Posts Tagged ‘Indoor Air Quality’

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Reducing Allergens in Your Mentor, OH Home

Thursday, May 9th, 2013

Have you noticed that your allergies seem more severe, or that allergy season is lasting longer than usual? Research has shown that allergy season is becoming more intense and lasting longer each year. In fact, ragweed season has increased by four weeks in the last 10-15 years alone! For more information, click here to read an article by IQAir.

At Apple Heating & Cooling, we understand the importance of improving your indoor air quality for your health and comfort. We offer many indoor air quality services to meet the needs of you and your family.

  • We offer air purifiers and air purifier installation services to help keep your air free of unwanted contaminants and allergens in your home. Whether you choose filtration, electronic air purifiers, or air purification with UV germicidal lights, Apple Heating & Cooling will help you choose the right system for your home.
  • The IQ Air Perfect 16 Air Cleaner System is the best on the market because it is the only system to receive a perfect score (16) on the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) Scale. Since newer homes are completely insulated and sealed, any existing allergens and contaminants in your home’s air will keep circulating. A whole hour air purifier system can help you breathe easier and eliminate irritants in your air.

Call Apple Heating & Cooling today to learn how we can help improve your indoor air quality!

 

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Willowick, OH Question: How Do Steam Humidifiers Work?

Monday, March 18th, 2013

While many homeowners and tenants know how the temperature of the indoor air affects their home, many do not think how humidity affects their comfort throughout the year. Humidity is measured by how much water vapor is in the air. Most homes are comfortable when the humidity is between 35% and 50%. While too much humidity can reduce the effectiveness of natural body cooling processes, low humidity can also pose problems, including the aggravation of existing illnesses, increased static electricity, and skin irritation. Humidifiers are simple solutions to making your low humidity indoor air more comfortable. Steam humidifiers are an excellent type of humidity, which can be fitted to your existing system. For more information, call Apple Heating & Cooling in Willowick, OH today!

A steam humidifier works by boiling water and sending that warm steam throughout your home. It is typically installed at the air handler of your heating and cooling unit, or within the ductwork. It draws water directly from your water supply and requires very little to no maintenance. You can control the level of humidity by means of a thermostat, just like your temperature. Unlike a portable vaporizer, you don’t have to fill it or empty it. They also tend to be safer because the boiling process necessary to create steam tends to kill off any bacteria or germs. Unlike other types of humidification, they also remove the mineral content during boiling, so that your steam is free of minerals, which can leave a white dust.

A steam humidifier makes a great addition to your existing heating and cooling system. By adjusting the humidity levels of your home, it can increase your comfort and remove some of the irritating symptoms of low humidity. If you’re at all concerned about the low humidity in your home, a whole-home humidifier can dramatically improve your indoor air quality. For more information about how humidity affects your home, or how steam humidifiers work in Willowick, OH, call Apple Heating & Cooling today! 

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Mentor, OH HVAC Question: What Causes Air Duct Leaks?

Monday, March 4th, 2013

The ducts in your home are responsible for circulating hot and cool air throughout your home. They are one of the most important aspects of central heating and air conditioning forced air systems. When they become cracked, dirty or damaged, you can lose up to 30% of your energy efficiency. That’s why professional duct sealing is so important. Apple Heating & Cooling provides complete duct sealing in Mentor, OH. You can rely on us to inspect, diagnose, and repair your duct leaks. Call us today to learn more about the full range of duct services that we provide.

Common Causes of Duct Repair in Mentor, OH

  • Wear and tear. Over time your ductwork can get loose at their joints. Whether it’s from being jostled by other construction projects in your home, or by shifting things around in the attic or basement, these types of leaks can allow lots of heated or cooled air to seep outside.
  • Physical damage. Depending on the type of ductwork in your home, they can also suffer direct physical damage. It may not be major, but you should call a pro to have it diagnosed.
  • Improper installation. The potential for air duct leaks is greatly increased if your ductwork has not been properly installed. Always choose a certified heating and air conditioning technician. Here at Apple Heating & Cooling, our team of skilled duct installation experts have experience with a wide variety of homes. We can work with you to make sure your ducts are installed correctly the first time.

Air leakages in your ductwork can not only cost you money, they can also impact the comfort of your home, and cause other parts of your heating and cooling system to work harder. If you’re concerned about the efficiency and effectiveness of your home’s ductwork, you might be interested in a duct inspection. For more information about Mentor, OH ductwork repair and sealing, call Apple Heating & Cooling today.

