Category: AC Air Filter

Tips On Maintaining Your Air Conditioning Unit In Houston

Maintain Your Houston Air Conditioner For Better Results

In many areas, an air conditioner is really an absolute necessity, and that doesn’t even dive into the idea of how much AC really affects the quality of life. However, an air conditioner isn’t magic, it’s a machine, and that means it needs proper maintenance to keep it up and running at full efficiency. This means paying special attention to the coils, fins, and filters in an air conditioner. If you don’t pay attention to these, then over time the air conditioner will steadily lose power and effectiveness.

Don’t Forget The Filters!

This is one of the most frequent, and important, tasks that will fall to you to make sure your air conditioning unit is running at full capacity. Filters get dirty over time and with a lot of use, and that means not only does the air not get as cold, but the air conditioner works harder to push that air through. Add in the fact that not changing filters can eventually result in dirt, dust, and other things getting through to the coils and that can cause bigger issues with other parts of the air conditioner.

Pay attention to how often air filters need to be changed and make sure to change them out on a regular basis. They aren’t expensive and changing out a dirty filter can help increase an AC unit’s efficiency a full 15% or more in some circumstances. That’s nothing to sneeze at.

Air Conditioner Coils

There are a couple of coils that need attention. There are the condenser coils and evaporator coils. Both can collect dirt and other airborne debris. A clean filter is a great way to prevent more dirt from gathering. At the same time, making sure to keep the coils clean is important. Reducing airflow isn’t good for the air conditioner. The good news is that these coils don’t need to be checked up as often as filters.

Generally speaking, you want to look at cleaning the coils once a year. This will normally be enough, and keeping all the coils clean is important to prevent additional heat from building up within the system. You want heat absorbed where it is supposed to be, but the other parts of the unit to cool air that is brought in without bringing in a lot of other dirt and gunk.

Maintaining The Coil Fins

Generally speaking, the fins that are found on both types of coils are made with aluminum. This means that they can be fairly easily bent and when that happens airflow can be partially blocked. This is why you will want a “fin comb” which is a pretty common tool available in most handyman type stores. Using these fins will allow you to comb them back to their original pristine condition which will maximize the cool air flow.

Check The Condensate Drains

The biggest concern with drains is if they get clogged. If this happens, then the air conditioner is going to have a tough time reducing humidity. It only takes a stiff wire to run through the drain channels to see if there are any clogs and then clear them out. Clearing these out will help the air conditioner work at full speed once again.

Check The Seal

If you’re using a window unit as opposed to centralized air then you will want to check the seal around the unit before each summer to make sure that it is solid and will keep hot air out so the air conditioner’s cold air can be more effectively contained inside.

Talking To A Professional

Sometimes you will need a professional technician to check on things. The technician will have the skill and tools to check on refrigerant levels, see if there are any leaks, take care of any necessary repairs, measure air flow, and make sure your unit is fully back up to snuff and working at full capacity. There are many small issues that can affect the overall effectiveness of the air conditioner that only a fully trained and certified technician can figure out so if you’ve gone through all the basic maintenance steps and still can’t figure out what’s wrong then it’s time to call a professional.

How to Eliminate Bad Locker Room Smell Before You Lose Customers Part II

Have Houston HVAC Technicians Take A Closer Look At Your Gyms’ Bad Locker Room Smells Part II

Deep Cleaning At Least Once Every Week

If regular cleaning is not helping with the situation with the locker room, then you should consider deep cleaning because it can help go to the root of the problem. Scrub and sanitize lockers and benches at least once a week so that you will be able to reach spots that you miss when cleaning daily.

Removing The Carpeting

Have you ever seen someone put a carpet in the bathroom or kitchen? People don’t do this because it ends up getting stained, damp, and gross very easily. This is the same case with a carpet at a fitness center.

Carpets absorb humidity and this can result in the room smell. A gym is a place that has a lot of traffic and this makes it hard to keep the carpet clean. You should consider replacing the carpet with less absorbent options like a tile. This will help in eliminating odors and making it easier to clean the floor.

3 Ways Of Controlling Humidity To Lose The locker room smell

Improving Ventilation

Keeping humidity low is important if you want to control odor. This is because moisture in the air will lead to the odor lingering, so ensure you have humidity levels in check, and more importantly the locker room. Locker rooms are the most humid part of gyms because of people sweating and showering. Other high humidity areas are pools and steam rooms.

