Tag: hvac maintenance

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Importance of Changing Your Heat Pump Air Filters in Winter

heat pump air filter

It’s the ideal time to replace the air filters in your home’s heat pump now that winter is almost here. Heat pumps are a reliable way to keep your house comfortable all year round, but they require routine maintenance just like any other heating system does. In order to maintain effective performance, prevent unneeded repairs, and maintain the cleanest possible air in your home or place of business, every type of HVAC system eventually needs to have its air filters changed.

Air Filter Application In Heat Pumps:

Different variety systems for heating might be installed at your home and place of business. You might have a heat pump, which uses the same principles as air conditioning to transfer heat efficiently, or you could go with a furnace, which is a more traditional option. The main function of the air filters is to prevent the dirt , dust and debris from entering into the units.  The intake air travels via the blower of the furnace or heat pump before being circulated throughout the ductwork in your home. An air filter for heaters removes these impurities from the air before it reaches the heat pump or blower, safeguarding your HVAC system as well as the purity of the air inside your home. Does central heating suffer from a filthy air filter? Absolutely. Filters for heat pumps function by trapping dust and other impurities in a media with a large surface area, such as polyester or fibreglass. You should change your filter before winter weather arrives since it can only hold so much dirt before issues arise.

Bringing Down Your Utility Bills

Reducing utility bills as much as possible is one of the top priorities for any house or business owner when it comes to heating. If you currently have a heat pump, you’ve taken a significant step in lowering your heating expenses when compared to traditional systems. There is, however, still potential for development. Your system takes energy in one of two ways, regardless of whether you have a heat pump, furnace, or other central air systems. First, there is the energy required to heat the air. While your furnace uses natural gas or another fuel to heat the air, a heat pump uses a refrigerant cycle that is powered by electricity. In addition, energy is required to draw air into the system and disperse it throughout your ductwork. Electricity will be required to operate the fan or blower, which may be more of a factor than you might realize. Hence it’s always advisable to change the air filters frequently as and when required for your heating systems. Any media filtering of air results in a pressure reduction that requires greater power to overcome. As the filter gathers dirt and other pollutants, the pressure drops and the quantity of energy required rises. In essence, the dirt will eventually clog the filter, obstructing airflow. Once your filter is sufficiently clogged, it will take a lot of energy to draw air into the system. Your winter utility costs can be lowered by simply changing the air filter in your heat pump once a year, or as directed by the manufacturer.

Increasing System Durability

Purchasing that system was probably a large outlay, regardless of whether you have a heat pump furnace or other heating systems. The Energy Star programme of the Environmental Protection Agency advises updating these systems every 10 to 15 years to ensure consistently effective heating. However, if you neglect your routine HVAC maintenance, you might find that you need a replacement sooner. The air filter is undoubtedly one of the numerous elements that can have an impact on the efficiency of your heating system. If your air filter system is clogged with dirt and debris it will eventually require more energy consumption. Additionally, it is using more of the blower or fan motor’s power. Even while it puts pressure on crucial components, your system will try its best to meet your heating needs. Over time, the fan or blower motor may fully burn out and require replacement. This repair may be costly, depending on how other components are impacted. Even if it’s just for a few days, being without reliable heat in the thick of winter can turn into a serious catastrophe. Even parts that aren’t specifically related to air circulation can prematurely wear out due to the total stress placed on your heating system. This can cause the need for a replacement years earlier than anticipated, which could result in another significant investment for your family or company.

Cleaning up the Air You Breathe

Your air filter’s ability to filter the air decreases as dirt and other impurities continue to build up on it. If the filter is not changed as necessary, the diverse collection of particles inside the filter may eventually pass through. This implies that toxins could be picked up by air moving through your HVAC system and dispersed throughout your home. There should always be clean air at your home or business place to breathe. Your heat pump’s air filter helps keep out dust, pollen, pet dander, and other contaminants that might irritate the respiratory system or cause allergic reactions in individuals. They might encounter a variety of symptoms, such as exhaustion, coughing, sneezing, eye discomfort, and others. Additionally, your heat pump filters can catch mould, dust mites, germs, smoking, and other impurities that can harm anyone, regardless of health status. The best and most comfortable environment for everyone inside your house or place of work is created by regularly changing your air filter to maintain concentrations of harmful toxins as low as possible.

