Mentor HVAC Tip: How Electronic Air Filter Works

May 14th, 2012

For a long time, the most frequently used kind of air filter in Mentor has been the mechanical variety. This is the kind you probably think of when you hear the terms air filter, air cleaner or air purifier. They use pleated fibrous filters in-line with an air handler to trap particles in the air before circulating it back out into the home.

Many models of these work very well and have for many years. They have the added benefit of being flexible because you can put in whatever filter you need depending on what size particles you need to trap.

However, these traditional devices are not the only option. A second kind of air filter exists for trapping particles in the air– one that does not use a fibrous filter that physically snags them out of the air on the way through.

These electrostatic — or electronic — air filters work in a different way to produce a similar result. The filtering component is still a fibrous sheet, but the difference is that the fibers are made of plastic, which becomes charged when air passes through it and causes friction.

(Think something like when you rub a balloon and stick it to the wall.)

These friction-charged fibers carry an electronic charge, which attracts the ions in the air around it. These ions — and the particles that they are a part of — get trapped in the fibers and stay out of your air supply.

Electronic air filters are generally very good at trapping particles that are 1 micron in size or higher, putting them about on par with a mechanical air filter that carries a MERV rating of 12. The electrostatic method works well for many common household air pollutants, such as dust, pollen, mold and pet dander.

As with many ventilation-related decisions, the choice of what kind of air filter is right for you depends on your needs and those of your family. If you are having trouble deciding, then an air quality assessment and consultation with a Mentor HVAC professional can be a good way to reach a decision.

For more tips on how to improve your indoor air quality, give Apple Heating & Cooling a call!

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Apple Heating and Cooling: Outstanding Safety

May 11th, 2012

Apple Heating and Cooling is very proud to have received an award for safety in the workplace from the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation and Congressional Recognition for that Safety Award. Call Apple Heating and Cooling today for all of your Ohio air conditioning, heating, and indoor air quality needs.

Safety Award | Ohio | Apple Heating and Cooling

Congressional Award | Ohio | Apple Heating and Cooling

 

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Ashtabula HVAC Tip: Why Routine HVAC Maintenance Improves IAQ

May 7th, 2012

Furnaces and air conditioners in Ashtabula are by far the most common way to circulate air throughout homes, offices and institutions, heating in the winter months and cooling in the summer.  Adjust the thermostat and controlled air is delivered almost immediately.

If a system is not regularly and properly maintained, however, that air can be dirty, dusty and full of odor, having passed through the heat exchanger, filters and ductwork that have accumulated a build-up of residue over time.  Indoor air quality quickly deteriorates.

The Basics

HVAC systems heat or cool air at a central point, often a furnace in the basement.  The air passes through filters to sift out dust and unwanted particles, then travels through a system of ductwork to be delivered to the space.  Return air ducts bring it back to the central point.

Along the way, the air accumulates the dust, germs and debris of the places it inhabits.  Over time, the filters become clogged and eventually contribute more contamination to the processed air than they can clean.  The enclosed and hard to reach ducts are also deposits of dust and decorated with spider webs that are quickly another form of filter that gives back more than it receives.

The Costs

Without routine maintenance, the system runs poorly and distributes more dirt into the living space than it is able to filter and clean, reducing the quality of life for the inhabitants, homeowners, businesses and customers.  Poor air quality can lead to serious health issues as well as the loss of time and productivity.

Not only does the quality of the air decrease, the strain on the system lowers efficiency.  Having to work harder consumes more energy, creating an immediate and noticeable rise in utility bills.  The stress also reduces the lifetime of the system and requires more rapid replacements of parts or the entire furnace, a huge financial cost.

Regular Maintenance is the Easy Solution

To maintain high levels of quality air, it is essential to schedule regular replacements of filters and a clean-out of the ducts.  The filters are accessible as part of the furnace and air conditioners and easily swapped out by the home owner once or (better) twice a year.

Ductwork, however, is enclosed and often out of site, just as easily out of mind and certainly harder to reach.  Scheduling a duct-cleaning along with an inspection and routine maintenance of the entire system with a licensed Ashtabula HVAC company such as Apple Heating & Cooling ensures longevity and efficiency along with peace of mind.

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Apple Heating and Cooling Texas Chili Cookoff

May 4th, 2012

Chili Cookoff | Ashtabula | Apple Heating and Cooling
Chili Cookoff | Ashtabula | Apple Heating and CoolingCongratulations to the winning team of Rick Crowell, Linda Hoffmann, and Betsy Zwaduk. Apple Heating and Cooling Texas Chili Cookoff was held at the Geneva Eagle’s club and had a great turn out with tons of delicious food. According to Rick, the secret of their success was: “Finding the right balance between flavor and heat, but also having 2 experienced chefs – Linda and Betsy –  who know their way around a spice rack put us at the top.” Linda said “Its important to constantly taste your own creation so you can perfect it.”

Call Apple Heating and Cooling for all of your Cleveland Area air conditioning, cooling, and indoor air quality needs!

