Author: acshvac

Does an air conditioner (AC) help with allergies? In one word, yes. Actually two words, yes if. If you properly maintain the air conditioner. Air conditioners can help filter your home’s air and control its humidity, which are both helps in the allergy world. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), it’s estimated there are now 50 million seasonal allergy sufferers in America, so any and all help is welcomed.

But properly maintaining your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system is the difference between your air conditioner helping with those allergies and it aggravating them. ACS Air Conditioning Services specializes in air conditioners. Contact us with any questions you may have or assistance you may need.

How It Helps

Whether you suffer from Oro Valley seasonal allergies or year-long allergens like pet dander or dust, your air conditioner can help you breathe easier. With the correct filter, your indoor air quality (IAQ) can be improved, filtering out allergens like pollen, pet dander, dust mites, and other irritant air particles. These particles get stopped by the filter and are not allowed to continue through the system to make their way to your lungs, improving air quality.

Indoor air quality is also improved because your air conditioner helps control your home’s humidity. Higher levels of humidity breed additional allergens like bacteria, mold, and mildew. Your air conditioner works hard to balance your home’s humidity, thereby reducing the instances of these allergens and irritants.

When It Does Not Help

Your air conditioner can help in these instances, except when it’s not maintained properly. When the maintenance on your HVAC system is neglected, it actually makes your indoor air quality worse, so in turn your allergies may get worse.

If your filter continues to trap the particles flowing through the system and is not changed, those particles build up, now having nowhere to go except to blow through your home. The same applies to the other allergens resulting from higher humidity or dampness.

If the humidity builds or if there are leaks somewhere in the system, say in the ductwork, a damp environment now exists. Mold and bacteria have free rein to flow through your home’s air, adding to the allergens you’re breathing.

What You Can Do

To keep your air conditioner helping, rather than hurting, your allergies, take these steps:

• Have your air conditioner cleaned and maintained regularly, at least once a year
• Change or clean your air filters regularly
• Use a higher MERV(Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) rated filter (at least an 8 rating), if changing filters
• Clean any debris or dust around both your outdoor and indoor air conditioner units to avoid it being pulled into the unit and introduced into your Arizona home
• Dust all indoor registers and returns on a regular basis
• Inspect your ductwork and HVAC unit (drip pan and drain, evaporator coils, air handler) for signs of leaks, corrosion, or mold
• Consider upgrading your air conditioner if over 10 years old
• Keep doors and windows closed while your air conditioner is running
• Consider adding on an air purifier

Let Us Help You With Your Allergies

Here in Oro Valley, AZ, allergies are a serious concern for many. Keeping your air conditioner properly maintained throughout the year can definitely help with airborne allergies. Call our experts at ACS Air Conditioning Services at 520-230-5668 or request service online to speak with one of our professionals today to see how we can help you.

When it’s time to invest in a major home appliance like an air conditioner (AC), you want to be well informed. The good news is technology has made it easy to gather a great deal of information in a short period of time. The bad news is there are so many makes and models of air conditioners available, the entire process can get quickly overwhelming.

Our professionals at ACS Air Conditioning Services would be happy to help you sort out the options and help you make a smart investment. In the meantime, here are some top purchasing mistakes to avoid while you are doing your research.

Equating a Big Unit to More Cooling

It’s easy to want maximum cooling power, especially during the summer months in Arizona. However, bigger does not always mean better in the case of air conditioning systems.

According to Home Energy magazine, air conditioner loads should be calculated carefully to select the right-sized air conditioner for your home. Our trained professionals can utilize Manual J load calculations and take into account the design and age of your Marana home. We also assimilate the average temperatures and length of your summer to recommend the best air conditioner for your situation. Making the right decision will give you the highest level of comfort with the most efficient use of energy, resulting in lower operating costs over the life of your system.

Choosing the Least Expensive Unit

Air conditioners come in a wide range of designs, from basic cooling to integrated smart-home technology. The price range reflects the vast differences in makes and models. While purchasing price needs to play a role in your air conditioning selection, be sure it does not dictate your entire decision. You want to be sure your unit is appropriately sized for your home and provides you with the features and power you need.

