If you have already been hit with a winter cold or flu, you may be wishing you had a way to combat germs in your home. If you’re still breathing easy, it’s not too late. Installing UV lights in your ductwork can help remove unwanted organisms such as bacteria and viruses that may cause illness.
Unlike air filters, UV lights do not trap particles. Instead, they target living single-celled organisms like mold, bacteria and viruses. The wavelength of UV light disrupts the cell walls of these biological contaminants, either killing them or making them inert.
There are many advantages to installing UV lights in your ductwork:
■Silent operation: Unlike portable air filters that are constantly blowing, a UV light system makes no noise at all.
■Easy maintenance: There are no moving parts to maintain, and the bulbs typically only need to be changed once a year, which your contractor can do during a routine maintenance appointment.
■Improved energy efficiency: Bacteria and mold can build up on the interior surfaces of your heating and cooling equipment, especially on your air conditioner. Because a UV light system is integrated into your ductwork, it also disinfects the surfaces of the ducts and your home comfort equipment, which will operate more efficiently when it is clean.
■Fewer odors: Many people find that unwanted odors are reduced or eliminated when a UV light system is installed. Mold and mildew are unable to grow, and odor-producing bacteria are destroyed.
■Year-round protection: While it may be flu season now, this is not the only time of year when mold and bacteria can impact your health. Because air conditioners typically run constantly during the long cooling season in Northeast Florida, UV lights can help prevent bacteria from circulating through your home.
We can help you find the indoor air quality solutions that make the most sense for your home. Whether you need to use UV lights, advanced air filters, a humidity-control system or any combination of these, we’ll help you select the right products and provide expert installation. Contact the experts at Action Heating and Air Conditioning ,Inc.today to schedule a consultation.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).For more information about Indoor Air Quality and other HVAC topics,click here to visit our website
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Trying to Get Air to a New Space? Ductless Options Can Help
Additions to your home can be difficult to heat and cool. Spaces with hydronic systems, radiant panels, or a bonus room over a garage, can also prove tricky. Ductless heating and cooling is a good option to get airflow to spaces like this. Maybe your existing system does not accommodate certain rooms or additions, or maybe it’s just not possible to install ducts where you need them. In these circumstances, ductless heating and cooling is versatile and practical.
Ductless heating and cooling systems are called mini-splits. Their biggest advantage is their small size, which allows them to heat or cool specific zones. You can purchase a single unit, or a model that has as many as four units that allows you to heat or cool four different zones. Each zone has its own thermostat, so you can adjust each as needed or keep them off if no one is using the space. This makes for great savings because you aren’t using energy you don’t need.
Mini-splits are easy to install. They consist of two units, an indoor air-handler and an outdoor compressor/condenser. The two are linked by a conduit through the wall, which in some models can be up to 50 feet long, giving you a great deal of space to place your units where you need them.
Another advantage of ductless heating and cooling systems is that they can be installed any place a small, 3-inch hole can be made in the wall. They can even be hung in the corner near the ceiling. Most models run very quietly, and many even operate by remote and filter the air as they heat or cool it.
Most mini-split systems are either a heat pump or an air conditioner model. Heat pumps are a good choice for climates that experience both warm and cool weather, since they have the ability to pump heat both into and out of a small space. Mini-split air conditioners work well for consistently warmer temperatures like ours.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).For more information about mini-split systems and other HVAC topics,click here to visit our website.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Get Dehumidification at the Source With a Duct-Mounted System
Excess humidity can cause a whole host of problems. Aside from feeling “sticky” and uncomfortable in your own skin, your home and the health of your family may be affected when too much moisture is in the air. There are several dehumidification systems available today, some of which can be mounted directly to your ductwork.
When humidity levels are too high in your home it can result in mold, mildew and damage to furnishings, paneled walls and even wood. Wood tends to swell in an environment that is too wet, and humidity levels that remain above 60 percent on a regular basis often lead to the growth of fungi which can affect your family’s health.
Homeowners frequently use portable devices for dehumidification, but this method is often insufficient for treating your entire home. To achieve comfortable indoor air that is also healthier, whole-house systems are effective.
A duct-mounted system offers many benefits:
■No tank to empty, as the unit can be drained into a floor drain or attached to the home’s water drainage system.
■Maintains optimum humidity levels automatically, and runs only when excess moisture needs to be removed.
■Can be operated manually when you want to control humidity in a single location such as a bedroom or basement.
■Removes far more moisture from the air than portable dehumidifiers.
A duct-mounted dehumidification system also allows fresh air to come in to your home from outside, while, if needed, removing the excess moisture from this air. In general you will experience improved indoor air quality and comfort levels while lowering the risk of mold, mildew and damage to your home.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).For more information about Indoor Air Quality and other HVAC topics,click here to visit our website.
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Life After Freon: New Refrigerant Options for Air Conditioners
In 1987, a little-known piece of international environmental protection legislation called the Montreal Protocol was passed in response to growing concerns over ozone depletion. Among its provisions was an eventual ban on the air conditioner refrigerant R-22, which contains chlorine, a gas known to create harmful by-products.
