Monthly Archives: September 2017

Finding the Right Air Filter | Keith Air Conditioning

A Quick Primer on Finding the Right Air Filter

To keep the air in your Mobile, Alabama, home healthy, you’ve adopted many habits in an attempt to increase indoor air quality. Anything to keep you and your kids from falling victim to allergic reactions and asthma attacks. However, your HVAC system already has a built-in way to keep your air clean. Filters catch harmful particles before they can pollute your airflow and reduce HVAC efficiency. But not all filters are equal. For fresher air that helps you breathe easier inside your home, find the right air filter with the best MERV rating.

What Are MERV Ratings?

Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value ratings are a range of levels that indicate the overall efficiency of an air filter. The ratings range from one to 20. The higher the MERV rating, the more particles the filter will catch. Most residential air filters have a low MERV rating, sometimes four or less.

A filter with a MERV rating of four or less will remove less than 20 percent of the hazardous particles in your home. Move up to a rating between nine and 16, and the filter will remove more than 85 percent of pollutants. Filters with MERV ratings between 17 and 20 are known as High Efficiency Particulate Arresting filters. They can catch 99.97 percent of the particles.

Which Filter Is Best for You?

You may be tempted to simply find the filter with the highest MERV rating. However, the higher the MERV rating, the more the filter restricts airflow and limits efficiency and comfort.

If you can maintain your own IAQ, you probably don’t want a filter with a high MERV rating. However, if someone in your home suffers from extreme asthma, allergies or a weak immune system, it’s worth considering a HEPA filter.

To ensure your filter fits your home’s needs, you should consult an HVAC service technician for lower energy costs and improved indoor air quality. Call Keith Air Conditioning at 251-476-3610 to speak with an experienced professional.

Ductless AC Cost | Keith Air Conditioning

Cut Cooling Costs With Ductless AC

When you live in Mobile, Alabama, you spend your summers searching for ways to cut your utility costs every month. You try not to run the air conditioner at full blast all day; you know how to use your thermostat to your advantage; and you keep up on your maintenance. Still, your utility costs aren’t as low as you’d prefer. Consider cutting your cooling costs with ductless AC by eliminating the issues caused by ducts and taking more control of your comfort.

What is Ductless Cooling?

Whether you have a standard central heating and cooling system or a heat pump, your unit likely uses ductwork to move air throughout your home. While ducts certainly have their advantages, they can leak, letting your cool air out and warm air into the flow.

Ductless air handlers, on the other hand, sit on your wall and contain fans that blow cooled refrigerant directly into your living space. No ducts required.

Cost-Cutting Benefits of Ductless Cooling

Since ductless systems directly supply your rooms with air and eliminate the need for ducts, there isn’t a chance of the air loss that’s possible with ducts. That way, you only pay for the air you use. Leaky ducts can also spread hazardous particles and contribute to poor indoor air quality, while ductless systems don’t.

Another cost-cutting benefit of ductless air conditioning is the option to zone your home. Since air handlers operate in certain rooms, you get to decide which areas of the home need maximized comfort control. Plus, you can control each zone and its air handler independently. With greater control in your hands comes greater efficiency.

Switching HVAC systems is no small decision, but you’ll quickly see the results of ductless air conditioning. To start cutting costs with ductless AC, call Keith Air Conditioning at 251-476-3610.