If you’re a resident of Crystal River, FL, you know about humidity and all the discomfort that goes with it. If the air in your home is just as thick as the air outside, a whole-home dehumidifier could make your home environment much more comfortable.

Whole-Home Dehumidifiers Prevent Damage to Your Home

In addition to a clammy environment, indoor humidity can cause a host of problems for homeowners. Unwanted pests thrive in humid environments, which makes you more susceptible to allergies and pest-related home damage. Plus, the humidity in your home makes your AC system work harder, which costs you money.

Are Whole-Home Dehumidifiers Effective?

Studies show that whole-home dehumidifiers can reduce humidity by between 40 and 60 percent. Dehumidifiers also help clean the air, which prevents negative health effects such as asthma and allergy symptoms.

Whole-home dehumidifiers have filters in them just like AC systems, and these additional filters take away some of the workload from your AC system. This helps your AC system run smoother and last longer, saving you money in the long run.

Do Whole-Home Dehumidifiers Require Maintenance?

Whole-home dehumidifiers are low-maintenance systems. They usually require a yearly check-up by a professional and nothing more, unlike their portable counterparts which are maintenance-intensive and require frequent filter changes.

Since they are low-maintenance systems, whole-home dehumidifiers are valuable investments. The initial purchase cost is offset over time by lowered utility bills and the reduced need for home repair. These systems are especially cost-effective when you account for the long-term health benefits of cleaner, drier air.

Dehumidify Your Life

If your home is uncomfortably humid or hosts unwanted pests, a whole-home dehumidifier may be for you. If life with drier air sounds like a breeze, contact us at Senica Air conditioning to learn more about purchasing a whole-home dehumidifier.

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This post appeared first on Senicaair.com

When you think of sewage line replacement, do you see a torn up yard? What if we told you we could replace your sewage lines while leaving your yard, driveway, and street intact? If it sounds too good to be true, it’s not, it’s called trenchless sewer repair and it’s something we offer here at Service Champions. We’re aware that the average homeowner may not know what trenchless sewer repair is so we’re sharing what it is and how it can help homeowners in a stinky situation.

What is Trenchless Sewer Repair?

Simply put, trenchless sewer repair allows plumbers to replace your main sewer line without the trench and without the mess. Trenchless sewer repair is a method of replacing pipes essentially underground. It’s become a preferred method of pipe replacement because it doesn’t leave a huge mess in its wake. Before this method, if a homeowner needed to replace their main sewer line, it included a wrecked yard, broken driveway, and lots of dead flowers. Instead, trenchless sewer repair allows homeowners to make big plumbing changes without the mess and with a faster turnaround time.

How Does it Work?

The process of a trenchless sewer repair involves many different steps. But don’t worry, from first inspection to final testing, our plumbers will guide you through every step of the way. Here is our process:

• Initial Inspection – A plumber will first put a camera down your main sewer line to see what condition the pipes are in. This initial viewing will determine the method of repair your home needs. There are two types of trenchless sewer repair, during this initial inspection, the plumber will determine which one is best for you, pipe bursting or repiping.
• Clear the Line – Once your pipes pass the initial inspection and the correct fix is chosen, the next step is to clear the line. Our plumbers will bring in a large hydrojetter to clear out any debris that’s inside the pipe. This debris includes biological backup from the home and any plant matter that may seep into the pipes over time. After this, the plumber will perform either a pipe bursting or a repipe.
• Repiping or Pipe Lining – When we repipe, we’re essentially creating a new pipe in an old one. This method is used when the old pipe isn’t broken or severely damaged. Basically, our plumbers insert an epoxy coated liner into the damaged pipe. After everything is inserted, the liner cures for a few hours. After some time has passed, homeowners have a brand new pipe without ever having to touch their old system. We use this repair when there are obstructions in the existing pipe.
• Pipe Bursting – The other trenchless sewer repair method we use is pipe bursting. This practice lives up to its name. Our plumbers start with new high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipes and attach the pipe to a “bullet.” This bullet breaks through the existing pipe and replaces it with the HDPE pipes. This repair is used when the sewer line is broken or misaligned.

