HVAC Tips for Pet Owners

Indoor Air Quality and Your Pets

When the windows are shut and the HVAC unit is blowing, indoor air quality is always a consideration. What about those of us with pets? Should we be more concerned?

Thousands of us are owners to our beloved pets. Being a pet owner is arguably one of the greatest joys in life. We take care of our pets by feeding them, walking them and playing with them on a regular basis. However you may not be thinking about your HVAC system and how it relates to your pet. Here are some tips to help you and Fido or Fifi have a healthy life.

Air filters

You should know that changing your air filters is imperative to the air quality in your home as well as the efficiency of your HVAC system. Changing the air filters can also help with pet dander. If you or your pet for that matter have any types of allergies, changing the air filter on a regular basis will help you breathe well.

Ductwork

Pet dander can get into the ductwork of your home. You should have your ductwork cleaned by a professional. Having this yearly maintenance will remove the pet dander and keep your family healthy and your HVAC system running efficiently.

Air purifier

Another option to deal with pet dander and allergies in your home is to install an air purifier. This can help cut down the allergens in your air and make a difference in your air quality.

Programmable thermostat

 Using a programmable thermostat will help you keep the temperature regulated in your home. You should set your temperatures according to what you prefer. Pets won't really notice changes in the temperatures too much. They are equipped to cool themselves off or to keep themselves warm on their own.

Pet doors

You may enjoy the convenience of a doggie door however you need to make sure that the doors are properly sealed. Escaping air will cause your system to run inefficiently.

Avoid drafty areas

If you have pets in tanks or cages you should keep them away from drafty areas. Also if your cage is placed near a blower this could be problematic for your pet.

We all love our pets unconditionally and it is important to keep them safe and sound inside of our homes. Follow these tips and your pet will be comfortable all day long. If you have any other maintenance questions or need service, contact Morgan Air. Our professionals will help you maintain a cool and comfortable home environment for everyone in your house. 813-500-7765

Save Money with Proper Ceiling Fan Direction

What Direction Should My Ceiling Fan Move?

Save Money with Proper Ceiling Fan Direction for Summer and Winter. Who knew? The direction of your ceiling fan can actually save you money. While you can save money by using less electricity alone, sitting in a room that’s uncomfortably cool or warm is, simply put, uncomfortable. When you use ceiling fans to maximize your comfort, you use less of your heat or air conditioner, resulting in less energy and lower power bills. Most homes in Florida have ceiling fans. If you have noticed that they help more in the winter and less in the summer, or vice versa, then the problem might be that your ceiling fan is not set for the correct season.

To help make a room cooler in the summer, set your ceiling fans to rotate counter clockwise. The airflow below the fan will create a wind chill effect, resulting in a breeze that feels cooler. Then, during the winter you should reverse your fans to rotate clockwise. This will create a gentle updraft that forces warm air near the ceiling down into the occupied space.By switching the direction of your ceiling fans, you’ll maximize your comfort by keeping all the cool air from collecting near the floor during the summer and all the warm air from collecting near the ceiling during the winter. And running ceiling fans uses less electricity than running your air conditioner or heater, it can help you start saving energy and saving money right away.
How to Switch the Direction of a Ceiling Fan: After you turn off your fan and let the blades stop, all you have to do is toggle a little switch between the lights and the fan blades that usually goes up and down. One sets the ceiling fan to spin clockwise, and the other sets it to spin counter-clockwise.Set your ceiling fan to spin counterclockwise during the summer. The leading edges of the fan blades should point up, allowing the fan to move air down and create a breeze underneath the fan.Set your ceiling fan to spin clockwise during the winter. The leading edges of the fan blades should point down, allowing the fan to pull cool air upwards and push warm air near the ceiling down towards the floor.And here’s another tip. If you are one of the thousands of people who rarely clean your fan blades, you might want to consider doing this before you change directions of the blades. If not, the dust that has collected on the edge will be blown off into the floor, onto the counters and into your mother-in-law’s hair.
For help with ceiling fans, more energy saving tips, or if you have questions, feel free to contact Morgan Air at 813-500-7765.

Smell of Fall in the Air.. or is that something else?

Fall Maintenance Programs at Morgan AC 813-500-7765

Funky Furnace Smell?

Ahh, the smell of the crisp autumn air and promises of apple pie and pine trees. Fall weather brings us cooler, welcomed temperatures. While this can be a relief from hot summer days, the temps at night can dip and bring frigid air. It has been many months since your HVAC system has run your heater, and during the latest temperature drop you turned it on. Those pleasant fall smells have disappeared into burning, musty odors. While you should never ignore a foul smell, there may be a simple fix to your smell.

Furnace smells are actually normal and not usually a cause for concern, though can be so strong that homeowners get worried. Here are some of the possibilities causing this strange odor.....

Dust: This is the most common cause for the smell, your furnace has been out of use for a few months and dust settles in the combustion chamber. It can collect in the duct work, and when the furnace is turned on for the first time in the season it gets blown throughout the house. The dust can also burn off and release an odor, though it should disappear within a few hours or the first couple of uses. This scent cannot be completely avoided. Try turning on your attic fan or open windows to help reduce the smell the first time you turn in on.

Dirty Filters: HVAC Maintenance not only keeps your system running smoothly and increases the longevity of your unit, but dirty filters can cause this odorous effect if not changed regularly. Air becomes blocked and cannot flow freely. There is also a possibility that the unit could overheat. It is important to install a clean filter regularly and have it tuned up once a year by a professional to keep it in the best condition in order to save you money and make your home comfortable.

Electrical burning smells, smoke or mildew may be causes for concern. Blocked chimneys and furnace motors overheating require an experienced technician to check electrical components and blockages. Don’t hesitate to call and ask a professional if you have any questions.

Often times, early in the season AC Contractors will offer maintenance and filter specials, Call Morgan AC today and schedule a heating inspection and let the experts help.