According to the International Building Code, moist air needs to be vented out instead of being recirculated. This will mean having a proper ventilation system that will be able to keep the room healthy, odor-free, and up to code.

Fitness centers have a higher risk of air quality issues like increased CO2 levels. Exercising results in a number of changes in the body, and these include faster breathing and elevated heart rate. Breathing faster will lead to a higher production of CO2. Breathing too much CO2 is unhealthy, and it will leave a person feeling tired and foggy, which is not something anyone wants to feel when they are exercising. This is a common problem in dance studios, weight rooms, and an enclosed space where classes are taking place. This is why it is important to ensure ventilation is there.

If you are still using an old system (you have not updated your HVAC), you should get it checked by an HVAC professional so it can work how it is supposed to. There are a number of things that can be done to increase the effectiveness of the ventilation system. Some features that can help with these include HEPA filters, which traps mold, bacteria, and small particles.

Duct Cleaning

The HVAC ducts are responsible for moving air around the gym and through the HVAC system. With time, they can start clogging with dust and accumulate moisture. When the air is traveling through these ducts, it will end up picking the smell then carry it throughout the building. If you have to deal with nasty odors inside the gym, then it is a good idea to have the ducts checked and cleaned by a professional.

When the ducts are cleaned, the HVAC will circulate fresh air.

Regular HVAC Maintenance

When the ventilation is working well and the ducts are cleaned, it is still important to maintain the HVAC equipment. This is because things such as blocked condensation drains, clogged air filters, and water leaks can all lead to smelly gyms.

You should consider getting maintenance services twice a year. This ensures everything is working well and prevent the gym from smelling. Regular maintenance will prevent breakdowns that can sometimes affect your business because of the lack of AC or heat. The cost you are to spend on maintenance is less than what you could have spent or repairs.

Clean air is important for any clean gym. There is no need to lose your customers because of issues like odor. You can schedule regular HVAC maintenance so you don’t have to worry about it again.

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How to Eliminate Bad Locker Room Smell Before You Lose Customers Part I

Have Houston HVAC Technicians Take A Closer Look At Your Gyms’ Bad Locker Room Smells Part I

The New Year has started and what this means is more people coming to use the gym. It is normal to see a high number of people showing up in the gym at the beginning of the year. There are many new and returning customers looking to accomplish their resolutions. You should ensure your gym is a place where people will want to come back to. Having a bad locker room smell is the fastest way of ruining your first impression.

The good thing is that it is not hard to fix this problem. Below are some tips you can use to deal with locker room odor and keeping the air clean and fresh.

Let’s start by looking at why the odor is more than just a nuisance; it is also bad for health. This is not something you want in a place where people are coming to improve their health.

The Smell Could Be A Sign That There Is Poor Air Quality Indoors

Poor indoor air quality could cause the gym locker to smell bad. When there is odor around, then there could be pollutants and bacteria too. Odors are usually carried around by humidity, and when there is moisture in the air, it provides the perfect condition for bacteria or mold to grow. Spreading of germs in the gym is easy because there are many people entering and coming in contact with equipment. When you improve the air quality in the room, you will make the place a little healthier.

There are other causes of odors in the room. There was a study done and it showed that the gym has a high level of indoor pollutants like carbon dioxide, dust, VOCs, formaldehyde, and dust. If you notice a chemical smell, then that could be VOCs from the paint, carpet, and other building materials. This is more common in old buildings that have an outdated HVAC system. When you breathe in these substances over time, they will start causing health problems such as breathing difficulties, infections, rashes, nose, eye, and throat irritations.

When people are searching for a gym, they will look for a place that has a pleasant environment. You can easily lose a lot of customers because of the smell in the locker room of the gym and poor quality of air. This is why it is important to ensure there ventilation and quality air inside the room, or else you end up losing a lot of money. People going to the gym want to improve their health, and the last thing they need is the poor quality of air as they exercise.

There is a good chance you have tried different products to get rid of the odor but they don’t work. They will succeed in covering up the odors, and some will even absorb them. But they are not able to deal with the source of the problem. How can you get rid of this problem once and for all?

