Archive for April, 2013

Why is Air Conditioning Maintenance Important in the Spring Time?

Tuesday, April 30th, 2013

Spring is the perfect time to make sure that our air conditioners are working well for the hot summer months. While professional air conditioning installation is critical to ensuring that your system is both energy efficient and effective, routine maintenance is just as important. It may even be required for the purpose of keeping your AC under warranty. Whatever type or brand of AC you have, professional care is a great to improve energy efficiency, increase performance levels, and improve the longevity of your system. To schedule a consultation with a Portland OR air conditioning pro about your AC system, call the experts at The Clean Air Act Inc. today!

  • Energy efficiency. Every AC that is manufactured and sold in the US has a SEER rating. This acronym stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, and it estimates the ratio between cooling output and electrical energy input during the course of a single cooling season. The higher the number the better. However, it doesn’t much matter how high the SEER of your AC is if it is dirty and in disrepair. Whether your AC is 3 or 13 years old, it will not make the most of your energy consumption unless it receives routine inspection, cleaning, and tune-ups.
  • Performance. You invested in a comprehensive air conditioning for your home with one thing in mind: cooling performance. But like our cars and trucks, our ACs need maintenance to ensure that they’re operating well for years to come. While you can keep vegetation from encroaching on your outdoor unit, and keep your air filter clean on a regular basis, the complex machinery of your AC needs professional attention to keep your home cool.
  • Longevity. An air conditioning system is a major investment in the comfort of your home. But it will simply not last as long unless it is regularly cleaned and tuned-up. Regular inspection also gives you the advantage of catching problems early before they require major repairs or premature replacement.

For comprehensive Portland OR air conditioning maintenance, call The Clean Air Act Inc. today!

Spring Has Sprung!

Tuesday, April 23rd, 2013

We are very excited about the change in weather – how about you? As a show of our excitement, we would like to share with you our Spring Newsletter. Click the link to find articles on Duct Cleaning, AC Tune-Ups, a promotion, a delicious spring recipe, a “did you know” fact, and a highlighted testimonial from one of our valued customers. Happy Spring!

Romaine Salad with Orange, Feta & Beans

 

 

 

 

 

Romain Sailad with Orange, Feta & Beans

 

How to cool your home more efficiently

Monday, April 22nd, 2013

Energy efficiency and performance often go together. When your AC performs well, it is often making an efficient use of its electrical energy, so that it uses neither too little nor too much energy, but just the right amount to keep your home comfortable. Even still, with the ever-rising costs of energy, homeowners throughout the Portland, OR area are constantly looking for ways to reduce their energy consumption. While we cannot control the price of electricity, we can control how we use it. We’d like to share with you some ways of cooling your home more efficiently. For more AC tips, or to schedule a professional Portland OR air conditioning service, call the experts at The Clean Air Act, Inc. today!

  • Install a programmable thermostat. If you have not yet upgraded from your manual, conventional thermostat, then you are missing out on customizable climate control and energy savings. Installing a programmable thermostat is a great way to cool your home efficiently. By automatically turning your AC on and off according to the time of day, and day of the week, your AC will be fully in your control, whether you’re there or not.
  • Repair your ducts. Over time, your ducts can develop cracks and leaks, due to either general wear and tear, or other physical damage. Ensuring that your ductwork is in good working order may improve your energy efficiency up to 30%. Call up to find out more information about duct repair in Portland, OR.
  • Enroll in a maintenance plan. A routine maintenance plan is the best way to ensure that your AC is cooling your system more efficiently. During these visits, a certified AC technician will inspect, clean, and tune-up your cooling system. It will not only improve the energy efficiency of its operation, but may also improve its performance and longevity.
  • Upgrade. If your AC is older, or requires frequent repairs, consider upgrading to a new AC system. A new central air, heat pump, or ductless mini split may be just what you need.

For more information about Portland air conditioning services, including those related to energy efficiency, call The Clean Air Act, Inc. today!

What is a high-efficiency small ductwork system?

Monday, April 15th, 2013

For most of America, ductwork remains the primary way of moving heated air throughout the home. Whether you have a furnace, boiler, or heat pump, you need good, clean ductwork to facilitate the heating process and to provide adequate comfort for you and your family. But, the box-like ductwork that is so widely used can be inefficient, and often cannot be used in older, historical homes that do not have enough room to accommodate them. Fortunately, today homeowners can enjoy the convenience and effectiveness of ductwork without disrupting their home with major renovation or awkward retrofitting. High efficiency small ductwork systems, also known as high velocity mini duct systems, are quickly becoming a new standard. In this post, we’d like to explain what they could offer your home. For more information, or to schedule Beaverton heating, call the experts at The Clean Air Act today!

