There’s been a lot of talk in recent years about so-called “smart” HVAC systems. So, you may be wondering what exactly is a smart HVAC system? When it comes to superior energy efficiency and home comfort matched to your lifestyle, the answers are yes and yes.

Conventional HVAC Systems vs. Smart HVAC Systems

HVAC systems are an expensive necessity, which may account for nearly half of your home’s energy bills. There are ways you can cut cooling and heating costs, such as tightening up your home with air sealing and insulation. Though standard and mid-efficiency HVAC systems simply cost a lot of energy dollars to run.

Moreover, older HVAC systems lack the digital features and technologies needed to provide superior comfort compared to smart HVAC systems.

For example, with your standard HVAC system, you set the thermostat to your desired temperature, such as 78 degrees for cooling. Your AC unit engages and sends cool airflow to your entire home. As far as efficiency and comfort go, this would be fine if all of the rooms of your home were always occupied. Otherwise, you are using energy to cool perhaps several rooms of your home that aren’t being used.

Smart Upgrades

Smart HVAC systems incorporate digital features used in home automation. WiFi comfort controls replace standard thermostats. Motion sensors and other technologies monitor and control indoor temperatures, lighting, and more according to occupancy and your habits. So, basically, a smart HVAC system “learns” your comfort and lifestyle habits, and adjusts for maximum home comfort and energy savings.

You may even monitor, manage, and change indoor environmental conditions from your smartphone app or online computer. That’s smart! So, if it’s time for you to upgrade, be smart and talk to your Winter Haven Air Conditioning  specialist about installing a smart HVAC system.

Although air conditioning is on your mind during the heat of the summer, we also provide many other services. In addition to our air conditioning services, we can also assist you with furnace maintenance or repairs, heat pumps, humidity control, air quality control, allergy testing, and much, much more.

When you call us at Winter Haven Air Conditioning you don’t need to worry about being saddled with an inexperienced dealer or technician. We have years of experience that have kept us in business. Throughout this time, we have learned the value of keeping you, our customer, happy with our services. It’s simple with our polite and professional staff, high-quality equipment, superior customer service, and competitive pricing. For all of your Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) needs, please consider calling Winter Haven Air Conditioning at (863)-293-3660.

Biological pollutants promote poor indoor air quality and may be a major cause of days lost from work or school and of doctor and hospital visits. (U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission)

Germicidal ultraviolet light is one of three engineering controls to prevent the transmission of Tuberculosis in healthcare facilities. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

The Environmental Protection Agency ranks poor indoor air quality among the top five environmental risks to public health. Interestingly, five out of 10 Americans are not aware of this fact. (American Lung Association)

Health effects from indoor air pollutants may be experienced years after exposure. (Environmental Protection Agency) Asthma accounts for 14 million missed school days annually. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Bio-Fighter® Germicidal UV Light is easily installed in your heating & cooling system by your Winter Haven Air Conditioning.

You Benefit From Ultraviolet Light

Germicidal UV light has long been used to combat biological contaminants in hospital settings. Now you can have those same benefits for your home.

Installing a Bio-Fighter® Germicidal UV Light system is one of the most effective measures against harmful airborne pathogens in your home.

Don’t Suffer From Your Heating and Cooling System

Contaminated heating and cooling systems can become a breeding ground for biological contaminants, such as bacteria, viruses, and mold.The heating & cooling system can then distribute these contaminants throughout your home. Some diseases, such as humidifier fever, are associated with toxins from biological contaminants that grow in ventilation systems.

The Bio-Fighter® Germicidal UV Light can help protect your

family from these harmful airborne contaminants.

1 out of 6 people who suffer from
allergies do so because of the direct
relationship to fungi and bacteria in
air duct systems. (Health Magazine)

Levels of air pollution inside the
home can be two to five times higher,
and occasionally 100 times higher,
than outdoor levels. (Environmental
Protection Agency)

Health effects from indoor air pollutants may be experienced years after exposure. These include irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat. (Environmental Protection Agency)

HVAC Filters

Larger particles in the air are trapped by filters in all types of forced air cooling and heating systems. This means the inside components of the system are kept clean. More airborne particulates will be trapped if the filter is upgraded to one with a higher MERV (minimum efficiency reporting value) and the quality of the air will be improved.

Extended Media Filters

These files require professional installation and trap many more particles than HVAC filters.

There is not enough space inside the compartment of the air handlers for these filters which are about eight inches thick and so they need to be placed inside the ductwork. Their surface area is increased through the use of filtration media and pleating. In order for the HVAC to run as efficiently as possible, the airflow inside the air handler may have to be adjusted by a contractor.

The filters should be replaced annually, or more often if necessary depending on the amount of airborne particulates that there are in the home. The air quality will be reduced if these filters are not replaced and air conditioning costs may also increase.

The highest MERV of all air filters is offered by HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) which is another kind of extended media filter. 99% of particles as small as 0.3 microns can be removed by this type of filter. It can be installed in the HVAC system or is available as a portable air cleaner. They are too thick to be used as an air filter alone as they will not fit in the frame and sufficient airflow cannot pass through the air handler.

Electronic Air Cleaners

Tobacco smoke and other small particles can be effectively removed from the air by these systems as an electrostatic charge is created through the use of electricity. Routine cleaning is required but the system will never need replacing. Regular cleaning helps this system work effectively, as it removes the airborne particles that become trapped as they pass through the system.

If people have health that is already compromised, or if they are very young or old then the lungs and nasal passages can be irritated by the small amount of ozone that is created by some of these cleaners.

Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI)

Organic airborne particulates are killed by this product instead of just being trapped. Mold spores, bacteria and viruses are mutated by the spectrum of sunshine known as ultraviolet (UV) light and this mutation prevents them reproducing. There is less chance that these organic particles will affect a person’s health if UVGI systems and HVAC air filters are used in conjunction with each other.

Indoor air quality is improved when using UVGI lights as they can also be used to control the growth of mold on the evaporator coil that is found on the inside of central cooling systems. This also improves the efficiency of the cooling system. Air filtration systems including UVGI systems are often used in healthcare settings, as they help to reduce the spread of viruses and bacteria.

There is a difference between air filters and air cleaners. Offending substances are altered by air cleaners, whereas the matter is held on the surface of a filter. Volatile organic compounds (VOCS), and gases such as ozone, carbon monoxide and radon, cannot be treated by either air cleaners or air filters. To help reduce the toxicity of these type of hazards appliances must be maintained properly and the home should be adequately ventilated.

The experts at Winter Haven Air Conditioning would be happy to advise customers on any questions you may have about improving air quality indoors. We have over 25 years experience in providing HVAC services for the entire region of central Florida.