if you’re ever faced with a night without air conditioning.
• Drink water frequently to keep yourself hydrated and lower your body temperature.
• Try using a rotating fan to get a breeze moving in your bedroom.
• Mist yourself with water to help you cool off to get to sleep.
• Trying to eat cold, hydrating foods for dinner to not force any excess heat into your body.

Remember, the stress and anxiety of a night without air conditioning can be avoided if you schedule regular air conditioner maintenance! A licensed technician will inspect, clean, and make or schedule repairs for your unit so it’s back to working efficiently in no time! And with regular maintenance, your utility bills will stay low and you can avoid the costly, massive repair (or even replacement!) of fixing an air conditioner that has stopped working.

Davenport-Campbell’s professionals are happy to help you with all of your air conditioning maintenance needs! We will gladly clean, maintain and tune up your unit so you won’t have to face a night without air conditioning this summer!

Contact us today to schedule your air conditioning maintenance!

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That ties into everything we do. Older HVAC systems and ones that use ducts can often collect more dust and debris than other systems and will lower your indoor air quality, which is why we offer alternatives like in-floor radiant heating and high-velocity HVAC systems. They use either less ducts or no ducts at all, which eliminates the part of the process that disturbs any pollutants and distributes them into your home.

Situations like these can get so bad that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), states that indoor air quality can be between two to five times worse than outdoor air.

If anyone in your family suffers from allergies or asthma, these effects are only magnified.

That’s why on top of the high quality system upgrades we offer, there are also add-ons that can help you have a healthy home. Here are three products that we recommend if you have concerns about your indoor air quality:

Air Purifiers

Air Purifiers are systems that, in addition to the filter already installed in your furnace or air handler, will help remove airborne allergens such as mold, mites, pollen, bacteria and other pollutants.

An air purifier is an excellent way to improve the air filtration in your home without significantly decreasing the air flow in your system, which can lead to many issues with your home comfort.

ERVs/HRVs

Energy Recovery Ventilators and Heat Recovery Ventilators are two systems that exchange stale, stagnant air that would usually get trapped in your home, for something fresh from the outdoors while maintaining all of your ideal comfort settings such as humidity and temperature.

Many people will just open a window in their home when things start to feel a little stale, but that can have some negative effects on your indoor air quality.

When you open a window it affects the humidity and temperature in your home, which causes your heating and cooling systems to run longer cycles and disturb more pollutants. Not only that, but unless you clean them regularly, window screens can collect a great deal of allergens which will be distributed into your home as soon as you open a window.

Humidifiers

We offer whole-home humidifiers that attach directly to your air distribution system. These are for the winter so that you can avoid the broken-lip blues (often the first sign of dry air), and you should actually shut them off or switch them to summer mode in the warmer months.

For de-humidification, most of our air conditioners already have that function built in. Multi-split ductless systems work especially well for de-humidification because of the amount of units able to perform the process throughout your new, healthy home.

Most of your time and your family’s time is spent at home, so if you can improve the air quality for when you’re awake and sleeping, you’ll be much happier there and outside of the house.

Contact Davenport-Campbell today about making sure you have a healthy home.

The post Maintaining a Healthy Home through Indoor Air Quality appeared first on Davenport-Campbell Heating & Air Conditioning.