How important is having good air quality in a home and how can I obtain it?

Posted on March 17, 2012 by admin

As homes become more sealed with insulation and poly seals for energy efficiency, the air quality goes down. Without proper airflow systems in place, the air quality can be compromised, as you breathe in your pets’ dander and household chemicals.There are two types of air exhaust systems to promote air flow through your home. Traditional simple fan exhaust systems include inline and bathroom fans, which take stale air out and bring clean air in. The second is an HRV (heat recovery ventilator) system — air is pumped out of the house and the expelled air heats the clean air coming into the house. It goes through a heat exchanger so the warm air isn’t wasted. Furnace filters clean air contaminates and have a MERV (minimum efficiency reporting value) rating ranging from 1 to 16. The higher the MERV rating, the more tiny particles that are caught. A MERV 16 filter or HEPA filter ensures the air quality is of a high standard. Cheap filters are meant only to protect the furnace and the motor. They have nothing to do with air quality.Tips for great air quality:

INSPECT YOUR FILTERS: Some filters need to be changed as often as once a month where others can last for up to seven months. You get what you pay for.

Maintain your humidifier: If someone in your home has a cold, it’s a very good time to put a bit of bleach across the top of your humidifier. Airborn germs like humidity, so this will prevent them from sticking around.

Inspect your furnace: If there are rusty marks on top, steam on the vents or the vent pipe isn’t hot anymore, this could mean your furnace is down drafting and pumping in dangerous carbon monoxide.

RUN YOUR FANS: By changing the air all the time, you are constantly cleaning it and removing toxins.

Invest in your health: Forget spending extra money on a snazzy TV and incorporate an HRV system with a high-quality filter so you can save on your heating bill while having clean, fresh air.

THE EXPERT SAYS

CLEARING THE AIR

- The air plates in electronic air cleaners Should be gently cleaned every two months with an approved cleaner.

- Permanent or disposable air filters should be cleaned/changed every two months.

- For new homes, you should wash permanent air filters once a month for the first year.

- Have your furnace inspected annually.

http://www.calgaryherald.com/

Furnasman
Furnasman.com

Get the most out of your home heating system

Posted on February 5, 2012 by admin

Temperatures are guaranteed to go nowhere but down as the weeks progress.

Of course, this makes now as good a time as any to get some advice from the experts on keeping your home toasty and warm during the rest of the winter.

- Remove clutter: Boxes, storage units and clutter near the furnace can obstruct air flow, preventing your system from working as efficiently as possible.

This isn’t just a money-saving issue, it’s also a safety point. Be very cagey about what you put near a heat source.

- Maintain your equipment: An annual service inspection of your home’s heating system by a certified technician will ensure that equipment is in good condition and operating at peak performance.

- Change that air filter: Change your filter monthly or as instructed by the manufacturer.

- Add a humidifier: Moist air feels warmer than dry air. A humidifier could allow you to keep your thermostat at a lower setting without compromising comfort.

- Install a programmable thermostat: A programmable thermostat automatically adjusts your home’s temperature to provide the most comfort when your home is occupied.

http://www.journalgazette.net/

Furnasman
Furnasman.com

Winterize It!

Posted on January 22, 2012 by admin

Taking a few green, energy-saving steps in the colder months can lead to big savings all around.

Although we’ve been spared the monumental snowfalls of the previous couple of years so far, the 2011-12 winter in New Jersey is far from over. There is still plenty of time to perform these super easy green winterizing tips for your home.

The first thing I recommend is checking your house for drafts. Get down and check under doors especially. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, anywhere from 5 to 30 percent of your energy use can be wasted as a result of drafts. You can purchase an inexpensive draft guard or under-door weather strip from many retail home improvement or hardware stores. Or you can make one yourself with some material and sand, rice, or even kitty litter for filling. You can also use a rolled up towel for free if you don’t mind the aesthetics. For windows you can purchase inexpensive draft kits or weather stripping.

Drafts coming in under your doors aren’t the only thing that can zap your energy and increase your bill. What’s coming through them can hurt too. Simply installing a storm door can increase energy efficiency by as much as 45 percent by reducing air flow. The same can be said for storm windows. Purchasing energy efficient doors, windows and skylights may qualify for federal tax credits to offset the costs.

