Duct leaks

LEAKING DUCTS COST YOU MONEY & ENERGY
Imagine getting a heart transplant only to find out afterwards that you have clogged arteries. No doubt you would end up suing the heart surgeon and operating team for neglect.
Something like this commonly happens to home and building heating, ventilating and cooling (HVAC) systems all around the country. Great strides have been made jacking up the energy efficiency of HVAC furnaces and central air units - the heart of your system. Federal regulations require that the relative efficiencies of this equipment be measured and prominently labeled with a "Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio" (SEER) number. Just a few years ago the normal SEER rating was 8 or 9. Now many contractors sell units with SEERs of 12, 13 and higher. This theoretically saves the home owner hundreds of dollars each year in energy costs.
Unfortunately, despite paying thousands of dollars to replace antiquated HVAC units, many home owners are not deriving the full benefits of their advanced equipment due to damaged arteries, i.e., leaky duct systems. Too often they hook up high efficiency equipment to an energy-guzzling duct system. Studies have shown that when this happens, an HVAC unit rated SEER 12 will perform like one with an SEER of 6 or 8.
Ever wonder why some rooms have always been very hard to heat or cool? Or why your HVAC system costs so much to run? Or why your house always seems too dusty? Any and all of these problems may be caused by leaky ductwork.
The leaks may be tiny and subtle, occurring at collars, joints and the air handling interface. Careless construction crews sometimes damage the delicate ductwork during original installation, or maybe the home owner will do it inadvertently during spring cleaning. Over time joints come loose and duct tape falls apart. Even if it's a small hole, when the equipment's air handler is turned on, air pressure in the ducts increases 15 to 30 times. This forces air to escape like out of the narrow stem of a blown-up balloon. Also, wall and joist cavities often get used as return air ducts and plenums. These are never airtight.
Individually, none of these leaks may amount to much, but the cumulative effect is to dramatically reduce the operating efficiency of your HVAC system. One study done by the Florida Governor's Energy Office concluded - "It can be projected that duct leaks increase total cooling and heating energy use in Florida by about 33%." That's an amazing figure when you think about it. Imagine saving 33 cents out of every $1 you pay in energy bills. Over the course of a year that adds up to some real money!
Minor duct leaks can be detected and fixed by home owners themselves. While the system is running, feel along the ducts for hot or cold air escaping. When you locate minor leaks, you can plug them with silicone sealants made especially for duct systems.
Hardware stores also sell special aluminized tape that is more effective than duct tape for wrapping around duct joints and bends. Also be sure to keep the filters clean on any forced air system. They should be replaced no less than one a quarter for optimum performance.
While these do-it-yourself fixes will solve minor problems, more serious cases would benefit from an examination by a home heating and cooling professional. Sophisticated firms use what's known as an infiltrometer blower door test, using technology developed with government funding by Princeton University scientists. This examination usually takes less than an hour. The device fits snugly into a door opening. While your air handling unit is shut off, a fan pressurizes the house. The technician then uses chemical smoke to evaluate duct leakage from inside the home. The smoke should just linger in front of a register or grille. If it races in, it means there are duct leaks nearby. A thorough technician will be able to compute the combined amount of leakage by repeating the test after temporarily taping over registers and grilles.
Homes with duct leaks in attics and crawl spaces often will draw that hot, dusty, moldy air into conditioned space. This not only wastes energy, it can be a health hazard as well. This is why, in addition to testing for duct leakage, people living in older homes should consider having their ducts cleaned to remove years of accumulated dirt and grime that contribute to allergies and other ailments.

Humidification

How Dry You Are? How Moist Should You Be?

Relative humidity is more than relatively important when it comes to healthy
and comfortable indoor living. Plus, at the right levels, you can save
money on your fuel bill.

Too much humidity is a bad thing, right? After all, it creates and promotes
an environment where bacteria, mold, various fungi and dust mites not only
grow, but flourish!

But hang on a sec...doesn't dry air cause it's own fair share of problems?
You bet. In fact, excessively dry indoor air can weaken your immune system
from harmful viruses and respiratory ailments.