The Basics For Odor Control

Removing Used Towels Regularly

One of the biggest contributors to the nasty smell in the locker room is used towels. In order to contain the odors and humidity, consider using laundry baskets that have lids. The laundry baskets should also be emptied on a regular basis. You should also look out for any towels left on the stalls, hooks, and benches too.

Stepping Up Dialing Cleaning

You already have a system you follow when it comes to cleaning, but if you have not gone through the routine for some time, then the routine might not be working the way it should be. There are some areas that you will need to clean more regularly. Some of these areas include bathrooms, drains, showerheads, and saunas.

Emptying The Lockers On A Daily Basis

You should not wait for your customers to properly clean the lockers. If you don’t know what has been left inside, it could be contributing to the smell in the locker room. It is a good idea to empty them every day. You should tell the customers that anything they leave behind will be put in the lost and found or thrown out.

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Our Houston HVAC Technician Helps You Eliminate Musty Odors In Your Space

Addressing The Musty Smell Of Your Home Or Business With An Experienced HVAC Technician In Houston

Have you been plagued with a musty smell that continues to stick around your business or your home? This is why you’ll need to act on it, and quickly:

Living with a bad smell isn’t just unpleasant, it can actually cause ongoing physical symptoms such as headaches.

Bad smells can also be embarrassing if you have visitors to your office or your home.

If you’re talking about a business space like a restaurant or store, it may hurt your profit margin by driving away employees and customers.

Worse, what you may observe to be a very slight odor could seem much worse to others entering the building. This is because individuals can become used to odors over time. You may have become “nose blind” and stopped noticing the musty smell, but new visitors to the property may be aware of it from the second they enter the building.

We’re sure that you’ve already tried all the simple things like air fresheners for your home and office. You’ve likely already tried using an odor eliminator for mildew, as well as completely cleaning the space. You may have also tried office or home air purifiers.

However, if the smell of mildew or must continue, there’s a good chance that it’s closely related to your HVAC system and how well it’s working.

There are numerous ways that the HVAC system can contribute to a musty smell:

Layers of grime and built up dust and dirt in your HVAC system’s ducts may cause an overall musty odor that spreads through the building along with the air that has been heated and cooled.

Additional moisture can cause mildew and mold, and along with them, bad smells.

Poor HVAC system design may also cause bad airflow conditions, which can spread unpleasant odors from one area of the building to another.

Clean Your Entire Houston HVAC System To Get Rid Of The Musty Smell Completely

If you think that your HVAC system could be playing a part in the musty smell that you’re experiencing, one of the first things you should do is to set up a complete inspection of your HVAC ductwork and equipment.

A skilled HVAC professional should look for the following:

  • Clogged Air Filters
  • Dirty Ducts – It’s amazing what can lurk here, from mold to pest infestations.
  • Clogged Drains – Along with other issues leading to excess moisture and mildew buildup
  • Inadequate Ventilation – This and other system design issues can spread odors around

If it’s been a while since you had your HVAC system serviced, it’s likely that one fairly inexpensive maintenance visit and a duct cleaning may be all you need to eliminate the musty smell that you’re experiencing.

You’ll also want to keep up with ongoing regular service, to keep the smells from coming back. This will also help prevent system breakdowns, help you save energy, and provide you with many other benefits. The least expensive way to do this is to sign up for an ongoing service contract with a reliable HVAC service professional.

It could also be possible that ongoing issues with your HVAC system’s design are contributing to the overall odor problem.

Improve HVAC Airflow to Eliminate Unpleasant Odors

Your HVAC system was designed to regulate the airflow through your commercial space and your home. Properly controlled flow of air is important for both comforts and for controlling odor.

Here’s an example:

Areas of your home like bathrooms and kitchens may have odors that you don’t want to linger. Your HVAC and your ventilation equipment, such as fans, ducts, and vent hoods, should be installed with the goal of getting rid of these odors and not spreading them throughout your space.

This means that the system needs to balance the air that is mechanically removed from the home and circulate it around the building correctly while adding air from outside.

If the balance is off, it’s far too easy for odors to travel where they aren’t wanted.

The solution may be to change the location of vent fans, add an additional air unit, or reroute the ductwork.

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Replace Your Air Filters With Proper Houston HVAC Maintenance

AC Filter Replacing With AC Man Of Houston

Even though it looks like a pointless work, changing your home’s air filter regularly is the alpha of saving money and helping protect your family to stay healthy. However, the million-dollar question is, when should you go for a new filter? Well, below are some factors to consider before making the switch.

