Yodle Local Articles » hvac

Air Conditioning Repair

Rita Duponty — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 14:34:24 +0000

You can’t wait to get home. Rush hour traffic was bumper to bumper. It’s the middle of summer and all you can think about is relaxing in your comfortable chair at home with an iced tea in one hand and the remote in the other. It’s not going to happen! Unfortunately, you open the front door only to be hit with hot stale air. Your air conditioning unit is down. The rest of your evening is now spent looking for an air conditioning repairman that might, or might not, make an emergency call and save the evening.

What can you do as a homeowner or a business owner to save valuable time and unexpected costly repairs? Experts agree you can’t prevent every emergency.
Whenever you question or doubt what to do always call a professional HVAC (Heating Ventilating and Air Conditioning) technician. However, here are five things you can do that will help lower your overall repair costs while maintaining the unit’s desired performance:

Change Air Filters: When filters are not changed, dust and dirt build up on the squirrel cage blower fan and blades. If these are allowed to get excessively dirty other problems can snowball. Once the unit is too dirty, you will need to call the HVAC repairman for cleaning. Save money and time—regularly change the filter and inspect your unit.
Make Sure the System is Turned On and Set to Temperature that Will Call for Cooler Air: Turn the unit on and/or lower the thermostat to call for cooler air flow.
Make Sure the Circuit Breaker Is On: Check your breaker running into the a/c unit in your home or business.
Always remember before working on any unit or air handler that SAFETY must be first. All electricity should be turned off and the capacitor should be discharged.
Check Ducts: Check your duct system. Are there any crimps or bends in the tubing? Are any of your dampers closed? Are there parts or areas of your duct system that are blocked or loose? Any of these possibilities could hinder air flow—open the ducts, dampers, take the crimps or bends out of tubing, and fix any loose parts. You’ll see a big difference in air flow.
Regularly Service Your System: Your system should be serviced minimally every two years. The lifetime of your unit will drop drastically without proper servicing and maintenance. Stick with a certified HVAC repairman or reputable company that is familiar with your system and the repairs that have been completed. This will save unnecessary guesswork and time should an emergency system repair be needed.

For details and technical information regarding the tips listed above, please see InspectAPedia, an online home resource.

You don’t need to be an expert. Use good judgment, follow the practical tips as listed above, and you will save money and valuable time. Now with more time and money you can relax with that iced tea.

Tags: Air conditioning, air conditioning repair, hvac

Top Three Reasons to Install a Heat Pump

Kelly Drill — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 20:22:04 +0000

Why Installing a Heat Pump is Important

A heat pump provides superior comfort, keeping air quality, humidity and temperature consistent throughout your house. By taking heat from the air, water, or ground outside and simply moving it inside, a heat pump creates a warm, comfortable environment in every room in your home. In the summer, the heat pump acts as an air conditioner, forcing warm indoor air to flow outside, keeping the inside of your home cool.
Because a heat pump doesn’t burn fuel to operate, it is safer and cleaner than a gas furnace. Unlike a gas furnace, a heat pump does not release harmful gases like carbon monoxide, and therefore doesn’t need to be vented. This eliminates the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning and helps you to reduce your carbon footprint.
A heat pump can greatly reduce your heating and cooling costs. In fact, your heating cost can be reduced by as much as 50% by installing the right heat pump for your home. By capturing naturally-occurring heat in the winter and pumping it into your home, a heat pump consumes far less energy than a system that converts energy into heat. In the summer, heat pumps operate much more efficiently than air conditioners and can significantly lower your cooling bills.

Tags: Air conditioning, clean heat, cooler, cooling bill, heat air, heat energy, heat home, heat pump, Heat Pump Installation, hvac, hvac contractor, safe heat, save energy, save heat, save money

Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Services: A General Guide

Kin Law — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 14:05:45 +0000

In these sweltering summer months, most of us look forward to the artic refreshment at home or in the office. It’s always a rush when you walk by an open storefront and a wave of icy air envelopes you, almost in spite of the glittering sun overhead. In the winter, these same locales give us protection from the cold and the dry, like ports in a storm. To achieve a man-made oasis like this one for your home or workplace, there’s only one profession that you need to look for, and those are the HVAC workers of America.

Be aware that HVAC is a rapidly developing and intensely design-driven industry, so these buildings can have unique elements.

What is HVAC?

HVAC stands for heating, ventilation and air conditioning services, lumped together because the delivery system for heat, cold and fresh air is, well, air. Every piece of HVAC equipment works on the principles of thermodynamics. Like blood through the veins or you in a mosh pit, the air goes with the flow and delivers a comfortable environment throughout the building, usually achieved by ventilation ducts and shafts.

In addition, the systems incorporate things like filtration, which is why in the springtime you don’t burst into hay fever fits when you’re indoors. Sometimes the abbreviation on the equipment is changed to HVACR when the building requires refrigeration, for example in a supermarket. Mixing different quantities of dry and wet air in the system allows control of humidity, but these systems consume comparatively large amounts of energy.

Okay, When Do I Need It?

If you’re soliciting HVAC services, you’re either installing a system in a building or looking for maintenance or repair. Since HVAC varies greatly depending on the kind of building, it is absolutely necessary to know what kind of ventilation you are working with.

For a new building or ventilation system, the design of the building has a great impact on the type of system. Often, architects work closely with HVAC professionals to incorporate comfortable environments into the design of the building, and in most large buildings it is actually a legal requirement. If your building is of this type, it would be wise to use the same contractor that installed the system in the first place, or at least know what kind of machinery is installed. Be aware that HVAC is a rapidly developing and intensely design-driven industry, so these buildings can have unique elements.

