We've had some really hot weather lately, so air conditioners have been cranking all over the Charlotte area.  Have you noticed any bad smells coming from your air conditioning system?  If you have, you aren't alone.  This is actually a pretty common issue.

    Typically, when you notice a bad smell coming from your a/c, it is caused by mildew that's growing in the condensate pan.  Wonder how this happens?  Your air conditioning system goes to work cooling your home.  During this process, condensation forms on the evaporator coils that are located inside the system.  The condensation drips down into the condensate pan which has a drain to take the water away.  If this drain becomes clogged for any reason, the water won't drain and mold and bacteria will begin to grow.  When the air conditioner blows out cool air, it carries this musty smell with it.

   If you have noticed this smell in your home, give MTB Heating and Air a call.  We will locate the problem and eliminate the odor.  In addition, you may want to consider having us install a UV Germicidal Light directly into your sytem.  Using the same technology that hospitals use to eliminate the spread of infectious diseases, this light will destroy the mold and bacteria in your system.  It is about 99% effective.  It also reduces the spread of colds and flu while improving air quality.  Give us a call to learn more about this product.  

   When you live in the Charlotte area, you know that the humidity associated with Summer is just as brutal as the heat.  The great thing about air conditioning is that not only does it cool, it also dehumidifies the air as part of its normal operation.  If your home still feels humid while your air conditioner is running, this indicates there is a problem with the system.

    Below are several common factors that can cause your air conditioner to not dehumidify the inside air properly:

Inadequate Refrigerant Charge -  Refrigerant is what circulates through your unit's compressor pump, evaporator and condenser.  This is what cools the air.  It is important for your A/C system to have the proper level of refrigerant at all times.  If your refrigerant levels is low, this can lead to your air conditioner not properly dehumidifying the air.

Oversized System - If you are having a problem with high humidity and your A/C frequently turns on and off, it probably means that your system is too large for your home.  A high powered system cools the air at such a fast rate that the air doesn't spend enough time moving over the evaporator coil to be dehumidified.  Your home will reach the desired temperature, but there will still be a lot of humidity in the air.

Dirty System - It is important to keep all of your air conditioning system's components clean to assure proper function.  If your coils are covered in dirt and dust, one of the outcomes is improperly dehumidified air.

If you are having a problem with humidity in your home, call MTB Heating and Air.  We will be happy to evaluate your situation and get your air conditioner working properly so you can enjoy a cool and comfortable home.

     This is the time of year that thunderstorms start rolling through with regularity.  In fact, a chance of thunderstorms is forecasted each day for the rest of the week.  Thunderstorms can create a lot of damage with wind and heavy rains bringing down tree limbs and power lines.  The other major threat associated with thunderstorms is lightening.  Electronic devices in our homes are particularly vulnerable to the effects of lightening.  While many people recognize the importance of protecting their computer and audio video systems from lightening, they often forget their heating and air system.

     Today's heating and air systems are more sophisticated than ever and are very sensitive to power surges caused by lightening and other electrical fluctuations.  Power surges can damage the circuit board in your HVAC system which can then lead to motor or compressor failure.   When your air conditioner quits working in hot weather it is miserable.  When you have to dig into your pockets to repair or even replace your  HVAC system due to a lightening strike it is even more miserable.

     Protecting your heating and cooling system is simple and affordable.  An Electrical Surge Protector for your HVAC system is the answer.   Right now, MTB Heating and Air is offering our Surge Protector for only $179.  This is a $20 savings off the regular price.  This is a smart investment that will safeguard your equipment and help you avoid expenive repair or replacement costs.

    Call MTB Heating and Air today to have your Surge Protector installed today.  You'll be glad you did.

    We are all familiar with the damage our four legged friends cause when they have accidents and urinate inside our homes.  What you may not know ,however, is your dog's urine can create major problems outside also.  Dog urine can actuallly destroy your outside air conditioning unit.  This is particulary true with male dogs who lift their legs to urinate and mark their territory, repeatedly soaking your air conditioner.

    The chemicals in dog urine can literally eat away at metal, especially aluminum.  Unfortunately, many air conditioner fins and coils are coated in aluminum.  Over time, these parts can be eroded away to dust resulting in your coils begining to leak.   Once this has occured, your system can become completely emptied of refrigerant within a matter of hours or days.  Running your air conditioner with inadequate refrigerant can burn out your condensor.  In addition, the holes alone, created by urine, can often be enough to destroy the unit completely.   This whole process can occur in as short as a year's time, and once it has reached this point, you will have no choice but to replace your system.

    If you have noticed your dog using you air conditioner as a toilet,  clean it immediately.  If the unit appears to be damaged, call MTB Heating and Air.  We will replace any necessary parts to prevent futher damage.  Of course, it is important to make sure your dog is not able to continue to urinate on the unit.  Installing a fence around the air conditioner is typically the easiest solution.  Just rememeber that it is important that the fence be constructed in a way that allows for adequate air flow to the unit itself.   