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Wickliffe HVAC Tip: What Do You Have to Learn to Be an HVAC Tech

April 30th, 2012

No matter how the style, usage and materials change in buildings, there will always be the need in Wickliffe to heat the spaces comfortably in winter and cool them affordably in the hot days of summer.  The wide variety and complication of systems requires certain knowledge to maintain and install them.

If you’re looking for a dependable and lucrative career, being an Wickliffe HVAC technician makes good dollars and sense.  As either a self-employed contractor or as part of a larger company, the business of heating, venting and air-conditioning homes, businesses and institutions is sure to be always available.

Areas of Focus

Depending on the interests of the individual, there are various ways to be involved with HVAC systems.  Some choose to participate only in the initial stages of designing, estimating and selling systems to the customer.  Others focus on the installation while still others are only involved with the regular maintenance and service of existing systems.

An independent sub-contractor may need to be expert in all areas of HVAC systems where a team of technicians can concentrate on their selected interests.

The Road to Certification

HVAC refers to many different kinds of systems powered by numerous different types of energy.  Improvements in the technology create an ever changing fast paced body of required knowledge.  Experience is the best teacher but cannot alone keep technicians up to date.

Most certification programs are based on three to four year apprenticeships combining on the job training with classroom lessons. In community colleges and vocational tech schools, a shorter period is required, only two years for an associate degree that teaches the basics of repair and maintenance as well as installation.

No matter which way you choose, final certification is given by either the North American Technician Excellence program or the Air Conditioning Excellence Coalition.  With an official certification in the HVAC field, prospects for better employment and higher wages are nearly guaranteed.

What to Learn

HVAC systems are very technical and full of details.  Installation and maintenance of the systems requires many skills, including working with different kinds of piping, motors, pumps, compressors, ductwork, screens and filters.  You learn the difference between boilers and furnaces, refrigerators, coolers and air-conditioners.

There is so much variety and detail to learn that many individuals choose to focus primarily one or several areas instead of trying to be fully expert about all parts.  No matter the focus, an HVAC tech has opened the door to a satisfying career and steady income.

To have a fully trained Wickliffe HVAC technician work on the equipment in your home or to learn more, give Apple Heating & Cooling a call!

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Apple Heating and Cooling hosts Nate Certification

April 27th, 2012

Apple Heating and Cooling is proud to be a testing organization for North American Technician Excellence, Inc. (NATE), the “leading non-profit certification program for technicians in the heating, ventilation, air-conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC/R) industry and the only test supported by the entire industry”. At Apple our technicians have be tested and are NATE certified. We believe the continuing education of our technicians is incredibly important, and we operate a regular training schedule of classes for our employees- we call it Apple University.

On Saturday, May 19th, Apple University will be hosting a NATE certification test. To achieve NATE certification a service technician must pass Core Exams and/or Specialty Exams. The Core Exams test general knowledge of safety, tools, basic construction, basic science, temperature and humidity measurement, and basic electrical knowledge, among other things. The Specialty Exams test technicians knowledge of installation, repair, and maintenance of HVAC/R systems.

Benefits of Hiring a NATE Certified Tech

Learn how a NATE certified HVAC professional can provide you with greater product efficiency, increased home comfort and added peace of mind.

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Tips to Make Your Ashtabula HVAC System More Efficient

April 23rd, 2012

Considering the fact that up to half of the energy used in a home goes toward heating and cooling the interior space, it is smart to make sound decisions regarding the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system.  Below are some tips to make your HVAC system more efficient.

Regularly Maintain HVAC Equipment

Annual tune-ups of heating and cooling systems by an Ashtabula HVAC technician can easily improve system efficiency. Some of these steps include:

  • Ensure outdoor unit has proper ventilation, is free of debris or foliage growth, and is located in the shade
  • Check thermostat settings for comfort while home and to save energy while away
  • Tighten electrical connections and measure voltage and currents on motors
  • Lubricate all moving parts
  • Inspect and clean out the condensate drain on central air conditioning units
  • Check controls of the system for proper operation

Change Air Filters

Many air filters should be changed every three months, but some as often as every month.  Follow the manufacturer’s recommendation as well as simple common sense by checking the filters frequently during high-usage times and replacing as necessary.

 Seal All Household Ducts

Heating and cooling ducts can be huge energy wasters if they are improperly sealed.  These ducts can be in an attic, basement, crawlspace, or garage, and can be easily repaired with duct sealant, or metal-backed tape along seams and connections.  As well, wrapping the ducts in insulation will keep them from overheating in the summer or freezing in the winter.

 Install a Programmable Thermostat

A programmable thermostat can control how hot or cold a home is every hour of every day within a week.  During the summer they can be set to higher settings while residents are away on vacation, and during winter they can be set to lower settings while residents are away at work or school.  This is a great way to save on energy costs throughout the year, as keeping a more consistent house temperature also helps the HVAC system to run more smoothly.

 Install ENERGY STAR® Certified Equipment

When an HVAC system is more than ten years old, or if it no longer works properly it is probably time for a replacement.  Prior to replacing an entire HVAC system, it is prudent to check for air leaks in ducts, which can be a major cause for heating and cooling issues.  If it is determined that it is time for an Ashtabula air conditioning  professional to come in and install a new system, the savings in energy will be quite dramatic indeed.