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Your Ashtabula HVAC System and Ventilation

Monday, August 6th, 2012

The vent system in your home is vital to the operation of your Ashtabula HVAC system. Without successful ventilation, your home won’t have the necessary clean air to keep you and your family healthy. So, what does proper ventilation require and how can you ensure your home has it? Here are some quick tips.

Install the Right Parts from the Start

Proper ventilation should result in even air pressure in your home to avoid problems with gas pilot lights. It should also be as energy efficient as possible and provide clean air through proper filtration and cleaning of the air that comes in. The best way to ensure your home has the ventilation needed to stay comfortable and safe for your entire family is to check the total size of the home and then determine the concentrations of certain pollutants like dander, pollen and smoke.

Supplements to Ventilation

Proper ventilation should not only provide fresh air, but it should also ensure your home has clean air. The air outside may be fresher, but it can be filled with pollutants like pollen, dander and smoke. These should be removed before they get inside and into the lungs of your loved ones. To do this, you need a full sized air cleaning system that removes particles from the air down to 0.3 microns.

HEPA filters can do this, as will electronic air cleaners which can ionize and remove smoke and gas particles. Make sure you discuss filtration and cleaning with your Ashtabula HVAC contractor Apple Heating & Cooling when we visit your home.

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Why does high humidity make me feel hot?

Friday, July 20th, 2012

Dehumidifier | Ashtabula | Apple Heating & CoolingMany of us have heard the saying “it’s not the heat, it’s the humidity!” Anyone who lives in or visits the South West has experienced what we call hot weather – over 90 degrees – and found it comfortable. They say its a dry heat. And this is very true.

The reason humidity affects us so is because when the water vapor in the air – the humidity – changes how our bodies stay comfortable. Essentially our bodies constantly have water evaporating off of our skin. This evaporation cools us off and regulates our comfort. When we are hot we “sweat” more, cooling us off.

When the air contains more water (increased humidity) – our bodies cannot evaporate as much moisture – and this makes us warmer. This is why higher levels of humidity on hot days make us more miserable than when there is less humidity.

Incidentally in the winter drier air also makes us feel cooler. But in the winter drier air cooling us is not a good thing.

At Apple Heating & Cooling we offer both Dehumidifiers for comfort and humidity control in the summer, and Humidifiers for comfort and energy savings in the winter.

We currently have a coupon to save $100 on a highly efficient whole house dehumidifier – check our website at appleheating.com to see the offer.

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Mentor AC Guide: How to Fix Wrong Sized Air Filters on Your Air Conditioning Systems

Monday, July 9th, 2012

If you moved into a new home or had someone change the filters on your Mentor air conditioning system for you, you may notice that whoever did the job put on the wrong size filter. This is not uncommon and is usually the result of an effort to save either time or money. However, in the long run it actually costs both. Here is how you can fix the problem of a wrong size filter.

The WRONG Way

If you have a filter that is too big for your system, it may seem like an easy enough fix– just fold it over or trim it down, right? Not so fast.

Folding the filter over makes for an imperfect seal. Air will leak through and around the bend, bypassing the filter entirely. This causes dirt and debris to build up on the fan, slows down air flow, degrades performance, decreases air quality and overall makes a big mess that you will have to pay to fix or clean up later.

Bending or cutting the filter also decreases its structural integrity. The whole filter can collapse while installed, creating not just a performance issue and a potentially costly repair, but also possibly creating unsafe conditions.

Furthermore, don’t give into the temptation to run your HVAC system without a filter for the time being. The debris will quickly build up in your Mentor  AC system, as well as being blown into your home. Heating and cooling systems should always be operated with the proper filter installed.

The RIGHT Way

So, what do you do when you have an air filter that is the wrong size? The only solution is to find the right size. If you are having trouble finding the right air filter for your system, try these tips:

• Refer to your owner’s manual for the filter model number.

• Bring the make and model information of your heating/cooling system to the store and ask someone there for help.

• Have a professional inspect your system and replace the filter. (You should have a professional inspection once a year, anyway.)

• For HVAC systems that are large or have special dimensions, special order custom filters to fit.

Above all, never operate your HVAC system without a clean, correctly sized filter properly installed. For any help with your Mentor air conditioning system’s filters this summer, give Apple Heating & Cooling a call!

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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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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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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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