In addition, you will also want to look at the overall operating costs, not just the initial purchase price. Many higher-priced units run more efficiently over the long run, saving you money every month on your energy bills.

Selecting the Cheapest Air Conditioning Contractor

It’s understandable that you want to get the most service for your money. However, when it comes to installing a major system like an air conditioner, you don’t want to cut corners. Be sure you select an experienced professional who is bonded, insured, and licensed, like ours at ACS Air Conditioning Services. In addition, you may ask to see North American Technician Excellence (NATE) certifications for technicians. Going with the least expensive provider may lead to more expensive problems down the road.

Making Only a Verbal Agreement

Be sure to ask for a written statement of work, which should include an estimate, scope of work, time frame and schedule, and warranty information. The written agreement should also include payment terms including how much is due up front and when final payment is required. This step simply provides clarity to all parties involved and can help you avoid disputes later.

Replacing Partial Air Conditioner Unit

It’s always a balancing act to determine whether repair or replacement is the best option when your air conditioner breaks. However, once you make the decision to replace, it’s important to replace both the indoor and outdoor components at the same time. Replacing only one will most definitely affect the efficiency of the entire unit and may cause additional problems later on.

In addition, you may want to consider replacing your entire heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system all at once if your entire heating and cooling system is old or causing regular problems. Selecting an overall HVAC system that fits your home can ensure comfort year round.

Contact Us for Your Air Conditioning Needs

When it’s time to invest in a new air conditioning system, turn to ACS Air Conditioning Services in Marana, AZ, for help. Our team is standing by to provide information to help you make a good decision and answer any questions. Call 520-230-5668 or request service online today.

When you think of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, you probably think of the furnace and air conditioner (AC) equipment inside, an air conditioner component outside, and a network of ducts running throughout your Tucson home.

Although many HVAC systems are designed that way, there are other alternatives. Our team at ACS Air Conditioning Services wants you to be well-informed about your options, and those options include ductless air conditioning systems that can function as an air conditioner only or a heat source as well.

Different Design

Unlike conventional whole-house HVAC systems, ductless systems are much more compact and can be installed most anywhere in your home. Also referred to as a ductless mini split system or a ductless heat pump, these systems have only three main components.

The indoor unit, which is typically installed on a room’s wall or ceiling, is the air handler. The outdoor unit is the condenser. Then the third component is the small conduit connecting the indoor and outdoor components through a small, three-inch hole in your wall. The conduit houses the condensate drain, suction tubing, refrigerant tubing, and power cable.

Best Applications

There is no one-size fits all in HVAC systems. Instead, every home in Arizona will require a specific heating and cooling solution designed for that particular space.

Ductless air conditioners can work anywhere in your home. You could even set up a zones system for your entire home, with up to eight inside ductless units connected to only one outdoor component.

You might choose to install a ductless system in an area of your home that has no access to your current home ductwork or if you simply want separate temperature control there, such as a house addition, garage, attic, or basement or in an area which requires a different temperature than the rest of your home. For example, a home office used only during business hours or a recreation room that’s active only on weekends would be a perfect application for this type of heating and cooling system. In addition, a ductless system can be a great solution for a small apartment.

Advantages

One of the biggest advantages of a ductless system is you don’t lose energy while your cooled air travels through your duct system, since this system is ductless. According to the US Department of Energy (DOE), more than 30 percent of energy can be lost through air ducts.

Ductless systems also have more efficient compressors. Conventional HVAC compressors typically turn on and off to regulate temperature as determined by your home’s thermostat. Conversely, compressors in ductless systems simply slow down or speed up, saving significant energy by eliminating that on and off cycling.

Another benefit ductless systems can provide is an easy way to establish different comfort and temperature zones in your home. Bedrooms can be cooled or warmed during sleeping hours while the rest of the home is in energy-saving mode. Guest rooms can be made more comfortable when you have visitors while staying energy efficient most of the time.

