Archive for May, 2012

Mentor HVAC Guide: Green Building Trends for New Homes

Tuesday, May 29th, 2012

In a society with an increasing an eye on reducing waste and creating energy-efficient spaces, it might not be as surprising to know that the green building market has been steadily increasing over the past few years, and in years to come is expected to triple from what it is now.  The variety of green building trends for new homes in Mentor which are in place today are staggering and exciting, and will ultimately change the way we build homes and business facilities, permanently.  According to the Earth Advantage Institute, below are the latest green building trends for new homes to watch for in the near future.

  • Urban Density:  Homeowners are opting to build in the empty space between existing homes or buildings.  These lots are desired by those who want to be closer to city-centers and hotspots.
  • Green Multi-Family Homes:  An increased interest in energy-saving building options and an increase in the number of multi-family homes being built mean an increase in green multi-family homes.
  • Energy Upgrades Drive Home Remodels:  Consumer preference has switched to remodeling in order to save energy in their upgrades.  Thus contractors have begun to offer these types of services as a standard option in remodeling projects. This includes more energy efficient air conditioners and furnaces, and green options like geothermal heating and cooling and solar energy.
  • Development and Testing of New Materials: National labs and research departments are working with construction firms in order to produce test facilities and sensor-filled buildings which track real-time energy performance of new materials and equipment.
  • Consumer-Friendly Home Energy Tracking Devices:  Sensor-based energy and water monitoring systems are being used by consumers to save money all throughout their homes and the number of companies creating these tracking devices is increasing, making them easier to come by.
  • Energy Education for Commercial Tenants:  Commercial building energy disclosure is pushing building owners to be more energy efficient, this in addition to educating tenants on ways for them to contribute to saving energy means that more commercial buildings are going green.
  • Transparency in Home Marketing:  Consumers who have instant access to information are more educated and can see through housing scams more easily. Real estate agents who are forthright and educate clients even further on the benefits of having energy efficient home features means more confidence in the green housing market.
  • More Accurate Appraisals:  With more educated consumers looking for Certified Residential Green Appraisers, the lending community is beginning to follow suit and pay attention even further to the added value and return on investment for green homes and green remodels.
  • Broader Adoption of Residential Energy Ratings for Homes:  Energy labeling systems are being put into place nationally, thus causing homeowners to be more educated regarding energy savings possibilities.  More extensive usage of residential energy ratings for homes means homeowners are undertaking more energy upgrade work.
  • Smart Grid-Compatible High-Performance Homes:  More new homes are utilizing “grid-aware” appliances which monitor and report their own usage with the ability to increase or decrease electric usage remotely, thus saving energy.

For more information about to improve your Mentor home’s energy efficiency, give Apple Heating & Cooling a call today!

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Customers Review the Nest Thermostat

Friday, May 25th, 2012

Nest Thermostat | Ashtabula | Apple Heating and CoolingWe have had wonderful customer feedback about the Nest thermostat installations that we have done. Nest is an incredibly high tech product that will learn your habits and preferences to adjust your home’s temperature for utmost comfort.

“I wanted to thank you again for installing our Nest thermostat.

On Monday, I was provided a message from my Nest which indicated that it had completed the learning process and I was able to view the schedule it created for us.  The schedule it created was very accurate and the Nest learned our habits quickly.  We have moved into another stage of learning (the auto away stage) and it will now learn when we come and go and how to fluctuate the temperature based on our schedule.

The Nest is wonderful and I am so excited to have this product in our home.”

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Ashtabula Indoor Air Quality Tips: Improving Indoor Air Quality with UV Germicidal Lights?

Monday, May 21st, 2012

Ultraviolet germicidal lights improve indoor air quality in your Ashtabula home by killing the harmful bacteria, viruses, and toxic mold that can cause respiratory problems and other health concerns. These microorganisms spread by releasing airborne spores containing the genetic material used to create a new organism. UV lights use a wavelength of ultraviolet light to destroy the organism’s DNA, which takes away their reproductive capabilities and also kills them.

UV germicidal lights are fairly inexpensive and can be installed to work with your existing forced air HVAC system. They are typically used in tandem with either an electronic or mechanical air cleaner. While air cleaners can filter pollen and other irritants, UV germicidal lights destroy the viruses and mold spores once these pollutants have been trapped by the air cleaner. After the air has been filtered through your HVAC, it will circulate more easily through system and increase the efficiency of the unit. In addition, UV lights are useful in killing hidden mold growth, which can only be detected by special thermal imaging equipment.

Homeowners with particularly chronic allergy problems or extremely poor indoor air quality choose to install both types of air cleaners, in addition to a UV light, for the ultimate protection from indoor air pollutants—from bacteria to pet dander.  If your home lacks adequate ventilation, or if you are unable to control the source of common pollutants, you might benefit greatly by installing UV germicidal lights. Poor indoor air circulation can exacerbate the spread of harmful microorganisms, so make sure you have proper ventilation if you don’t have UV lights in your home.

UV germicidal lights have also been used to filter tap water because they are more reliable and easier to install than other water treatment systems. However, they are typically used to provide cleaner indoor air.

Call the indoor air quality experts at Apple Heating & Cooling if you have questions or concerns about the quality of the air inside your Ashtabula home.

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The Nest Learning Thermostat

Friday, May 18th, 2012

Apple Heating and Cooling is now certified to install the Nest Thermostat. The Nest Learning Thermostat is the most advanced and innovative temperature control system available today. The Nest Thermostats is designed to learn your heating and cooling habits, and is able to adjust to the predicted weather changes through WI-FI technology. You can also program and adjust your Nest Thermostat using your smart phone. This technology is designed to save you money of your energy bill, and automatically adjust to your family’s temperature preferences. Call Apple Heating and Cooling today to find out about the new Nest installation.


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Mentor HVAC Tip: How Electronic Air Filter Works

Monday, 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

Friday, 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

Monday, 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

Friday, 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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