Keeping the cold air out is a great start, but controlling the environment inside your home can help, too. Be sure to replace or clean the filters frequently on your heater or furnace. Once a month is a good recommendation during heating season. You can also consider switching to a permanent filter, which not only adds up to less waste, but traps at least twice as much of many pollutants and debris. Electrostatic filters and HEPA filters are also typically better at controlling mold and bacteria.

The easiest way to control your energy put-out indoors? Turn down your heat when leaving your home. For every degree you lower your thermostat during heating season, you can save up to 3 percent of your heating bill. And who wants to pay for energy that no one is using? I always recommend a programmable thermostat, if you don’t already have one, as the easiest way to control home heating costs.

Don’t forget to make the most of the heat of the sun. Keep windows and blinds up and open during the day to warm your home naturally. Be sure to close them in the evening or in rooms that don’t get much sunlight to better insulate the room from cold air and drafts.

Did you know you can run ceiling fans in reverse (clockwise) to produce a warming effect by sending warm air near the ceiling back down into the room?

And what about winterizing your vehicle? Be sure to check your air filter, tires, fluid levels, and windshield wipers throughout the cold weather season. Operating your car efficiently saves you money and, in many cases, reduces emissions.

When we finally do get that long-awaited snowstorm, be ready. Use a de-icer on your sidewalk or driveway made from magnesium chloride instead of sodium chloride or calcium chloride. It’s safer, does less damage to surfaces like concrete and melts ice at a lower temperature. If you can, use electric snow removal products rather than gasoline-powered ones. While electric products do consume energy, they do not emit greenhouse gases. Or better yet, as I’ve said before, use a good old fashioned shovel—if you’re in physical condition for it or can utilize older children or neighbors for labor.

It’s very easy to make sure that this winter you stay green, and keep your hard-earned money from flying right out of those cold, drafty windows.

http://gloucestertownship.patch.com/

Furnasman
Furnasman.com

Simple do it yourself home repairs can save money

Posted on January 15, 2012 by admin

Isom Hill is a heat-and-air technician with an interesting analogy.

“Just think of an A/C system like the human body that inhales and exhales,” he said.

“For instance, there are many different environments we breathe in, and we have hairs – or filters – that clean the air we breathe,” he explained. Dirty filters can lead to numerous air conditioning failures.

A dirty filter in a home’s cooling cycle can lead to freeze up due to poor air flow. Likewise, in the heating cycle, a dirty filter can cause your furnace to overheat due to the lack of air flow.

“There is a high percentage of calls that could be prevented by a routine filter change,” said Hill, who was one of two local handymen who offered us tips on simple home maintenance that may prevent you from having to spend a ton of money.

Changing filters is “the equivalent of brushing your teeth,” said Tony Cooper, owner of Cooper’s Home Repair. “Preventative maintenance is so much cheaper than repairs because who knows what you’re going to run into.”

You should change your air filter each month, Cooper said. He’s forgetful, so he makes sure that whenever he pays his mortgage, he changes the filter.

And cheaper filters are fine, he said. The more expensive ones may last longer, but they clog up faster, reducing air flow.

Here are some other handy tips Cooper offered:

Garbage disposals. Once every three months, empty a cup of ice into your garbage disposal and turn it on. This sharpens the blades, keeping the disposal running well and the blades really sharp.

Caulking. Proper window caulking can prevent water from deteriorating a home’s exterior. (For great tips on caulking, check out the U.S. Department of Energy’s website, tulsaworld.com/usdecaulkingtips

Heaters. If yours is more than 10 years old, have a certified technician come in at least once a year and service your A/C and heater. They’ll check the heat exchanger, which can crack and allow carbon monoxide in through the house. So servicing your A/C can prolong its life and protect yours, he said.

Plumbing. If you have floor drains in your garage or in a bar sink you rarely use, put enough water in there to open the P trap, which drains waste water and seals off vapors coming from sewage. If you haven’t run water down the drain in a while, gases can build up behind it, leading to an unpleasant smell.

Popular Mechanics provides tips on basic plumbing dos, don’ts

First, a disclaimer: We are by NO means suggesting you be your own plumber.