In addition, ductless air conditioning systems are small and quiet. They can be very energy-efficient solutions, saving the cooling lost through an air duct system in a traditional central air conditioning system or the energy lost around a window air conditioner.

When chosen, different models can also be used for supplemental heating in the winter. In this way, it operates like a heat pump, moving heat from inside to outside in the summer and from outside to inside in the winter.

Disadvantages

Ductless air conditioning systems can be initially more expensive to purchase when compared with more conventional options. However, you will be able to recoup some of these initial costs through long-term energy savings. And the installation itself is typically less costly since the installation time for these systems is much less than a traditional HVAC system.

You should also note that filter changes and cleaning must be diligently performed in order to keep the unit operating at its best. Repairs can be more expensive if regular maintenance is ignored.

Contact ACS Air Conditioning Services Today

To learn more about ductless air conditioning systems, contact our trained professionals at ACS Air Conditioning Services in Tucson, AZ. Our team is anxious to share what makes and models we have available and answer any questions you may have. Call 520-230-5668 or request service online today.

So you are looking to invest in a heat pump. You are not alone––many Americans are making the switch.

Why? For starters, heat pumps are generally more efficient than a traditional heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. What is more, heat pumps offer both heating and cooling, so they are versatile.

At ACS Air Conditioning Services, we want to help you make the best decision for your Oro Valley home’s needs. Our aim is for you to be satisfied with your heat pump for years to come.

Here are four questions to ask yourself when picking out a new heat pump:

1. How much do I want to spend up front?

Heat pumps offer you more efficiency. Geothermal heat pumps, in particular, are especially efficient, since they use a minimal amount of electricity to transfer heat from Earth’s natural resources.

However, many of the more efficient products have a higher up-front cost than a traditional heater or air conditioner (AC). Generally, a good rule of thumb is the more you invest up front, the less you will pay in the long run. It is up to you to decide which heat pump is best for your budget.

2. What type of heat pump do I want?

Air-source, mini split, and geothermal are a few main types of heat pumps you can consider.

Air-source heat pumps transfer heat from the outdoor air to warm your Arizona home in the winter and expel heat from your home during the summer. This type of heat pump is so efficient, the US Department of Energy (DOE) asserts an “air-source heat pump can deliver one-and-a-half to three times more heat energy to a home than the electrical energy it consumes.”

Mini splits (also known as ductless units) also use air source technology, but they offer true zoning with a variety of different configurations for the indoor units. They are extremely efficient and a great option for homes with existing ductwork.

Geothermal heat pumps use the constant temperature of the earth to gather or release heat and are typically the most efficient option for a home with sufficient ductwork already in place.

Each type has its advantages and disadvantages, and we are happy to help you sort through them all. Call to speak with one of our experts to discuss these options further.

3. Will I need a dual-fuel system?

Our source heat pumps can’t operate efficiently when outdoor temperatures become colder. This is why homeowners in colder regions of the country might need a dual-fuel system.

A dual-fuel system is a heat pump supplemented with a different heating appliance. When temperatures are too low for your heat pump to operate efficiently, your alternate heat source, such as a furnace will kick on.

Talk to one of our ACS Air Conditioning Services HVAC professionals to determine if this is a good choice for your home.

4. What type of thermostat should I buy?

In addition to your heat pump, our highly trained and experienced experts can install new controls for heating and cooling your home. Based on your Oro Valley home needs, you can choose between a variety of thermostats with features to fit your comfort needs.

Standard thermostats have a simple, familiar interface. They provide you with a Heat or Cool option and On or Auto fan control. Programmable thermostats can be set to automatically change the temperature setting during certain hours of the day, such as when you are not at home or while you are sleeping, in order to save energy. Wi-Fi thermostats can be controlled remotely using your smartphone, whether you are home or away. Depending on the model, your Wi-Fi thermostat may offer energy-usage analytics so you can readily and easily monitor your energy consumption.

