Time to dust off your Air Conditioning Systems, Dayton!

As Winter 2018 finally, finally fades into memory (it was a long one!) it’s about time to turn off the heat for the season and turn your attention to your Dayton, Ohio air conditioning repair and overall systems.

For Wall Mounted Air Conditioner Units

To avoid expensive air conditioning repair you should, when first pulling out your wall mounted air conditioning system (and making sure its securely in place) begin by just eyeballing the unit for any obvious damage or debris, mouse chewed electric cables, birds nests and eggs, anything obvious. Then pop off the front panel and you should see an air filter, which can be gently cleaned with water (&/or white vinegar, or dish soap) but do allow the filter to completely dry before using it. Also you can dust off the condenser coils of your unit with either compressed air, or a simple brush and water.

There are a few other items you can inspect while you are at it, some units come with a water pan that gets moldy and is easily cleaned, as well as different spacial compartments in the plastic casing that can be dusted/ wiped down.

For Central Air Conditioning Systems

air conditioning repair

For these more robust A/C systems it is best to hire a professional HVAC technician but there are indeed a few things you can do before your first run your central system, which can help avoid expensive air conditioning repair.

Inspect the outdoor unit, the part of your central Dayton, Ohio air conditioner that is located outdoors, for any obvious signs of winter damage or debris. Brushing or vacuuming the outer coils is recommended, but do turn off the power completely to your unit before fiddling around with it.

As for the inside portion of your central A/C, you can remove the filter and replace that (a few times per year) usually quite easily. If you are unsure what type of replacement filter to buy, simply bring your old dirty one with you to the hardware store, where they can match the exact shape as that is important.

Air Conditioning Repair is a Pain

We hope these tips find you well this Spring and as always, we’d love to be your Dayton, Ohio “go to” service for air conditioning repair, so feel free to skip the hassle and just give Environmental Doctor a call

 

Foundation Crack Repair

With the heat of summer and cold of winter, mixed with spiders and water and mortar its no wonder so many homes in the Dayton Ohio area are in need of foundation crack repair.

Dayton Ohio’s Premiere Foundation Crack Repair Solution

A crack in your foundation can mean structural problems for your house that need addressed sooner rather than later. Be sure to inspect your home’s foundation (inside and out) once a quarter year or so (each season) visually, to look for new or developing cracks or breaks. What you are looking for is a separation of space between the bricks or cinder blocks used to establish the footing for your home.

Do You Really Need Foundation Crack Repair?

foundation crack repairShould you repair every foundation crack, Dayton? The short answer is probably. A crack doesn’t need to create structural issues to be an issue. Even a hairline crack can grow and cause some serious problems. In fact, any crack wider than 1/16 of an inch is a problem, especially if it lets in moisture or the crack grows or the faces grind against each other. A big problem is vermin. Termites can get into a space as small a 1/64 of an inch. If termites are common, you might want to have your home inspected for termites. And cracks are more difficult to fix than they look. A simple epoxy fix often isn’t enough.

How Environmental Doctor Can Help

The professionals at Environmental Doctor services will come and help confirm your foundation crack issues and will walk you through the process of repair including a detailed analysis of costs involved. We often use the advanced method of “injection sealing” your foundation cracks, so you are sure to get the most modern of repair methods available.

A reminder that concrete cracks are not just terrible for your foundation in the long term, but also look just plain ugly. In case you didn’t know already, concrete consists of cement, gravel, sand and water. Once poured, the concrete slightly shrinks while it sets, which often results in small “hairline” concrete cracks throughout the foundation. Although this is absolutely normal, these hairline cracks may not ruin the foundation overtime but might actually increase the chances of insects, groundwater or radon gas entering your home. There are many ways we can help patch up those hairline cracks. Foundation crack repair is one of our main services and we’d love to help you out. Give us a call today!

Contact us for an inspection and overview of our services.

Dayton Ohio HVAC Cleaning

Is HVAC Cleaning Necessary?

HVAC Cleaning is an important part of your living environment. Define HVAC: Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) is the technology of indoor (& occasionally outdoor/ car etc.) environmental comfort.

Living in Dayton, Ohio, you know how easy it is to find your home (or office) covered in dust, especially in the peak seasonal months when you are closed in. Well, imagine that dust deep in your walls and air ducts, you have no way to reach in there and clean it, and if you did, boy what a mess you would have. Clean homes and ductwork can be the core to a healthy environment.

Should you have the HVAC ducts in your home cleaned?

HVAC CleaningProfessional duct cleaning uses blowers, vacuums and brushes to thoroughly clean the ducts of your home. The catch is that research has show in most cases this cleaning does not reduce the dust in your home. Cleaning the components of your air conditioning system, however, will make it more efficient. The EPA does recommend cleaning the ducts if you’ve had serious mold problems in the vents or vermin infestations. It also may be needed if your home has been renovated and had lead paint removal, or significant dust. It may also be helpful if you have someone in your home suffering from serious illness or disease.

Why a Professional is important for HVAC Cleaning

An untrained technician can not only cause a massive mess causing damage to your home, but can also clog filters and ducts in a way that can become problematic to your wall structure, even becoming a fire hazard! The trained professionals at Environmental Doctor can do a thorough Duct Cleaning for you and give you peace of mind.

Making sure all your rooms are free of harmful environmental toxins is what we do here at Environmental Doctor, we look forward to serving you.

Avoid the Scam: Dateline NBC’s Chris Hansen Challenges Air Duct Workers

Investigative reporter Chris Hansen may be well known for the show To Catch a Predator, but he recently investigated a trend  that’s been cropping up in cities like Dayton all around the country. Some disreputable HVAC companies advertise a $49.95 duct cleaning or similar service, but once they arrive on site to do the job, the price can suddenly sky rocket to hundreds or even over a thousand dollars. The company in the video promises a $49.95 service that ends up being $1064. Visit Dateline NBC to view the full video of Chris Hansen discussing this situation with the employees of one of these alleged companies.

Protect yourself from air duct scams by researching any HVAC company that you plan to do business with. The National Air Duct Cleaners Association has protocols in place to help advise HVAC companies of industry standards for air duct cleaning and restoration.

On top of following NADCA protocol to the letter, at Environmental Doctor in Dayton, Ohio, we give you an upfront price based on your systems and needs. Once we get out to your home, rest assured that no work will begin until a thorough review of everything on site is discussed and clarified to avoid any misunderstandings. As a family owned business for over 20 years, Environmental Doctor provides care and service with the utmost responsibility. For more information on air duct cleaning or general HVAC services, contact Environmental Doctor today.