Who Invented Air Conditioning?

During summer, when the temperatures increase, and there is a need for cooling, a simple press of a button can bring cold air flowing into the house. This has been made possible by the invention of the air conditioner. For most people, it is hard to imagine a life without an air conditioner. However, this device was only invented in the 20th century. Since its invention, the air conditioner has helped millions of people live a more convenient life and allowed for advancement in several commercial industries.

Necessity Is the Mother of Invention

Different cooling systems have been invented by people throughout history. The ancient Egyptians used a system of hanging wet mats at the doorway for cooling. The Romans used aqueducts to circulate fresh water through indoor pools, causing a cooling effect in the interior space. However, the modern air conditioner was not invented until 1902.

At the end of the 19th century, the manufacturing landscape in America had expanded with different types of products being produced. The paper printing factories were especially vulnerable to high temperature and humidity, which caused issues with the paper not allowing for proper printing. It was important to solve this issue if paper factories were to operate in regions with fluctuating temperature and humidity.

Willis Carrier: The Father of the Air Conditioner

One paper factory in Brooklyn, New York, hired an engineering firm to find a solution to this problem. The engineering firm assigned this project a young engineer named Willis Carrier, who was a graduate of Cornell University. Carrier had experience in experimental engineering and had worked on finding innovative solutions for the clients of his employer.

As a solution for the paper plant, Carrier made a device that had cold water pass through coils, which reduced the temperature of the air flowing through the coil system. This formed the basis of the concept of an air conditioner. The air conditioner we use today has gone through several improvements in design and technology, but the basic concept of the modern air conditioner has remained the same as invented by Carrier.

With the stunning success of his invention of the air conditioner, Carrier went on to start his own air conditioning company. The air conditioners were initially only used in commercial applications, but by 1914 the air conditioner was being used on residential premises. Carrier kept on improving on his invention and devolved a more efficient model of the air conditioner. This model was called the centrifugal refrigeration machine, commonly known as the “chiller.” This product was ideal for movie theaters and was installed in over 300 locations.

The Legacy of Willis Carrier

The legacy of Carrier lives in our homes, malls, cinemas, airplanes, ships, and anywhere that has an air conditioning unit. The concept used in air conditioning helped engineers and scientists develop other useful products. The air conditioner allowed for an increase in the productivity of its manufacturing plants during the summer months. The transformative device by Carrier helped to manifest plants control the temperature and humidity. This was essential not just for paper factories but for many other types of factories.

Architecture was another industry heavily impacted by the invention of the air conditioner. Before the invention, homes, and factories had to be built with thick walls and systems allowing for insulation from the climate outside. It was common for buildings to have thick walls, high ceilings, balconies, courtyards, windows facing away from the sun, and other necessary features to survive the hot weather. With the invention of the air conditioner, however, homes and factories could be built faster and more cheaply. Plus, they needed less space. Another major impact of the invention by Carrier was the great migration of Americans to the Sunbelt. The air conditioner allowed more Americans to settle in the southern states, which had higher temperatures.

Schedule an HVAC Service Appointment With Us

To schedule an appointment with our technician at Hometown Heating & Air, you can contact us through our website or give us a call. We are a full-service HVAC company, providing heating and cooling services. We are located in Cedarburg, WI. At Hometown Heating & Air, we also provide services for indoor air quality and maintenance services for solar units, boilers, gas furnaces, garage heaters, and more. All of our technicians are certified and experienced in performing these services. They carry all the latest tools and technology for diagnostics, repair, replacement, and other types of services. Contact us now to schedule a service.

What Are the Most Common Indoor Air Pollutants?

Indoor air quality is the air quality inside your home or office and around buildings. It can affect the health and comfort of the occupants. Unfortunately, the indoor air becomes contaminated because contained areas allow pollutants to accumulate more in closed spaces than outside. It’s necessary to understand indoor air quality causes to reduce the risk of indoor health problems like asthma attacks, respiratory concerns, and allergic reactions. Fortunately, you can control the most common indoor air pollutants.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are chemical compounds that can easily evaporate at room temperature. VOCs’ health effects often vary from dizziness, increased cancer risks, and headaches, depending on the length of exposure and the combination of VOCs. You may also suffer from liver and kidney damage, nausea, and nose and eye irritation. An array of products emits VOCs, and the concentration is higher indoors than outdoors. You may introduce this indoor air pollutant through paints, pesticides, disinfectants, and aerosol sprays. You can prevent exposure to this indoor air pollutant by increasing ventilation to your house and following the manufacturer’s instructions for household products.

