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Wednesday, January 26, 2011

New Podcast


Environmental Heating and Air has decided that to further reach out to our customers we should try something new and informative, and the podcast is that something!  With this new podcast, we will cover areas such as interviewing representatives from Lennox and Carrier, as well as giving info and tips about getting the most from your household heating and air system while saving money.

Podcasts are an amazing way to be able to share information  and provide entertainment to people all over the world via the internet.  It allows basically anyone to be able to make a 'radio style' program from anywhere at any time.  There are now literally thousands of podcasts made every day across the nation and the number is rapidly increasing.  Imagine waking up every morning and now turning on a podcast that will cover exactly what you want to hear about instead of turning on a regular broadcast radio program and having to sit and listen to the stuff you don't care about just to hear the little portion at the end that you were waiting to hear.  Podcasts are the future and as usual, we here at Environmental are already on it!  So stay tuned in to the blog and our web page for information on when our first podcasts will become available!

--Nickadeemus
919-535-8422
www.enviro-nc.com

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Chapel Hill Revision


The lovely town of Chapel Hill NC has recently made a change to its policies on construction and the installation of Carbon Monoxide detectors.  The new revision will affect all newly constructed homes and the replacement or addition of a gas furnace system.  The new revision is as follows:
  1. R313.1.1  In new construction dwelling, units shall be provided with an approved carbon monoxide alarm installed outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedroom(s) as directed by the alarm manufacturer.
  2. R313.1.2  In existing dwellings where interior alterations, repairs, fuel-fired appliances replacement or additions requiring a permit occurs or where one or more sleeping rooms are added or created, an approved carbon monoxide detector shall be provided.
  3. R313.1.3  The required carbon monoxide alarms shall be audible in all bedrooms over background noise levels with all intervening doors closed.
I will continue to post any revisions for the Triangle area as they are released and become available.  We here at Environmental are always striving to do the best possible job we can whilst adhering to all local laws and ordinances.  If you have any questions regarding hvac rules and regulations, just give us a call!

--Nickadeemus
919-535-8422
www.enviro-nc.com

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Furnace Filter MERV Ratings


The quality of air filter for your furnace is a very important aspect of your heating system, and hopefully you want the best grade filter as it directly impacts the air you are breathing in your home.  Air filters are rated according to MERV, which stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value.  Here are some quick facts about MERV:
  1. MERV ratings range from 1 - 16 and measurements are in microns. Some of the common particles related to MERV ratings are household dust, pet dander, viruses, tobacco smoke, mold spores, bacteria and pollen.
  2. The most common filters found in homes today have a MERV rating of 1 to 4. Typically these are disposable fiberglass filters purchased from a big box store and do not do a good job of air filtration because they don’t stop particles smaller than 10 microns. Improper air filtration can lead to air conditioner and/or furnace problems as well as poor indoor air quality.
  3. Merv 5 to 8 rated filters are a better choice. These filters will not only keep your equipment running clean and efficient when properly maintained, they also do a better job of filtering smaller dust particles (as small as 3 microns) that trigger symptoms with allergy sufferers.
  4. Filters with a MERV rating of 9 to 12 are considered high-efficiency filters and capture particulate in the 1 to 3 micron range. These filters are a great choice for home owners who want the best air filtration at an affordable price. Much like the higher rated MERV 5-8 filters, these filters should also be replaced at regular intervals to avoid wasted energy, premature repairs or breakdown to your heating and air conditioning equipment.
  5. The most efficient filters have MERV ratings of 13 to 16 (HEPA air filter) and will stop particles as small as .3 microns. These filters are hospital grade and have been adapted for use in residential applications. Super high efficiency air filters should be installed by a professional heating and air conditioning contractor. Improper installations could lead to severe damage to your furnace or air conditioner.
  6. Merv Griffin hosted his own talk show and created the game shows Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune.
Always remember, no matter which kind of filter you choose to have in your system, they all need to be changed regularly.  The best possible filter will do you no good if it never gets changed and gets all clogged up with dust and other such particles, SO KEEP THOSE FILTERS CHANGED!!

--Nickadeemus
919-535-8422
www.enviro-nc.com 

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Duct, Duct, Goose


A highly overlooked aspect of peak efficiency in people's homes is the ductwork.  The main reason ductwork is overlooked is simply that it goes largely unseen tucked away in either the attic or crawlspace.  Most homeowners just don't perceive proper duct design as beneficial, so therefore most contractors never bring up the issue.

Proper ductwork means not having ducts with lots of bends and turns, which can actually drastically reduce the overall airflow of your system.  The ducts best serve their purpose when they are tight and straight as possible.  Older systems are very prone to have holes, cuts, and other various issues due to deterioration over time.   If you are serious about efficiency and getting the most out of your system, proper airflow cannot be overlooked!  As always, it's best to have certified professionals do any installations or alterations on your system to ensure all the proper criteria are met so you get the most for your money.  When it comes to all this stuff, we here at Environmental have got you covered!

--Nickadeemus
919-535-8422
www.enviro-nc.com