Use any or all of the above tips will make your HVAC system more efficient, while saving you money throughout the peak seasons of heating and cooling usage. For any questions about the best upgrades to your HVAC system, give Apple Heating & Cooling a call today!

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Mentor HVAC Question: Why Won’t My Heat Pump Start?

April 16th, 2012

If you are having trouble with your Mentor heat pump, you may be surprised to learn that it is probably not the heat pump that is to blame, especially if the trouble is that it simply won’t start up. That seems counterintuitive, but it’s true: the heat pump can be in perfect working order but still not turn on.

The good news, then, is that your heat pump is fine and you won’t have to pay an arm and a leg to fix or replace it. Still though, these types of problems can very frustrating to diagnose and correct. Here are four common culprits when a heat pump won’t start:

  1. No power to the heat pump. Check your breaker box to see if the circuit breaker was tripped. If so, reset it and see if that fixes the problem. Another possibility is that your heat pump is wired to a wall switch, or that there is a switch on the unit itself. Make sure the switch is turned on.
  2. Make sure the thermostat is set to the proper mode, such as “heat” mode if you desire more heat. It seems overly simple, but sometimes the trouble is as simple as that.
  3. A recently replaced thermostat. If you recently upgraded or replaced the thermostat in your home, it’s possible that something went wrong that is preventing your heat pump from starting. It may be the wrong kind of thermostat – heat pumps require a specific type – or it may have been improperly wired.
  4. Finally, the heat pump may have its own circuit breaker on the air handler cabinet. This is often the case with heat pumps that have supplemental electric elements. If that breaker is tripped, that could cause the problems you are experiencing.

If you exhaust these problems and the problem persists or recurs – for example, if the circuit breaker trips again – call a Mentor heating and air conditioning contractor to work on your heat pump. There may be something larger at work that is causing problems in the electrical system that controls your heat pump, and that requires some expertise to properly address.

If you are having any problems with your heat pump, please give Apple Heating & Cooling a call today!

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Award Winning Customer Service

April 13th, 2012

At Apple Heating and Cooling we strive to provide excellent customer service. We respect our customers and go to great length to show that respect. Your call will never go to a answering machine. With our 24/7 answering service you will always speak with a courteous live operator who can help you with all of your heating and cooling needs. We received the Outstanding Dedication and Commitment to Quality Service award from Trane because of our commitment to customer service.

Our technicians represent Apple Heating and Cooling and our commitment to customer service in your home. Apple Heating and Cooling technicians are known for being on time and professional. We respect your home and take measures to protect the space that we are working in. See what some of our customers say, “…excellent people working for Apple”, “Our technicians Russ and Nick were very professional and performed with excellence”, “Your workers and phone personnel are always friendly and very helpful”.

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Wickliffe HVAC Tip: Ways to Green Your Home

April 9th, 2012

While most of us were raised in a climate of unlimited resources and expansive horizons, the world is changing fast and the focus is narrowing in on the color green.  Energy costs and depleted supplies force us to consider alternatives to how we lived 20 and 30 years ago.

This transformation of thinking is most prevalent in our Wickliffe homes.  Not only are the habits of our lifestyles under consideration, but the very structure of our homes as well.  From materials to furnishings, houses are being transformed.

Remodel versus New Construction

The amount of open land available for development is no longer seen as just so many more fields plowed under.  It has become clear that not everyone can have their castle and surrounding acre, so creativity is being utilized to design more compact developments, concentrating homes into multi-family structures and creating communities with shared spaces.

If you need more square footage for a growing family, staying put by increasing the footprint or adding a second story is viewed as more green than starting fresh on a new plot of ground.  In either case, careful consideration to the materials and systems used can have a significant impact on the environment.

Changing Habits and Habitats

From acoutrements to the house design itself, each decision to change an appliance or upgrade the finishes has greener impacts, no matter the choice of color.  Something so simple as converting light bulbs from incandescent to longer-lasting and more efficient compact florescents (the twisty tube ones) is becoming required in many communities and saves serious dollars in utility costs.

Hot water heaters can be combined with the boiler to share the energy.  More energy efficient glass can bring in more solar heat and light and hold it there longer. A solar or geothermal heating system is another great way of making your home more environmentally friendly. And upgrading your Wickliffe air conditioner to a high efficiency model will make a big difference in your home’s carbon footprint.

Greening Your Walls

Although we are often reluctant to change our comfortable ways, going green is creating a new energy of cooperation.  To be able to slow the advance of climate change that many now admit seems inevitable, it will take a world wide effort.  Noticing the positive effect of changes in the home by choosing natural fabrics over synthetics for sheets and carpets inspires us to share the attitude with others.

Transforming the colors on our walls with odorless zero VOC  paints makes the chore fun to do yourself (instead of smelly and causing a headache), satisfying a need to feel accomplished and useful.  Composting left-over food to nourish our vegetable garden contributes to the effort of awareness far more emphatically than just flushing waste out of mind down the garbage disposal.

If you have any questions about ways to green your home, please give Apple Heating & Cooling a call!

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