Product Feature: Water Furnace Versatec Ultra Series - 16.2 EER / 3.6 COP

The Versatec Ultra series represents a significant improvement in the commercial water source heat pump (wshp). The product features high efficiency with industry leading standard options in a compact cabinet suitable for both retrofit and new construction applications. It is also designed to provide optimum performance and flexibility in both water loop and geothermal applications. The Versatec Ultra series is Energy Star rated and exceeds ASHRAE 90.1 efficiencies, while utilizing environmentally friendly R410A refrigerant. This product was designed to adhere to the footprint of lower efficiency legacy equipment while operating at the high efficiencies of today's technology. The Versatec Ultra is available in a wide selection of capacities (009-070 kBtuh output), cabinet sizes, and an array of factory installed options to offer unmatched application flexibility.

This unit is only available with a commercial warranty. 

Nitrogen Dioxide - Reference Guide to Major Indoor Air Quality Pollutants in the Home

In this series, we'll detail the sources, health effects, levels in the home, and steps to reduce exposure to the 11 major indoor air quality pollutants in the home.

Nitrogen Dioxide

Sources
Kerosene heaters, unvented gas stoves and heaters. Environmental tobacco smoke.

Health Effects
Eye, nose, and throat irritation. May cause impaired lung function and increased respiratory infections in young children.

Levels in Homes
Average level in homes without combustion appliances is about half that of outdoors. In homes with gas stoves, kerosene heaters, or unvented gas space heaters, indoor levels often exceed outdoor levels.

Steps to Reduce Exposure

• Keep gas appliances properly adjusted.
• Consider purchasing a vented space heater when replacing an unvented one.
• Use proper fuel in kerosene space heaters.
• Install and use an exhaust fan vented to outdoors over gas stoves.
• Open flues when fireplaces are in use.
• Choose properly sized woodstoves that are certified to meet EPA emission standards. Make certain that doors on all woodstoves fit tightly.
• Have a trained professional inspect, clean, and tune-up central heating system (furnaces, flues, and chimneys) annually. Repair any leaks promptly.
• Do not idle the car inside garage.

Next in this series... Organic Gases

*Content provided by the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Environmental Protection Agency. CPSC Document #450. This document is public domain.*

Product Feature: Carrier Infinity Air Purifier

Infinity Air Purifier

Traps and Kills Air Pollutants: Purifies, Doesn't Merely Filter

Models: GAPA

The award-winning Infinity Air Purifier doesn't just filter air, it captures and kills airborne pathogens such as bacteria, viruses and mold. This whole house air cleaner re-purifies indoor air as many as 8 times an hour.

• MERV 15 Efficiency
• Captures and kills airborne germs and allergens
• Exclusive, patented technology
• Whole home air purification
• 10-year parts limited warranty upon registration

To the original owner, the Carrier Infinity Air Purifier is covered by a 10-year parts limited warranty. Ask your Howell's Heating & Air Conditioning Representative about optional extended warranties, which may include labor. Warranty period is 5 years if not registered within 90 days. Jurisdictions where warranty benefits cannot be conditioned on registration will automatically receive a 10-year parts limited warranty. See warranty certificate at carrier.com for complete details. 

Carbon Monoxide - Reference Guide to Major Indoor Air Quality Pollutants in the Home

In this series, we'll detail the sources, health effects, levels in the home, and steps to reduce exposure to the 11 major indoor air quality pollutants in the home.

Carbon Monoxide

Sources
Unvented kerosene and gas space heaters; leaking chimneys and furnaces; back-drafting from furnaces, gas water heaters, woodstoves, and fireplaces; gas stoves. Automobile exhaust from attached garages. Environmental Tobacco Smoke.

Health Effects
At low concentrations, fatigue in healthy people and chest pain in people with heart disease. At higher concentrations, impaired vision and coordination; headaches; dizziness; confusion; nausea. Can cause flu-like symptoms that clear up after leaving home. Fatal at very high concentrations.

Levels in Homes
Average levels in homes without gas stoves vary from 0.5 to 5 parts per million (ppm). Levels near properly adjusted gas stoves are often 5 to 15 ppm and those near poorly adjusted stoves may be 30 ppm or higher.