Usually, however, smaller buildings have stock central heating systems that only differ in the scale of machinery used. Air conditioning can sometimes be simpler, with “standalone” units cooling single rooms. If you’ve walked around in any metropolitan city and water dripped on your head, you’ve been a victim of standalone air conditioning leakage. Independent HVAC professionals can maintain these common units. Don’t be skeptical when they pull out the duct tape either, since this is one job where duct tape actually can fix everything.

What are the Benefits?

Simply monkeying around with your leaky air conditioner or malfunctioning boiler is dangerous and foolish. For one thing, air conditioners often have chemical refrigerants that only EPA licensed HVAC professionals can legally handle. The issue goes further than environmental protection, since older substances like ammonia or sulfur dioxide are poisonous and newer purified propane is actually flammable and explosive. Boilers have dangerous gas and steam lines as well as electric components.

Beside the risk of becoming human barbecue, hiring an HVAC professional can ensure that your building complies with tightening energy efficiency regulations all over the world. In an increasingly energy-conscious society, HVAC systems are being designed to meet new standards, and older systems can easily cost an arm and a leg in fees and replacement. If you’re replacing a system, you can ask about installing ventilation energy recovery, which will harvest the excess heat in the system and save you money in the long run.

What are the Risks?

Like all service industry, unscrupulous practitioners plague HVAC installation and repair. Unfortunately not everyone can be expected to recognize each bit and bob of their heating and air conditioning systems, so the average consumer must rely on certifications and reputation. Make sure that your HVAC professional has the appropriate EPA federal certification for the job: 608 for air conditioning, 609 for motor vehicle systems, etc, all of which can be found on the EPA webpage. Other local legal requirements may apply.

Another smart thing to do is to get estimates from competing companies, to figure out the lowest cost you can get for a service. The scale of parts and services ranges an incredible array of different systems, but a few thousand dollars should cover a single average home’s heating needs. Researching the specific company will give you complaints and reviews as well.

Large companies like Sears offer replacement services for heating and cooling parts, but they are not responsible for other parts of your system. For the average homeowner or small building landlord, individual technicians will often offer to fix spot leaks or other worn components for a personal fee. These are admittedly quick fixes that you could do yourself, but their expertise is valuable and they will probably do a much better job. Absolutely consider bargaining with them for a reasonable price.

Depending on how resourceful you are, it should be no challenge to find a reputable company in your area that can handle the type of job you want. Whether large or small, this is one industry where not hiring a professional will definitely land you in hot water.

If you are considering HVAC Service, check out the following links to find specialists in your area:

Tags: air, Air conditioning, arctic, average consumer, building, certification, cold, coling, design, dry, environment, filtration, heating, home, humidity, hvac, maintenance, repair, reputation, summer months, thermodynamics, ventilation ducts, winter, workplace

Green HVAC Guide

Kin Law — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 17:36:19 +0000

Ever since mankind began to industrialize, environmentalism has been a constant dilemma. From the coal-stained streets of London to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, we have always traded the destruction of one existing circumstance for our personal comfort and survival. The question has always been the same: how can we have our cake and recycle it too?

In the case of heating and cooling our homes, human beings have actually begun to be relatively successful. Of course, every HVAC system is dependent on existing power grids, but designers in the 21st century have been remarkably ingenious in maximizing their efficiency and minimalizing their impact on the environment, to the point where whole businesses have sprung up specializing in environmentally conscious HVAC systems.

What Counts As A Green HVAC?

Heating, ventilation and air conditioning businesses have continually grown over the years, improving on environmental augmentation with new technologies and new materials. In this light, adding tree hugging to the industry is a natural and necessary development, made official by the Environmental Protection Agency’s legal muscle.

The US Green Building Council established The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system in 1998, a third-party certification criteria with over 14,000 projects worldwide. Our current system rates on a gold, silver and bronze standard, with platinum for exceptionally green buildings. The new 7 World Trade Center in New York City, for example, is a LEED gold standard building with energy saving design elements like recycled steel, channeling natural sunlight and rainwater collection for cooling.

Green HVAC industry falls into the standards promoted by LEED, namely energy conservation, water efficiency and materials used or wasted. Reducing toxic by-products is also a high-level concern, especially for systems that circulate air throughout entire buildings. For the average homeowner or small building owner, installation of Energy Star heating and cooling devices is the American standard. Look for the IAQ Home Label that marks the EPA’s standard for air quality if you’re looking to purchase a home or building with a green HVAC system.

Hmm… Okay, Sell Me On This, Why Should I Get Into Green HVAC?

Green HVAC is a relatively new business venture, but it’s been quickly gaining ground in the design of new buildings for their energy saving, and thus cost-saving, benefits. As if that wasn’t appeal enough, Uncle Sam actually foots some of the bill with many Federal assistance and funding programs aimed at promoting large-scale energy efficiency. You’re likely to gain some tax exemptions from an installation as well.

What Are The Benefits And Options?

The more adventurous entrepreneur has a lot of options in this rapidly developing industry, especially for real estate developers. Blue roofs, for example, harvest rainwater for cooling, recreation or energy. Carbon dioxide sensors can be installed to maintain optimum ventilation within a building, as opposed to leaving costly circulating equipment operating throughout the length of the day. Solar panels are a long-established technology, and the planned Solar Tower in Australia is expected to provide up to 200,000 homes with electricity when completed. Smaller panels are available for installation in residential neighborhoods.

