Archive for the ‘Indoor Air Quality’ Category

Duct Cleaning

Friday, April 30th, 2010

I am asked “How often should I have my ducts cleaned” and “How much should this service cost ” ? Our customers know we do not provide this service and feel they can get a unbiased response. Well, I am pleased to lend my 2 cents. #1. I feel that all ductwork gets dirty and is filled with construction debris during the home’s construction. I also feel if there has been remodeling done, a thorough duct cleaning is in order. As far as how soon thereafter, it depends on the home, the number of occupants and number of pets. Also, the filtration system on the furnace plays a huge role. A 1″ filter allows about 90% of the dirt to pass through it and into your ductwork, while a Hepa-filtration system captures about 99% of all airborne particles. Having said all of that, I would be shocked to see a home which would require a second duct cleaning prior to 5 years later.
As far as cost, you should expect to pay at least $200 and expect the process to take a minimum of 3 – 4 hours.
We have had great luck referring a Company called Ductz to help all our customers and know they do an incredible job for a very fair price.

Furnaces like Cars

Friday, April 30th, 2010

Every Furnace Manufacturer like every Car Maker has a number of options in their line. These options have a wide range in price due to their features. Just as you would never buy a car without knowing it’s Model and features, be sure you know the Model of the furnace being proposed and don’t settle for a “Deluxe” or “Premium” model. After you have the complete model number of the furnace be sure to visit the Manufacturers’ website and do your research.

Wet Windows

Monday, February 8th, 2010

If you are seeing water on your windows when you lift the blinds during these colder temperatures, allow some air to get behind the blinds and this problem should diminish.

(CO) Carbon Monoxide Detector

Monday, January 11th, 2010

It has finally arrived and we couldn’t be more excited. It is the only Carbon Monoxide (CO) detector which does more than just sound an alarm, it actually shuts down the source of the CO. This product will shut your furnace off when it senses 50 PPM of CO for 2 minutes. The concentration of all other CO detectors must reach 70 PPM outside your bedrooms, which means the CO concentration is many times higher at the source.
Our Service Technicians can add this remarkable product to your furnace while on a routine maintenance or service call in less than an hour. We are also offering a $100 discount when you choose to add it at that time.

Carbon Monoxide (CO)

Monday, December 14th, 2009

Hopefully by now, you have purchased and placed a CO Detector in your home near all bedrooms. These units will normally sound an alarm if the reading surpasses 70 PPM for a period of 2 hours. We are very excited about a new product which mounts in the airstream of your furnace and will shut the furnace down if 50 PPM for 2 minutes is detected. Shutting down the source and not allowing the concentration to increase is very exciting. We will blog more as more information is available on this new, exciting product.

Furnace Blower Motor

Monday, October 5th, 2009

There is not a more important component of your home comfort system than your furnace blower motor. It obviously moves the heated air to all rooms of your home but it also moves the cooled air, the humidified air, the filtered air and mixes the air from all floors to minimize stratification.
I feel you should set your thermostat to fan “on” so your furnace blower motor runs 24/7. Having said that,I must tell you that older PSC blower motors use 600 watts of electricity which translates into over $250/ year in operating cost. The benefits of fan “on” are well worth the cost of operation and should be a huge consideration when considering a furnace upgrade.
The new , high efficiency models of furnaces come with a high efficiency ECM blower motor which uses 40 watts of electricity, or approximately $36/ year. This blower motor not only gives you all the benefits listed above but it also qualifies for Federal energy tax credits, runs at about 1/3 the speed so it is ultra quiet and it increases the efficiency of the air conditioning system while improving filtration efficiency.
Be sure when it comes time to replace your furnace, that the new one includes the high efficiency ECM blower motor.

Why purchase a multi-stage furnace ?

Tuesday, March 24th, 2009

I think the easiest way to explain the benefits and logical reasoning for buying a multi-stage furnace is to compare the furnace to a car. A multi-stage furnace gives you many levels of heat (low, medium, high) similar to 20 mph, 40 mph and 60 mph in your car. A single stage furnace only gives you 60 mph all the time, even when the temperature is 50 degrees outside and you only need low heat to reach your thermostat setting. A single stage furnace wastes enormous amounts of gas and leaves your home uncomfortable whenever low and medium amounts of heat are necessary (approx 90 % of the heating season).

A multi-stage furnace uses far less gas when it heats your home in low and medium and with longer run times leads to increased comfort in all areas of your home.

You would never drive your car in City traffic at 60 mph and slam on your brakes and then back to 60 and so on, so don’t settle for single stage heating when it is time to upgrade.

IAQ—Indoor Air Quality

Tuesday, November 25th, 2008

You hear this over and over again, but what does it really mean ?

Clean, fresh ,comfortable air delivered to every room of your home at the temperature and humidity level you desire.

This is accomplished by combining the appropriately sized furnace and air conditioner with a high efficiency filtration system, humidifier, air exchanger, zone system and digital programmable thermostat. Each accessory item plays its’ particular role in providing a comfortable home for you and your family yearround.

These accessories are easily added to your forced air furnace and duct system and add years of quality air for you to breath.

I will be happy to send you information on today’s most popular products or arrange a no obligation in home estimate to add these products to your home comfort system.