A high-efficiency small ductwork system uses small, insulated flexible ducts that circulate hot air at a greater rate. Due to the small diameter of the ducts, they can control the passage of air, and prevent the tendency of air loss and air stagnation. The outlets are about 2” in diameter, and instead of bulky grates, they appear to be small circular holes in the wall. The small diameter and higher pressure of these ducts lets the system circulate more effectively than in conventional set ups, by creating a vacuum effect of negative pressure. The result is even heat, whether you’re lying on the ground, or up on a ladder.

Furthermore, unlike standard ducts, high efficiency small ductwork resists the accumulation of dust and debris, and when paired with an air filtration system, is virtually dust-free. While conventional sheet-metal ductwork is subject to energy loss of up to 30%, small ductwork is tightly sealed and highly efficient. It also provides up to 25% more dehumidification, which is essential for the summer climate.

All in all, high efficiency small ductwork systems offer energy efficiency in a compact package. For more information about how they change your Beaverton, OR heating, contact The  Clean Air Act today!

How Often Should I Get My Air Ducts Cleaned?

Monday, April 8th, 2013

Duct cleaning is a great way to improve the indoor air quality of your home, to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of your heating and cooling systems, and to reduce the impact of allergens in the household. This latter benefit is especially important for homeowners who have respiratory issues such as asthma or those who suffer from allergies. While duct cleaning makes sense, it’s not entirely clear to many homeowners how often they should schedule the service. In this post, we’d like to address this question. For Portland duct cleaning, call the experts at Clean Air Act, Inc today!

In order to address this question, let’s look at duct cleaning works and then examine the benefits.

  • How duct cleaning works. While it seems simple enough, duct cleaning is a complicated process, involving various specialized tools and vacuums to ensure that the inside surface of your ducts is free of dust, debris, and mold. The method of cleaning may depend on the type of ducts you have in your home. You can expect that all of the various duct channels, vents, and registers will be cleaned. Your duct cleaning professional may also consult with you about sanitizing your ductwork to prevent microbiological and pathogen growth.
  • Benefits to duct cleaning. If your ductwork is filled with dust and debris, then there is less room for airflow. Even very small amounts of blockage can significantly reduce the efficient passage of cooled and heated air through to your living space. Duct cleaning, along with duct sealing, can ensure that your ductwork is not limiting the efficiency of your system. Moreover, clean ductwork boosts your indoor air quality. As air blows throughout your ductwork, it makes any resident particles airborne, thus sending them throughout your house. For homeowners susceptible to allergies, this can dramatically influence their home comfort.
  • So, how often? While there is no set standard for how often you should have your ducts cleaned, annual duct cleaning is a great way to improve your energy efficiency, performance, and indoor air quality.

For more information about Portland, OR duct cleaning, call Clean Air Act, Inc today!

How Do I Know If I Need a Furnace Repair?

Monday, April 1st, 2013

Furnaces have long been one of the most popular home heating system options, and for very good reason. Modern furnaces are very effective, extremely efficient and very durable, allowing them to heat your home reliably and affordably over the course of their long lifespan. Of course, as is the case with any home heating system, you will eventually find that you need to contact a Portland furnace repair technician. When that time comes, call the furnace repair pros at The Clean Air Act, Inc. Our professional Portland, OR furnace repair specialists will have your furnace up and running at maximum performance levels again in no time.

Generally speaking, problems with your furnace are only going to get worse over time. That is why it is so important that you schedule any necessary Portland, OR furnace repair as soon as you suspect a problem with your system. In order to do so, though, you must recognize the warning signs that furnace repair is necessary.

Any general decline in the performance of your home heating system may indicate the need for furnace repair. Uneven heating may be the result of a problem with the fan in your furnace, or even your ductwork. Insufficient heating output may be a sign of a problem with your heat exchanger. Any problem can do serious damage over time, so contact us the moment you discover a problem with your furnace.

You should also call a Portland heating technician if you notice an increase in the cost of heating your home. If you have not made any big adjustments to your heating habits then there should be no major fluctuations in your heating costs. Should the cost of heating your home suddenly spike, it is very likely that there is an underlying problem causing this inefficiency. Schedule repair service immediately.

Your comfort is too important to take any chances with. Contact The Clean Air Act, Inc. if you suspect a problem with your heating system. Our team of Portland, OR furnace repair technicians will help protect your comfort throughout the heating season.