Air Handlers is proud to continue to serve our customers in Western Washington since 1967. However, today, we’d like to celebrate partnering with Lennox for 50 years! Since 1971, Air Handlers has been providing the highest quality service alongside the best possible products from Lennox. Here’s to even more years serving our neighbors in Western Washington!
Author: AirHandlers
Air Handlers, Inc. began as a family-owned general contractor in 1967, serving Western Washington as a specialist in heating, air conditioning and sheet metal fabrication.
Safety, Security, and Convenience, Oh My!
Home automation is now easier and less expensive than ever. Smart hubs on the market today allow you to run a variety of devices, such as smart thermostats, locks, lights, speakers and cameras, all from one app. Here are just a few things you can do:
• View and adjust your thermostat from wherever you are.
• Remotely lock/unlock your door; get text notifications whenever it’s locked/unlocked.
• Dim, turn on, or shut off lights automatically, whether you’re home or away.
• View video from motion-activated cameras in real time on your smart phone.
Tips to Lower Your Energy Bill During High Temps
Summer is on the way. When the temperature rises, your HVAC system may see more use when trying to stay cool in your home. Here are some tips to help your system work more efficiently and to help lower your energy bill.
- Keep curtains closed during the day. Close up curtains, drapes, or blinds. This will prevent sunlight from entering your house and heating it up. Try to focus on covering east-facing windows during the morning and west-facing windows during the afternoon.
- Use CFL light bulbs. Old incandescent light bulbs produce a great deal of heat. It gives out more energy of heat than light. Using compact fluorescent light bulbs will not only save you energy but also reduce the heat output of the lighting in your home, saving you money.
- Change your cooking methods. Stovetops and ovens produce high temperatures when cooking your food and they also heat your home. Keep your temperatures low by using low-heat methods such as a crockpot or microwave. You can also take your cooking outside on the grill.
- Use fans. Fans will not impact the temperature of the air, but they will improve the rate of evaporation in the room, which makes you feel cooler. When the air is still, evaporation takes longer, so you’ll feel warmer. When air is moving, evaporation occurs at a quicker rate, making you feel cooler.
- Replace your air filter.
- If you have an air conditioning unit, it’s best to check it more frequently, especially during heavy use. Clean air filters improve airflow throughout the home so air conditioners don’t have to work as hard to keep your home cool.
- Follow the forecast. Outdoor temperatures can vary greatly over the course of the day. While it may be a scorcher outside during the day, the temperature drop overnight can be quite cool. Follow your local forecast to see if overnight temperatures will be comfortable, so you can shut off the AC and open the windows, taking advantage of natural cooling to save money without sacrificing comfort.
Removing Over 99% of the Virus that Causes COVID-19
Lennox Industries’ Air Purification Systems with the Carbon Clean 16® Air Filter Remove Over 99% of the Virus that Causes COVID-19
RICHARDSON, Texas, March 24, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Today, Lennox Industries announced its PureAir™ and PureAir™ S Air Purification Systems, with the Lennox Healthy Climate™ Carbon Clean 16 air filter, remove over 99% of the virus that causes COVID-19 from the air. After months of rigorous testing at a highly reputed, independent laboratory, this announcement is further evidence of Lennox’ relentless commitment to delivering unmatched, whole-home air purification for perfect air.
Lennox’ residential air filtration systems are hospital-grade air filtration systems that remove over 99% of virus particles, including the common cold, influenza, and viruses 4x smaller than SARS-CoV-2. They are even more efficient – 99.9% to be precise – at removing larger particles, like mold spores, pollen, dust, and pet dander. Unlike other air purification systems, the PureAir™ and PureAir™S systems produce no ozone, a common lung irritant. Better still, they actively work to reduce ozone generated by other sources in your home.
“This year, more than ever, we all recognize the critical importance of clean air and how it is vital to our health,” said Quan Nguyen, Vice President and General Manager, Lennox Industries Residential. “At Lennox, we have long pursued the highest level of indoor air quality on behalf of our customers. During this pandemic, we’ve increased our investments in air purification technologies in our pursuit of perfect air, so consumers can breathe easy.”
