Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Simplified

Do you suffer from any of the following:

- Eye and/or skin irritation
- Sinus congestion
- Sneezing, runny nose, colds, flu
- Headaches or dizziness
- Allergies
- Asthma
- Sore Throat
- Various other respiratory ailments

If the answer is YES to any of the above, installing optional Indoor Air Quality ( IAQ) equipment may help ease your symptoms.

Much of the problem with indoor air quality stems from the way modern homes are built today.  For purposes of energy efficiency, they are now sealed up as air tight as possible. The problem with this is that stale air, laced with odors, chemicals, irritants and even miniscule insects, becomes trapped.

Fortunately, HVAC manufacturers have developed products which address specific indoor air quality issues.  Below is a list of equipment, along with a simplified explanation of how each functions to address IAQ problems:

WHOLE-HOUSE HUMIDIFIER

Dry indoor air can make your home feel uncomfortable, causing skin irritation, creating static shock and damaging home furnishings and woodwork.  Added moisture also creates energy savings by allowing you to lower the thermostat.  Example: 70 degrees (moist) = 72 degrees (dry)

WHOLE-HOUSE ELECTRONIC AIR PURIFIER 
                                                 
Places a charge on airborne particles and collects them like a magnet.  Reduces pollutants, such as dust, smoke, smog particles, mold spores and pet dander from the air passing through your heating and cooling system.

WHOLE-HOUSE MEDIA AIR CLEANER
                                               
Traps and filters major pollutants, such as dust and pollen from the air passing through your heating and cooling system.

ENERGY RECOVERY VENTILATOR (ERV) 
                                             
Exhausts pollutants, while recovering both heat and moisture.

HEPA AIR CLEANER
                                 
The HEPA Air Cleaner connects to the return air duct and diverts 1/3 to 1/2 of the dirty air through a tightly sealed filtration system.

UV LIGHT SYSTEM
                                             
Uses UV light to kill mold spores and certain live airborne bacteria passing by the lamp.

CARBON MONOXIDE MONITOR
                                             
Uses sophisticated electronics and unmatched sensor technology to detect and record the levels of Carbon Monoxide circulating in your indoor air, as required by State law.





Contact your local HVAC contractor to determine which of these products are best suited for your system and symptoms.  In Southeastern Wisconsin, contact 1st Choice Heating and Cooling.

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Fiscal Cliff Deal Restores Energy Tax Credits

One additional bonus from the recent Fiscal Cliff Agreement was the extension of The American Taxpayer Relief Act tax credits which had expired in 2011.  Not only have they extended the credits through 2013, but have made them retroactive to January, 2012 and included credits for air conditioners and heat pumps.

If you installed a high-efficiency system in 2012, it may qualify for the retroactive credit.  If you are looking to update your current HVAC system with new high-efficiency products, the tax credit is available through 2013 on eligible equipment, including:

furnaces  - $150
boilers - $150
advanced main circulating fans - $50
central air conditioners - $300
heat pumps - $300
water heaters - $300

The maximum amount you can claim is $500, and it is cumulative to the beginning of the tax credit period, which started in 2006.  In other words, if you have already claimed $500 on other energy-efficient home improvement projects (i.e., windows, insulation), you cannot claim any additional credits.  For more information on qualifying equipment, contact your tax preparer

In Southeastern Wisconsin, call 1st Choice Heating & Cooling at 262-547-2030 for more information on installing energy-efficient products in your home.

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Home Comfort In The Palm of Your Hand

"MyInfinity" Phone App

"Infinity Touch Control" Compatible

Imagine you are out holiday shopping and decide to go out to eat afterwards?  You won't be home for several hours, but your thermostat is still set at 72 degrees. How would you like the convenience of lowering the temperature by simply picking up your smartphone? When you are ready to head home, you can change it back to 72 degrees.

Carrier now brings that technology to you in the form of the "MyInfinity" app available for download on your smartphone. The app is
available for Carrier customers and is compatible with the "Infinity Touch Control" thermostat shown here.

Having the ability to control your home's comfort no matter where you are, combined with a high-efficiency Carrier "Infinity" system will drastically cut down on your energy consumption, and save you money on your utility bills.

For more information on the "Infinity" family of products, controls and the "MyInfinity" phone app, see your local Carrier Authorized Dealer.  In Southeastern Wisconsin, contact 1st Choice Heating and Cooling located in Waukesha.

Preparing for Winter

As you rake the fall leaves and prepare your yard for the coming winter months, it is important to think about preparing your furnace as well.   Making sure your intake and exhaust are free of leaves is just as important as clearing them of accumulating snow later in the season.

