What is a Germicidal UV Light?

June 6, 2018

If you do apply sunscreens, you have probably heard of UV (ultraviolet) light. This is an invisible wavelength that causes blindness and skin cancer in humans if the exposure is extremely high. Apparently, UV light isn’t so good for microorganisms either. If a germicidal UV light harnessed into a light lamp or a bulb and linked harmlessly in an HVAC system, this UV light can assist humans to kill bacteria, viruses, mold spores, and pollen spores in a home or office. High quantities of microorganisms cause respiratory problems and can lead to significant health issues like cognitive issues and asthma. A germicidal light is designed to help you accomplish this. It uses a combination of a quartz glass envelope and special phosphors to eliminate germs and/or create ozone. These lights come in a wide range of sizes, wattages, voltages, and base types. Reasons to Get a Germicidal UV Light If installed near “return” or “supply” vents of the ductwork or your air conditioning coil, the germicidal light can catch many tiny microorganisms that often circulate in your living space. This includes 99.9 percent of the mold spores in your home. UV Lights are the Smartest Editions and Offer: Continuous Operation:...

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How Does Upgrading Your AC Unit Actually Save You Money?

May 29, 2018

When it comes to the overall cost of an air conditioning unit there are a few different things to consider. For starters, ac units can cost thousands of dollars if you are putting in a new system but it can also save you money. How can replacing your ac unit help save money? Lower Energy Bills Older units take more electricity to run in most cases due to the fact that they are not using energy smart technology. This means that your older unit may be driving up the cost of cooling your home each season because it has to work harder to cool your home. If you replace with a newer, energy smart air conditioning unit you can cut your bill up to half and save money on necessary cooling costs. Lower Maintenance Costs Another way that replacing your unit can save you money is in maintenance costs. As your unit ages, it is going to need more frequent repairs, the parts are going to become harder and harder to find, and you are likely going to have to call out a technician more often to repair it resulting in high fees. For the most part, newer units need...

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How Geothermal Systems Can Save You Money

May 29, 2018

Geothermal heating and cooling are designed to harness the heat within the Earth to efficiently provide comfort to your home or business. This method of providing heating and cooling has been around for several decades but has become increasingly popular now that the average consumer has access to information that allows them to learn more about how they can reduce their carbon footprint and become more economical. How Do Geothermal Systems Work? Water is circulated through an underground loop that is heated by the warmth stored inside of the Earth. The heated water is then pumped into the house or structure. Once the heated water reaches the unit, the hot water is pushed to the compressor, and then the heated air is blown throughout the area. In reverse, the system sucks warm air from the structure and runs it through a loop underground where the Earth remains a constant temperature throughout the year and is cooled and recirculated through the interior environment. How Do Geothermal Systems Save Money? Rather than drawing on a constant steady supply of electricity, which is provided via fossil fuel, to run the motors that provide power to the HVAC unit. A geothermal system only requires...

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6 Ways To Improve Your Home’s Indoor Air Quality

April 27, 2018

Did you know that your home’s indoor air quality might be worse than the air quality outdoors? Even if you live in the city! That’s because many homes lack proper ventilation and air quality improvement techniques that get rid of the airborne dust, dirt, dander, and other toxins that impact human and pet health. To ensure your home has the best indoor air quality possible, be sure to check out the following improvement techniques with our 6 ways to improve your home’s indoor air quality: Keep relative humidity between 40 and 60% High humidity levels inside your home should be avoided as it promotes mold growth, mold that commonly releases spores that are ill to human health. On the other hand, excessively dry conditions are likewise not recommended so instead keep humidity levels between 40 and 60% with a home humidifier or dehumidifier. Be smart with flooring & avoid manmade fibers and engineered woods Manmade carpet fibers and engineered woods commonly off-gas harmful airborne volatile organic compounds and so, where possible, they should be avoided. Instead, choose rugs and carpets comprised of natural fibers when outfitting rooms. Have air ducts cleaned every 3 to 5 years Air ducts should be...

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Why is Regular AC Maintenance Important?