We Are Your Heat Pump Experts

While you perform research and start your search for a heat pump here in the Oro Valley, AZ, area, our ACS Air Conditioning Services professionals want to help you as much as possible. Call us at 520-230-5668 or request service online today to glean more expert insights on the matter.

Adding an ultraviolet (UV) lighting system to the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment of your Arizona home or business creates a healthier environment for you and your loved ones.

At ACS Air Conditioning Services, we take great pride in providing reliable information about the latest trends, products, and services in the HVAC industry. You can trust our certified team of professionals to offer you sustainable solutions that will add another layer of comfort, safety, and health to your Marana home or business. We listen, and we care.

How Do UV Lights Work?

A UV lighting system destroys microorganisms by altering their DNA. These systems kill microbes—they do not remove inorganic particles such as dust or pet dander. There are two types of HVAC UV lights: coil sterilization and air sterilization. Both systems easily integrate with the air ducts of your Marana home or business.

Coil UV lights sterilize the air handler coil of your air conditioning unit. Because the indoor coil condenses moisture from the air to help dehumidify your home, it is a prime breeding spot for mold and bacteria. A coil UV light runs 24/7 to shine directly on the indoor coil of your air conditioner.

Air sterilization lights sterilize the moving air in your ductwork. This system cycles on with the air handler blower to kill airborne germs and mold. These systems operate more effectively when combined with a quality air filter that has a high MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) rating. Our HVAC professionals at ACS Air Conditioning Services can help you choose the right filter for your particular system.

Can UV Lights Kill Viruses?

UV lighting systems have a proven track record of attacking mold, bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens in the airflow. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), UV lighting is extremely effective in decontaminating exposed surfaces in hospitals, industrial facilities, and other settings.

While UV lighting systems can improve your indoor air quality and eliminate triggers that cause asthma and other breathing issues, they will not prevent you from getting infected. Common sense and good hygiene are always your best weapons for staying healthy.

Benefits of HVAC UV Lights

These systems improve your indoor air quality by cleaning the airflow that travels through your ductwork. Allowing our professionals to clean and seal your ductwork ensures you get the most benefit from your UV lighting. Another tip to get the best performance from your HVAC system is to regularly change your air filter.

For decades, hospitals and clinics have used UV lights to keep the air and building surfaces clean and disinfected—you can now bring that same cleansing power to your home. And because UV lights function on wavelength, they don’t circulate aerosols that release ozone in your home.

Call Your UV Lighting Experts Today!

Install UV lighting to improve the indoor air quality of your Marana, AZ, home or business. At ACS Air Conditioning Services, we understand the importance of creating a healthy and comfortable living space, especially during these challenging times. Call 520-230-5668 or request service online today to learn more about our UV lighting products and other services.

If your furnace seems to be producing heat inconsistently around your Tucson home to you, you’re not alone. Many homes have varied conditions from room to room causing spotty heating or cooling. On cold days, this can be a nuisance. For example, you may be confined to only a few rooms in your home. Or you might have to wear a coat and blanket just to function around the house.

We at ACS Air Conditioning Services want you to be comfortable at home; you deserve to be! Here are seven furnace problems that could be causing uneven heat:

1. Poor insulation

If your ducts, windows, attic, or walls have poor or nonexistent insulation, you might have a problem. Heat is escaping, which can cause inconsistent heating. However, you can fix this relatively quickly.

Your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) professional can perform a thermal analysis in order to figure out which areas need insulating. A professional can install insulation within hours and when compared to other home improvements, it is relatively affordable.

2. Duct problems

Leaky or blocked ducts can lead to patchy heating. You should take a walk around inside your home to see if any ducts are being blocked by furniture or carpeting.

Additionally, the insides of your ducts can have blockages, especially if they haven’t been cleaned recently. Leaks in your ducts are another enemy of even heating. If you think you might have leaky or blocked ducts, have a trained technician perform a thermal analysis.