Tobacco Smoke

Your indoor air is probably polluted with tobacco chemicals and compounds if someone smokes cigars or cigarettes inside the house. Second-hand is bad for your health, especially for small children; therefore, it’s best to avoid smoking in the house. Tobacco particles can spread throughout the house and remain at harmful levels for up to four hours. Prevent this common air pollutant by advising your guests to smoke far from the house. Smoking is a significant contributor to preventable illnesses, especially respiratory conditions. You can eliminate tobacco from your house with high-quality air filtration or deep-media filters.

Radon

Radon is a common indoor air pollutant and a leading cause of lung cancer. You cannot see nor smell radon gas, making it harder to notice when it’s polluting your indoor air. Radon gas is emitted naturally when uranium decays in water or soil. It can get into your indoor air through foundation seams or cracks. The best way to detect high radon gas levels in your home is by using test kits that meet the standard requirements. It would also be best to hire a qualified and experienced expert to carry out the testing, especially during the heating season, because ventilation through windows and doors can tamper with the test results.

Excess Moisture

Moisture is an important yet least recognized indoor air pollutant. It can affect your health and the structural well-being of your house. Moist occurs when warm moist air settles on surfaces like walls, mirrors, and windows of a cooler place. Since cooler air cannot hold much moisture, the excess condenses to form droplets on a surface. When moisture collects in droplets, it forms mildew, dust mites and mold that cause allergies and asthma. Mold also destroys wood products and fastens rusting of metals. Moisture indoors affects your comfort.

Combustion Products

Gas-fired appliances, such as water heaters, some dryers, and furnaces, emit carbon dioxide and water vapor. Combustion pollutants can quickly enter your home if you don’t vent the appliances correctly to the outside. Carbon dioxide is a dangerous indoor air pollutant because it’s toxic, odorless, and colorless. You can easily detect this gas in your indoor air through a carbon dioxide detector. Some common carbon dioxide sources in your home may include damaged or improperly sized boilers or furnaces, unvented gas heaters, and faulty or poorly adjusted gas appliances.

Pesticides

Pesticides are a common indoor air pollutant, common in products that control rodents, insects, microbes, termites, and pests. They are common products in most homes, such as disinfectants and insecticides. Long-term exposure to pesticides can affect your throat, nose, and nose. It can also damage your central nervous system and increase the risks of cancer.

Candles and Incense

Surprisingly, candle and incense are common indoor air pollutants because they produce particles and other contaminants after burning. Scented candles also emit some amounts of VOCs and formaldehyde. However, the particles might not be harmful if you burn candles occasionally.

Wood Smoke

Smoke is a common indoor air contaminant common in homes that use wood as a source of fuel for warmth and cooking. Wood has several benefits, but it also produces harmful smoke if you fail to ventilate your home properly. You can avoid the common indoor air contaminant by changing old wood stoves to newer and cleaner stoves to reduce wood smoke’s health risks.

Proper ventilation can help eliminate these indoor air pollutants. We can help Cedarburg homeowners to ventilate their homes properly and with effective air filters. Residents can also rely on us for maintenance agreements, ductless mini-split systems, gas furnaces, garage heaters, and Wi-Fi smart thermostats. Contact Hometown Heating and Air today to access your home for indoor air pollutants.

How do Air Purifiers Work?

Most homeowners in Cedarburg, WI, are shocked to learn that the air in their homes is up to five times dirtier than the outdoor air. Indoor air pollution comes from many sources, including your house’s furnishings and the materials used to construct your home. The everyday activities you do and the products you bring into your residence add to indoor air pollution. One way to improve the quality of your home’s air is to install an air purifier. Here’s what you need to know about how they work and who should consider having one installed in their home.

What Air Purifiers Do

Air purifiers clean the air. They trap or inactivate a variety of particles. There are two types of air purifiers. Portable air purifiers are designed to clean the air in one room, such as a bedroom. A whole-home air purifier sanitizes all of the air in your house. Both types are rated by their airflow rate. You should choose an air purifier that will handle all of your home’s or room’s air at least twice per hour. This allows the appliance to remove contaminants, such as sneeze clouds laden with viruses before you have a chance to breathe those particles into your lungs. There are two ways air purifiers work.

