Florida summers can be brutal. Opening your windows may be the last thing you think of doing when you want it to stay cool inside your home. However, it has been proven that by opening your windows you can vastly improve the indoor air quality of your home.

Opening Windows Can Help Indoor Air Quality

While it is cooler outside, it may be the perfect time to open up the windows and let some of the fresh air in. Let your air conditioning system take a rest by shutting it off for a while. When you open your windows you will flush out a lot of the pollutants and allergens that build up within your home.

Newer homes are built to be air-tight to conserve energy and money, but as a result this prevents pollutants from naturally escaping your home. Pollutants can include pet dander, cigarette smoke, and even household chemicals. Opening windows on opposite sides of your home can create a cross-breeze or draft that will pull outside air in. This can even help remove odors from your home more effectively than common air fresheners.

Allowing fresh air to come into your home can improve your health as well. The build up of allergens within your home can badly influence your health. If you suffer from allergies, fresh outside air can help alleviate some of the symptoms. The EPA agrees that indoor air pollution is a common health problem that can be alleviated by simply flushing your home from time to time with fresh air.

As the temperatures cool and the fresh Florida breeze rolls in, open up your home and let your home air out. Give your HVAC system a break and enjoy the fresh air!

When it comes to looking for a new air conditioning system, the task may seem daunting. We’re here to help clear it up some for you. Let’s begin with some of the main systems used here in Florida.

Central Air Conditioning Units

These are amongst the most common types of AC units seen around. These consist of either ductless or “split” system designs that efficiently cool your home.

Central Air Conditioning

When it comes to choosing your new AC system, it’s best to understand the differences between the main systems. This will help you make a better, more informed decision. We want you to choose the solution that fits your budget and lifestyle.

True central air conditioning systems use ducts to distribute cool air throughout your home. Sometimes known as “split systems,” they use ducting to split the air into all the necessary rooms.

“Heat pumps” are a variation of this type of unit that act as a heater and air conditioner.

“Mini” Split Ductless Systems

Like the name implies, these air conditioning systems do not use ducting to distribute cool air. They act much like window air conditioner units, but the cooling they provide feels much like a central air conditioning. These kinds of units have an outside condenser and compressor that feed one or more air handlers that are mounted indoors, high onto a wall.

Packaged Air Units

Mostly found in mobile offices, office buildings, and in some cases mobile homes, packaged units contain all the necessary heating and cooling components into one “packaged” unit.

Important Factors When Looking for a New Central AC System

Knowing the type of AC system you may need is half the battle. When you are choosing the right AC system, size and efficiency are amongst the most important factors to look out for.

Size

Size, measured in tons, determines the amount of square footage the unit can cover. One ton of cooling equals about 12,000 Btu/hr. This Energy Star resource gives some more detailed information on what size system you need depending on your home or office size.

Efficiency

Efficiency is measured in SEERs. SEER stands for seasonal energy-efficiency. The minimum SEER for split systems is 14, so when looking for the right AC system, aim for higher SEER unit.  The higher the SEER, the more energy efficient the system will be; and the more money you save!

 

If you have any questions, as always feel free to call us at (352) 463-2380. We are glad to help in anyway we can especially, when it comes to getting you back to being comfortable.

The Importance of Your Air Quality

Air pollution exists in more places than we think. We tend to think that air pollution is prevalent in the outside environment, however, it can often affect us within our own homes. The air inside your home may actually be more polluted than the air outside. A mixture of dust, chemicals from fragrances and cleaners, pet dander, paint odors, and mold can plague your home. People with allergies and asthma may be more sensitive to these pollutants than others. As our homes become tighter, it becomes harder for the irritant air to escape. Blower door tests can help determine the tightness of your home and see what effective solutions there may be to maintain a healthy indoor environment.

Simple Steps to Maintain Clean Air in Your Home

In addition to the pollutants that may already exist in your home, you can bring in outside pollutants like pollen. Living in North Florida, we know pollen plagues nearly everyone we know. Before you begin your day and leave the comfort of your home, you can check to see pollen levels in your area and how best to prepare.

