How To Tell When It's Time to Replace Your Home's Duct Work

How do I know if the ductwork needs to be replaced in my home?

4 Tips To Help Identify When its Time to Replace Duct Work

The ductwork in your home is largely unseen. You probably rarely ever think about the fact that it is keeping the air flowing to all of the different rooms in your home. Over time you could have issues with your ductwork that could lead to energy loss, unhealthy air quality and increased heating or cooling bills. Even though the ductwork is out of sight there are issues that you can look for to determine if you are having a problem.

Age of ductwork

In the majority of cases of the ductwork was installed when the home was built. This original ductwork is typically done at a builder’s grade quality and likely not intended to last a lifetime. There are seals and joints in the ductwork that can deteriorate over time. If your home is 15 years old or more you should consider having the ductwork examined for any problems.

Look at the ductwork that you can see

Some of the ductwork is able to be seen from the attic or crawlspaces. Use a flashlight and look at the joints and check for any duct tape that could be fraying or deteriorating in any way. You also need to check for rust or corrosion. If you spot any problems you must call for inspection as you could have moisture issues.

Airflow

If you have certain rooms that are experiencing issues in airflow this could indicate a problem with the specific span of ductwork designated for that area. If the ductwork has deteriorating insulation or a leak then it will cause uneven airflow.

Duct Blower Test

The best way to determine if you are having ductwork issues is to have a duct blower test which is performed by a professional. Your HVAC contractor will use a fan and sensors to determine airflow and the efficiency of your current ductwork. Leaks and inefficiency will be determined via computerized specific results.

The ductwork in your home is kind of like the veins in your body bringing airflow all through the rooms. If any part of it is working incorrectly or has a leak you will experience uneven air loss and high electricity bills due to inefficiency. Call the experts at Air Expo today to schedule a maintenance check and an air duct blower test to determine the efficiency of your ductwork.

Do You Know All the Different Types of HVAC Air Filters?

Quick Tips on the Types of HVAC Air Filters

 Hopefully you know enough about your home furnace and HVAC  system to know that you need to regularly change the air filters. When you head to the store to purchase a filter you're faced with a large wall of a variety options. In order to pick the best one for your needs here is an overview of the different types of filters.

What is the filter rating system?

One of the first things you will see on the filter is a rating system. Different companies have different rating and number systems. The numbers typically tell you the amount of particles and pollutants that can be captured in the filter. The higher the number the larger the amount of particles the particular filter will collect.

Minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV)

The MERV rating has been established by the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-conditioning engineers. It rates the filter’s ability to capture and hold particles and pollutants. For residential filters the numbers range from 1 to 12. With the higher number referring to the higher amount of particles collected.

Microparticle Performance Rating (MPR)

This system has been developed by the 3M Company and is solely used in 3M products. The amount of microparticles that the filter captures is what determines the rating. The numbers range from 300 to 2800 with the higher number meaning more particles captured.

Filter performance rating (FPR)

 This system utilizes the color code and a number scale ranging from 4 to 10 which is similar to the MERV rating. The FPR system has been developed and is only used by The Home Depot.

What are the three basic types of filters available?

Washable air filter

At first the washable filter may seem like a budget friendly and environmentally friendly option, however they are not highly recommended. Washable filters have very low ratings and do not trap as many particles as they're disposable counterparts. They require regular maintenance via washing and must be thoroughly dried prior to reusing so as not to spread mold into your home. Washable filters are not recommended for homes that have anybody with allergies in them.

Fiberglass air filter

Fiberglass filters are the least expensive option. They do have the ability to track a larger air particles however do not capture smaller allergens and pollutants very well. The MERV rating is typically only between one and four. If you have a fiberglass air filter the air quality in your home will not be improved. They also tend to need replacement more often.

Polyester and pleated air filters

These are the most commonly use filters and the most recommended. There are MERV rating is from 8 to 13 which is much higher than washable and fiberglass filters. Polyester and pleated filters are highly effective in trapping and holding a variety of particles pollutants and allergens from your home. These types of filters are available in most stores and come in a variety of options that can help even the most severe allergy sufferer.