3. Thermostat problems

Try changing your thermostat settings. If your furnace is set to Auto, change it to the On setting. This will cause it to run consistently, instead of incrementally, which may lead to more even heating.

Your thermostat also might have heat-sensor issues or faulty wiring, causing it to produce the wrong temperature reading. A professional can diagnose this issue.

4. Improperly sized furnace

When a furnace isn’t in the right-size class for your Arizona home, it will usually produce poor heating. Undersized units lack the capacity to ventilate your entire living area.

Similarly, larger units short cycle, leading to inadequate heating. One of our experts can perform heat load calculations to determine whether your system is the correct size.

5. Lack of maintenance

When you don’t schedule routine maintenance visits, your system can lose its finesse. Dirty coils, worn/unsecured belts, and clogged filters are common mishaps. Due to these issues, you’ll have a weakened heating system.

But with proper maintenance, they are easily preventable. According to the Indoor Air Quality Association (IAQA), regular HVAC maintenance reduces costly breakdowns by as much as 95 percent.

6. Wrong-sized filter

Good airflow is key to dispersing hot air throughout your home. If your filter is too thick for your furnace, it creates excessive resistance, leading to compromised ventilation. You can have your technician perform a static resistance test to see if it’s the right size.

7. Need of zone control

Some homes have varied heating needs for different rooms. Fortunately, with a zone control system, you can adjust the temperature settings in multiple areas. If you live in a home having multiple stories, large windows, or a furnished basement, zone controls may be the best solution.

Call ACS Air Conditioning Services for All Your Heating Needs

Our professionals at ACS Air Conditioning Services provide furnace installations, repairs, and maintenance to our neighbors in Tucson, AZ, and surrounding regions. Call us today at 520-230-5668 or request service online for any additional questions or to schedule service.

If your heating or air conditioning system suddenly stops working in your Tucson home, it’s easy to think the worst. However, sometimes the malfunction is not really caused by your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system at all, but actually from a broken thermostat.

Here are some expert tips on checking your thermostat first as well as some basic troubleshooting ideas from our ACS Air Conditioning Services team.

The Role of a Thermostat

Whether you have an old-fashioned basic thermostat or a new-fangled smart one in your Arizona home, the operation of this component is essentially the same. A thermostat is a heat-activated switch that uses an internal temperature sensor to open or close a switch.

This switch completes or disrupts the electrical circuit that runs your heating and cooling system. The thermostat senses the current temperature and activates your furnace or air conditioner to reach the desired temperature.

Check the Obvious First

Although it may seem silly to suggest checking that your thermostat is turned on, the basic things are frequently overlooked. Besides confirming power and that your circuit breakers are operating, be sure you have selected either Heat or Cool, depending on the season. Also, ensure you have fresh, working batteries correctly installed.

If you have a programmable thermostat, confirm your settings are correct and the override function is not engaged.

Basic Cleaning

Over time, dirt and dust can accumulate inside your thermostat and affect its operation. If these or other indoor pollutants clog the thermostat, they can coat the inside and interfere with both electrical and mechanical components.

Carefully open the case, and gently clean with a small paintbrush or a can of electronics air cleaner designed for electronics. If you are uncertain about how to do this correctly, call one of our professionals to avoid damaging the sensitive components.

Consider Location and Balance

It’s important your thermostat is not located in direct sunlight or near a lamp or other electronic equipment. Such a location will inaccurately raise the temperature and cause your thermostat to malfunction. In addition, if your thermostat is not perfectly level, the mercury used in conventional thermostats will not register correctly.

Adjust Anticipator

Your thermostat has a component called an anticipator, which desensitizes your thermostat to slight temperature changes once the room temperature and the set temperature are near each other. Without the anticipator, your HVAC system would tend to cycle on and off too frequently, potentially damaging your equipment.

Usually, the anticipator will operate correctly when it is set between 0.2 and 0.8 amps. However, sometimes you may need to adjust the anticipator. Remove the outside housing and locate a small metal tab that’s near a scale measuring shorter to longer.

