Interesting and Relevant Articles to AC Filters and Furnace Filters and HVAC Systems:

HVAC System Maintenance
By Jose Jesus Cervantes

Before you get hit with holiday chores, save yourself some money by having your heating and cooling system checked and serviced. For heat pumps one thing is a must: Outdoor and indoor coils have to be clean. Let me explain why this is very important without being too technical. There are two major tasks that have to be present before a heat pump works properly on each cycle: Air movement across the indoor and outdoor coils and refrigerant pressure.

To provide heat during winter, heat pumps work by moving air across the outdoor coil. The refrigerant in the system picks up heat from the outside air that is being forced through the coil. The compressor pressurizes the refrigerant and raises its temperature. Heated refrigerant moves inside your home to the indoor coil, air is forced through the coil where it picks up the heat produced by the heated refrigerant and finally the warm air is delivered to the occupied space.

Outdoor coils exposed to the ambient, suffers considerable deterioration due to dirt. On the other hand indoor coils, which are exposed to damp and dust can be clogged easily and can lead to air restriction. Clogged outdoor and indoor coils can slow the air flow being forced across. Outdoor and indoor motors have to work harder to maintain the designed air flow, so they consume more electricity. This condition leads to premature failure of electrical components, and lost of efficiency and comfort.

In the summer heat pumps works in reverse operation. Whether for heating or cooling, improper maintenance can be grounds for problems.
If well maintained, it's most likely that you will get the comfort and efficiency you expect from the equipment. If not it will deteriorate.

Furnaces, which burn fuel to produce heat, are subjected to more stringent rules of care. One of the reasons is Carbon Monoxide leaks. CO is a poisoning gas and comes from different appliances in a home. Furnaces in general are one of the largest sources of CO because of the amount of fuel they consume.

Forced air furnaces are design to vent out the combustion gases to the atmosphere through the flue pipe. Combustion gases, can escape into the living area of the home, if the flue pipe is blocked, damaged or disengage, or if the heat exchanger is cracked.
Flue systems and heat exchangers have to be maintained through the life of the furnace to prevent CO leaks and corrosion.

Periodic maintenance to your heat pump or furnace will prevent future repairs and unwanted costs. It is best to check the heating system in the fall and the cooling system in the spring.

Happy holidays from your friends at Clima Air & Electric.
Jose Jesus Cervantes, HVAC & Electrical Contractor

Jose Jesus Cervantes is a HVAC & Electrical
http://www.airsolarenergy.com
http://www.airsolarenergy.com/hvacmaintenance.aspx

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 Dust Mites Are Invading - Residential HVAC Systems Help Protect Your Families Health
By Brian Figlioli

 

When you flip a switch, you want the lights to come on. When you push a button, you want the computer to spring to life. When you turn the key, you want your car engine to start. You are looking for results. Period. That is why you are looking for residential HVAC in Atlanta: climate control in your home.

On a summer day in the south you want the climate inside your family's home to be something vastly different from what is going on outside. You want it to be pleasantly cool and you want the humidity level to hover somewhere between the 30% and 50% mark. The first factor is, obviously, comfort. When the humidity is high, the body's natural cooling system is much less effective, so that when you sweat, evaporative cooling doesn't keep up with the need. Lower humidity equals less need for perspiration and, when the need does arise, the process works better.

The second and less well known factor is the serious health benefit. American homes are experiencing an invasion of dust mites which can cause asthma and other allergic symptoms. The three main species are multiplying in spite of modern technology and apartment buildings are being invaded at alarming rates.

There are at least three methods of combating these little beasties.

    * Low Humidity -- Dust mites cannot live in conditions where low humidity persists. A relative humidity of less than 50% usually proves fatal for the nasty beasties. That means that keeping your home -- and family -- safe from these particular pests depends in part on the reliability and efficiency of your HVAC unit. Regular, professional checkups for all parts of your system are an important hedge against an assault by unwelcome guests. These invaders can live in all sorts of climates, including high altitudes. They are particularly happy in kitchens and bedrooms where they have access to the dead skin cells humans shed. Humidity and direct access to moisture are provided by human breathing, perspiration, and saliva. Keeping the humidity low by using an efficient HVAC unit is a highly effective front line defense.
    * Heating the Wash Cycle -- A recent study found that using heat when doing laundry makes a substantial difference in upping the death rate of dust mites. Using water at 140 degrees (or higher) kills all dust mites. Lowering the temperature to about 104 degrees leaves over 90% of them alive and able to reproduce. However, if hot water is not doable in your situation, it works to use water at least 86 degrees for rinsing IF THE LAUNDRY IS RINSED TWO TIMES FOR AT LEAST THREE MINUTES PER CYCLE.
    * Heating the Drying Cycle -- Ten minutes in a regular clothes dryer that is set for at least 140 degrees has proven enough to kill all the dust mites in bedding such as pillows, quilts, blankets, and mattress pads.

