Conditioned Air Company of Naples, LLC Blog: Archive for the ‘News’ Category

The Importance of Balanced Home Ventilation

Wednesday, June 29th, 2016

Modern construction techniques have produced homes that are tightly sealed and thoroughly insulated, which dramatically improves their energy efficiency but introduces other problems. Without an adequate ventilation system, indoor air pollutants such as dust, pollen, pet dander and chemical vapors tend to stay in the air longer, potentially causing or contributing to certain health problems. A balanced home ventilation system can help keep the air in your Southwest Florida home cleaner, improving your comfort and health.

Why a Ventilation System Is Important

In great enough concentrations, chemical vapors, dust, pollen and other indoor air pollutants can cause symptoms like congestion, a runny nose, coughing or fatigue in healthy people, and it can make conditions like a cold, the flu, allergies, asthma and other breathing conditions worse. By installing a ventilation system, you can constantly circulate fresh air throughout your home regardless of the weather, eliminating pollutants like chemical vapors and filtering out dust, pollen and other particles.

Why Choose a Balanced Ventilation System?

There are several types of ventilation systems, including exhaust, supply, balanced and HRV or ERV. The exhaust system is relatively inexpensive and draws air out of the home, which is replaced by outdoor air through vents, windows or leaks in your home’s outer envelope. As it draws in the replacement air, often pollutants can find their way in.

Supply ventilation systems filter and bring air into the home, exhausting the air through vents, windows or leaks. By pressurizing the inside of the home, supply systems keep out more pollutants, but can lead to condensation and moisture problems.

A balanced ventilation system is a combination of both supply and exhaust systems, drawing in filtered air and simultaneously exhausting an equal volume of stale air. This prevents pressure changes in the home and ensures that the air inside is always fresh and clean. HRV and ERV systems are balanced systems that recover heat and energy from the air as it is exhausted.

To learn more about balanced home ventilation systems, talk to our team at Conditioned Air. We serve the Southwest Florida region, including Sarasota and Ft. Myers.

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What is a Smart Thermostat and How Can it Make Your Life Easier?

Wednesday, June 22nd, 2016

Programmable thermostats are a quick and inexpensive way to reduce the heating and cooling costs of your Southwest Florida home by up to 20 percent, but conventional models can be difficult to program and may not be as flexible as your schedule demands. By incorporating the latest technologies, like touchscreen controls and Wi-Fi connectivity, a smart thermostat can make it easy and convenient to minimize your energy usage and costs.

Common Smart Thermostat Features

Most smart thermostats feature an intuitive interface with a touchscreen display, which makes it much easier to program and use than a conventional programmable thermostat, with menus that are simple to navigate and settings that are straightforward. With the included Wi-Fi connectivity, it’s also possible to program the thermostat remotely from a computer or a smart phone, allowing you to easily change settings while you’re away from home, or to create complex schedules without using the built-in interface. Some models also use Wi-Fi to connect with other smart devices in your home, such as smoke detectors or lighting, which enables some advanced home automation options. Others can use the connection to display critical information like the weather on the thermostat’s display, or to send alerts to your phone if there’s a problem with your system.

How a Smart Thermostat Makes Life Easier

A smart thermostat makes it simple to create complex programs, changing the temperature in your home as needed to accommodate your busy schedule. By lowering the temperature 5 to 10 degrees while you’re away in the winter and raising it during the summer, you can maximize your energy savings. It also makes it easy to adjust the temperature to adapt to unforeseen events, such as coming home from work early or extending your vacation by a few days. Finally, if your HVAC system develops a problem, it can help you get it repaired promptly by alerting you to the situation, avoiding damage to your home or HVAC system.

To find out which smart thermostat is perfect for your home, talk to our experts at Conditioned Air, serving Southwest Florida.

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Is Duct Cleaning Really Necessary? (Hint: Yes!)

Wednesday, June 15th, 2016

The air ducts in your Southwest Florida home are responsible for delivering conditioned air into each room so, over time, they can collect dust, pet dander, pollen and other allergens, especially when the HVAC system is not being used frequently. Periodic duct cleaning can improve your indoor air quality and may increase the efficiency of your HVAC system.

