The furnace filter: The forgotten hero of your heating and cooling system.

Most people don’t give their furnace filters a second thought.  But maintaining your furnace or air handler’s air filter is crucial to your indoor air quality. Improve every breath with these helpful tips.

Why filter at all?

Today’s homes are built better than ever.  And while tighter tolerances and better seals are great for insulation, they also trap contaminants inside the home so they circulate over and over. That is, until they’re drawn into somebody’s lungs where they can trigger disease, allergies and other respiratory difficulties.

Basic isn’t always best...

The type of filter you install will have a huge impact on indoor air quality. The least expensive air filters are usually made of a loose fiberglass mesh, are about an inch thick and cost about a dollar each.  While they’ll protect your furnace from larger particles, they don’t do a lot towards protecting your lungs from tiny particles.

High efficiency can be highly effective...

 One-inch fiberglass filters may not provide enough filtration to affect the quality of your air. Instead, consider a pleated, high-efficiency filter like the Carbon Clean 16 filter which has a MERV 16 rating to achieve the highest possible filtration efficiency. While a more expensive option, it will do a better job of capturing the contaminants that would otherwise circulate in your home.

Energy Conservation

Winter

• Installing winter tires will help increase movement efficiency and mileage, that way your vehicle is not working harder to push forward than it should.
• Park your car in the garage (if possible) so that it is cleaned off and easier to drive than if it was in the snow.
• Do not warm your vehicles up by turning on the heat and idling, as you waste gas and heighten the vehicle's emissions - simply driving right after turning on the ignition will warm the vehicle up just as well.
• Find alternate routes to your destination, as spending time in traffic not only wastes gas, but will likely force you to use more heat.
• When using the heat, try and regulate it throughout the vehicle and slowly turn it down over time or redirect it to the defogger (front and back) if needed.

Everyday

• Separate your recyclable and compost material from your garbage in order to reduce landfill waste.
• When shopping, use the least amount of plastic bags possible or use recyclable bags that can be used over again.
• Use products made of recycled (FSC) paper, or biodegradable materials.

CHANGE IS COMING - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW FOR 2015

Jan 1.2015 is just around the corner and in the new year, Regional Efficiency standards for split AC, heat pumps, and packaged units will of into effect.  Norman Aire has been preparing for this       transition, and we are ready to support our customers both during this transition and afterwards.

For the first time ever, the minimum efficiency level will vary by the state in which the equipment is installed.  Below are the new specifications:

AIR CONDITIONER PRODUCTS
In the South - Texas:  14 SEER will be the new minimum efficiency requirement.  Any air conditioner that does not meet this SEER requirement cannot be installed in this region.

HEAT PUMP PRODUCTS
Nationwide:  14 SEER/8.2 HSPF standard nationally.

RESIDENTIAL PACKAGE UNITS
In the South - Texas:  14 SEER/8.0 HSPF will be the new minimum efficiency requirement.

Transform A Home Comfort System To A Home Energy System

Lennox is the first HVAC manufacturer to harness renewable solar power as an energy source for central heating and cooling, and beyond.  Here are a few interesting facts regarding Solar Power:

• The exciting new system provides the simplest way for homeowners to bring solar power into the home to save on their utility bills. It harnesses solar energy to reduce the electricity consumed by a residential heat pump or air conditioner – and can also use that energy to operate other home electronic devices, such as lighting and appliances, when the heating and cooling system is not running. If the system generates more power than the home uses, that power goes back to the utility company – potentially entitling the homeowner to a utility bill credit.
• Homeowners can start with just a couple of solar modules, and eventually add up to 15 modules per outdoor unit for added energy savings. A system communications module allows homeowners and contractors to monitor operation, energy production and environmental benefits (like carbon offset) online. Once the system is fully set up,homeowners can expect to see a reduction in their utility bills.
• On top of utility incentives, the new system makes homeowners eligible for federal and state tax credits that can significantly reduce the cost of solar modules, including installation. Typical incentives will vary by location and can range between 30 percent (federal only) to more than 90 percent (combined) in some areas.

More Energy Conservation Tips During the Winter

Air Conditioning Heating & Cooling

• Make sure all windows and doors are closed during off hours, and only open when necessary during open hours.
• Consider using a heat recovery system, which can save up to 60%-70% of lost heat through your ventilation system through air-to-air exchange system.
• Use sunlight instead of turning on the heat, if all possible.

In General

• During winter, lower your thermostat to 68 degrees or lower.
• Replace incandescent with energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulbs.
• Use dimmers on existing incandescent bulbs.
• Turn off TVs and lights when you leave the room or aren't using them.
• Unplug appliances that aren't being used on a daily basis.
• Make sure your home is properly insulated to match standards based on your region, weather and construction design.

Lennox iComfort Wi-Fi Thermostat

The iComfort Wi-Fi Thermostat is loaded with must-see features. Lennox offers a suite of hardware and software tools that can be used together or separately to provide you with enhanced comfort levels at the click of a button.. The iComfort Wi-Fi thermostat simulates nearly all the functionality of our smartest thermostats when paired with premium Lennox equipment. You can also pair the iComfort Wi-Fi Demo Thermostat with the iComfort Wi-Fi Demo App and the demo version of MyiComfort.com to show off the remote control capabilities.

Here are some of the top features of the iComfort Wi-Fi :

Remote access with Cloud connectivity lets you adjust temperature and control energy costs from anywhere, using your smartphone, tablet or laptop.

One-Touch Away Mode overrides your regular programming schedule when you're away and automatically turns down heating or cooling to save energy.

Weather-on-Demand with five-day forecast lets you know what to expect outside throughout the day.

Alerts and Reminders not only will your iComfort Wi-Fi monitor itself with advanced diagnostics, it can also send you and your dealer alerts and emails if the system needs service or maintenance.

*Only when paired with Lennox premium equipment. See your Lennox dealer for details.

Cold Weather Tips

With winter in view, below are some tips to ensure your winter season will be safe and energy efficient!

        The fall and winter months mean less daylight, so make sure interior and exterior light bulbs are energy efficient: LED and CFL bulbs are great options.

     Sealing air leaks especially in the attic and windows will keep warm air inside where it belongs and will help your equipment perform more efficiently.

     Most fans have a switch which allows you to reverse the motor and operate the ceiling fan at a low speed in the clockwise direction. This action produces a gentle updraft forcing warm air  near the ceiling down to your level.

     Make sure your furnace is ready for the winter, hire a specialist to inspect your furnace for any leaks or cracks.