Ousting dust from your home may seem like a battle you can’t win. You might carefully wipe down your belongings and vacuum your rugs and drapes, only to find the next day that those pesky particles are back — and they’ve brought friends. However, there are some strategies you might not have considered to combat dust in your home, which goes a long way toward improving your family’s indoor air quality.

Among housekeeping tasks, reducing the presence of dust is an important one. Tiny dust particles can damage your heating and cooling equipment or reduce its performace — not to mention aggravate allergies or other respiratory problems. Here are five ways to help keep your home as dust-free as possible, protecting your HVAC system and your indoor air quality:

• Clean or change your HVAC equipment’s air filters regularly, at least once every three months and more often during high-use periods. Air filters that are dirty from months of use can’t continue to trap dust and other airborne contaminants — or keep them out of your expensive equipment.
• Repair leaky ductwork. Gaps and cracks in your ducts can allow dust to sneak in to be distributed along with your warm or cool air throughout your home. Also, consider getting your ducts cleaned.
• Vacuum regularly. Dust buildup on carpets and furniture will inevitably take to the air.
• When you’re dusting, don’t neglect your electronics. Televisions and computer monitors attract dust, so they require more frequent dusting than other household belongings.
• Invest in an air purifier to go the extra mile. The potential sources of airborne contaminants are many, especially if you have pets. An air purifier can help round up dust as well as cigarette smoke and pet dander — both major contributors to poor indoor air quality.

Contractors in the AC Pro network are proud to serve homeowners throughout Southern California and Nevada. Contact us today to find a home-comfort specialist who can help you get your ducts into shape or find other dust-busting strategies for improving your indoor air quality.

Our goal is to help inform our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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MERV, or “Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value,” is a scale that measures how well filters can capture airborne contaminants before they reach your heating equipment — and before the heated air is distributed throughout your home.

The scale ranges from 1 to 16, though most residential filters fall between 4 and 12. If a filter is higher up on the scale, it means that it can not only capture tinier particles, but more particles, improving your indoor air quality and protecting your furnace from buildup of grime.

Be sure to check the MERV filter ratings when you’re shopping for replacements. Here’s how MERV ratings break down:

• Filters rated from 1 to 4 are inexpensive and do the bare minimum to protect your furnace and family from contaminants. Products with very low MERV filter ratings can trap only large particles, such as carpet fibers and dust.
• Filters rated from 5 to 8 last longer and work better. They can remove some smaller contaminants, including mold spores.
• Filters rated from 9 to 12 can collect fine particles, including lead dust.
• Filters rated from 13 to 16 work very well to catch tiny and potentially harmful contaminants, including bacteria. That’s why they’re often used in hospitals to help prevent the spread of illness.

Which is best for your household? Consider your needs. Unless a family member suffers from allergies or another respiratory problem, a filter rated MERV 7 or 8 might be sufficient. These filters catch 80 percent to 95 percent of all particles 5 microns or larger, and that usually meets the needs of a typical household.

Each household is different, though, and it’s always a good idea to consult with a heating and cooling expert before deciding on a new filter. Contact us here at AC Pro or feel free to contact a contractor in the AC Pro network anytime. Serving Southern California and Nevada, we’re always happy to help.

Our goal is to help inform our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about {INSERT TOPIC} and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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Regularly replacing your furnace filter is a key component of maintaining your home’s indoor air quality as well as your heating system’s efficient operation. To get the optimum balance of both, it’s helpful to understand the basics of filters and how they impact your furnace and your air quality.

Generally speaking, filter efficiency versus furnace efficiency is a sort of trade-off. Tightly woven filters may restrict airflow, forcing your furnace to work harder and consume more energy. On the other hand, tightly woven filters trap more particulates. But the trade-off dilemma isn’t really as bad as it sounds. Most homes don’t need the highest-rated, tightest-woven filters. Such filters are actually quite rare in residential settings.

So how do you choose a well-balanced furnace filter? Here are some filter terms useful when making a comparison:

• MERV rating: MERV (minimum efficiency reporting value) is an industry standard for comparing air filter effectiveness. The higher a filter’s MERV rating, the smaller particulates it will trap.
• Initial efficiency: Rating of the filter’s efficiency when it’s new. Some filters become more efficient as they become plugged.
• Sustained efficiency: The rating that refers to the efficiency a filter maintains over its life.
• Pressure drop or filter resistance: How much the filter will restrict airflow. The higher a filter’s pressure drop, the more it will decrease efficiency. A lower pressure drop allows the furnace to operate closer to its designed efficiency. So, for furnace efficiency, lower is better.
• Dust-holding capacity: The amount of dust the filter can hold until a specific pressure drop is reached. In other words, how long the filter will last until it begins to restrict airflow. This rating should only be compared between filters with the same pressure drop.

