UV Disinfection: A proven Technology
Reduce Energy Consumption :
According to the 2013 ASHRAE Handbook, through the use of UV-C, heat transfer and airflow are restored which results in energy savings, with the possibility of payback in less than two years.
Reduce Maintenance & Cleaning:
Per the 2013 ASHRAE Handbook, chemical and mechanical cleaning of air conditioning coils and drain pans can be costly, dangerous, and very difficult. Applying UV-C light can help maintain system cleanliness by keeping surfaces free of microbial contamination.
Eliminate Mold, Bacteria & Viruses in the HVAC System:
UV-C light apperars to be an effective way to the lower risk of infection in the operating room during total joint replacement surgery. Scientific studies show UV light can kill 90% of microbes within 10 minutes. After 24 hours 99.9% are killed. Germicidal UV light works by destroying the DNA inside the cells of microbes which prevents them from reproducing.
Cut Airborne Bio-hazards;
The Centers for Disease Control recognizes UV-C as a viable means for the reduction of tuberculosis and in reducing the transmission of other infection in hospitals, military housings and classrooms.
Maintain Peak System Efficiency:
As stated by the 2013 ASHRAE Handbook, UV-C light makes it easy to maintain heat exchange efficiency, design airflow and to improve indoor air quality.
According to the 2013 ASHRAE Handbook, through the use of UV-C, heat transfer and airflow are restored which results in energy savings, with the possibility of payback in less than two years.
Reduce Maintenance & Cleaning:
Per the 2013 ASHRAE Handbook, chemical and mechanical cleaning of air conditioning coils and drain pans can be costly, dangerous, and very difficult. Applying UV-C light can help maintain system cleanliness by keeping surfaces free of microbial contamination.
Eliminate Mold, Bacteria & Viruses in the HVAC System:
UV-C light apperars to be an effective way to the lower risk of infection in the operating room during total joint replacement surgery. Scientific studies show UV light can kill 90% of microbes within 10 minutes. After 24 hours 99.9% are killed. Germicidal UV light works by destroying the DNA inside the cells of microbes which prevents them from reproducing.
Cut Airborne Bio-hazards;
The Centers for Disease Control recognizes UV-C as a viable means for the reduction of tuberculosis and in reducing the transmission of other infection in hospitals, military housings and classrooms.
Maintain Peak System Efficiency:
As stated by the 2013 ASHRAE Handbook, UV-C light makes it easy to maintain heat exchange efficiency, design airflow and to improve indoor air quality.
Whole House Humidification
There are several reasons to consider buying a humidifier for your HVAC system. Rasing the level of indoor humidity can not only ease cold symptoms but also reduce dry skin and itchy eyes, especially during winter. Ideally, indoor humidity should be 30% to 50% in the winter, heating in your home or apartment can cause it to drop as low as 10%. If you live in a dry climate or a region where winter means, turning up the heat, a humidifier can alleviate discomfort for everyone in the family. Using a Humidifier will also cut the cost of your heating bill by being able to set the thermostat to a lower temp then you usually do while still having the home feel comfortable saving you on your energy bills.Furnaces tend to dry out the air, so some homeowners have bypass humidifiers attached to the furnace to counteract this condition. The bypass humidifier can move some of the water from the water supply line into the air. Bypass humidifiers attach to furnaces and use pressure differential between return and supply plenums to keep electrical consumption low as the air moves through the furnace so that the humidifier can efficiently move water into the air.
Have a question? Get an answer from an Appliance Repair Specialist now!Basic Parts
Have a question? Get an answer from an Appliance Repair Specialist now!Basic Parts
- A bypass humidifier is made out of either plastic or metal and has four parts: a float, reservoir, cabinet and drum with motor. A sponge-type material or foam fabric and a plastic frame make up the drum. The motor keeps the drum spinning through water that comes from the home's water supply system. A float valve controls the water flow. Warm air from the furnace heats up the water on the drum and evaporates it, moving more water into the air. The duct system them moves the heated and humidified air throughout the house.
