Air purifiers have become a hot commodity this year. Though there’s much evidence of air purifiers fighting against pollutants, alleviating allergies, and removing dust, what about fighting against viruses like COVID-19? The answer is not so simple.

According to the health experts, the virus that causes COVID-19 spreads through respiratory droplets is expelled when an infected person talks, coughs, sneezes, or breathes, and can be inhaled by another person. But the virus can also spread through smaller airborne particles that have been “aerosolized” and linger in the air for minutes or hours.

Using a portable air purifier can help reduce the germs and viruses in your home and other indoor places. The air filtration devices add a layer of individual cleaning to the room and other closed spaces.

How Does an Air Purifier Work?

An air purifier typically consists of a mesh-like filter and a fan; the air purifier pulls air in, passes it through a filter that removes small airborne particles and then dumps clean air back in the room.   

High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters are the benchmarks for air purifier filters, which are guaranteed to trap 99.7% of airborne particles/contaminants. In simple words, the more air that passes through a HEPA filter, the cleaner the air will become.

Are Air Purifiers Effective Against COVID-19 at Home?

How well air purifiers work against COVID-19 is yet to be seen. Poorly ventilated indoor spaces can increase the risk of catching COVID-19 because the virus can linger in the air and get inhaled by others.

Air purifiers can be a useful appliance to use in homes because they increase air circulation, which introduces fresh air into your space while removing potentially contaminated particles. 

In a typical home, it may take two to three hours for the air to be exchanged. Using an air purifier can boost that exchange rate up to six exchanges per hour, cleaning the air about every 10 minutes. 

Consider using an air purifier with a HEPA filter to help prevent the transmission of the virus to other people in the house if one individual has already caught COVID-19.

Fighting COVID-19 with Air Purifiers in Commercial Spaces and Schools

The HVAC systems of large buildings, schools, and indoor spaces typically filter air before it is distributed throughout the complex or establishment.

Consider using portable air cleaners to supplement increased HVAC system ventilation and filtration, especially in areas where adequate ventilation is difficult to achieve.

Directing the airflow in indoor spaces so that it does not blow directly from one person to another will help reduce the potential spread of droplets that may contain the COVID-19 virus.

Although we’d all like to have something with little upkeep required, having an air purifier is only beneficial if you are changing filters regularly and getting your HVAC system recalibrated on a regular basis.

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Currently, air purifiers with HEPA filters are an excellent option for consumers. But, having a portable air purifier does not replace the need to wear a mask, maintain social distancing, and practice personal hygiene as directed by your local public health officials.

If you have any questions regarding the functioning of the air filters or you’d like to purchase one, contact your local HVAC system and air purifier expert at TradeCraft Heating and Cooling.

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Let’s face it, heating your home is expensive, but not at the cost of your comfort. People are always looking for ways to save money, especially during the winter. Installing a new energy-efficient furnace is the long-term solution that you have been looking for.  

But when it comes to replacing your furnace, the biggest question is; How can I save money on a new furnace? Before we go any further, let’s discuss what an energy efficient furnace actually is. 

What Is Energy-Efficiency?  

It’s important to know what efficiency means. Energy-efficiency is about decreasing waste. Ideally, you want all the effort (input) you put into something to be productive (output). In the case of a furnace, input is the fuel and you want all of it to heat your home. 

 For example, if your current furnace is 80% efficient, it means that out of 100% fuel (input), only 80% (output) is consumed to heat your home and the remaining 20% is going to waste. The higher the efficiency, the less you waste.   

In terms of money, on every dollar that you spend on fuel, only 80 cents are used to heat your home and the remaining 20 cents are going to waste.   

In simple terms, the more efficient your furnace is, the more money you save in long term.    

Can an Energy-Efficient Furnace Help Save Money?  

In the past few years, technology has transformed the efficiency of newer furnaces. Only a decade ago, most furnaces were operating at 78% efficiency. Today, the highest quality furnaces boast 95% efficiency.   

What 95% efficiency from a new furnace means is that nearly all the energy you pay for gets converted into heat. 

In terms of money, with 95% efficiency, you are only wasting 5% or 5 cents on every dollar you spend on energy. Isn’t that great news for saving money on a new furnace in the long term? 

Benefits of a New High-Efficiency Furnace 

While money matters when it comes to buying a new furnace, a high-efficiency furnace offers more in return than just savings.  

Peace of Mind 

With an energy-efficient furnace, you will be confident in your new heating system this winter. With annual tune-ups and proper care, you will be able to rest easy every night without having to wake up at 4 am with no heat in –23 degree weather.   

Quieter Home   

Do you groan out loud when your furnace turns on, and get ready to deal with the noise? High-efficiency furnaces are much quieter, thanks to those leaps forward in technology. After you install a new furnace, you won’t be disrupted every time the furnace kicks into gear. 

Environmentally Friendly   

High efficiency means that your new furnace will also be a little better for nature. Not only will it keep you warm and comfortable, but you’ll also feel good about making an environmentally-conscious choice.  

Use Tax Credits or Rebates for A New Furnace   

Are you still unsure if savings resulting from an energy-efficient furnace are enough? The federal government will give you significant tax credits to help with your purchase. 

The energy incentives offered by the federal government will allow you to get up to $5,000 in rebates when you complete two or more energy-saving upgrades to your home. 

If you are buying a new furnace as one of your upgrades, then three or more upgrades are required to be eligible for $1,000 in rebates. 

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Once you’ve decided to focus on long-term savings and reduce your energy bills, you have to pick the right high-efficiency furnace. 

We will help you make the right choice, but we will also make sure that our experienced and certified new furnace installation technicians will treat your home as if it was their own, leaving it as good, if not better, then when they arrived.  

Contact the HVAC experts at TradeCraft to learn more about our range of high-efficiency furnaces in Brantford and get a quote today! 

You can also check out our various promotional offers designed to help you save money on a new furnace!

The post How Can I Save Money on a New Furnace? appeared first on TradeCraft Heating and Cooling.

High-tech, high-efficiency indoor air quality and ventilation products are gaining traction among homeowners, providing new ways to monitor and clean the air inside your home.

With the air inside the home having a higher concentration of airborne contaminants than outdoor air, you can’t afford to forego indoor air quality and ventilation solutions. These new technologies are rising in popularity, offering the power and convenience homeowners need to gain cleaner air indoors.

1. Foobot Smart IAQ Monitor

This innovative product simplifies the monitoring of indoor air quality conditions for homeowners. Integrated with smart thermostats offering data accessible through an online dashboard, the Foobot tracks airborne particulates, temperature, humidity, and volatile compounds (VOCs) within the air.

When indoor pollution spikes, the system will alert you with the information you need to protect your family, including the type of contaminant and the concentration level within your home.

2. Fresh-Aire UV Advanced Photocatalytic Oxidation (APCO)

This system offers advanced air scrubbing for your home. This whole-home air purifier is installed within the central air conditioning system’s ductwork to eliminate contaminants in the air as it cycles through the system. The system disinfects the air handler and evaporator coil to control mould growth within the system to maintain effective airflow.

3. Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERVs)

These advanced ventilators improve ventilation within the home without energy loss. An ERV uses waste energy from the exhausted air to condition the filtered fresh air moving into the home.

4. Electronically Commutated (EC) Fans and Blowers

Offering enhanced air movement, these products come with built-in electronics that commutate input power from the air conditioner to direct current (DC). DC offers energy savings and reduced costs through better speed control of the blower or fan.

Ready to improve the air quality in your home in Brantford? Contact TradeCraft Heating and Cooling now! We would be happy to assist you in selecting and installing the right solutions to create a healthier and happier home for you and your family.

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