Why Should I Consider Trenchless Sewer Repair?

There are a variety of reasons why a homeowner would choose this repair method. The first is that it causes a much smaller mess than traditional methods, and it saves your yard from being dug up. Trenchless repair is also ecofriendly. By not disturbing the surrounding environment, trenchless repair allows homeowners to repair their home without disturbing any local wildlife. And the best option we can think of is that you’re getting high quality pipe materials for a fraction of the cost. Traditional methods involve more labor and trenchless sewer repair takes away some of that labor cost.

Interested in Trenchless Sewer Repair? We’re Here to Help

Now that you know what trenchless sewer repair is, we’re here to answer any more questions you may have about it. Our plumbers are expertly trained and ready to handle any situation that may arise. If you live in certain areas of Orange, Los Angeles, and Riverside counties, give us a call! Our friendly call center representatives are waiting to hear from you or click here to schedule an appointment online.

Predictive HVAC Maintenance

Taking care of HVAC equipment requires a great knowledge of the tools of the trade as well as the myriad machines that keep homes and businesses cool or warm, depending on the season. Many people underestimate how much knowledge is required by the average technician who gives your HVAC system a tune-up.

While skilled technicians that understand real world problems will never go away, predictive maintenance is the wave of the future. Keep reading to learn more about predictive maintenance and how it will change everything for technicians and consumers.

Faster Service

One of the great features of predictive maintenance is that it will allow a technician to do basic jobs much faster. The main way technicians are going to be using this in the future is to help them determine when and why they should be doing maintenance tasks.

For example, tune-ups can really take hours for the technician. In a commercial setting, basic tasks could take a day or two. With predictive maintenance, techs will be able to know which items need their attention and which don’t.

That’s because predictive maintenance technology will be able to pinpoint which parts of a system can really benefit from a tune-up or service call to prevent major repairs in the short term. That’s a major benefit for the technician who needs to prioritize what they’re doing on the average day and even on each individual call.

New Techs Get Much Needed Help

Technicians, on their first day of work, can’t possibly know everything about all of the different pieces of equipment that are out there. That’s where predictive technology can come in handy for both consumers and technicians. Help with basic service, at least when it comes to what tasks need to be performed, should be welcomed by both parties.

After all, who wouldn’t want a device that can tell them which areas are likely to break next or which ones need the most attention? Everybody can use a little help on the job from smarter tools and maintenance devices.

Lower Consumer Cost

Predictive maintenance may not come overnight to the average consumer, but it is going to be part of the world as a whole very soon. This should result in customers having to pay less for service on major jobs.

That’s because predictive service is going to be all about making sure catastrophes don’t happen. Instead of waiting to call your heating and air conditioning company every year when something breaks, you’ll be getting a lot more regular visits from your technician.

Smaller bills and equipment that works longer will generally be the end result for the user.

Howard Air

Contact Howard Air to learn more about how predictive maintenance will change HVAC servicing for technicians and customers, alike. Howard Air can also help you with all of your residential or business HVAC needs.

The post How Predictive Maintenance Will Change the Future for HVAC Technicians first appeared on Howard Air.

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Residents of Stafford, TX, focus on ventilation and air conditioning to solve their indoor air quality problems. However, many remain confused when it comes to distinguishing between air conditioning and a ventilation system. In this blog, we will help identify the differences between the two systems.

What Is Air Conditioning?

Air conditioning systems are systems that eradicate heat to cool the indoor air. People install air conditioners in their offices and homes to enhance comfort and maintain a cooler average temperature than what it outside.

However, AC units provide your home with more than just a cool temperature. AC units work like refrigeration systems by cooling but also improve the indoor air quality and humidity.

What Are the Benefits of an Air Conditioning System?

AC systems are essential for ensuring that your home remains at a safe and comfortable temperature. Living in a cool and dry environment helps reduce moisture-related biologic particulates that can be a threat to your health

What Is a Ventilation System?