It is also the perfect opportunity to check and/or change your furnace filter.   Making sure your system has a clean filter, ensures that it will be operating at maximum efficiency.  Also, don't be tempted to purchase a "cheap" replacement filter.  You do get what you pay for!

Most importantly, have you had a qualified HVAC contractor do a tune up on your system in the past few years?  If not, you may be setting yourself up for problems that will inevitably occur when it is least convenient.  If your system has not received routine maintenance, it is more likely to breakdown during a severe cold snap, resulting in an emergency service call.  I cannot tell you how many furnaces I have come across that have suffered an untimely death due to lack of maintenance.  Failure to have your furnace checked on a periodic basis is the equivalent of operating your car without changing the oil.

Investing in a little preventative maintenance now will save you money and headaches down the road.  If you are located in Southeastern Wisconsin, contact 1st Choice Heating and Cooling.

Have You Changed Your Filter?

It only takes a few minutes, but it is easily one of the most overlooked home improvement tasks...changing the furnace filter.  Many homeowners take considerable time doing their homework and making the investment in a high-efficiency furnace.  Why wouldn't you take the time to make sure it is running at maximum efficiency?

If you haven't done it yet, check your filter now... too many systems are often forgotten and the filter is left to languish.  If it looks anything like the filter shown above, you are long overdue.

Now that you've replaced it, make sure you schedule the filter replacement on your calendar each year.  Not only will a clean filter keep the furnace running properly, it will vastly improve your indoor air quality (IAQ).  It may also save you from that unexpected service call.

IMPORTANT:  Don't be tempted to purchase the "bargain" filter from your local home improvement store.  Like most everything, you do get what you pay for.  Many HVAC contractors will provide you with the proper manufacturer filters for a very reasonable price.  

If you are in Southeastern Wisconsin, contact 1st Choice Heating and Cooling in Waukesha.

Important Notice for Northern States Homeowners

If you are a homeowner who lives in the northern half of the United States, here is some important information you should know:

"2007 Energy Bill"

In 2007, The U.S. Congress passed the Energy and Independence Act (the "2007 Energy Bill").  What does this mean for you?  The passing of this bill allowed for the Department of Energy (DOE) to develop regional standards for the installation of heating and air-conditioning equipment.  In the case of the northern United States (including the State of Wisconsin) high-efficiency, condensing furnaces will be required after May 1, 2013.

These new standards will require that gas furnaces installed after the mandated deadline must have at least 90% Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE).  The current standard is 78% AFUE.  This will effectively exclude the installation of non-condensing furnaces and may result in additional venting requirements for the exhaust, and/or minor renovations to accommodate the new equipment.

What Can You Do?

If you are looking at replacing your home's furnace in the next few years, you may want to call your local contractor.  If you don't want to install a 90% efficient, condensing furnace, you can still upgrade to a non-condensing gas furnace before May 1, 2013.  Having a contractor come out and inspect your current system, venting and space requirements will help you to determine your options.

If you are located in Southeastern Wisconsin, contact 1st Choice Heating & Cooling at 262-547-2030 to answer any of your questions and/or to set up an appointment to review your current system.

Turn to the Experts During a Heat Wave

This summer's unprecedented and relentless heat has been very good for reputable HVAC contractors, but it has also provided an opportunity for the amateur installer to take advantage of consumers.  When your air conditioning goes out in a heat wave, it can be very tempting to contact the first one who can show up at your doorstep.  However, it is important to step back and keep one thing in mind.  Why is this individual available at a moment's notice, when every other contractor is booked solid?

A reputable contractor will charge a fair price for a service/diagnostic trip and make every effort to get to you as soon as possible.  They will also make a knowledgeable assessment of the situation and proceed with service and/or replacement based on the life-expectancy of the product.  If a unit is replaced by someone other than a factory-authorized dealer, you may also face problems later with regard to the warranties for parts and labor.

It is also important to find a contractor who belongs to a professional association such as NARI (National Association of the Remodeling Industry).  Contractors are carefully screened prior to membership to insure “ethical” practices.  In addition, the consumer who encounters issues with a NARI contractor can achieve satisfaction through its arbitration process. 

If you are feeling the heat and need service or a new system quickly, it is worth taking the time to do it right.  Keep a box fan going for an extra day or two to insure you get the proper product at a fair price that is installed per factory specifications.

  

Wayne Abendschein is a Comfort Specialist @ 1^st Choice Heating & Cooling, a Carrier Factory-Authorized Dealer.  Wayne is also an active member of Milwaukee NARI and currently serves as chairperson for the Spring and Fall Home Improvement Shows.

If you are located in Southeastern Wisconsin, contact us at: www.1stchoiceheating.com