Keep this guide in mind the next time you head to the store for a filter replacement. Purchasing the proper filter for you and your family will make all the difference in the air-quality in your home. If you have any questions about air-quality or filters for your specific HVAC system call the experts at Air Expo for all of your maintenance needs.

Call Us:  973-283-0300

Do you Need AC Repair?

Is your AC broken? or Can you DIY?

Temperature feels a little warm inside, and you begin to panic- you immediately think your HVAC is broken. When your AC stops working you may impulsively rush to the phone to call for ac repair. In the hot summer weather we don't want to be without our central AC for too long. However there are a few things that you should check that you may be able to fix yourself before you call for service. Check these things before you call for service:

Condenser

Your condenser is most likely outside. This area could become blocked and this would restrict airflow to your unit. You could also have a malfunction if the condenser is very dirty. You need to carefully remove any obstacles or hose off the unit to wash the dirt away to clean the condenser.

Filter

A clean filter is vital to your AC functioning properly. If you haven't changed it in a while then you will likely have limited airflow. If your filter is full of dust and debris you should change it and your AC could be back to normal in no time.

Breaker

Locate your breaker box and see if the breaker has been tripped and for some reason. If the breaker has shut off then simply switch the flip back on and you should be good to go.

Thermostat

Your thermostat controls the temperature in your home. Check to make sure that the temperature isn't turned too high causing the AC not to turn on. Try lowering the temperature a few degrees. Also your thermostat could require a battery change.

Before you call for service on your AC you should check the above for items first. If you are still having issues then call the experts at Air Expo for quality ac repair. We service Northern Jersey 24/7 for residential and commercial AC repair.

 (973) 283-0300

1212 NJ-23 Butler NJ 07405

Do You Have Locking Refrigerant Caps?

Why are locking refrigerant caps important?

As a homeowner you take safety precautions daily.  You don't run your dryer while you're away from the house, do have fire alarms and Carbon monoxide detectors and you keep your doors locked at night. However there is another issue that you should pay attention to. Your HVAC unit could be a potential health hazard. Did you know that the refrigerant or coolant material in your unit could be siphoned out by those wanting to partake in “huffing” of this harmful chemical?  There is only one way to prevent your unit from being abused and that is by having locking refrigerant caps installed.

What is refrigerant?

Refrigerant is it harmful substance that can cause death without warning if ingested. It is considered a poison and only licensed individuals are legally authorized to handle it. Unfortunately it is getting into the wrong hands and children and adults alike are huffing this harmful gas as a quick drug fix.

How can I prevent theft of my refrigerant?

The simplest and cheapest way to prevent your refrigerant from being stolen and to potentially cause harm or even death, is to install locking refrigerant caps. These caps are placed over the ports to the refrigerant on your exterior HVAC unit and can only be accessed with special equipment, making it difficult for anyone else to gain access.  In 2009 it has become a law in many areas to have refrigerant caps and no home will pass inspection without them.  

Go outside right now and check your unit to see if there are brightly colored red, green or silver caps on the refrigerant valves.   If your unit is without these locking caps, call Air Expo today to have them installed immediately. You will be doing yourself a huge favor as well as keeping refrigerant out of the wrong hands.  

Call 973-283-0300 or visit our website at www.AirExpoNJ.com

Winter HVAC Maintenance

Tips for Winter HVAC Maintenance

Temperatures have begun to drop and air pollutants increase.  It is also the perfect time to begin your HVAC maintenance for the frigid winter weather months to follow.  

HVAC Maintenance and Cleaning

It is important to do some seasonal cleaning, and schedule a maintenance visit to tweak your system for maximum output.  Cleaning your air conditioner's outside unit is one of the necessary tasks to maintain your HVAC system.