Types of Filters

Filters differ from one another in many ways and this is a fact. The difference depends on your air conditioning unit (e.g. Is it located outside or inside). At the same time, expensive filters have been made of quality and durable materials. Furthermore, they apply the latest filtration technology. Therefore, if you purchase a cheaper filter, you will save money, but ion the short-term. HEPA (High-efficiency Particulate Air) filters which are recognized by different Environmental Protection Agencies are the best option. They have been certified to remove at least 99.97% of harmful particles in the air.

Seasonal Factors

Weather can affect the performance of your AC unit. An air conditioner is highly used during warm months (summer) and it is during warm months when pollen and other air pollutants overload the filter. At the same time, moisture causes seals to damage, which leads to leakage of cool air. HVAC professionals advice to people is to cover their outdoor unit during the winter season to protect it from the weather.

Home Residents

The frequency at which you should change your AC filter is affected by everyone in that home. What does this mean? Well, it simply means that your family and the level of comfort they need affects the number of times you will change your AC’s filter. For example, if you or any other person in your family has allergies, then you are forced to change the air filter frequently.

A person with allergies will defiantly feel better if they have few symptoms. Moreover, if you have a pet in your home, you are required to change the air filter regularly.

Houston HVAC Efficiency

Changing an air filter is the beginning of saving money. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a person can reduce the energy used by an air conditioner up 10% if they replaced their air filters regularly. This does help reduce the cost of the electric bill. Changing the air filter does also help improve airflow, which makes the AC run efficiently and properly. Remember, replacing air filters is much less compared to replacing the whole unit.

HVAC Services in Houston

We take pride in our services and always looking to meet our customer’s satisfaction level, timeline, and improve their experience. AC Man of Houston is the place to go for all your AC problems and services. call us today for consultation and scheduling. You can also call us to know more about our heating and cooling services.

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Houston AC Repair: Why Is My Air Conditioning System Not Cooling?

AC Repair Houston: Reasons Why Your Air Conditioner Is Not Keeping You Cool

Do you have an air conditioner running in your home, yet the air is not truly cool? Maybe it is blowing out warm or just plain hot air. There are several things that may be wrong with your A/C if it is not working properly. Below you are going to find the solutions to some very easy fixes that may help you to get it running properly and what can only be fixed by a professional.

Easy Air Conditioner Problems That You Can Fix

Problem 1: Thermostat Mistakes

Do you have an A/C that blows cold air at times and lukewarm other times? This may be due to the fan setting being switched to “ON”, which is going to cause the fan to run all the time, even when the air is not being cooled by the unit. Easy Solution: Simply ensure that the thermostat is set to work on “AUTO”.

Problem 2: Air Filter Issues

A dirty air filter is going to reduce the amount of air flow in the unit, which can cause several problems. First, the unit is going to struggle to circulate the correct amount of air that is needed to bring the house to the desired temperature. In addition, the evaporator coil is going to freeze up and air will not be able to circulate at all, meaning you get almost zero cool air. Solution: Take the air filter out and examine it to see if it needs a cleaning. If you are indeed having issues with your residential air conditioner, contact an ac repair Houston professional today.

Problem 3: Dirty Unit

The way an air conditioner cools a house is a rather simple process. The evaporator takes hot air in and transfers it to the outside unit known as the condenser. However, if the condenser is dirty or covered, it is not going to be able to dissipate that heat correctly. This causes the unit to overwork and not be able to cool the home properly. Solution: Gently clean the outside of the unit with a garden hose, clearing off the debris. It is important that you do not spray the unit with the hose on the highest setting as this may bend the fins that allow airflow to the condenser. While you are outside, be sure to remove all tall weeds and leaves away from the unit. You want your unit to have the ability to breathe on those hot summer days too! A clean and well-maintenanced air conditioner will bring about better indoor air quality.

Problems Only An AC Repair Houston Expert Can Solve

There are going to be problems that only a ac repair Houston professional can take on, these are just a few of them.

Problem 1: Broken Or Faulty Condenser Fan Motor

If the init’s fan has gone bad, there is no way that it can dissipate heat, which simply means you are not going to get any cold air.