Bardi Heating and Air conditioning is an Atlanta area HVAC contractor specializing in design and installation of air conditioning systems for residential and commercial projects of any size. To learn more their services please visit http://www.Bardi.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brian_Figlioli
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 What is HVAC?
By Travis Cozzie

So what is HVAC? Many home owners have heard this term ( pronounced H-VAC) but not many know what this industry actually entails. HVAC is an acronym that stands for Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning. These systems combined can also be called Climate Control.

Most of us are familiar with the most basic and first user interface of the HVAC system- The thermostat. This device, analog or digital or the main controller of the HVAC system. The user inputs the desired range of temperatures acceptable for their environment. The thermostat controls the behind the scenes devices of HVAC - the heater and the air conditioning system.

These systems control the main functions of an HVAC system, controlling a temperature in the two main zones of the interior. These zones local and central. Local systems are more antiquated, while central systems use one main feed to service the entire house.

Ventilation is the less known aspect of HVAC. Ventilation involves the movement of air. More used in commercial settings, ventilation can do everything from move harmful carbon dioxide or chemical fumes out of a building, to entering air circulation with the outside environment. This latter aspect ensures that people within a building are berating clean oxygenated air. These system are prevalent in shopping malls, factories, even airplanes.

So how does this affect the home owner? HVAC is a system that provides comfort and is unnoticed until a problem occurs. As with any major home system, the home owner should have the name and number of a licensed HVAC contractor in case of emergency. These systems are sensitive, complicated and control the overall environment.

Need more info about HVAC? Find local HVAC contractors at Longmont HVAC: http://www.LongmontHVAC.com .

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Travis_Cozzie
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 HVAC Maintenance
By Terry Manlick

Does HVAC Maintenance Pay For Itself?

Most people would not even consider not changing the oil in their vehicle. Maintaining your HVAC system is no different. By getting involved in a quality maintenance program you will reduce energy costs, extend equipment life, optimize comfort conditions and increase system reliability. Just knowing your equipment is operating safely is a peace of mind in itself.

Many businesses use what I call “the breakdown maintenance program.” In other words “I’ll worry about it when it breaks.” We all know this almost always happens at a inconvenient time like when it’s 20 below zero or 95 degrees in the shade. This way of handling things is also very hard on your equipment and may decrease the life of it by as much a half. Maintaining is much cheaper than replacing.

Here are some of the savings you can expect from a quality maintenance program:

Adjusting operating sequence of equipment 25-35%

Cleaning Coils 5-15%

Changing dirty air filters 10-15%

Removing scale from condenser coils 25-30%

Adjusting air/fuel ratio of burner 15%

Cleaning burner assembly 15%

Removing soot from fire side of burner 9%

Eliminating V-belt slippage and pulley alignment 15-20%

Not to mention the money saved in break down service calls.

So if your not already set up with some type of HVAC maintenance program you may want to seriously consider talking to your local HVAC contractor about getting set up with a program to meet your needs.

Information provided by Terry Manlick of HVAC Maintenance & Supplies Other HVAC related articles as well as maintenance supplies can be found at http://www.mainsupplies.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Terry_Manlick
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  When Should You Clean Your HVAC System?
By Matthew McKernan

It is important to keep your HVAC system cleaned. It is important because you want the air flowing freely,and also you want good air quality. If the system I dirty and not cleaned periodically the system will just be blowing around dust and pollen. When you have an older system it may require cleaning more often because the system was not maintained.

When should you clean your HVAC system? An easy way is to just to do a visual inspection. When you do your inspection and the system has obvious debris and microbiological growth it is then time to clean your system. There can also be a fiber optic system video done. This can be done before and after the cleaning. Of course it is expected to see a small amount of debris on the system. A small amount of debris is normal but when there is a build up of debris and microbiological growth that is when you would need to gt your system cleaned.

In all cases, the source or cause of particulate contamination or microbiological proliferation must be determined and corrected before you have the system cleaned. The cleaning of the HVAC system does falls under preventive maintenance. It is also good to clean all of the parts of the system not just the vents. It will help to extend the life of your system. When having your system cleaned all of the air distribution parts need to be cleaned. That means any part that the air travels thru.

When it is time to get your system cleaned the company that cleans it for you should have the proper qualifications. They should be qualified in the Association of Specialists in Cleaning and Restoration (ASCR), the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA), or the North American Insulation Manufacturers Association (NAIMA). These associations have specific outlines standards in which the system needs to be maintained. When you need the system in your home done there is different qualifications. The system for your home and office are different and require different methods of cleaning.

The methods that are used to clean the systems involve two things. It involves both mechanical techniques and chemical sanitizers or biocides. The most popular method of cleaning depends on the system component, It also depends on the type of debris or contamination, and access to the area. In no circumstance should encapsulates or coatings be used before or instead of proper cleaning.