Be Sure To Purchase The Appropriate Filter For Your System.

When it’s time to change your air filter in preparation for the upcoming winter, be sure it’s the right heat pump air filter for your particular HVAC system. To help you locate exactly what you need, US Home Filter has a wide selection of filter sizes and brands. Make sure your house or place of business is warm, cosy, and secure this winter by installing the best heat pump US air filter system.

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Is It Necessary To Have An Air Purifier in Every Room?

Air Purifier

Whether a single air purifier will work for the whole house or is there a need to buy a separate unit for every room in the house? This question is something we frequently come across from individuals when they first start using home air purifiers. We’ll thus find the answer to this question in this article.  Before we get started, let’s be clear that there is no set recommendation for how many air purifiers one should have in his house. Depending on their health and surroundings, some people may find it suitable to have one, while others may need more. It’s better to initially start with one and weigh all the options after several months of use before purchasing a second air purifier. For basic guidance in deciding what’s best for you, go through the information below.

Do All Of Your Rooms Need Air Purifiers?

A home’s architectural design, size, and the kind of air purifier you are using all play a significant role in determining whether one air purifier is fine or you’ll need a separate unit in each room. When it comes to smaller apartments, one purifier will serve well. On the other hand, larger estate residences may need one in each of multiple rooms. Even the largest homes sometimes don’t require a separate air purifier unit in every room to maintain clean air. The primary environment in which we may envision the need for air purifiers in each room is a home with individual, independent rooms, much like a hotel. Whether you require a purifier in every area of your house depends on a variety of circumstances. Considerations include the type of walls in your home, whether or not there is a hallway, the size of each room, and a host of other factors. There isn’t a universal answer, and the answer actually relies on your particular situation. Keep reading on to understand it in detail.

Types Of Air Purifiers

The air purifier technology you choose to go with is, in our opinion, the most crucial element in determining how many air purifiers with good air filtration systems you will need for your home. There are several different technologies available, and some are better at covering larger areas and filtering out more pollutants than others while costing a bit more.

  • Ionizing/Ozone Air Purifiers

Ionizing air purifiers work by giving airborne contaminants an electrical charge for the purpose of eliminating them from the air. But as a byproduct, they create ozone, which is already bothersome. Ozone, as reported by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), can exacerbate asthma, obstruct respiratory function, and result in other respiratory issues. The EPA advises against using them. Although certain VOCs may react with ozone and be removed from the air, it is still not wise to frequently use such kinds of air purifiers as ozone is a pollutant in itself.

  • HEPA Filters

A HEPA filter must capture 99.97 percent of all particles with a diameter of 0.3 microns in order to meet federal standards. They are intended to filter out airborne contaminants like dust, animal dander, some types of cigarette smoke, and toxic fumes. HEPA air filters do not eliminate gases from the air like VOCs; instead, they capture particulates on a filter surface.

  • Filters Made Of Carbon Or Charcoal

These filters purge the air of VOCs using a specific type of activated carbon. They need to be replaced often and are ineffective in removing particulate pollution.

  • Hybrid

Air purifiers that are hybrids integrate many technologies into a single device. These could be efficient at removing a variety of pollutants, but they occasionally have additional issues like frequent air filter changes or inadequate air movement.

  • PECO

PECO technology converts pollutants chemically into harmless gases using filters covered with pollution-eradicating nanotechnology. VOCs, ozone, as well as airborne biological particles, are safely made inactive and broken down into their components by the filter, making the air clean.