Installing energy-efficient HVAC systems is an investment in finances and environmentalism alike that should appeal to building owners looking to reboot their older HVAC systems. For example, chiller boiler systems are kind of like the gingerbread house kits for green HVAC. By using water instead of air to modulate temperature, these systems are much more efficient and can be installed in a mechanic-friendly pre-engineered pack. Companies will also appraise your property for the appropriate HVAC system, as well as possible solar or geothermal applications.

Sounds Good, Are There Any Risks?

In addition to normal HVAC business issues, Green HVAC companies have their own can of worms. Any ventilation equipment is also potential harbor for mold, and with water-cooled green systems, the potential for fungal infestation is relatively high.

New kinds of equipment inevitably have a lot of gremlins, but an experienced company will be familiar and up to date with green technology. Repairs for new equipment can be difficult or costly, but your standard HVAC equipment is very similar to your old: boiler, ducts, cooling elements. It’s likely that falling back on our old friends duct tape and elbow grease can fix a lot of these kinks.

To sum it up, yes, green HVAC has a certain element of financial risk, but there is a large buffer zone of tried and true technology. Considering the environmental and cost benefit, installing green systems is both looking to the future and looking out for our social butts.

If you are considering Green HVAC Systems, check out the following links to find specialists in your area:

Tags: cooling, destruction, development, efficiency, energy conservation, energy star, environmentalism, epa, existing power grids, garbage, heating, hvac, impact, industrialize, LEED, materials, oasis, recycle, survival, tax exemptions, technologies, ventilation

HVAC Contractor: Solar Heating System

Jon Ellowitz — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 20:51:15 +0000

Harnessing the sun’s extraordinary energy all begins with radiation. Radiation is used to heat water, and it’s water that will heat the air that flows through ducts to heat cold winter rooms. Solar thermal water heaters gather the sun’s energy to heat water for sinks and showers, and also to heat the air in a solar heating system. Solar energy collectors soak up the energy from direct sunlight. That energy is used to warm up cold water. That water, now hot from this process, is pumped into a series of tubes that are attached to coils. Imagine a car’s radiator–this works very much in the same way. The hot water heats the coils, and cold air is blown over the coils. This is called heat transfer: This way the cold air becomes hot, and the hot water becomes cold again. That hot air blows through vents to heat a home, an office, or a building. Then the cycle repeats itself: The sun’s energy warms cold water, the water warms coils, the coils heat the air. All in a completely renewable form of energy consumption. The sun provides unlimited supplies of energy through direct contact with solar energy collectors.

Join the ranks of the green movement, save money, harness nature's abundant gifts of renewable energy, and heat your home or building at the same time. With a solar heating system, your resource is the sun itself.

There are two different ways to collect the sun’s energy. There’s the “flat panel” and the “vacuum tube.” Both are extremely efficient gatherers of this infinite natural resource. The “flat panel” is a flat, dark surface that quickly heats up under direct contact with the sun’s rays. Flat panels are the classic, most recognizable form of solar energy collection. They appear on roofs across the world.

The “vacuum tube” comprises four basic parts that all work together: A glass tube, a vacuum, heat-collecting wings, and an inner tube filled with water. The glass tube houses the entire apparatus. Glass is an optimal way to conduct and absorb the sun’s heat. The glass tube is vacuous. Vacuums remove the conductive heat loss and retain more heat and energy than flat panels. The inner tube running through the “vacuum tube” is flanked by heat-collecting wings. These help to absorb the heat from the vacuum into the water that flows through the inner tube.

Green technology and renewable energy sources are all over the news these days. Ours is a time when oil prices are often erratic. And ours is a world where billions in stimulus dollars are going to researchers, manufacturers, and implementers of renewable energy technologies. Installing a solar heating system updates a building to match the times by joining it to the ranks of the green movement. Because it harnesses renewable sources of energy, the solar heating system therefore produces no greenhouse gases. For any individual, homeowner, or business conscious of the harmful environmental effects of man made greenhouse gases, this heating system is both a green-friendly and a cost-effective approach to a basic and necessary indoor amenity. Because solar heating does not use oil, gas, or any combustible fuels, it is a particularly financially sound method of harnessing energy. No matter the political climate abroad or the price of oil in distant lands, your heating prices cannot rise, and you will no longer depend on the world-market prices for combustible fuels simply to heat your home and hot water. An investment in a solar heating system has the potential to pay itself off in a matter of years. Remarkably, as the cost of fossil fuels may rise internationally, the worth of your solar system rises, too. And on top of that, any cost of your solar investment may be tax-free. Federal, state, and local rebates are also available. Heating a space with oil requires trucking in fuel every season, then possibly consuming that whole supply over the winter, only to repeat the process again the next year. Natural gas costs a heavy price, too. You pay for it as you use it. When these energy sources are depleted, they call for the expenditure of additional funds to renew them. Heating a home with fossil fuels is obviously expensive, but it also exacerbates greenhouse gases and encourages the continuous exploitation of the earth’s limited resources. A solar heating system takes advantage of the unlimited natural resource of the sun without any environmentally harmful bi-products.

Join the ranks of the green movement, save money, harness nature’s abundant gifts of renewable energy, and heat your home or building at the same time. With a solar heating system, your resource is the sun itself.