These are some tips on cleaning your system. Like previously stated in the article cleaning your system is part of the preventive maintenance. So it will help you to get the most out of your HVAC system.

Process chillers,
Chiller

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Matthew_McKernan
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 Air Ducts of HVAC Systems - The Nightmares of Allergy Sufferers and People With Asthma and COPD
By Daniel P Elliott

Every year more and more people are trying to improve the quality of life by eating healthier, exercising, and limiting smoking and drinking. The expectation is that this will their health to improve and increase the longevity of their life. While it is true all of these changes can only benefit individuals, there are hidden environmental factors which most people are not even aware. What about breathing better? Poor air quality is probably the number one reason for the increase in allergies and respiratory ailments, such as Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulminary Disease, or COPD, which are on the rise. Not the air quality outside, but the air quality inside.

The average human being spends at least 16 hours per day indoors due to sleeping and working and another 1.5 hours commuting according to a research study conducted by the University of Southern California. This constant confinement breathing the same stagnant air creates a hazardous climate. What is worse is the condition in which most HVAC systems and ducts are kept.

Even after a couple of years in a recent constructed building, the air ducts can be rife with allergens, dirt, dust, and contaminants. The air conditioning and heat cycles just serve to recirculate much of this hazardous material and inject it into the air being inhaled. While it is true that air filters do help in reducing some of these pollutants, most continue to be minimally effective.

Electrostatic air filters are perhaps the most advantageous and expensive to use in the goal of eliminating breathable indoor pollutants and allergens, but the best solution involves a combination of tasks. Duct cleaning is almost unheard of in a large majority of family homes. Most home owners or renters never think about calling an HVAC company to service the duct work throughout the home, just as they forget about cleaning the coils under the fridge or flushing out the water heater periodically.

Regular duct cleaning should not be viewed as an expense, but a required maintenance just as a vehicle needs oil changes. Most home owners would be amazed and disgusted with the amount of crud, lint, and furry dust bunnies which reside in the ducts. Some of this can easily be viewed by taking a solid look into a few of the air registers. Should a family have pets, what they will find is even worse.

When a family rids the ducts of foreign hazardous crud, the family will benefit in ways not before realized. The home will be cleaner. The home will smell cleaner. Every family member will breathe easier and enjoy better health. After all, it is much easier and cheaper to maintain a loved one's health, rather than pay costly medical bills to restore a loved one's health.

For more information and guidance about heating, ventilation, air conditioning and water heaters, visit http://www.comfortzonepa.com .

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Daniel Elliott is an independent contractor who authors articles and media for diverse audiences. WebDrafter.com, Inc. (http://www.webdrafter.com ) produces Website design, hosting, and search engine marketing services for many of the clients, industries and markets related to the articles and media authored by Dan Elliott.

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 Correct Sizing of Heating and Cooling System Will Provide More Comfort at Lower Cost
By Jay Gibson

Correct sizing of heating and cooling systems is necessary to get better performance from the air conditioning and furnace. A better output means efficient use of the energy, less wear and tear to the system add more comfort to the occupants. Ultimately the aim is to heat, clean, ventilate, humidify and dehumidify the internal environment of the home properly so that it enhances comfort and health of the occupants.

In older homes the heating and cooling systems are often neglected until the system completely dies. An early retirement of the air conditioning and furnace can be quite cost effective over the long run. When installing a new system the heating and cooling system should be properly sized to achieve a higher efficiency. The heating cooling system should neither be undersized or over sized, because in both cases it will mean a less comfortable system, potential health hazard, increase in running cost, higher energy cost and more stress on the system. If installing a radiant heating system the issue is the same. The boiler and the radiator should be sized to match each other. The radiators should be placed in rooms in such a manner that they provide uniform heating and do not result in hot and cold areas in the house.

For sizing heating and cooling systems, the home air conditioning requirements are calculated by taking into account several variables like room volumes, insulation of house, windows, air ducts, house leakage, and orientation of house, heat gain from lightning, appliances and occupants. This data is fed into a computer program that is based on calculation from Manual J for residential application by Air conditioning Contractors of America. The software program provides accurate heating and cooling load requirements by taking in to account all the crucial data of the house. This helps the residents of the house to get a tailor made solution to their air conditioning problems.

In the end by adopting the right sizing method the homeowner can easily save a significant amount of energy throughout the year. This means a reduced utility bill and saving more money in the long term.

Jay Gibson has over 18 years experience in the heating and cooling industry. His experience includes residential HVAC home heating & cooling systems. His area of specialization is in high performance HVAC systems that maximize the efficiency, comfort, and health of peoples' homes. You can learn more at http://www.absoluteheatingcooling.com

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