Air conditioning. Those two words can bring all of us complete joy in those sweltering summer months. However, just like your cars, clothing and homes, one size does NOT fit all when it comes to your air conditioning unit.

Too Much Of A Good Thing. It may not seem possible on those hot days, but you CAN have too much air conditioning. A unit that is too large for your living space can actually cause mold and mildew problems on the interior of your home. If your unit is too large, it will only cycle (or run) for a few minutes at a time then cut off before it quickly starts the cycle over again. A quick run cycle doesn’t provide your unit adequate time to remove water vapor from the air. If this happens you will likely begin to see condensation build up leading to possible mold and mildew on your windows, furniture, and even baseboards.

Another sign that your unit may be too large for your home is an increased electric bill. When your unit cuts on and off frequently it uses more electricity – a factor you will see played out on your next power bill. With a too large unit, you’ll also likely feel inconsistencies in the temperature of your home due to short cycles and lack of time for the air to properly distribute through your home.

Bring On The Air. While having a unit that’s too large can cause problems, a unit that is too small brings its own set of issues. There’s nothing worse that sitting in your home on a warm July afternoon and just not being able to get cool. In order to have a system that will effectively remove the hot air from your home, remove the moisture, and blow cool air back through your vents, your unit needs an appropriate BTU (British Thermal Units). The larger your home or business, the higher BTU needed to remove the warm air and start the process over. You will often hear air conditioning units referred to as “tons”. Each ton is 12,000 BTUS. One of the main factors that we consider at Thornton’s when installing a new or replacement unit is the size of the home, insulation, and the total square feet in the living space to make sure the appropriate size unit, or how many tons, is recommended.

Another sign that your unit is too small is that it runs nonstop. As previously mentioned, your unit should ideally run around 25 minutes between cycles. If it’s constantly running to keep up, your home will never be properly cooled to the appropriate temperature AND you’ll notice an increase in your electric bill.

At Thornton’s we offer free consultations and estimates on new any new HVAC units. Our trained, experienced technicians are happy to answer any of your questions, evaluate your home and recommend the proper heating and cooling equipment for your home or business. Call us today and let us size up your HVAC system.

At Thornton’s Heating & Air we have been keeping homes cool in the summer and warm in the winter for over 45 years. What you may not realize is that we can help with your commercial and business, too. A recent job here is Alamance County turned out to be our largest commercial project to date.

The Beginnings. We were approached by one of our existing customers about creating a heating and cooling system for his new commercial space. We have worked with Roll Development Construction in the past on various different housing units and projects. The company contacted us about a new commercial space in the Burlington/Graham area that is still in the construction stages. Creating heating and air for a large commercial space requires planning. First, we evaluated the space, researched what size units would be needed and then placed an order with our primary supplier, Rheem, probably a familiar household name to you, too.

Bringing It Together. Once the units arrived, our team of technicians implemented an installation strategy. The three units, two 12 ton and a 7.5 ton system, took about two weeks be to delivered. We contacted a crane company out of Raleigh to help with the heavy lifting and the work on the Graham property began. This project was a collaborative group effort involving every one of our technicians. From start to finish our teams were able to successfully install both units and the custom made duct work. In only three days it was up and running!

Happy, Warm, and Cool Endings.  We love when a plan is put together and falls into place perfectly – and so do our customers. Just days after completing the job the folks at Roll Development are already reporting that the new units are “running great”.

With 45 years of experience, the professionals at Thornton’s are able to create a plan for your home or business – regardless of the size. After all, keeping you cool in the summer and warm in the winter is what we’re here!

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Cool weather has arrived, and as the temperatures continue to drop, the technicians at Thornton’s are here to keep your home and business warm and toasty all season long. While you’re kicked back watching your favorite holiday movie, you may not realize what is really happening “behind the scenes” in your home. There are several ways to keep your home or business warm and one size (or heating unit) does not always fit all.

Mini Split. When you already have an existing unit but have an additional area of your home or business that has been added on, a mini split may be right for you.  This type of heating and air unit is ductless, installed to heat and cool certain spaces or rooms within your home. These are a perfect option for a bonus room, garage area, or small home addition since they do not require an extension of the duct work. These units are often hung on the wall out of sight and run quietly and smoothly while controlling heat, air and humidity! The maintenance on a mini split unit is much lower than a traditional unit and they are more efficient when heating and cooling a single area.

