Three Ways to Improve Air Quality

The leaves are changing colors and your mind is getting in gear to perform some pre-winter inspections. You know that a fall furnace tune up will help lower fuel costs, thereby resulting in energy savings. Higher energy prices cause everyone to think of ways to lower energy consumption, but not much thought is given to air quality. There are four things that you can do during your pre-winter inspection that will improve air quality and give you energy savings.

Check your ventilation system.

Your ventilation system is just one component of your HVAC system, but it is an important one. It is the system that carries the air from the blower in your furnace or boiler throughout your home. You should check to make sure that your ductwork is cleaned and in proper condition. Regular inspection of the ventilation system will reveal any cracks, rust spots, or leaks in the seams. Ductwork cleaning will ensure that the air has free passage through your home. If you find any cracks, holes, or leaks in the seams, you can seal those up with a special metal-backed tape or aerosol sealant. Rust spots and holes need to be repaired. Rust spots could mean that your humidifier is producing too much moisture or you may have a leak that should be addressed as soon as possible. Rust that dries up and flakes up could be blown out into your home with the air and cause health problems. 

Check your humidifier.

If you find the appearance of rust spots in your ductwork, this could possibly indicate that you have too much moisture in your home. This could mean that you have a problem with your humidifier. If your humidifier is working properly, your home will have the proper amount of moisture in the air. You should perform an inspection to make sure that the filters are clean. If you have too much moisture in your home, there is the potential for mold and mildew to grow. This can lead to fungal infections, respiratory infections, and it can cause the wood in your home to swell and buckle. If you have little moisture, your skin and mucus membranes will feel dry and cause irritations. It could also cause problems for people with respiratory problems such as asthma and emphysema. Dry air can also cause dryness and cracking in the wood in your home.

Carbon monoxide leak detection and radon mitigation is important

It is very important that you have a carbon monoxide leak detection system in place. Carbon monoxide is a deadly, odorless, and colorless gas. You can find carbon monoxide detectors in home improvement stores and some smoke detectors also can detect carbon monoxide. You should also have your home checked for radon. Radon is a radioactive gas that occurs naturally and it can seep into your home up from the ground through the cracks in the foundation. Radon can also enter your home through well water, so the well should also be inspected. If you detect a high level of radon, you should have a professional perform radon mitigation to remove the dangerous gas and keep more from seeping inside your home. 

Furnace Repair that You Can Do

The cooler weather that companies the coming fall season makes many homeowners begin the pre-winter inspections of the HVAC systems. As energy prices rise, everyone is looking for ways to save money, lower fuel costs, and improve home comfort. If you are confident in your abilities, you may be able to perform a few furnace service tasks yourself. There are a few simple things that you can do that could prevent a more expensive problem in the future. Doing these tasks will give you a better perspective of your equipment. You will be able to have a better rapport with your contractor when you need to consult with them. It will also give you a chance to inspect your entire HVAC system to check for any problems. 

The Furnace Will Not Run

Before you do anything, you should make sure that you have taken every safety precaution. Make sure that you are wearing safety goggles to protect your eyes. You should also protect yourself by keeping an open flame away from your working area, having a mask on-hand for any possible gas leakage. If your furnace is not running, you should locate the pilot light, reset button and thermocoupler. Most manufacturers situate them in close proximity. Find the panel door and open it. Check to make sure that the pilot light is lit and that all fuses are intact. Check the circuit breakers and make sure that the blower switch is in the on position. Also check to make sure that the gas valve is open and that the gas is on. 

Need More Heat, Please

If you are not getting enough heat, filter may need to be cleaned or replaced. Dirty filters can restrict air flow from the blower though the ductwork. It will also cause the furnace to constantly turn itself on and off.  Make sure the registers and blower are clean and the blower belts are secure and lubricated. A dirty filter or a clogged blower or register can drastically reduce air flow. The reduced air flow may prompt you to raise the thermostat and raising the thermostat will result in raising your energy usage. With rising energy prices, your energy bills will be even more elevated.

The Light Will Not Light and The Furnace is Loud   

If you have tried to light the pilot light and it will not stay lit, make sure that the gas valve is open and the pilot opening is clean. You may need to adjust the level of the pilot flame or clean or replace the thermocouple. If you notice an excessive amount of noise from the furnace, check to see if the access panels need tightening or if the blower and motor needs to be lubricated. Be sure to replace the belts if they appear to be worn and if they are broken.  If you think that the problem may be more complex or if you question your own ability to handle the situation, you should call a professional for any furnace service you need. A professional contractor will ensure that your furnace will receive the manufacturer required maintenance that it needs and it will be properly repaired if necessary. The contractor can also conduct a complete fall furnace tune up for you so that you will be able to enjoy energy savings now and in the future. 

Get A Heating Service Contract for A Furnace

If you own a home, more than likely you have an insurance policy to protect it. The insurance policy gives you peace of mind that in the event of a disaster such as fire damage, vandalism, or theft, your home and some of your possessions will be replaced for you. The policy will cover the costs to restore your home to its original state, less any deductible you have to pay. You may have health insurance to pay your medical bills in case of illness or an accident and you may have life insurance to pay your burial expenses and any outstanding debts you might leave behind when you pass away.  You can insure your pet, your jewelry, and even specific body parts, but what about your furnace? You may be able to benefit from having a service contract to protect your furnaces, boilers, and other components of your HVAC system. 

