Archive for the ‘Indoor Air Quality’ Category

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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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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 hosts Nate Certification

Friday, 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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Our NATE Certified Technicians

Friday, March 30th, 2012

Ashtabula | Apple Heating and CoolingYou can feel confident in the service you will receive when you hire Apple Heating and Cooling. Our technicians are NATE certified and highly trained. NATE stands for North American Technician Excellence, and is 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”. Apple Heating & Cooling has also earned membership in the NATE Quality Circle Contractors, which is gained by employing at least 80% of field technicians with NATE certification.

Whether you need a estimate, a diagnosis, or a full installation, at Apple Heating and Cooling the whole team follows our core values of honesty and integrity. Don’t take our word for it, see what our customers say:

As always we are extremely happy with the service technician who, in this case, was Mark. Efficient, very knowledgeable and friendly. Answered all my questions with a good answer and a smile.

- Harold & Caroline M.

 

We switched from another company to Apple years ago because of your friendly technicians and great service. The other company always seemed to overcharge us and not do very good work. Your technicians always do a great job. We recommend Apple all the time.

- Carol M.

Apple Heating and Cooling proudly serves Ashtabula, Lake, Geauga and parts of Cuyahoga County . We promise to work hard for you to be your choice for heating, cooling and indoor air quality in Northeastern Ohio.

 

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Learn how to get 0% APR with equal payments for 36 months AND Get a FREE Apple iPad2 AND a FREE Media Air Cleaner!

Friday, March 23rd, 2012

Invest in a qualifying high efficiency system and receive 0% APR with equal payments for 36 months AND Get a FREE Apple iPad2, AND a FREE Media Air Cleaner!

Ashtabula | Apple Heating and Cooling | Trane

Save up to 35% on energy bills with a new high efficiency Trane heating and cooling system from Apple Heating & Cooling. Purchase a qualifying system before June 14th and you will receive 0% APR with equal payments for 36 months, a FREE Apple iPad2, and a FREE Media Air Cleaner. At Apple Heating & Cooling we serve residential and commercial customers in Lake, Geauga, Ashtabula Counties, as well as the eastern portion of Cuyahoga county. Our products and services include sales, installation, maintenance and repair of heating and air conditioning systems. Included under that general heading are gas furnaces, central air conditioning systems, heat pumps, geothermal systems, solar systems, hot water and steam boilers and mini-split air conditioners. We also offer products to improve indoor air quality including humidifiers, high-efficiency air cleaners, ultraviolet sanitizers, air cleaners and duct cleaning.

 

See your independent Trane dealer for complete program eligibility, dates, details and restrictions. Special financing offers valid on qualifying systems only. All sales must be to homeowners in the United States. Void where prohibited. The Home Projects™ Visa™ card is issued by Wells Fargo Financial National Bank. Special terms apply to qualifying purchases charged with approved credit at participating merchants. The special terms APR will continue to apply until all qualifying purchases are paid in full. 0% APR: The minimum monthly payment will be the amount that will pay for the purchase in full in equal payments during the special terms period. For newly opened accounts, the regular APR is 27.99%. The APR will vary with the market based on the U.S. Prime Rate. The regular APR is given as of 1/10/2012. If you are charged interest in any billing cycle, the minimum interest charge will be $1.00. The regular APR will apply to certain fees such as a late payment fee or if you use the card for other transactions. If you use the card for cash advances, the cash advance fee is 5.0% of the amount of the cash advance, but not less than $10.00.

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Cleveland Heights HVAC Question: Will My Air Cleaners Reduce Health Risks?

Wednesday, March 14th, 2012

There is a lot of talk these days about how important it is to have a good air cleaner in your Cleveland Heights home. If you don’t have one, you’re putting yourself at risk, or so says common knowledge. But, do air cleaners really reduce health risks, and if so, by how much?

What Air Cleaners Do

Before we can say whether an air cleaner has any positive health effects, we must first look at what they do. Air cleaners are designed to remove certain particles from the air inside your home. Different air cleaners are designed for different levels of removal.

Ratings like the MERV of an air cleaner measure how small of particles the device can remove. Additionally, the type of cleaner will determine what it is best at removing. Mechanical filters are the most efficient at removing dust, pollen, and dander while electronic filters are best for smoke, bacteria and mold spores.

 So, What Impact Does this Have on Health?

The big question then is what kind of health benefits you will gain from a high end air cleaning system. If your home isn’t prone to a large number of contaminants and you have good ventilation, the difference may not be that big, but for those with a well-sealed home, pets, humidity problems or any number of other indoor air contaminant sources, an air cleaner has a tremendous impact on your health.

The problem is that when the house gets sealed up so tightly, we put our bodies at risk of contamination from gasses and pollutants that would otherwise dissipate into the air. Those with asthma are put at an increased risk as they breathe in a variety of different triggers like dust, mold and dander.

