Air Conditioning Health Risks - An explanation

Advancement in technology has provided us with many blessings and air conditioning is one of those discount. But it needs to be kept in mind that in order for a thing to remain fully beneficial, it is important to use it in the right manner. Air Conditioner on hand provides comfort in the summer and maintains a desirable indoor environment but on the other hand, creates some health issues as well. Here, it is needed to mention that Air Conditioning is not risky in entirety, it is just the wrong usage and wrong practices that makes it risky. So the fearsome articles on the dangers of air conditioning are of course too much of an exaggeration. This article is meant to explain the health problems associated with Air Conditioning and when and how they occur.

Health Risks associated with  Air Conditioners 

- High Humidity 

 This problem is not caused by Air Conditioner itself but the wrong usage of it or because of selecting the wrong size. In case one, running an Air Conditioner on ''On'' setting of the fan makes the fan run constantly, resulting in returning all the humid air back inwards. This raises the humidity level. The latter case is the case of wrong size AC. A very large sized AC cools the indoor quickly and trips often resulting in not allowing the system to dehumidify the air; the indoor humidity rises. As a consequence of indoor humidity, bacteria, viruses, mould and spores spread. And the mould growth can sometimes spread to such an extent that it can affect the entire building and the homeowners throughout the home.

- Low Humidity is also a problem! 

Once again, low humidity is a result of the wrong use of AC. When the system is run constantly, it dehumidifies the indoor to such an extent that the humidity does not remain desirable. Too low humidity can cause health problems like skin, eyes, throat irritation. sinus problems and other respiratory tract problems.

- Exposure to refrigerant is risky!

The exposure does not really take place as the refrigerants are too tightly contained in the lines and keep on getting used but in case of leaks, an exposure may take place. Only a few minutes of inhaling in an environment with AC refrigerant gas can result in cutting off the supply of oxygen to your cell resulting in serious health issues.

How to avoid Air Conditioning Health Problems? 

In order to make the most efficient use of HVAC appliances, the process starts right from the time of purchase. As mentioned above, even a wrong size can lead to creating health problems, it is important to seek professional suggestion when purchasing appliances. Secondly, the user guides and the do's and don'ts need to be practised seriously. An Air Conditioner should not be expected to give absolute benefit when it is run constantly, not given maintenance and operated in the wrong way. Last but not the least, the repairs should always be get done by professional technicians. Following the proper guidelines keep the health risks away.
Have you ever faced any Air Conditioning health risks? How did you cope with them?

Lennox Ductless MS8H Mini Split Specifications

Lennox comes up with better and improved Air Conditioner models every year. As the technology is progressing, the availability of indoor heating and cooling comfort is becoming easier to get to and cheaper to afford. Let's us talk about the Ductless MS8H Mini Split Air Conditioner of Lennox, its specifications and how it is making home cooling as well as heating as amazingly affordable as never before.

MS8H Mini Split Air Conditioner Specifications

- Heat Pump technology

Why spend on heating and cooling appliances separately when it is possible to enjoy both heating and cooling with a single appliance? MS8H is designed making use of Heat Pump technology. Unlike the conventional compressor AC models in which the compressor along with the evaporator cools the refrigerant and expels the heat outside cools the indoor, this Heat Pump technology makes use of Heat Pump that works as a cooler in Summer and as a Heater in Winters. Single, dual or multiple ductless units can be attached to the Heat Pump and different zones/parts can be cooled/warmed.

- Energy efficient

One factor that should necessarily be considered while purchasing any Air Conditioner brand is its energy efficiency. The more an appliance is energy efficient the thinner bills it brings. The lesser an appliance is energy efficient, the fattier bills it brings. A specification of MS8H is its high efficiency with up to 22 SEER and 10.20 HSPF (which makes it qualified for Energy Star)

- Inverter Technology

Inverter technology has revolutionised Air Conditioning in the recent years. The inverter technology regulates the compressor motor's speed in order to continuously regulate the temperature. This way the inverter technology models deliver only the desired amount of air which makes them quieter, long lasting and less vulnerable to breakdowns.

- Secure and Flexible

While this aspect is rarely talked about, the ductless units are secure. Unlike the Duct Air Conditioners, that necessitates a duct system and thus raise risks of moulds, spores, insects and theft, the Ductless Air Conditioners have least to no security threats (except the electrical connections). The MS8H Ductless Air Conditioner is safe to install, easy to maintain and small in design to blend in any room.