One way that an air purifier works is by trapping particles. They may have a filter that does this. The filter media includes layers of fibers that trap particles. These air purifiers will need filter changes once every two to four weeks. An air purifier may also trap particles through electrostatic charges. They do this with ions, and the particles then stick to plates. The metal plates need to be cleaned about once per month.

Another way an air purifier may clean your air is through particle inactivation. There are two types of technology for particle inactivation in air purification systems. The first is with a UV-C lamp. A UV-C lamp is a special type of light bulb that emits UV-C energy. This type of energy bombards the outer protein coats of bacteria, viruses, and allergens. The particles break apart into harmless components. The other type of technology that can inactivate particles is ion emission. Ion emission air purifiers release positively and negatively charged ions that inactivate particles. Some of the particles will stick to each other, and they’ll be big enough to be trapped by the unit’s air filter.

How Effective Are Air Purifiers at Cleaning the Air?

Air purifiers are very effective at inactivating and trapping particles from a house’s air. They do the best job with large particles, such as pollen and pet dander. They also do a good job at inactivating infectious germs, such as the viruses that cause the common cold or influenza. To get the best results from your air purifier, you’ll need to keep up with the manufacturer’s maintenance recommendations for cleaning the plates or changing the filters. UV-C air purifiers will need a bulb replacement every one to two years. It’s also a good idea to pair the air purifier with an HVAC filter that has a high minimum efficiency reported value (MERV) rating. Look for a filter with a MERV rating of at least 13. These filters trap particles like dust, bacteria, oil droplets, and pet saliva.

Who Should Consider Using an Air Purifier?

If you or anyone in your home suffers from allergies or asthma, then an air purifier may remove some of the particles that trigger your symptoms. By inactivating allergens and germs in your house’s air, the air purifier also lowers your risk of getting sick. This is helpful for anyone with allergies, asthma, or a compromised immune system. If your household includes a baby or an elderly person, an air purifier could help them breathe easier and give you peace of mind. You may also want to consider an air purifier if you’ve noticed more dust buildup or if you find yourself coughing, sniffling, or sneezing more frequently.

Hometown Heating & Air employs a trusted installation team for air purifiers. You can also count on us for dependable heating and air conditioning maintenance, repair, replacement, and installation services. Our maintenance agreements will make your life in Cedarburg more convenient, save you money, and give you peace of mind. For more details about air purifiers and how they work, get in touch with us at Hometown Heating & Air today.

What are the Major Parts of an Air Conditioner?

Summertime in Cedarburg, WI, is warm and humid. You’ll need a properly functioning air conditioning system to maintain a comfortable environment in your home. Central air conditioning systems have many parts, and they all have to be in good working order for the system to keep your home cool and to remove excess humidity. Here are seven of the major components of an air conditioner.

1. Refrigerant

Air conditioners contain a chemical refrigerant. These chemicals transfer states between liquid and vapor as they absorb and release heat and become pressurized. The first generation of air conditioners used Freon as the refrigerant. By the 1960s, scientists discovered that Freon contributed to ozone depletion. Its use was phased out. In 2010, the production of Freon ended. Newer air conditioners use a refrigerant called R-410A. This refrigerant doesn’t damage the ozone layer. An old air conditioner that uses Freon can’t be refilled with R-410A.

2. Evaporator

The evaporator is a coil contained in the indoor portion of your air conditioner. The cold refrigerant cycles through it. The coil extracts both heat and humidity from your home’s air. The coil needs an annual cleaning from a certified technician. Dust or dirt on the coil can interfere with its ability to absorb heat from your home’s air.

3. Air Handler

In most air conditioners, the evaporator coil is contained within the air handler. The air handler also includes a blower and motor. The blower pushes warm air from your home across the cold evaporator coil. Moisture condenses out of the cooled air, and the water is drained into the condensate drain and pan. The air handler also contains the housing for the air filter. Most air conditioning systems use disposable air filters. We recommend checking them monthly and replacing them every one to three months.