Packaged Unit: If your home or business does not have a crawl space or basement area, a packaged unit is likely the most practical choice. This type of unit has one large metal cabinet which is often placed on a concrete slab outside of your home. A packaged unit can include a heat exchanger or heating coils but either way the entire system is “packaged” together to save space and improve functionality. A gas pack is a specific type of packaged unit where the unit heats and cools all in one system.  The heating portion of this type of unit normally runs on either natural gas or propane.

Split System: A split system essentially uses two units working together in homes where there is enough space to include and indoor cabinet or gas furnace. This could be an attic, basement, or large closet. These types of systems use duct work throughout the home to evenly disperse the air. There are many different types of split system combinations including an indoor furnace and outdoor air conditioner, an indoor air handler and outdoor heat pump. An evaporator coil comes with the pump and air handler as well. If replacing an existing unit, our technicians normally recommend sticking to the same type of unit that previously existed in the home. We are happy to discuss your options and the benefits of any HVAC units with you when considering new construction as well.

When heating your home or business, you’ll want to take many factors into consideration to ensure that you are choosing the right system for your needs. Size of the home, SEER, your existing unit, and geographic area are just a few items to consider. As always, the staff and technicians at Thornton’s Heating & Air are here to answer your questions and walk you through the process from consultation to installation. Call us today and let us help you stay warm and toasty this holiday season and for many more to come!

If you live in the south then you know that heat and humidity don’t just stick around for summer. From the first spring bloom until Halloween you can pretty much count on warm, stuffy air when you step outside. Sometimes, it feels that way in our home, too. This humid moist air can mean problems for your crawl space, attic, and your heating and air unit. The good news – there are actions that you can take now to prevent serious damage before it’s too late.

Open It Up. Your kitchen range needs exhaust and your bathroom shower requires a fan to pull out the steam. Ventilation under your home and in your attic is important, too. While it’s still warm outside, which in North Carolina lasts late into the year, it’s a good idea to open up those vents in your crawl space. Why? Have you ever stepped into a car with the windows closed on a hot humid day? If so, then you know the air is steamy, muggy, and hard to breathe. It can even fog up your windows. The vents under your home act like a rolled down window in your car on a hot summer day, allowing air to flow through freely. Opening these vents allows air to circulate better below your flooring. Many homes have air ducts running through their crawl space. Ventilation is important in keeping these dry from condensation, preventing unhealthy mold and mildew.

Dry It Out. During warm months, hot and humid air can quickly cause problems under your home and in your attic. Mold thrives in warm air and growth normally begins when humidity levels reach around 60%. Adding a whole house dehumidifier will not only make your home feel better and keep you breathing easier, but it can help to prevent unwanted mold, mildew, peeling paint, warped flooring and that musty odor. 

At Thornton’s we offer two different types of dehumidifiers, Honeywell and Santa FE. Both are energy efficient units that pull the moist, wet air through the filter, removing the moisture while letting it drain out through a tube, then releasing healthy, dry air back into your home. “According to experts, controlling humidity inside the home is essential for comfort, reduced health risks and property protection.” -Santa Fe Dehumidifers

Seal It Closed. To ensure there is no moisture in your crawl space, there are several ways YOU can help. First, make sure there are no leaks in any pipes, plumbing fixtures, or in your ducts. A duct work inspection and maintenance agreement can prevent costly repairs and will check for any unexpected leaks. Properly insulating duct work in your crawl space and attic can also save you energy, money, and prevent condensation build up. Proper ventilation is also essential. When you turn on the dryer with that next big load of laundry, make sure the moist air is being filtered to the outside of your home, not into the crawlspace.   You’ll also want to ensure the flooring of your crawlspace is insulated with plastic sheeting to keep natural moisture from the ground from making its way into the walls of your home. 

Regardless of the cause, one thing remains the same. Moisture in your crawlspace or attic can cause unwelcome problems to your entire home. The professional technicians at Thornton’s are here to keep your home comfortable on the inside and dry in those sneaky hidden areas. 

Don’t sweat it – call us today to schedule your maintenance or inspection and rest easy knowing your home is safe and dry!

Thornton’s Heating & Air has been serving the Piedmont Triad for over 45 years, helping to keep your HVAC systems running smoothly. But what do those letters mean? You know that the “H” is for the heat making you toasty warm in winter months. The “AC” is for your air conditioning keeping you cool in the summer. But you may not know that the “V” is for ventilation.

Proper ventilation is an important and essential part of any home or business. You probably won’t think about that – until you realize there’s a problem.