The fact is, dry air and damp air both have their fair share of problems.
So what's the answer? A whole-house, combined humidification and
dehumidification system where you can control and maintain the proper levels
of relative humidity, which most experts agree are between 40%-55%.

Before going any further, let's define the very term this article is all
about:

"Relative Humidity" is the moisture content in the air as a percentage of
the total
amount of moisture air can actually hold. So, at a relative humidity of
40%,
air is holding 40% of its full potential.

With a whole-house humidifier from Aux Mechanical, you can maintain ideal
levels of humidity all year long. In the process, you can save 5% or more
on your annual fuel bill. More importantly, you'll add immeasurably to your
family's indoor comfort while helping to prevent and control problems with
asthma, allergies, colds and flus, and more.

Where do the energy savings come from? Cold air is dry, and in dry air,
moisture evaporates from your skin. That, in turn, tends to cool you off.
So, by setting the thermostat at 69° with a relative humidity of 35%, you'll
feel just as warm as you would in 72° air with 19% relative humidity.

Bottom line, you want to dehumidify your home in warm weather, and add
humidity when it's cold. In fact, act now, and save $100 on a whole-house
humidification system from Aux Mechanical.

Whole-House Humidification

Save $100...

...on a fully installed whole-house humidification/dehumidification system.
This offer may not be combined with any other discount or promotion.

* You hear a lot of talk about indoor humidity levels...when it's too
much, and when it's not enough. Learn the facts, and what you can do to
improve your family's year-round indoor comfort.

Pj Smitherman
Operations Manager
Aux Plumbing, Heating, Cooling, and Electrical

If you want something you've never had, you'll have to do something you've
never done. "Dave Ramsey"

Introducing the new www.auxphce.com

Emergency Procedures

When Disaster Strikes, Here's How to Strike Back.

By observing a few simple emergency shut-off procedures, you can help
protect your and your family during a natural disaster.

When Mother Nature comes calling with anything other than sweet sunshine and
balmy temperatures, you have cause for concern. Especially when "she"
decides to send the extreme stuff, like an earthquake, hurricane, tornado,
and other such pleasantries.

So what's a homeowner to do? Well, as your preferred plumbing resource, Aux
Mechanical would like to offer a few ideas on how, when and why to turn off
your main water and power supplies.

Water Shut-Off Procedures

Following a natural disaster, conduct a visual inspection for leaks in your
various plumbing systems. Also, check your water supply lines by turning
water faucets on and off. If the cold water stops running, runs very slowly
after a few seconds, or is dirty, you most likely have a leak.

In that event, you'll want to shut off your main water supply. There are
two basic means:

* Turn off the water where it enters the house...in many homes,
there's a valve just below your main outdoor faucet;
* Or, you can shut down your water supply by turning the valve
attached to your water meter.

Water valves either have round or lever-type handles. With a lever, you
only have to make a one-quarter turn to shut off your water. Round handles
are typically harder to turn, so you may have to give it a few tries. To
turn off your water, turn the handle clockwise. And if you don't have a
main water shut off, you should have one installed.

Power Shut-Off Procedures

In the immediate aftermath of a major disaster, do not turn lights on or off
or use matches if you have gas heat! Instead, use flashlights to check for
gas leaks to prevent an explosion or fire. If you do hear or smell a leak,
shut off your gas valve and immediately open your doors and windows to vent
the accumulated gas.

Also, if you hear sparking sounds or see or smell smoke, then you need to
turn off your electrical power. If your house has fuses, you'll find a
knife switch or pull-out fuse that should be marked "Main." If you have a
circuit breaker, turn off the small breakers first, and then the "Main"
breaker. But whatever you do, never remove the metal cover.
Want to Know More?

For more information on how to protect your home following a natural
disaster, call us today. Also, we invite you to redeem the attached coupon
today for a $50 savings on a complete inspection of all your plumbing
fixtures and systems.

Pj Smitherman
Operations Manager
Aux Plumbing, Heating, Cooling, and Electrical

If you want something you've never had, you'll have to do something you've
never done. "Dave Ramsey"

Introducing the new www.auxphce.com

Saving energy and Being comforable

There are two fundamental ways to maximize your heating and cooling energy
efficiency. Either, 1.) Stand by your old thermostat and constantly adjust
it throughout the day and the seasons, or 2.) Invest in a programmable
thermostat.

