If you have been paying attention to our blog over the past couple months, you know the EPA estimates indoor air quality (IAQ) in most homes is five to ten times worse than outdoor air quality, and in some cases is over 100 times worse! The problem is as homes get tighter together and more efficient, they also lose considerable amounts of breathability and ventilation, meaning viruses, bacteria and other airborne contaminants multiply within your home and can’t escape. Recent advancements in home efficiency have inadvertently made the problem worse. As a result? Incidents of asthma have increased by 61% since 1982!

But there is a solution! If you have a super tight, energy efficient home, you should install a Field Controls whole house IAQ system, it might just be the best thing you can do for your home!

The Field Controls IAQ system consists of three main components that work together to keep your home breathable without compromising its energy efficiency.

Whole House Filtration

The whole house filtration part of the Field Controls IAQ system traps particles as small as one micron in diameter, including pollen, dust and pet dander. Its five-inch-deep MERV 11 filter traps up to 100 times more contaminants than traditional filters before losing its effectiveness, and a single unit can replace multiple one-inch register filters.

Whole House UV Purification

UV radiation technology can improve air quality by effectively neutralizing bacteria and viruses, reducing allergy and asthma symptoms triggered by biofilm that can accumulate on your AC coil. The radiation is kept walled off within your AC unit, rendering it 100% harmless to your family while being extremely effective against mold, viruses and bacteria. Remember, a clean AC coil will help keep your air conditioner working as efficiently as possible!

Whole House Fresh Air Ventilation

The bread and butter of the whole Field Controls system is the house fresh air ventilation which allows your HVAC system to automatically deliver fresh air through your whole house, even during the off season. The whole house fresh air ventilation system provides fresh air exchange designed to meet residential standards and support your family’s health while creating uniform temperatures and humidity levels throughout your home. Best of all, year round operation enhances the effectiveness of the whole house filtration and air purification while providing fresh air as needed.

 

 

For more information visit www.evenflowmechanical.com

SCE’s HVAC Optimization Program - Answers to Our Customers' Most Common Questions

 

Benefit from lower unplanned repair costs, cost-covering
incentives, lower energy bills, improved air quality and
system reliability. Be HVAC Wise and Optimize.

How do I find out about getting involved in the program?

If you're ready to get the ball rolling, you can find a participating contractor here. If you still have questions after that, feel free to give us a call.

What is a "participating contractor"?

A participating contractor has been strictly vetted by SCE and specially trained to provide the service required by the HVAC Optimization Program. A contractor who has not been vetted and has not completed the training cannot participate in SCE's HVAC Optimization Program.

How do I find a contractor?

You can find a list of participating contractors here. If there isn't one in your area, ask your local contractor to get involved.

How do I know if my HVAC system is qualified for this program?

If you don't find the answer on the Program Detail page, contact a participating contractor.

Am I eligible for the program if my building uses self-generated power (i.e. solar)?

If you have eligible equipment and are an SCE commercial customer who pays for SCE electric service (in addition to using self-generated power), you are eligible for the HVAC Optimization program.

I was in an SCE HVAC maintenance program a couple years ago. Can I still participate in the HVAC Optimization Program?

Probably. Contact a participating contractor for an evaluation of your status and equipment.

How much money will I save by participating in the HVAC Optimization Program?

The program uses a custom incentive calculator used by each participating contractor to determine your estimated incentive amount, which will be verified by SCE during processing. Talk to a participating contractor to learn more.

Will this program really help save the environment?

HVAC Optimization is designed to help lower your building's carbon footprint by reducing HVAC energy consumption.

Our HVAC unit is mounted on the ground because the sloped roof will not accommodate it. Does my HVAC unit qualify?

Possibly. For a definite answer, have a participating contractor take a look at the equipment.

For more information visit www.evenflowmechanical.com

HVAC Maintenance Tips

Ideally, we should be able to turn on our central heat and air units and have them deliver exactly what we want, at the temperature we want, all day long. Most of the time this is the case. What is difficult to discern is when the HVAC unit is not running efficiently. Sure, it's on and putting out heat or cold air, but is it working too hard?

Think of your HVAC unit like a car. It has a motor and runs off a certain type of energy. In the same way that you change your car's oil, spark plugs, recharge the battery, etc, these HVAC motors also need regular attention to run efficiently and effectively.

Central Air Conditioning Maintenance

With proper maintenance, a new air conditioner should last 12-15 years, and can last much longer than that in some cases. With central air and/or window units it's not only important to have routine maintenance performed on them, but to also use other features that will help you're A/C run even better. Below are some maintenance tips, followed by some suggestions that will keep your unit from working too hard.

The first thing is to make sure your unit is not leaking and is draining as it should. If too much water is allowed to remain in the system, or oppositely that too much is allowed to escape, then your air conditioner is not running as it should. Check hose connections for leaks or crack, and make sure the condensate tube is able to drain without impediment.