Room Dimensions And Home Architecture

In general, as soon as your room exceeds 1500 square feet, you should use a PECO air purifier. After that, for rooms less than 1500 square feet, you can pick a reliable HEPA air purifier. If you continue with HEPA air purifiers, you can even wind up with many units in a single room if your rooms are bigger than 1500 square feet. If you install HEPA air purifiers in every room of a tiny house, they will work effectively and provide you with a wonderful ACH. But, after you exceed the 1500 square foot threshold, HEPA air purifiers tend to grow pretty huge and heavy and can take up a lot of space. You will thus require a number of smaller units to cover your entire home. Investing in a whole-house air purifier is preferable if your residence is large. You need an HVAC system for that. You can position the whole-house air purifier at the air entry point of your HVAC system. If for any reason, you are unable to purchase a whole-house air purifier, your only option is to purchase a separate air purifier for each room. If your home is divided by concrete walls that restrict ventilation, the situation is made considerably worse.

Read More – How Often Should I Change My Air Filter?

Additional Considerations

Number Of People Living In Home

If you reside alone or with just one other person in a large home, only one air purifier might work for you. If your kitchen is separate, you’ll need a second one. On the other hand, if your home is full of people, purchase an air purifier for each room.

What Issues Do You Want To Resolve?

You may not need multiple air purifiers if your only issue is odors. Simply place the air purifier in the room with odor issues, and you are good to go. The same thing works if you are attempting to eradicate mold and mildew growth. Additionally, place an air purifier in the area or room where you spend the majority of your time.

Read More – Best Air Filter for My Home?

Where Should You Place Your Air Purifier?

An air purifier should be placed as close as feasible to as many doorways as possible without any kind of obstruction. You must position your air purifier away from impediments to get the optimum results. Never place it behind your sofa, beneath a table, on a shelf, or in a corner. By doing this, airflow will be obstructed, and your air purifier’s air exposure through convection will be reduced. For best room coverage, try to position the unit in a central, open area.

In Summary: Do You Require An Air Purifier In Each Room?

No, not at all. You simply need enough to cover the space in the rooms that you’ll be spending the most of your time in or that have air quality issues.  Feel free to contact us if you still have questions or need custom air filters built. For any kind of US air filter, just remember one name, US Home Filter.

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Simple Ways to Make Sure Your Home’s HVAC System Is Running At Its Best

HVAC System

A correctly installed HVAC system can efficiently maintain your house’s temperature at a pleasant level in both hot and cold weather. Not only this, the features like humidity control, along with the option for an air purifier, can even assist in enhancing the air quality in your home. These systems are indeed power efficient, which means you’ll save dollars on your heating and cooling costs.

While enjoying the conveniences of an HVAC system, it’s easy to overlook the amount of work it performs. You simply turn the switch on, and the temperature feels comfortable. This system, however, has more to it than catches the eye.

Your HVAC system won’t be able to serve you efficiently if HVAC maintenance is not properly taken care of. Inadequate heating and cooling, as well as expensive repairs, can result from a poorly maintained system. Therefore, in this post, we will outline the measures you may take to ensure that your unit lasts for a prolonged period.

Tips to Make Sure Your HVAC System Is Running Efficiently

  • Maintain Duct Cleanliness

The HVAC system distributes air throughout your home through ductwork. Although ductwork is supposed to be efficient, there are some issues that might reduce its effectiveness. Air leaks and unclean ducts are the two most common causes of heat loss in ducting. Therefore, we recommend you have your ducts cleaned and checked if you haven’t done so in a long time.

  • Replace The Air Filters

You need to make sure that you change the HVAC air filters at least once a month or as instructed by the manufacturer of the system. A clogged air filter system can impede airflow over the evaporator coil, lowering the performance of the HVAC and, in some situations, increasing humidity levels. Replace the air filter first if you have allergic problems when switching on your furnace.

  • Prevent Energy Wastage

To avoid energy loss due to poor sealing, wrap all ducts using mastic tape before applying insulation. As there will be no extra pressure loss at seams or connections in ductwork due to leaks, the HVAC unit will have an easier time distributing air across the home. Mastic tape is a low-cost, self-adhesive product available at most home improvement stores.

  • Install An HVAC Unit Of The Proper Size

Ascertain that your HVAC unit is appropriately sized for the area you wish to heat or cool. Improper size might result in inadequate airflow over the evaporator coil, lowering performance and perhaps increasing run times. If your unit isn’t equipped with defrost control, this might result in higher humidity levels and possibly freezing of the evaporator coil. Furthermore, during summers, when everybody is running their ACs at full whack, a small unit may struggle to provide you with sufficient cooling.

