What Is a Zone Damper System?

October 10, 2024

Your central HVAC system heats and cools your St. Louis, MO home uniformly. When you turn on your heater, heat pump, or air conditioner, it runs until all rooms reach the temperature that you’ve set on your thermostat. Unfortunately, this isn’t the most efficient solution for most households. Standard central HVAC systems regulate temperatures in spaces even when no one is actively using them. With a zone damper system, you can customize the delivery of heated and cooled air to suit your real-time needs. What Is a Zone Damper System? Zoned HVAC systems, also known as zone damper systems, allow residents to customize the distribution of conditioned air in their immediate areas. In some households, residents close nearby air vents when they no longer want heating or air conditioning. Although this tactic works, it places tremendous stress on heaters and air conditioners. With nowhere to go, unwanted air builds in HVAC ducting. The resulting increases in static pressure inhibit airflow in other areas and cause problems like: Rising humidity Short cycling Icing Overheating Shutdown Zone damper systems have built-in mitigation features that prevent increases in static pressure. They’re also easier to adjust than standing on chairs to reach vent levers...

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Air Filtration vs. Air Ventilation

September 27, 2024

Indoor air pollution is a serious concern that can impact your short- and long-term health. There are two crucial aspects to improving indoor air quality in a home: air ventilation and filtration. Let’s explore the roles they play and the differences between them. Air Ventilation Air ventilation refers to the circulation of air through your home. A residence with good ventilation has an influx of fresh air. If you’ve ever noticed your air getting stale, it indicates inadequate ventilation. A primary benefit of good ventilation is that it dilutes the concentration of airborne pollutants and contaminants. Natural Ventilation Opening your windows and doors is one example of natural ventilation. There is also natural or passive ventilation that occurs unintentionally. This includes air that seeps in through gaps and cracks in windows, doors, walls, foundations, and so on. Builders construct modern homes with tight building envelopes. It’s highly effective for optimizing energy efficiency. The problem is that there’s little to no natural ventilation, which causes higher pollution concentrations. Attic Ventilation Passive or active attic ventilation has little effect on air quality. The purpose of this ventilation is to normalize the temperature between the attic and outdoor air. It makes heating and...

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Is My HVAC Fuse Blown?

September 20, 2024

Is My HVAC Fuse Blown? Even seemingly insignificant problems, like blown fuses, can reduce the performance of your HVAC system, which is crucial to keeping your home at a pleasant temperature. Fortunately, you can avoid more costly and troublesome issues in the future by learning how fuses work, how to identify a blown fuse and what to do. Understanding HVAC Fuses: What They Do Fuses, to put it simply, are safety devices that cut power to the circuit in the event of an overload or short circuit. One of their components is a metal wire that, when heated to a certain point, melts and cuts power to the unit. By halting electrical issues before they worsen, this safety feature helps avoid overheating, possible fires and costly repairs. Types of HVAC Fuses When it detects an excessive current, the blower motor fuse interrupts the circuit, protecting the blower motor from damage. A control board fuse does the same thing, protecting it against electrical problems that could cause it to fail or malfunction. The transformer fuse prevents the transformer from getting too hot because of electrical surges or shorts. It is the job of each fuse to isolate the faulty part of...

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What Should I Set My Thermostat When I’m On Vacation?

September 13, 2024

Preparing your home for your absence during a vacation is an essential part of holiday planning. Keeping tabs on your thermostat settings is an important part of getting ready. Saving money on energy bills and keeping your house at a comfortable temperature are both possible with well-adjusted thermostats. Preparing Your HVAC System for Short Trips To save energy without sacrificing comfort for short trips of a few days to a week, try turning the thermostat up a notch in the summer or down a few degrees in the winter. A good rule of thumb is to keep the thermostat between 78 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer and 60 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter. In addition to lowering energy usage, these settings protect your home’s structure from dangerously high and low temperatures. Before you depart, double-check the filters, clean the vents and arrange for any required maintenance on your HVAC system to make sure it is in good operating condition. By getting everything in order before you go, you can rest assured that your system will continue to function smoothly and without hitches. Ideal Thermostat Settings for Long Vacations If you’re going to be away for an...

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What Is a MERV Filter?

August 21, 2024

MERV filters are HVAC filters, also called furnace and air conditioner filters. They serve several purposes. MERV filters keep an HVAC filter free of dust and other debris without restricting airflow too much. They also help improve indoor air quality by removing particulates from the air. Let’s explore HVAC filters and the MERV rating system in further detail. History of MERV The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) is a U.S.-based but global professional association for the HVAC industry. ASHRAE developed the minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) scale in 1987. It was not the first rating system for air filters, but the existing systems didn’t fully meet industry needs. ASHRAE wanted to provide an indicator of minimum filter performance to HVAC professionals and customers at a glance. It was so effective that the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) accredited the system. The Department of Energy (DOE) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) both recognize it as the standard and use it as a criterion in their studies. MERV Rating System ASHRAE limited the MERV scale to a range of filtration relevant to the HVAC industry. This is important because denser filter materials can cause a pressure drop. That...

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Are Gas Furnaces Phasing Out?