The balancing act is between MERV and pressure drop ratings. Aim for a middle range of both.

Still have furnace filter or air quality questions? Just contact us at AC Pro and we’ll be happy to help.

Our goal is to help inform our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about furnace filters and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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Air conditioning is a complex subject. Most homeowners in Nevada and Southern California aren’t experts — that’s where your home comfort contractor comes in! But it does make sense to be an educated consumer, especially if you want to keep your budget on track.

Here are two terms that that will help you understand (and maintain) air conditioning efficiency:

• SEER. The “seasonal energy efficiency ratio” is an excellent comparison tool, especially when you’re buying a new air conditioning system or trying to determine whether it makes financial sense to do so. SEER expresses the efficiency of an air conditioner over an entire cooling season. The figure is arrived at by calculating how much fuel/energy a given model requires to produce a certain quantity of cool air. Equipment with a higher SEER is more efficient than equipment with a lower SEER. Its initial cost is also often higher, too, but high-efficiency equipment provides energy savings over the long term. High-efficiency equipment may also qualify for a federal tax credit.
• MERV. The “minimum efficiency reporting value” helps you to compare the effectiveness of air filters. Higher MERV ratings mean the filter will trap more contaminants in the air in your home. Medium-efficiency filters, around MERV 9 to 13, are usually most cost-effective. These filters work nearly as well as HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filters, which are rated 17 to 20 on the MERV scale, but they cost less.

Homeowners should note that, while home comfort systems using HEPA filters are on the market, HEPAs may be overkill in the home. They can block airflow through your HVAC equipment. If you want to purchase a HEPA filter, make sure it will work properly with your A/C, or look into having your system retrofitted to accommodate a HEPA filter.

If you have any questions about air conditioning, contact a local expert contractor via AC Pro. We will connect you with a local professional contractor that will meet your needs.

Our goal is to help inform our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about air conditioning and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

AC PRO services the Southwestern United States including Southern California and Nevada.  Visit our website to see our special offers to get started today!

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Purchasing the right air filter for your furnace can influence the comfort of your home, your indoor air quality and the efficiency of your heating equipment. Pollen in Nevada and California, along with dust, dander and mold spores, are irritants that should be removed from your indoor air using a high-quality air filter.

All air filters are rated using the MERV (minimum efficiency reporting value) scale. This scale is based on the size of the particle that can be trapped by a specific filter. Particle size is rated by micron size. For example, a visible piece of dust in the air is approximately 10 microns, while particles invisible to the naked eye are 0.3 microns.

Air filters that are rated at or below a 4 are usually pretty poor quality and won’t do an efficient job at removing particles from the air. A rating of 5 to 8 usually indicates a commercial-grade filter; but it can be used residentially to remove a good amount of particles from the air. A filter rated on the MERV scale 9 and above is the best option for clean air in your home. Low-rated air filters can put a burden on your heating and cooling equipment because the components within the unit can become coated and clogged with the particles that should have been trapped by the filter.

The thickness of the filter and the fibers also plays a role in the efficiency of a filter. The thicker a filter is, the more particles that will be trapped. You will also spend less money on filters because they won’t have to be changed as often as a thin filter. Thin fibers will equate to a thinner filter and cause the same problems.

Contact AC Pro for more information on your air filter selection. Purchasing the right filter for your home can save you money as well as upgrade the air quality of your home.

Our goal is to help inform our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about air filters and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

AC PRO services the Southwestern United States including Southern California and Nevada.  Visit our website to see our special offers to get started today!

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Homeowners in Las Vegas and Southern California spend about 90 percent of their time inside. This wouldn’t be a problem if the average indoor environment wasn’t contaminated with more than 1,000 different kinds of pollutants. In the fight to take back your living space, air filters are one of your best weapons.

A good way to choose the right air filter is to get to know MERV, or the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value. MERV measures the efficiency of air filters, or how many airborne particles that are within a given size range a filter can trap. The MERV scale is relatively easy to understand. It goes from 1 to 16.