If you are considering solar heating systems, check out the following links to find specialists in your area:

Tags: contractors, efficient, energy, flat panel, Green Technology, heat, hvac, radiation, renewable energy, solar energy, sun, sunlight, vacuum tube, water heater

Why Airflow Balancing is Important for Your HVAC System

Kelly Drill — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 15:52:21 +0000

Save Money and Be Comfortable By Balancing Airflow

If you’ve noticed that some vents in your home or office are blowing too hard while others are barely heating or cooling at all, you may benefit from professional airflow balancing. By balancing the airflow in your duct system, you can make your living or work space more comfortable by ensuring even heating and cooling. Other symptoms of an imbalanced airflow are uneven heating or cooling between floors or excessive noise when your system is running.
Balancing your airflow will also make your HVAC system run more efficiently, using less energy to heat or cool your space, and lowering your heating and cooling bills. In order to create a balanced airflow, your HVAC contractor will take into account every possible factor, including vents, the ducts themselves, and possible leaks or blockages within the system. Once the underlying causes of the imbalance have been identified, the appropriate repairs or replacements will be made to get your system functioning normally again.
Airflow balancing will also add life to your heating and cooling system and will reduce the need for service calls and repairs. Because your HVAC system will be running more efficiently, wear and tear will be minimized, extending the life of the system and preventing damage.

If you would like to get a free quote on airflow balancing, use the links below to speak with a HVAC professional in your area today!

Tags: airflow, Airflow Balancing, central air, duct, duct cleaning, Duct Installation and Repair, duct system, home air conditioning, home heating, hvac, hvac balance, hvac contractor, hvac repair, hvac system, vents

Why High-Quality Professional Air Duct Installation and Repair Matters

Kelly Drill — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 15:15:12 +0000

Top Three Reasons Why It’s Worth It To Hire a Pro

In order to heat and cool your home efficiently and effectively, your air ducts must be installed with adequate insulation. Many duct systems, however, are incorrectly or inadequately insulated. When heated or cooled air is leaked into an unheated or uncooled space, your system works overtime to heat and cool the rest of your home or business. Air ducts that are installed by a licensed, reputable professional can literally save you hundreds of dollars each year in heating and cooling costs.
Leaking air ducts are one of the most common causes of excessively high heating and cooling bills. Proper inspection for leaks and professional duct repair can substantially improve the efficiency of your heating and cooling system and can save you a lot of money on your heating and cooling bills.
Improper air duct repairs can create increased indoor air pollution. For this reason, it is imperative to hire a highly-trained, licensed HVAC contractor to repair any leak. While the repair may seem intuitive and relatively simple, an imbalance can easily occur, causing a significant decrease in your indoor air quality. A professional knows how to balance your system and avoid these unnecessary health risks, and can actually improve the air quality inside your home or business.

If you need the help of a professional HVAC contractor, use the links below to get a free consultation in your area!

Tags: air ducts, air pollution, cool, cooling bill, duct, Duct Installation and Repair, duct leak, duct repair, heat, heating bill, hvac, hvac contractor, hvac system

Pollutants in the Air You Breathe: Risks and Prevention

Pat Perkins — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 21:04:08 +0000

If you think that taxing cigarettes and regulating smokers is making the air that you breathe pure, then you would be wrong. Tobacco and second hand cigarette smoke, while unhealthful, are only one of the many culprits that pollute the air that you breathe. Unfortunately the public obsession with the regulation of smoking has provided a distraction from the other noxious, even deadly poisonous materials that are in the air you inhale everyday but to which you probably pay little attention.

The vast array of biological contaminants that may be found in indoor air is daunting. In addition to mold, these contaminants can include various bacteria, viruses, animal dander, cat saliva, cockroach particles, pollen and dust mites just to name a few.

What you don’t know about the air that you breathe could be harmful to your health. In fact, scientific studies have proven repeatedly that air pollution can cause:

Premature death
Increased hospitalizations and emergency room visits to treat severe symptoms of asthma and other respiratory problems
More frequent absences from work and school
Susceptibility to respiratory infections, such as flu and pneumonia
Elevated risk of heart attack in people who have heart disease
Cancer

And like a stone thrown into the water, the deleterious effects of air pollution create ever-widening circles of catastrophe that ripple through our other socio-economic institutions until each of us is affected in some manner. Consider the dollars lost on employee productivity because of absenteeism or sickness related to air pollution, the financial and psychological toll on the families whose loved ones and wage earners are made ill by air pollution and the burden placed on our already over-taxed and increasingly expensive health care system by illnesses traced to air pollution.

Clean air is not a luxury, it is a necessity. Did you know that the air inside many homes often registers a higher level of contamination than outdoor air? While this sounds frightening on the surface, the indoor air in your home is captive air and under your control, unlike outdoor air. Arming yourself with information about air pollutants is the first step toward improving the quality of the air in your home.

Major Air Pollutants
These are some of the most frequently encountered pollutants.

Smog – Smog, that yellowish, pea soup-colored stuff that hangs menacingly over some cities is actually ground level ozone. Smog is the end product of a reaction between nitrogen oxide and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that have come together in the presence of heat and sunlight. The ingredients in smog come from a variety of sources: industrial smokestacks, high content VOC paints, motor vehicles, even nature which produces many VOC-containing plants like kudzu, the invasive and rapidly spreading vine that smothers everything in its path. Negative health effects mirror those of VOCs below.

VOCs – Apparently there is no widely accepted agreement as to what constitutes an exact definition of a volatile oil compound, but a broad, working definition is: An organic compound, belonging to a class of carbon-containing chemical compounds, that evaporates or vaporizes readily under normal conditions. For example, the distinctive odor of gasoline is the result of a vaporizing VOC.

VOCs are contained in a wide variety of commercial, industrial and residential products including fuel oils, gasoline, solvents, cleaners and degreasers, paints, inks, dyes, refrigerants and pesticides.

