Issues like this can lead to serious health problems, but air duct service from AirRite helps to keep clients aware of the issue and create a plan for resolving the situation altogether.

The last thing you need is a leak in your air ducts to cause your conditioned air to spill out and force your HVAC system to work overtime. Sometimes, we do not even know about it, but in many cases air leaks can cause mold to grow due to the moisture traveling through the ducts not getting back to the air filter or the condenser.

That is why it so important to receive regular air duct service to make sure that these leaks are sealed up sooner, rather than later. The longer you wait, the longer mold spores can circulate throughout your home without you even knowing it. These leaks are also a source of lost conditioned air, which makes your HVAC system work harder and longer hours to keep your home comfortable.

The bottom line is that air duct service is very important to both your home’s financial and your family’s healthy wellbeing. Make sure that your air ducts are checked and thoroughly cleaned out at least on a yearly basis.

AirRite offers several options for air duct service and cleaning. Contact us today to learn more about how to keep your home and pocketbook comfortable this winter.

Basically, a zoning system can give you more control over what you are paying in heating and cooling costs. If you are running your daily business with one thermostat, then you are going to get fluctuating temperatures throughout your building – and the only place that is going to be truly comfortable is your hallway where the thermostat is located. Your employees might try to solve this issue by adjusting the thermostat higher or lower to reach a more comfortable working space for themselves.

A zoning system eliminates those needs and maximizes the efficiency of your HVAC unit. As a matter of fact, the U.S. Department of Energy estimates that 40 percent of all utility costs come from your HVAC energy consumption. They also estimate that a zoning system saves a business up to 30 percent on their heating and cooling costs. If you take a moment to run those numbers, you will quickly see how your overhead costs can drastically drop – and your profits will increase.

So the next question is, “How does a zoning system work and how much will it cost me?” Taking out your old HVAC system and replacing it with seven or eight smaller systems while also ripping out your drywall and existing forced air vents and then running new vents, all of which working independently of each other, would place the estimate for cost to be in the tens of thousands – you might have to consider taking out a small business loan from the bank.

Fortunately for you, this is not at all necessary. As a matter of fact, installing a zoning system is quite simple and inexpensive since it works with the current central HVAC unit you have in place. This unit is the mastermind behind the conditioned air that is circulating throughout your business, and it is likely located on your roof or on the side of your building in a gated or sheltered area. The unit forces the conditioned air out into your vents that “web” apart and feed different parts of your building. Each room has a supply and return air duct in it and they receive conditioned air, just not enough of it.

A zoning system is basically a series of thermostats that are installed in each room.  They can be either hard wired or controlled remotely, depending on what you choose. These independent thermostats feed into a central thermostat, which tells it whether the room is at the desired temperature. That thermostat then feeds to a series of dampers in each room that tells them to either stay open or close off. If they are open, then the room still needs conditioned air. If they are closed, then room air is at the right temperature and does not need any more conditioning.

So, the real work with implementing a zoning system is the installation of the thermostats in each room and the establishment of a communication link to the main thermostat.  The dampers will also be installed into each room to control air flow, but the system does not require new ducts or any cuts into walls.   And remember, the zoning system is also using the unit you already have in place, so the cost of installing and maintaining additional units is negated.

The grand finale to the upgrade concludes with a better way to use the air in your HVAC system. Now, the conditioned air goes into the rooms that need it and does not go into the rooms that do not, and you do not have to re-route any air ducts to accomplish this.

As a matter of fact, you have probably used the basic premise of these zoning systems in your home when trying to heat or cool multiple levels. You may have stuck blankets in front of an air duct that is closest to your hallway thermostat so that the heat could travel to the downstairs rooms, knowing that heat rises and the upper levels stay warmer. The principle is the same here, it’s just an automatic service provided to you by the zoning system via the dampers. Now you can just sit back, enjoy your more comfortable, more efficient business and let the HVAC system work likes it’s supposed to – by itself!

CADR

A unit’s Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) is the amount of filtered air the portable purifier delivers in a certain amount of time. All air cleaners are tested to determine how quickly, though not necessarily how thoroughly, they remove certain pollutants from the air. The ratings range from 10 to 450 for tobacco smoke; 10 to 400 for dust; and 25 to 450 for pollen.

CADR ratings have some limitations. For example:

• They don’t indicate how efficient a filter is removing minuscule particles
• They fail to measure a filter’s ability to remove gaseous pollutants
• They don’t tell whether a filter stops being as effective over time
• The filters are always run on high settings during the CADR test, though homeowners usually use low settings to reduce noise

HEPA

High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters are the most efficient air filters available today. They are rated 17 to 20 on the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) scale. They trap more than 99 percent of all particles smaller than 0.3 microns, which includes viruses, tobacco smoke and carbon dust along with larger particles such as bacteria, auto emissions and mold spores. While no other filters can trap particles this small, HEPA filters only target airborne particles, not gaseous pollutants.