A ventilation system’s duty is to bring in fresh air to reduce indoor pollutants and help improve the indoor air. The purified air goes through a different cycle of replacement and extraction as the indoor air mixes with the outdoor air and gets released at the same time. This system is an ideal setup for a building that is a tight envelope. Homes and offices with tight envelopes, while being more energy efficient can also retain air pollutants and possibly strong smells.

What Are the Benefits of a Ventilation System?

The primary benefit of a ventilation system is to improve the indoor air quality within a home or business. This enhances productivity and minimizes the health risks related to poor indoor air quality. In industrial businesses, ventilators assist in removing hazardous particles and dust products produced during manufacturing.

We supply ventilation and air conditioning systems for home and commercial use. We have skillful technicians who can provide you with the recommendation and advice you need. To learn more about ventilators and air conditioning systems, call Davis AC today.

Image provided by iStock

If you have a central air conditioner or a ducted heat pump in your home, there is one part of your system that can have a major impact on your comfort: your ductwork. This delivery system for the cool air in your home is vital to your comfort. However, if there is something wrong with your ductwork, it can ruin your home’s comfort level too.

If there is a problem with your ducts such as a leak or a disconnect, it is going to ruin your air conditioner’s airflow into your house. So how do you deal with it? If your ductwork is in serious disrepair, scheduling Miami duct testing and replacement may be your best option.

How Do I Know Something Is Wrong With My Ductwork

The sooner you can determine that there is a problem with your ductwork the better. The question a lot of people have is, “how?” Be on the lookout for some of these warning signs that you need to schedule services for your ducts:

• The airflow coming out of your vents is weaker than usual.
• There is extra dust coming out of your ducts.
• Your AC isn’t cooling your home as effectively as it used to.
• Your energy bills are increasing.
• You have hot spots or rooms around the house.

What Does Duct Testing Do?

If you are picking up on a problem with your ductwork, you will want to schedule duct testing first. This service is going to test the air pressure in your ductwork. When it is performed by professionals, testing will help to determine whether there are multiple leaks in your ducts or even a full break in the ducts. From there, you and your technician can determine what the best solution will be.

When Do You Need a Duct Replacement?

If there is a problem with your ductwork, it may mean that you need a duct replacement. This is no small job of course, so it shouldn’t be done unless it is truly necessary. A replacement may be necessary for homes with aging ductwork that is simply starting to break down and fall apart. This also may be a service that is needed for ductwork that has begun to accrue too many leaks or holes in it to actually deliver a reliable amount of cool air to your home. A replacement may be a good idea as well if the initial installation of your ductwork was done poorly and has left you with a lot of airflow problems.

Professional Ductwork Services Will Improve Your Comfort

Whether your ducts are simply a little dirty or they need to be fully replaced, you need to schedule these services with a professional technician. Only a trained professional is going to be able to provide you with the services that benefit your ductwork and your comfort. In contrast, an amateur may leave your ducts in worse condition than when you started!

Contact the team at Air On Demand to get your ducts into the best possible shape.

This post appeared first on AironDemand.com

Dust is a chore that never ends. You can clean all you want, but somehow, within a day or so, the dust is always back. If this scenario sounds familiar, it might be time to see what is really causing the dust in your home. While most homeowners are quick to blame a dog or outdoor elements, they really should be looking at their HVAC system. Too many times, a neglected HVAC system can cause a home to be constantly dusty. If you’re wondering why your home is always so dusty, read more about how your HVAC system could be to blame.

Why Blame HVAC?

