Whole House Testing — A Different Approach, A Better Approach

At Donovan Heating & Air Conditioning Jacksonville, we have one, single, overriding goal: to earn your business for the long term. Rather than looking for the quick sale, we take a systematic approach to understanding your heating and air-conditioning needs and meeting them at the lowest possible cost to you. This approach may not boost our sales figures for this month, but we are confident it will lead to a long-term relationship of mutual trust and respect.

Step 1: Preliminary Consultation

A Donovan professional will sit down with you to gather as much initial information as possible. You can provide us with valuable information by answering our questions. Do any parts of your home feel damp while the air conditioning is running? Do any rooms require more frequent dusting than others? Answers to these and other questions lay the groundwork for our further investigations. And because everyone’s perceptions are different, we ask for input from all the adults in your home.

Step 2: Equipment Checkup

Our hands-on inspection starts with the equipment itself. The goal is to determine whether it is safe and dependable. A visual inspection will tell us whether the equipment is suffering from deterioration, incorrect installation or poor maintenance. We will also check out the air-filtration and purification systems to see if upgrades can do a better job of improving your indoor air quality. We will also advise you of your equipment’s average lifespan.

Step 3: Insulation Checkup

Poor insulation can prevent even the best systems from keeping you comfortable. It can also increase the cost of running your system. Your Donovan representative will visually inspect insulation to make sure it measures up to today’s recommended levels. But we will also look for hidden defects such as hollow wall cavities that allow heat and air to bypass your insulation. Of course, we’ll also be sure to check attic-ventilation levels.

Step 4: Air-Leakage Checkup

Believe it or not, some air leakage is actually good. If your doors and windows leak a bit, they allow fresh air to come into your home. And that’s good. But if air is leaking through your attic, garage or crawl space, it could bring with it dust, mold and other pollution. Leaks in air ducts can also bring in contaminated air, creating inefficiencies in your system. Your Donovan representative will explain the findings and possible opportunities for improvement.

Step 5: Diagnosis of Air Flow

Hidden flaws or blockages in your air-flow can lead to restricted or uneven distribution of air. This can reduce the comfort level of your home—and cost you money needlessly. Careful studies have shown that more than 66 percent of all air conditioners and heat pumps are affected by this type of problem. Our inspector will perform static-pressure tests to reveal any design deficiencies or hidden blockages. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, if your duct system is typical, it could be wasting 25¢ to 40¢ of every dollar you spend on heating and air conditioning.

Step 6: Donovan’s Infiltrometer Test

All houses should have some air leakage but most leak too much. Symptoms of excessive leakage include uneven temperatures throughout the house, wasted energy, excessive dust, cold drafts, dry air in winter, and clammy air in summer. On the other hand, some homes are too airtight and may have unhealthy indoor air. Using an Infiltrometer your Donovan air quality consultant will evaluate how leaky or airtight your entire home is, and where improvements can be made.

Step 7: Suggestions for Improvement

After all testing is completed, your Donovan representative will explain the findings and, if needed, will present a plan for improvement, listing items in priority. Do-it-yourselfers may be able to make some of the improvements themselves, including tasks like adding weather-stripping or insulation. But if your system requires new equipment, repairs or other professional attention, we will offer a complete proposal for your evaluation. We will explain how you may be able to:

• Assure more consistent, comfortable temperatures everywhere in your house
• Achieve healthy, comfortable levels of humidity regardless of season
• Cut down on costs, dust and noise levels
• Reduce your spending on utilities, usually between ten and fifty percent

Our long-term approach to serving our customers means you can rely on Donovan to offer professional service with optimum cost-efficiency. It also means dependability. If we have an appointment with you, we will always call twenty to thirty minutes in advance to let you know we are on our way. If for some reason we cannot be on time, we will notify you. Every effort will be made to provide same-day service. We are also available by phone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Your call will always be answered by a live representative. We’ll also give you a call within one week of service to make sure you’re completely satisfied. For your safety, all Donovan representatives wear official company uniforms for easy identification. And we always wear protective footwear as well as using floor mats and drop cloths to protect your furniture and property.