- Some furnaces use airstream humidifiers to maintain the proper water level. A motor powers screened discs that rotate the water into the warm air, which heats the water up and allows it to evaporate. Older humidifier systems use ceramic wicks that heat up a tray of water, humidifying the air through water evaporation.
Steam Humidifier- If the home uses a heat pump or an electric furnace, the furnace will not generate enough heat to warm up the water and create moisture. Therefore, the furnace must have a steam humidifier attached to it. Float valves ensure that the humidifier has enough moisture inside. Electricity heats up the heating element, which creates the steam. Then a blower increases the steam humidification at all times, even when the furnace does not produce heat.
- Sometimes, bypass humidifiers spray water directly into the warm air produced by the furnace. Water pressure causes the water to spray into the heated air which, in turn, causes the water to evaporate and humidify the air. However, this system takes the hard minerals found in the water, which collect in the duct work and can cause clogs over time. Also, some of the hard minerals blow out of the supply registers as powder.
- Regardless of the type of humidifier, it should connect to the return duct work. The owner must take the humidifier apart to connect the various components of the humidifier to the furnace and the duct work before reassembling the humidifier. The humidifier uses a transformer to convert the high voltage into low voltage. The installer must then hook the humidifier up to the drain system
- If the home uses a heat pump or an electric furnace, the furnace will not generate enough heat to warm up the water and create moisture. Therefore, the furnace must have a steam humidifier attached to it. Float valves ensure that the humidifier has enough moisture inside. Electricity heats up the heating element, which creates the steam. Then a blower increases the steam humidification at all times, even when the furnace does not produce heat.
Filters:
Filter Replacement is Key to High Air Quality
Our team keeps up with the latest research and this is a summary of what we believe are the most important things that homeowners should be aware of.
We've also included links/citations to the medical journals that we sourced this information from, as well as additional readings. If you have any questions about indoor air quality, please contact us.
The three most important things to know about Indoor Air Quality (IAQ):
Our team keeps up with the latest research and this is a summary of what we believe are the most important things that homeowners should be aware of.
We've also included links/citations to the medical journals that we sourced this information from, as well as additional readings. If you have any questions about indoor air quality, please contact us.
The three most important things to know about Indoor Air Quality (IAQ):
- High indoor air quality in a home can substantially reduce the symptoms related to asthma, allergy and respiratory conditions.
- Children are more susceptible to asthma, allergy and respiratory conditions. Reducing their exposure to airborne pathogens will reduce the chance that they develop these conditions throughout their lives.
- Home indoor air quality can be managed easily and inexpensively. Improving ventilation and filtration, and reducing contaminants have been shown to provide significant relief.
- Using high-quality air filters is the single best way to improve air quality in your home.
- The American Lung Association Health House recommends MERV 11 (our Best quality) filters or higher, and replacing filters at least every 3 months for normal residential use.
- It is important to use the proper size filter that leaves as little room as possible for air to flow around the filter.
Feel free to contact us if you have any questions about making sure you have the right size filter. - Filters should be replaced before they become significantly loaded (clogged). Expert recommendations range from monthly to every 3 months.
This depends on usage and HVAC configuration. We recommend starting with every 3 months and increasing or decreasing frequency depending on how dirty the filters are at replacement. - If installing a new air handler or air conditioner, consider a system that accepts a 5 or 6-inch-thick filter media.
- Poorly maintained HVAC systems (no filters, low quality filters or dirty filters) may actually increase symptoms related to asthma, allergies and other respiratory issues.
- Filters with no MERV rating, or rated MERV 1 or 2 offer no protection against small particulate filtration. These filters may actually make air quality worse by capturing allergens and spreading them throughout your home and vent system.
- Dirty filters themselves can become a source of contamination by fungal spores and allergens. Contaminated filters than transmit the allergens through the vent system to the rest of your home.