Adverse health effects of both smog and VOC’s as reported by the EPA are:

“airway irritation, coughing, and pain when taking a deep breath
wheezing and breathing difficulties during exercise or outdoor activities
inflammation, which is much like a sunburn on the skin
aggravation of asthma and increased susceptibility to respiratory illnesses like pneumonia and bronchitis
permanent lung damage with repeated exposures”

Formaldehyde – Formaldehyde is a chemical compound that The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) terms methanal, molecular formula, CH2O. Formaldehyde is produced industrially by oxidizing methanol. Classified as a probable human carcinogen by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has determined that “occupational exposure to formaldehyde causes nasopharyngeal cancer in humans.”

The most common sources of formaldehyde in homes are pressed wood products that use adhesives containing urea-formaldehyde resins. Particleboard used as sub-flooring and in cabinetry and furniture shelving; hardwood plywood paneling used as a decorative wall covering and in cabinets and furniture; and medium density fiberboard are the worst offenders with meduim density fiberboard topping the list. Unvented fuel-burning appliances like gas stoves or kerosene space heaters are other formaldehyde sources inside the home.

Formaldehyde in various concentrations can cause all of the same symptoms as smog and VOCs, in addition to being carcinogenic.

Carbon Monoxide – Carbon monoxide is a toxic, colorless, odorless gas that you can’t see, taste or smell, the reason it can seriously harm or even kill you without your awareness. Symptoms of low levels of exposure mimic the flue: dizziness, headache, nausea, disorientation and confusion. At moderate levels, carbon monoxide exposure can cause impaired vision, lethargy, angina and reduced brain functioning. At high levels it is fatal.

The most serious sources of large amounts of carbon monoxide in homes are worn or old boilers and furnaces that are poorly adjusted or badly maintained. Flues that are incorrectly sized, obstructed or leaking are also significant offenders. It is not a good idea to use un-vented kerosene or space heaters or gas stoves inside the home because incomplete oxidation can cause the release of significant amounts of carbon monoxide into the air. Other sources of carbon monoxide due to back-drafting are: furnaces, gas water heaters, fireplaces, wood-burning stoves, generators and other gasoline-powered devices, and car exhaust that leaks into the home through attached garages.

Nitrogen Dioxide – Nitrogen dioxide and its close sibling nitric oxide, a corrosive, are both toxic gases that are released into the air from the same sources as carbon monoxide, but the symptoms of nitrogen dioxide toxicity are different. Nitrogen dioxide irritates the mucous membranes that line the eyes, nose, throat and respiratory tract. Firemen require careful protection from high doses of nitrogen oxide when fighting building fires to prevent pulmonary edema. High levels of exposure over time may cause acute or chronic bronchitis and low levels of exposure worsens asthma and decreases lung function.

Radon – According to the EPA, radon is a colorless, odorless radioactive gas that is “the second leading cause of lung cancer in America and claims about 20,000 lives annually.”

This cancer causing toxic gas occurs naturally in rocks, soil and water and seeps into homes at the lowest level through cracks in basement floors or from areas that are in contact with the soil. Radon dissolved in water can be released as a gas into the air during cooking and bathing. The EPA has divided the U.S. into three zones based on the predicted likelihood of discovering radon and unfortunately, radon has been found in all three zones, even the zone considered to have the lowest likelihood of having radon. The EPA suggests that all home owners test their homes for radon, even in the “low potential” zone.

Mold – After tobacco smoke, mold is the newest popular concern among air-quality observers. Mold spores, the tiny particles needed for reproduction, constantly float in our indoor and outdoor air. When these spores come in contact with excessive moisture, they adhere to surfaces and begin replicating. Molds can grow anywhere–on wood, paper, rugs, foods–as long as water or excessive moisture is present.

Some people are sensitive to molds and when exposed experience nasal stuffiness, eye irritation, skin irritation, even wheezing. Asthma attacks may be triggered in those with strong sensitivities.

Mold is eliminated or reduced by controlling the humidity (to 30-60%) in inside air; cutting off water sources such as may be found around leaky faucets; wiping up spills, drying damp or wet furnishings, walls, floors, etc. within 24-48 hours; venting bathrooms, dryers, and other moisture-generating sources to the outside; using air conditioners and de-humidifiers; increasing ventilation; using exhaust fans when cooking, dishwashing, and cleaning; and peventing condensation around windows, pipes, exterior walls, roofs and floors by adding insulation. Mold that is already present can be eliminated by washing the area with a weak solution of bleach and water and drying thoroughly. Eliminating all mold and mold spores in the environment is impractical. The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has not set a standard or threshold limit for mold in indoor air.

Biological Contaminants and Airborn Particulates – The vast array of biological contaminants that may be found in indoor air is daunting. In addition to mold, these contaminants can include various bacteria, viruses, animal dander, cat saliva, cockroach particles, pollen and dust mites just to name a few. The sources of these contaminants are varied as well and include plants, animals, and humans. Contaminated air handling systems can spread these biologicals throughout a home.

The health consequences of these air pollutants are individual; the symptoms experienced will depend on the particular pollutant that is the aggravating contaminate. For example, if an individual is exposed to a common cold virus, the symptoms will be those of a common cold. In the case of exposure to dog dander, pollen and cockroach particles, a wide range of allergic reactions may result. If the contaminate is Legionella pneumophila or Legionalla longbeachae, several of many bacteria commonly found in the environment, the symptoms manifested will be those associated with pneumonia. In other words, different pollutants cause different adverse health effects.

Purifying Your Indoor Air
One of the best ways to clean your indoor air is to use an air purifier with a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air-filter) filter. This filter is highly efficient at removing many different particles such as dander, dust, pollen, mold spores and cockroach particles. The HEPA filter is 99.97% effective at removing 0.3 microns or larger particles from the air. (A micron is 100 times smaller than a human hair and not visible to the naked eye.) Of course, keeping your house clean and free of dust and dirt is an important first step.

