South County HVAC http://southcountyhvac.com Tue, 10 Apr 2012 20:52:01 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 What You Need to Know About Air Purifier Filters http://southcountyhvac.com/blog/air-purifier-filters.html http://southcountyhvac.com/blog/air-purifier-filters.html#comments Tue, 10 Apr 2012 20:48:30 +0000 titanimg http://southcountyhvac.com/?p=270 It’s official. Spring allergy season is here. Unfortunately for allergy sufferers, researchers are saying that this may be the worst allergy season on record, and already pollen counts are reaching record-breaking levels1. If you are already struggling with your discomfort, you may be thinking about investing in an air purifier. The air purifiers you will find at your local retailer are ideal for small spaces, but may not be the best choice for those with severe symptoms. Your High Ridge air conditioning company offers a whole-home solution. Our air purifiers attach to your existing HVAC system to provide clean air to all rooms in your home via the air vents. These systems are a big investment so research and careful consideration into which system you choose is recommended.

Another thing to consider is the type of filter that goes into the air purifier that you choose, as they are not all equal. Fortunately, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Inc. (ASHRAE) has developed testing and efficiency standards for air purifier filters. The Minimum Efficiency Rating Value (MERV) measures the efficiency of a filter to remove varying sizes of airborne particles from the air, based on a scale of 1-16. The higher the MERV, the more efficient the filter is. Of course, smaller particles such as bacteria and viruses are harder to capture. Filters with a higher MERV are better at capturing these smaller particles. The ASHRAE has also determined that air purifiers intended for residential use should have a minimum of MERV 62. Most household irritants include dust mites, pollen, and pet dander, which may be sufficiently removed by filters with MERV ranging from 7-13. Your Valley Park indoor air quality specialist can best help you choose a system and filter.

Filters with greater MERV levels, such as HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filters, are best for those who have health problems such as asthma or severe allergies. They are also frequently used for commercial purposes in settings such as manufacturing or health care facilities. It is important to understand that this efficiency rating only applies to the filter, and not to the air purifier itself. If you are interested in an air purifier installation, or would like more information regarding our indoor air quality solutions, please call South County Heating & Air Conditioning today to speak with a specialist.

 

Sources:

1ABC News; http://abcnews.go.com/Health/AllergiesSeasonal/spring-2012-worst-allergies/story?id=15930328#.T4Mex9V2N6N

2Environmental Protection Agency; http://www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/residair.html#16

]]> http://southcountyhvac.com/blog/air-purifier-filters.html/feed 0 South County Air Duct Cleaning Services http://southcountyhvac.com/blog/south-county-air-duct-cleaning-services.html http://southcountyhvac.com/blog/south-county-air-duct-cleaning-services.html#comments Thu, 22 Mar 2012 20:00:52 +0000 titanimg http://southcountyhvac.com/?p=265 Spring is finally here! While many will begin thinking about outdoor activities and lawn care, for many it is time for indoor spring cleaning. The dry air of winter has most likely deposited layers of dust on your home’s surfaces, but what you may not realize is that your air ducts may also have severe accumulations as well. This includes dust, dirt, allergens, and other debris which is circulated into the air by your Arnold air conditioning and heating system. Not only will this redeposit dust onto your newly cleaned surfaces, but can also cause irritating symptoms for allergy and asthma sufferers. Excess moisture in ducts can also foster a perfect environment for the growth of mold, which can be hazardous to the health of your family.

An Imperial air duct cleaning service can conveniently come to your home to inspect your duct system and clean it thoroughly. In addition to air quality benefits, having your ducts cleaned can also save you money on energy expenses. Layers of dust and debris can clog the unit forcing it to work overtime to cool your home to the desired temperature. When your system is cleaned, it operates most efficiently, which preserves energy and costs you less in utilities. This service is a great supplement to your spring HVAC maintenance services to ensure that your system runs efficiently throughout the cooling season.

