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

Not all filters are created equal

Not all filters are created equal

You know enough about your home’s HVAC unit to know that you need to change your filter regularly but when you see all of the available options how do you know which one is right for your home?  All types of filters have different functions and knowing about the various types will help you choose the one that is right for you. 

What is MERV, MPR, FPR?

First of all different brands of filters use different rating systems and numbers.  These rating numbers are used to tell the consumer the amount of particles and pollutants that a filter can capture and hold.  The higher the number the more particles the filter captures.   

·         MERV Rating (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value): Established by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers, MERV rates a filter’s ability to capture and hold particles and pollutants. The numbers are from 1-12 for residential filters.

·         MPR (Micro-Particle Performance Rating): rating system developed by 3M that measures the amount of microparticles the filter captures that are smaller than 1 micron, the numbers  range from 300-2800

·         FPR (Filter Performance Rating): rating system developed by The Home Depot.  It utilizes a color code and number scale (4 to 10) that is similar to the MERV rating.

Washable Air Filters

Air filters that are washable may seem like a more “green” option but overall are not recommended.  They have low ratings and therefore do not trap as many particles.  The MERV rating for washable filters is usually between 1 and 4. They require additional maintenance as well.  Also, fungus can grow on the filter if not completely dry before putting back.  Washable filters do little to help allergy sufferers.  They also cost more money than disposable filters. 

Fiberglass Air Filters

Fiberglass air filters have the ability to trap larger air particles from your home but are not effective in capturing smaller pollutants and allergens. Even though they are the least expensive option, the air quality in your home will not be improved.  They also need to be replaced more often. The MERV rating is typically between 1-4. 

Polyester and Pleated Air Filters

Polyester and pleated air filters are the most effective at trapping all types of particles from your home.  These filters capture and trap pollutants and particles but do not restrict airflow in your HVAC unit.  Pleated and polyester filters have a much higher MERV rating of 8 to 13.  Easy to find and replace, pleated and polyester air filters are the best option for most homes, especially for those with allergy sufferers. 

The next time you change your filter, you will know exactly what to look for and what rating is best for your home.  Call Morgan Air today or use our online form and have the best replacement filters promptly delivered right to your door!  813-500-7765

What Happens If I Don't Change My Air Filter?

Before discussing what happens to your AC unit when filters are not changed regularly, it is prudent you first understand a few things about air filters. An air filter is an essential part of your AC unit that traps dirt and airborne contaminants from the air entering your house protecting both your family and HVAC system. But where do those trapped particles go?  They build up on the air filter with time. So, the longer the air filter stays installed, the more particles it collects, and the less amount of air flows. Eventually, it is likely that your air filter will clog making it almost impossible for your AC unit to push air. You may end up needing to contact an HVAC repair technician due to potential damages.
If you don’t change your air filters regularly, then the following is bound to happen:

1.    Increased energy consumption. Your AC unit relies heavily on the cooling unit’s blower fan, the heating performance and circulation of air that can impact the amount of energy consumed. Meaning that if the blower fan works harder than usual when drawing air, it will be reflected in your higher energy bills. According to the US department of energy, a clogged air filter may use up to 15% of extra energy. Note that just as the inefficiency increases so do your energy bills until you either call your HVAC repair technician or you service the unit.

2.    Frozen evaporator coils. In case your filter clogs during the cooling summer season, it can make the cooling coil or the evaporator to freeze up. Reason being that only a small volume of air goes past the coil to dispel condensation produced during the freezing process. Lack of enough airflow makes this condensation to cool – reducing the system’s capacity to remove the heat from the air and cool your home. It causes you to get an HVAC repair guy to service your AC unit eventual breakdown.

3.    Inadequate cooling/heating. If your filter becomes clogged with a lot of dust, debris, and dander, then you are likely to experience cold and hot spots in your residence; because your blower fan is not able to efficiently and effectively pass the air. According to the Florida Public Service Commission research findings, the second cause of increased energy bills during the summer was the clogging of air filters. If you detect that anomaly, you should contact an HVAC repair professional.


4.    Unhealthy Air. Contacting your HVAC repair professional may not be enough if air with debris and dust is circulated in your home. Why? Because chronic allergies associated with respiratory and asthma conditions may arise forcing you to contact your family doctor. Worse still, if you keep a lot of chemicals in your house, or you own pets, the indoor air quality may impact your health negatively over time. Remember all that can happen if your air filter is clogged or serviced by an HVAC repair technician.

5.    Furnace failure. According to Diamond Certified Organization, clogged air filters are the leading cause of AC unit failure as they make heaters stop. Getting an HVAC repair technician to change your clogged air filter may not be a bad idea considering that if you change it improperly, it can damage the other internal components of your AC unit.

Regularly scheduled maintenance includes changing your air filters. Indoor Air Quality tests can also be done and with proper equipment, eradicated. Call Morgan Air today to schedule maintenance or provide you with proper filters for your AC unit.

Indoor Air Quality Issues

How to Identify Indoor Air Quality Issues (IAQ) in your home…
And what to do about it when you discover them.

Many of us do not realize the quality of the air we breathe can be the source of many health issues. We go on day to day thinking it is allergies, or the common cold. So how do we know when it is a health and safety concern? And what are the common factors to look out for? Most importantly, what do we do to rectify the situation if we discover a problem?

There are a variety of risks we take each day, some we choose to accept and others we might decide to avoid if we were informed of our choices. Indoor air quality is a risk you can do something about, with minimal effort.

In the hot days of Florida sunshine, we spend a large majority of our time indoors enjoying the controlled temperature of air conditioning. You might even say that your risk for pollutants is greater indoors, than out. High temperatures and high humidity levels can increase the potential for susceptibility to pollutants. A good air filter can make all the difference in your home’s air quality. Proper ventilation and filters can fresh air into your home and pollutants out.

So what are the signs you may have poor air quality? Some of the common symptoms are:

·         coughing
·         sneezing
·         watery eyes
·         fatigue
·         dizziness
·         headaches
·         upper respiratory congestion

If you begin to notice relief from these symptoms once you leave a room or your home, your symptoms may be caused by indoor air contaminants. Causes of these indoor air quality IAQ problems can range from dust, dust mites, mold, fungi, bacteria, insufficient outdoor air intake, humidity, lighting, gases (from carpets, furniture, paint etc.), odors, carbon dioxide, tobacco smoke, perfume- to name a few.

This sounds serious, and for many it should be take very seriously.  Not all people are affected the same way and to the same extent. Some people may be more sensitive than others. As the quality of air deteriorates or your exposure becomes lengthier, more people tend to be affected.

So, what can be done?

Your ventilation system should be checked to make sure it’s operating properly. Look for causes such as mold etc. and consider having the air tested by a professional. There are state of the art products today that can cure most indoor air quality issues that are common to Florida households.

Consider a whole-house air purifier to clean the air of mold, germs, allergens and contaminants. Dirty coils on your air conditioning unit can also be a culprit of germs and bacteria. Having your AC unitmaintained could be a simple solution.

Always ask the help of a professional, there are plenty of services that offer free consultation. Morgan Air offers a free second opinion and plenty of discount options on maintenance or air quality products on their website. Check it out today, give us a call if you suspect any of these symptoms to be related to the indoor air quality of your home.

Morgan Air

Tampa, FL

813-500-7765

www.morganair.net