  • Blocking Return Air Vents Is Not A Good Idea

Return air vents should not be blocked in rooms that will not be warmed or cooled by the unit. The HVAC will have to work even harder to circulate air all through the house if return air vents are blocked, resulting in higher energy usage as well as utility costs.

  • Low Airflow Over Evaporator Coil

Insufficient airflow over the evaporator coil can lead to ice damming. If this accumulates excessively, it can leak into the furnace, shorting the combustion blower or exposing the heater element, which will then demand replacement.

  • Well-Designed Ductwork

Check to see if your home’s ductwork is properly constructed or not. Homes with cathedral ceilings, for instance, ought to have short lengths of ductwork to maximize air circulation across the area. For the HVAC system to operate at its best, the overall square footage of ducting should not be more than 500 square feet. Excessive ductwork might result in less airflow over the evaporator coil, making it difficult for the unit to maintain the proper temperature.

  • Air Filters Play An Important Role

Another factor to consider when it comes to HVAC systems is air filters. They are helpful in a number of ways, including:

  • They operate as an insulating agent for the blower motor of the HVAC system by decreasing airflow over its moving parts, helping to minimize the noise levels while enhancing efficiency.  
  • Backdrafts via the chimney or furnace flue can trigger sooting & corrosion. HVAC air filters assist in decreasing or eliminating them.

You can think of installing an electronic air filter that can fit in almost every type of HVAC unit available on the market these days. There are several sorts to choose from, each with differing degrees of efficacy based on how well your HVAC system is structured to support them.

  • Upgrade The Thermostat

Lastly, you should consider making an upgrade to the thermostat and getting an electronic one. The benefit of being an electronic thermostat enables the user to set limits for the temperature for different hours of the day. For instance, you’ll be able to set a high limit while you’re at home and a lower limit for the times when you are away. As a result, your HVAC unit will shut down before reaching that temperature. In addition, if the device comes with a battery backup feature, you won’t have to be concerned during a power outage since your settings will be saved within the thermostats until power is restored.

Conclusion

The HVAC system accounts for nearly half of the household’s energy expenditures, so cutting those costs may have a major impact during times when your pocket is a bit tight. In addition, the more effectively you operate your system and take care of HVAC maintenance, the longer it will last without requiring costly replacements and repairs. Also, you’ll spend less time thinking about how to bear so many expenses.

Contact our experts at US Home Filter if you want to be sure your HVAC system has the finest and most efficient air filters installed. Our specialists can assist you in determining the best HVAC air filter for your system and, if necessary, create custom air filters too.

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The HVAC Maintenance Handbook for Homeowners

HVAC maintenance

From paying the mortgage on time to ensuring everything in the house is working properly, being a homeowner entails plenty of responsibilities. In the same list of responsibilities comes the maintenance of HVAC and air purifier. The HVAC system is in charge of keeping your home at a suitable temperature. It also partly holds the responsibility for ensuring good air quality as well as energy efficiency. A significant proportion of HVAC maintenance is about taking proactive and preventative measures. It means you’re putting in efforts to prevent future issues. The problems such as leaks, clogging due to dust and debris, corrosion, and issues relating to air circulation are just a few on the long list. And because anything from clogged, dirty air filters to filthy coils can cause an issue, it’s critical to keep up with your maintenance activities year after year. Having a specific plan for servicing an HVAC system is the best way to proceed. So today, we’ll discuss the basics of HVAC maintenance, including what you should do for appropriate maintenance and how frequently you should perform it. It’ll help you to put a plan in place.

Common HVAC Issues

As previously said, your HVAC system might experience a variety of issues, some of which are more prevalent than others. It can be helpful if you already have an understanding of what the issues are. As you plan your schedule for maintenance, keep the following HVAC issues in mind:

  • Leaks
    Any HVAC connection or drain line has the possibility of leaking. These leaks hamper the working, making it hard for the system to work smoothly. The additional load on the system results in a requirement to change one or multiple components early. Drain pipes, collector boxes, heat exchangers, evaporator drain pans, and refrigerant coils are common places to find leaks. Check for any leaks in your HVAC system if you observe an increase in your electric bills, inadequate or extended cooling, or iced evaporator coils.
  • AC unit that isn’t working properly
    One of the common HVAC problems includes a broken air conditioner that only blows tepid air. This might be due to a faulty thermostat or low levels of refrigerant.
    To remediate the issue, you can:

    • Make changes to the thermostat settings if necessary.
    • Replace any old thermostat batteries with new ones.
    • Clear out any clogged air filters.

