FAQs

Vander Linden Services

Have an HVAC-related question? We have the answer. Check out these FAQs and give us a call today for more information!

  • How does a whole home humidifier work?

    One of the reasons a whole-home humidifier is so much more effective than individual room humidifiers is that they moisturize far more air much more effectively than a single room unit ever could. This is because a whole-home humidifier is installed right at the source of your home's warm air: the heating unit.

    A humidifier can add moisture to your air via steam or a light mist, and it does so right from your heating system so that all of your home's air is uniformly moisturized. If you need help managing your indoor comfort and heating in Pella, ID, this means all the air being delivered to your living spaces has the added moisture it needs to make your home healthier and more comfortable. You control the level of humidity with the components humidistat, which can be a separate instrument or part of your home's thermostat.

  • What is a UV air purifier?

    UV air purifiers are UV light bulbs. They are stationary and are typically placed in ductwork and over your evaporator coils for maximum effectiveness. UV lights do not draw particles to them. The particles are affected when they pass under the light's rays. This is why they are usually installed in places where mold and mildew are prone to grow, such as your evaporator coils and/or your home's ductwork. The key to UV lights is the kind of light rays they emit. The ray is a specific one called UV-C, a ray typically screened out from the sun by the Earth's atmosphere. This type of ray is deadly to biological organisms and cells, and when used correctly to complement your system's air conditioning in Pella, ID, the rays are highly effective.
  • How do I know if I need my ducts tested?

    Did you know that 42% of homeowners do not service their HVAC system annually, according to Gitnux? This highlights the importance of staying ahead of routine maintenance before minor issues turn into costly breakdowns. Along those lines, it is wise to have your air ducts tested every few years. Ducts wear down over time—especially if the initial installation was inferior—and routine testing catches minor leaks before they become expensive problems.

    You should call for professional testing immediately if you notice musty odors from your vents or an unexplained spike in your utility bills. Leaky ducts let conditioned air escape behind walls and in the attic, meaning your HVAC system has to work twice as hard. Don't wait to schedule service if you suspect a leak; escaping air wastes money every day and compromises your heating in Pella, ID.

  • How do I know if I need my pipes replaced?

    If you have a decades-old home and you've been experiencing leaks, this is usually a good sign that you need partial, if not whole-house repiping. Whether it's slab leaks, pinhole leaks, or a malfunctioning water treatment system, plumbing problems should not be ignored. Be sure to give Vander Linden Services a call to check out your plumbing system and determine if replacement is in fact necessary. Our technicians specialize in full-service property solutions, from pipe replacement to optimizing your heating in Pella, ID.
  • What are the benefits of a tankless hot water heater?

    Here are some of the reasons why homeowners are making the switch to tankless hot water heaters:

    • Great energy efficiency: With a tankless unit, you will never have to worry about standby heat loss because there isn't a tank. Additionally, gas or electricity is only used when you need hot water, so you are paying for far less fuel than with other kinds of hot water heaters.
    • Longer lifespan: The average lifespan of a traditional tank hot water heater is 10-13 years; tankless systems have an average lifespan of 20 years.
    • Save space: Tankless units are considerably smaller than tank units, giving you more room in the location where your hot water heater will be installed. Contact us today if you want to pair this upgrade with services for your air conditioning in Pella, ID.
  • How does ductless heating work?

    If you've never encountered ductless heating, then you may have a difficult time envisioning how such a system works. Sure, radiant systems don't use air ducts. However, they also don't blow hot air as part of their operation. A ductless heater does, but will do so via the use of individual, wall-mounted blowers. These heat the rooms in which they are installed directly, rather than distributing that air throughout an entire house via ductwork. Heat pump technology is utilized in order to absorb heat from the air outside to provide efficient heating in Pella, ID. The refrigerant that absorbs this heat is further compressed, and this thermal energy is then used to heat air for warming one's home.
  • What types of thermostats are available?

    Choosing the right thermostat for your habits is just as important as investing in a quality system from a top manufacturer. Here are a few common models available to help manage your air conditioning in Pella, ID:

    • Digital Thermostats: A step up from manual models, but still incredibly easy to use. Their push-button controls and clear screens make setting temperatures accurate and simple, and many offer basic programming.
    • Wireless Thermostats: These offer unmatched convenience by using a hard-wired system sensor. This leaves the thermostat free to move around the house with you so you can adjust the temperature from any room.
    • Smart Thermostats: Ideal for homeowners looking to maximize efficiency. They track your energy usage over time and allow you to control your HVAC system remotely via your smartphone or tablet.
  • What is radiant heating?

    A radiant system is a type of heater that doesn't rely on forced-air to provide comfort. Forced-air systems use blower fans to send heated air into the rooms, either through ductwork or wall-mounted air handlers. Radiant systems instead radiate heat waves into a room by heating up an object. Most radiant systems operate on hydronic power, using heated water to raise the temperature of an object, but they can also use electric heating elements.

    You cannot install a radiant heating system on your own—and you shouldn't seek out inexperienced amateurs to do it either. These systems often involve placing pipes and heating elements into the floor, and the work is extensive and complex. Only call on the most experienced technicians you can find, like ours at Vander Linden Services. We will see that you have your new radiant system installed quickly and installed correctly so that it will continue to serve as a reliable source of heating in Pella, ID for years to come.

  • What is a ductless air conditioner?

    A ductless air conditioner is a whole-house cooling system that does not use ductwork in order to distribute cooled air throughout a home. Instead, individual, wall-mounted blowers are used in order to distribute cooled air directly into the rooms in which they are installed. An outdoor unit, much like that in a more traditional central AC system, is used, and this outdoor unit can typically support up to four blowers. The blowers are controlled independently of one another, each with its own thermostat so that you can maintain different temperatures in different areas of the home.

    When you purchase a system for air conditioning in Pella, ID, you obviously want to invest in a quality system from a reliable manufacturer. That being said, you must also keep in mind the fact that no ductless AC is going to function properly if not professionally installed and serviced.

  • What is zone controlled heating and cooling?

    The most obvious benefit of zone controlled heating and cooling is the freedom to maintain different temperatures in different areas of one's home. This is important for a few reasons. First of all, you will no longer have to pay to heat or cool those areas or rooms in the house that are not often in use. Plus, there is the fact that not every member of your family will be comfortable at the same temperature. Because of this, you may need to maintain different temperatures in different areas just so that everyone living in your house can live comfortably. A zone control system grants you this ability, allowing you to seamlessly integrate your forced-air setup with your central air conditioning in Pella, ID.