• 1 to 4: least efficient
• 5 to 12: middle efficiency
• 13 to 16: high efficiency

MERV 16 air filters are some of the most efficient conventional filters on the market. They can remove 95 percent of particles as tiny as 0.3 microns from a passing airstream.

Particles this small include:

• Mold spores
• Allergens and pollen
• Dust and dust mites
• Microorganisms, including bacteria and viruses
• Toxic fume particles from household products, like cleaning agents and air fresheners
• Toxic gassed-off particles from home materials, like pressed wood and carpets

But what about HEPA filters? HEPA filters are a different breed. They have more surface area, and trap particles in a different manner from standard filters. The requirements for being a HEPA filter are stricter. What this means for the average Southern California or Las Vegas homeowner is that a MERV 16 HEPA is in fact more efficient than a MERV 16 standard filter.

You may be tempted to go find the highest efficiency HEPA filter available, but not so fast! Your air conditioning and heating system might not be designed for the most restrictive air filters. If air can’t pass through your system at the rate it was designed for, you’ll be less comfortable, your system will be less efficient, and the equipment can even become unsafe. Call AC Pro, and we’ll help you find a reliable contractor who can recommend the best MERV for your air conditioning and heating equipment!

Our goal is to help inform our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about air filters and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

AC PRO services the Southwestern United States including Southern California and Nevada.  Visit our website to see our special offers to get started today!

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock.

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Did you know that indoor air quality is among the top health risks the U.S. is facing, according to the Environmental Protection Agency? Indoor air can be 10 times more polluted than the air outside. Fortunately, there are many air filters available that can make your living space healthier, and can even address the individual issues that are compromising your indoor air quality in particular.

When you’re choosing a filter, check its MERV rating. MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value. It’s a rating of air filters’ efficiency. The scale ranges from 1 to 20, with:

• Filters rated 20 being suitable for “clean rooms” used in scientific research and manufacturing.
• Filters rated 16 and up being appropriate for general-surgery rooms.
• Filters rated 5 to 16 being appropriate for most residences, depending on their needs. Depending on their rating, these filters can trap particles including bacteria, tobacco smoke, dust, spores and household chemicals.
• Filters rated 1 to 4 being used mostly just to prevent dust and other debris from clogging your cooling and heating equipment.

Mechanical air filters come in two main categories: flat, or panel, and pleated, or extended surface. The latter are more effective.

High Efficiency Particulate Air filters are one highly effective type of extended-surface filter. They can trap 99.97 percent of particles as small as .03 microns. HEPA filters have more “pleats per inch” in the filter mat than other filters, giving them a greater surface area, and they utilize three different methods to capture particles:

• Impaction, when particles become stuck in the weave.
• Interception, when particles become stuck to the fibers themselves.
• Diffusion, in which the most minuscule particles are slowed by collision with gas molecules, making them more vulnerable to impaction and interception.

However, HEPA filters don’t work effectively with some systems. If the filter is too restrictive for your equipment, it could result in poor airflow and poor performance.

If you’re choosing an air filter for your HVAC system, it never hurts to consult a professional. Contact the an indoor air quality professionals at ACPro for advice.

Our goal is to help inform our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about air filters and other HVAC topics, click here to download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

AC PRO services the Southwestern United States including Southern California and Nevada.  To get started, check out our website or see our special offers.

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock.

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When you live in Southern California or Nevada, summers definitely provide some intense heat. You want to be able to stay cool and have good air quality in your home when you are inside. An easy way to increase the efficiency of your cooling system is by regularly changing the air filter.

Dirty air filters block and slow the airflow of your system, forcing it to work harder. When your air conditioner works harder than it needs to, it wastes energy and costs you money. Also, when filters clog, dirt and dust move past the filter and into the coil of your unit. This can cause eventual failure of the compressor and fans.

When in heavy use during the summer, you should check your filter every month. In short: If it’s dirty, change it.

There are a few types of air filters you may be using in your air conditioning unit. These are shown below, along with how often you should change or clean them:

Every month:

• Fiberglass or Polyester
• Washable or Reusable (washed out or cleaned)
• Electronic Air Cleaner

Every two to three months:

• Flat or Pleated
• Electrostatic charged air filters (cleaned, not replaced)

Once or twice annually:

• Deep pleated

To change your air filter, go to the filter compartment for your A/C unit. Look at the filter already inside to determine its size. You’ll find the measurements clearly marked on the side. Purchase a replacement of the same size. When you place the new one inside, it should fit tightly.

