The "Freon" currently used in most home air conditioners contains chlorine compounds which, if released into the atmosphere, destroy the ozone layer and contribute to global warming. Although systems using Freon will not be officially banned for 10 years, as the phase-out restricts supply, consumers can expect to see Freon prices rise. This is because, while the availability of Freon decreases, the demand for air conditioners will continue to climb.

A comparable situation occurred with the recent phase-out of Freon 12, in automotive air conditioners. Between 1990 and 1997, the wholesale price of Freon 12 rose 750%. In dollars that's from about $ per pound to $30 per pound.

Considering the life expectancy of a home air conditioner is roughly 15 to 20 years, a new air conditioner purchased now can be expected to last well into the phase-out period. That means homeowners who purchase a Freon system can expect to see repair costs rise substantially over it's lifetime.

"Puron" is the new style of Freon that is environmentally sound. Puron was developed by Carrier Air Conditioning Co. in conjunction with Allied Signal the foremost innovator in refrigeration technology. If you are in the market for hole house air conditioning this is a product you should give strong considerations to.

Top 10 Reasons for Getting Your Ducts Cleaned

1. You look inside your ducts and they are extremely dirty.
2. Ducts and furnace have been inactive for two or more years.
3. Rodent and other pest infiltration.
4. Routine maintenance for a cleaner, more allergy-free house.
5. Adding new furnace onto old ductwork (dirt will blow out).
6. Poor air flow from clogs or restrictions in ducts or furnace.
7. Allergens exist in the ducts: pet hair, insect droppings, etc.
8. Microbial growth inside: mold, fungus, algae, bacteria, etc.
9. Odors from ducts and/or furnace.
10. Dirt is blowing into your home.

Allergy sufferer alert

The World Health Organization believes that up to 60% of indoor allergies are caused by molds. The damp, dark conditions in the circulating central air system are ideal for being one of the largest sources of mold growth in homes. The circulating fan of the air system can then push "millions" of mold spores / enzymes into the air stream that then can lead to allergies. Other conditions complicate the problem of indoor mold induced illnesses. Moisture from the clothes washer and dryer, dishwasher, bathing / showering and indoor water use accelerates the growth of mold in walls, curtains, furniture, carpeting, etc.

A few likely illnesses caused by indoor organisms

Illness Eye & Upper respiratory irritants (rhinitis, sinusitus & otitis) Pneumonia (infection of lower lung) Asthma inflammation of breathing tubes Allergic alveolitis (inflammation of lower lung) Humidifier fever (flu-like illness with headaches & fatigue) Histophasmoisis (flu-like symptoms) Allergic bronchopul monary aspergillosis (complicated form of asthma) Dermatitis, eczema, rash (inflammation of the skin) Mycotoxicosis (inflammation of heart caused by toxic reaction to molds)

Likely biological causes Molds & fungi, dander, dust mite & insect excretions, viruses and feathers Viruses & Bacteria Molds & fungi, dander, dust mite & insect excretions & feathers Molds & fungi, bacteria, dust mite & insect excretions Molds, fungi & bacteria Fungus in soil mixed with bird droppings Fungi, aspergillus fumigatus common in house dust Dust mite & insect excretions, dander & feathers Caused by a specific mold

See the Indoor Air Quality section on the Products page for more information.

Maintain Your Furnace Properly

Heating systems need periodic inspection and service (annually) to keep them operating efficiently and safely. It will cost a few dollars to have your furnace checked by a qualified heating service person. But proper servicing is essential to good service, as well as safe operation, and it may even save the lives of you and your family.

Most good service companies offer Service agreements to protect your HVAC equipment. They typically include yearly cleaning and other features, some of which are mentioned below.


• Priority service anytime you call in.
• Annual clean & check on all covered equipment.
• Free diagnostic service calls on any no heat or no cool calls during regular business hours.
• 15% discount on any parts needed for repair.
• Half off the cost of after hour and holiday service calls.
• Additional discounts on purchase of new equipment.
• In some cases, you qualify for an annual renewal discount.