“Asthma and Allergy Friendly”

This relatively new certification indicates that an air filter removes allergens and improves IAQ by not redistributing them. Only a few filters have earned this distinction so far, but it’s worth considering if you find it.

Non-Ozone Producing

Some machines are marketed as freshening air cleaners. Unfortunately, the sweet-smelling scent they produce is a known lung irritant called ozone. Avoid these types of air cleaners to preserve IAQ.

To learn more about maintaining good indoor air quality, please contact us at AirRite Air Conditioning. We have served residents in the DFW area since 1955.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Fort Worth and Arlington, Texas area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).

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Appliances like washers, dryers, microwaves and dishwashers certainly are energy consumers, but they do not compare to the amount of energy used by your climate control HVAC system. It is always important to use energy wisely, and using a digital thermostat gives you the power to do just that.  In fact, a digital thermostat is kind of like having a buddy that turns the lights off for you when you leave a room or makes sure the faucet is off when you leave a bathroom.

Using your HVAC system wisely means keeping comfortable temperatures only when you are actually in your Fort Worth home and letting the HVAC system take an extended break when you are away. You can see up to a 20 percent savings by using a programmable thermostat, that’s typically $300-$400 a year.

The old analog thermostats are actually clunky with mechanical moving parts and mercury vials that do not quite have the energy saving features of a digital thermostat. The mechanical parts in analog thermostats can easily be thrown off by someone bumping into it and the mercury vial can become a health risk if it leaks. Digital thermostats use thermistors to take the temperature readings and they pose no health risks at all – and they do not have to be recalibrated over time to return accurate levels of performance.

Energy efficiency happens when you use energy wisely. If you are still using an old plastic wheel to set your thermostat temperature, then your home isn’t as efficient as you should be.   Your analog thermometer means that a constant temperature is going to be maintained regardless of whether there are people within your home.

Let the technicians at AirRite get your home into the 21st Century by installing digital thermostats that can be programmed to save you energy when it is less needed and still keep you comfortable while you are at home.

Here are the benefits you stand to gain when you choose AirRite Air Conditioning for all your HVAC services.

• Improved energy efficiency: When performing a tune-up, technicians carry out actions that improve efficiency. These include replacing the filter, cleaning out internal components and lubricating moving parts. Improved efficiency helps maintenance agreements pay for themselves. After all, a recent university study suggests that unmaintained equipment wastes an average of $32 per month due to inefficient operation.
• Chance to catch problems early: Technicians can remedy common issues easily, such as loose electrical connections or fraying belts, while performing a tune-up. Failure to schedule preventative maintenance can result in a damaged system or more expensive repairs later.
• Better performance all season long: It’s true that you can avoid many inconvenient, expensive mid-season service calls simply by scheduling annual maintenance at the start of the season. With the extra assurance that your HVAC equipment will function properly all season long, scheduled HVAC services deliver the peace of mind you need to get on with your day-to-day responsibilities without unnecessary distraction.
• Member benefits: The above benefits can be yours simply by scheduling annual tune-ups, but you can only enjoy certain benefits by signing a maintenance agreement with AirRite. These additional benefits include priority emergency service, no overtime charges, and a 10 percent discount on parts and labor charges.

Not all maintenance agreements are created equal. The affordable AirRite Preventative Maintenance Program offers all the benefits you want at a price you can agree with. Plus, with convenient automatic monthly payments, you can sit back and relax, knowing your HVAC services are already paid for.

It’s hard to pass up the benefits of a quality maintenance agreement. To join the AirRite Preventative Maintenance Program, please contact AirRite Air Conditioning. We’ve proudly served Arlington and Fort Worth since 1955.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Fort Worth and Arlington, Texas area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).

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One of the best places to maintain energy efficiency is your HVAC system – and a fall tune-up can help. During the service call, a professional will start at your thermostat and make sure that it is in good working order. Over time, thermostats necessitate calibrations or need to be replaced because they are not keeping the right temperature. A certified technician can advise you and help you to keep your thermostat in good working order. And, it is a great place to start when looking to increase home efficiency in your Fort Worth home.

The technician’s next stop will be the furnace itself. During a fall tune-up, the technician will take the time to really get into the guts of the operation. The summer can leave nests of insects and rodents in the electrical and mechanical parts. Combine this with dirt and debris, and you have a situation that can lead to HVAC system failure. The basic job of the technician in this phase is to clean all of this mess out. While in the furnace, the technician will review all mechanical components and give them a thorough cleaning. This also means inspecting the blower motor to make sure it is working properly, as well as greasing the blower bearings. These motors are just like any other motor or machine with mechanical parts. They need to be greased every so often so that the metal structures do not wear themselves out.

