Tag: Indoor Air Quality

The Mid-20th Century Innovation That Revolutionized Residential Heating and Cooling

Floor registers

The evolution of residential heating and cooling systems has come a long way from the days of simple radiators and gravity-based systems. A significant leap occurred in the mid-20th century with the introduction of forced air systems, a development that not only transformed the HVAC industry but also redefined home comfort. This innovation marked a new era for HVAC contractors, necessitating new skills and knowledge, and continues to impact the field to this day.

The Pre-Forced Air Era

Before the widespread adoption of forced air systems, homes were primarily heated using radiators or gravity-based heating systems. These methods relied on the natural movement of hot air rising and cool air sinking. While effective at providing heat, these systems lacked the capability to circulate air throughout the home efficiently and could not be integrated with cooling systems. Continue reading “The Mid-20th Century Innovation That Revolutionized Residential Heating and Cooling”

Understanding Shoulder Season: An HVAC Contractor’s Opportunity

Spring time is the shoulder seasion

Springtime is often referred to as the “shoulder season” in the HVAC industry. This term signifies the period that comes after the intense cold of winter and just before the sweltering heat of summer. For HVAC contractors, shoulder season is an essential time of the year, marked by a shift in focus from the urgent demands of emergency callouts to preventative maintenance and system upgrades.

The Importance of Spring Maintenance

As the ice thaws and the flowers begin to bloom, homeowners too start thinking about spring cleaning and home maintenance. This season is an ideal time for contractors to encourage and schedule preventative maintenance for their clients. The advantages? Catching and addressing small issues during spring can forestall major, more expensive problems during the peak summer season when HVAC systems are running at full capacity. Continue reading “Understanding Shoulder Season: An HVAC Contractor’s Opportunity”

Grow Your HVAC Business with IAQ

Air purification devices remove biological and chemical contaminants, such as dust, pollen, mold, bacteria, viruses, smoke, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that cause odors. The result is cleaner, healthier, fresh smelling indoor air!  One of the best ways to expand your HVAC services and increase your revenue is by offering unique air purification products that address common concerns.

HOMEOWNER BENEFITS:

  • Reduction in the risk of respiratory infections and allergies by eliminating airborne pathogens and allergens
  • Enhanced performance and efficiency of their HVAC system by reduction of the load on the filters and coils
  • Extended lifespan of their HVAC system by preventing dust and dirt buildup on the components
  • Lower energy costs due to improved airflow

CONTRACTOR BENEFITS:

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What Are Filter Ratings?

Filter ratings assess the efficacy and efficiency of air filters with regard to their ability to remove microparticles and macroparticles from indoor air, thus improving air quality. In other words, some air filters are more powerful than others and may better serve residences depending upon specific conditions (e.g., pets, allergies, occupants, maintenance).

MERV

While there are various rating systems, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) developed the minimum efficiency reporting value, or MERV, rating system. MERV makes it easy to compare air filter brands or weigh available filtration options.

What the Ratings Mean

MERV measures an air filter’s ability to capture particles between 0.3 and 10 micrometers in size. The scale rates filters on a scale from 1 to 20 and is based on the micron size of particles a filter removes, and the efficiency with which it captures contaminants passing through an HVAC system.

Lower MERV ratings mean the filter traps fewer particles … thus more particles are recirculated in the air. Filters with a higher MERV rating can capture and filter smaller particles and more effectively capture larger particles, thus fewer pollutants circulating indoors

    • MERV 11: Captures pollen, dust mites, textile fibers, mold spores, hair spray and dust from cement in addition to exhaust fumes, milled flour and dust from lead, and common pollutants. These filters capture particles as small as 1.0-3.0 microns in addition to large-sized particles. Superior residential air conditioners require filters within this range.
    • MERV 13: Powerful enough to capture bacteria, tobacco smoke and sneeze droplets. These filters capture particles as small as 0.3 microns, which is considered high-efficiency air filtration.

For asthma and allergy sufferers, MERV filters between 11-13 are normally recommended. They provide the best air purification to help ease symptoms of lung conditions or allergy flare-ups.

To ensure a healthier home, use MERV 11 or higher filters. However, MERV 13 filters are considered best for residential use because they can trap and filter out airborne viruses and bacteria, which is currently a high priority. Filters with a rating higher than 16 are unnecessary for residential homes.

IAQ Selling Strategies

IAQ is a service that can be promoted on every single job. Own your customer’s comfort, and become their trusted HVAC provider, by taking a broader perspective of your customer’s home. Don’t just look at what the homeowner called you about. Your homeowner is never going to call you and say, “Hey, my air conditioning is not working, and oh by the way I have allergies and I was wondering if you could improve the air quality in my home.” That call is most likely never coming. So, use every homeowner visit as an opportunity to take a deeper look and educate them on the air quality of their home.

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Why Should I Care About IAQ?

Homeowners with Contractor

The shift of IAQ from being a want to a need put’s HVAC Contractors in a unique position of new opportunities for business growth. According to OnCall Air, In 2020, “contractors that offered an optional add-on, such as a dehumidifier, UV light…, saw (that) 1 in 5 consumers accept the recommended product and attach it to the sale.” Customers are looking for whole home IAQ solutions, it’s your job as the contractor to be educated on the causes and solutions out there.

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5 Pillars of Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)

Our 5 Pillars of IAQ are built to show solutions that can be offered to your customers, based on the IAQ issue. It’s important to first establish the cause of poor indoor air in a home or business before determining a solution for your customer. IAQ training can be key in making sure you and your employees have the tools needed to make informed decisions based on the IAQ issue at hand.

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Causes of Poor Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)

Pollutants, moisture, and ventilation can all impact the quality of air within, and surrounding homes, buildings, and structures. Understanding the causes of poor indoor air quality (IAQ) is the first step in identifying the best IAQ solutions for your customers.

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