If these tips don’t work, you may require to refresh your refrigerant supply.
Touching the largest copper wire is one way to check the refrigerant levels. Your refrigerant levels are up to par if the wire feels wet and chilly; otherwise, you’ll need to refresh it.

  • Corrosion
    Wires coming into contact with moisture can lead to corrosion. Due to corrosion on wires or terminals of the HVAC unit, the system can get affected and start turning on and off by itself. This may make the system work harder than usual and eventually lead to a full breakdown.
  • Dust, Dirt, and Debris
    From the air filter system to the electric panel, each and every component of the HVAC system must be free of any dirt or debris. Dirty air filters will blow out the dust, allergens, and other contaminants into your house, lowering the quality of air and flow. In the long term, it can also lead to blocking the HVAC system, in addition to making it perform inefficiently.

Also Read :- Choosing An Ideal Manufacturing Partner To Build Custom OEM Air Filter?

HVAC Maintenance Tasks

How can you maintain your HVAC system until you know what needs to be done? So, here are some of the basic HVAC maintenance tasks that you can perform in order to keep your system in an optimal working state.

  • Filters should be changed or cleaned.
    Air filter maintenance is a crucial aspect of keeping your HVAC system in good working order. AC filters should be changed or cleaned monthly, especially in the summer when the usage of the AC is high.
    When AC filters become too clogged, they might freeze and thaw. If you have pets or live in an area with a lot of traffic, you should consider changing the air filters every three months.
    When it comes to changing the air filters, nothing can better serve you than the best air filters in United States from US Home Filter.
  • Drains should be kept clean and clear.
    Cleaning the drains helps you get rid of any debris or even mold build-up. This may be done easily with a moist towel. It’s also a good idea to cleanse the drain lines with bleach once a year.
    To avoid overflowing, you should also empty any standing water in your drain pan.
  • Check the lines and ducts.
    It is necessary to inspect the system’s lines on a monthly basis to ensure that there are no leaks or broken pipes.
    Air ducts are also crucial since they distribute air around your home. Air ducts that are clean will ensure that you are inhaling only safe, healthy air.
  • Clean heat pump and condenser.
    For an efficient transfer of heat, it is necessary to clean the condenser coils and fins from time to time. This is because dust and mold on condenser coils can block heat from leaving, reducing the efficiency of your HVAC system.
    For cleaning the condenser fins, you can use a brush or comb with fine bristles, but this will take some time, so you need to be patient! Fortunately, this task needs to be done only once a year.
  • Clean up your yard.
    Although the exterior elements of your HVAC equipment are not as critical as the inner ones, they must be maintained.
    To eliminate potential exhaust clogs, clean your yard, ensuring that there are no pebbles, leaves, or twigs near the AC unit and heat pump. This task is crucial at the time of fall and spring.
  • Moving components should be inspected and lubricated.
    Checking your HVAC system’s fan blades is another crucial task to perform since they allow for adequate air circulation. These should be examined for any breakage or evidence of wear and tear.
    Additionally, inspect the motors, pumps, and belts as well to ensure they’re in good operating order. You can also grease these moving components if they’re having trouble moving.
  • The water supply should be disconnected.
    Disconnect the furnace humidifier’s water supply during the summertime when the atmosphere already supplies adequate humidity. This can help extend the life of your furnace and reduce your utility costs.

Final Words

We hope that our guide on basic HVAC maintenance might assist you in making your home more comfortable. Regular HVAC maintenance aims to keep your system functioning as efficiently as possible for a longer period. So, stay on top of HVAC maintenance, and you’ll be able to avoid a lot of the frequent issues that lead to costly repairs.