The Lennox Healthy Climate™ Carbon Clean 16 air filter was tested by LMS Technologies, Inc., an independent filtration research and testing lab that has been used by Lennox for over two decades. The lab performs unbiased, controlled testing with standardized test procedures to ensure statistically verified results.
When paired with the PureAir™ S Air Puri?cation System or the Lennox Healthy Climate™ Carbon Clean 16 air filter, a Lennox HVAC system provides unrivaled air filtration and the ultimate level of indoor air quality to ensure the health and safety of homeowners and their families. Part of Lennox’ Ultimate Comfort System™, the PureAir™ S air purifier offers seamless precision in air quality and intelligently works with other units in the Ultimate Comfort System™ to stay finely tuned to the home for reliably clean air.
“We understand that indoor air quality is a higher priority now more than ever before,” said John Whinery, VP of Product, Lennox Industries. “While COVID-19 has changed the world around us, it hasn’t changed our unwavering commitment to delivering consistently clean, comfortable air to homeowners through our Lennox Healthy Climate™ and Ultimate Comfort System™ indoor air quality products.”
The first thing you should do when symptoms of poor peripheral circulation appear is to consult your doctor to change your drug cialis in australia therapy. Similarly going to the pharmacy and being seen with discount soft cialis drugs to treat erectile dysfunction could compromise the secret being kept by the user. This miracle pill, called Vardenafil, which is a order generic levitra is to provide customers with the best online drugstore to purchase prescription medications safely If you never before purchase prescription drug from this online pharmacy could be very easy thanks to its dependable and quick shipping service in every corner of the world. Many order cheap levitra deeprootsmag.org people with multiple sclerosis have neurogenic bladder dysfunction, which means they have a decreased ability to control their ED issues ask about the mechanism of this medicine.For more information on Lennox’ product capabilities and ongoing dedication to the health and wellness of consumers, please visit Lennox.com/Residential.
About Lennox Industries
Lennox Industries, a division of Lennox International Inc. (NYSE: LII), is in constant pursuit of perfect air because we believe everyone deserves it. Whatever your version of perfect is, we can help make it happen. Offering some of the quietest and most efficient units on the market, the first ultra-low emissions furnace, and hospital-grade air filtration, Lennox has a history of designing innovative heating, cooling, and indoor air quality products. Lennox’ approach to product design has earned it more Dealer Design awards than its competitors combined and multiple ENERGY STAR Most Efficient certifications. Lennox is a proud contributor to its communities, investing in the future of the HVAC industry and giving back through its corporate social responsibility program, Feel The Love. For more information about how Lennox is redefining air, visit Lennox.com/Residential.
- When used properly with other best practices recommended by CDC and others, filtration can be part of a plan to reduce the potential for airborne transmission of COVID-19 indoors.
- Removal efficiency based on third-party testing results using MS-2 bacteriophage (ATCC 15597- B1). Bacteria representative of virus-sized particles like SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. November 2020.
- Not intended for actual hospital use. Based on Table 1: Application guidelines in ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 52.2-2017.
SOURCE Lennox Industries
Related Links
http://www.lennox.com/residential
PureAir™ & PureAir™S Air Purification Systems Flyer
Air Balancing: Tips
Air balancing will improve air circulation, increase energy efficiency and enhance the overall performance of your air conditioning and heating system. For a homeowner, it means delivering the right amount of air (hot or cold) to each room making your home more comfortable.
Air balancing for a HVAC technician is the process of testing and adjusting your system using their skill and tools of the trade. They look at your intake and output and adjust accordingly.
What is Air Balancing?
Air balancing is the process that involves modifying your existing HVAC system to make sure that air is evenly distributed throughout the home. All zones will have the correct amount of heat transfer. You want all components of your HVAC system working in harmony.
DIY Tips
Close/Open Your Register: Simple yet effective. You have the ability to move the damper blade. It will restrict air flow in the room. But, don’t completely close the vents, it could cause other issues to your HVAC system.