    Mold has become a big topic recently and with good reason.  Mold can make you feel miserable because it causes a host of symptoms.  Stuffiness, coughing, headaches and fatigue are just a few of the nuisances that mold can cause.  What you may not realize is a huge source of aggravating mold is right in your home.  Your air conditioner is the perfect environment for growing huge amounts of mold.

   So how do you know if you have mold growing inside your air conditining system?  Most often your nose knows.  If you notice a musty odor when you turn on your air conditioner and while the system is running, the odds are very high that you do indeed have mold growing in the moist dark areas of your a/c system.  Mold spores grow and the microscopic spores are then blown throughout your enire home as cooled air is distributed.

  There are several ways mold gets into your a/c.  When the outside unit is left uncovered in the winter, dust and dirt accumulate on the coils.  Then as water condenses on these dirty coils, mold begins to grow.  Other ways mold gets into your system is through using ineffective or dirty air filters, having the air intake located in a moldy basement or other areas where debris is present or last from any moisture leaking in the ductwork.

   The most effective way to eradicate mold is by having a UV Germicidal Light placed directly into your ductwork.  Using the same technology as used in hospitals to prevent the spread of infectious diseases, the UV light will kill 99% of the mold sores and 87% of the airborne bacteria and viruses that are lurking in your ductwork.  The result is improved overall air quality, relief from allergy symptons, a reduction in colds and flu and the added comfort of a clean fresh smelling home. This is not hype! The difference is nothing short of amazing.

   Right now, MTB Heating and Air is offering our UV Germicidal Light for $399, which is $100 off the regular price.  Give us a call today to learn more about this system.

   Is your air conditioner continually shutting off?  This is called short cycling and it is a common problem.  This happens when air conditioners turn on and off again frequently, often before your home has reached the temperature you have the thermostat set for.  Not only is this irritating, it is inefficient and costly.  If you are having this issue, give MTB Heating and Air a call.

   There are several factors that typically cause short cycling.  They are listed below.

* Compressor problem- Your a/c compressor is the engine of the refrigerant cycle.  It generates the pressurized conditions through which the refrigerant both absorbs abd dissipates thermal energy.  Often, your compressor is a sealed component preventing dust and debris from damaging it's moving parts.  If the compressor is overheating or is worn out, this will often result in the system shutting off frequently.

* Low Refrigerant- The refrigerant level in your a/c needs to stay at a consistent level for the system to work properly.  If your refrigerant level falls to an inadequate level, you will experience poor cooling performance and energy efficiency.  This can then lead to short cycling.

* Frosty Coils- Inside your air handler is an evaporator coil. This cools the warm air that is drawn in from the inside of your home.  If you have an airflow issue such as a clogged air filter, frost can build up on your evaporator coils.  This again, can lead to a short cycling issue.

If  you are experiencing short cycling or any other issue with your air conditioner that's reducing your comfort, call MTB Heating and Air.  A simple repair can save you money on your monthly utitlity bill.  It can also prevent small problems from becoming large ones resuting in the need of a system replacement.

    Air conditioning is such an integral part of our lives, we just take it for granted.  It gets hot... we turn on the air and we're cool. Today, it's hard to imagine living without it.  But not that many years ago, air conditioning was a luxury and most people didn't have it.  The thought of going back to those hot, steamy, sticky days sounds unbearable.  Everyday, people around the world rely heavily on air conditioning, but they actually know very little about it.  They simply turn down the thermostat and wait for relief.  Below are some interesting facts.

1) In 1978, less than 1/4 of US households had central air conditioning.  By 2005, central air conditioning was in 60% of the homes in America.  If you include room or window units as well, 84% have some type of air conditioning.

2) The first home air conditioning system was installed in 1914 in Minneapolis.  It was in the mansion of Charles Gates, son of Gilded Age industrialist and gambler, John Gates.

3) Americans use air conditioning so heavily that we consume 22% more electricity at the peak of Summer than on the coldest days of Winter.

4) In China, air conditioning is far less prevalent.  In 1992, virtually no homes in China had air conditioning.  By 2004 only 30% of homes had some form of air conditioning.

5) The US is the largest consumer of air conditioning.  Even warm European countries like Italy, Spain and Greece use far less air conditioning than the US.  Americans vacationing in Europe are often surpised to find that very few hotels offer air conditioning.

6) Since 2005, Japan has tried to reduce office air conditioning use significantly, encouraging workers to dress light and informally.  After the 2011 earthquale and tsunami, the new minimum office temperature is 82 degrees or higher.

7) WANT TO SAVE MONEY on your power bill?  It is a myth that closing off unused rooms in your home saves energy and money on your air conditioning bill.  Air leakage from hot unused rooms and closed registers increases energy use.  To save money, keep all registers open and use a programmable thermostat to set back the A/C at night or when no one is at home.

Remember for all of your air conditioning needs, MTB Heating and Air is only a ohone call away.