HVCA Basics

Using UV Light to Kill Bacteria and Mold

There are three types of ultraviolet (UV) wave lengths, and although powerful, they cannot be seen by the human eye. UV-A is more commonly known as black light, UV-B comes from the sun, and UV-C can kill mold, bacteria, and mildew and is used to protect equipment in medical settings. Because of its cleaning powers, a UV-C lamp can also be added to the indoor cooling coil of your HVAC system so that harmful do not become airborne and circulate throughout your home.

HOW DOES UV LIGHT KILL BACTERIA AND MOLD?

UV light sends out short wavelengths of energy that penetrate mold. By doing so, it breaks up the DNA inside to clean and eventually inactivate it.
To be effective in eliminating the mold, bacteria, or mildew, it needs to be exposed directly to the UV-C light.
Installing a UV lamp as part of your HVAC system helps kill mold, bacteria, and mildew that flourish.
Since UV light can be harmful to people, you should never look directly at the UV lamp while it’s operating.

What Are Dehumidifiers & What Do They Do?

HVCA Basics

What Are Dehumidifiers & What Do They Do?

A whole-home dehumidifier removes excess moisture from your home, creates a more comfortable environment, and helps improve indoor air quality. By maintaining a consistent humidity level within your home, it helps prevent the growth of mold, mildew, and other contaminants. Whole-home dehumidifiers can also enable your air conditioner to cool your home more efficiently.

WHAT ARE THE COMPONENTS OF A WHOLE-HOME DEHUMIDIFIER?

Major components of a whole-home dehumidifier:

Indoor unit that contains a compressor, condensing coil, and a fan to move the air through your home
Refrigerant that absorbs the heat, causing moisture in the air to condense on the coils
Drain to remove the moisture collected

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF A WHOLE-HOME DEHUMIDIFIER?

Comfort. Humidity control throughout your entire house, which is ideal for large and multi-story homes
Integration into your existing HVAC system, so it is easy to operate and maintain
Reliable and does not require daily maintenance
Quiet. With a fully insulated cabinet, these units have quiet operation
Healthy. Air filter helps remove contaminants and irritants from your indoor air
Can be used independently or connected to your HVAC ductwork, to remove warm, humid air and return cool, drier air to your home

Battle Dry Winter Air with a Humidifier

HVCA Basics

Battle Dry Winter Air with a Humidifier

This is the year you’re really ready for winter... furnace cleaned and checked... firewood re-stocked... snow tires on the cars... salt for the driveway... gas for the snow blower... and all of your cold weather gear – hats, gloves, coats, boots at the ready. Yep, when winter launches its assault on your senses, you’ve checked off all the boxes and are ready to do battle. And then, with the first sting of static electricity, you notice some cracks in your armor... dry, itchy skin... irritated eyes... sensitive sinuses... you are under attack, and the enemy is overly dry indoor air.

DRY AIR

When you retreat to the comfort of your home, you are just playing into the hands of the enemy because during the heating season, your home can become overly dry with relative humidity between 5 – 15%. That’s drier than the Sahara Desert!*

Before you just throw up our hands and admit defeat, keep in mind that overly dry environments can also affect your well-being. According to the Cleveland Clinic, breathing dry air can result in respiratory ailments including asthma, bronchitis, sinusitis and nosebleeds. Breathing dry air can also lead to depleted body fluids and dehydration. Dry sinuses under these conditions make you more likely to catch a cold since the mucus loses some of its ability to trap infection.

WHOLE HOME HUMIDIFIER

One way to combat the issues associated with dry, winter air is calling a qualified Summer Breeze HVAC and installing a whole-home humidifier. a whole-home humidifier can help you achieve a much more comfortable 35 – 50% humidity level inside, making you feel more comfortable without having to crank up the heat.

A whole-home humidifier can enhance the comfort in your home by adding moisture to dry, indoor air during the heating season. It can provide relief from dry nasal passages as well as alleviate the discomfort of dry, itchy skin and annoying static shocks.

Carrier offers many types of humidifiers: steam humidifiers, fan-powered humidifiers, and bypass humidifiers.