According to Energy Star, the average household spends more than $2000 a
year on energy costs, up to half of which is for heating and cooling. With a
programmable thermostat, you can save around $180 each year, maybe more in
extreme climates and as energy costs go up.

Programmable thermostats automatically do all the temperature monitoring and
adjusting for you by following the instructions you program into them. In
the process, they save energy and money. If you program your thermostat back
10º to 15º for eight hours while you're away, you'll save about 5% to 15% a
year on your heating bill. That translates to 1% savings for each degree
that you lower the setting over an eight hour period. During winter months,
it's recommended you set your thermostat to 68ºF (20ºC) while you're at home
and awake, and lowering it when you're asleep or away.

Five types of thermostats:

1. Electromechanical (EM) thermostats have manual controls for
day and night settings.
2. Digital models are precise and feature the greatest
flexibility for custom scheduling.
3. Hybrids combine digital and manual controls, so they offer
flexibility in a simpler format than digital models.
4. Occupancy thermostats maintain the same setback temperature
until you press a button to return to the desired temperature for occupying
the room. These units are for buildings that are not occupied for extended
periods.
5. Light sensing heat thermostats adjust the temperature
according to the light levels in the building. These are primarily for
stores and offices.

Misconceptions: You should also be aware of common thermostat
misconceptions. First, it's not true that by setting the temperature back,
and later setting it forward to the original temperature, you're making your
furnace work harder and actually consuming more energy. At worst, you'll
most likely break even - it uses just as much extra energy to reheat a room
to its original temperature as the energy saved by reducing the heat. What's
more, the longer you keep the temperature lowered, the more energy and cost
savings.

The second misconception is that you can reheat a room faster and more
efficiently if you turn the thermostat to a higher than desired setting. No
matter how high you turn up the thermostat's temperature, the room will warm
up at the same rate of speed. So, when you program your thermostat to reheat
(or re-cool) your home, set it to the desired end temperature and no more or
less.

Considerations: Chart your weekly routine, weekdays and weekends, so you can
choose a thermostat that's programmable to your schedule. Ask our
professionals if the new unit is compatible with your current unit's wiring.
If the unit's clock draws power from the heating system, is the clock
disrupted when the furnace cycles off? Is the thermostat precise enough for
your needs? Is it too complicated (particularly digital models)?

Need more helpful advice? Just call us. We've got the answers.

Pj Smitherman
Operations Manager
Aux Plumbing, Heating, Cooling, and Electrical

If you want something you've never had, you'll have to do something you've
never done. "Dave Ramsey"

Introducing the new www.auxphce.com

Winter Tune up's And Peak efficiencies

A "Fine Tune" for the Winter Months Ahead.

Fact: your heating system will last longer and conserve precious energy
with regular system maintenance. Here's how and why.

On average, American families spend hundreds if not thousands of dollars
every year to heat and cool their homes. That's the bad news. The good
news is that it's relatively easy to cut those energy costs, and keeping
your heating system finely tuned is a great place to start.

Before we even get to your heating system, however, a word to the wise:
don't wait for the real cold stuff before you check your window caulking.
Beefing up your insulation and upgrading your windows will help cut energy
costs even more.

During a heating system tune up, these are just a few the measures we take
to ensure added comfort, safety, and energy efficiency to help make winter a
warmer experience:

* Inspect the heater and vent pipe;
* Clean or replace the filter;
* Check for ignition or flame failure;
* Check the motor and fan bearings;
* Check burners and controls
* Check safety controls
* Check thermostat
* Perform Combustion Analysis
* And much more.

While we're at it, we may be able to suggest certain "efficiency
modifications" that help to generate more heat with less energy. These
include:

* Reducing the orifice size;
* Installing a new damper's or zoning system; or,
* Replacing the pilot light with an electronic spark ignition (gas).

Here are few energy-saving measures you can employ during your normal
house-keeping routine:

* Clean or change your filter monthly;
* Seal and insulate your air ducts... heat loss from leaky,
uninsulated ducts-especially those in unheated attics and basements-can
reduce the efficiency of your heating system by as much as 30%.
* Vacuum the cobwebs out of your registers;
* Vacuum the fins on baseboard heaters.