Changing air filters regularly is simply your best bet in ensuring your home stays cool in those hot summer months. The Energy Star website also provides information on cooling your home efficiently.

You can always get helpful advice when you contact the AC Pro network of air conditioning and heating experts in Clark County, Nevada, and Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego counties in California. We are happy to help with all your home comfort needs.

Our goal is to help inform our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about air filters and other HVAC topics, click here to download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

AC PRO services the Southwestern United States including Southern California and Nevada.  To get started, check out our website or see our special offers.

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HEPA air filters get a lot of press, but what makes them so good? Should you pay more for a HEPA air filter for your home comfort or ventilation system? What you want is a type of filter that can trap a large amount of very small particles to produce cleaner air for your family. HEPA air filters are not the only filters that do this.

High efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters have a long history. They were created as a part of the top secret Manhattan project during WWII, to help contain radiation leaks – so they are seriously high efficiency.  HEPA filters remove at least 99.97 percent of airborne particles 0.3 micrometers in diameter and are widely used in hospitals, labs, clean rooms and other highly sanitized environments.  A particle of 10 microns is invisible to the naked eye. Pollen is between 5-100 microns in size.

Medium efficiency filters with a MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) rating between 7 and 13 and higher efficiency filters with a MERV rating of 14-16 are almost as effective as true HEPA filters at removing most indoor airborne particles, according to the EPA. HEPA-like or HEPA-type filters (as these are sometimes called) are less expensive than true HEPA filters, and they have some other advantages as well. They allow quieter fan operation and higher airflow rates in your home heating and cooling equipment than true HEPA filters because they have less airflow resistance.

True HEPAs have a MERV value of 17-20 and are not typically installed in home ventilation systems since they may not have adequate fan or motor capability for the highest efficiency filters. Using a true HEPA might require professional modification of your system and ductwork. Check the manufacturer’s recommendations before upgrading your filter.

AC Pro certifies heating and cooling contractors, administering tests to ensure they meet high standards in training and expertise. If you need a local expert to advise you on home comfort issues, provide service or install equipment, visit our website for a quote from a certified contractor. Check out our special offers, energy saving tips and more.

Our goal is to help inform our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about air filters, indoor air quality and other HVAC topics, click here to download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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We homeowners have plenty to worry about when it comes to the home. Bills, repairs, and even the very comfort of the space we live in. The four major factors in home comfort we want to talk about right now are: air conditioning and heating size, the duct system, poor air quality, and ventilation systems. Although some problems are easily fixed, proper installation and repair of a heating and cooling system should be done by a certified contractor.

Getting the appropriate size heating and cooling system for the home is important. The problem with an under-sized one is that it simply won’t be able to keep up with the space it’s trying to heat or cool. It may be tempting to get a bigger system just to be safe, but too large of one has its own problems. An over-sized furnace or air-conditioner will short cycle. When it short cycles, it turns off and on a lot and will cost more money.

The ideal duct system balances pressure and evenly distributes fresh air throughout the home. Improperly installed, or poorly sealed ductwork can drastically impact home comfort. Size comes into play again, as an improperly sized duct won’t be able to maintain the appropriate pressure to distribute air evenly.

Air quality is affected by a number of factors, including ventilation, the amount of contamination in the air, and air filtration. Air conditioning systems, air exchangers, and air purification systems usually have some kind of air filtration attached, but when their filters are clogged, then the contaminants just get pushed through the system. Regular replacement of the filters on these systems is one of the easier and cost effective methods of maintaining home comfort.

A good ventilation system will reduce a number of problems. Poor ventilation is a major culprit in mold growth. Although home ventilation is primarily handled by the heating/cooling system, ventilation can be improved by using ceiling and exhaust fans to help push and pull stale air out of the area so it can be replaced by fresh, clean air.

For more information about the factors that affect home comfort, contact one of our qualified HVAC contractors at AC Pro!

Our goal is to help inform our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about proper installation and other HVAC topics, click here to download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

AC PRO services the Southwestern United States including Southern California and Nevada.  To get started, check out our website or see our special offers.

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