Every homeowner has to deal with a common nemesis—dust. It gets into every crack and crevasse and is seemingly in endless supply. Oftentimes, homeowners can let dust build up for a week or so before doing a wipe down, but if you’re seeing an inordinate amount of dust, one of the most likely perpetrators is your HVAC system. This could be for several reasons. Some are:

• Dirty Air Filter – When we talk about dust, let’s look at what makes dust. Household dust is usually made from a mixture of skin cells, hair, clothing fibers, bits of bugs (including dust mites), soil particles, pollen, and bacteria. One of the best things about the air filter in your HVAC system is that it is designed to trap many of these things, so they don’t circulate through your home. What we see far too often are homeowners who forget to replace their filter, meaning it can’t trap any dust particles and instead those particles are released into your home. Yuck, right? At Service Champions, we recommend changing your air filter twice every year, once before furnace season and once before AC season.
• Cracked Ductwork – If your HVAC system lives in your attic, chances are you have ductwork running through your home. While it’s easy to not think about your ductwork, you should. Over time, small holes and fissures can appear in your ducts. Though these cracks may be small, they can let in a lot of dust from the attic or inside the walls.
• Dry Air – Another dusty house offender is dry air. While homes in our coastal areas are mostly spared from this, we see it in the inland homes we service. Dust travels farther and faster in homes without humidity. When there is moisture in the air, it helps clump the dust and weigh it down, making it harder to travel. When your home is bone dry, dust has free reign to travel whenever and wherever it wants. This is especially a problem during dry winter months.

What Can I Do About It?

When it comes to excessive dust in your home, there are a few things you can do about it; and most of them involve your HVAC system. If you don’t already conduct regular tune-ups for your AC and furnace, schedule an appointment as soon as possible. During our 18-point furnace tune up and 26-point AC tune-up, our technicians meticulously go through and clean your entire unit. No stone is left unturned. After they conduct a tune-up, your HVAC technician will tell you what’s going well with your system, what’s going wrong, and the best solution. They will also make sure your system is as clean as possible. The other steps you can take are:

• Routinely Checking Your Air Filters – As we mentioned above, your air filter catches dust particles before they make it into your AC system. If your air filter is dirty, it won’t catch those particles, leaving your home dustier than before.
• Invest in a MERV Filter – An air filter with a MERV rating can catch more particles in your air. The higher the rating, the more particles the filter will catch. If you live in a home with someone who suffers from asthma or allergies, it’s highly recommended you look into a MERV filter.
• Consider an Air Scrubber – One of our favorite tools to combat dust is an Air Scrubber. This scrubber will clump all the dust particles together, essentially making them easier to grab and over time, it will eliminate the dust in your home. By using UV lights, an Air Scrubber essentially “zaps” bacteria, viruses, mold, and other airborne contaminants that could be floating around.
• Think about a Humidifier – It’s no secret that heating makes your home air dry. One of the best ways to fight this is with a humidifier. This piece of equipment attaches directly to your furnace and it counteracts the drying effects of the treated air.

Want to Clear the Dust? Call the Experts at Service Champions!

Now that you know why your home is always so dusty, and you’re ready to do something about it, give us a call. Our expertly trained technicians are ready to assess your home HVAC system and provide the best individual solution. At Service Champions we understand that your home is as unique as you are, and there is no one size fits all solution. If you live in certain areas of Orange, Los Angeles, and Riverside counties, give us a call, or click here to schedule an appointment online.

As Service Champions technician Damon arrived at a Laguna Beach home for a service call, he immediately noticed his client wrestling with a wheelchair ramp next to her porch.

“You look like you could use some help with that,” Damon said.

The homeowner explained that she had some gardeners coming to clean up her yard, but she needed to temporarily remove the ramp from the porch so they could pull weeds around and under the porch.

“I can usually move them myself, but with so much rain lately, they’re harder to move,” she said.

No problem, Damon told her. “I think I can help you out.”

She was appreciative that Damon would volunteer. She explained that she was storing them in her garage. The ramp was in two pieces so he was able to move each one for her and get them out of the way so the yard work could be done.

“She was very grateful that I helped,” Damon said. “And I was happy to do it.”

Thanks for lending a hand, Damon – that’s another Good Deed For Free!