While the Montreal Protocol allowed for the production of R-22 to continue until the year 2020, it also stipulated that all air conditioners produced in the year 2010 and beyond would not use R-22. Because R-22 has been the standard AC refrigerant for more than 40 years, it’s important that you learn about the alternatives that the HVAC industry has helped develop.
A chemical known as R-410A has become the most popular replacement for R-22. It contains no chlorine and is significantly less harsh on the environment. Still, it is only one of numerous options consumers have, and making an informed choice is the key to reducing the impact of your carbon footprint.
Other modern “R-series” refrigerants include R-134A and R-407C. These gases are similar in makeup to R-410A, but have a broader range of applications. While air conditioning systems that use these gases instead of R-22 are more costly, it is expected that the end price of HVAC units using them will go down as they become a universal standard and technological improvements enable manufacturers to lower their production costs.
If you need advice on new HVAC systems or the refrigerants they use, contact us at Action Heating and Air Conditionig,Inc. We’ve been serving northeast Florida for nearly half a century.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).For more information about Indoor Air Quality and other HVAC topics,click here to visit our website
While the Montreal Protocol allowed for the production of R-22 to continue until the year 2020, it also stipulated that all air conditioners produced in the year 2010 and beyond would not use R-22. Because R-22 has been the standard AC refrigerant for more than 40 years, it’s important that you learn about the alternatives that the HVAC industry has helped develop.
A chemical known as R-410A has become the most popular replacement for R-22. It contains no chlorine and is significantly less harsh on the environment. Still, it is only one of numerous options consumers have, and making an informed choice is the key to reducing the impact of your carbon footprint.
Other modern “R-series” refrigerants include R-134A and R-407C. These gases are similar in makeup to R-410A, but have a broader range of applications. While air conditioning systems that use these gases instead of R-22 are more costly, it is expected that the end price of HVAC units using them will go down as they become a universal standard and technological improvements enable manufacturers to lower their production costs.
If you need advice on new HVAC systems or the refrigerants they use, contact us at Action Heating and Air Conditionig,Inc. We’ve been serving northeast Florida for nearly half a century.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).For more information about Indoor Air Quality and other HVAC topics,click here to visit our website
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Repair or Replace Dilemma? Facts about Your A/C’s Lifespan
When HVAC problems start to arise, many homeowners struggle with the question of whether to repair or replace their systems. It’s a difficult and complex question to answer, and it requires a careful assessment not only of initial costs, but also of the extended lifespan repairs which must be considered against the benefits of installing a brand-new system.
For the most part, a good HVAC system should last you around 10 years and only require minimal repairs. This is especially true if you conduct regular preventive maintenance to keep the system running strong. It’s not uncommon for people who take good care of their HVAC systems to get 12 to 15 years of use out of it. Thus, when you move into a new home with central air and heating, it’s extremely important that you learn all you can about the history of the system; find out when it was installed, whether it’s had parts replaced, and whether it’s been maintained properly.
Here are some tips to help you solve the repair or replace dilemma:
■If your system is more than 10 years old, a major repair is really not recommended. A system replacement usually makes more financial sense.
■Older systems become less efficient over time, even when they’re running optimally. New systems will help you save energy. Make sure to factor in your lowered energy bills when you’re doing your “repair or replace” analysis.
■If you’re getting a lot of hot spots and cold spots, if your system struggles to keep your home cool when it’s hot outside and if your system is making strange noises or vibrations, it may make more sense to replace it.
HVAC repair costs can really add up and if they’re not going to solve the problem and help extend the life of a quality, efficient system, replacing it may make more sense. In northeast Florida, Action Heating and Air Conditioniong,Inc. is a leading provider of reliable, efficient HVAC solutions, and we’ll be happy to provide you with the help, advice or service you need.
For the most part, a good HVAC system should last you around 10 years and only require minimal repairs. This is especially true if you conduct regular preventive maintenance to keep the system running strong. It’s not uncommon for people who take good care of their HVAC systems to get 12 to 15 years of use out of it. Thus, when you move into a new home with central air and heating, it’s extremely important that you learn all you can about the history of the system; find out when it was installed, whether it’s had parts replaced, and whether it’s been maintained properly.
Here are some tips to help you solve the repair or replace dilemma:
■If your system is more than 10 years old, a major repair is really not recommended. A system replacement usually makes more financial sense.
■Older systems become less efficient over time, even when they’re running optimally. New systems will help you save energy. Make sure to factor in your lowered energy bills when you’re doing your “repair or replace” analysis.
■If you’re getting a lot of hot spots and cold spots, if your system struggles to keep your home cool when it’s hot outside and if your system is making strange noises or vibrations, it may make more sense to replace it.
HVAC repair costs can really add up and if they’re not going to solve the problem and help extend the life of a quality, efficient system, replacing it may make more sense. In northeast Florida, Action Heating and Air Conditioniong,Inc. is a leading provider of reliable, efficient HVAC solutions, and we’ll be happy to provide you with the help, advice or service you need.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
How Bad Is The Air In Your Home?
Indoor air quality is not something most people worry about on a daily basis. However, there can be serious consequences to poor indoor air quality. Dirty air often contains toxins and mold spores that can lead to allergy symptoms and even illness in some cases. We highly recommend taking certain steps to maintaining quality indoor air.