An air cleaner removes these threats and while they don’t have a proactive effect on your health – you won’t suddenly lose weight or never again get the flu – they can remove many of the negative effects that poor air quality has on your body.

So, should you get an air cleaner for your home? In most cases, the answer is yes, but if you’re still not sure, consider getting your air quality tested. This way you’ll know exactly what you’re breathing and what kind of impact it’s having on the health of you and your family.

For more information about how to improve your Cleveland Heights home’s indoor air quality, give Apple Heating & Cooling a call today!

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Chesterland HVAC Question: What Type of Air Cleaner Is Best for People with Pets?

Friday, February 17th, 2012

Lots of people in Chesterland have pets, and they are a great addition to your family. However, pet ownership has one very obvious drawback: dander. The fur, dry skin cells and other debris that pets carry around flakes off their bodies and onto your furniture and rugs. The also means they inevitably wind up in your air, recirculated through your whole house via your HVAC system.

Or at least, that’s what happens if you don’t have an air cleaner or some sort of air filtration system. This leads many pet owners to ask, “what is the best air cleaner for me?”

With all the choices in air cleaners, the choice can seem daunting. If the goal is specifically to filter out pet dander, it becomes somewhat easier.

Pet dander is quite large in size relation to other indoor air pollutants, so many air cleaners are equipped to do the job. You can use an air cleaner with a standard pleated HEPA filter, or one that uses electrostatic technology. You will want to make sure that the HEPA filter is rated to handle pet dander. A MERV rating of 8 or more is recommended.

Once you have an air cleaner installed, make sure to change or clean the air filter frequently, in accordance with manufacturer instructions. A clogged air filter won’t help eliminate pet dander from your household air and can actually degrade the operation of your HVAC system’s air handler.

In addition to installing a high quality air cleaner with a HEPA filter, you can also help reduce the amount of pet dander floating around your Chesterland home by keeping the place clean. Vacuuming often and dusting hard surfaces weekly keeps pet hair and dander from being drawn up into the HVAC system, which reduces wear on the air cleaner.

If you have any questions about having an indoor air quality system installed in your home, give Apple Heating & Cooling a call!

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$50 Rebate on Honeywell Humidifiers!

Monday, December 12th, 2011

As the winter sets in, you should not just be thinking about your heating system but also about your home’s indoor air quality. As everyone knows, the air in your home can get very dry in the winter. This lack of moisture in the air can dry out your skin and nasal passages and make symptoms of allergies worse. The dry air also doesn’t hold heat as well, so you will need to make your heating system work harder to feel comfortable. A quality humidifier will add some much needed moisture to your air, making your family healthier and your heating system more effective. To help you out this winter season, Apple Heating is offering a special: $50 Rebate from Honeywell with the installation of a new Honeywell Humidifier! A humidifer will make you home more comfortable all winter long, so why not take advantage of this great deal?

Visit our promotions page for more details.

Offer expires 3/31/2012

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I Have a Room that Won’t Stay Warm or Cool, What Should I Do? A Question From Bainbridge

Friday, September 23rd, 2011

When you have a home heating or cooling system installed in Bainbridge, you expect it to keep all areas of your home at the same temperature unless you tell it otherwise. But sometimes you’ll find that one of the rooms in your home just won’t stay warm no matter how high you turn up the heat. This can be a very frustrating situation, particularly if that room is one you use a lot.

Ductwork Checkups

It’s time to have someone examine your ductwork to see if it’s properly pressurized throughout or if there could be a break in the system somewhere leading to that room. If your home comfort system pumps heated and cooled air towards that room and that air is allowed to leak out along the way, you’ll never be able to maintain the comfort level you want.

Digging Deeper for Causes

Even if there is no break on the way to that particular room, a leak or blockage somewhere else can throw off the balance of the entire system, reducing how much temperature controlled air can reach that part of your home. These are all things that a professional duct sealer can find and fix for you relatively easily and inexpensively.

Of course, it’s always possible that uneven heating and cooling is a symptom of a larger problem in your home heating and cooling system. But if that’s the case, you’re better off finding out sooner rather than later because the problem will only get worse when not addressed. No matter what the ultimate underlying cause for your uneven heating and cooling is, you’ll need a professional to come out and investigate before you can have it fixed for good.

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Apple Bucks

Monday, August 29th, 2011

If you have a maintenance agreement then you have Apple Bucks. These loyalty credits can be used for to install or replace: furnace, a/c, heat pump, boiler, generator, hot water heater, humidifier, air cleaner, UV light, IAQ system, dehumidifier, or zoning. And you can use them together. For instance: $300 in Apple Bucks off a new furnace AND $300 in Apple Bucks off a new A/C- That’s a $600 savings! If you have questions about your Apple Bucks, call our friendly customer service team at 800-841-0038.

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