Is it just us, or has life been a little busy recently? Between changes in your home and work routine to a heightened awareness of germs, it’s easy to let smaller things fall to the wayside. We’re here to remind you, did you change your air filter this year? If not, it’s ok, just ask an HVAC technician when they come to your home. If you ignore your air filter and let things build up over time there could be major consequences to your home, health, and HVAC system. The air filter in your home has a crucial job and needs to be routinely replaced. Because we see so many homeowners let their filter sit for too long, we’re sharing the consequences of not changing your air filter.

Poor Indoor Air Quality

One of the worst consequences of not changing your air filter is poor indoor air quality. As we mentioned above, your air filter has an important job. It’s the first line of defense for clean and healthy indoor air. Most air filters live up to their name and catch things like dust, dander, and other indoor air contaminants. If your air filter is too full, all those contaminated particles would be free floating in your home, and in your lungs.

Higher Than Usual Utility Bills

A clean air filter helps your HVAC system run at maximum efficiency. Unfortunately, if your air filter is too old or too dirty, it doesn’t help your system. Instead, it makes your system work twice as hard to force air through a clogged filter. This means your HVAC system is using more energy than it should; and chances are it makes your utility bills much higher than normal. According to energy.gov, a dirty air filter can cause your energy usage to jump up to 15%.

A Broken HVAC System

Another consequence of not changing your air filter is broken equipment. This doesn’t apply only to your furnace or air conditioner; a dirty air filter can affect them both. One of the biggest ways a dirty air filter affects your HVAC system is through improper air flow. Both your AC and furnace need proper air flow to function correctly; a dirty air filter cuts off that important air supply. Some of the problems that can occur are:

• Frozen Evaporator Coils – The evaporator coil removes heat from the air and keeps your home temperature cool. If the coils do not receive proper air flow, this could cause the refrigerant to get too low a temperature. When this happens, the cooler than normal refrigerant will cause condensation to build up on the evaporator coil. That condensation can ice over, which will freeze your air conditioner into a block of ice.
• Compressor Damage – Your air conditioner is constantly working to maintain a specific temperature in your home. It will run itself into the ground to reach the specified temperature. If air flow is impeded, your AC isn’t able to take a break, which puts a massive strain on the compressor. This strain can cause the compressor to fail entirely. This applies to both your AC and furnace. Prevent damage by simply changing your air filter.

Need Some Air Filter Advice? Call Service Champions!

Are you feeling the consequences of not changing your air filter? Don’t worry, our certified HVAC technicians have seen it all. No job is too big or too little. We are the only Diamond Certified plumbing and HVAC company who proudly serve areas of Orange, Riverside, and Los Angeles Counties. To make an appointment, reach out to our friendly call center representatives or click here to book online.

MERV Filters and Ratings – What Are They?

Upon searching for air filters in Phoenix, you have to sift through a few details to find the right fit. Size, brand, and material are all essential variables, of course, but one factor is often overlooked: the MERV rating of an air filter. MERV ratings offer a better insight into just how efficient you can expect any filter on your list to be and how effective it really is at filtering various types of particles out of the air within your home. Taking the time to learn a bit about these ratings and how they impact your air conditioner’s performance can help save you time, money, energy, and effort in the coming years.

What Are MERV Ratings?

MERV stands for “Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value” and is a system used to determine how efficiently an air filter can clean the air in your home with each use. Each filter is assigned a rating based on how much debris a filter manages to block when circulating air. These ratings lie on a scale of 1 to 20. The higher the MERV rating, the better the filter is at keeping the air free and clear of pesky particles. The score reflected by the rating is the bare minimum at which a particular filter is expected to perform based on a series of thorough tests.

How Are MERV Ratings Determined?

To receive a MERV rating, a filter must be tested to determine how well it can block particles of various sizes. Twelve differently sized particles are tested throughout the process, ranging from 0.3 to 10 micrometers in diameter. The particles being tested are grouped into three distinct categories:

• E1 – particles measuring 0.3 to 1.0 micrometers
• E2 – particles measuring 1.0 to 3.0 micrometers
• E3 – particles measuring 3.0 to 10.0 micrometers

During the test, particles are thoroughly counted and then sprayed through the filter in question. Any particles that make it through to the other side of the filter are then counted again. A filter is put through 6 tests of particles from each category, meaning that a filter goes through a whopping 72 tests before the final MERV rating is decided. At the end of the test, the worst score from each category is used to determine the rating, thus giving the minimum efficiency that the particular filter can be expected to work at. Filters may work more effectively than their score suggests at times, but the MERV rating is meant, after all, to reflect the minimum filtering capacity of a particular product.