So, what are some steps to reduce the amount of pollutants in your home?

Steps to Improve Indoor Air Quality

Keep your home clean

Easier said than done; we know. Household dust can accumulate on top of furniture, light fixtures, fans and almost anywhere that you can think of. Vacuuming and dusting can rid your home of lead concentrations in dust and remove pollen, pet dander, and dust mites. Make sure to vacuum between 2-3 times per week to keep down allergen levels.

Mopping can also pick up any dust or dirt left behind by vacuums and brooms. Having mats at every exterior door makes sure that any chemicals or allergens brought through the bottom of your shoes are left outside.

Keep healthy levels of humidity

Humidity can be a breeding ground for different bacteria. For example, it is commonly known that dust mites and mold thrive in high humidity environments. This indoor humidity calculator can help you determine if your home is too humid.

As a Premier Lennox Dealer, we can install (link) efficient systems that can help control the levels of humidity. Other ways to correct levels of humidity are venting bathrooms during use and kitchens during cooking.

Open windows

This may seem counter intuitive, but opening windows and creating drafts will circulate air from the inside of your home to the outside. This also lets fresh air from the outside come in.

Change your air filter

Changing your air filter may be one of the more important things you can do to improve your indoor air quality. It also makes sure that your air conditioning system is running as efficiently as possible. Dust, dander, hair and dirt can accumulate on your filter and prevent the flow of air into your system.

Groom pets and smoke outside

By grooming pets you can reduce the amount of pet dander and hair that can spread around your house. This can also prevent the accumulation of pet hair and dander in your HVAC’s filter.

For our homeowners that do smoke, we would advise smoking outside. Nicotine and other chemicals can greatly affect the quality of the air in your home.

Install a Home Air Purifier

Home Air Purifiers purify the air inside your home. Unlike most single area purifiers, our Lennox PureAir Air Purification System cleans and removes pollutants throughout your home. It is the single solution to guarantee fresher air inside your home.

If you have tried these techniques and not seen the success you have wanted in cleaner air quality, give us a call. We would be happy to help!

The days are getting longer and hotter in North Central Florida. This means that most homes in our area are lowering their air conditioning temperatures to cool the inside of their homes. Because we know you would like to save money on your energy bills, we are here to give you some tips about how to prevent air conditioning from leaking outside your home. It is fairly inexpensive to do and saves you money in the long run.

Air Leaks: How Do They Occur?

All homes need regular maintenance and repairs over the years. Caulking is one area that needs to be maintained regularly. Applying some new caulking on your windows to seal any cracks can go a long way in weatherizing your home. This prevents your cool air from escaping through those cracks. Additionally, it can prevent moisture, water, and insects from coming into your home from those areas. Weather stripping is another area that can affect your energy bills. Homeowners should replace the weather stripping on exterior doors every 1-2 years. Normal use of exterior doors can wear the weather stripping over time and cause air to leak to the outside.

Air leaks can also come from:

• Phones lines, TV cables, and internet wiring
• improperly sealed windows on doors
• attic accesses
• piping that goes from the interior to the exterior of your home
• dryer vents
• and cracks in walls and ceilings

just to name a few.

Testing For Air Leaks

Hiring a professional service like Akins Heating and Air can be the fastest and most efficient way to find where your leaks can be coming from. A blower door test can help us precisely locate leaks and other inefficiencies in your home. There are also some “do it yourself” methods that may take some more time and can help you find some of the leaks in your home.

1. One way to easily detect air leaks is to see if light is coming through any cracks. This method is most effective on exterior doors.  To check, darken the interior of you home during daylight hours. You should see little to no light coming through around your door. If you do see light, this indicates a crack where air can leak out. You can use a similar method to find cracks at the seams of windows. At night time, shine a flashlight through the seams. Have a friend or family member stand outside of the home to check if light comes through any cracks in the seams of the windows. If you can see light coming through, those cracks need to be sealed.
2. In addition, the incense method can help you find cracks or drafts in your home. Light the incense stick and keep it near places where you believe a leak may be. If there is a leak, you will be able to see the smoke from the incense stick being sucked to the area of the leak.