Steps to Reduce Exposure:

• Keep gas appliances properly adjusted.
• Consider purchasing a vented space heater when replacing an unvented one.
• Use proper fuel in kerosene space heaters.
• Install and use an exhaust fan vented to outdoors over gas stoves.
• Open flues when fireplaces are in use.
• Choose properly sized woodstoves that are certified to meet EPA emission standards. Make certain that doors on all woodstoves fit tightly.
• Have a trained professional inspect, clean, and tune-up central heating system (furnaces, flues, and chimneys) annually. Repair any leaks promptly.
• Do not idle the car inside garage.

Next in this series... Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)

*Content provided by the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Environmental Protection Agency. CPSC Document #450. This document is public domain.*

Product Feature: Condensate Pump

Remove the nuisance of ugly hoses or pipes running across the floor.

Condensation or wastewater is a byproduct of high efficiency furnaces, air conditioning evaporator coils, and flow- through humidifiers. A condensate pump is used to transfer this wastewater to a proper drain.

FAQ: What Are Some Ways To Help Control My Heating And Cooling Costs?

Once the thermostat is set, it should be left alone. However, programmable thermostats are commonly installed on systems to setback the house temperatures while you are away from your home. The air filters inside the system need to be checked, cleaned, or changed each month. The outdoor fan should not be covered or obstructed, so it can receive proper air flow.

Precision Tune Up checks should be performed which include refrigerant level checks, indoor/outdoor coil inspections (cleaning, if needed) and duct inspections. Duct inspections are very important. A poorly performing duct system can cause air comfort problems, high utility bills, and could become hazardous. We can measure your entire system's performance and show you how to get the most out of your heating and cooling system.

Product Feature: Aprilaire 700 Power Humidifier

This humidifier is a computer-equipped, power humidifier that features state-of-the-art automatic control. This power humidifier has a built-in fan that pulls ambient air and draws it across a water panel, where evaporation takes place. It utilizes an outdoor temperature sensor for monitoring even the slightest changes in outdoor temperature. This high-tech humidification system can deliver up to 50% more moisture in comparison to competitive units. The Model 700 has an evaporation capacity of 0.75 gallons per hour and can handle up to 3,700 square feet.

All About Air Ducts: Unresolved Issues of Duct Cleaning (Is It Really Worth It?)

Does duct cleaning prevent health problems? 

The bottom line is: no one knows. There are examples of ducts that have become badly contaminated with a variety of materials that may pose risks to your health. The duct system can serve as a means to distribute these contaminants throughout a home. In these cases, duct cleaning may make sense. However, a light amount of household dust in your air ducts is normal.

Duct cleaning is not considered to be a necessary part of yearly maintenance of your heating and cooling system, which consists of regular cleaning of drain pans and heating and cooling coils, regular filter changes and yearly inspections of heating equipment. Research continues in an effort to evaluate the potential benefits of air duct cleaning.

In the meantime educate yourself about duct cleaning by contacting some or all of the sources of information listed at the end of this publication and asking questions of potential service providers.

Are duct materials other than bare sheet metal ducts more likely to be contaminated with mold and other biological contaminants?

You may be familiar with air ducts that are constructed of sheet metal. However, many modern residential air duct systems are constructed of fiber glass duct board or sheet metal ducts that are lined on the inside with fiber glass duct liner. Since the early 1970's, a significant increase in the use of flexible duct, which generally is internally lined with plastic or some other type of material, has occurred. The use of insulated duct material has increased due to improved temperature control, energy conservation, and reduced condensation. Internal insulation provides better acoustical (noise) control. Flexible duct is very low cost. These products are engineered specifically for use in ducts or as ducts themselves, and are tested in accordance with standards established by Underwriters Laboratories (UL), the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

Many insulated duct systems have operated for years without supporting significant mold growth. Keeping them reasonably clean and dry is generally adequate. However, there is substantial debate about whether porous insulation materials (e.g., fiber glass) are more prone to microbial contamination than bare sheet metal ducts. If enough dirt and moisture are permitted to enter the duct system, there may be no significant difference in the rate or extent of microbial growth in internally lined or bare sheet metal ducts. However, treatment of mold contamination on bare sheet metal is much easier. Cleaning and treatment with an EPA-registered biocide are possible.

Once fiberglass duct liner is contaminated with mold, cleaning is not sufficient to prevent regrowth and there are no EPA-registered biocides for the treatment of porous duct materials. EPA, NADCA, and NAIMA all recommend the replacement of wet or moldy fiber glass duct material. In the meantime experts do agree that moisture should not be present in ducts and if moisture and dirt are present, the potential exists for biological contaminants to grow and be distributed throughout the home.

