Tag: air conditioning

How HVAC Systems Can Help with Allergies

Allergies can significantly impact quality of life, causing symptoms ranging from mild discomfort to severe health issues. For many people, the triggers are found in their environment—pollen, dust mites, mold spores, and pet dander, to name a few. Fortunately, HVAC systems can play a crucial role in managing these allergens and improving indoor air quality.

1. Air Filtration

One of the primary ways HVAC systems help with allergies is through effective air filtration. Modern HVAC systems come equipped with advanced filters designed to capture airborne particles that contribute to allergies. High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters are particularly effective. They can trap particles as small as 0.3 microns with an efficiency of 99.97%, which includes pollen, dust, and mold spores. Regularly replacing or cleaning these filters ensures that they continue to function optimally, capturing allergens before they circulate throughout your home.

2. Air Purification

In addition to filtration, many HVAC systems can be paired with air purifiers to enhance allergen removal. Air purifiers work in conjunction with HVAC systems to remove pollutants and allergens from the air. Some systems use ultraviolet (UV) light to kill bacteria and mold, while others employ activated carbon filters to remove odors and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). By integrating these air purification technologies, HVAC systems can address a broader range of allergens and improve overall air quality.

3. Humidity Control

Controlling indoor humidity is another critical factor in managing allergies. High humidity levels can promote the growth of mold and dust mites, which are common allergens. HVAC systems with built-in humidifiers or dehumidifiers help maintain optimal humidity levels, usually between 30% and 50%. This helps prevent the proliferation of mold and keeps dust mites at bay, reducing the overall allergen load in your home.

4. Ventilation

Proper ventilation is essential for maintaining indoor air quality. HVAC systems that incorporate ventilation features ensure that fresh air is regularly brought into the home while stale air is expelled. This process helps dilute indoor pollutants and allergens, reducing their concentration and improving air quality. Additionally, some advanced systems include energy recovery ventilators (ERVs) or heat recovery ventilators (HRVs), which exchange indoor air with fresh outdoor air while minimizing energy loss.

5. Regular Maintenance

Routine maintenance of HVAC systems is crucial for their performance and effectiveness in managing allergens. This includes regular cleaning and servicing of filters, ducts, and other components. Clogged filters and dirty ducts can become reservoirs for dust, mold, and other allergens, which can then be spread throughout the home when the system is in operation. By keeping the system well-maintained, homeowners can ensure it functions efficiently and continues to help control allergen levels.

In conclusion, HVAC systems offer multiple benefits for allergy sufferers, from advanced filtration and air purification to humidity control and effective ventilation. By leveraging these features and ensuring regular maintenance, homeowners can significantly reduce indoor allergens and create a healthier living environment. As always, consulting with a professional HVAC technician can help tailor the system to best meet specific allergy management needs.

New Season, New HVAC?

When was the last time your heating/cooling system was upgraded? As we enter the warmer seasons, having an efficient and powerful HVAC system can significantly improve the comfort level of your home or office building. Whether you’re looking to have an HVAC system installed for the first time or wanting to schedule maintenance or an update to your existing one, the professionals at Air Handlers have you covered!

Benefits of an HVAC System

Having an efficient HVAC system for your home or building provides many perks, the first of which being able to control the temperature inside. Controlled temperatures help keep an area comfortable and fresh, as a suitable unit also helps filter the air and reduce allergens, dust, and other particulates floating around in the area.

Maintaining an HVAC System

Maintaining your HVAC system is easy with the help of the pros at Air Handlers. Whether it’s anything from connecting a thermostat to performing large scale maintenance or upgrades, we’ve got you covered! If you ever need to have your system serviced or checked for issues, simply contact us and we’ll send out a member of our team to take care of your system.

Easy Seasonal Care

Modern HVAC systems require very little when it comes to seasonal care as a homeowner. Historically, many heating and cooling systems would need winterized, covered, or otherwise protected/modified for the colder seasons, but with modern HVAC technology, many newer systems need little to no seasonal prep or changes.

Whether you already have an HVAC system that’s due for an upgrade or you’re looking to have a brand new unit installed, the experts at Air Handlers are up to the task. Give us a call to schedule your upgrade or maintenance, or to get more information on how we can take your home’s temperature control to the next level with a new system.

Autumn Rain and Your HVAC

We’re experiencing more and more rainfall as we move further into autumn, and we can only expect more once we get into winter. Throughout the many heating and cooling systems available there are various ways of weatherproofing your unit, though not all of them apply to every system. In fact, your HVAC system is built to withstand some significant weather conditions, including heavy rainfall. So here are some things you should and should not do to keep your HVAC protected during heavy rain.

DON’T cover your HVAC with a tarp, rain fly, or other weatherproof covering.

If you’re planning on running your HVAC, covering it isn’t a good idea, and most of the time isn’t necessary. The vast majority of HVAC systems are built to handle significant downpour and other weather conditions, and covering them can cause problems if you run them. In general, your HVAC system will be completely fine in heavy wind and rain unless it becomes submerged. If water pools up around your HVAC system then the wiring and electrical systems could become damaged, though normal downfall will not affect them.

DO divert water around your HVAC system.

If you do have substantial rainfall and it does begin to pool around your HVAC, you can take measures to divert the water away in order to prevent your system from becoming partially submerged. Whether this is repositioning your gutter’s downspout, digging a small trench to divert the flow, or building up a protective barrier, these steps could help keep a pool from forming around yours system.

DON’T place objects or covers on top of or near the HVAC system.

Another potential solution some people may consider for weather proofing your HVAC is to set up a nearby barrier or cover, without fully covering the system. This isn’t advised either, as HVAC systems perform best with consistent and uninterrupted airflow. If you are trying to protect your system with a barrier against potential debris from the wind, for example, make sure it is at least two feet away to prevent airflow issues.

DO monitor your system for debris.

While wind itself doesn’t pose much of a threat to your HVAC system, dirt, leaves, and other debris can be blown into and on it which could cause issues. After a severe storm, check on your AC unit and look for potential damages. If there is damage to the exterior, there could be damage on the interior, and that should be resolved prior to running your system.

Overall, outdoor heating and cooling systems are quite weather resistant and shouldn’t need much interference to stay operational. However, it is always best to regularly check your system for obstructions or damages and schedule any needed repairs as soon as possible so you can get back to running your system!