The simple act of changing air filters can make all the difference in your air conditioner’s efficiency and your home comfort this summer. When you change the air filter on your air conditioning system regularly, you’ll net several benefits, including:

• Preventing system failure. If your filter is dirty, it won’t allow enough air to flow into the system — air that it needs to operate at peak performance. Worse, over time, restricted airflow can damage the system, causing the motor and air handler to work harder than it should and leading to early system breakdown.
• Ensuring optimal system efficiency. When your filter is clean and it has enough surface space to allow for optimal airflow, your air conditioner will run more efficiently.
• Extending the system’s life span. By changing air filters regularly, you’ll ensure that your system is protected from buildup of dirt and grime and receives optimal airflow, both of which will help your A/C last longer.

Other benefits of changing air filters extend beyond improved performance of the HVAC equipment itself. You’ll:

• Decrease your equipment’s impact on the environment, with less energy waste
• Lower your energy bills, thanks to equipment that runs at peak efficiency
• Improve your home comfort, allowing your system to filter out impurities before they are circulated throughout your home

Not all systems are the same, and not all homes are the same. When you start to use your air conditioner on a regular basis, most experts agree that checking air filters once a month works best. So set up a reminder in your calendar, and change your filter when it looks full or dirty — at least once every three months.

You can build a healthy foundation for your HVAC equipment by making it a priority to check and replace your filters. For more information about your HVAC equipment, contact Jon Wayne Heating & Air Conditioning. We’ve been serving the Greater San Antonio area since the mid-1970s.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about air filters and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Air filter image via Shutterstock

Want to learn about the smartest — and fastest — way to improve your home’s indoor air? The comfort experts at Jon Wayne recommend IQAir, the best indoor air quality system available on the market today. It addresses a whole range of indoor air problems by taking advantage of state-of-the-art technology and innovative design.

Installed in your ductwork, the IQAir works with your home’s existing equipment, so that the system’s microfiber pleated panels can effectively filter the air in your home before it’s delivered to the rooms in your home. And each time the air circulates through your HVAC equipment — as many as 125 times a day — the system traps more airborne pollutants.

A look at some aspects of this indoor air quality system:

• Design. Instead of a traditionally flat filter surface, the IQAir uses a V-shaped filter, giving it almost 50 times the total surface area to filter out impurities, as compared to other indoor air quality systems.
• Filter material. IQAir’s advanced filters have much thinner fibers than those in most systems, meaning airflow through your heating and cooling equipment is maximized. At the same time, these fine filter materials allow the air-cleaning system to trap more particles.
• Maintenance. After it’s installed, the IQAir requires very little attention from you. Unlike other filter systems, it doesn’t need you to remember to check the filter every month — or even every year. In fact, IQAir’s filter boasts a three-year life span, based on the average homeowner’s use of the equipment.
• MERV 16 rating. As the No. 1 indoor air quality system on the market, the IQAir is the only system that has received a perfect rating: Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) 16. You just can’t get a better system. And publications such as Consumer Search, Allergy Buyer’s Club, Wired Magazine and Consumers Digest, among several others, have ranked the IQAir as the No. 1 product in its class.

If you’re interested in learning more about the IQAir as it compares to other indoor air quality systems, contact the experts at Jon Wayne Heating & Air Conditioning today. Serving the San Antonio area, we’re happy to help.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Indoor air quality image via Shutterstock

Wondering what indoor air-quality sources affect your home’s air? The experts at Jon Wayne Heating & Air Conditioning recommend an indoor air-quality test to determine the sources at hand. Typically, homeowners who suffer from allergies or other respiratory issues can improve home comfort with an air-purification system that effectively addresses the problem of  air-quality sources.

There are many types of air purifiers on the market, so how do you know which one to choose? An effective air purifier should be able to:

• Permanently remove particles. If a system uses ionization, it will typically charge pollutants so they stick to surfaces throughout your home, leading to more dust or a white film. A good air purifier should permanently trap particles inside the system, without releasing them again into your home.
• Operate efficiently over the long term. Ask your indoor air-quality expert about long-term efficiency. Many system ratings show their performance capabilities within the first hour of operation. But you’ll need your air purifier to function in a year as well as it did on its first day.
• Remove the smallest particles. Most problematic indoor air-quality sources that affect your health are tiny – as small as 0.1 microns (smaller than a pollen particle). So make sure the system you choose can address ultra-small particles.
• Remove gas and chemicals. Gases and chemicals found in your home’s air are also likely to cause health problems. If you’re going to invest in a system, make sure it can eliminate particles and gases and chemicals.

