4 Signs Your Home Has Poor Indoor Air Quality

March 2nd, 2016

The quality of the air inside your home has a significant effect on both health and comfort. Here are some of the signs of poor indoor air quality you should be watching for. If you notice these signs, contact your local trusted HVAC professional for help.

1. Increased Discomfort or Health Problems

Poor indoor air quality can contribute to physical discomfort while also making some health problems worse.

  • Dust, pollen, mold, pet dander, and particulates in the air can trigger allergies or asthma attacks.
  • Particulates can irritate eyes, noses, and throats, causing unpleasant scratchy feelings.
  • Particulates can cause sneezing, coughing, watering eyes, and skin irritation.
  • In severe cases, poor indoor air quality can cause dizziness or nausea.

2. Increased Amounts of Dust

Take a look at the shelves and other surfaces in your home. If there is an increased amount of dust on these surfaces, it could indicate a problem with indoor air quality. More dust and particulates can be present in poor-quality air, and over time, this dust will settle on surfaces in your home. You may even see more dust floating through the air if it’s made visible in sunshine or other light sources.

3. Bad Odors

If you notice more bad odors than usual, or unpleasant smells that will not go away, you may have poor indoor air quality. Certain activities, such as cooking, may produce temporarily strong odors, but if the smells you’re noticing are frequent or consistent, it could indicate a reduction in indoor ventilation and a drop in indoor air quality.

4. Higher Humidity and Mold Growth

Higher humidity in your home could be an indicator of poor air quality. This is especially true if the increased humidity is also accompanied by more mold growth.

Since 1962 our people have made Conditioned Air a top choice for heating and cooling services in Bradenton, Sarasota, Ft. Myers, and the surrounding Florida communities. Contact us today for more information on identifying poor indoor air quality and what you can do to improve the quality of the air inside your home.

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Sealing Air Leaks Will Save You Money

February 24th, 2016

Any gaps or leaks that allow conditioned air to escape your Florida home (or that allow unconditioned air to enter it) can reduce the efficiency of your heating and cooling system, leading to increased energy costs. By finding and sealing air leaks with these tips, you can save money and be more comfortable throughout the year.

Windows and Doors

Poorly-sealed windows and doors often feel drafty and can contribute significantly to higher energy costs. Use weatherstripping along the bottoms and tops of windows to seal gaps between the window and the frame, and use caulk to seal around the edges of the window frames, inside and out. Install weatherstripping around the inside of the door frame, where the door meets it, and use caulk around the edges of the frame. Install a door sweep to seal any gaps at the bottom of the door.

Attic

Warm air often escapes into the attic during heating season. Use caulk to seal around holes drilled for electrical lines, plumbing vents or lighting fixtures, or expanding foam if the gap is larger than ¼ inch. Seal around appliance flues and chimneys using high temperature caulk, and install a metal baffle to keep insulation away from any hot surfaces. Install baffles around recessed lighting, and seal soffits using caulk and insulation. Use unfaced insulation in plastic bags to seal any empty stud bays.

Exterior Walls

Any holes in the exterior walls can increase energy usage. Use caulk or expanding foam to seal holes drilled for plumbing, electric, or gas lines, as well as dryer vents or exhaust fan openings. Seal around any light fixtures, and repair or replace damaged siding. Use foam gaskets on interior outlets to seal the outlet covers.

Basement

Cool air often enters through the basement and is drawn into the rest of the home. Use caulk to seal around rim joists and the sill plate, as well as any holes drilled for plumbing or electric lines.

For more information about sealing air leaks around your home, talk to our experts at Conditioned Air, serving Southwest Florida since 1962.

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Attic Insulation: Common Myths & Misconceptions

February 17th, 2016

Properly insulating the attic in your Florida home is important to the overall efficiency of your HVAC system, but there are many myths and misconceptions about the process. Here is the truth behind some of the most prevalent attic insulation myths.

Insulating the Attic is Not Necessary in Warm Climates

Even in Southwest Florida, insulating the attic is important, as it prevents heat from escaping to the outside during the winter and prevents the hot air in the attic from warming your home during the summer. For the areas around Naples and Ft. Myers, the recommended insulation levels in the attic are from R-30 to R-60.

Insulating the Attic Will Seal Air Leaks

Attic insulation alone will not seal air leaks, though some types, such as sprayed foam, do a better job than others at sealing during the installation process. To properly seal the attic, there should be a separate vapor barrier installed if it is required in your area, and all holes drilled for electrical lines, plumbing vents, light fixtures and appliance flues should be sealed with caulk, expanding foam insulation, or for flues, chimneys and some recessed lighting fixtures, a combination of flashing and high-temperature caulk.