Furnace Service and Maintenance is Included

One reason to have a service contract is that the maintenance is included and your contractor will remind you when it is time for maintenance to be performed.  For those pre-winter inspections, your service contract may include maintenance tasks like cleaning the filter, coils, and other parts on the inside. The serviceperson will inspect the parts and the units for any sign of wear or corrosion. Your system will get cleaned thoroughly and any part that needs to be replaced will be replaced. It is important to keep your system clean to make sure that it lasts a long time. It will keep dirt and debris from building up, which will cause the deterioration of the system to accelerate. Dirt will cause the system to work harder than it should, causing it to use excess energy. Some people have noticed energy savings immediately after having their system cleaned.

Furnaces Get Special Attention with Service 

A furnace service contract gives you a degree of priority by establishing a relationship that will continue until you cancel the contract or let is expire. Your name and information will be on file with the company that will be easily recalled if you need to call for repair or an inspection. It will also help your agent keep you informed of upcoming manufacturer required maintenance dates that you may need to keep in order to keep the product warranty intact. Everything would be monitored for you so you will not fall behind schedule with cleaning and maintenance. A big reason that people need expensive repairs in the future is because they failed to maintain a regular maintenance schedule. Your service contract could help you do that, depending on the insurance agent you choose and the terms of the contract.  

Furnace Protection and Other Benefits

Many people have felt that sinking heart feeling when they see how far different the final repair bill is from the estimated one they initially received. Your furnace contract will include what costs you will be have to cover and which costs will be covered by the insurance. Make sure that you read the contract thoroughly and be sure that you fully understand the terms before you sign it. You may even find that some contracts will offer special saving offers if you choose or upgrade to certain levels of coverage. These savings could include discounts toward the purchase of a new furnace or discounts for radon mitigation or carbon monoxide leak detection services. 

Improve Indoor Air Quality with Ultraviolet Air Cleaners

Ultraviolet air cleaners have been able to help people who suffer from severe allergies and compromised immune systems. With the time for pre-winter inspections approaching, you may be thinking of a way to incorporate one of these systems into your home. While this is a new technology, the costs of the system may justify the expected energy savings versus energy prices or not. You should understand what these systems involve, how they work, and what they are capable of handling. You can consult with your contractor for advice that is tailored especially for your situation. 

Ultraviolet Air Cleaners Basics

Ultraviolet air cleaners use ultraviolet radiation from lamps. In the ultraviolet spectrum, you will find three bands: UV-A, UV-B, which is the band that causes the most damage to the human body, and UV-C, which is the band that is used by these air cleaners, are short wave ultraviolet (UV) rays that cannot penetrate the skin. The ultraviolet lamps use the UV-C wave to destroy biological contaminants such as viruses, mold, mildew bacteria, fungi, and germs. There are three types of this class of cleaner: Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI) cleaners, photocatalytic oxidation cleaners, and ozone generators. UVGI uses UV lamps to kill the contaminants and is the most commonly used. Photocatalytic oxidation air cleaners use a catalyst that is combined with the ultraviolet lamps that reacts with the light to transform harmful pollutants into harmless particles. Ozone generators produce ozone that is used to kill the pollutants. 

Where They Can Be Used

For many years, ultraviolet air cleaners have been used widely in hospitals and operating rooms before they were available for home use. These systems can destroy bacteria, viruses, and other contaminants that cause infection and complications for patients who are already compromised. These systems do not rely on air being blown through the unit; instead, it relies on the germs being mobilized to the location of the lamp in order to be killed. If you want one in your home, you must install the lamps directly over the coils in your existing HVAC system. The lamps will prevent mold and mildew from collecting in the drip pans which can end up being ventilated though the house. If you or a sick family member needs to be in a more sterile environment, you can put the portable unit in the room and it will help. 

What are the Benefits and Limitations?

While the ultraviolet air cleaners have the ability to kill biological pollutants, you should be aware of the limitations. The unit does not rely on air moving through it. It does not move air toward it. It uses the ultraviolet rays to burn the contaminants as they pass through the rays. This means that the pollutants must travel to the lamps in order to be destroyed. The unit does not circulate the air or use any type of blowers, fans, or air handlers. The germs must travel to the lamps and stay there until they are burned up. This is the only protection you will get when installed in the HVAC system is that it will keep it free of mold and mildew. You will also need multiple lights, depending upon the size of your home and the architecture of the ductwork. These air cleaners cannot remove larger particles from the air, such as pet dander, dust mite and cockroach allergens, dust, or pollen. It also cannot remove gaseous pollutants, such as paint or gas fumes. For complete, optimum indoor air quality, you could combine the ultraviolet air cleaner with a HEPA filter air cleaner. You should be prepared to perform regular maintenance on this type of system. The bulbs in the ultraviolet air cleaners must be replaced yearly because they burn out. Your energy bill may actually rise because of the running air cleaner.