Tag: air circulation

Feeling Cooped Up? Here’s How To Help Your Indoor Air Circulation

Posted on by tfobrien

Ventilation systems can refresh and clean your indoor air, and also  improve air circulation. Even if you spend 90 percent of your time indoors (like the average U.S. citizen), a ventilation system can help you feel comfortable and breathe easy.

Unfortunately, the indoor air quality in the typical Long Island home is considered poor by the EPA’s standards. Many more contaminants than you might realize can become trapped indoors, especially in homes that don’t have adequate circulation. A few examples include:

  • Dust
  • Dust mites
  • Pollen and allergens
  • Mold and spores
  • Viruses, bacteria and other microorganisms
  • Radon, the second leading cause of lung cancer in the US after tobacco smoke (according to the American Lung Association)
  • Chemical fumes from cleaners, air fresheners, paints, varnishes, adhesives and more
  • Off-gassing from pressed wood, carpets and construction materials

Even the carbon dioxide exhaled by residents can accumulate to unhealthy levels.

Fortunately, Long Island homeowners have a variety of tools at their disposal to improve indoor air circulation. Balanced ventilation systems, such as energy recovery ventilators, keep air circulation up by expelling stale air and drawing in fresh air. They also remove contaminants and humidity  from the incoming air stream. Some ventilation units are complicated systems with their own ducts, but others can be installed conveniently with your pre-existing ducts.

Air filters are a key element when it comes to keeping your air clean and your system efficient. A HEPA filter is designed with more surface area than a standard filter, and can trap 99.97 percent of the most minuscule particles, 1/300th the diameter of a hair. But before you rush to install a HEPA filter, give us a call. The highest efficiency filters aren’t ideal for every system. If it’s too restrictive, it can actually decrease air circulation.

Air circulation and quality can also be compromised if your ventilation system is not well maintained. Preventive maintenance  keeps your system clean and efficient, and facilitates smooth airflow through all components, including your ductwork. Call  T. F. O’Brien for more information, or to schedule your preventive maintenance today.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).   For more information about indoor air circulation and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

T.F. O’Brien services the Long Island, New York area.  Visit our website to see our special offers to get started today!

It May Sound Obvious, But Don’t Block Your Air Returns

Posted on by T.F. O'Brien Cooling & Heating
T.F. O’Brien can help ensure your
air ducts are getting proper circulation.
Call or click here:
516.488.1800

Most residential cooling and heating systems operate as closed-loop systems. In a closed-loop system, air returns play an essential role, and it is important not to block them.

Blocking a cool air return means a risk of freezing the air conditioner coils, causing a restriction of air flow. In short, blocking air returns means a lack of air circulation.  Energystar.gov recommends checking air returns for leaks; improperly sealed ducts impede air flow. For the same reason, it is important to allow air returns to breathe.

So where are air return ducts typically found? They are usually located on ceilings or in a hallway. In the southern U.S. where it remains warm for a large part of the year, air return ducts take warm air from inside the home and transfer it outside.

Many homes are improperly fitted with return air ducts or simply don’t have enough of them, making it essential that each existing air return works to its full potential.

Take care in designing your rooms to avoid blocking air returns. Place large pieces of furniture such as couches, chairs and love seats at least 10 inches from air ducts. If possible, avoid setting up cabinets, entertainment centers or pianos directly next to walls on which air ducts are present.

Taking these basic steps will ensure that your HVAC system does not overwork itself, potentially saving you from costly and untimely repairs.

T.F. O’Brien services the Long Island, New York area.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about preventive maintenance and other HVAC topics, please download our free  Home Comfort Resource guide.
To learn more, just give us a call at 516.488.1800, and we will be happy to help.