During warm weather temperatures, open registers on your upper floor and partially close registers on first floor and / or your basement. During cold temperatures, reverse the process.
- Set your thermostat to 76-78 degrees. (ideal range to start testing)
- Leave the temperature alone for at least 24 hours.
- In areas that are too cool, adjust the vents to allow for less air flow.
- Adjust in small increments to feel what works for your comfort.
- Re-check your adjustments (24 hours later) to feel if you reached the desired temperature.
- Continue until you reach your ideal temperature.
Two Degree Offset: If you’re in a two-story home and have two thermostats, set the temperatures to have a 2 degree off-set. For example, upstairs could be set at 74 degrees and downstairs at 72. This will help with uneven temperatures.
Check Your Filters: We say this all the time, but it really is important! There are numerous reasons to keep your filters clean…
- Improves your air quality – cleaning the debris that builds up on your filters will aid with the flow of air.
- Increases the efficiency of your furnace – reduced air flow through your heating and cooling system can cause your heat exchange to overheat and shut off too quickly. Keep the filter clean and it will aid in the efficiency of your furnace.
- Extend the life of your HVAC system – would you believe the most common reason a HVAC breaks down is due to a dirty filter? A dirty filter makes your system work harder causing it to overheat.
Cover-up those Windows: Your windows will impact the comfort level in each room. Windows without drapes, blinds, shades, etc. can heat up a room faster before a thermostat has the time to turn on and add relief.
Window coverings can make a difference in the overall appeal and comfort level. They also can help improve energy efficiency. In cooling seasons, about 76% of sunlight that falls on standard double-pane windows enters to become heat.
Check for Drafts: You want to make sure your windows and doors are sealed properly as these often cause cold spots in your home.
Adjust Ceiling Fan Direction: Changing the directional settings of a fan can have a profound effect on air circulation. Your ceiling fans should go counterclockwise during warming months to create cool downward airflow. However, it should go at a low speed in a clockwise motion during the cooler months so it can help evenly distribute warm air.
Thermostat Fan Setting “ON”: Your fan setting can have an impact on your indoor air quality and comfort level. Most systems have two fan settings: On and Auto.
By utilizing the “ON” setting, the fan will blow continuously, which will filter and always be replacing your indoor air. This, in turn, will keep the air steady. In using the auto position, your air can become more stagnant.
Both come with pros and cons. When flipping to the On setting, you may see an increase in your utility bill.
When in Doubt…
If you’ve gone through the tips above and want to have a more thorough check of your HVAC system, or if you’re in doubt about what to do, the best thing to do is call a professional from Air Handlers.
Are you ready for the snow?
Snow is coming to the South Sound. Regular maintenance is important for the proper care of your HVAC system. As always, major furnace maintenance should be handled by a licensed HVAC technician. But there are some steps you can take on your own that can result in a more comfortable winter:
Power down
Turn off all power to the unit before performing any maintenance; wait for the blower to stop.
Replace filters
Replace air filters at least once every three months. Dirty filters can cause your system to work harder, resulting in lower efficiency.
Run a sound check
Turn your unit on, and check for unusual sounds, like banging or rattling.
Look for signs of moisture
Check for moisture on windows, or rust or dirt accumulations on the vent pipe. This can indicate improper operation.
Assess the room temperature
Check your thermostat’s temperature while the unit is on to ensure rooms are reaching their full comfort potential.
If, during your basic checklist rundown you discover any unusual noises, excess moisture, or other signs your unit is not functioning properly, call Air Handlers to schedule an appointment.
Hearing Odd Sounds?
Loud vents? Air conditioner unit making a loud humming noise? Some noises are normal, such as a quiet hum or the sounds of air whooshing through the vents, but sometimes HVAC systems make strange noises and can become disruptive annoyances in the home. This doesn’t have to be the case. Check out these common causes of noises in an HVAC system and what you can do about them:
COMMON HVAC NOISES
Humming
An HVAC system that is running normally will make a soft humming noise. But if it’s more similar to clanking, that’s a sign that something is wrong. While normal humming could be from loose parts, such as the blower motor fan, loose blades, or loose pipes that are rubbing together, louder humming noises could be the result of loose wiring, circuit breaker overload, or failed condenser fan motor.