The next components of the evaluation are the most critical parts of the fall tune-up – the burner and the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger houses the oxygen that is lit and maintained so that the blower can send warm air throughout your home. It is the source of your home’s heat, and if it is cracked, carbon monoxide can leak out into your home.

Carbon monoxide poses extreme danger. It is an odorless, tasteless and invisible gas that can cause immediate death if inhaled. It is the result of incomplete combustion of a compound, and it is highly toxic if inhaled. The sad truth is that hundreds of people die every year from carbon monoxide poisoning. However, it is preventable, and if you know what to look for, then you can stop yourself from falling victim to it. Carbon monoxide poisoning manifests as flu-like symptoms, so they often go unnoticed. If you have a carbon monoxide detector in your home, however, you can be alerted immediately if carbon monoxide is present in the air.

A good fall tune-up on your HVAC system means keeping your furnace and forced air system in good working order, but it also keeps you safe and gives you peace of mind.

Additional fall tune-up tips include:

- Ensuring that there are no flammable liquids around the furnace. This mean gas cans, lawnmowers or anything that can easily catch on fire.

- Maintaining clean filters by changing your air filter out every month. On top of breathing clean air, this can make sure your filter is not so clogged with dirt and debris that your HVAC system can’t push through it causing failure.

As a matter of fact, 90% of all failures are not from old age, but rather from dirt and debris. Keep it clean inside and out and you will have a great system that will work many years for you.

But no fall tune-up is complete with just ensuring your HVAC system is running right and efficient. Home efficiency involves sealing off your home so that heat cannot travel out. The basic principle behind this includes installing home insulation that will stop the exchange of heat.

Carefully consider everything you have done while performing the HVAC fall tune-up – you made sure that everything was in order for a full winter efficient run. Your furnace will now be operating efficiently and producing warm air. But, if your warm air escapes through areas with inadequate insulation, then your HVAC system has to work harder to keep the house warm. It is imperative that you take the appropriate
steps to make sure your home is both using and keeping the air it produces.

Some areas of improvement could include insulation in the attic and walls, sealing ports of utility entries and insulating doors and windows. Insulation provides you with a better R-value, which is what measures the resistance given to heat transfer. A higher R-value is good for both winter and summer. During the fall tune-up, consider having a home energy audit performed as well – this way, you can see for yourself where the heat is being lost, or gained.

A visual attic insulation inspection is a good place to start. Are there any signs of rodents nesting, such as droppings or the critters themselves? If there are, then you need to get them out immediately. Rodents not only chew into your insulation, but they also chew through electrical lines – leaving you with a whole other problem to deal with. Is your insulation in good condition? Service contractors such as cable guys and electrical repair workers have probably trounced all over the insulation.

A leaky roof could have also caused mold growth. No matter the cause, faulty insulation should be replaced, especially if there is visible damage or mold present. Homeowners who upgrade entry doors from wood to steel will also see improvements in efficiency since steel doors provide a higher R-value, especially those that have an insulated interior. Window upgrades may also be necessary and recommended during the fall tune-up. Old windows are not insulated and they do not have the low-E applied to them which causes heat to reflect back in the direction from which it came.

Home efficiency and regular inspections like fall tune-ups have the potential to save homeowners thousands as the years go by.

1. Upgrade attic insulation. Acute attic heat can increase temperature in rooms beneath the attic up to 10 degrees. Reduce heat conduction through the ceiling by insulating the attic to at least R30. That’s a minimum of 10 inches of fiberglass batts or 8 inches of loose-fill cellulose.
2. Ventilate the attic. Soffit vents that intake cool air into the attic must be unobstructed. Consider adding a solar-powered attic ventilator to boost attic air circulation.
3. Evaluate upstairs windows. Install weatherstripping to close gaps between the movable surfaces of the window sash. Consider double-pane insulated window glazing to reduce heat transfer into the house.
4. Draw shades and drapes during daylight hours. Sunlight entering a room brings heat energy with it.
5. Change system filters regularly. Ductwork efficiency relies on proper air conditioning airflow. Change the air filter monthly during the cooling season.
6. Close downstairs supply vents.  Shift the balance of air distribution upstairs by closing some of the downstairs air vents. Never close all vents downstairs, however, which causes pressure imbalances and starves the system of air.
7. Keep supply vents unobstructed. Move furniture and other obstructions away from supply vents upstairs. Make sure also all air return vents are open and the air path from the nearest supply vent is not blocked.
8. Utilize fans. Air circulation from a ceiling fan can make a room feel about five degrees cooler to occupants.
9. Get professional advice. An energy evaluation by an HVAC contractor can pinpoint where heat energy is getting into the house and cooling is lost.