If your furnace is kicking on and off too frequently, move your anticipator one calibration mark toward the “longer” setting. On the other hand, if your furnace never brings your home to the desired temperature, move it toward the “shorter” setting by one calibration mark.

After making the adjustment, take note over the next hour or two to see if your problem is resolved before making further adjustments.

Trying Rebooting Your System

In order to reboot your system, set your thermostat to Heat and lower the temperature until the furnace shuts off. Go to your breaker panel and turn off the power to your thermostat and furnace system. Leave the breaker switch off for about a minute, and then turn your breaker back on.

Consider Replacement or Upgrade

If you have discovered your thermostat is beyond repair, it may be time to invest in a new one. Many different types of thermostats are available today.

According to the US Department of Energy (DOE), investing in a programmable thermostat and setting back your temperature during the night or workday can save you up to 10 percent of your annual energy bills.

You may even want to look at smart thermostats that can adjust to your family’s personal schedule and “learn” from your settings to help you program future days.

If you have an old mercury-based thermostat, be sure to dispose of it properly. Call us for help with this if you’re unsure how to do it.

Contact Us for All Your Thermostat Needs

If you are still experiencing problems with your thermostat or HVAC system after trying these tips, call our professional team at ACS Air Conditioning Services in Tucson, AZ. We would be happy to send out a trained, professional technician to take a closer look, diagnose your problem, and offer a solution. Call 520-230-5668 or request service online today.

Looking to install a new heater in your Tucson home? Your two most popular choices are a heat pump and a furnace. Each one has advantages and disadvantages when compared to the other.

The What’s What

Here are some things to consider to help you in your decision-making process. And remember, you can always call one of our heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) professionals at ACS Air Conditioning Services for more clarity on this whole subject.

What About a Heat Pump?

The short version of how a heat pump works is that it transfers heat from inside to outside and then outside to inside. It works on the same philosophy as an air conditioner—it doesn’t create heat, it simply moves it around.

A heat pump is also an air conditioner, so essentially you get a two-for-one system. Here are its pros and cons.

Heat Pump Pros

• Runs cleaner. A heat pump runs off electricity, so it’s a cleaner source of energy than gas or oil. It can create one-and-a-half to three times more energy than it uses.

• Can be safer. Because a heat pump runs on electricity, there’s no risk of carbon monoxide poisoning or gas explosions.

• Can provide both heating and cooling. In other words, it is convenient and could be more cost effective in the right home. Moreover, there are no added components or elements. Just be sure to keep the heat pump well maintained, because the US Department of Energy (DOE) notes how this can result in a 10 to 25 percent difference in energy consumption as compared to a neglected one.

Heat Pump Cons

• Is more expensive to run. Since a heat pump operates entirely on electricity, it can possibly cost you more to run—electricity is generally higher in price than gas or oil. Of course, all of this depends on the price of electricity and the efficiency of your heat pump.

• Can sometimes only be used for heat in warmer climates. Some heat pump models only heat well in temperatures over 35 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit (making it an ideal choice for the southeastern coastal part of the United States or California). Otherwise, your Tucson home will need a supplementary heater, usually a furnace. This is known as a dual-fuel system.

• Has a shorter life span. A heat pump has an average projected life span of 12 to 15 years, while a furnace has an average 15 to 20 year life span. A heat pump suffers more wear and tear as well, since it runs year round, as opposed to a furnace that typically runs only a few months a year.

What About a Furnace?

The short version of how a furnace works is that it uses a fossil fuel to create its own heat, and then its fan blows the heat to different areas of your home via ductwork. Here are its pros and cons.

Furnace Pros

• Has a longer life span. Running only a few months of the year, a furnace’s life span is greater than a heat pump’s. Most furnaces nowadays can last 15 to 20 years.

• Requires less maintenance. Since a furnace is utilized only part of the year, the wear and tear is less, resulting in fewer repairs with proper annual maintenance by a professional—like one of our ACS Air Conditioning Services HVAC experts.