The Benefits of Sealing Leaks

Therefore, by sealing leaks you can prevent your air conditioning from leaking outside your home this summer. As the temperatures begin to rise in Florida, homeowners will heavily utilize their air conditioning systems. Make sure your home and HVAC system are not being inefficient due to air leaks around your home. Keep the cool air within your home and save money on your energy bills.

If you would like more information about how we can help you make your home more energy efficient with a blower door test, give us a call at (352) 463-2380. You can also contact us through our online form. Akins Heating and Air is here to serve you!

It’s officially fall here in North Central Florida and its a little cooler (we said a little). It may be a few months before Florida has its one-week winter, but before that happens make sure your furnace is prepared to warm your home.

Get your furnace warmed up and serviced.

We live in an age where we want to be as green as possible and save money where we can. Getting a furnace maintenance check by us is a smart way to ensure your home stays warm and energy efficient during Florida’s cooler months. Our technicians can inspect your furnace to make sure sure it’s running at maximum efficiency and not costing you extra every month. If we see any potential problems, these issues can be addressed before they become a major problem for you and your family.

Contact us today and schedule your HVAC preventive maintenance check, today.

 

Things you can do to keep your furnace working efficiently

As well as having us check your furnace annually before the cold season, there is some regular maintenance that you can do yourself to ensure your furnace stays in good working order.

 

Replace air filters

This is probably the most important do-it-yourself item that will keep your furnace and air conditioning system operating efficiently and ensure the air circulating through your home is clean. Additionally, a dirty filter allows for dirt and other allergens to buildup in the furnace, which can seriously hurt how the whole system works; not to mention that you may be breathing it in as well.

 

Remove items from around the furnace and heating vents

Make sure you remove items from around the furnace area. Also, ensure all the vents in your home are clear of debris, such as piles of laundry, furniture, etc. This is especially important for the air intakes and returns throughout your home. Obstructions near these vents can seriously affect how efficient your system can intake air.

 

Check your thermostat

The thermostat is the brain behind your whole system. It tells the system to turn on and then turn off. So, a lot of perceived problems with your furnace can actually be tracked back to thermostat problems. And, since some thermostats run on battery power, make sure you change the batteries in your wall-mounted thermostat before winter starts.

Programmable thermostats may also come in handy. Instead of running your furnace and warming your home while you are at work, you can program your thermostat to keep your home a little cooler than if you were home.

 

The burning question!

Do I need a new furnace?

It’s not easy to know whether you should repair or replace your home’s heating system, especially if you’re facing an emergency situation. While there’s no hard-and-fast rule, there are some important considerations to keep in mind as you make your decision.

 

Age of your system

The average lifespan of a furnace is around 15 to 20 years. If your furnace is near that age, expect to experience more repairs in the near future, which may not be covered by the original warranty or service agreement.

 

Outdated technology

Technology changes all the time. This is as true for your heating system as it is for your smart phone. By replacing aging equipment, you’ll be able to take advantage of smart new features and increased efficiencies that can save you money on your utility bills.

 

Cost of repairs

As a good rule of thumb, Consumer Reports recommends replacing a product when repairs exceed 50% of the cost of a new one.* We are always staying up to date with promotions that can significantly reduce the cost of buying a new system. We offer financing on all new Lennox systems and offer free estimates on system replacements.

 

Environmental impact

If you’re concerned with your energy footprint, you may be surprised to know that your heating and cooling system accounts for about 50 percent of your home’s energy use.** Upgrading to new ENERGY STAR® certified equipment ensures your units meet or exceed federal standards for energy efficiency.

 

How well your system is performing

Do you feel like you have to constantly adjust your thermostat to stay comfortable? Does your furnace make noises when it starts up? Does your air feel stuffy or damp? If any of these issues are getting in the way of your home comfort, it may be time to get a new system installed.

Whether you’re looking for a new furnace, or are in the market for a whole heating system, Akins Heating and Air can help you find the right solution for your home comfort needs.

 

*Source: Consumer Reports, January 2014.

**U.S. Department of Energy Statistics