Controlling moisture is the most effective way to prevent biological growth in all types of air ducts.

• Correct any water leaks or standing water.
• Remove standing water under cooling coils of air handling units by making sure that drain pans slope toward the drain.
• If humidifiers are used, they must be properly maintained.
• Air handling units should be constructed so that maintenance personnel have easy, direct access to heat exchange components and drain pans for proper cleaning and maintenance.
• Fiber glass, or any other insulation material that is wet or visibly moldy (or if an unacceptable odor is present) should be removed and replaced by a qualified heating and cooling system contractor.
• Steam cleaning and other methods involving moisture should not be used on any kind of ductwork.

Should chemical biocides be applied to the inside of air ducts?

Air duct cleaning service providers may tell you that they need to apply a chemical biocide to the inside of your ducts to kill bacteria (germs), and fungi (mold) and prevent future biological growth. Some duct cleaning service providers may propose to introduce ozone to kill biological contaminants. Ozone is a highly reactive gas that is regulated in the outside air as a lung irritant. However, there remains considerable controversy over the necessity and wisdom of introducing chemical biocides or ozone into the ductwork.

Among the possible problems with biocide and ozone application in air ducts:

• Little research has been conducted to demonstrate the effectiveness of most biocides and ozone when used inside ducts. Simply spraying or otherwise introducing these materials into the operating duct system may cause much of the material to be transported through the system and released into other areas of your home.
• Some people may react negatively to the biocide or ozone, causing adverse health reactions.

Chemical biocides are regulated by EPA under Federal pesticide law. A product must be registered by EPA for a specific use before it can be legally used for that purpose. The specific use(s) must appear on the pesticide (e.g., biocide) label, along with other important information. It is a violation of federal law to use a pesticide product in any manner inconsistent with the label directions.

A small number of products are currently registered by EPA specifically for use on the inside of bare sheet metal air ducts. A number of products are also registered for use as sanitizers on hard surfaces, which could include the interior of bare sheet metal ducts. While many such products may be used legally inside of unlined ducts if all label directions are followed, some of the directions on the label may be inappropriate for use in ducts. For example, if the directions indicate "rinse with water", the added moisture could stimulate mold growth.

All of the products discussed above are registered solely for the purpose of sanitizing the smooth surfaces of unlined (bare) sheet metal ducts. No products are currently registered as biocides for use on fiber glass duct board or fiber glass lined ducts, so it is important to determine if sections of your system contain these materials before permitting the application of any biocide.

In the meantime before allowing a service provider to use a chemical biocide in your ductwork, the service provider should:

• Demonstrate visible evidence of microbial growth in your ductwork. Some service providers may attempt to convince you that your air ducts are contaminated by demonstrating that the microorganisms found in your home grow on a settling plate (i.e., petri dish). This is inappropriate. Some microorganisms are always present in the air, and some growth on a settling plate is normal. As noted earlier, only an expert can positively identify a substance as biological growth and lab analysis may be required for final confirmation. Other testing methods are not reliable.
• Explain why biological growth cannot be removed by physical means, such as brushing, and further growth prevented by controlling moisture.

If you decide to permit the use of a biocide, the service provider should:

• Show you the biocide label, which will describe its range of approved uses.
• Apply the biocide only to un-insulated areas of the duct system after proper cleaning, if necessary to reduce the chances for re-growth of mold.
• Always use the product strictly according to its label instructions.

While some low toxicity products may be legally applied while occupants of the home are present, you may wish to consider leaving the premises while the biocide is being applied as an added precaution.

Do sealants prevent the release of dust and dirt particles into the air?

Manufacturers of products marketed to coat and seal duct surfaces claim that these sealants prevent dust and dirt particles inside air ducts from being released into the air. As with biocides, a sealant is often applied by spraying it into the operating duct system. Laboratory tests indicate that materials introduced in this manner tend not to completely coat the duct surface. Application of sealants may also affect the acoustical (noise) and fire retarding characteristics of fiber glass lined or constructed ducts and may invalidate the manufacturer's warranty.

Questions about the safety, effectiveness and overall desirability of sealants remain. For example, little is known about the potential toxicity of these products under typical use conditions or in the event they catch fire.

In addition, sealants have yet to be evaluated for their resistance to deterioration over time which could add particles to the duct air.