At Jon Wayne Heating & Air Conditioning we offer a range of indoor air-quality solutions, including ultraviolet light and dehumidification systems, electronic air cleaners and HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filtration. We generally recommend IQAir’s Perfect 16 air purifier to take care of indoor air-quality sources that impact your home comfort, as this system uses several technologies combined to address bacteria, mold, pet dander, dust and most other common household allergens.

Contact us today for more information, or to schedule an indoor air quality test. Jon Wayne serves the Greater San Antonio area.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Air purification image via Shutterstock

Someone was thinking when they designed heating systems. Not only do they provide necessary heat, but they also use a filter to remove particles and dust from the air. But you’re not limited to the filter that came with the system. You actually have several air filter options.

A ratings system, established by the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Engineers, reveals how well a filter can trap airborne particles. It’s called MERV, or minimum efficiency reporting value, and every filter has a MERV rating.

Flat air filters, or panel
These are low-efficiency filters, rated MERV 1 through 4, and they provide only a basic level of protection for the heating system itself from particles. They are designed to keep the coils and motor in the furnace clean, and have little effect on indoor air quality, as they generally do a good job only on larger particles.

Pleated air filters, or extended surface
These types of filters do a better job of trapping both large and small particles, and are generally rated MERV 7 to 13. These filters are ideal for home use and, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, they can perform nearly as well as a high-efficiency particulate air filter, generally rated above MERV 16. The reason for this endorsement? As more particles move through the filter’s surface, it becomes more dense, and can trap more and smaller particles. Therefore, it becomes more efficient with use. But all filters must also be changed regularly to achieve efficiency.

High-efficiency filters are also available between MERV 14 and 16, and they’re designed to capture very small particles; however, as MERV ratings go up, a filter’s ability to allow air to flow through it decreases, which can harm your system, so consult an HVAC expert or owner’s manual before you install a high-efficiency filter.

Consider air filter options that will work for your home needs and your heating system. For help either selecting a filter or just to ask a heating or cooling question, contact the experts at Jon Wayne Heating & Air Conditioning today. Serving San Antonio since the 1970s, we’re always happy to help.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about air filters and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Air filter image via Shutterstock

Using an air-purification system in your home can help to significantly improve the quality of your home’s indoor air. There are four specific criteria you can use to help you select an effective system and to ensure that you get a system that will match your home’s needs.

Before you can select an air purifier, you need to know the class (or classes) of contaminants that are present in your home. Have your home’s indoor air quality tested to reveal if particles, mold and bacteria, and/or odors and chemicals are causing problems. This will give you information that you can use to select a system’s air-purification technology.

Consider these criteria to judge whether a system is right for you:

• Particle removal. A variety of technologies are available. Some systems simply trap particles in a filter; others use ionization so that particles are “stuck” to a plate in the system (although these particles can be later released back into the home). Systems that use a HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter are often the best choice, because they permanently trap particles. However, since HEPA filters are restrictive on airflow, they must be used in conjunction with other less restrictive devices. Only a portion of the home’s air can be filtered by the HEPA device in one pass so several passes will be required to sufficiently scrub 100% of the air.
• Efficiency over time. When judging a system’s efficiency, most systems are tested during their initial 30 minutes of operation. However, you need to know how well your system will work in the long term. Look for reports that evaluate long-term efficiency and affects on airflow.
• Particle filtration. If you’ve had testing done, you know what contaminants – and their sizes – your system needs to be able to remove from the air. Particle size is measured in microns, and the best systems will remove particles as small as 0.003 microns.
• Other filtration. If your testing revealed that your home’s indoor air quality has all three classes of contaminants (particles; mold and bacteria; odors and chemicals), you’ll need a system that addresses more than just particles. Look for a system that combines several technologies and maintains efficiency.

You can improve indoor air quality by using these criteria to make your air-purification system selection. For help, contact San Antonio’s HVAC experts at Jon Wayne Heating & Air Conditioning.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about air purifiers and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Jon Wayne Heating and Air Conditioning services  San Antonio and the surrounding communities of Seguin, New Braunfels, Bulverde, Boerne, and Comal County. Visit our website to see our special offers to get started today!

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock.

A number of factors influence how much you pay each month for the energy your household uses. These include, of course, the rate your utility company sets for electricity and the efficiency rating of your air-conditioning system. There is another small, but simple, factor that influences how much energy your system consumes and how well the system uses it, and that’s your air filter: the type of filter you use and whether you change or clean it regularly.