R-Value is Constant

R-Value is a measurement of a material’s resistance to the flow of heat, and it is assigned according to standard tests done in a lab. In actual use, the effective R-Value of an insulating material can vary based on many factors. Materials like fiberglass can increase or decrease in R-Value according to the temperature, and R-Value can be significantly reduced if the material becomes wet or is subjected to drafty conditions.

Insulating the Attic Automatically Increases HVAC Efficiency

Properly insulating your attic is only one factor in how efficiently your HVAC system operates. Some other examples include whether the HVAC system is sized properly, whether your ducts leak, how drafty your windows and doors are, and how many sources of heat gain are present, such as heat-generating appliances or windows without shades.

To learn more about how attic insulation affects HVAC efficiency, talk to our experts at Conditioned Air.We’ve been serving the southwest coast of Florida from Bradenton to Everglades City since 1962.

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3 Ways to Alleviate Pet Allergies in the Home

February 3rd, 2016

Adding a pet to your household can be a very rewarding experience, both for your family and the pet itself. If one of your family members has pet allergies, however, dander from the pet may cause symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes or other problems. In many cases, pet allergy symptoms can be significantly reduced by doing a few simple things around your home.

Maintain the HVAC System

Making sure that your HVAC system is clean and well-maintained can help reduce the amount of pet dander in the air dramatically. Have an HVAC professional perform routine maintenance on the system at least twice a year, including replacing the air filter and cleaning the blower fan, air handler and the evaporator coil thoroughly. Between visits, check the air filter yourself every month and replace it as necessary. Consider upgrading your air filter to one with a higher MERV rating to remove more particulates from the air, or consider installing a HEPA filter for the best protection.

Dust and Vacuum Often

Reduce the amount of pet dander and hair collecting in your home by dusting often with either electrostatic cloths or damp rags to catch all the small particles. Vacuum the entire home on a weekly basis at least using a machine with a HEPA filter, and eliminate clutter to reduce the amount of surfaces that collect dust and dander. Avoid installing carpeting, if possible, and take throw rugs outdoors once a month to clean them thoroughly.

Keep Bedding and Furniture Clean

If possible, try to keep pets out of the bedrooms of family members with pet allergies, and use hypoallergenic mattress covers, sheets and pillowcases in each room. Wash all bedding at least once a week. Vacuum upholstered furniture weekly, and consider installing furniture covers or throws that can easily be removed and washed to reduce pet dander accumulation.

For more ideas to help alleviate pet allergies in your home, talk to our HVAC experts at Conditioned Air today. Since 1962, we have been providing quality HVAC services to the Southwest Florida region, including Ft. Myers and Sarasota.

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Understanding Insulation R-Values for a Comfortable Home

January 27th, 2016

Your home heating and cooling system is your primary tool for keeping your home comfortable, but insulation is another factor that can have a significant effect on indoor comfort. The type of insulation you use in your home must be carefully chosen, and the insulation R-values must be appropriate for your geographical area. Here is a brief guide to insulation R-values and why they are important.

The Purpose of Insulation

Insulation prevents the flow of heat from warmer to colder areas. In a residential setting, insulation keeps warm air in during the cooler months and out during the hotter part of the year. Without insulation, or without enough insulation, heat from your furnace or heat pump escapes from your home in winter, while your air conditioner is overwhelmed with incoming heat during the summer. This makes your indoor spaces uncomfortable and increases the amount you pay for heating and cooling every month.

R-Values and Their Meaning

Insulation R-values indicate how effective a particular type of insulation will be at resisting the flow of heat. There are several types of insulation available to choose from, including fiberglass, cellulose, and foam. Each type of insulation will have an R-value, while better-quality insulation of each type will typically have a higher R-value. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation will be a resisting the flow of heat.

The R-value of insulation can also be affected by the thickness and density of the material, and whether or not the insulation material is compressed. Each layer of insulation is considered separately when calculating R-value, with the values of each layer added together to reach the final R-value rating.

In southern Florida, the U.S. Department of Energy recommends insulation with an R-value of R30 to R60 for attics, R13 to R15 for walls, and R16 to R19 for floors.

