How serious is indoor air pollution?

According to the EPA, indoor atmosphere pollution on average is between 2 and 5 times greater than the surrounding outdoor pollution.  The EPA lists it among the top 5 environmental health risks.  According to the American Lung Association, 87% of American homeowners are unaware that pollution may be worse inside their homes than outdoors.

How can I improve indoor air quality?

Source Removal refers to the direct removal or elimination of the specific pollutants, such as toxic cleaners, air fresheners, hair spray, and paints or carpets that off gas toxic fumes.

Increased Ventilation simply means to increase the outside air entering your home.  This can be achieved by opening windows and letting fresh air in to circulate.  Turning on ceiling fans or the HVAC fan on residential systems circulates the air but does not introduce fresh air from outside.

Air Cleaning involves removing impurities by filtering the indoor air.  Filtration systems, certain types of plants and the filter on your Heating and Air Conditioning system, all work to remove impurities.  The filter on your heating and cooling system can play an important role in removing dust, pollen, mold and other pollutants from your indoor environment.  Your choice in air filters will determine the filter’s effectiveness.

Now that you are aware that indoor air pollution is a common problem, you can take some very simple steps to improve the air you breathe inside your homes.  The results can be quite dramatic.

If you have any questions regarding our services or to schedule an appointment, callComfort Climate Service at 205-712-7739.  We provide quality service at competitive prices, serving Millport, Vernon, Sulligent, Fayette and surrounding areas in Lamar, Fayette, and Pickens counties in Alabama.

We have two HVAC units, an upstairs unit and downstairs unit. The upstairs unit, which is a heat pump, is rarely used. It is mostly set to off because we rarely use the upstairs living space. I have recently encountered a problem with the upstairs unit and am hoping to get some insight into what could possibly be causing the problem.

No matter what the thermostat is set on (heat or cool), it cuts on for about 2 seconds then immediately cuts the unit off. We have the same thermostat upstairs and downstairs. We took the front off the thermostat upstairs and tried it downstairs. It appears to work correctly on the unit downstairs.

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The thermostat is turning the unit on, then the unit is turning itself off two seconds later. This is indicative of a unit that is recognizing there is a problem and shutting itself off to prevent any damage to the compressor.

In most cases when this sequence of events occurs, the low pressure safety switch on the heat pump is shutting the unit down due to a low pressure on the low side of the refrigerant system. This is typically due to a loss of refrigerant.

I would recommend a HVAC professional diagnose the unit and if you do have a refrigerant leak, having the leak repaired.

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For more expert advice about heating and air conditioning service, check out our other blog posts.

Call 205-712-7739 to schedule a service appointment with one of our NATE certified HVAC technicians. We provide quality service to customers in the Millport, Vernon, Fayette, Sulligent and surrounding areas in Alabama.

An out of shape air conditioner can be sluggish and have a hard time keeping up in the dog days of summer.  These exercises will get your AC in tip-top shape for the summer season.  Your utility bills will be leaner while you relax in the cool comfort of your home.

1) Shed unwanted dirt and debris around your outdoor coil.

When the outdoor coil is obstructed by dirt, pet hair, grass or other loose debris, airflow is restricted.  It is your air conditioner’s job to remove heat from the indoor air, transferring the heat to the air outdoors. Optimal air flow is required to achieve peak performance.  When air flow is restricted, equipment is forced to work harder, using more energy and increasing utility bills.  This can cause overheating, leading to equipment failure and costly repairs.  Your HVAC technician will clean your outdoor coil with a special cleaner that loosens and dissolves dirt and grime, then rinse throughly with water.  Any bent fins, enemies of optimal air flow, will be straightened as well.

2) Blow out your condensate line and clean that pan.

AC condensate drain pans can be a breeding ground for slime and algae.  Over time, the slime builds up and can clog the condensate drain line.  This forces the contents in the drain pan to overflow, often causing expensive damage to the ceilings and walls of your home.

During your annual AC maintenance checkup, your HVAC technician will blow out your condensate line, clean the condensate pan and inspect the primary and backup drains.  All slimy buildup will be blown out of the line and your system will be flowing freely.

3) Measure your refrigerant levels.

Your refrigerant must weigh in on target.  If refrigerant is over or under weight, cooling capacity will be reduced and run time extended, resulting in excessive wear of critical components in your unit.  Extended run time will cause bloating of your energy bills.

4) Tighten up those electrical connections.

The leading factor in residential air conditioning fires is a short circuit. A short occurs when an electrified wire touches ground. Over time, equipment vibration can cause loose connections or a break in the wire insulation. During a tune-up, your HVAC technician will check electrical connections and wires, as well as safety switches and relays to ensure proper functioning.

5) Take a look at the AC indoor coil.

The correct type and frequently changed air filter will protect the indoor coil from dust and debris.  If not well maintained, it will become dirty and will need to be professionally cleaned.  If a cleaning is necessary, it should rarely if ever have to be performed again when the correct air filter is used and regularly changed.