But if you’d care to trouble-shoot some simple stuff and don’t think you know your way around all those pipes and what not, Popular Mechanics’ website has an awesome list of tips.

Here are a few:

Know where your pipes are. Pounding nails and driving screws is all well and good, until you puncture a copper or plastic supply or drain.

What to do: Buy a stud sensor that also detects pipes and wirings. You can also look around in the attic or the basement (if it’s unfinished) to get a sense of where pipes are hiding. Finally, if the wall will be covered by whatever you’re building or installing, you can always carefully cut a test hatch to find plumbing lurking in the walls.

Don’t over-tighten. If tight is good, really tight must be better. Right? Wrong.

What to do: Given what I just said about the hit-or-miss quality of many plumbing components today, you’d think that a generous application of wrench torque is called for. Not so. A clean, properly cut and fitted joint that’s been sealed just doesn’t need to be massively tightened. In many cases, after bringing the parts together firmly hand-tight or using a wrench, often all it takes is another half a turn. In fact, brass–copper gas fittings are particularly vulnerable to wrench damage from over-tightening, while steel pipe is more forgiving.

Leak test. Always. It should be obvious: Make a thorough leak inspection before closing up and moving on.

What to do: When you’ve installed a new valve component (or the valve itself), aggressively open and close the valve, as well as running hot and cold water through it. Do the same when checking drains. Run water down a drain and fill up a sink or tub and then drain it to check for leaks. Check gas lines with a soapy water and detergent solution or spend a few dollars for an 8-ounce bottle of bubble-creating leak detector sold on the Web or at a plumbing supply house. The advantage of this material, as opposed to dish detergent, is that it creates larger, more brightly visible bubbles than detergent does.

Be kind to your septic system. The guys at Popular Mechanics are asked this question all the time: “Should I use an additive to improve the performance of my septic system and reduce the need to pump the septic tank?” An additive can be almost anything from sugar or enzymes to a dead chicken (we’re not kidding about the chicken – we get that one plenty).

What to do: Don’t bother with additives, especially the chicken. A properly designed, built and maintained septic system will last for decades and trying to reduce pumping intervals will more likely lead to a clogged leaching field as solids, not clear effluent, flows out of the septic tank and into the leaching field. A septic-tank-pumping company can advise you on how often the tank needs to be pumped. It will depend on the tank’s size and how many people live in the home. Likewise, avoid excessive use of chlorine bleach or caustic chemicals that can kill off beneficial digestive bacteria in the septic tank.

http://www.tulsaworld.com/

Furnasman

http://Furnasman.com/

7 ways to keep your air conditioner humming

Posted on August 4, 2011 by admin

If you want to spend two or three super-heated days without any air conditioning, call for service on your AC system only when it acts up.

This summer, prevent a breakdown during the blistering heat by contacting a service tech – one who’s licensed, insured, bonded and recommended by someone you trust – to give your unit a once-over and fix any problems waiting to grow into something more expensive, inconvenient and uncomfortable.

Here are a few ways you can keep your air conditioning humming.

» Don’t run the fan in the “on” position. A thermostat has two settings: on and automatic. In the on position, the fan will run constantly all day and night. On auto, the indoor blower will come on only when the compressor comes on.

An air conditioner removes humidity from your indoor air. If you leave the fan turned on when the compressor turns off, it will blow that humidity back into the house.

If the humidity is low outside, you can run your fan all you want. But for much of the country, a constantly running fan can make indoor air downright uncomfortable.

» Change the AC filter every month. Even if the manufacturer’s instructions say change it once a season, do it every 30 days just like with your furnace filter.

Especially in windy locales, filters clog quickly with dust, hair and debris. Once that happens, air can’t flow freely through the filter to the coil.

If air to the coil is restricted, it won’t transfer heat or deal with humidity. That not only makes the house uncomfortable, it can damage the air-conditioning system and cost you plenty. Don’t use a $1 fiberglass filter. Choose a 1-inch pleated filter for about $4. And stay away from the $17 to $25 pleated filter.

Sure, the expensive filters catch just about every speck of dust that tries to pass through to the coil, but they provide so much resistance that even air can’t get through. That can starve your unit for air.