• Can be used in homes everywhere. A furnace can be installed in any climate, regardless of the temperatures, including your Arizona home.

Furnace Cons

• Can’t cool air. Since a furnace can only heat air, unlike a heat pump, you would need to make an additional investment in an air conditioner.

• Not as safe. Any time gas or oil involved, there is an inherent safety risk of fire or an explosion, no matter how minimal the risk. And with gas, a carbon monoxide leak is possible.

• Not as environmentally friendly to run. Gas and oil don’t burn as efficiently as electricity. Their burning produces toxic gases released into the environment.

What It All Comes Down To

As far as which is a better choice, you should take into account several important factors–– such as your Tucson area’s climate, the energy rates for electricity and gas, how environmentally friendly the energy source would be––and go from there. If you have more concerns regarding furnaces or heat pumps, don’t hesitate to contact our highly trained and knowledgeable ACS Air Conditioning Services team.

We Are Your Furnace and Heat Pump Experts

ACS Air Conditioning Services is a team of fully licensed professionals. For any questions or to schedule service, call us at 520-230-5668 or request service online today. We service Tucson, AZ, and its surrounds, offering furnace and heat pump expertise, along with installation and replacement, repairs, maintenance, and more.

Just like your lungs are an important connection to the rest of your respiratory system, your home’s ductwork, or air ducts, are importantly connected to your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. For your HVAC system—and your lungs—to perform at peak level, the numerous airways need to be open and clear. All in the name of breathing properly.

The Importance of Every Breath Your HVAC System Takes

Essentially, the air in your Tucson home is carried to and from your lungs back to the HVAC system. Air ducts are the paths traveled by the air, meaning it’s optimum for the traveling air to be as clean as possible, because the air can pick up any particles or debris in the ducts and carry it straight to you.

Having clear air ducts can contribute to good indoor air quality (IAQ), which the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states is a prime concern in relation to pollutants these days. The EPA is referring to the air quality around buildings and structures, more specifically as it pertains to the comfort and health of their occupants.

The health effects from indoor air pollutants can show up soon after you are exposed or even years later. While the scientific community recognizes common indoor air quality pollutants can have harmful consequences, it can’t pinpoint how long of an exposure or what concentrations are necessary for specific health problems.

Add to the mix that different people react very differently to these exposures. With all this uncertainty, it’s a better scenario to avoid the pollutants altogether as much as possible.

When to Have Your Air Ducts Cleaned

You should consider having your air ducts cleaned if you notice any or all of the following situations in your Tucson home:

• There is substantial mold visible on the hard surfaces of your ducts (inside and/or outside) and other HVAC system components.

• Ducts are clogged with excessive amounts of dust, debris, or particles, in the case of a remodeling job.

• Rodents and/or insects are infesting the ducts.

In addition to these circumstances, if you or someone living in your Arizona home suffers from allergies, asthma, or chronic illnesses, or you have pets or smokers in your home, having your ducts cleaned may help improve your home’s indoor air quality, thereby helping anyone with these issues.

The rule of thumb from the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA), the leading nonprofit association of companies engaged in the inspection, cleaning, and restoration of HVAC systems, is if your air ducts look dirty, they probably are.

Although there’s no concrete scientific data that air duct cleaning improves indoor air quality, the EPA does recommend having your ductwork cleaned if you fall under any of the reasons cited above. And many people who do have their ducts cleaned swear by the difference, especially those suffering from allergies.

Our professionals at ACS Air Conditioning Services are expertly trained to clean your Arizona home’s ducts, so your HVAC system can breathe properly and optimally. Of course, this can be of prime benefit to you, too, no matter your health.

What’s Involved in Air Duct Cleaning?

The standards set forth by the NADCA, which all duct experts ought to follow, recommend the entire HVAC system should be cleaned during the duct cleaning process. This includes the air ducts, equipment, registers, grills, plus installing a new air filter.