Several components go into the efficiency of an air filter. Every filter has a “minimum efficiency reporting value” (MERV). This rating shows how efficiently a filter works to remove particles of various sizes; it is particle size that determines the rating. The smaller the particle a filter can remove, the higher the filter’s MERV rating. However, your A/C system needs a certain amount of airflow to function well to push cooled air into your home. More efficient filters have denser material, which can restrict airflow. So be sure the air filter you select can provide enough airflow for your system. You can check your owner’s manual or consult an HVAC technician for help.

The other factor that influences system efficiency is how often you change air filters. Airflow here is important, too. There is a delicate balance between a filter needing to trap particles to prevent them from entering the system and forming buildup, and providing enough airflow for the system. If you never changed your air filter over the cooling season, a lot of dirt would build up and eventually negatively impact your A/C. In fact, a dirty filter can decrease system operation by up to 15 percent. When you’re using your cooling system, check the filter monthly and replace it when it’s dirty (or wash it if you have a reusable filter). Air filters should be replaced at least every three months.

Keep your system running efficiently by using an air filter that traps particles while allowing sufficient airflow. For help increasing system efficiency, contact Jon Wayne Heating & Air Conditioning.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about air filters and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Jon Wayne Heating and Air Conditioning services  San Antonio and the surrounding communities of Seguin, New Braunfels, Bulverde, Boerne, and Comal County.  Visit our website to see our special offers to get started today!

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock.

Homeowners often rely on their heating and cooling system’s air filters to remove dust from the air. However, there is more to air-filter types than first meets the eye. Before you purchase your next air filter, consider what you need out of your air filter, and use these tips as guide:

For good indoor air quality, it’s important that your air filter traps dust, but it’s also critical to keeping your cooling system as a whole clean. Air filters are typically evaluated for two things: 1) dust-spot rating (how much dust it can collect, and 2) Minimum Efficiency Rating Value (MERV), which assesses particle size and type that a filter can trap.

For a good, general filter for your system, look for dust-spot ratings that run between 35 percent and 80 percent, as recommended by the Environmental Protection Agency. Obviously, higher ratings here mean better efficiency for trapping dust. MERV ratings of 8 to 13 will get you a filter that performs well.

Contributing to air filter efficiency is the filter’s actual surface. Some air filter types, such as a pleated filter, are designed to have a larger, overall surface space that means more air can pass through it (which means your A/C’s air handler and motor don’t consume as much power) and it can trap more particles. One thing to remember here is that your A/C system is designed to work with a minimum amount of airflow. Make sure your air filter selection doesn’t hinder airflow. There are Air Filters readily available that are so restrictive of airflow that they can actually damage the AC equipment.

Use the information you now have in hand regarding air filter types to select your next filter. For increased efficiency and good indoor air quality, inquire about a filter’s dust-spot rating, MERV rating, pre-filter options and filter surface. Jon Wayne Heating & Cooling’s indoor air quality and efficiency experts are available for consultation. Contact us today.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about air filters and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Jon Wayne Heating and Air Conditioning services  San Antonio and the surrounding communities of Seguin, New Braunfels, Bulverde, Boerne, and Comal County.  Visit our website to see our special offers to get started today!

Indoor air quality is one of the most underestimated health hazards that confront San Antonio homeowners. Unfortunately, it’s also common. Indoor air is often home to a host of contaminants, including dust and dust mites, mold spores, bacteria and viruses, pet dander, pollen and cleaning fumes.

Ideally, your indoor air quality strategy should involve more than one method. Here are three effective strategies that can help improve the air you breathe.

Advanced filtration

Standard, disposable air filters are typically able to trap only about 5 percent to 15 percent of particles. Advanced options are available:

• HEPA filters, or high efficiency particulate air filters, do a superior job of capturing particles that can irritate allergies or other respiratory problems. They can trap 99.97 percent of particles small as .3 microns across. True HEPA filters are too restrictive for all or the air circulated thru your HVAC, so only a portion of that air should be channelled thru the HEPA. Doing this over a long period of time geatly increases the IAQ of a home.
• Extended-life filters have large surfaces, require minimal maintenance and trap extremely small contaminants much better than even the best 1″ throw-away filters, and since they normally only require changing once or twice a year, are more economical to maintain.
• Air purification systems that utilize more than one method of killing microorganisms and trapping contaminants can clean air as many as eight times an hour.

UV light

UV light purification systems destroy microorganisms such as viruses and bacteria by rupturing their cellular structure. The damaged microorganism is unable to repair or reproduce itself and is rendered harmless. Ultraviolet light is a natural sterilizer due to its high frequency.