Your local source of cooling and heating expertise since 1955, AirRite Services delivers all-season comfort to Fort Worth homeowners. Let us evaluate your air conditioning system to keep both upstairs and downstairs comfortable all during the cooling season.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Fort Worth and Arlington, Texas area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).

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1. Turn your A/C system off while you’re away: If you shut your A/C off during the day, it will require more energy to cool the house after it’s absorbed several hours of heat. Consider installing a programmable thermostat that turns down temperatures while you’re away and automatically increase cooling before you return.
2. Sharp temperature setting shifts at the thermostat will cool faster: Many air conditioning systems produce cooling at a consistent rate, so “slamming” the thermostat to a lower temperature will not make the A/C cool faster. Consider installing a variable-speed air handler if you want the system to produce cooling at different speeds.
3. Use ceiling fans to cool empty rooms: Ceiling fans are an excellent energy-saving addition to your Dallas A/C system. They work because they produce a cooling effect on your body when the breezes from the fan make physical contact with you. A ceiling fan will not cool a room if no one is in the room to feel the air drafts.
4. Close system vents to increase efficiency: By the time air exits from the vents, energy has already been expended to cool it. Closing air vents will only keep conditioned air out of your home, which could increase energy consumption as your Dallas A/C works harder to make up for the shortfall.
5. Only air conditioning can keep you cool: In emergency situations, keep cool by heading to a basement area where the sun doesn’t shine and where the floors and walls are cooler. If there’s no basement, wrap some ice in a cloth and rub it on one wrist, then the other to lower your body temperature temporarily.

AirRite Air Conditioning Company, Inc. makes Texas a little cooler with professional HVAC services in Dallas, Fort Worth, and Arlington. Contact us today for more information on the best ways to save money with your Dallas A/C and for expert help separating energy-savings facts from myths.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Fort Worth and Arlington, Texas area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).

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Routine maintenance means keeping the condensate line clean, keeping the grass and vegetation trimmed back from your outside unit, and making sure there is plenty of refrigerant in the line. Things like this help ensure you don’t have to worry about air conditioning repair right now, or in the spring.

Winterizing an AC unit is actually fairly simple, however you must wait until the last heat wave is gone to take action.  Firs, open up your outside disconnect box and flip the switch over. This makes sure you don’t accidentally kick it on from inside your house at the thermostat.

AC units were actually made for the outdoors, so covering it is not particularly a necessity. But, you might consider protecting it from falling debris. Go ahead and give it a final cleaning for the year and make sure that the inside is clear of any debris – including leaves, grass and nests of insects or rodents.

Protecting your unit from falling debris in the winter is an ideal way to ensure that you do not have air conditioning repair to deal with in the spring. Barren winter trees can lose their limbs or even icicles, in those rare cases here in Fort Worth, can fall and damage your unit. Just use a flat, strong board to put over the top of it. You can also cover it a little with a tarp, but you do not it to go all the way down the unit. This gives critters a nesting place and they tend to chew up your wires.

AirRite is committed to providing the best in HVAC service to our greater Fort Worth neighbors.  Please call us to help get your home ready (and comfortable) for the winter ahead.

• Change air filters in your A/C unit: Air filters help keep your indoor air clean by trapping and holding particulates and other contaminants in the air flowing through the air conditioning system. Filters should be checked at least once a month and changed if they’re dirty. Dirty filters block the airflow your A/C needs to function properly and can cause system malfunctions or breakdowns in your air conditioning in DFW.
• Turn on your ceiling fans: If you haven’t been using ceiling fans to improve indoor cooling from your air conditioning in DFW, start reaching for the switch that turns on these air circulation devices. When the air drafts produced by the ceiling fans contact your body, you’ll be cooled in a process similar to what you feel when a breeze hits you outdoors. Downward-flowing air from the ceiling fans will recirculate cool air that has settled in the lower areas of the room.
• Close curtains to reduce heat gain: Heat gain is the production of excess heat inside your home caused, in part, by sunlight shining through your windows. Reduce this type of heat gain by closing curtains, drapes, and blinds to block sunlight.
• Clean air conditioner components: Improve the quality of your air conditioning in DFW by cleaning the interior and exterior coils where heating and cooling transfer takes place. Clear away vegetation, dirt, leaves, grass, or other material that has accumulated inside the outdoor A/C unit. Trim grass, tree limbs, shrubs, and other vegetation to allow plenty of room around and above the outdoor unit.

Throughout the DFW area, customers know they can count on AirRite Air Conditioning Company, Inc. for expert air conditioning services. Contact us today for more information on boosting your air conditioner’s performance to receive better-quality air conditioning in DFW, even if the summer season is nearly over.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Fort Worth and Arlington, Texas area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).

Image courtesy of Shutterstock