Why Duct Cleaning Is Important

Poor indoor air quality can cause symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, wheezing, itchy eyes, runny nose or fatigue, or worsen pre-existing symptoms. It is especially problematic for those who have allergies, asthma, bronchitis or other respiratory conditions. Regular duct cleaning can remove irritants like dust, dander and pollen from inside the air ducts, preventing them from being distributed throughout the home when the HVAC system is turned on. Large accumulations of dust, especially in the return ducts, can also harm the efficiency of your HVAC system by clogging the air filter and evaporator coil, making it work harder to keep your home at a comfortable temperature.

When It Should Be Done

Typically, it is a good idea to have your air ducts cleaned every 3 to 5 years, and it can be scheduled to coincide with one of your semi-annual routine maintenance appointments for extra convenience. If one of your family members has a respiratory condition, or if your area is excessively dusty or has high pollen counts, you may want to consider more frequent duct cleaning, with services scheduled annually during the spring allergy season and just before your home is closed up for the winter. Finally, if you have had recent home renovations, it is a good idea to clean the ducts afterward to remove any household dust, sawdust or other particles that may have found their way into the air ducts during the project.

To learn more about the benefits of periodic duct cleaning, talk to our HVAC professionals at Conditioned Air. We have offices in Naples, Sarasota and Ft. Myers, and we serve communities throughout the Southwest Florida region.

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Cut Your Energy Bills: The Latest in Programmable Thermostats

Wednesday, June 8th, 2016

One of the easiest and least expensive ways to save energy in your Southwest Florida home is to install a programmable thermostat. By simply reducing the usage of your HVAC system during the times you are away from home or asleep, you can reduce your energy costs by up to 20 percent. Many of the newest programmable thermostats make it easier than ever to save money with innovative new features.

Self Programming Ability

Some of the newest programmable thermostats can automatically adjust their settings based on the times that your family is at home, away or asleep to find the most energy-efficient settings for your busy schedule. They can communicate with other sensors throughout your home, such as motion sensors, to determine when it is occupied or empty, and adjust their settings accordingly.

WiFi Connections

Many models feature WiFi connections, allowing the user to adjust the temperature or other settings from anywhere within the house with a WiFi-enabled device, such as smartphone or computer, or even over the Internet using mobile phone apps. This allows you to adjust the temperature from a distance if you are coming home early or to shut the HVAC system down remotely if there is a problem.

Touchscreens

Older programmable thermostats could be hard to configure, with complex menus that were accessed through a very basic LCD display and a few buttons. Often, this meant that people were less likely to adjust the settings as necessary to achieve the highest energy savings, because the process was so difficult. Many of today’s models feature intuitive touchscreen interfaces that make adjusting the settings easy, and they often offer extra information, such as the current weather, thanks to available WiFi connections.

Setting the Thermostat

To save the most on your energy bills, reduce the temperature by 4 or 5 degrees when you are away from home or asleep during the winter, and raise it during the summer.

To learn which programmable thermostats would be best for your home, talk to our team at Conditioned Air. We have served the communities of Southwest Florida since 1962.

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Carbon Monoxide Detectors: What You Need to Know

Wednesday, June 1st, 2016

If your Southwest Florida home features a fuel-burning appliance such as a gas stove, water heater or furnace, you should take extra care to keep the appliance in good condition to avoid the dangers of carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide is an invisible gas that is extremely dangerous and impossible to smell or taste. To ensure your family’s safety, carbon monoxide detectors should be installed throughout your home, and there are a few important things you should know to operate them properly.

Types of Carbon Monoxide Detectors

There are typically three types of carbon monoxide detectors, including hard-wired models that must be installed by an electrician, plug-in models that require a nearby outlet for installation, and battery-operated models that require no external power source. Plug-in and battery-operated models are the least expensive and easiest to install, though hard-wired models may offer more features, such as integration with your alarm system. Plug-in or hard-wired models may also include batteries as a backup power source in case of an outage.

Installation

One detector should be installed on each level of the home, near the main living areas and near your fuel-burning appliances, and one should be installed in or near each bedroom. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions, which will recommend the proper installation heights and locations for the best performance.

Maintenance

Carbon monoxide detectors require very little maintenance to function properly, but they do have a limited lifespan, due to the nature of the materials that detect the gas. Periodically dust the outside of the case, especially near any vents, and install fresh batteries every six months. Every month or so, use the detector’s built-in test function to ensure that it’s still operating properly, and replace it if there are any problems. Finally, check the owner’s manual or the body of the detector for its expatriation date, and replace the detector just before the recommended time.

For more information about installing or using carbon monoxide detectors, talk to our HVAC professionals at Conditioned Air. We serve Southwest Florida, including the communities of Naples and Sarasota.