See our Preventative Maintenance page for a more comprehensive list of tasks performed during our Spring preventative maintenance cleaning.  If you have any questions regarding our services or to schedule a preventative maintenance appointment, call Comfort Climate Service at 205-712-7739.  We provide quality service at competitive prices, serving Millport, Vernon, Sulligent, Fayette and surrounding areas in Lamar, Fayette, and Pickens counties in Alabama.

Air filters play a key role in removing pollen and allergens from the air.

The air filter on your heating and air conditioning system can play an important role in removing dust, pollen, mold and other pollutants from your indoor environment. Your choice in air filters will determine the filter’s effectiveness.  The best filter for your particular home will be one that filters out the greatest number of pollutants while still allowing adequate air flow to your system.

What do I need to consider when selecting an air filter?

All air filters are not created equal! When selecting a filter, you should consider the effectiveness of the type of filter, the filtering efficiency rating referred to as the MERV rating, as well as your specific equipment manufacturer guidelines.

 Air Filter Types

Panel Filters are typically made of spun fiberglass  and only trap the very largest particles.  Many home and business owners are still buying the panel filters only because they do not realize the filters are virtually ineffective and that much better options are available.

Pleated Filters are much more effective at trapping particles due to the denser material and increased surface area.  With pleated air filters, the surface area is more than doubled.  This means that there is a much greater surface area available to capture airborne particles.  Pleated filter prices are still inexpensive, even though they are a bit more expensive than the panel filter.  Like panel filters, pleated filters are disposable.  At this time, a good pleated filter is the best option for most homes.

HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) Filters seem like they would do an even better job at filtering out more particles because the material is much denser. Technically, they do; however, in residential HVAC equipment, they cause a significant decrease in air flow because the filter material is denser.  In this case, too much of a good thing can quickly become a bad thing.  HVAC equipment requires adequate air flow to function properly.  Although, HEPA filters may be suited for hospitals or other settings with commercial HVAC equipment, they are not recommended for use in residential HVAC systems.

Reusable Filters seem like they would be an excellent environmentally friendly choice because they reduce waste going to the landfill.  Unfortunately, consumer demand has not caused the makers to improve the existing technology.  With the large spaces between the filter material, the reusable air filters on the market are not as effective in trapping particles as their pleated counterparts.  Improvements in design are needed to make reusable filters an efficient choice.

 MERV Ratings

MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value and is the standard rating system for HVAC air filters.  MERV Ratings range from 1-16.  The higher the MERV rating, the more efficient in trapping airborne particles.  General guidelines for suitable uses of filters with corresponding MERV ratings are below.

• MERV Rating  5-8                Good for Residential
• MERV Rating  9-12              Superior for Residential; Good for Commercial
• MERV Rating 13-16             Hospital & Surgery

Always, refer to your HVAC manufacturer information for requirements.  Keep in mind that most residential HVAC equipment does not have enough fan or motor capacity to adequately circulate air using the highest efficiency filters.

How frequently should I change my air filter?

Inspect  your air filters regularly.  All filters will have a recommended change frequency.  This will differ depending on the brand and filter.  Use the suggested frequency as a guideline, keeping in mind that the need will vary depending on seasonal and usage factors.  We recommend that you check your filter every month to 45 days and change as needed.  Some programmable thermostats have a feature that calculates this information based on run time of the unit and will notify you when it is time to change the filter.

A clean and properly functioning quality filter will trap pollutants and improve the quality of the air that you breathe.  A  dirty filter becomes ineffective at removing air pollutants and will prevent adequate air flow to the unit, making the unit work harder to control the temperature in your environment.  When the unit has to work harder, energy costs are increased and equipment life is decreased.

To schedule a repair or preventative maintenance appointment or for a free replacement equipment quote, call Comfort Climate Service at 205-712-7739.  We provide quality service at competitive prices and service in the Millport, Vernon, Sulligent, Fayette and surrounding areas in Lamar, Fayette, and Pickens counties in Alabama.

Understanding HVAC energy efficiency ratings, will benefit home owners in several ways.  It will help you make informed decisions on when it makes sense to repair existing equipment.  It will help you decide when it is time to upgrade to a more energy efficient model.  When it comes time to replace your equipment, you will be able to compare the efficiency differences between your old and potential new systems.

Understanding HVAC energy efficiency ratings, will allow you to have a meaningful discussion with your HVAC contractor.  You’ll be able to compare the different equipment options available to you, their cost, and long term energy saving potential.  You will then be able to make a selection that works best for you.

Cooling Efficiency Measurement – SEER

SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio.   It is a measure of cooling efficiency for air conditioners and the cooling portion of heat pumps.  (Note:  A heat pump is actually a type of system that both heats and cools using the refrigerant.)  The higher the SEER, the more energy efficient the unit and the more money you save on energy costs.  In January 2006, the U.S. Department of Energy increased the minimum efficiency from 10 to 13 SEER.  In January 2015, the minimum efficiency was further increased to 14 SEER for the warmer states in the South.  Northern states are still under the 13 SEER minimum standard.  Residential units are now available with a SEER of 14 – 20 for Southern states. Older units with a SEER as low as 8 could still be operational.  An upgrade from an 8 to a 14 or higher SEER system could result in substantial money and energy savings.

