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What Causes a Central AC to Smell? Is your central air conditioner emitting a musty or sour odor? Here are a few possible causes and solutions to help track down the source and keep your home smelling fresh. During the hot, humid days of summer your central air conditioner is working overtime to remove the humidity from the air to cool your home. The air conditioner uses a fan to blow warm air over coils that contain refrigerant; as the air is cooled, the result is condensation. As condensation forms on the coil it drips into a condensate pan so it can flow down the drain. This damp environment can be an ideal place for mold and mildew to grow – causing unhealthy air and unpleasant smells. Change the Air Filter A dirty air filter can limit the amount of air that cycles through the home, increasing humidity and dampness in the ventilation system, creating an ideal environment for mold to grow. Replace your air filter at least once a month, or at the interval recommended by the filter manufacturer. Clean the Condensate Pan The condensate pan is located inside the air handler right under the refrigerant coils. When dirt and debris collect in the pan the drain hole can become clogged, causing mold and mildew to grow. If the drain is clogged, use a piece of wire or a paper clip to clean out the drain opening. If there are signs of mold or mildew, wipe the pan clean with a sponge and diluted chlorine bleach. Call us If you suspect your central air conditioner is causing strange smells in your home, call Hickey Plumbing, Air & Electrical. We can inspect the system, perform maintenance and repairs if needed.

Heating and Cooling Options For New Additions When adding a new space to your home one of the most important decisions is  how you are going to heat and cool the room. In some cases your existing central heating and cooling system may not be large enough to handle the added air volume. Or, adding air ducts to extend the reach of the existing duct work may not be practical because of the structure of the house or distance from the air handler. Even if the furnace and AC are upgraded to a larger system and the duct system is extended, there can be problems maintaining consistent temperatures throughout the entire home. Here are some solutions to these problems Mini-Split HVAC Systems One option for heating a new addition is to install a split heating and cooling system, also known as a ductless heat pump. A heat pump not only heats in the winter, it also provides cooling in the summer. Because split systems work independently from the home's primary HVAC system – in most cases having its own thermostat – it eliminates the air balancing problems that can occur when expanding an existing HVAC system. Have questions about heating and cooling a new addition to your home? Give Hickey Plumbing, Air & Electrical a call. Our home comfort specialists can help solve all your heating and cooling challenges.

The Advantages of Ductless Heating and Air Conditioning Even if your home has central heating and cooling, a ductless mini-split system could be a good option for supplementary air conditioning and heating. New additions, three-season porches, basements and other spaces not connected to central heating and cooling systems are a good fit for ductless heating and cooling systems. How Does a Ductless Mini-Split System Work? A mini-split system has two main parts: a small air handler inside a room, often installed on a wall near the ceiling, and a condenser unit that is installed outside the home. Conduit lines connect the outside components to all of the  air handlers inside the home. When used for cooling, ductless systems often provide greater efficiency and improved cooling performance when compared to other ductless alternatives such as window AC units. A mini-split system can also heat a room using the same air handler. Here are just a few of the advantages that mini-split systems offer over traditional central heating and window AC units. Mini-split systems are a cost-effective option for heating and cooling older homes or buildings without central heating and cooling. Ductless systems can be used to solve challenging heating and cooling situations where the air handler of the central heating and AC are located too far from from the space you need to heat and cool, such as a new addition or 4-season porch. Ductless heating and cooling systems are ideal where you need to precisely control the temperature of a room for a specific purpose, such as greenhouses, animal enclosures or cold storage. They provide cost-effective and efficient heating and cooling for large outbuildings like workshops and detached garages. If you're interested in learning more about the benefits of ductless mini-split systems, give Hickey Plumbing, Air & Electrical a call to schedule an in-home assessment. We are proud to install the Daikin Split Systems.

How Does a Heat Pump Work? With the increasing popularity of efficient heat pumps in some areas of the U.S., many homeowners are asking if a heat pump is a good option for heating and cooling their Lynchburg area home. Here is an overview of how home heat pumps differ from traditional central heating and cooling systems. The main difference between a furnace and a heat pump is that a heat pump can be reversed to both heat and cool a home. Heat pumps consist of two parts: an indoor unit called an air handler and an outdoor unit that is similar to a central air conditioner – called a heat pump. A compressor circulates refrigerant to absorb and release heat as it travels between the indoor and outdoor components of the system. Depending on the season, a heat pump exchanges the cool air with warm air, or the other way around. Even air that's seems cold can retain heat energy. When the temperature is cold outside the heat pump works by extracting the heat and transferring it to an air handler inside the home where it can be distributed through the home's air ducts. When it’s hot outside, the process is reversed to function basically like a central air conditioner, exchanging/removing the warm air inside the home, lowering the temperature. Is a Heat Pump a Good Option for the Lynchburg area? When considering whether to upgrade your central heating and cooling system to a heat pump it's important to understand that, unlike a gas furnace which generates heat by burning fuel, a heat pump can only exchange heat, and cannot deliver the high degree of warm air that is required in colder climates. Luckily, the climate in Lynchburg and the Central Virginia area is mild enough to make heat pumps a reliable and efficient option for heating and cooling most homes. Have questions about heat pumps? Call Hickey Plumbing, Air & Electrical. We're happy to answer all your home heating and cooling questions.