HVCA Basics

Using UV Light to Kill Bacteria and Mold

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.

Kick Off Fall with a Furnace Clean and Check

HVCA Basics
Kick Off Fall with a Furnace Clean and Check

When you’re setting your calendar for the first big game of the season, why not pencil in a reminder to contact us for a routine tune-up of your furnace? Regular, scheduled maintenance of your heating system can be the catalyst for:

  • keeping utility bills under control
  • preventing bigger (and potentially more expensive) repairs down the road
  • extending the life of the system

Here’s why: when your HVAC system is running, airborne pollutants like dust, and more can collect on its interior surfaces. These particles can accumulate over time, and if not addressed they can:

  • restrict airflow
  • reduce comfort
  • reduce energy efficiency
  • reduce the life of the system through corrosion and material breakdown

DIY OR SCHEDULE MAINTENANCE WITH A PROFESSIONAL?

Cleaning or replacing the system’s air filter is an easy DIY project most homeowners can handle, and it definitely helps reduce the buildup of contaminants in your heating system.  However, professional HVAC technicians have the equipment and expertise to dig a little deeper. They can:

  • clean and tune up interior components
  • evaluate system operation to be sure the unit is heating effectively
  • make minor repairs that might prevent bigger ones in the future 

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING AN HVAC SERVICE APPOINTMENT

A standard furnace maintenance appointment, often marketed as a “clean and check” generally lasts about an hour In most cases, your technician will run the system in all of its modes to check that heating temperatures are correct, the system is functioning correctly, and there are no signs of malfunction. While every contractor is a little different, your tune-up might include:

  1. Make sure all electrical and gas connections are sound and components are working properly
  2. Check for secure physical connections of individual parts 
  3. Check the igniter - new furnaces don’t have pilot lights
  4. Check the flame sensor if applicable
  5. Inspect and clean the burners
  6. Inspect the heat exchanger for signs of damage such as cracks or corrosion 
  7. On 90% AFUE or higher furnaces, inspect and clean condensate drain lines
  8. Check the static pressure – it will be different for fixed-speed or variable-speed models
  9. Do a combustion analysis 
  10. Check and if necessary, adjust gas pressure
  11. Inspect the vent pipe for loose fittings and proper support
  12. Check and if needed, re-set the heat-off delay

The cost will vary depending on your dealer, but many HVAC contractors offer special pricing for clean and check visits, or offer service contracts that include spring and fall checkups along with preferred pricing for additional service and parts.

Prepare for Winter with These 5 Ways to Winterize Your Home

HVCA Basics
Prepare for Winter with These 5 Ways to Winterize Your Home

Old Man Winter is on his way, and he’s packing his usual bag of tricks – snow, sleet, freezing temperatures and more. But before you start waxing your skis and dragging out the old toboggan, it’s time to start winterizing your home to protect it – and your family – from the elements.

1. CHECK SEALS AROUND WINDOWS AND DOORS

Any entryway into your home can let heated air out and colder air in if not properly sealed. 

Windows: Use plastic cling wrap or buy a window sealing kit from a local retailer. Also, insulated drapes or window coverings can help reduce drafts and energy loss.

Doors: Check, and if necessary, replace the weather stripping around the frame of all exterior doors.  

2. CAULK, PAINT, REPAIR

Caulk: Check your home exterior for gaps in door and window frames, wood trim, fireplaces and locations where wiring and piping enter your home. Use a high-quality caulk to seal any gaps.

Paint: Look for exposed wood surfaces. Scrape any loose paint, clean the area, and apply a good quality paint to protect the wood.

Repair: Visually inspect your home for loose shingles, poorly installed siding, rotting wood or cracks in masonry. Hire a contractor if you cannot make the repairs yourself.

3. CLEAN THE DRYER VENT

While this one is easy to forget, your dryer vent will build up a layer of lint during normal operation, causing longer drying time and worse – it can be a fire hazard. Cleaning your dryer vent about every six months, including once in the fall, should be on everyone’s to-do list. If you can’t do it yourself, hire a reputable vent-cleaning contractor. 

4. SMOKE & CARBON MONOXIDE (CO) DETECTORS

It’s always a good idea to check your smoke alarms and CO detectors on a regular basis. And because you will likely be spending more time inside and potentially using CO generating appliances such as a gas furnace during the winter, fall is a great time to test and if necessary, replace your smoke alarms and CO detectors.

5. FURNACE MAINTENANCE 

Inspect your furnace filter monthly and replace as needed according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Taking the time to tackle these tasks can help save energy, improve your family’s comfort and help prevent bigger home repairs down the road.

What Temperature Should I Set My Thermostat?

HVCA Basics
What Temperature Should I Set My Thermostat?

Trying to decide what temperature to set your thermostat? You are not alone! Your thermostat settings not only affect your comfort, they can have a big impact on your utility bills as well. And while the ideal thermostat setting for your home is largely based upon personal preference, there are ways to achieve a comfortable balance between comfort and energy savings.

Here are some tips on how to find the right temperature setting for your home:

WHEN YOU ARE HEATING YOUR HOME...

Regardless of whether you are more interested in comfort or savings, finding that sweet spot on the thermostat may take a little trial and error. A good rule of thumb for energy-saving heating is to set your thermostat at 68° F. For more comfort, try increasing the temperature by 1 or 2 degrees at a time. For energy savings, turn the temperature down 1 or 2 degrees at a time. 

WHEN YOU ARE COOLING YOUR HOME... 

During the hotter, more humid months, nothing beats the relief of a cool, humidity-controlled home. To find your happy place, try setting your air conditioning system at 78° F for a good mix of comfort and energy efficiency. Then, adjust as needed to find your comfort zone. 

WHEN YOU WANT TO SAVE ENERGY...

According to the Department of Energy, you can save up to 10% a year on your heating and cooling when you set back the thermostat 7-10 degrees from your normal setting, for 8 hours a day. Do this at night when you go to bed, and during the day when you go to work.

  • During the heating season: Try turning the heat down and bundling up – wear a sweater or light jacket, fuzzy slippers, etc. Open window coverings to allow natural sunlight in and let Mother Nature help warm your home.
  • During the cooling season: Try turning up the AC temperature and supplementing with a fan – either a free-standing type or a ceiling fan. Close window coverings to minimize the sun’s warming effect.
  • All year long: Get a programmable thermostat that can automatically adjust the temperature for comfort when you are home or awake. Some of these models will also “learn” your patterns and automatically adjust to help maintain both comfort and energy savings. And, Wi-Fi® thermostats give you even more flexibility with comfort control from your smartphone, tablet or computer. Our Wi-Fi thermostats must be connected to Wi-Fi for remote connectivity. You need an iOS® or Android® mobile device to use our app.
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