Who should have their air ducts cleaned? Those who live in a newly built or remodeled home should consider the service to remove drywall dust and insulation fibers. Those who have lived in their home for many years and have never had their ducts cleaned may also benefit from periodic duct cleaning. Many businesses may also benefit. Call South County Heating & Cooling today to ask about our professional air duct cleaning services, and be sure to visit our Facebook page for access to specials and money-saving tips.

]]> http://southcountyhvac.com/blog/south-county-air-duct-cleaning-services.html/feed 0 South County Indoor Air Quality Services http://southcountyhvac.com/blog/south-county-indoor-air-quality-services.html http://southcountyhvac.com/blog/south-county-indoor-air-quality-services.html#comments Fri, 02 Mar 2012 19:14:41 +0000 titanimg http://southcountyhvac.com/?p=255 Do you suffer from allergies? Finding optimal comfort and relief from harsh outdoor irritants is of the utmost importance, especially when you are at home or work. Unfortunately, warm, dry winter weather has allowed seasonal allergies to arrive earlier than normal. Actions as simple as opening doors as you come and go can allow polluted air to come into your home leaving you exposed. In fact, according to the Air Conditioning Contractors of America, there are more than 30 million dust and pollutant particles per cubic feet of air1. Rather than heading to the doctor, consider taking action against the cause of your symptoms: the allergens and other irritants that are in the air in your home or office. A Lemay air conditioning company can help you purify the air in your space and remove the pollutants that are irritating your symptoms.

While you may think of HVAC companies simply as specialists of heating and cooling equipment, they are actually home comfort specialists. This includes the quality of the air you are breathing, which is essential for not only comfort, but also to the health of you and your family. As a Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer, we offer indoor air quality services to customers in the South County area. By scheduling an appointment, a service technician will come to your home or office to evaluate the quality of air in your home and help you determine which equipment will be the best choice for your space. This equipment includes a number of air purifiers and air cleaners that can filter out pollutants and release purified air into the home. Whether you are interested in a portable purifier for a small area, or a whole home system, South County Heating and Cooling can provide you with reliable service and high quality Carrier products. Call today for more information.

Source:

1Air Conditioning Contractors of America; https://www.acca.org/archives/consumer-info-2/articles-for-homeowners/2178

]]> http://southcountyhvac.com/blog/south-county-indoor-air-quality-services.html/feed 0 Preserving Your Equipment with Routine Maintenance http://southcountyhvac.com/blog/preserving-your-equipment-with-routine-maintenance.html http://southcountyhvac.com/blog/preserving-your-equipment-with-routine-maintenance.html#comments Mon, 20 Feb 2012 21:31:10 +0000 titanimg http://southcountyhvac.com/?p=250 As a resident of the Saint Louis area, you are probably accustomed to the cold winters and hot summers that are typical for the Midwest. As a result, you probably place a high level of importance on your furnace and ac systems to keep your Fenton home at a comfortable temperature. Similar to giving your car a tune-up or oil change, your HVAC system also needs routine maintenance. This maintenance is important in ensuring that your Lemay air conditioning and heating equipment will operate properly and efficiently during the summer and winter when its use is a necessity. Having a broken heater or AC is not only inconvenient, but can also be costly to repair. Many often forgo maintenance because they simply forget to schedule it. Fortunately, South County Heating & AC offers convenient and affordable HVAC maintenance plans.

Maintenance is typically performed twice per year—once in the spring and once in the fall—to make sure that your Imperial heating and cooling system is prepared for the upcoming heating or cooling season. On the day of your appointment, a trained service technician will clean and inspect your indoor and outdoor units, as well as any electrical controls. The system will be thoroughly checked for cracks, leaks, debris and buildup, abnormal sounds during operation, and anything else that has the potential to become an issue in the future. By maintaining your heating and AC equipment you will benefit from lower energy costs, as well as fewer service calls. Call South County HVAC at 314-993-2211 to ask about our maintenance plans and to schedule an appointment today.

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