4. Compressor

The compressor’s job is to compress the refrigerant. This turns it into a hot liquid. The liquid gets hot enough that it is able to pass through the condenser coils and release its heat. The compressor is located between the evaporator and condenser coils.

5. Condenser

The condenser is part of the outdoor unit. The condenser contains a fan with a motor. It also has a large coil. The refrigerant travels through the coil. The condenser’s fan blows outdoor air across the coils, which cools the refrigerant. Heat dissipates to the outdoors. A stainless steel housing protects the fan, motor, and coil. The outdoor location of the condenser makes it prone to wind, hail, and rust damage. We recommend cutting back tree branches, grass, shrubs, and other vegetation at least three feet away from the condenser. Doing this allows the heat from the refrigerant to flow away from the condenser. If you ever notice ice on the condenser coils, this is a problem that requires urgent repairs.

6. Expansion Valve

An expansion valve decreases the pressure of the liquid refrigerant. This lowers the temperature of the refrigerant, turning it from a warm liquid into a cold liquid. The cold liquid is ready to enter the evaporator coil and absorb more heat energy from your home’s air.

7. Thermostat

The thermostat is your air conditioner’s command and control center. It has an air temperature sensor. When the air temperature in your home is above the temperature setting, the thermostat triggers the air conditioner to turn on. It does this with a wired connection. Smart thermostats also connect to your home’s Wi-Fi. Through Wi-Fi, the thermostat can communicate with an app on your phone.

Other Air Conditioner Parts

Air conditioners have many additional parts. The capacitor delivers a high level of power at the startup of a cooling cycle. This energy is needed to start the motors. Air conditioners also have pressure valves and sensors. They include a control panel, wiring, and switches. The condensate drain and pan are also important. The system’s air filter traps particles and prevents them from circulating through your home or settling on the evaporator’s coil.

At Hometown Heating & Air, we’re the trusted installation team for air conditioners. We also install heating systems. Our heating and air conditioning maintenance and repair services keep you comfortable all year long. You can also turn to us for affordable indoor air quality services. For more information about the major parts of an air conditioner, contact us at Hometown Heating & Air as soon as you can.

Are Electric Furnaces an Energy-Efficient Option?

In the quest for greater efficiency in your home, one important component to consider is the furnace. After all, during a Cedarburg winter, a furnace gets used extensively, resulting in significant energy usage. If you currently have a gas furnace, you may wonder if an electric furnace offers better efficiency and the possibility of a lower utility bill. By understanding how an electric furnace from [company_name] operates, you will be well-equipped to understand the nuances of energy-efficiency when it comes to furnaces.

Turning Fuel Into Energy

The efficiency of a gas furnace is rated with a measurement called the AFUE rating. AFUE standards for annual fuel utilization efficiency. This standard looks at how efficient a furnace is at turning the fuel it uses into useful energy. Specifically, the more heat that a furnace can create from a specific amount of energy, the higher its AFUE rating will be.

A common furnace of today will have an AFUE of around 80. High-efficiency furnaces range anywhere from 90 to 98, although the high end of this range can be quite expensive. However, electric furnaces from [company_name] beat every gas furnace in terms of efficiency since they have an equivalent AFUE rating of around 100%. This makes sense when you consider that a gas furnace has to turn its fuel into a flame, meaning that at least a small amount of the fuel that a gas furnace takes in is lost as light energy instead of being transformed into heat energy.

Not as Fast

Unfortunately, efficiency alone isn’t enough to grant you a lower utility bill, at least when it comes to furnaces. That’s because the fuel that is used by a gas furnace is utilized more effectively than in an electric furnace. In a gas furnace, the heat that is created is at a much higher temperature than in an electric furnace.

Therefore, even though some energy is inevitably lost in a gas furnace from [company_name], it only has to run for a short period of time to bring your home to the desired temperature. This means that a gas furnace is able to make up for any efficiency shortfalls by utilizing less fuel overall. On top of that, natural gas and fuel oil are much less expensive per unit than electricity, meaning that your utility bill will likely be less with a gas furnace even if it’s an older model with an efficiency below 80%.

Still Plenty of Perks

Although an electric furnace is more expensive to operate, there are still advantages to owning an electric furnace. For one, an electric furnace doesn’t bring with it any risk of carbon monoxide poisoning from natural gas. Although electricity can cause an electrical fire, a properly installed electric furnace is a very low-risk appliance.

