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Removing Common Allergy Triggers From Your Home

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indoor allergensIndoor air pollutants like dust, mold spores, pet dander and dust mites can make your entire family uncomfortable, but especially those with allergies or asthma. With a bit of extra care and maintenance around your home, you can remove many common allergy triggers and prevent future accumulations.

Have Your HVAC System Serviced

Routine annual, or semi-annual, maintenance of your HVAC system, such as cleaning the evaporator coil, blower fan and air handler cabinet, can reduce the accumulation and distribution of allergy triggers, while also improving system efficiency and extending its lifespan. Between service visits, you should replace the air filter yourself monthly to minimize allergens and dust, and every few years, consider having the ducts cleaned to eliminate any residual accumulations.

Upgrade Your Air Filter

If your air conditioner or heating system has only a basic air filter, it may allow smaller contaminants to pass through. Consider upgrading to a filter with a higher MERV rating for improved air quality or, for the best air filtration, consider electrostatic or HEPA systems.

Control Humidity

Dust mites, mold and other allergens thrive in a moist environment. If your home is excessively humid, consider adding a dehumidifier to maintain humidity levels at 50 percent or lower, and make sure that your air conditioner is sized correctly for your home so that it can dehumidify properly.

Use Hypoallergenic Bedding

Use hypoallergenic mattress covers, sheets, pillows and pillow covers for each bedroom, as well as easily-washable blankets, and clean them weekly. Minimize clutter in the bedroom and use hardwood or vinyl flooring instead of carpet to prevent dust accumulations.

Clean Frequently

Sweep and mop hard-surface floors often, and vacuum carpets at least weekly with a machine that uses a HEPA filter to minimize dust. Dust often using a moist cloth or disposable wipes, and consider adding easily-washable slip covers to keep furniture clean.

Other Options

If allergens are still a problem in your home, consider installing a whole-home air cleaning or ventilation system.

 

Air Conditioning Basics: A Quick Reference Guide

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air conditionerAir conditioning systems are crucial to comfort in Southwest Florida, and whether you are installing a new system or having one repaired, it is a good idea to know a few air conditioning basics to simplify the process.

How an Air Conditioner Works

Refrigerant enters the evaporator coil indoors as a cool, low-pressure liquid, where it absorbs heat as a fan circulates indoor air over the coil. This boils the refrigerant, turning it into a gas. Exiting the evaporator, the refrigerant enters the compressor, which increases the pressure of the refrigerant, heating it further, and pumps it through the system.

The refrigerant then enters the condenser coil, where it loses heat and cools to a liquid, using a fan that blows outside air over the coils. Finally, the high-pressure, cool liquid flows through an expansion valve, reducing its pressure, and back into the evaporator to repeat the cycle.

Efficiency Rating

One of the most important air conditioning basics to learn about is the SEER or seasonal energy efficiency ratio. This number indicates how much energy is used by the system over a cooling season, with higher numbers indicating more efficient performance and lower cooling costs. Typical models have a SEER of 13 to 16, while the best have a SEER of 20 or above.

Size

The cooling capacity of a central air conditioner is typically rated in tons, or the ability of the system to remove 12,000 British thermal units, or BTUs, of heat per hour. A 5-ton system, for example, would remove 60,000 BTUs of heat. Smaller air conditioners, like window units, may be rated in BTUs alone.

Types

Central air systems feature a condenser unit, a single evaporator and a system of ducts to deliver air. Ductless systems have an evaporator and air handler in each room, connected to a single condenser, eliminating the ducts and simplifying installation. Heat pumps are similar to central air systems, but can be reversed to provide heat, as well.

For more information on air conditioning basics, contact our team at Conditioned Air today. We serve Southwest Florida, from Bradenton to Marco Island.

3 Easy Ways To Boost Cooling System Efficiency

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cooling systemOnce the heat and humidity reach their peak in the Southwest Florida region, it can be difficult to keep your air conditioning costs under control. By taking a few steps to boost cooling system efficiency, however, you can lessen the effects of the higher temperatures and save money, while still remaining comfortable.

Install a Programmable Thermostat

One of the easiest and most effective ways to boost cooling system efficiency is by replacing your older thermostat with a new programmable model, then optimizing it to fit your schedule perfectly. By raising the temperature 10 degrees while you are at work or away, and reducing it just before you arrive home, you can reduce your cooling costs by up to 20 percent. Try to find a model that fits your routine, such as one with a separate program for weekends and weekdays, if you have a standard business schedule, or one with an individual program for each day, if your schedule is more flexible. The newest models offer features like self-programming, Wi-Fi connectivity and touchscreen interfaces that make them simple and convenient to use.

Maintain Your Air Conditioning System

Regular maintenance, such as cleaning the condenser and evaporator coils, replacing the air filter and cleaning the air handler, can keep your air conditioner running more efficiently and extend its lifespan. Have your system professionally inspected and serviced at least twice a year for the best results, and check the air filter yourself monthly.

Reduce Heat Gain

Adding extra heat during the daytime can make your cooling system work harder to keep you comfortable. Seal and insulate your home to prevent unnecessary heat gain, and close blinds or curtains during the day to block solar gain. Postpone heat-generating activities like bathing, cooking, laundry or washing dishes until the evening, and be sure to use exhaust fans to eliminate extra humidity. Replace inefficient incandescent bulbs with LEDS or fluorescents to save energy and reduce heat output.

For more ways to boost cooling system efficiency, talk to our experts at Conditioned Air, serving Ft. Myers, Naples and Sarasota since 1962.

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