Problem 2: Low Refrigerant

The refrigerant that is found in the unit is the key ingredient to absorbing the heat from the air. When there is not enough refrigerant in the unit, it is not going to be able to cool the air. If you do have low refrigerant it more than likely means you have a leak. Some typical signs that you have a leak include:

  • Ice found on the outside of the unit and refrigerant line.
  • A hissing or bubbling noise coming from the unit.
  • The unit can not cool the home on hot sunny days but is able to work fine in the evening or on cool days.

If you see any of these signs, it is time to turn the unit and call an ac repair Houston professional as soon as possible. When you run the unit in this state, it is possible to damage the unit beyond any possible repair.

Problem 3: Faulty Compressor

The compressor of your unit is the heart of the system, it is the part that circulates the refrigerant through the unit and helps to cool it. If this part is damaged, the unit is going to be unable to cool the house. If the compressor is damaged, it is going to need to be replaced. However, this can be a rather expensive process. If you do not have a warranty on the unit, it may be best to simply replace the unit at this point.

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AC Heroes: The Ultimate Air Conditioner Air Filter Guide

A Basic Guide To Understanding AC Air Filters

What Do You Risk By Installing The Wrong AC Air Filter?

Professional HVAC technicians recommend replacing air filters every three months at a bare minimum. Changing filters on a monthly basis is ideal for maintaining optimum air quality in your home. There are other benefits to frequent filter changes, though – one’s technicians care about even more than indoor air quality. A clean filter does a better job of protecting your air conditioner. That is, in fact, the filter’s primary purpose. If you installed the wrong filter, you may be putting your air conditioner at significant risk.

How Your AC Air Filter Really Works

While modern filters do an effective job of filtering allergens and other unwanted contaminants out of the air in your home, their point and purpose remain to safeguard the equipment in your AC system. Without a filter, your air conditioner could easily suck in particles large enough to damage its working parts. A filter needs to defend against this possibility without unduly restricting the amount of air flowing through the system. As a filter accumulates more particles, it also starts restricting more airflow. This is why your filter needs to be changed regularly to keep the system running smoothly.

Considering An Air Filter Upgrade?

An increasing number of homeowners are interested in improving the quality of the air in their homes. This leads many people to consider installing more potent filters in their air conditioning systems. The problem here is that a densely-woven filter that traps very small particles may also reduce airflow so significantly that your HVAC system cannot work efficiently. Fortunately, both air conditioners and the ac filter are rated to protect against this situation. Every filter has a Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value or MERV. Standard residential air conditioners usually operate with filters in the 1-4 MERV range. Depending on your specific equipment, though, your system may accommodate a filter as strong as MERV 8. AC air filters that is too strong for your air conditioner might inadvertently cause damage.

A Better Option: A Whole-House Air Purifier

If the quality of the air in your home is unsatisfactory, there are many possible causes. Some potential contaminants are easy to diagnose, like dust, dirt, and the presence of pets or smokers. There are other sources that are harder to detect and which might be impossible for you to solve on your own. Examples include automotive contaminants from nearby roads or construction particles from nearby work sites. If you are looking for repair solutions for your home ac, check out AMH.

How Mechanical Air Filters Work

The range of purifiers and air cleaners currently being sold today operate on
a number of different principles in order to improve your home’s air quality. In many situations, the most effective solution is also the most straightforward one. A “mechanical” air filter, for example, is simply one that attaches directly to your home’s air ducts. It uses no electricity or moving components, relying strictly on their material construction to filter the air moving through your ducts. Because the pollutants being filtered out of your air are trapped in the filter, it needs to be changed regularly to maintain both air quality and heating/cooling efficiency. Consult with professional service technicians to confirm that you’re using the right air filters for your air conditioning system.

Electronic Air Purification

An electronic air purifier or cleaner is an option worth considering if you want to take more active steps to improve your home’s air quality. Electronic air purifiers rely on a range of different techniques – often in combination – to remove pollutants from the indoor air you breathe. In an electrostatic precipitator, for example, pollutants are given an electrical charge so that they will be attracted to and trapped on a collector plate. All the pollutants thus collected can be easily disposed of by removing the plate and cleaning it.

If you are interested in checking out more articles on AC Air Filters from AMH click here. You can also Call today or contact an A/C specialist for assistance.