Plus, electric furnaces are quieter because they don’t require a burner or a draft inducer to operate. Additionally, you can operate an electric furnace without a flue. If you don’t already have a flue installed, this can save you significant money on installation costs. Perhaps the best part of an electric furnace, though, is that its initial price is lower, making it more affordable if you need to replace your furnace but have a limited budget to do so.

An Even Better Option

If you don’t currently have gas service at your home and you need an efficient option to heat your home with electricity, a heat pump from [company_name] is the best way to go. Heat pumps don’t require any gas to operate because they extract heat from the outside air to heat your home. All that’s needed is a marginal amount of electricity to keep the extraction process going.

For the cold Wisconsin winters, your best bet is a geothermal heat pump that utilizes the consistent ground temperature to keep your home warm. However, even an air-source heat pump can be quite useful and still save a fair amount of energy compared to a conventional electric furnace. Therefore, even with only an electric supply, you have plenty of options to keep your home comfortable this winter.

Keeping You Warm on the Coldest Days

At [company_name], we understand just how cold the winters around here can get. That’s why we take pride in offering superb maintenance, repair, and installation services for heating systems of all types. We can also perform those same services for air conditioners so you can stay comfortable in the summer, as well. Our many years of exceptional service has resulted in an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and countless five-star customer reviews. To learn more about your options for heating your home this winter, contact us at [company_name] today.

Message from Hometown Heating & Air’s President on COVID-19

[company_name] has been closely monitoring the ongoing outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19) and guidance as issued by the government and health authorities. The health and safety of our Customers and Employees is our top priority.

Click Below to learn more about our commitment to your safety:

The health and safety of our Customers and Employees is our top priority. Our teams have been monitoring the situation closely and taking the necessary precautions to keep our Customers, Employees, and our communities safe.

With the effects of the pandemic being felt more each day, we wanted to share the precautionary measures we are implementing to ensure uninterrupted HVAC services, should your need arise.
  • [company_name] is implementing a zero-touch contact with all customers. All [company_name] transactions can be done electronically, so all receipts will be emailed to limit physical interaction with customers.
  • We are recommending customers use checks or credit cards. We will NOT be accepting cash.
  • Before and after servicing a customer’s HVAC equipment, all technicians will wipe the area with a disinfectant.
  • Hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes have been supplied to all [company_name] employees. As long as they are available, we will use them to wipe down any surface we have worked on.
  • Employees have been briefed on the importance of maintaining a clean and safe environment and on our communication and action plans regarding COVID-19.
  • We have engaged with our suppliers to understand their Pandemic Response plans.
  • [company_name] locations are increasing awareness on Indoor Air Quality Solutions, as well as extending discounts on products to help eliminate the spread of airborne pollutants, such as the coronavirus, in our customers’ homes and businesses.

In addition to the steps above, we are closely monitoring the health of all our employees on a daily basis. If an employee shows any sign of illness, they will be asked to seek a medical diagnosis and cleared by a medical professional, or until they are symptom-free for 72 hours before being allowed to provide service to any customers.

If you have any questions, please contact us at [phone]

More information on the coronavirus is available here:

World Health Organization: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

Center for Disease Control: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

Thank you for your continued trust, and our thoughts are with those impacted by this unprecedented situation.

Regards,
Ken Theiler, Owner
[company_name]

You Need to Know These Installation Steps Before Hiring an A/C Contractor

You Need to Know These Installation Steps Before Hiring an A/C Contractor

Much of how your cooling system runs depends on the quality of the A/C installation. It’s important to select an HVAC contractor who will follow the most stringent practices in the industry to assure the equipment performs at top efficiency.

Here are four areas that a qualified HVAC technician will pay attention to during an A/C installation.

A/C Installation Sizing

Sizing an air conditioner precisely for your home is the first step in the process. Professionals use Manual J software, which involves a thorough analysis of your home’s energy efficiency, cubic footage, floorplan design, and lifestyle factors. If your HVAC contractor skips this step and goes by the size of your existing equipment, you may end up with a system that’s too large or small for your home. This can drive up cooling costs, reduce comfort and lead to reduced equipment life.

