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Polar Bear Air Conditioning & Heating Inc - Spring 2012

Spring 2012

The Importance of Regularly Changing Air Filters

 As a homeowner, there are a number of small things you are responsible for maintaining in your home’s HVAC system. At the top of the list are the air filters for your furnace, air conditioner and indoor air quality system. While it may not be immediately obvious why it is so important to change these, air filters can have a major impact on your health, the efficiency of your HVAC system and the comfort level of your family.

 Problems Caused by Dirty Air Filters

 Air filters are rated for a certain duration - usually between 30 and 90 days. If they are not properly replaced or cleaned at the end of that time period, a number of problems can develop, including:

Inadequate Air Flow - A clean air filter is designed to let air pass through without interrupting the flow of the system. A dirty air filter, however, is filled with debris like pet hair and dander, dust, dirt and mold spores. This can slow air flow and put extra pressure on your HVAC system to maintain temperature. Over time, a dirty air filter can result in undue stress on your furnace motor or blower fan or the compressor in your air conditioner.

Poor Indoor Air Quality - Again, a clean air filter is amazingly effective at removing these particles from the air circulated through your home. However, when the filter is clogged, those same particles can be thrown back into the air and actually make indoor air quality worse.

Air filters, when changed regularly, are very important for the comfort and health of your family. When not changed, however, they can be a costly hindrance.

Knowing When to Change Your Filters

Each component of your HVAC system likely has some form of filter. That filter should have a user manual that tells you when it needs to be changed. Permanent filters often need to be cleaned once every 30-60 days, especially HEPA filters, which can get clogged easily. Disposable filters will vary slightly based on their overall MERV rating and the material used in the filter, but are rarely rated for more than 90 days per filter.

If you are unsure of your filters’ ratings or when they need to be replaced, call us and we can provide a professional, detailed breakdown for each type of filter in your home’s HVAC system.

 

Do You Need a New High-Efficiency AC System This Spring?

 Spring is the perfect time to start thinking about installing a new high-efficiency air conditioner in your home. To begin making this decision, you’ll want to think about how your AC unit performed last season. Were you constantly paying for repairs? Did your air conditioner cool your home sufficiently? Were your energy bills higher than normal throughout the season? These are all questions to ask when you are considering investing in a new high-efficiency AC system for your home.

If you decide that you could benefit from a new air conditioner, you’ll want to start looking at all your options now so that you will get the most use out of your new unit throughout the entire season. Because it’s a significant decision, make sure you speak with an HVAC professional who can help you decide which new model will be the most cost-efficient for your home and cooling needs. As you begin your research, think about your goals, your budget, and what type of AC system might work best with your current HVAC system.

For instance, central air conditioners are installed in homes that have existing ductwork that’s in good condition; however, if you have to replace your air ducts, you may want to consider a ductless mini-split. You can always call us if you have questions or want one of our technicians to take a look at your current system or ductwork. Regardless of the type of air conditioning system you choose, you’ll want to pay attention to the efficiency ratings of the new models available today.

Any new air conditioning system on the market should have a minimum SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) rating of 13. This number measures the efficiency of that particular model, and air conditioners with the highest ratings will be the most efficient. An easy way to make sure you are getting a high-efficiency air conditioning unit is to look for models with the ENERGY STAR label. There are also government incentives that will help deflect the initial cost of the unit, but you will see the real savings in your utility bills.

Don’t hesitate to call us to learn more about high-efficiency air conditioners and our quality installation services. Always hire a contractor you can trust to install your new AC unit. Improperly sized and poorly installed units can cause a number of problems down the road, including decreased efficiency levels. We are always here to answer your questions help you in any way we can, so call any time to speak with one of us about your options. Don’t wait until the middle of the season to decide to install a high-efficiency air conditioner. Get the most of your energy savings and install a new unit now!

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