Clanking-like humming noises are a bit more serious because loose parts, if not addressed, can cause costly damage to your system. Your best bet is to turn the system off and call your technician.
Rattling
Hearing a rattling noise coming from your HVAC system could mean a few things. If it originates from the outdoor unit, chances are you have some kind of debris in the system, such as a twig. (While the grate will protect your system from most large debris, it’s still possible for small things to get through.)
Turn your system off and cut the power to the unit, then remove the debris. If you see visible damage to the condenser coils, compressor, or fan, call your HVAC technician. If the rattling seems to be internal, from a furnace or other internal component, turn the system off and call your HVAC technician since removing the obstacle isn’t as simple.
Hissing
Hearing a hissing noise most likely means air is escaping from your system. If the noise is coming from the walls, there’s a good chance your ducts are leaking. Not only can this cause noise, but it also wastes money because the air that should be circulating throughout your home is leaking into the walls.
Duct repair isn’t really a repair that homeowners can do on their own, so if your system is making a loud hissing noise, call a technician. However, if the hissing is light, it could originate from your air vents. Typically when you hear this noise it is because your filter is not “set” right or you have the wrong size filter which is creating the gap in the seal. If this is the case, the air is squeezing past the filter or around it, instead of being pulled through it. This is a simple fix that starts with ensuring the filter is the right size and is placed correctly, leaving no room for gaps.
ADDITIONAL HVAC NOISES YOU COULD BE HEARING
Loud Whistles or Screaming
Hearing a whistling or screaming noise from your HVAC unit likely means that you have either a refrigerant leak or an excessive amount of internal pressure building up. Both of these causes are dangerous, so you should call an HVAC contractor as soon as possible.
Clicking
When you are turning your unit on and off, you are going to hear clicking noises. However, if you are hearing loud clicking coming from inside the cabinet of your HVAC you should be concerned. Most of the time this means that your capacitor is on its last leg. A poorly functioning or failing capacitor can be detrimental to your entire HVAC system. You should turn off your unit and call an HVAC professional to help you in this situation.
HVAC SYSTEM NATURAL NOISES
Keep in mind that your HVAC system is exactly that – a system. As it works, it will make noise. Hearing the motor running or humming, as wells as the fans blowing or air moving through the vents, is totally normal. However, unnatural sounds like rattling, hissing, or clanking, or the sounds becoming loud enough to be disruptive, can be signs of problems.
As with anything else, regular maintenance tune-ups, changing air filters, and other general repairs are the best way to avoid this, as well as knowing what sounds are normal and which ones are cause for concern.
TIPS FOR PROLONGING THE LIFE OF YOUR HVAC SYSTEM
HVAC systems can be a costly investment, one most homeowners should only have to make a few times in their life. The average system lasts about 15 to 20 years, and there are several things homeowners can do to maximize the life of their system and get the most out of their investment.
- Pre-season cleaning and check-ups. It’s important to get your system cleaned and checked before the start of each season, generally once in the spring (for cooling systems) and once in the fall (for heating systems). This will catch any problems before the season starts and ensure your system runs smoothly. Schedule maintenance cleaning and check-ups early to ensure you have a quality visit from a licensed technician.
- Checking air filters regularly. Clogged or dirty air filters can restrict the flow of air to your HVAC system, which creates extra stress for it by making the system work harder. This can cause costly damage to the blower motor because it has to work harder. Checking filters regularly can help avoid the build-up of dirt or dust, ultimately causing less stress on the motor and prolonging the life of your HVAC system.
- Inspecting your equipment. Regularly inspecting your HVAC equipment can help catch small problems before they turn into big ones. While you’ll want a technician to inspect your ducts for air leaks and maintain your equipment, there are things you can check yourself. Keep an eye on any equipment that is vulnerable to excess corrosion or wear and tear. In the case of central air conditioning systems or heat pumps, any parts of the system that are located outside the house need to be visually checked for damage or a buildup of leaves and debris regularly. Out of sight, out of mind can’t become a habit, as the systems need to be checked even when not in use! In addition, every homeowner should regularly check for leaks in outdoor equipment. For example, finding an oily substance on outdoor surfaces could indicate a refrigerant leak, which can be a costly and damaging problem if not caught early.