A/C Installation Ductwork

Ducts must be the right size and configuration for the system you choose. If ducts are too small, they’ll be noisy when the system run. If they’re too large, there won’t be adequate air pressure. All ductwork needs to be tested and sealed tightly to prevent leakage.

Installation Airflow

The amount of air blowing through the air handler needs to be tested during the A/C installation to verify it matches manufacturer recommendations. If there’s too little airflow, the evaporator coil in the air handler can freeze over, damaging the compressor in the outdoor condenser. If there’s too much, more heat will remain in the air that flows over the coil, lengthening the cooling cycle.

A/C Installation Refrigerant

At the close of the installation, the professional will gradually install the refrigerant into the condenser. Too much or too little refrigerant will adversely affect the performance of your new cooling system. Before the HVAC installer finishes, the refrigerant level must match the specifications established by the manufacturer.

About [company_name] Milwaukee in Cedarburg:

[company_name] is your full-service in-home heating and cooling provider. Whether you need a new unit installed or your current unit repaired and maintained, our certified HVAC technicians can do it all. An HVAC system is an important investment that will impact your life for years to come. It’s important to protect that investment, and [company_name] does it better than anyone in the business. We provide quality HVAC services at a great cost!

Currently serving the following communities:

Cedarburg, Grafton, Germantown, Mequon, Menomonee Falls, West Bend, Glendale, Whitefish Bay, Shorewood, Milwaukee, Thiensville, Hubertus, Colgate, Kewaskum & Richfield.

Why Upgrading Your Insulation Is Not a DIY Job

Do you need to upgrade the insulation in your home? Over time, insulation can deteriorate, lose its effectiveness, and not provide the level of protection it should. Maybe you’re thinking about tackling the job yourself. Before you go out to the home improvement store in search of insulation, consider six reasons why it’s smarter to leave this job to the professionals.

1. Insulation Professionals Have the Proper Equipment

A professional who installs installation has a supply of tools and equipment designed specifically for the process. As an example, a professional has tools made to cut insulation in a precise way so it fits inside a wall or floor exactly how it should. When insulation is cut haphazardly, it can leave gaps allowing cool or warm air into or out of a home. You can have the best type of insulation available, but if it’s installed improperly, it won’t serve its purpose.

Professionals have the proper tools needed to secure insulation to a surface, so it doesn’t shift or move out of place. Insulation that isn’t firmly secured isn’t going to achieve the purpose of keeping the heat in and the cold out in the wintertime and vice versa in the summer.

2. Professionals Use Quality Products

Hiring professionals to upgrade your insulation means you’re going to get the best kind of insulation for your home. Our expert insulation installers at [company_name] in Milwaukee are familiar with the various types of insulation and which brands are the most reliable. We’ve seen what works and what doesn’t.

Professional installers understand what type of insulation you need for your home. Some types of insulation are loose and can be blown in. Other types are made of rigid foam that must be put in place by hand. Professional installers can advise you on the most suitable type of insulation for your home.

3. Professionals Understand Safety Practices

Another reason to hire a professional to upgrade your insulation is they take the proper safety precautions. Insulation material carries with it dust and other very small debris that can get stirred up as installation takes place. Knowing the proper precautions to take and having the right safety gear should be left to experts who understand exactly how to implement safety protocols.

4. Professionals Have Knowledge of Proper Insulation Disposal

When you upgrade insulation, the old insulation must be taken out and disposed of appropriately. Expert insulation installers know how to completely remove old, worn-out insulation and dispose of it properly. Hiring professionals means you don’t have to deal with figuring out where to put the old insulation before putting in the upgraded insulation.

5. Professionals Stand Behind Their Work

At [company_name] in Milwaukee, we stand behind our work. We want you to be satisfied with the insulation upgrade we perform in your home. We are an award-winning company trusted by the people in our community. If there’s an issue, we take the time and effort to make it right. We want all our customers to be happy and satisfied with the quality of our work.

6. Professionals Know How Much Insulation to Use

Do you know how much insulation should be used in walls, ceilings, and floors? This is a question best left to expert insulation installers. It’s important to put the right amount of insulation into a home so it can do its job. Also, you don’t want to pay for more insulation than necessary. Therefore, it’s best to have a professional calculate the exact amount of insulation needed for your home.