Follow these five easy steps:

·         Open the metal box near your outside unit, and turn the switch to the off position

·         Use a water hose to spray off any loose debris

Spray the unit with coil cleaner

·         Wait 15 minutes to let the cleaner foam and bond with the dirt on the coils

Rinse the coil cleaner off with the hose

Dirty coils and blower parts can negatively affect your indoor air quality.  If this HVAC maintenance is not done, bacteria, fungi, and pollen can build up in your system.  Breathing those things in can lead to eye, nose, and throat irritation, asthma attacks, or even flu-like symptoms.  Regular HVAC maintenance will reduce any contamination of your air stream, which ensures a healthier household.

Replace the Filter

Change your filter every season to clear your home's HVAC and ductwork.  A clean filter can increase productivity by 15%, which will save you money and require less HVAC maintenance.

Consider an Upgrade

Fall is the perfect time to upgrade your HVAC unit, because the temperature is usually not too hot or too cold.  If your system is old, now is the time to make the change.  You don't want to wait and end up changing your furnace during the dead of winter.

Warm it Up

Another important part of HVAC maintenance involves keeping your system warm and loose.  Just like a car, your HVAC system benefits from regular use.  Run your unit a few weeks before the weather turns cold and it will be primed for use when the time comes to begin using it.

Prepare your Outdoor Unit for the Cold

HVAC maintenance includes making sure your outside unit does not freeze over.  The best way to prevent this from happening is to clear the airflow, change your refrigerant, and keep it warm.  When the outside temperature drops below 60 degrees, cover the unit with a thick blanket.  If you haven't already, it is time to purchase a blanket that will protect your unit from ice.

Regular HVAC maintenance can actually reduce the potential for costly repairs by as much as 95%.  While you may not be able to avoid all HVAC repairs, this preventive care can save a lot of money and inconvenience down the road by preventing most unexpected heating or cooling emergencies from taking place.  Call the Bloomingdale NJ AC Experts at Air Expo today for all of your winter HVAC needs and beyond.  973-283-0300

Benefits of Ductless Air Conditioning

What are the benefits of ductless air conditioning?

A ductless air conditioner, also referred to as mini-split or a ductless split system, is made up of two pieces: the compressor unit which is installed outside the home on a concrete slab and an indoor unit which contains a fan. The fan is installed near the ceiling on an exterior wall in the area you want cooled. While you may have heard of ductless air conditioners, you may not know the benefits of installing one.

Benefits of Ductless A/C

1. Flexibility: With traditional central air conditioning, air is forced through all of your ducts. With a ductless system, the cooled air is delivered directly to the areas you want cooled. They are easy to install, and can be placed in new additions to your home, in apartments or condos to replace a window unit, or to improve the temperature in specific rooms of your home (such as ones that receive a great deal of sunlight and are always hot).
2. Cost savings: One of the main reasons homeowners switch to a ductless air condition is the savings. As the heat increases outside, you need your AC more and more; energy bills keep going up. Traditional central air is inefficient; a ductless system uses less energy to run and they deliver the cool air directly to the room you want cooled, so they are much more efficient. You no longer have to cool unoccupied rooms.
3. Better air quality: A ductless system also improves the air in your home. You’ll breathe better, and easier. A traditional central air system leaves dust and allergens in the air; with a ductless system, you get multi-stage filtration. This reduces allergens, dust and other particles in the air.
4. Easy to install: Installation is a breeze, especially compared to a traditional central air system. Depending upon the number of units you need, you can be up and running in a day, compared to weeks with a traditional HVAC unit. Ductless systems run on pipes that just need a three-inch hole. You won’t have to tear down and rebuild walls around any ducts or lose any square footage in your home.
5. Smaller carbon footprint: Because the ductless system is so energy efficient, you are lowering your carbon footprint, which is great for the planet. These systems also reduce the negative effects on the environment because they use R410A to cool your home; this refrigerant causes ‘zero ozone depletion’, which means it has less of an impact on the environment than traditional systems do.

Ductless air conditions offer you a number of benefits, from saving you money on your electric bill to reducing your carbon footprint. Stay comfortable by cooling just the zones you want, rather than your entire house. Consider installing a ductless system today!