Conditioned Air serves heating and cooling customers in the Florida communities of Sarasota, Bradenton, Ft. Myers, and the surrounding areas. Contact us today for more information on insulation R-values and the benefits that proper insulation can have for your home.

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Troubleshooting Hot and Cold Spots in Your Home

January 20th, 2016

Uneven temperatures in your Southwest Florida home are not only uncomfortable, but they may also indicate a problem with your HVAC system or the house itself. By troubleshooting hot and cold spots in your home, you can find the source of the problem and take steps to correct it.

Malfunctioning HVAC System

An improperly-sized or malfunctioning HVAC system can easily lead to hot or cold spots in your home. Make sure the air filter is not clogged or excessively dirty, and replace it if necessary. The air filter should last several months, but it is a good idea to check it at least once a month. Inspect both the indoor and outdoor coils of a heat pump or air conditioner. If the coils are dirty or clogged with debris, the system will not heat or cool properly, and they will need to be cleaned. If you have a furnace, make sure that the burners are free of dirt and soot to keep it heating efficiently. If the problems remain, have a professional inspect the system and make sure that it is sized properly.

Duct Problems

Blocked or leaking ducts can also cause uneven temperatures. Make sure all the vents are open, and check inside the ducts for obstructions and remove them, if possible. Inspect the outside of accessible ducts for cracks, holes, disconnected joints and missing or damaged insulation. If the ducts are leaking, missing insulation, excessively dirty or obstructed, have a professional repair them.

Drafts or Air Leaks

Hot or cold spots can be caused by air leaking into or out of your home. Seal drafty windows, doors, and any holes in the exterior walls with weatherstripping, caulk or expanding foam insulation, and make sure that your home is properly insulated.

Thermostat Problems

Make sure that your thermostat is working correctly, and replace it if necessary. Also, make sure that it is in a suitable location to get a correct reading, and not in a drafty or sunny spot.

For more tips about troubleshooting hot and cold spots in your home, talk to our experts at Conditioned Air today.

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Understanding MERV Ratings for Cleaner Air

January 13th, 2016

When choosing an air filter for your home heating or cooling system, you must be aware of the air cleaning and filtering capacity of the filter you choose. Filters have efficiency ratings that can help you determine which filter is best for your particular needs. These ratings, called MERV numbers, can tell you whether or not the filter will be able to remove particulates such as dust and pollen to clean your air to a suitable level. Here is a brief introduction to MERV ratings and what they mean.

The Meaning of MERV

MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value, which is a standard measure of air filter efficiency and performance. A filter’s MERV rating indicates how effective it is at capturing small airborne particulates as air circulates through your HVAC system. MERV ratings indicate a filter’s capacity to remove particulates between 0.3 and 10 microns in size.

Uses of MERV Filters

MERV ratings for filters used in most residential settings range from 1 to 16. There are filters available with MERV ratings of 17 to 20, but these are usually extremely high-quality filters that require specialized mountings. Higher-MERV filters are also thicker and more dense than lower-MERV models. Before using a high-MERV filter, you must be certain that your HVAC system has the airflow capacity to support it.

MERV Specifics

Lower-MERV filters are often very inexpensive, but their ability to filter your indoor air is limited.

  • MERV 1-4 filters are usually only good at collecting larger particles of 10 microns and above.
  • MERV 2-8 filters are medium-quality, and can remove particles of 3 microns and larger.
  • MERV 9-12 filters are considered high quality and can easily capture particulates of 1 micron and larger.
  • MERV 13-16 filters are the highest quality typically used in residential systems and work best at filtering out smaller particulates.

Conditioned Air provides professional, courteous HVAC sales, installation, and repair services for customers in Sarasota, Bradenton, Ft. Myers, and other communities in southwest Florida. Contact us today for more information on MERV ratings and choosing the proper filter for your home heating or cooling system.

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How UV Light Air Purifiers Keep You Breathing Easy

January 6th, 2016

Ultraviolet light has been used in hospitals for years to kill pathogens like bacteria and viruses as part of the sterilization process. By using a similar technique, a UV light air purifier can help to keep the air in your home healthier, which is especially useful in humid areas like Southwest Florida. There are three different types of UV light air purifiers, but they all function in a similar fashion.

 

UV Light Air Purifier Types

The most common UV-based air purifiers are:

  • Air handler-mounted purifiers: One or more UV lights is mounted inside the air handler cabinet, illuminating the filter, the evaporator coil and the interior surface of the air handler.
  • Duct-mounted purifiers: A special system including UV lights is mounted in the duct system, typically on the return side.
  • Standalone systems: These are self-contained air purifiers that can be used in any room, up to the rated capacity of the system.