At [company_name] in Milwaukee, we can upgrade the insulation in your home and address your other heating and cooling needs, if any. We provide air conditioner and furnace installations, repairs, and maintenance work. Also, we can assess the quality of your home’s air. If it needs improvement, we can suggest steps you should take to make it a healthier environment for your family. We’re glad to answer any questions you have about your home’s indoor air.

Our company, [company_name], earned the Best of Home Advisor Award in 2018 and the Angie’s List Super Service Award in 2019. Plus, we’re proud to be an A+ accredited business with the BBB. Contact our courteous staff at [company_name] today and let us upgrade the insulation in your Milwaukee home.

The Dangers of Reusing AC Filters

There’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes of your AC, and here to help you is [company_name] of Milwaukee in Cedarburg, WI. The filter of the AC unit is responsible for catching debris and making sure that the appliance runs at maximum efficiency. When a filter becomes full of dirt, dust, and other debris, you need to empty it right away. However, it’s crucial that you don’t reuse the filter. While it might seem perfectly functional, there are a couple of reasons why this is not advised. Here’s a breakdown of some of the dangers of reusing AC filters.

Poor Air Quality

Reusing AC filters simply leads to poor indoor air quality. The whole point of a filter is to remove dust and other particles from the air, but when you reuse a filter, it loses effectiveness each time. Some of the smallest particles will be passed on from usage to usage, and the filter can become too clogged to do its job in a productive way.

If you’re committed to the best air quality in your home, you’ll want to use a new air filter each time. In particular, people with preexisting health conditions should focus on air filter quality. Don’t rely on a separate air purifier to clean things up. The effect of a reused air filter should not be underestimated. Breathing in air that’s of such poor quality is a health risk that most people if they are aware of it, would simply choose to pass on. It’s just not worth the price of an AC air filter.

Mold and Mildew

AC filters that have been reused can also accumulate mold and mildew. These substances are not healthy to inhale either. If you have asthma or allergies, you want to avoid mildew at all costs. These particles can infect your lungs and make it more difficult to breathe. In the worst-case scenario, you could be looking at hospitalization for an extended period of time. You shouldn’t settle for reusing filters that are ridden with mold. Take some time to purchase a new supply of air filters for the next year.

Non-reusable Filters

There are two types of AC filters on the market. Reusable filters are specifically designed to be used over and over again. Non-reusable filters don’t have this sort of durability and must be disposed of when full. If your unit’s filter is non-reusable, you’re fundamentally at risk for respiratory issues when you reuse the filter.

It simply isn’t designed for this purpose. If you’ve never inspected your unit’s filter, take a moment to do so, and see whether it is reusable. From there, you can simply follow the manufacturer’s recommendations on how to proceed.

Rough Handling

When you reuse a filter, you’re exposing it to some rough handling. You might try to be gentle with the device, but some damage will occur no matter what. The edges of the filter might show signs of wear and tear as they are repeatedly folded over. If you use water to clean the filter, water droplets can slowly cause deterioration as well. Once the filter is clean, it will be inserted back into the unit in a worse condition than when you removed it. While this might not be super harmful at first glance, keep in mind that damage can add up over time. On your third or fourth time of reusing a filter, it will be in a much worse state than before.

Undetectable Dangers

Finally, the dangers of a reused filter are often hard to detect. If mold or mildew has accumulated, you might not be able to smell it with an untrained nose. If the filter has ruptured from the inside, this won’t be detectable until you actually open up the unit. From the outside, it could very well look like everything is running just fine.

Because these dangers aren’t always visible, you have to keep in mind that they could be severe behind the scenes. By using new AC filters, you reduce the chance of any of this happening. You don’t have to worry about the condition of your filter on a daily basis. Tossing out your filters is good for your peace of mind. And generally, the cost isn’t too inhibitive.

Installing New Filters

There are some serious dangers of reusing AC filters. It’s in your best interest to spend a little bit of money on new filters as opposed to reusing them for money-saving purposes. When installing filters and other AC components, professional service such as [company_name] of Milwaukee in Cedarburg, WI, can be of assistance. Some of our other specialties include heating, air conditioning, and indoor air quality. Reach out to us today so we can provide you with the safest HVAC systems out there! We look forward to telling you all about the ways we can serve your indoor climate comfort needs.