At Aux Mechanical, we offer an affordable and comprehensive service plan
that includes an annual inspection at no extra charge...your best guarantee
of a well-maintained, energy efficient system. And remember for all your
Plumbing, Heating, Cooling, and Electrical needs in the Birmingham and
Hoover Metro areas, with our Preferred service agreement you will receive
priority treatment when trouble does strike.

And now, you can save $25 on a custom-designed service plan of your own with
the attached coupon.

Pj Smitherman
Operations Manager
Aux Plumbing, Heating, Cooling, and Electrical

If you want something you've never had, you'll have to do something you've
never done. "Dave Ramsey"

Introducing the new www.auxphce.com

Clean Ducts

 

If you have ducts and vents in your home, then you have a natural breeding ground for indoor air pollution.

 

What harm can indoor air pollution cause?  Here are the facts:

 

·        Most people spend 60% to 90% of their time indoors;

·        Indoor air is up to 70 times more polluted than outdoor air;

·        More than 50% of all colds and illnesses are either caused

or aggravated by polluted indoor air;

·        Children and seniors suffer the most from indoor air pollution;

·        The fungi and bacteria found in duct systems are leading allergy causes;

·        More than 50 million Americans suffer from allergies, while up

to 12 million have asthma.

 

Kinda makes you think, doesn't it?  Well now, Aux Mechanical can help you put an end to indoor air pollution where it counts the most…inside your home.

 

Our patented duct cleaning system will remove up to 99.7% of all indoor air pollutants from your ducts and vents.  These include:

 

·        Dust & dust mites

·        Bacteria

·        Fungi

·        Pet dander

·        Construction by-products

·        Mold spores & pollen

 

This is the stuff that's getting into your lungs…especially when you're running your central air or forced air heating system. 

 

With duct cleaning, there are a host of secondary benefits, as well:

 

·        Fewer unpleasant odors;

·        Increased home heating and cooling system efficiency;

·        Lower monthly energy costs;

·        Better overall air distribution;

·        Reduced need for household dusting.

 

To help keep those medical bills down and the clean air quotient high, it's best to have your ducts cleaned at least once every three years.  Has it been longer than that for you?  We are extending our current whole home duct cleaning promotion of 50% off through the month of November. Just mention the Aux Blog when scheduling and enjoy 50% off and a much cleaner air... 

 

Why not call today!  After all, it's a great way to improve living conditions…"Around the House."

 

 

 

 

Pj Smitherman
Operations Manager
Aux Plumbing, Heating, Cooling,and Electrical

 

Please visit us on the web www.auxmechanical.com

 

"Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work" Aristotle

November Tip

Do you suffer from dry itchy skin, or dried out allergies during the winter? Did you know that is a pretty simple remedy? With our whole house humidifier we can remedy these symptoms and many many more! If you are tired of dealing with cracking walls and floors, this helps there too!

 

 

Pj Smitherman
Operations Manager
Aux Plumbing, Heating, Cooling,and Electrical

 

Please visit us on the web www.auxmechanical.com

 

"Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work" Aristotle

November

So now that November is finally upon us, what does that mean? Well for most it means lots of family will be over to celebrate the holidays. And what is the worst thing that could happen? Can you imagine having a heating or plumbing emergency with all those people in your home? Don't! You'll give yourself a headache. Call us and schedule our new holiday inspection for only $59.95 and let us take that worry away. Besides you need to worry about how much punch Uncle Bill will drink. Just kidding and hope to see you soon!!
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

October is Indoor Air quality month for all of our customers, we are extending an offer to our customers, via the web site, 1/2 off our whole house duct cleaning. we will come to your home and inspect your ductwork for duct leakage and cleanliness for $79.95. If you system needs cleaning or shows signs of leakage, we will give you and your family a up-front price of the tasks required to repair the deficiencies. All duct cleaning is 1/2 off for the entire month of October

Fall Special

Today is the first official day of FALL. time to start getting your heating system checked for problems, Our Safety check is only $ 59.00 and our heating Tune-up is only $79.95. Wow!! What a deal for a limited time only