A Steamy Problem. You’re probably accustomed to turning on the exhaust fan after a steamy shower, but what happens if that fan stops working? Without proper ventilation, all of that steam and moisture from the bathroom can lead to major problems like mold and mildew. This air must be redirected outdoors, not to just the attic or extra space between the walls of your home. While parts of the bathroom exhaust require a licensed electrician, any ventilation or air problems, including redirecting the air properly, involve a licensed HVAC technician.

A Smelly Situation. Before you put on that next pot of bubbling cabbage soup, you’ll want to make sure that your kitchen hood also known as your “fan” is running effectively. A ducted kitchen fan removes any smells, humidity, and steam from the air. It can also help to remove the heat and grease from your cooking space and kitchen area. These types of fans work with your existing HVAC system to safely redirect humid air and unwanted smells to the outside of your home. Trust us, your family and your dinner will thank you!

A Leaky Dryer. It’s all warm and fuzzy, until it’s not. Your clothes dryer that is. Your dryer vent is an essential part of your home that goes unnoticed unless it’s not functioning properly. If you go to check your dryer and find that your laundry is still soaking wet, you may have a venting problem. While oftentimes lint build up can cause a block in your vent, you could also have a hole in your duct work. If no air is coming through then this is likely the case. A number of culprits can be to blame including animals, wear and tear, a broken seal, and much more.

An Itchy Nose. If it’s springtime and you’re sneezing inside your home, you likely have poor air quality. Improper ventilation can lead to poor indoor air quality which can be harmful. Air pollutants such as viruses, bacteria, household cleaners, pollen, pet dander, and dust mites are just a few reasons you could be feeling ill while you’re kicking back in your own living room. Our technicians can examine your ventilation system to make sure there are no leaks and that it is up to date. We even offer air purification alternatives that work with your existing unit.

The next time you step out of the shower, cook dinner, or switch out the laundry, remember much of your daily household routine requires proper ventilation. Take a deep breath, then call or message us today for any concerns that you have with your heating, air conditioning – or ventilation.

At Thornton’s we are much more than heating and air. We’re HVAC!

While we like to think our homes are clean, and they may appear to be so from the outside, oftentimes we don’t know what’s really lurking in our own air. Studies have shown that most individuals spend up to 90% of time indoors, so it’s important to know what you’re actually breathing? Smoke, pet dander, allergens, odors, air pollutants and common viruses are just some of the many hazards floating around in the air we breathe. A simple indoor air quality (IAQ) solution that connects to your own air conditioning unit could help you and your family from getting ill.

Here are some of the options that we have for you at Thornton Heating and Air.

The REME Halo. This duct air purifier has been tested and shown to safely eliminate not only air odor, but more importantly, it effectively removes airborne pollutants. Surface bacteria, mold spores and even viruses, such as MRSA and ecoli, can be removed by producing Hydro-Peroxide plasma via your existing air unit and spreading it through the ducts of your home.

“This higher output also drops more particulates from the air bringing relief to those who suffer from allergies and other respiratory issues.” *

The award winning design provides quick kill rates for microbial contaminants in your air, too.

Ultramax EZUV.  This system uses the ultraviolet power of UV light, like UV rays from the sun, to make the air in your home healthier to breathe. Like the REME, this unit is also installed in your existing HVAC system, helping to reduce contaminants in your unit. It also helps clean the coils, which can make your unit run more efficiently.

“EZUV kills airborne viruses, bacteria and allergens and keeps the interior surfaces of your HVAC system free of mold and other biogrowth.” *

Using natural UV light, the air in your home can be instantly purified. This unit requires very little maintenance – only replacing the lamp once a year during your existing maintenance appointment.

Phenomenal Air Cold Plasma Generator. Killing mold, fungus, bacteria and viruses, this unit cleans air naturally. It creates ions by passing air through a plasma field, all connected to your existing HVAC unit.

“The ions created within the field act as a natural scrubbing agent for the air passing through the field.”*

This system creates clean, purified air which then is filtered into the living space of your home. There are no harmful biproducts and no detectable ozone generated, making it a safe and natural choice for air purification.

While all of these systems are slightly different in their approach, one thing remains the same. Each removes harmful contaminants, viruses and bacteria from your air, which can lead to a more healthy home environment for you and your family. All of these systems recommend a trained, qualified HVAC technician to properly install and maintain. At Thornton’s Heating & Air Conditioning, we have been helping our community with their heating and air needs for over 45 years. Call us today to discuss which option may be the best fit for your home and let us help you breathe easier today!

*From the manufacturer’s website.

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