- Quiet Operation

Engineers are trying to design home comfort heating and cooling appliances with minimum noise level. The MS8H Split Air Conditioner is a progress in this sphere since the noise level of this model is as low as 25 dB indoor and 50 dB outdoor. This makes this model favourite for people allergic to high noise levels of HVAC appliances.

- Remote Control

The more control you have of the indoor heating/cooling, the easier it is for you to enjoy ultimate comfort. MS8H, like all ductless systems, is supported with a remote control that can be used to ON/OFF the unit, alter the temperature, scheduling a shut-off and controlling several other operations. This makes the unit even more flexible to use.

Overview

On a quick note, the MS8H specifications include:

- Heat Pump technology that makes it an efficient cooler and an efficient heater

- Up to 22 SEER efficiency

- Inverter technology that makes it durable, affordable and reliable

- Secure and Flexible design that makes it less vulnerable to breakdowns

-  Quiet operation that adds to the positive aspects by producing less indoor and outdoor noise pollution

- Remote control system that makes it easy to operate and easy to control

All these specifications and above all an affordable rate makes Lennox HS8H Ductless Mini Split Air Conditioner a favourite for many. You could be the next to enjoy all the joys offered by this Lennox model. Looking to purchase? Connect with us today and purchase this unit at affordable rates: 905 201-1293

Get rid of Air Conditioner smells with tested solutions

How about turning on your Air Conditioner after a long time to enjoy its cool breeze and rather have a stinky smell spread all around? This is a common issue homeowners face; the problem of Air Conditioner smells. A stinky or fishy odour from AC has several reasons in the background which include the growth of mould and mildew, dust and debris either in the AC units or in the ductwork. Usually, homeowners make use of air fresheners to combat this problem, however, this only proves useless as long as the droplets of freshener remain in the air and that fishy odour starts coming again in a while. To solve the problem permanently, it is important to use tested ways and more than that; to know what components of an Air Conditioner actually cause these odours:

AC Components that cause odour

Evaporator Coil

Over time dust debris and other pollutants get accumulated over and around the evaporator coil. These pollutants with cool and damp surroundings of the evaporative coil create an ideal place for the mildew and moulds to grow which are smelly in nature.

Air Filters

The most common odour causing component is the system Filters. The purpose of filters is to filter the air and trap pollutants. When the filters are not changed for a long period, they fail to trap pollutants consequently circulating dirty air again and again which is also smelly.

Ductwork

Just like the Filters, the Ductwork can also become a source of producing fishy and stinky odours. This happens when ducts are not cleaned and the dust and debris are combined with dampness. A perfect ground in this way is created for moulds and as a result for odours.

How to troubleshoot Air Conditioner Smells?

If you've been troubleshooting these smells using an Air Freshener, you might already have started thinking they never fix up but hold on! They can be, however, with right strategies. Let us discuss a few:

The importance of right Filters

Cleaning of Filters is one thing which we've already discussed above, however, using the right filters is another. You might be living in an area where there's relatively more pollution or you might practice such activities at home that cause pollution. In such cases, a commonly used low MERV filter will not work for you. Install high-efficiency filters (after consulting an HVAC professional since high-efficiency filters are not suitable for all systems). High MERV filters successfully trap pollutants and thus help avoid odours caused by dust and debris.

System Cleaning - A must do!

This cannot happen that you do not do system cleaning and still have an odourless home. While people still argue on the question of duct cleaning, there's no difference of opinion that at least the systems need to be kept clean for efficient and odourless performance. As said above, one of the primary reason of Air Conditioner odours is the growth of bacteria in the units (mostly outside unit), cleaning of components is important. Although an annual maintenance and cleaning by a professional is what we strongly suggest, you can also do the cleaning yourself keeping the precautionary measures. Clean system components are least likely to produce any odours.

Air Cleaner - Breath fresh and odourless

If you haven't heard of them yet let us tell you. Air Cleaners are now available that can successfully combat odours as well as the causes of odours. High-Efficiency Air Cleaners can combat 99% of bacterias and other pollutants that cause odours. If using a high-efficiency filter and cleaning of system components doesn't solve the problem of AC odours for you, consult with an HVAC professional to install an Air Purifier.     

Are you fighting with Air Conditioner odours? Do you want a quick solution?  Use these ways and see what happens. All odours will be gone. Guaranteed!

4 simple ways to prolong the life of your HVAC system

Investment in HVAC systems is a hefty investment we make and, therefore, every homeowner wants to prolong the life of his system as much as possible in order to make the most of it without having to invest again. So are there any ways to actually prolong the system’s life? Oh yes! There are!

