Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Would you drive your car 40,000 miles without changing the oil?

For most of us, automobiles are a necessary part of our lives. Whether it’s a Prius or a Mack truck we all recognize the importance of keeping a car in good running condition. We change oil every 3,000 miles, replace worn tires, wash occasionally and get regular tune ups. Working headlights and Good brakes are always a plus unless you like driving into walls. We would never think of driving a car over 40,000 miles without making sure regular maintenance was performed along the way.

During only four summer months here in Florida your Air Conditioning runs the equivalent of driving your car 42,000 miles. While it is true that your AC unit will probably never be seen heading south on I-75 at 70 miles an hour, it does serve the very noble purpose of keeping your home nice and cool. Just try going one day without AC in mid July and you’ll appreciate that system a little more. Since we’re in our cars every day, it’s easy to see how much better our lives are when the car is running smoothly. If something is wrong with the car we can usually tell right away.

However, other than checking the thermostat to make sure the temperature is set correctly, we normally don’t think much about our Air Conditioning. If something is not right with the AC system you may not know until it totally breaks down. Sure you may notice the electric bill creeping higher, or the house may not be as cool as it used to be, but it’s easy to put off getting the AC checked.

Your Air Conditioning System is a tireless servant silently toiling away to make your family more comfortable. It’s dedicated, loyal and never complains. As long as it’s supplied with electricity, a little maintenance twice a year and a clean filter it will be able to perform its job.

Remember if your Air Conditioning is happy – you and your family will be happy! The very minimal price of a maintenance agreement will keep your air conditioning unit in good working condition and help you avoid expensive repair bills. A properly maintained system will also lower your energy bills. As a maintenance agreement customer you also get many added bonuses including discounts, priority scheduling and even free maintenance when you refer friends and family.

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

UV Lights For Sanitization Of Air Conditioning Systems.

Ultraviolet (UV) light is a form of short wavelength radiation. Although exposure to UV radiation from the sun and tanning beds can be dangerous, ultraviolet light has a variety of uses. One of the more beneficial uses is to install UV lights in Air conditioning systems as a way to purify the air.

Indoor air quality can be worse than outdoor air because the ultraviolet component of sunlight destroys microbes.

Unlike filters, which collect pollutants as they pass through the system, UV lights actually kill organic matter, such as bacteria, mold, and viruses. UV light is highly effective at penetrating thin-walled germs like viruses and bacteria. The light alters the genetic structure of the germ and they die.

While UV light sanitation may seem like relatively new technology, the use of UV light to kill germs on surfaces, in the air and in the water dates back to 1916. UV light has been proven to kill up to 99.9% of germs.

The warmth and moisture found in the Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning systems of households and office buildings make the perfect breeding ground for airborne molds, microorganisms and bacteria. These HVAC systems also provide an ideal way to circulate viruses and germs around an entire office building or home in a relatively short time.

Many air conditioning companies offer UV sanitization but not all are equal and UV lights will be more or less useful depending on the environment they are placed in. The effectiveness of UV lights depends on the UV irradiation dose, the system design, age of the lights and other factors.

There are many different types of UV sanitization systems. One of the systems we recommend is most effective when the ultraviolet rays from the probes shine on the cold air side of the air conditioner evaporator coil. This keeps the evaporator coil in a healthy condition by eliminating the normal mold, algae, slime, and gel formations that can act as breeding areas for bacteria. This also prevents buildup that can plug the coil, inhibit air flow, and increase cooling costs. A very thin film just .002'' thick on your indoor coil is all it takes to reduce airflow by as much as 9%*. UV Lights can clean the coil and virtually eliminate additional build up.

Sean McCutcheon’s Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc. recommends quality Bryant Ultraviolet Germicidal Lights. They can help to rid your home of bacteria, viruses and germs that reside in the air you breathe every day. UV lights will prevent these and other particles from building up on the indoor coil which can inhibit airflow and reduce heating and cooling efficiency.

When the UV Lights are properly mounted inside your system near the indoor coil, they will direct UV light to the source of potential fungal and microbial growth. When combined with a Bryant high efficiency air cleaner, you can enjoy substantial improvements to the quality of your indoor air.

UV Lights retain their effectiveness for 1 ½ to 2 years. After the initial installation, additional replacement bulbs are relatively inexpensive. Depending on the age and condition of the existing HVAC system and/or ventilators, it is suggested to assess the unit to determine what needs to be done prior to installation of UV lights.