Ventilation, either natural or mechanical, is also an essential step in providing acceptable indoor air. Because mechanical ventilation, including air exchange and distribution, is a fairly complicated process, it is best for consumers to consult with an HVAC (heating, ventilation and air-conditioning) specialist. This specialist will also be able to asist you in determining humidity and temperature levels, two factors that influence indoor air quality.

Room air purifiers with HEPA filters work well, especially if the problem is confined to one or two rooms.

VOCs and formaldehyde vapors in indoor air are best controlled by reducing the use of the products that contain them. If you must use these products, proper ventilation is an absolute necessity.

Like VOC contaminates, it is easier to prevent carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide gases from polluting the air than it is to remove them after the fact. The sources for both these gases are usually faulty combustion equipment; therefore, prevention is aimed at properly maintaining and adjusting these systems. The EPA offers the following suggestions:

“Keep gas appliances properly adjusted.
Consider purchasing a vented space heater when replacing an unvented one.
Use proper fuel in kerosene space heaters.
Install and use an exhaust fan vented to outdoors over gas stoves.
Open flues when fireplaces are in use.
Choose properly sized wood stoves that are certified to meet EPA emission standards. Make certain that doors on all wood stoves fit tightly.
Have a trained professional inspect, clean, and tune-up central heating system (furnaces, flues, and chimneys) annually. Repair any leaks promptly.
Do not idle the car inside garage.”
Install a carbon monoxide detection device as an additional precaution.

The process for ridding your indoor air of radon is unlike any of the foregoing solutions to air pollution because radon cannot be reduced by limiting the products you use or by filtering your air with a HEPA filter. All homes should be tested for radon and if the level exceeds EPA or state guidelines, remediation will be required in some states and strongly suggested in others. No amount of radon is truly safe because it is a proven carcinogen. Radon levels can be tested by concerned property owners or by professionals.

Radon testing kits are widely available, inexpensive and easy to use. You should test your own home with a radon kit every 3-4 years because radon levels can rise or fall, depending on geological and weather conditions. If your home test indicates a level higher than the standard, you should have it retested by a professional. If the professional radon tester confirms your worst fear, then you will need to install a radon remediation system. These systems usually cost around $1200, including installation, depending on where you live. The good news is that a radon remediation system is a one-time investment and inexpensive to maintain. If it functions as it should, you will always be protected from radon as opposed to being at the mercy of weather and geological forces from year to year. The entire system is as wide as a plastic water pipe, makes no noise, takes up little room and is usually sited near a wall in the corner of the lowest level of your home.

Large cities have been battling smog for decades and even though the individual home owner can do little to regulate some of the sources of pollution like car emissions, power plants, industrial boilers and refineries, everyone can help by raising public awareness and by sharing concerns with local and national public officials You can also do your part by supporting those who are active in trying to reduce smog and by maintaining your car in good running order to minimize noxious emissions. If you live in a high smog area, pay attention to the daily smog level reports and close all windows and doors on high level days.

When it comes to the air that you breathe, it can be a matter of life and death. Pay attention to its quality, identify any problematic pollutants and seek the advice of a specialist for help in making the air that you breathe as pure as possible. Then take a deep breath!

Tags: air pollutants, air pollution, air purity, air quality, airborn particulates, biological contaminants, breathing difficulties, bronchitis, cancer, carbon monoxide, clean air, dirt, dirty air, dust, epa, exposure, fireplace, flu, formaldehyde, gas appliances, gas stoves, health, heart attack, heart disease, hepa filter, hospitalization, hvac, illness, indoor air, inflammation, lung damage, mold, mold spores, nitrogen dioxide, outdoor air, pneumonia, radon, remediation, respiratory infection, smog, space heater, tobacco smoke, toxic, ventilation, vocs, wheezing, wood stove

Air Conditioning Essentials: How to Cut Back on Energy Costs and Keep Your Home Cool?

Editor — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 19:47:15 +0000

Is it even possible to keep cooling costs down without becoming unbearably uncomfortable?

An energy efficient light bulb creates less heat than a traditional light bulb and will pay for itself in energy savings over 6 months.

Summer approaches. And with global warming heating us all up and the economic recession in full tilt as well, it’s more important than ever to figure out how to avoid overheating without overspending.

Who is most at risk?

High cooling costs and strapped pocketbooks can make for a deadly cocktail. Heat waves kill thousands every year in western industrialized nations. The most vulnerable segments of society (the elderly, infirm, and indigent) are also among the most at-risk for overheating.

This year, to save cash, many may be tempted to cut way down on their air-conditioning and electricity usage. While doing so might make good fiscal sense, remember that money isn’t everything. To that end, never endanger yourself or your family for the sake of shaving a few dollars off your monthly bills.

With that said, it is possible both to keep cool and keep solvent. Here are some battle-proven tips:

Get your AC inspected

One visit from a technician can make your AC run far more efficiently, so you get the best bang for your cooling buck. Sure, it can cost $50 to $75 (or more) to bring a technician out, but the money you’ll likely save over the long term as a result of having more efficient AC will likely make up the difference. (Plus, in some cases, your landlord may be legally obligated to foot the repair bill for you.)

Minimize Switching On and Switching Off Electronics

Turn off lights when you leave rooms.
Shut down computers when you leave for errands or turn in for the night.
Install night lights in your hallways, so you don’t have to flick on larger lights if/when you get up in the middle of the night.
Replace incandescent bulbs with energy efficient bulbs (the coiled curly-q kind)
Unplug equipment when not in use.
Run washer, dryer, and dishwasher on energy-conserve settings.