One of the easiest ways to keep your indoor air quality high is to replace the filter on your home heating or cooling system frequently. If you have not changed the filter in the last six months, chances are the air in your home is becoming laden with dust and mold spores. We recommend having the filter replaced at least twice per year. If you have pets, you may need to change the filter even more frequently as dander and hair build up in the system.
Another way that homeowners can keep their air clean is by cleaning the evaporator coils of interior and exterior systems. This is a job that may require some professional assistance and should be done every 2 to 3 years. Also, watch for any ice buildup on the coils. This is a sign of serious malfunction and you should contact a professional immediately if you spot this.
Another common cause of low indoor air quality is an obstructed condenser. The condenser pulls air in around it to allow for heat transfer, and if objects are blocking it, air flow may be restricted. Keep any vegetation away from the condenser to avoid obstruction.
A lack of regular maintenance of your air conditioning and heating systems can easily lead to dirty air. If you haven’t performed these tasks in awhile, be sure to get started as soon as possible.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).For more information about Indoor Air Quality and other HVAC topics,click here to visit our website
One of the easiest ways to keep your indoor air quality high is to replace the filter on your home heating or cooling system frequently. If you have not changed the filter in the last six months, chances are the air in your home is becoming laden with dust and mold spores. We recommend having the filter replaced at least twice per year. If you have pets, you may need to change the filter even more frequently as dander and hair build up in the system.
Another way that homeowners can keep their air clean is by cleaning the evaporator coils of interior and exterior systems. This is a job that may require some professional assistance and should be done every 2 to 3 years. Also, watch for any ice buildup on the coils. This is a sign of serious malfunction and you should contact a professional immediately if you spot this.
Another common cause of low indoor air quality is an obstructed condenser. The condenser pulls air in around it to allow for heat transfer, and if objects are blocking it, air flow may be restricted. Keep any vegetation away from the condenser to avoid obstruction.
A lack of regular maintenance of your air conditioning and heating systems can easily lead to dirty air. If you haven’t performed these tasks in awhile, be sure to get started as soon as possible.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).For more information about Indoor Air Quality and other HVAC topics,click here to visit our website
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Don’t Leave Indoor Air Quality To Chance. Control it!
Indoor air quality is a key factor in maintaining your family’s health, and one of our top priorities here at Action Heating and Air Conditioning , to help you stay well and comfortable in your home. Here are some steps you can take to make sure this happens.
■Use a dehumidifier. Keeping the amount of humidity in your home’s air under control improves the quality of the air you’re breathing. Your friends here at Conditioned Air recommend you keep the relative humidity level somewhere between 30 and 50 percent.
■Keep your air handler functioning properly. Because the air handler of your A/C system is where dehumidification occurs, it’s important to have a professional contractor inspect it on a regular basis.
■Clean or replace your air filters frequently.
■A good quality air filtration system creates not only better levels of air purity, but also superior ventilation.
■UV lights and other state of the art technologies are additional ways to help keep your indoor air quality at optimum levels for good health.
All family members benefit from an A/C system that cleans the air as well as cooling it. Particularly, those who suffer from allergies or respiratory problems will notice a difference when the air is cleaner. But why leave anyone’s health to chance when you can easily control your indoor air quality? Your air filter helps to trap and eliminate such contaminants as bacteria, pet dander, pollen, mold and other pollutants. Action Heating and Air Conditioning offers a variety of systems and components designed to keep you and your family healthy.
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Modern home construction standards prevent drafts and save energy, but the tight construction may make indoor air quality far less healthy than the outside air. Mold, viruses, dust and even odors that are recirculated via your air conditioning system can cause a multitude of health problems.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).For more information about Indoor Air Quality and other HVAC topics,click here to visit our website
■Use a dehumidifier. Keeping the amount of humidity in your home’s air under control improves the quality of the air you’re breathing. Your friends here at Conditioned Air recommend you keep the relative humidity level somewhere between 30 and 50 percent.
■Keep your air handler functioning properly. Because the air handler of your A/C system is where dehumidification occurs, it’s important to have a professional contractor inspect it on a regular basis.
■Clean or replace your air filters frequently.
■A good quality air filtration system creates not only better levels of air purity, but also superior ventilation.
■UV lights and other state of the art technologies are additional ways to help keep your indoor air quality at optimum levels for good health.
All family members benefit from an A/C system that cleans the air as well as cooling it. Particularly, those who suffer from allergies or respiratory problems will notice a difference when the air is cleaner. But why leave anyone’s health to chance when you can easily control your indoor air quality? Your air filter helps to trap and eliminate such contaminants as bacteria, pet dander, pollen, mold and other pollutants. Action Heating and Air Conditioning offers a variety of systems and components designed to keep you and your family healthy.
.
Modern home construction standards prevent drafts and save energy, but the tight construction may make indoor air quality far less healthy than the outside air. Mold, viruses, dust and even odors that are recirculated via your air conditioning system can cause a multitude of health problems.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).For more information about Indoor Air Quality and other HVAC topics,click here to visit our website
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