Dehumidification

A high humidity level may be uncomfortable for you, but it makes for prime growing conditions for microorganisms, such as mold. Mold can grow on HVAC equipment, around moist windowsills, in damp bathrooms, inside walls and elsewhere. Whole-house dehumidifiers can remove several gallons of moisture from your air every day.

By balancing relative humidity levels around 50 percent, you can stem the growth of microorganisms. A UV light system can work in conjunction with these efforts by killing any microorganisms that do happen to be present. Advanced filtration systems capture remaining particles such as dust, dust mites, pollen and other allergens.

Don’t be daunted by poor indoor air quality. There are many options to improve it. Questions? Please contact the experts at Jon Wayne Heating & Air Conditioning. We’re happy to help.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about indoor air quality and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Jon Wayne Heating and Air Conditioning services  San Antonio and the surrounding communities of Seguin, New Braunfels, Bulverde, Boerne, and Comal County. To get started, check out our website or see our current promotions.

It may seem simple, but regularly changing the air filters in your heating and air conditioning system can really help keep your equipment running smoothly.  You probably know that air filters help keep your indoor air clean by removing particles like dust, allergens and bacteria.  Air filters, though, are also designed to protect your mechanical equipment from those same particles.

How frequently you change the filter will depend on the type of filter you use and how frequently your air conditioner is running.  In the San Antonio area, your air conditioner is likely operating very frequently in the summertime, so it’s best to check your filters at least once a month and change them when they are dirty.

The many benefits of regularly changing filters include:

• Improved efficiency of your heating and cooling system
• Lower monthly utility bills because equipment will operate more efficiently
• Cleaner, healthier indoor air
• Fewer repairs needed because equipment is protected
• Improved airflow
• Ducts will stay cleaner

Next time you change your filters, take note of the condition of the filter slot and surrounding area.  Loose connections or gaps can allow unfiltered air to flow through the system, decreasing efficiency and affecting indoor air quality.  If you think the filter slot is not properly sealed, call a professional for an inspection and possible repair.  One simple maintenance task can help keep your monthly cooling costs low, so it’s worth a call.

You should also know that the air filters should get dirty. If, after a month or two of use, your air filter appears clean, there’s probably something wrong. One thing’s certain: If the filters don’t get dirty, they’re not doing their job, most likely because of improper installation or sizing.

Whatever the problem, the professionals at Jon Wayne Heating & Air Conditioning can show you how to properly install and change filters and make sure your A/C system is running as it should.  Ask your technician on their next maintenance visit.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about air filters and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Jon Wayne Heating and Air Conditioning services  San Antonio and the surrounding communities of Seguin, New Braunfels, Bulverde, Boerne, and Comal County. To get started, check out our website or see our current promotions

In San Antonio, A/C is essential for a comfortable home. One of the most important components in your air conditioning system is the air handler. While the exterior A/C unit works to cool the air, this interior part of the system has the crucial task of circulating the cooled air within the home. A huge selection of air handlers is available. How do you choose the proper model and size to keep your home or office cool and comfortable – no matter what Mother Nature brings? We’ve made a list of the most important aspects to consider in deciding which handler is right for your home and budget:

• Space: One big consideration is how much space you have. Compact models are available if space is limited.
• Speeds: Fan speeds provide flexibility in the control of the temperature zones of your home. More speeds allow greater humidity control and more consistent temperatures.
• Noise: Quiet operation may be a factor if your handler will be to close to living/ sleeping areas.
• Air filtration: Some handlers have this built in and in other systems it can be added to supply cleaner air throughout your home.
• Remote control: Some advanced technology units allow you to control the system from your mobile phone.
• Budget: Your local air conditioning systems experts can help you choose a system that incorporates all the features you need and fits your budget too.

An experienced HVAC contractor will configure and install your air conditioning system to work with your home’s unique architecture. They will take into consideration the room size and layout of your home to design the perfect system for your needs.

Cool comfort is just a phone call away when you get in touch with Jon Wayne Heating and Air Conditioning. Visit us at JonWayneAir.com for expert HVAC advice and to make an appointment for a free detailed evaluation of your cooling/ heating needs. Our company founder has provided expert HVAC service to the San Antonio area for over 35 years.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about air handlers and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Jon Wayne Heating and Air Conditioning services  San Antonio and the surrounding communities of Seguin, New Braunfels, Bulverde, Boerne, and Comal County. To get started, check out our website or see our current promotions.