What MERV Rating Is Right for a Home?

As mentioned, the higher the MERV filtration test score, the more particles a filter can pull out of the air in your home. However, that doesn’t mean that you should immediately invest in a filter with a MERV rating of 20 and call it a day. That’s the last thing you would want to do for an average home. Hospitals, nuclear power plants, and other buildings that require a particular emphasis on a completely sterile environment generally use filters rated 16 through 20. These filters are thicker, which, while helping them block more debris from the air. While this is beneficial in specific industrial and medical environments, the thickness of filters with these ratings contribute heavily to pressure drop when used in conjunction with the air conditioning systems typically installed in residences.

Pressure drop refers to how much a particular filter restricts airflow. Pressure drop most often occurs when a filter goes too long without being changed, but can also happen if you have a filter that’s too thick and powerful for the system you pair it with. Pressure drop can contribute to your air conditioning unit’s many issues, including short cycling, undue wear and tear on parts, and even complete failure if the problem goes unchecked for too long. To avoid the unfortunate effects of pressure drop, it’s usually recommended that the average home use filters with a MERV rating between 5 and 13. Of course, even when using a filter that falls between these ranges, it’s always a good idea to invest in regular inspections from a team of Phoenix air conditioner professionals to ensure everything is working smoothly.

Which Filter Should You Choose?

Though it’s viable to use an air filter with a rating of 5 in your home and still reap some benefits, most homes’ ideal range lies between 8 and 13. This range gives you nearly as much particle blockage as MERV filters with higher ratings while maintaining appropriate pressure levels to keep your energy bills low and your air conditioning unit working smoothly. Finding the balance between particle filtration and air resistance is the key to choosing the right filter for any space.

Each rating has its limits to consider and blocks different amounts of household debris from each category.

• MERV 8 filters block basic dust, pollen, mold, bacteria, and dust mites
• MERV 11 filters block dust, pollen, mold, bacteria, dust mites, and pet dander
• MERV 13 filters block all the particles that the previous rating blocks, plus cooking oil smoke, virus carriers, smoke, and smog.

The higher the rating, the more unwanted pollution the filter will keep out of your home’s air. However, the higher your rating, the higher your monthly energy bill might be because your AC unit is working harder to push air through a thicker filter. This is something to consider when making your choice. Consulting a trained AC repair and maintenance professional in Phoenix can give you a good idea of which particular air filter might be the best fit for your home and your needs as a homeowner.

Do MERV Filters Require Maintenance?

Filters with a high MERV rating need to be replaced regularly, just like any other filter. Over time, particles build up on the filter and make it harder for air to pass through, contributing to more strain on your system. This is especially true for filters with higher MERV ratings, which already place a bit of pressure on a system simply due to their thickness. Generally, it’s recommended that filters are replaced monthly or otherwise according to the recommendations on a filter’s packaging. Fortunately, the process is usually an easy, straightforward one and can be done without calling in a professional.

Learn More About Keeping Your Air Clean

Contact Howard Air to learn more about keeping the air in your home as clean as possible while maintaining your air conditioning system and keeping your monthly energy budget under control. If you’re unsure of which filter to use in your home, schedule an air conditioning inspection in Phoenix, AZ. One of our highly knowledgeable technicians can get you pointed in the right direction in no time and ensure the rest of your air conditioning system is running smoothly and safely to bring you the results you need for year-round comfort in the southwest.

Featured Image: Shutterstock / Sucharas Wongpeth

The post MERV Filters and Ratings – What Are They? first appeared on Howard Air.

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