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Interpreting the Sound Ratings of a Unit

Decibel (dB) Comparisons Common Sounds This decibel (dBA) table compares some common sounds and shows how they rank in potential harm to hearing. In many industries, workers are exposed to dangerous noise levels. This is particularly true in the construction, lumber, mining, steel and textile industries. SOUND NOISE LEVEL (dBA) EFFECT Jet Engines (Near) 140 Shotgun Firing 130 Jet Takeoff (100-200 Ft.) 130 Rock Concert (Varies) 110-140 Threshold of pain (125…

Sizing and Installation

RIGHT-SIZED AIR CONDITIONERS: MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT IMPROVEMENTS The ENERGY STAR Program promotes right-sized air conditioners where heating and cooling contractors carefully match system capacity to home…

Designing a Zoning System Properly

The Golden Rules of Designing a Zoned System Here are six common sense rules we teach our people that will make designing systems a breeze. When you design a zoned system you should follow these guidelines as much as possible when grouping rooms together to form a zone: 1) Never combine different floors on the same zone. The fact that hot air rises, and cold air falls will sink you before you even begin. As…

Residential Air-Cleaning Devices – A Summary

Introduction Indoor air pollutants are unwanted, sometimes harmful materials in the air. They range from dusts to chemicals to radon. Air cleaners are devices that attempt to remove such pollutants from the indoor air you breathe. The typical furnace filter installed in the ductwork of most home heating and/or air-conditioning systems is a simple air cleaner. This basic filtering system may be upgraded by using another filter to trap additional pollutants or by adding additional…

Lead Paint Risk & Requirements During Renovation

Lead Paint Risk During Renovation: What You Need to Know & What the EPA Requires Lead is a toxic metal used in several household related…

How to Read Residential Meters

How to Read Residential Electric and Natural Gas Meters You can read your own meters to help monitor your electric or gas energy use. During the heating season, your energy use should be compared to the number of heating degree days for the same time period; during the cooling season, compare your energy use to the number of cooling degree days. Heating and cooling degree days are a simple measure of the effect of weather…