IDEAL INDOOR HUMIDITY

A properly humidified home can help save energy, too. As moisture in the air evaporates, you feel colder, are likely to turn up the heat, and your system will use extra energy. Because a humidifier can help you feel more comfortable at a lower heated temperature, you can save money on your heating costs as well.

HOME HUMIDIFIER

Once you have your humidifier installed, We recommend simple, routine humidifier maintenance with a qualified HVAC contractor to achieve maximum results. Many humidifier models allow maintenance operations to be completed without tools, quickly and conveniently, so you can keep your system operating at its best.

As a part of your home’s year-round comfort system, a whole-home humidifier can help you win the battle against dry, desert-like conditions in your home each winter. Then, you can throw a log on the fire... sit back... and enjoy your victory in comfort.

5 Tips for Saving Money on HVAC Energy Bills This Winter

HVCA Basics

5 Tips for Saving Money on HVAC Energy Bills This Winter

1. LET THE SUN SHINE IN

Let Mother Nature bring the heat at no cost to you by opening blinds in rooms with plenty of exposure to the sun. Then, close the blinds at night to reduce the chill you may feel when the sun goes down.

2. TURN DOWN THE HEAT

The easiest way to save on your heating bill is to turn down the heat to the lowest setting you are comfortable with. According to energy.gov, turning the temperature down an additional 10 - 15° F for 8 hours while you are sleeping or away can help save about 10% a year on your energy costs.

3. GET A PROGRAMMABLE OR SMART THERMOSTAT

A programmable thermostat can make turning down the heat automatic. Depending upon the model, you can set different temperatures for when you are home, away or asleep. Better yet, get a Wi-Fi connected smart thermostat that makes automatic adjustments and can be controlled remotely with a smartphone.

4. CHECK / REPLACE YOUR FURNACE FILTER

An extremely dirty or clogged furnace filter can cause your furnace to work harder than needed and waste energy in the process. Check and/or replace your furnace filter once a month, or as recommended by the manufacturer.

5. SCHEDULE AN ANNUAL FURNACE MAINTENANCE CHECK

Regular, routine maintenance and cleaning can help your furnace run more efficiently and potentially extend its life as well. If your furnace hasn’t been serviced this year, call us today.

Stay Safe with a Carbon Monoxide Detector

HVCA Basics

Stay Safe with a Carbon Monoxide Detector

WHAT IS CARBON MONOXIDE?

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless gas produced by incomplete combustion of fuels such as natural and liquefied petroleum gas. Exposure to carbon monoxide in the home can cause fatigue, chest pains, impaired vision and coordination, headaches, dizziness, confusion, nausea and can even be fatal.

CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were 5,149 deaths from unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning between 1999 – 2010 in the United States. That’s an average of about 430 per year. And while gas appliances like stoves, fireplaces, water heaters and furnaces are generally viewed as safe, it’s always a good idea to safeguard your family against issues that can arise if one of them malfunctions. Be sure to follow your gas-burning equipment manufacturer’s recommendations for use, care and maintenance. And, We recommend placing a carbon monoxide alarm on each level of the house and in every bedroom.

PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY WITH A CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTOR

Carbon monoxide detectors use sophisticated electronics and sensor technology to detect and record the levels of CO circulating in your indoor air. They help you monitor the current CO level in your home on a large, easy-to-read display. And when dangerous levels of CO are present, a loud, audible alarm alerts you and your family automatically.

The CO alarm’s peak level memory allows health care professionals to quickly assess the level of exposure in the event of an alarm
A rechargeable lithium ion battery allows for continued detection and warning even during a power outage
For peace of mind, you can check your CO alarm with the simple push of a button

PLANNING FOR CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTION

Plugging in a CO detector on every level and in every bedroom is a great step to take to help protect your family. Then, follow up by having a plan in place in case the alarm ever signals dangerous levels of CO in your home. Here are some general guidelines:

Have a pre-determined meeting place outside the home
Don’t ignore your CO alarm
Don’t attempt to find the source of the gas
Go outside for fresh air, immediately
Call 911 or contact emergency responders like the fire department
Make sure everyone is safely out of the home and never re-enter the home until you get permission from emergency responders

With carbon monoxide detectors on each level and every bedroom, you can fire up the stovetop or turn up the fireplace with confidence knowing you have taken an important step toward protecting your family.