Heating Efficiency Measurements – HSPF or AFUE

HSPF stands for Heating Seasonal Performance Factor.  This rating is used in measuring the heating efficiency of a heat pump.  The higher the number, the more energy efficient the heat pump system and the more money you save on energy costs.  Heat pumps manufactured after 2005 are required to have a minimum of a 7.7 rating.  In January 2015, the U.S. Department of Energy increased the minimum HSPF rating from 7.7 to 8.2 for all split-system heat pumps.  Residential heat pumps are now available with HSPF ratings of up to 10.

AFUE stands for Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency.  This is a measure of a gas or oil furnace’s efficiency in converting fuel to energy.  For example, if your current furnace has an AFUE rating of 75%, it means that 25% of the fuel is wasted in the conversion process.  The higher the rating, the more efficient the unit, the less fuel wasted and the more money you save on energy costs.  Residential furnaces are now available with up to a 98.7% AFUE rating.  Some older furnaces with an AFUE as low as 50% are still operational.

If you do not already know the HVAC energy efficiency ratings of your current system, it is usually easy to find on the Internet.  You will need your brand name, model and serial number, typically located on the back or side of the cover on the outside unit.  If you cannot find the efficiency ratings in an Internet search, contact the manufacturer.  Knowing and understanding the energy efficiency ratings of your system will help you make more informed decisions.  It is especially important if you’d like to reduce the amount of your energy bills and/or your current system is 10 years old or older.  This information will aid in helping you decide when it is time to replace your system.

For more information on HVAC energy efficiency ratings or other heating and air conditioning topics, check out our other blog posts.

To schedule a free replacement equipment quote, contact Comfort Climate Service at 205-712-7739.  We provide quality service at competitive prices, servicing Millport, Vernon, Sulligent, Fayette and surrounding areas in Lamar, Fayette, and Pickens counties in Alabama.

Scenario:

I have central heat and air. I had to reset the breaker for the furnace today. The heater never comes on in auto mode. I have a digital thermostat. I have also reset the breakers on the furnace itself. The blower will come on with it in manual. Why is my home heat blowing cold air only?  Any help would be nice.

Answer:

Several possible things could be the cause of your home heat blowing cold air only. If your fan motor is not coming on when the thermostat is on the call for heat with the fan setting on auto, this could be caused by several issues.

One: The thermostat could be faulty.

Two: You have a break in the low voltage heat wire (white) from the thermostat to the furnace.

Three: Heat/fan relay at the furnace could be faulty.

With your furnace tripping breakers scenarios one and two are both unlikely.  I would suspect that the heat/fan relay is not turning on the fan but is energizing the heat causing an overdraw of current, which in turn is causing the tripping of the breakers.

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For more expert advice about heating and air conditioning maintenance, check out our other blog posts for HVAC tips and updates.

Call 205-712-7739 to schedule a service appointment with one of our highly qualified HVAC professionals.  We provide quality service to customers in Millport, Vernon, Sulligent, Fayette and surrounding areas in Lamar, Fayette, and Pickens counties in Alabama.

The heating season has finally arrived in the south.  It’s time for a comprehensive furnace inspection and tune-up by a qualified HVAC professional.  A properly maintained furnace will operate more efficiently and have a longer life span, resulting in immediate as well as long-term money savings.  Below is the Furnace Cleaning Checklist of maintenance tasks your HVAC professional should perform.

Furnace Cleaning & Maintenance

• Observe operation of unit, paying close attention to operation of fans.  Loud fan operation can indicate premature bearing failure.
• Clean flame sensor & flame igniter to remove carbon build up.
• Inspect & clear all hoses to remove any blockages.
• Check fan blades for dirt & buildup causing excessive unit vibration & noise.  Clean if needed.
• Inspect blower door to ensure there is a good seal, preventing surrounding non-temperature controlled air from being drawn inside unit.
• Check safety operation of blower door safety switch.
• Check duct connections at unit for air loss into surrounding environment.
• Test operation of the unit’s negative pressure safety switch.
• Check return filter to ensure adequate airflow through return duct.
• Clean burner rail assemble to remove carbon buildup, which can cause flame distribution to the heat exchanger.
• Check all electrical entry points into the unit to ensure wire connectors exist & are secure.
• Check wires & connections.  Replace any wiring showing signs of heat damage or with cracked insulation.
• Check evaporator coil for blockage, which could prevent adequate airflow.
• Check blower capacitor to ensure proper speed of fan motor.
• Inspect all pipe fitting connections along gas line supply to ensure no gas leaks exist.
• Check heat exchanger for cracks & corrosion.
• Check combustion safety switch for proper operation.
• Check for proper sealing at all combustion vent connections.
• Check all duct lines for areas of collapse or excessive turns, which cause airflow restrictions.

For more expert advice about furnace maintenance, or to schedule a preventive tune-up with one of our highly qualified HVAC professionals, please contact Comfort Climate Service or call 205-712-7739.  We provide quality and prompt service in Millport, Vernon, Sulligent, Fayette and surrounding areas in Alabama.

We strive to help educate our customers about energy efficiency and home comfort topics with regards to Heating and Air Conditioning systems.