- Give your system a break. For a lot of homes in America, your HVAC system runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week. That’s a lot for any system to handle. Giving it a break can help to keep your system from being overworked and prolong its life. Installing and using a programmable thermostat can help with this, because it will allow you to adjust your temperature at night or when you aren’t home to a temperature that isn’t too high or too low. This way, when you return home, it’s less work on the system to get your house back to the ideal temperature. Overall, that slight ‘break’ for your system will make a big difference when it comes to the stress on it in the long run and will help you to get the max savings possible. There’s no way to predict or guarantee the life of an HVAC system, but with these tips you can keep your system running smoothly and efficiently, prolonging its life and helping you get the most out of your investment.
HVAC at Christmas
With 2020 coming to a close, it feels like now is the time to relax a bit and enjoy the holiday (safely, of course). Some people have noticed an uptick in their winter allergy symptoms, though. The reason may be a simple one: your Christmas tree.
Whether you opt for getting a live tree or are pulling an artificial one from storage, there are some things you should be aware of. Live trees are often in the elements, causing mold spores to have an opportunity to land on them, along with dust and any other pollens. These allergens can cause respiratory issues to worsen. Artificial trees not stored properly can have mold and mildew issues, as well.
What should you do? Well, one thing to do, especially with live trees, is to spray them down and then blow dry them before bringing them inside. This will usually get most of these irritants off the tree. You should also make sure the ornaments you use have been stored in a good place (as the issues with artificial trees can be seen in ornaments, as well).
On top of that, make sure your HVAC system is up to date and working efficiently. Check your filters, if you haven’t done so already. Of course, keep Air Handlers in mind for your HVAC maintenance needs!
Fall Weather Tips
The weather has changed and it’s obvious. It almost seems like we went from decently cool to needing our heaters with a snap of someone’s fingers! As always, make sure you have your system checked and that you’re good to go for the rest of the season (and call Air Handlers if you notice problems).
While your heater can help keep your home warm, you may be wondering about what you can do to make sure that your heater doesn’t work overtime. If so, here are a few simple tips we have to help your system work smarter, not harder.
Curtains, curtains, curtains: While it seems simple, this is easy to forget or overlook. When the sun is out and shining, open the curtains facing the sun so that some natural heat will be pulled into the house. Of course, closing the curtains on cloudy days or after dark will act as an extra bit of insulation to keep some warmth inside.
Maximize the flow: Make sure that warm air from your vents can move as freely as possible. For instance, you may want to sit close to a vent for that warm air to hit you, but it is better to move your chair or couch so that the air can go as far as possible to more efficiently heat your home.
Block the cracks: While things like making sure windows are properly sealed are standard knowledge, you should consider blocking the spaces around your doors, too.
Tips for keeping COVID at bay indoors
The weather is changing and starting to cool off. For now, being outside is manageable thanks to fairly comfortable (if wet) weather. When the temperatures begin to drop, though, we will all be spending more time indoors.
Recent reports have stressed the importance of ventilation to help curtail the spread of COVID (especially as many areas begin attempting to hold in-school classes again). This discussion has, largely, focused on schools, stores, and large office buildings. What about at your home, though?
An efficient HVAC system is the best first step. Make sure your system is working properly and that the filters are taking particles out of the air. This will help circulate the indoor air, for the most part. Here are some other things you can do while the weather is still fair:
- Oscillating fans: make sure that any fans set up to oscillate (and thus help circulate air) do not have the chance to blow from possibly infected people to others.
- Window fans: placing fans in the windows to circulate air into a room can prove very helpful.
- Air filters: We recently experienced very poor air quality due to smoke from wildfires. During times like this, opening windows is not possible. In these instances, air filters can be beneficial.
Information found in this article on the New York Times.