Change the filter every 4-6 weeks. If anyone in your family suffers from severe allergies, having a clean filter can be a significant help to them.

Clean off the outside air compressor with water. A garden hose will do the trick.

Keep all things away from the compressor so that it has a free flow of air.

It is important to have your ductwork professionally cleaned every 3-4 years. This will not only make you breathe a little better in your home, but it will also keep your home from being so dusty. This process can be particularly effective if you have hardwood floors, since carpet will usually grab and hide dust bunnies.

Central Air Conditioning Tips

If you have any doubts about the efficiency or effectiveness of your air conditioning unit, have it inspected by an HVAC contractor. This professional can make deft adjustments to your unit to ensure that it is in prime condition. Click here to have your air conditioner tuned?

By using ceiling fans, whole house fans, and box fans you can circulate the cool air quicker and help out your air conditioning unit. Also, move drapes, pots, and furniture away from vents so that the air can free flow to reach more area. Whole house fans are particularly effective at helping air cooling systems and can lower the indoor very quickly.

Your attic needs to be properly ventilated to ensure correct and efficient airflow. Good attic ventilation can reduce heating and cooling costs by 10-12 percent.

Pull the shades and blinds on the sides of the house that get the most direct and intense sun. This will not only keep your home cooler, but will also protect your home from sun damaged furniture and sun damaged floors.

If at all possible, wait until the cooler times of the day, specifically late evenings and early mornings, to run dishwashers and dryers. These appliances emit a good amount of heat when they run, and without you noticing, they can raise the temperature in the house. (Opposite to this, try to run these appliances during the daytime in the winter to help out your heater.)

Central Heating Maintenance

The very best idea for central heating maintenance is to have a service professional out to give your system a checkup. HVAC contractors regularly handle these exact tasks, and they can provide you with a thorough check of your system and ensure that it will run effectively all winter.

Listed below are a few steps you can follow to help your unit run properly.

Before the first frost, test you heater to see if it runs. Contact a professional if you don't feel any warm air coming from the vents.

Check the pilot light if you have a natural gas system. The flame should always be clear blue. A yellow or orange flame could be a sign of a problem.

Always change your furnace filters each year. Dirty filters cause the unit to work harder to push the warm air through the filter, causing your unit to run less than efficiently and possibly break down.

As with air conditioning, make sure there are no drapes, furniture, or plants blocking the vents. Proper flow of air from the vents will ensure that the heat coming from the system will get out into all the spaces that need it.

For more information visit www.evenflowmechanical.com

Hot Weather Tips

Tips to Keep Cool and Protect Yourself from the Heat:

1. Drink plenty of liquids. Drink liquids such as water and sports drinks even if you do not feel thirsty. Avoid liquids that have alcohol, caffeine or lots of sugar because they will speed up fluid loss.

2. Limit physical activity. Avoid physical activity during the hottest time of the day, typically between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Rest often in Shady areas.

3. Stay in air-conditioned areas. Spend a few hours in air-conditioned places like malls, libraries, movie theatres and community centers to help keep your body cool.

4. Cool off by taking a cool bath or shower. If you feel very hot, cool off by taking a cool bath or shower. Do not cool children in alcohol baths. Cool, plain water baths or moist towels work best.

5. Wear lightweight and loose-fitting clothing. Keep cool in lightweight, light-colored, and loose fitting clothing such as cotton, so sweat can evaporate.

6. NEVER leave anyone or pets in closed, parked cars. Do not leave people or pets locked inside a closed, parked car.

7. Do not bundle babies. Do not bundle babies in blankets or heavy clothing. Infants do not tolerate heat well because their sweat glands are not fully developed.

8. Cover Your Head. Wear a wide-brimmed, vented hat or use an umbrella when outdoors because your head absorbs heat easily.

9. Wear Sunglasses and Sunscreen. Put on sunglasses and sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher when outdoors.

10. Rest often in shady areas. Find shady places to rest and cool down when outdoors.

STAY COOL AND SAFE!

It can be very frustrating if your HVAC happens to break, especially in the dead of summer. If this unfortunate event happens to you, there are important tips to know before hiring a contractor to fix your system:

• Ask around for referrals on HVAC contractors, and check out trusted companies with your BBB at www.bbb.org.
• Make sure the company you hire has proper licensing and insurance- if they do not have these, the company may not be legitimate, and could end up blaming your for mishaps. To find out if the contractor you are interested is licensed and insured, you can go to MHIC website and perform a license search. Know the model of your system, and be able to describe the problem it is having- this will make it easier for the contractor you hire to diagnose the problem and fix it faster.
• Get a home evaluation and multiple estimates from different companies to find the lowest price.
• When you have chosen a contractor, be sure there is a written contract for you to sign regarding repairs and cost.