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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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If you’ve been outside lately then you’ve probably noticed a chilling trend – it’s cold! With the season just getting started, the freezing temps and dreary weather is here to stay. We know that many of our customers delay turning on their heating unit until the last minute possible. But staying warm over the next few months doesn’t have to break the bank. Here are some heat and energy saving tips that will warm your heart, your home, and your budget.

1. Keep It Clean. While this may seem like an obvious chore, according to our technicians most residential air filters are not being changed nearly enough. In a home with pets we recommend changing them at least once a month since excessive dirt and pet hair accumulate quicker. Normal filters should be changed at least every two to three months. Having a clean filter allows air to flow through easier, therefore making your unit work less.
2. Let The Air Flow. It may seem counterintuitive, but make sure your air vents are open and uncovered to best utilize your HVAC unit. The added pressure caused by closed vents can actually make your unit to break down or cause a leak or tear in your air duct. Do a quick walk through of your home and make sure your furniture, piles of laundry, or kid’s toys aren’t covering those vents in the corner.
3. Hands Off! Another common misconception is that lowering and raising your thermostat throughout the day will actually help reduce energy usage. Keeping your home cooler will keep your unit from running as much , but constantly changing the temperature can actually cause havoc to your unit.
4. Get Rid of Cold Air. Adding weather stripping to any door or window can help keep the warm air in and reduce the amount of cold air getting in on those blustery winter days. According to the Department of Energy if you can close your window or door on a dollar bill and easily pull it through then you’re losing energy. Along with weather stripping, heavy insulated curtains can also be added to keep the cold air at bay.
5. Heat What Matters. When you’re heating your home, you want to make sure the heat is keeping YOU warm, and isn’t just hovering up the ceiling. That might be welcome in the summer months, but in the winter, you want the heat redirected to you! You can accomplish this by simply rotating your ceiling fans to blow down.
6. Seal It Up. Winter and summer, the air ducts under your house work hard to keep the air flowing from your HVAC unit to the inside of your home. Often times it takes a problem to realize that there is a leak or tear in your air duct. Larger tears can be visibly seen however smaller, slower rips or tears may take a licensed professional to uncover. These leaks, big and small, can normally be fixed by having your air ducts sealed.  Preventative measures can often fix smaller tears before they become bigger issues, which leads us to one of our biggest money saving tips…maintenance agreements.
7. Prevent Costly Repairs. At Thornton’s we offer pre-paid maintenance agreements which provide you with a complete HVAC inspection twice a year – in the fall and again in the spring. During these inspections, our technicians cover an extensive list of HVAC services which can keep you from having unnecessary costly repairs year round. And, if something unexpected does pop up during the year, these agreements provide a discount on these unplanned repairs.

So, don’t freeze this winter when you could be warm and cozy, and save money at the same time! As always, call your trusted source for heating & air conditioning. For over 40 years, Thornton’s Heating & Air has helped to keep you warm all season long.

The time has come for a new air conditioning unit for your home or business…but now what? An HVAC unit is an investment that will last you for years to come, but like many items in life, cheaper is not always better. One of the factors that you want to judge when get a new unit is the SEER ratio.

SEER – What It Really Means. SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (not rating as you may see), the ratio of the cooling output of an air conditioner over a cooling period, divided by the energy it consumed during the same period. That sounds great, but what does that really mean? SEER is the efficiency at which air conditioning units create cooled air. We’ve all heard of “energy efficient” and years ago the units that our parents and grandparents used were extremely inefficient, resulting in very high electric bills. Today North Carolina requires a minimum rating of 14 for any newly installed air conditioning units however the higher the SEER rating the more energy efficient your unit can be and, over time, this significantly adds up! Think of your unit as a car engine, the lower the gear, the more your car has to work, with a higher SEER unit, your unit uses different zones (changing into higher gears) and will not have to run as long for the same amount of cooling output.

Saving You Money. How does SEER help you? According to SEER calculations, simply by going from a unit that is 14 SEER to 20 SEER you could save over 30% on your electric bill. This can lead to thousands of dollars in savings of the life of the unit. Even higher SEER ratios will save you even more money as they are extremely energy efficient. Like with any major investment, you’ll want to do your research. Lower SEER units have a lower up front cost but the savings on your electric bill during the lifetime cycle of the unit could easily lead to conclude that a higher SEER is worth it for your home or business.

Like with any HVAC questions, call the experts! Thornton’s Heating & Air has over 40 years experience helping the local Alamance County area and beyond. Our technicians would love to answer any questions that you may have and schedule a FREE estimate on your new installation today!