Optimize your use of AC

Not every room in the house needs to be kept at a super cool temperature, even when you are home. If you spend most of your time in the living room, bedroom, and bathroom, for instance; why keep your guest room and closets cool, too? Isolate areas that need AC most to maintain a comfortably cool environment and save on energy costs.

Push Your Tolerance Point for Heat by Habituating Yourself in Steps

Obviously, if you are sick or elderly, you need to take great care in exposing yourself to uncomfortable or dangerous heat conditions. But most healthy people can habituate themselves to living in hotter and more humid conditions. The key is to do this in steps.

If you’re used to walking around in an AC cooled apartment that’s kept at 71 degrees all day, you can’t suddenly blast the temperature up to 79 degrees without experiencing major discomfort. To avoid this problem, wean yourself off AC by adjusting the thermostat up one or two degrees a week. You will hardly notice the difference; and you’ll save tremendous money, particularly as you get into the Dog Days of August. (NOTE: the opposite trick works well in Winter. Habituate yourself to slightly colder temperatures to save on heating costs towards the middle and end of the season.)

Substitute Fans for AC When Possible – And If the Energy Costs Work Out

Many websites and energy efficiency experts will tell you to favor ceiling and standing fans over AC in all circumstances. But while it’s true that fans in general provide a better “cool to cost” ratio, this advice oversimplifies. Some ceiling fans suck up a ton of juice. Conversely, some AC units boast extreme efficiency. Don’t rely on arbitrary rules of thumb to get your energy costs down; look at the numbers and experiment. And when you buy/install equipment, look for energy saving features, which can often “pay for themselves” in savings over years of use.

Improve the Thermal Efficiency of Your Home or Apartment

Use window shades or blinds to block out the sun, so solar energy isn’t constantly beating down through your window.
When the AC is on, keep windows and doors closed.
Remedy drafts and inefficiencies by caulking gaps in windows and floorboards.

Small “efficiency touches” like this may not save you vast amounts of money: an hour’s labor may only yield a saving of 75 cents or so per month. But if you plan on living in your house for decades, saving a buck or two a day can add up to hundreds of dollars over a lifetime of use. In other words, you get spectacular returns on your time investment, even if it takes years to see those returns

Find Other Ways to Keep Cool

Most people don’t walk around their apartments in mid summer dressed in cardigans and snow pants. However, people do wear long sleeve shirts, pants, heavy dresses, and the like.

Buy “appropriate for the season” clothes.
Invest in Japanese hand fans.
Go swimming or playing in the sprinkler.
Keep an ice cold picture of lemonade stashed in the fridge at all times.
If you overheat, swab your forehead, arms and chest with a cold washcloth.

Get Outside

Get sun and activity, in moderation. People who get at least 30 minutes of exposure to sunlight a day experience a salutary shift in their serotonin and melatonin balance. Exercise can fine tune your perspiration system. It can also reduce stress and anxiety. Finally, by habituating your body to outdoor temperatures, you will find that you require less inside temperature modifications.

Tags: air conditioner repair, Air conditioning, air conditioning system, cooling system maintenance, energy costs, energy efficiency, energy efficient, fans, heat risks, heat safety, heat wave, heating, home cooling, how do I save money on cooling costs, hvac, lower cooling costs, save on energy costs, thermal efficiency, thermal heat, ventilation

Home HVAC System Guide

Pat Perkins — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 15:30:56 +0000

So you’ve bought a new home and your home inspector turns to you and blithely says, “Oh, great new HVAC system.”

“A what?” you say in response.

“You know,” he says “a thermodynamic system that takes care of all of your heating, ventilation and airconditioning.”

So that’s what the acronym HVAC stands for you think to yourself.

Most HVAC systems are initially installed by a HVAC contractor who contracts out equipment and installation services to a builder.

Welcome to the world of climate control. Even though most people know a little something about air conditioning and heating, few of us stop to think much about it. We tend to take our comfort for granted until the furnace runs out of oil or the air conditioner’s compressor dies. Then, suddenly, we wish we were experts on the subject.

What an HVAC Does
The primary purpose of an HVAC system is to regulate room temperature, humidity, and air flow within acceptable and safe limits to ensure that we are comfortable and healthy.

Room temperature – Room temperature regulation is accomplished by both heating and cooling the air in a room. Simply put, on cold days the system adds heat to the air and on warm days the air is cooled. Obviously the human body is not meant to be subjected to cold temperatures for long periods or hypothermia and perhaps death can occur. Conversely, consistently high temperatures can cause heat stroke or death. Children and elderly folks are particularly susceptible to extreme temperatures because they are more likely to have immature or poorly functioning temperature regulation mechanisms.

Humidity – Too much humidity in the air is not only uncomfortable, but it encourages the growth of molds, some of which are harmful to our health. High humidity can also cause fatigue by decreasing physical strength. Likewise, too little humidity creates moisture-deprived air that dries the membranes in our noses, throats and lungs making us more susceptible to disease. The proper regulation of humidity in our indoor air, therefore, has both comfort and health implications.

Air flow – Simply adding or subtracting warm or cold air is not enough to accomplish effective temperature control. It is also necessary to move the air around or distribute it evenly and efficiently. The movement of air within a building or system and the exchanging of inside and outside air is a process called ventilation. Ventilation changes or replaces room air, subtracts humidity and filters out impurities such as allergens, odors, airborne bacteria and toxic gases. When ventilation is efficient, the airflow from room to room is equalized in such a way that a specified room temperature is achieved throughout the home, air quality is maintained at safe levels and stagnation of the interior air is prevented.