March 30, 2018

Just like all other electronic appliances, your air conditioner requires regular preventive maintenance. The preventive maintenance procedures include inspection of the system, tuning up and fixing the small problems found in the unit. There are a number benefits that come with maintenance. Read on to learn why it is important to get regular AC preventive maintenance. Saves on the energy bills Your AC becomes inefficient over time. A jammed fan or clogged filter can make the air conditioner work harder to compensate for the low air intake. The thermostat may also be displaying wrong values- further overworking the AC. With regular maintenance, the AC is tuned-up to perform optimally which in turn lowers the energy bills. Prevents emergency breakdowns An AC system that is not properly maintained is likely to break down at any time, especially when it is running over a long period. During preventive maintenance, small issues are fixed before they lead to the breakdown of the whole unit. Therefore, you are less likely to experience a breakdown when you need your cooling the most. Lowers the cost of repairs Bigger problems often cost more to fix. By the time there’s a breakdown, the likelihood is high that...

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How Can An Energy Efficient AC Unit Save You Money?

March 15, 2018

Do you always get a sticker shock when you get your monthly energy bill? Regardless of what your financial position looks like, paying high bills is about as much fun as going for a root canal. If saving some cash sparks your interest, here is how switching to energy efficient AC unit will save you money. The energy efficiency of an AC system is measured by the SEER rating (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio). It is the ratio of the cooling output (in BTU) of an A/C divided by the energy consumed in Watt-Hours. Typically, all central AC units should have a SEER rating of 13, and be Energy Star certified at 14.5 or higher. The higher the rating, the more efficient a unit is. When you upgrade your unit from old air conditioner to a modern, more efficient model, you will potentially save a lot of energy and money. For instance, if your older unit had a SEER rating of 9, and you upgrade it to a SEER 13 (the lowest efficiency available), you will reduce your energy bill by about 28%. That means you will save up to $300 per year, depending on the cost of electricity and your...

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What To Do If Your Air Conditioner Is Not Operating Properly

July 18, 2015

It can be quite alarming to discover that one’s home cooling system is not functioning precisely as it ought to. However, before contacting a member of our team to schedule professional air conditioning repairs , there are a few things that you can check on your own. We are, of course, more than happy to handle any AC repairs that you may need. Double-checking that there is no obvious cause of your problem which can easily be righted, though, can help to avoid unnecessary service calls. If you find that there is no simple fix to your problem, then, by all means, contact a member of our staff immediately. Hoff Htg. & Air Conditioning will complete any necessary repairs promptly. 1) Check that power to the unit is on. This may sound obvious, but it is possible that a tripped breaker is behind your “broken” air conditioner. You don’t need a technician to help you reset it if this is the case. 2) Clean or change dirty air filters. You may not think that a dirty air filter is that serious of a problem. You’d be wrong in believing so, though. You see, dirty or clogged air filters can leave...

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“Rain Rain GO AWAY”- High Humidity In The Home?

July 2, 2015

Many homes are faced with the problem of having TOO LITTLE humidity during the cold winter months. However, the summer months & endless rain can pose the exact opposite problem and leave your home with TOO MUCH humidity. The problems with High Humidity: When the temperatures warm up outside you can experience too much humidity in your home. Too much humidity can cause condensation on windows, wet stains on walls and ceilings, moldy bathrooms, musty odor, and/or clammy feel to the air. Rot and structural damage can also result from extended periods of high humidity in your home. And, especially in the South, it can draw pests. Bugs are always looking for water and condensation provides bugs with the water they need. High humidity can be especially dangerous when combined with high temperatures, as it will disrupt the body’s ability to cool itself, which may lead to a heat stroke. People with heart problems or asthma are advised to be extremely careful during such conditions. Drier air provides comfort at higher temperatures, so homeowners can raise the setting on their central air conditioners thereby reducing their energy use. High humidity can even trigger allergic reactions, contribute to ongoing allergies, and...

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St. Louis’ place in air-conditioning history

May 7, 2013

ST. LOUIS • The 1904 World’s Fair in Forest Park helped make the ice cream cone famous. It also introduced to a mass audience another cooling sensation that, oddly, never got much press. The Missouri State Building, the host state’s own exhibition hall, had a large air-conditioning machine in the basement that cooled most of its rooms. The machine operated much like today’s central air-conditioning system in a typical American home — a system that has made oppressive heat such as we’ve seen this year much more bearable. “That was the first time great numbers of ordinary people were exposed to the comfort of air conditioning,” said Bernard Nagengast of Sidney, Ohio. Nagengast, an engineering consultant, said he had studied the history of refrigeration and air conditioning for four decades. He described the contribution of the World’s Fair to interior comfort in an article in 1999 for the ASHRAE Journal, a publication of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-conditioning Engineers in Atlanta. His evidence is from the pages of an old trade publication, called Ice and Refrigeration, that discussed and explained the system in 1904. “That’s the only detail I have ever been able to find,” he said....

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