- When no filter is present, or filters are not replaced often, dust can collect in vents. This creates a breeding ground for mold and fungal bacteria.
What does MERV Rating have to do with choosing an air filter?MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Rating Value. This is an industry standardrating system that allows you to compare filters made by different manufacturers. A MERV rating is a numerical value ranging from 1 (lowest efficiency) to 20 (highest efficiency) and tells the consumer how well the filter captures and holds dirt and dust of a specified size range. The chart below shows the MERV ratings, corresponding particle size ranges, and efficiency level as measured by the percentage of particles captured.
The MERV air filter efficiency rating system was developed by the ASHRAE, theAmerican Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers. The rating system is referred to as ASHRAE Standard 52.2-2007:Method of Testing General Ventilation Air-Cleaning Devices for Removal Efficiency by Particle Size. Standard 52.2 not only sets forth a testing protocol to ensure reliable and consistent testing of filter performance on particles of nominal 0.3-10 micron in diameter. ASHRAE 52.2 lead to the creation of the minimum efficiency rating value, or MERV, a guideline to determine a filters performance by particle size, ranging from 0.3 – 10 micronsin size. This value is based on the lowest, or minimum efficiency for the filter. In many cases this is when the filter is first installed.
Generally, the higher the MERV, the better the filter will perform at removing smaller particle sizes. MERV 1 through 4 are designed to remove large particles. These filters are used primarily to protect equipment and are used in light industrial and residential applications. For these values, the average particle size efficiency from 3 to 10 micron is less than 20%. Because of this, average arrestance, which is a measure of a filters ability to remove coarse particulate, is used to determine MERV 1 through 4.
MERV 5 through 16 filters remove finer particles and are used in applications where it is important to protect individuals or processes from airborne contaminants that could otherwise affect health and productivity. The average particle size efficiency has three ranges: E1 (0.3 to 1 micron), E2 (1 to 3 micron) and E3 (3 to 10 micron) will determine MERV for these products.
We recommend Merv 8 filters as our "better" filter" and Merv 11 filters as our "best filter." For people with pets or otherwise desiring superior odor management, we offer a "best for pets" in some sizes. This is a carbon activated Merv 8 filter. We do not recommend Merv 13 filters, because these filters may negatively affect certain HVAC systems.
The MERV air filter efficiency rating system was developed by the ASHRAE, theAmerican Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers. The rating system is referred to as ASHRAE Standard 52.2-2007:Method of Testing General Ventilation Air-Cleaning Devices for Removal Efficiency by Particle Size. Standard 52.2 not only sets forth a testing protocol to ensure reliable and consistent testing of filter performance on particles of nominal 0.3-10 micron in diameter. ASHRAE 52.2 lead to the creation of the minimum efficiency rating value, or MERV, a guideline to determine a filters performance by particle size, ranging from 0.3 – 10 micronsin size. This value is based on the lowest, or minimum efficiency for the filter. In many cases this is when the filter is first installed.
Generally, the higher the MERV, the better the filter will perform at removing smaller particle sizes. MERV 1 through 4 are designed to remove large particles. These filters are used primarily to protect equipment and are used in light industrial and residential applications. For these values, the average particle size efficiency from 3 to 10 micron is less than 20%. Because of this, average arrestance, which is a measure of a filters ability to remove coarse particulate, is used to determine MERV 1 through 4.
MERV 5 through 16 filters remove finer particles and are used in applications where it is important to protect individuals or processes from airborne contaminants that could otherwise affect health and productivity. The average particle size efficiency has three ranges: E1 (0.3 to 1 micron), E2 (1 to 3 micron) and E3 (3 to 10 micron) will determine MERV for these products.
We recommend Merv 8 filters as our "better" filter" and Merv 11 filters as our "best filter." For people with pets or otherwise desiring superior odor management, we offer a "best for pets" in some sizes. This is a carbon activated Merv 8 filter. We do not recommend Merv 13 filters, because these filters may negatively affect certain HVAC systems.