1. Pre-Season Check Up

It is crucial to get your system cleaned and tuned up before the beginning of the season when they’ll be used the most. Better to tune up cooling appliances in Spring to make them ready for Summers and tune-up heating appliances in Fall to make them ready for Winters.

This will get any issues resolved before the season begins, and will also guarantee efficient appliance performance.

Also, remember that at the peak of seasons, HVAC professionals are full time busy and it is hard to schedule visits to get maintenance and repairs, plan maintenance at a time when they’re easily available; the timings mentioned above.

2. Checking Air Filters regularly

Messy air channels can confine the stream of air to your HVAC system which overloads the system by making the system work harder in pushing and pulling the air. This harms exorbitantly the blower assembly since it needs to put excessive energy to perform its function. Checking duct and appliance filters regularly can help remove the stockpiles of mud and dust, eventually improving the system’s efficiency and extending the life of your HVAC system.

3. Daily check up of HVAC System

Examining your HVAC system regularly can help get little issues resolved before they transform into huge ones. While you will need a professional’s help to assess your conduits for air spills and tune up your system; there are things you can take a look at by yourself. Keep a careful eye on components that are vulnerable to wear and tear. Moreover, for Air Conditioner outdoor units and Heat Pumps etc that are out of sight usually, it is a good practice to give them a quick look to make sure everything’s fine. Water leaks should also be checked on a regular basis to avoid any serious harm to the system.

4. Give pause to your system

Several homeowners in Canada run their systems 24 hours which ultimately affects the efficiency of the system. Giving pause to the system lowers the workload on it and allows the components to refresh which then leads to a prolonged lifespan of the system. But who has time to turn the system on and off? Well, installing a programmable regulator/thermostat device can do this favour for you. It helps in adjusting the temperature of your system and keeps on tuning it according to the outdoor temperature consequently not running it 24/7.

Bottom Line

Although an estimated lifespan of an appliance is predefined, there are ways that can be incorporated to prolong the life of the system and enjoy its performance for a longer period of time. There is no denying the fact that people who keep their appliances well maintained have to spend the least on HVAC system.

Are you one such wise homeowner? If not yet, start following these 4 ways and experience an ultimate comfort with massive savings.  

Boiler vs Furnace - The Pros and Cons

When it comes to heating systems for homes and other buildings, you are offered two choices – boilers and furnace. Making the right choice is important as it affects many significant aspects including the parts and labour costs, power efficiency and maintenance. The discussion below will help you make the best choice by providing for you the necessary information about boilers and furnace.

The Major Difference

How is a boiler different from a furnace? The answer to this question explains why one of these will be a better option for your house. Both heating systems offer their own pros and cons. However, understanding the primary difference between boilers and furnace will help you make a more well-informed decision leading to the best results.

The major difference lies in how both the systems function. As the name implies, a boiler distributes heat through the circulation of hot water. On the other hand, a furnace makes use of hot air which is distributed throughout a building by means of ducts to maintain a warm temperature indoors. The circulation of this air is maintained with the help of a blower motor. A boiler heating system consists of more parts as compared to a furnace. Its major parts include water boilers, radiators and a network of pipes.

Choosing a Boiler

Discussed here are the positive aspects of choosing a boiler over a furnace.

• It will be wise to go for a water boiler if you cannot stand a drafty environment which might get suffocating. Such an environment is created through the circulation of warm air by a furnace. It can, therefore, get uncomfortable. On the other hand, no such issue is created if we use a boiler for heating purposes.
• Water boilers make use of cast iron radiators or flooring systems for the circulation of heat. The mechanism for this heat circulation is radiation or convection. It ensures steady circulation throughout a building. As a result, the indoors temperature remains quite consistent if you use a boiler.
• In case of a furnace, the circulating air through ducts often distributes dust, allergens and disease-causing microorganisms. Maintaining warmth in your house by means of a furnace may cost you your health.

Choosing a Furnace

A furnace may lead to a few negative results, but you might still want to choose one over a boiler due to the following reasons.

• Hydronic heating systems are more expensive than a furnace. The cost of all the parts as well installation charges might cross your budget.
• A furnace heating system makes use of the same duct system used for air conditioning during the summer season. Therefore, you save time as well as installation cost.
• Although boilers do not require frequent maintenance, cleaning a radiator takes a great deal of time as well as effort.

