Archive for October, 2012

Benefits of High Efficiency, Small Ductwork HVAC Systems

Monday, October 29th, 2012

High efficiency small ductwork systems, also called high velocity mini duct systems, are a relatively new technology in the heating and air conditioning. While the general concept is the same as traditional forced air system, the small systems provide some attractive benefits to homeowners. Below we explore some of the benefits to the high velocity mini duct systems and how you can take advantage of them in your home in Portland.

What is a High Efficiency Small Ductwork HVAC System

The mini duct systems work in almost the same way that traditional forced air system do. They use a central air handler to pump air through a series of ducts that terminate into a register in each room. However, the biggest difference is that they’re smaller. With a smaller duct, the high velocity systems gain several advantages which we explore below.

Greater Efficiency

There are several benefits to the smaller size of the duct and the high velocity of the air traveling through it.

  • Reduced Surface Area – With about 65% less surface area that traditional ductwork, there is less room for heat to leave the air. The greatly increases the efficiency of the mini duct system.
  • Unique Construction – Because of the way that the small ducts are built, they are almost air tight. This means that while the air is traveling through the duct, less of it is escaping. You get more of the air that you paid to heat or cool delivered to each of your rooms.
  • Air speed – The air moves through the smaller ducts much quicker than in traditional box ductwork. Less time spent in the duct means that there is less time for the air to lose its heat energy.

Reduced Space Requirements

Another obvious benefit is that high velocity mini duct systems require less space. Mini duct systems can fit into walls where traditional ducting could never fit. Mini systems are perfect for retrofitting older homes that lack the attic space for ductwork. Mini duct systems use about 1/3 of the amount of space as traditional ducting.

If you have any questions about high velocity mini duct systems and if they’re the right choice for your home in Portland, give the experts at Clean Air Act a call today.

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Benefits of a High Velocity Heating System

Monday, October 22nd, 2012

If you are considering a high velocity heating system for your home or business, call the Portland heating experts at The Clean Air Act. We can go over the benefits and your options no matter what your heating needs are. For upgrades, we can also send a technician to your home or office to determine which type of heating system is right for you. Here’s how it works and the basic benefits you’ll get.

High velocity systems are also called small duct velocity. They are an energy-efficient air delivery system to meet all your HVAC needs, including heating, air conditioning, ventilation, air filtration, and moisture control. This improves indoor air quality and provides heating and cooling in one efficient system. Similar to installing ductless split systems, there’s very little disruption during the installation process. In other words, you don’t have to tear out all your walls due to the use of a flex duct system used to deliver the air throughout your home or office building.

The other main components can fit into closets, mechanical rooms, attics, crawlspaces, and most other tight-fit spaces. This makes high velocity systems ideal for retrofits, but they are also a good option for new construction projects. These systems are quiet and provide ample heat for your space even on the coldest days of the year. You can also add a whole-home dehumidifier or humidifier for better indoor air quality.

Another benefit is that high velocity systems evenly distribute the air to every room in your house evenly. However, if you are upgrading, you will need to make sure your air handler is upgraded to ensure that it is compatible with the new high velocity system. While there are many heating replacement options, you may find that a high velocity system is the most cost-effective upgrade for your needs, but it’s always good to speak with a professional contractor first.

Don’t hesitate to call the Portland heating, air conditioning, and indoor air quality experts at The Clean Air Act for all your questions about high velocity heating systems. Call today to get started!

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How do I choose the right air cleaner for my home?

Monday, October 15th, 2012

At Clean Air Act, we provide a multitude of air purification systems to help improve indoor air quality in your Oregon City home. The standard filters that are installed in your heating and cooling system may not be enough if you suffer from allergies or other respiratory issues. If you aren’t sure which type of air cleaner will meet your indoor air quality needs, just give us a call to set up a consultation. Here’s some information to get you started.

Air cleaners are installed to work with your central heating and air conditioning system. Many homeowners choose either an electronic or mechanical air cleaner, since they each target different contaminants. Chronic allergy suffers choose mechanical air filters since they are more cost-effective and target the more common indoor allergens, such as pet dander, pollen, and mold spores.  Electronic air cleaners are more expensive but target smaller particles, so it is important to know what type of irritants you wish to eliminate.