Why should you have a Service Agreement?

If you think about it, your heating and cooling system is the largest, most expensive appliance in your home. OK, maybe some of you have tens of thousands of dollars sunk into computers or home stereo/entertainment systems. But when it comes to needed, required items such as your furnace, it's hard to think of anything else in your home you could least afford to go without. Why would you not take care of it? Would you buy a car and never change the oil?

Regular maintenance on any machine is necessity for long life and best success for continuous, uninterrupted operation. Your entire HVAC system needs annual service.

With a Service Agreement from Phillps Heating & AC Co. your family is protected against costly breakdowns and high utility bills due to dirty malfunctioning equipment.

With a Service Agreement on all of your heating and cooling products, you can rest easy knowing you have done all you can to insure comfort and safety for your family.

Tips to Assure Safe, Efficient Operation
of Your Heating Equipment

1. Do not tamper or attempt to adjust automatic vent dampers, heat reclaiming devices or safety controls on your heating equipment. This can create an unsafe condition. If your heating equipment does not operate properly, call a qualified service company for needed repairs and safety checks.

2. When buying new equipment, look on the label plate for certification. This is your assurance that the equipment is designed to meet national safety standards.

3. Have heating equipment installed by a qualified heating dealer to ensure it is properly connected.

4. Follow manufacturer's instructions for the proper operation and care of your equipment.

5. Make sure your chimney is kept clean.

6. Inspect the vent pipe for rust. Replace it if corrosion has caused a hole.

7. Check furnace filters frequently and clean or replace if dirty. Check belts for wear.

8. Keep equipment and burner area free of dust, dirt and debris.

9. Keep furnace unit intact. Do not remove panels without replacing them.

10. Use equipment for the job it was designed to do. Never use a cooking range top or oven to heat your home.






Be Alert to the Dangers of Carbon Monoxide

Whenever combustion takes place without sufficient oxygen, carbon monoxide is produced. Since less fresh air is entering homes today due to conservation measures, it's doubly important to be alert to the dangers of improper venting.





Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Exposure to carbon monoxide may cause any or all of the following symptoms: headache, dizziness, ringing in the ears, seeing spots, nausea, violent coughing, irregular breathing and, ultimately, unconsciousness.

Get into fresh air quickly if you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning. Call an emergency squad or ambulance and get medical aid. Give artificial respiration if victim is not breathing. Loosen clothing, keep victim warm and place head lower than feet. Immediately after victim is taken care of, call a qualified service agency to locate the cause of the problem and make necessary repairs.

Most people are unaware that they can damage their air conditioning or heating systems by improperly using their therostats.

The first rule of thermostat use is, never adjust the temperature on the thermostat, up or down, unless the system switch on the thermostat is in the off postion. Any time you find it necessary to adjust your thermostat you should first set the system switch to the off postion. Then and only then do you make the necessary temperature adjustment.

Next time you wait at least two (2) minutes.

Finally you set the system switch to the Heat or Cool or Auto position.

Failure to follow this procedure can short cycle the compressor. Short cycling can blow fuses, trip circut breakers, and done often enough can and eventually will destroy the compressor.

A simple solution to the problem of short cycling is to have a qualified professional install a time delay relay in the A / C unit. This will not allow the operator of the thermostat to short cycle the compressor.

Wash or replace the air filter in your home on a regular basis. If you use your air conditioning or heat on a regular basis you should wash or replace the filter every month. If you only use your system a day or two a week you should wash or replace it every 3 months. If you think that this is excessive pull the filter out and smell it. That should convince you. Disposable filters are only about $1.25 each and that is a small price to pay for keeping your utility bills down to a minimum and keeping your system running.

---

[ About | Contact | Hints & Tips | Products | Specials | Home]

---