How They Work

The UV light inside the air purifier shines on any microorganisms located on nearby surfaces or in the air stream, within a certain distance from the UV source. Any viruses, bacteria or other microorganisms that are exposed to the light for more than about half a second will have their RNA or DNA degraded by the UV light, killing them.

Certain types of UV-based air purifiers work better than others, because they allow the microorganisms to be exposed to the UV light for a longer period. Generally, air handler-based systems or well-designed standalone systems produce better air quality than a duct-mounted system, which sometimes has air moving too quickly to treat effectively. A properly-designed system, however, can overcome this.

UV light can also break down odors and volatile organic compounds, leaving the air fresh. Moreover, it can reduce A/C maintenance by keeping the evaporator coil cleaner and preventing algae growth that clogs the condensate drain.

To learn more about the benefits of a UV light air purifier, talk to our team at Conditioned Air. We serve Southwest Florida, including the communities between Bradenton and Marco Island.

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What is a Zoning System & How Does it Work?

December 30th, 2015

In some homes, issues with heating and cooling may make it difficult to use a standard furnace, heat pump, or air conditioner. If this is the case, a zoning system is often the best and most practical answer. Here is a brief introduction to how they work to keep your home comfortable.

What Is a Zoning System?

Zone Systems concentrate heating or cooling in specific areas, or zones, of your home. Zones can be as small as a single room or as large as an entire floor of the structure.

They work in tandem with your existing HVAC system to ensure better and more precise control of comfort levels in the appropriate areas. They use a series of individual thermostats to control temperatures in the zones. Motorized dampers in the ductwork open or close in response to temperature needs, either increasing or decreasing the amount of heating and cooling reaching the zone. In this way, a zone system allows for precise temperature control within the one area without affecting temperatures in surrounding zones.

Why Use a Zoning System?

These systems are useful when you need better control over the heating and cooling in your home. For example, they help when:

  • It is difficult to provide consistent levels of heating or cooling throughout your home because of large floor plans.
  • Occupants need or want different levels of heating or cooling in their rooms. This allows individual temperature preferences to be met and eliminates conflicts.
  • Certain rooms or floors of your home need more heating or cooling than others.
  • Areas of your home need to have the amount of heating or cooling reduced because they aren’t being used.

Conditioned Air serves Ft. Myers, Sarasota, Bradenton, and the surrounding southwest Florida communities with top-quality HVAC services. Contact us today for more information on the uses and benefits of a zoning system and for expert advice on whether a zone system is the best choice for your home.

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DIY Repairs: Avoid Voiding an HVAC Warranty

December 23rd, 2015

A new HVAC system usually represents an investment of several hundred dollars or more. In most cases, new HVAC equipment will be covered by a manufacturer’s warranty that protects you against certain types of defects or problems. Warranties can be voided, however, if you don’t follow appropriate procedures. One of the most common ways of voiding an HVAC warranty occurs if you try to repair the system yourself. If your cooling system is still under warranty, it’s best to avoid DIY repairs and leave these matters to an HVAC professional.

Maintaining Valid Warranties

To ensure the warranty remains valid and that the manufacturer will honor the warranty, you must ensure that repairs and preventive maintenance are performed by HVAC professionals. It may be tempting to try to avoid a repair bill by trying to fix problems yourself, but unless you are a qualified HVAC expert, leave the repairs to the pros. In some cases, the HVAC pro you use may even need to be trained and certified by the company that made your HVAC equipment.

By relying on an HVAC professional, you can be sure that the work is performed properly, that the system will work correctly when the repairs are complete, and that the system will be safe to use. Manufacturers will be assured that proper procedures have been followed during the repair, that authorized parts have been installed, and that other problems haven’t been introduced into the system during the repair procedure.

Maintenance You Can Do

While significant HVAC repairs require the services of a licensed professional, there are some minor maintenance tasks you can perform that will leave your warranty intact. These include:

  • Changing air filters.
  • Cleaning the interior and exterior of the cabinet.
  • Clearing grass and other vegetation from outside of the unit.

Conditioned Air provides expert HVAC maintenance and repair services for customers in Ft. Myers, Sarasota, Bradenton, and neighboring southwest Florida communities. Contact us today for more information on how to avoid voiding an HVAC warranty and for the professional repair services you need to fix your HVAC equipment while keeping your warranty intact.

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