Some people choose to install both types of air cleaners, in addition to a UV germicidal light to help kill bacteria and viruses. The type of air filtration system you choose really depends on your specific needs and your budget.   If you are unable to eliminate the source of the problem (people with pets, for instance), then you may one to consider one of these different combinations of air cleaners.

Keep in mind that air cleaners cannot eliminate radon or get rid of mold in the home. Mold remediation and radon mitigation should be handled by a professional. We also offer radon testing and remediation for homeowners throughout the area.

Call Clean Air Act, the Oregon City indoor air quality experts if you have questions about improving the air quality inside your home

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Top 5 Reasons to Install an Indoor Air Quality System

Monday, October 8th, 2012

We spend a lot of our time indoors—whether it’s sleeping and eating or just relaxing with our friends and family. In Portland, we tend to have pretty clean air. But what you may not realize is that your indoor air is often more polluted than the air outside. In fact, poor indoor air quality is the fourth largest environmental threat to our country, according to the EPA. Here are a few reason why you should invest in an indoor air quality system:

Allergy relief

For any of your family members who suffer from allergies, having an indoor air quality system can trap pollen and pet dander that would otherwise irritate them. Indoor air cleaners like media filters, electronic and HEPA filters are specifically designed to capture exactly those kinds of contaminants. Installing an air cleaner in your air handler may reduce the effect that pollen and pet dander have on your family.

Reduces amount of dust and contaminants in the air

Dust can also be a respiratory irritant and can accumulate on your furniture. Media filters installed in your heating and air conditioning system can trap dust and remove it from your indoor air leaving your house cleaner. Electronic air cleaners ionize the air to filter out smaller particles like smoke and exhaust fumes.

Removes bacteria and viruses

Electronic and HEPA filters can also capture microscopic bacteria and viruses before you can even breathe them in. This can reduce the number of illnesses that occur in your home. Additionally, an ultra-violet germicidal light can further increase the purity of your home’s air by killing germs inside your ductwork before they can recirculate into your home.

Allows fresh air inside

Part of a good air purity system is to make sure it is properly ventilated. By increasing the “tightness” of your home—how much air your home lets in—you can control exactly where the air in your home comes from. By properly ventilating your house, you can continually cycle in fresh air from outside.

Keeps humidity constant

A house that has too much or too little humidity can cause you a lot of problems. With too much humidity, your house can become a breeding ground for mold. It can also make it difficult to breath in your house. But too little humidity can cause your nasal passages, skin and even your furniture to dry out and crack. With a humidity control system from Clean Air Act, you can kep your humidity at the perfect level—around 30-50%.

For more information on how an indoor air quality system can benefit your Portland home, contact the professionals at Clean Air Act today!

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Proper Ventilation for Improved Indoor Air Quality

Monday, October 1st, 2012

When you think about your Portland home’s furnace, you’re probably not thinking about indoor air quality. But the truth is that there are several ways in which your furnace can impact the quality of the air in your home. When you have a furnace in your home, it’s important to understand the relationship between these heating systems and your home’s indoor air quality.

Proper Ventilation for Byproducts of Combustion

Especially if you have a gas furnace, you need to be aware of the gasses that are produced by the combustion of natural gas to generate heat. The two that are the most relevant to indoor air quality are carbon monoxide and formaldehyde. In a furnace that’s working properly and is well maintained, these gasses will be kept from the living spaces of your home and vented outside where they can disperse and are not harmful.

Air Filters

In addition to venting fumes outside, your furnace also should have air filters that can remove all types of indoor air contaminants that may be found in your indoor air. These air filters are a great way to keep the quality of your indoor air high, but they also need to be changed out or cleaned on a regular basis to ensure they’re working properly and that you’re getting all of the benefit you should from them.

If you have a particularly severe indoor air quality problem, or if anyone in your home has asthma or allergies, you may want to invest in an upgrade to the stock filters that come with your furnace. Opting for a higher quality filter can dramatically improve the quality of your indoor air.

For more information about how to improve the air quality in your Portland home, give The Clean Air Act, Inc. a call today!

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