Components of an HVAC System
The basic components of a modern HVAC system are designed to work together as an integrated unit. The usual components are:

Furnace
Air conditioner
Heat pump
Humidifier
Air handler
Heat coil
Air filtration system
Programmable thermostats
Sensors
Duct system

Selecting an HVAC System
Most HVAC systems are initially installed by a HVAC contractor who contracts out equipment and installation services to a builder. But if you are thinking about replacing your current heating/air conditioning system, you will want to gather as much information as you can on the pros and cons before purchasing a product.

If you are considering replacing only part of your current system such as an air handler or condenser, you should know that the industry recommendation is to replace the entire system to ensure reliability and efficiency; otherwise the efficiency rating, which is based on the entire working system, may be erroneous.

Efficiency Rating
What is an efficiency rating you ask? It is a measure of the percentage of energy used efficiently. The U.S. government, in an effort to provide consumers with the means to make informed decisions, requires an efficiency rating for all HVAC equipment. Efficiency ratings vary by name depending on the type of equipment. For example, air conditioning equipment is rated by the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating (SEER). Heat pump equipment is rated by the Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF) and gas furnaces are rated according to their Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE). A high rating in any category means a high level of efficiency.

What Can a HVAC Contractor/Technician Do For Me?
There are many HVAC systems on the market affording you the liberty to choose the one that is right for your home. However, selecting and installing a new HVAC unit is not a simple process. If you are an average home owner, under no circumstances should you purchase a system yourself without the advice of a trusted licensed and insured HVAC contractor.

HVAC technicians can give you advice too, but their primary job is to service and repair existing systems, not install them. Some companies have both contractors and technicians on board and others have repair technicians only. You will need to ask what services are offered by each company. Always ask the contractor about his years of experience and for references.

Equipment Sizing
When planning to buy a new piece of heating or cooling equipment, you will want to know how many BTUs (British Thermal Units) per hour of heat the equipment must produce or remove to keep your home comfortable. This is called the heat load. The heat load calculation determines the size of your system. Correct sizing is directly related to your comfort and the cost of operating the equipment. For example, if the equipment is undersized, your home will not be adequately cooled or heated. Too large and the system cycles on and off more frequently than it should which increases your operating cost.

Load Calculation
HVAC contractors can determine the size of the system that meets your home’s particular specifications by doing a load calculation. A load calculation includes some of the following elements:

Square feet of home
Climate
Condition, number and type of windows (heat/cold retention)
Warm or cool air that may be lost through ceilings, walls and attics (insulation)
Inefficient ducts (location, distance from energy source, insulation, etc.)
Heat emitted by appliances, lights, and the residents themselves
Shrubbery, trees, and roof overhangs
Overall home design

Do I Need a New HVAC System?
The answer to this question is unfortunately not easily generalized because all equipment isn’t alike. However, there are several rules of thumb you can take into consideration when deciding to go “new” or stick with the old. Some experts will say that if your system is broken and the repair will cost more than $500.00 that the smart investment in the long run is to replace rather than repair. The avearge life-expectancy of a furnace is a long 16-20 years, but if yours is better than 10 years old, you may want to begin considering replacement options. The other factor to take into account in making your decision is the efficiency of your furnace. An old furnace, even if it appears to be working well, may be cheating you out of dollars by extracting only 60% of the available heat from your heating fuel. Newer models extract as much as 90% of the heat. You have to balance the cost of your fuel against the output you are receiving.

The same holds true with heat pumps and air conditioners. Older ones operate at a 60% efficiency whereas newer ones achieve 90% or more efficiency. To illustrate in dollars and cents, if your monthy fuel or power bill is $100.00 and you install a new system, you could see your energy cost drop to as little as $65.00/month, a savings of $35.00/month. Multiply that by twelve months and you have a yearly savings of $420.00.

An easily added, inexpensive programmable thermostat will help save dollars too, especially if no one is home during the day.

Other factors that may point to the need to consult an HVAC specialist are:

Some rooms are too hot and others are too cold
You have humidity problems (too humid in the summer and too dry in the winter)
Your home seems to be excessively dusty
Your cooling system is noisey

Selecting the Right Contractor
As mentioned earlier, your HVAC contractor should be licensed, bonded and experienced in the type of equipment you want installed. Ask for references and ask how long the contractor has been installing HVACs. Select someone with whom you feel at ease, who listens and who is an effective communicator. Ask for a detailed written proposal that includes all the costs. The proposal should decribe each step in the process including what will be done, the materials that will be used and a time-line for the completion of each step. Periodic maintenance will be important in keeping the system running smoothly once it is installed so ask your contractor if he offers an annual service contract and what service is included. Does he offer price reductions on repairs or deliver priority service to customers installing a new system?

Regulating the HVAC Industry
In the past, the HVAC industry was regulated by the manufacturers of HVAC equipment, but now there are a number of organizations that provide regulation and standards such as The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASRAE) www.ashrae.org, Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association (SMACNA) www.smacna.org, and the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) www.acca.org. The Uniform Mechanical Code, a source of codes for HVAC professionals, sets forth requirements for the installation and maintenance of heating, ventilating, cooling, and refrigeration systems.

Tax Credits
If you need an incentive to begin investigating a replacement system, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 may stimulate you to purchase sooner than later. Tax credits are available at 30% of the cost, up to $1,500, in 2009 & 2010 (for existing homes only) for some HVAC components. To be certain your planned improvement qualifies, check with your tax professional, HVAC specialist or watch for the new federal energy-savings guidelines to be released soon.

Aside from saving money, receiving tax credits and conserving energy, the most important reward for buying a new HVAC system or overhauling your current one is the peace of mind you will experience knowing that the health and safety of your family is protected.

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