Conclusion

These were the pros and cons of both the heating systems. Choosing the best one depends on personal requirements as well as the budget. Make a wise choice which leads to the most effective heating and the least maintenance.

Geothermal System Of Heating and Cooling is Well known in Europe..

Geothermal heating and cooling

The geothermal system of heating and cooling is well known in Europe, the United States and Canada. The system is a healthy and has successfully proven technology. The core advantage Geo Energy with the use of a conventional heat pump is the temperature difference between ground and atmosphere. The land has a high thermal inertia, maintaining a virtually constant temperature throughout the year from about two feet deep - roughly 15 º C in Canada. Temperature control by Geo Energy is via a manifold installed underground, which harnesses in winter the highest temperature for heating subsurface. In summer, the system works in reverse, taking advantage of lower soil temperature for cooling. 

The system consists of three circuits: the internal circuit of the building and the underground collector, located at both ends, among them, has a refrigeration circuit that transmits pump geothermal heat or cold between the first two. To generate heat, heat from underground manifold acts on the refrigerant in the intermediate circuit, and turns it into gas. When compressed, the gas temperature increases, which is transmitted to the heat distribution circuit of the building. To generate air conditioning process is reversed, making direct use of the cold side of the refrigeration cycle. In any case, it would be wrong to understand the system simply as heating / cooling heat pump or compressor. The essence of the system is the design of the combination of a heat pump, or compressor, (with instrumentation specifically designed for use in geothermal systems) and outer manifold system designed and dimensioned specifically for each installation.

Geothermal Heat Pump

The parties are typical of a geothermal heat pump includes a compressor, heat exchanger, air trainer and condensation remover use air conditioning. All these components are generally packaged in a single cabinet. "The size of the system depends on the heating and cooling needs of your home". Geothermal heat pumps can provide hot water while the pump is stable in air.

Geothermal Loop

There are two basic line types - open and closed. The most popular type used for decades has been the open. But the lines closed, and its variants, have become increasingly popular. The lines have become the backbone of the systems of geothermal heat pumps. These work by pumping water from a well, which is located at a depth of 100-400 meters line with a heat exchanger, which can either absorb or dissipate heat, depending on the desired function. After the underground heat has been used is pumped back. It is similar with closed loops, but in them the water is constantly recycled.

Distribution

The distribution of heated or cooled air is the same as in the conventional air conditioning units or heat available in most modern buildings. The difference comes from the possible need for a system to reinforce traditional heating systems and engine driven refrigeration. The efficiency of solar systems is entirely dependent on the climate and weather at a given time, while geothermal energy is more reliable throughout the year, almost independent of the outside temperature.

Sizing of Air Conditioner

Sizing of Air Conditioner 

Sizing of air conditioner is a difficult task, but in this article our heating and cooling Toronto expert adviser will share some basic information regarding perfect air conditioner size which can provide you better cooling comfort with significant saving on electricity bills. Following information will be useful for you to determine the selection of appropriate size cooling appliance;

Power of Air conditioner

The "power" of the air conditioners is expressed in BTU, which stands for British thermal unit if you want to understand the technical meaning go to Wikipedia. We just know that the larger this value, the greater its ability to cooling or heating. This is not enough. We must also give a look at another index that is  SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) this will tell you how much your air conditioner is efficient against energy consumption. The conventionally used central air conditioner by the homeowners of Toronto, Mississauga and other GTA area; are 13 SEER central air conditioners.  The more the SEER the less energy will consume to keep the home cool.

How do we size the air conditioners?

heating and cooling Toronto

We need to keep following point in mind before we go out in the heating and cooling Toronto market for the purchase of right size air conditioner;

·         The number of people staying in the home to be cooled

·         The size of the house and existing ductwork condition

·         The temperature reaches in  the house without air conditioning;

·         Other appliances in the home which generates heats for example oven.

·         Required cooling ability because if you put a big air conditioner instead of small which was the requirement of your home then the on off cycle of the compressor will be frequent and this may drop the efficiency and life of the air conditioner. This may also cause you to pay high energy bills.

·         Look for best air conditioner brand at best price and quality installation

·         Don’t forget to read the homeowner review regarding various air conditioner brands and installation contractor this can save your money and time. 

Obviously all these things "limit" the performance of air conditioners. There are many air conditioner brands available in the market to choose from, but the top rated cooling brands among the homeowners of Greater Toronto Area are Lennox, Amana, Rheem, York, Goodman and Carrier. Feel free to contact our heating and coolingToronto expert service advisory service to make the best investment on home cooling air condition system.