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Tips for Relieving Indoor Allergy Issues

Wednesday, May 25th, 2016

If you or a family member suffer from allergies, sometimes the air inside your home can be worse than the outdoor air. There are a few simple ways, however, that you can improve your home’s air quality and reduce or eliminate many indoor allergy issues.

Common Sources of Symptoms

Household dust, dust mites, pet dander, mold spores, insect droppings and pollen can all be triggers for allergy symptoms, and they can even affect those without allergies. When present in high enough concentrations, these irritants can cause sneezing, coughing, wheezing, congestion, sore throat and watery or itchy eyes, among other problems, and the symptoms can be difficult to treat.

Reducing Indoor Allergy Issues

One of the best ways to minimize the presence of allergens in your home is to keep your HVAC system in good condition. It should be inspected at least twice a year, before the heating and cooling seasons, to make sure that it is clean and running properly, and that all routine maintenance, like changing the air filter and cleaning the coils, has been performed according to the manufacturer’s guidelines. You should also consider having the ducts cleaned every few years, to remove dust and allergen accumulations, and you should replace the air filter yourself every few months to improve indoor air quality. For better filtration, upgrade to an air filter featuring a greater MERV rating, or consider installing a HEPA filter.

Other things you can do to reduce allergy issues include vacuuming regularly with a machine that uses a HEPA filter and dusting often with moist cloths or electrostatic wipes. Try to minimize clutter and store unused items in sealed containers or bags, especially soft materials like clothes and bedding, to reduce dust accumulation. Install hypoallergenic mattress covers, sheets and pillowcases in all the bedrooms, and wash the bedding at least once a week. Consider installing an air cleaner to help remove allergens and to improve indoor air quality further.

For more information about reducing indoor allergy issues, talk to our HVAC experts at Conditioned Air. We have been serving the Southwest Florida area since 1962.

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Summer Air Conditioner Maintenance: It’s Not Too Soon

Wednesday, May 11th, 2016

Summer may seem like it’s a long time away, but it’s never too early to think about summer air conditioner maintenance. By scheduling your summer air conditioner maintenance visit now, you can make sure that your system is completely ready for the hot and humid weather of Southwest Florida. You’ll also avoid your HVAC contractor’s busy season which is often during the early summer when people discover that their air conditioners are not working as expected.

Why Routine Maintenance is Critical

Routine maintenance extends the life of your air conditioning system by eliminating unnecessary causes of major system problems, such as a compressor that overheats and fails due to dust accumulation on the evaporator coil. By performing regular maintenance and correcting small problems that could cause major failures, you not only extend the life of the system, you also ensure that it continues to run efficiently, reducing energy usage, lowering your utility bills and protecting your system’s remaining manufacturer warranty.

What is Done During the Maintenance Visit

The HVAC technician will inspect your system thoroughly, checking for problems such as dirty coils, refrigeration leaks and electrical problems. The technician will then perform routine maintenance, which typically includes cleaning the condenser and evaporator coils, checking refrigerant levels, cleaning the blower fan, adjusting the blower motor belt, lubricating the blower motor and pulleys, changing the air filter and inspecting the electrical system. If any problems are found, the technician will recommend possible solutions and perform any repairs that you have agreed to.

What You Can Do Between Visits

There are also several things that you can do between service visits to keep your system running properly. This includes checking your air filter regularly—about once a month—and replacing it when it becomes dirty. You should also keep the supply and return vents free of obstructions, such as furniture or curtains, and keep the area around the condenser coil clean and free of debris.

For more information about summer air conditioner maintenance, talk to our cooling experts at Conditioned Air.

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How to Stop Springtime Allergies from Making You Miserable

Wednesday, May 4th, 2016

In southwestern Florida, the mild weather of spring is often the best time for outdoor activities—before the oppressive heat and humidity of summer makes air conditioning necessary. But if you have allergies, spring weather brings allergens and marks the start of several months of suffering. To make yourself more comfortable during the spring, there are several things you can do around the house to minimize the effects of springtime allergies.

Replace the Air Filter Often

The air filter in your HVAC system helps to remove pollen and other allergens from the air, and it should be changed at least every three months. During spring, it is a good idea to replace it at the beginning of the season and check it monthly thereafter, replacing it as necessary. Consider upgrading to filters with a higher MERV rating to remove more allergens, or consider installing a HEPA or electrostatic filter for even better overall filtration. It is also beneficial to have your HVAC system serviced, during which the evaporator coil, the air handler and other components will be cleaned, minimizing the amount of dust and allergens in the air.