> Don’t crank the thermostat up when you’re leaving the house for the day. It’s true that the house doesn’t need to be as cool when nobody’s in it. But when a house gets too warm, it heats up not only the air, but the furniture, carpet and everything else in the house.

When you return home after work – at one of the hottest times of the day – and dip the temperature way down to get comfortable, the air conditioner has to cool the air, the furniture, the rugs all over again.

That’s going to cost more than the money you saved by turning the dial up. Your best bet is to install a programmable thermostat that consistently fluctuates the temperature every day by only two or three degrees.

» Never run the evaporative cooler – if you have one – on the same day as you run your air-conditioner. The air conditioner dehumidifies your indoor air; an evaporative cooler, common in dry climates, adds humidity.

So they’re natural-born enemies. Humidity reduces the effectiveness of your AC by as much as 20 percent.

Most people who have evaporative coolers like to run them in the morning when it’s a little cooler outdoors, and then switch to air conditioning when it heats up later in the day.

If you do that, you’ll waste energy.

> Notice any changes in the way your system sounds, if it vibrates or how much air it pushes out. You live with that unit, so you know it better than anybody. When you see, feel or hear changes, something’s wrong. Call the service tech while the problem is new and fixable.

> If you have your unit repaired, ask the technician to leave you any old parts that they replace. You’re more likely to avoid falling victim to a common scam by unscrupulous contractors who will tell you that your unit or some of its parts have failed when they haven’t.

Some air-conditioning companies require their techs to meet quotas by selling a certain amount of replacement parts whether the customers need them or not. Others pay techs a commission on replacement parts, which can tempt them to lie to homeowners about the condition of their systems.

Your best bet is to do your homework before inviting an AC tech into your home. Find out how long the company has been in business in your area and whether the tech has a state license.

Ask to see proof of insurance and bonding. And always go with someone who comes highly recommended by someone you trust.

> Find out how old your system is. Most last about 15 years. If yours is getting up there in years, plan to replace it.

A qualified service tech can evaluate the system and give you an idea of how much longer it has. If you decide to hang onto it until it dies, be prepared by choosing and consulting with a trusted company and selecting your replacement unit ahead of time.

That way, you won’t have to make these expensive decisions during an emergency in the middle of the summer – and you’re likely to get better equipment, a better price and a better installation job.

http://www.coloradoan.com/

Furnasman

http://Furnasman.com/

8 Ways To Avoid Air-Conditioning Trouble

Posted on July 29, 2011 by admin

If you want to spend two or three super-heated days without any air conditioning, call for service on your AC system only when it acts up.

This summer, prevent a breakdown during the blistering heat by contacting a service tech — one who’s licensed, insured, bonded and recommended by someone you trust — to give your unit a once-over and fix any little problems that are waiting to grow into something more expensive, inconvenient and uncomfortable.

Here are a few other ways you can keep your air conditioning humming.

1. Don’t run the fan in the “on” position.

A thermostat has two settings: on and automatic. In the on position, the fan will run constantly all day and night. On auto, the indoor blower will come on only when the compressor comes on.

An air conditioner removes humidity from your indoor air. If you leave the fan turned on when the compressor turns off, it will blow that humidity back into the house.
If the humidity is low outside, you can run your fan all you want. But for much of the country, a constantly running fan can make indoor air downright uncomfortable.

2. Change the AC filter every month.

Even if the manufacturer’s instructions say change it once a season, do it every 30 days just like with your furnace filter.

Especially in windy locales, filters clog quickly with dust, hair and debris. Once that happens, air can’t flow freely through the filter to the coil.

If air to the coil is restricted, it won’t transfer heat or deal with humidity. That not only makes the house uncomfortable, it can damage the air-conditioning system and cost you plenty.

A tip:@ Don’t use a $1 fiberglass filter. Choose a 1-inch pleated filter for about $4. And stay away from the $17 to $25 pleated filter.

3. Don’t crank the thermostat up when you’re leaving the house for the day.

It’s true that the house doesn’t need to be as cool when nobody’s in it. But when a house gets too warm, it heats up not only the air, but the furniture, carpet and everything else in the house.