There are two parts to the duct cleaning itself: breaking the contaminants loose, and then collecting the contaminants. Our air duct professionals will use brushes and similar tools to break any particles and debris free of the HVAC system.

They will follow up by sweeping in with their hoses and suction. Feel free to ask if you can have an inside-the-ducts look before and after the job, because you might be amazed by the difference.

ACS Air Conditioning Services Knows Air Ducts Inside and Out

Having your air ducts professionally cleaned can give you peace of mind, cleaner air to breathe, and help your HVAC system work more efficiently by removing the dust and debris that builds up in your home’s ductwork.

Call ACS Air Conditioning Services at 520-230-5668 or request service online to discuss how our skilled professionals can assist you and your Tucson, AZ, home. We promise to make your ugly duct-lings beautiful.

With fall now upon us in Tucson, cooler temperatures are here to stay. This transition from one season to another most definitely affects your home’s indoor air quality (IAQ). And your indoor air quality directly affects your comfort in your home.

At ACS Air Conditioning Services, we know in cooler weather people tend to spend more time indoors at home. Knowing this, it’s important to be sure your indoor air quality is protected, keeping both you and your home protected.

How Is Indoor Air Quality Affected in the Fall?

Think about it. Your Arizona home’s indoor air is a composite of many sources: the outdoor air that comes through your open windows, the dander from your pets, the air in your basement which flows through your furnace, the harsh chemicals you may use in your cleaning products, the mold spores existing in the crawl space beneath your house—just to name a few.

In the warmer months, the open windows allow fresh air in on a regular basis, diluting the stale air in your home, and your air conditioner is keeping your home’s humidity in check. When the windows close and your air conditioner is turned off for the season, these good effects disappear until next year.

Now, the air that’s in your home simply circulates, and all those composites and particles in the home stay there. The humidity decreases, causing your body’s membranes and nasal passages to dry out, inviting harmful bacteria and viruses in. Drier air also wreaks havoc on allergy and asthma sufferers. This is all a recipe for health issues.

What Can You Do to Improve Your Home’s Indoor Air Quality?

In the cooler months with the windows continually closed and your furnace switched on, you need to take additional steps to protect the air you breathe in your home. You can prevent or lessen the possibility of some of the health concerns above by following these recommendations:

• Use a humidifier. It’s so important to keep your home’s humidity levels between the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommendation of 30 to 50 percent. Drier air causes nosebleeds, cracked skin, respiratory problems, sinus issues, static electricity, and many other negatives. The comfort in your home isn’t only determined by its inside temperature.

• Change your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) filters regularly, at least every three months. A good high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter will catch the particles before they reach your lungs. There’s just so much floating in the air our eyes can’t even see.

Changing your filter makes such a difference. We at ACS Air Conditioning Services suggest changing it monthly if someone in your home suffers from allergies or asthma, otherwise at least every three months. Regularly changing your filters also helps to increase your HVAC system’s life span by preventing those particles from running through the system.

• Clean regularly. Many health challenges are caused by dust, dirt, pests, bacteria, viruses, and mold. Regular house cleaning, especially vacuuming and dusting, helps to prevent these from building up and getting into the air.

Also, when cleaning, switching to more natural cleaning products using essential oils instead of harsh chemicals can make a substantial difference in your home’s indoor air quality.

• Have your heating system cleaned and checked before turning it on. Be sure to schedule your annual heating system’s maintenance appointment before using your heat for the first time. A proper cleaning and tune-up allow your system to run properly, helping to improve the indoor air quality and increase your system’s life span.

• Open your windows daily. Even in the coldest temperatures, it’s a good idea to open a window in every room for at least a few minutes to invite some fresh air in. It helps to keep bacteria and viruses at bay.

Get in Touch With Us Today

There are so many things to enjoy about fall. Be sure your home’s indoor air quality is protected to keep you healthy and comfortable, so you’re able to enjoy fall’s pickings. Call ACS Air Conditioning Services at 520-230-5668 or request service online to discuss how we can help you improve your Tucson, AZ, home’s indoor air quality.