Use Proper Ventilation

When the weather is mild, it is tempting to open the windows and let fresh air in. If you have springtime allergies, though, this invites pollen and other allergens into your home. To reduce your allergy symptoms, consider using the air conditioner more often, which filters and cools the air, or consider installing a whole-home ventilation system, which supplies plenty of fresh air while also filtering it to remove allergens.

Minimize Dust

Vacuum your home often using a machine that features a HEPA filter to minimize dust and allergens, and dust at least weekly using moist cloths or electrostatic wipes. Minimize clutter—especially in the bedrooms, closets and living areas—to reduce the amount of surface area that collects dust, and store items that you do not use often in sealed bags or containers to minimize dust accumulation.

To learn more about preventing springtime allergies, talk to our air quality experts at Conditioned Air, serving the Southwest Florida region.

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What to Expect from Indoor Air Quality Testing

Wednesday, April 27th, 2016

Because most people spend significant amounts of time indoors—especially during the excessively humid summers in Southwest Florida—the indoor air quality of your home is an important factor in your overall health and comfort. Pollutants such as dust, pollen or other substances can cause or contribute to symptoms like runny noses, congestion, itchy eyes, coughing and sneezing, especially for those who already suffer from breathing conditions such as asthma or allergies. Indoor air quality testing can help to determine if there may be a problem with your home’s air quality, and what steps are required to mitigate it.

How Indoor Air Quality is Tested

The indoor air quality testing procedure typically includes a blower door test, which places your home under negative pressure using a large fan placed in an exterior opening. A professional HVAC technician can then find the sources of air infiltration, determine how often per hour the air in your home is exchanged, and use specialized equipment to sample the air for pollutants. Depending on the equipment used, the technician can test for:

Dust
Pollen
Pet dander
Microorganisms
Carbon monoxide
Radon
Volatile organic compounds or chemical vapors

The samples often have to be sent off for laboratory testing, and after the technician receives the results, he or she can recommend solutions such as upgrading your air filters, installing air purifiers, cleaning your air ducts or installing a ventilation system.

What to Expect From the Tests

Indoor air quality testing can help pinpoint the source of a suspected air quality issue, and with professional help, you can work to improve the quality of the air in your home. Except for carbon monoxide and radon, there are no explicit rules about the allowable amounts of air pollutants, only guidelines. Indoor air quality testing should only be used as a guide to improve air quality in general, and not as a specific diagnosis of a problem.

To learn more about indoor air quality, talk to our HVAC experts at Conditioned Air. We serve many areas in Southwest Florida, including the communities of Naples, Ft. Myers and Sarasota.

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3 Simple Spring Energy Saving Tips

Wednesday, April 20th, 2016

With the mild weather of spring, energy efficiency is not necessarily a top concern for many homeowners, but there are still a few things that you can do to cut energy costs. With these simple spring energy saving tips, you can shave a few dollars off your utility bill and prepare for the hot and humid summer that will soon arrive in the Southwest Florida region.

Have Your HVAC System Serviced

After a long winter, the HVAC system in your home is due for a thorough inspection, some cleaning and a bit of routine maintenance. By having your system serviced now, you can make sure that your cooling system is running efficiently and is ready for the summer heat. During the service visit, your HVAC technician will inspect the system, clean the condenser and evaporator coils, change the air filter, clean and adjust the blower fan, check the refrigerant levels and inspect the electrical system. This can increase cooling efficiency by up to 15 percent, saving energy and reducing cooling costs. You should also check the air filter yourself at least once a month, and replace it when it becomes dirty or clogged.

Take Advantage of Natural Ventilation

With mild weather of spring, it is the perfect time to open up the windows in your home and take advantage of natural ventilation, especially during the mornings when it’s cooler. By reducing the use of your air conditioner during nice weather, you can save significant amounts of energy and reduce your utility costs.

Avoid Heat Gain

You can keep your air conditioner off for longer periods by controlling the amount of heat introduced into your home, saving significant amounts of energy. Use curtains or blinds to shade south or west-facing windows during the afternoon to prevent the sun from heating your home, and avoid cooking, washing dishes, or using heat-generating appliances during the hottest parts of the day to keep your home cooler.

For more spring energy saving tips, talk to our professionals at Conditioned Air today, proudly serving the Ft. Myers, Sarasota and Naples areas.

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