April is for Air Quality!

Indoor Air Quality

Good “Indoor Air Quality” starts with the air in a home being kept at a comfortable temperature and humidity level, which is taken care of by the air conditioning system.  For the indoor air to really be “Good”, it should also be clean and free of objectionable odors and particles.  “Good Air” also needs to be healthy air.  It should be free of harmful materials such as carbon monoxide, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), pollen and illness causing bacteria or viruses.  

After temperature and humidity control, the next basic step is to reduce the particles in the air.  Air Filtration is used to trap airborne particles before they can restrict the cooling coil or get circulated throughout the home for you to breath.  Who wants to breathe in particles?  Airborne particles vary greatly in size – from 0.3 Microns to as large as 10 Microns. One Micron is very, very small – 0.000039 inches small!  Air Filtering Ability is measured and rated by its “Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value” (MERV).  MERV Ratings go from MERV 1 through MERV 20.

·         MERV 1–4 – (80%) - 10 Microns and larger include most Pollen, Cockroach Debris and Fibers (typical fiberglass or synthetic disposable filters; the most common are 1” thick).

·         MERV 5-8 – (90%) - 3 to 10 Microns will include most Mold Spores, Dust Mite Debris and Pet Dander (typical 4” thick cotton-polyester pleated disposable filters).

·         MERV 9–12 – (95%) 1 to 3 Microns including Legionella and Auto Emission Particulates (typical box style 6”-12” deep, microfine cotton-polyester pleated disposable filters).

·         MERV 13–16 – 0.3 to 1 Micron in size - including Bacteria, most Tobacco Smoke and Candle Soot (specialized media – cartridge style 6”-12” deep, disposable filters).

·         MERV 17–20 (HEPA) – Particles smaller than 0.3 Micron in size - including Viruses and all Combustion Smoke (specialized media – cartridge style 6”-12” deep, disposable filters).

The Dilemma:

The best particle filters have high air flow resistance.  Some very good “allergy” style air filters available in the hardware stores have so much resistance to airflow that they can damage the furnace heatexchanger and freeze up the cooling coil.  We need to keep the air moving while it is getting filtered!

The Answer:

To use the high MERV filters, they need to be designed and applied properly.  We can help you here. We have Air Filtration Solutions that range from the very basic to the most high performance options available.  Ask your Andersen Service Technician for a specific range of solutions that would be best for your home and circumstances.  

March Maintenance Madness!

It's almost that time of year...hot summer days, vacations to the beach, school's out and pool days are near.  It's the time of year that makes you forget about Old Man Winter, and reminds you why the Carolinas are such a great place to live.  It's also the time when most air conditioners have problems, working to keep up with the midday heat and humidity.  One of the best ways to curtail any problems before they arise is to have your AC system maintenanced.  Think of your air conditioner like a car - it's a necessity for most of us, but with lots of moving pieces it can also be costly to repair, not to mention those repairs take time away from your summer activities.  In the same manner you have your car's oil changed and tires rotated to maintain good performance, so should you have your air conditioner serviced.  A Preferred Maintenance Agreement from Andersen Heating & Cooling will help your air conditioner work at peak performance, as well as shine a light on any issues before the dog days of summer.  

Spring is the perfect time of year to have Andersen tune up and clean your A/C, check safety controls and check your fluid levels.  Regular air conditioning and heating maintenance helps provide system efficiency, energy savings and extended equipment life.  AHRI, the group which assigns SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating) ratings to your system equipment, recommends regular maintenance as part of your home energy savings plan.  From Rock Hill and Fort Mill to Mooresville and Cornelius, and all the places in between, Andersen covers the Charlotte metro area.  Call us today at 704-596-2525 or send us a message through our website for prompt attention.  

Andersen - When Comfort Matters