When you return home after work — at one of the hottest times of the day — and dip the temperature way down to get comfortable, the air conditioner has to cool the air, the furniture, the rugs all over again.

That’s going to cost more than the money you saved by turning the dial up. Best bet: Install a programmable thermostat that consistently fluctuates the temperature every day by only two or three degrees.

4. Never run the evaporative cooler — if you have one — on the same day as you run your air-conditioner.

The air conditioner dehumidifies your indoor air; an evaporative cooler, common in dry climates, adds humidity.

So they’re natural-born enemies. Humidity reduces the effectiveness of your AC by as much as 20 percent.

Most people who have evaporative coolers like to run them in the morning when it’s a little cooler outdoors, and then switch to air conditioning when it heats up later in the day.

If you do that, you’ll waste energy.

5. Watch your secondary drain.

If you have a split-system air conditioner — part of the unit is in the attic and part is outside on the ground — you probably have two drains coming out of the house: one near the ground and one on the wall.

The one on the wall is the secondary drain. The only time water comes out of it is if the primary drain — the one on the ground — is clogged. This is an emergency. Call your AC tech to clean out that drain.

6. Notice any changes in the way your system sounds, if it vibrates or how much air it pushes out.

You live with that unit, so you know it better than anybody. When you see, feel or hear changes, something’s wrong.

Call the service tech while the problem is new and fixable.

7. If you have your unit repaired, ask the technician to leave you any old parts that he replaces.

You’re more likely to avoid falling victim to a common scam by unscrupulous contractors who will tell you that your unit or some of its parts have failed when they haven’t.

Your best bet: Do your homework before inviting an AC tech into your home. Find out how long the company has been in business in your area and whether the tech has a state license.

Ask to see proof of insurance and bonding. And always go with someone who comes highly recommended by someone you trust.

8. Find out how old your system is.

Most last for about 15 years. If yours is getting up there in years, plan to replace it.

That way, you won’t have to make these expensive decisions during an emergency in the middle of the summer — and you’re likely to get better equipment, a better price and a better installation job.

http://wusa9.com/

Furnasman

http://Furnasman.com/

Efficient ideas to keep your home cool and your utility bill low

Posted on July 10, 2011 by admin

A full two-thirds of the United States is expected to experience above-average summer temperatures this year, according to The Old Farmer’s Almanac. With some areas of the country already well into seemingly endless runs of 100-degree weather this summer, it is important for homeowners to take steps to maintain their air conditioning systems now to avoid problems later in the summer.

For most homes, heating and cooling consumes more energy dollars than any other system. Unfortunately, regardless of costs, air conditioning systems often serve as the best refuge from the high summer heat and humidity.

All homeowners can take steps to ensure a longer life for their heating and cooling equipment, says Gary Stiles, who teaches HVAC training at the Everest Institute – Houston Bissonnet campus.

“Basic air conditioning maintenance will provide better comfort, and a well-maintained unit runs more efficiently, lasts longer, and suffers from fewer breakdowns,” says Stiles. “While there are no guarantees, consumers can greatly increase their chances of enjoying a cooler summer by following a few simple steps:

* First, be sure to clean or replace filters on furnaces once a month or as needed. If you’re not sure where to start, filters are often located in the return air duct of the air conditioner itself, directly in the furnace or in filter grilles located in ceilings and/or walls. Check the specifications of your model and buy a replacement, which can be found at most retail stores.

* When it’s hot outside, keep your window coverings closed during the day to keep solar heat from entering your home and making your air conditioner work harder.

* Give your air vents room to breathe by keeping them clean and removing furniture, carpeting or drapes that could block air flow.

* In addition to keeping things clean inside; your outdoor unit should also be cleaned twice a year with a water hose. Turn the unit off at the breaker and start washing at the top and work your way down.

* Set your thermostat as high as is comfortable in the summer.

* Turn off kitchen, bath and other exhaust fans within 20 minutes after you are finished cooking or bathing.

* If you know where your unit’s drain line is, confirm it is open by running water. Even better, pour bleach directly into the line to kill any algae in it. If you have an air compressor, you can also blow air into the hose from the outlet end to determine if the drain line is open.”

http://www.lvrj.com/

Furnasman

http://Furnasman.com/