August 15, 2024

Over the last few years, speculation has circulated about whether gas furnaces are being phased out. Some government action, both state and federal, has caused the rumors to swirl throughout the country. This article will explain why there’s some fuss about them and whether you have to plan for a gas furnace ban in Missouri. What’s the Fuss About Gas Furnaces? Gas furnaces have received increasing attention from politicians and regulatory agencies. The main focus is moving homes toward more efficient heating options. This controversy boils down to environmental and safety concerns versus heating efficiency and operational costs. Environmental Concerns The first thing that usually comes up when discussing gas furnaces is their environmental impact. Every home burning natural gas releases carbon dioxide, one of the primary greenhouse gases. However, it’s not just the burning of natural gas that’s of concern, but also its extraction and processing. By eliminating gas furnaces, many with political power believe they can reduce the overall carbon footprint of homes in the country. Safety Concerns It’s not a prominent part of the public conversation, but gas furnaces have safety concerns. The obvious problem is the use of combustible gas in homes. However, there’s also the...

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Can HVAC UV Lights Damage Coils?

August 7, 2024

Indoor air quality is developing into an increasingly important concern for homeowners across the nation, leading to a rise in using ultraviolet (UV) lighting in HVAC systems. These lights enhance air quality by decreasing the number of dangerous microbes in the air. However, whether these UV lights could harm the system’s coils is a typical worry among homeowners and HVAC experts. Benefits of HVAC UV Lights for Better Indoor Air Quality UV lamps for HVAC systems are a perfect choice for homeowners who want to make their homes healthier because of the positive effects they have on indoor air quality. The UV light from these bulbs can destroy or render inactive a wide variety of germs, viruses, and mold spores. Cleaner, fresher air can circulate throughout the house thanks to the UV lights that help reduce these hazardous particles. When indoor air quality is good, people have less trouble breathing, fewer allergies and other health problems. People who already have respiratory issues or compromised immune systems may find this especially helpful, as it lessens their exposure to airborne germs. HVAC UV lamps are beneficial for pets, too. Air pollution can aggravate the symptoms of many common domestic pets, especially those...

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Are Reusable HVAC Filters Better?

July 22, 2024

Are Reusable HVAC Filters Better? If you own a home in St. Louis, MO, keeping its indoor air quality as high as possible is important. To do that, you must maintain proper ventilation and make sure to vacuum and dust on a regular schedule. It also means remembering to replace your HVAC air filter every three months or as often as its manufacturer specifies. When you do this, however, you may encounter a type of HVAC filter in the store you’ve never seen before. They’re called washable or reusable air filters, and plenty of homeowners are replacing their disposable filters with one. Just because others are doing this, however, doesn’t make it a good idea for you. To help you make the right decision, here’s everything you need to know about disposable and reusable HVAC filters. How Your HVAC Filter Works Your HVAC air filter serves as your home’s primary defense against the recirculation of dust and dirt in its air. In reality, however, that’s not why your HVAC system includes an air filter. The air filter’s job is to keep those substances out of your HVAC’s indoor unit. The buildup of dust and dirt within your HVAC blower fan...

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Portable vs. Whole-Home Air Purifiers

July 15, 2024

Portable vs. Whole-Home Air Purifiers While you can’t see it, the air you are breathing right now likely has bacteria, mold, pollutants, and viruses in it. Gas combustion from cooking on a natural gas stove, mold growth, and wildfire smoke can all cause your home’s air quality to plummet. Fortunately, whole-home and portable air purifiers can help filter out harmful contaminants and protect your respiratory health. What Are Whole-Home Purifiers? A whole-home air purifier filters the air inside your home. It can reduce allergens, like pollen and dust. Additionally, it can remove chemicals and other contaminants. If you don’t want to replace your entire heating, air conditioning, and ventilation system to purify your air, a whole-home purifier is a good choice. Designed with electrostatic and ultrasonic technology, whole-home purifiers can remove any particles that are greater than 0.3 microns from the air. While each system is different, they typically use a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. This kind of filter is incorporated into your ventilation system so that the purified air can circulate throughout your home. Other than HEPA filters, purifiers can use ion filtering or physical barriers. With ion filters, electronic filters use a high voltage to attract and...

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What Certifications / Licenses Do Good HVAC Technicians Have?

July 10, 2024

What Certifications / Licenses Do Good HVAC Technicians Have? When you hire a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) company, you need technicians who know what they are doing. Often, people read reviews and ask for word-of-mouth recommendations from their friends. If you don’t already know of a local business you want to work with, it can be hard to judge their service quality and experience. Certifications and licenses help you compare different companies. Because certifications represent a minimum standard of knowledge, you can use a company’s certifications to judge the quality of its services. What Are HVAC Certifications? HVAC certifications can vary significantly from one location to another. In some areas, HVAC technicians are required to have federal, state, and local certifications and licenses. Other than getting licenses for providing HVAC services, companies are also required to get business licenses and building permits. Why Do Technicians Need an HVAC License? An HVAC license is important because of the materials HVAC technicians use in their work. If they work with different heating and cooling systems, they will eventually have to handle refrigerants. Many refrigerants are harmful to the ozone layer if they are released into the environment. However, refrigerants aren’t...

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