ENERGY STAR label in Los Angeles Air Conditioning - What does it mean?

So at this point you have probably heard of Energy Star and you may have seen an Energy Star label or two. But, we find that many of our customers are asking what Energy Star really means. Los Angeles air conditioning experts are here and ready to talk about the Energy Star label!

We feel strongly about the fact that credibility is extremely important. As consumers we are not always 100% certain about some things when it comes to the products we need to buy in order to have a comfortable lifestyle at home. Energy Star is a government backed symbol that is trusted for energy efficiency. This helps you easily see what will help save you money and protect the environment through energy-efficient products!

It is ok to feel a bit overwhelmed when you are investigating that first Los Angeles air conditioning system. That is why the professionals here at American Air Conditioning & Heating are here to help you!

A bunch of people got together to create the Energy Star label. They created it to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It also fights the movement against pollutants cause by waster energy. As consumers we love to save money! The Energy Star label has created the ability to over savings directly to the customer! Performance, features, lower energy bills and comfort all in one! Feel good while feeling good.

The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) is in charge of determining which products earn this label. There are different energy efficiency requirements that have been set in place to determine and set that standards for products that are energy efficient. There are key guidelines that are followed to determine this. Los Angeles air conditioning experts are bringing them to you here quickly and if you have any further questions feel free to give us a call and chat about it! +1 (800) 321-9494

The Guidelines:

Product categories must contribute significant energy savings nationwide.
Qualified products must deliver the features and performance demanded by consumers, in addition to increased energy efficiency.

If the qualified product costs more than a conventional, less-efficient counterpart, purchasers will recover their investment in increased energy efficiency through utility bill savings, within a reasonable period of time.

Energy efficiency can be achieved through broadly available, non-proprietary technologies offered by more than one manufacturer.

Product energy consumption and performance can be measured and verified with testing.
Labeling would effectively differentiate products and be visible for purchasers.

American Air Conditioning & Heating has been the Los Angeles air conditioning experts for over 30 years now. We are constantly striving to provide the best customer service possible. Please let us know if there is anything we can do to help you.

Hot Water Costs & Cost-Cutters - Los Angeles Air Conditioning

Your Los Angeles air conditioning experts, American Air Conditioning & Heating are here to give you tips on managing and saving money in every aspect of your home. Some ways to save on water-heating bills require greater financial investments than others. You may wish to consider the no- or low-cost options before making large purchases. Also allow for circumstances that may be unique to your household when deciding on the appropriate options (e.g., a small-capacity washing machine could meet the needs of a one person household efficiently). Although it is not feasible to eliminate water heating in your home, it is possible to substantially reduce water-heating costs without sacrificing comfort and convenience. We want to save money on Los Angeles AC and every other aspect of your home that uses energy.

Figuring out how much you spend to heat your water:

The next time you pay your Los Angeles air conditioning utility bill, try one simple calculation. Divide the total amount by seven. The result is the amount you spend to heat your water. (If you receive separate utility bills for gas and electricity, use the gas bill for this calculation if you have a gas water heater; use the electric bill if you have an electric water heater.)

Of course, you may think this cost is a small price to pay for the convenience of a hot shower. But during the course of a year, this cost adds up. And when you consider that 95 million households in this country pay the same percentage, it is easy to see how much money—and energy—is used to heat water.

Several measures can help you decrease water-heating costs in your home. Some specific actions include reducing the amount of hot water used, making your water-heating system more energy efficient, and using off-peak power to heat water.

Reducing the amount of hot water used:

Generally, four destination points in the home are recognized as end uses for hot water: faucets, showers, dishwashers, and washing machines. Now, you do not have to take cold showers, dine on dirty dishes, or wear dirty clothes to reduce your hotwater consumption. Less radical measures are available that will be virtually unnoticeable once you apply them.

Faucets and Showers:

Simply repairing leaks in faucets and showers can save hot water. A leak of one drip per second can cost $1 per month, yet could be repaired in a few minutes for less than that. And some apparently insignificant steps, when practiced routinely at your household, could have significant results. For example, turning the hot-water faucet off while shaving or brushing your teeth, as opposed to letting the water run, can also reduce water-heating costs. Another option is limiting the amount of time you spend in the shower. Other actions may require a small investment of time and money. Installing low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators can save significant amounts of hot water. Low-flow showerheads can reduce hot water consumption for bathing by 30%, yet still provide a strong, invigorating spray.

Faucet aerators, when applied in commercial and multifamily buildings where water is constantly circulated, can also reduce water-heating energy consumption. Older showerheads deliver 4 to 5 gallons (15.1 to 18.9 liters) of water per minute. Although a low-flow showerhead delivers slightly less water than a standard showerhead, the spray can still be invigorating.
[FS 204 January 1995] sets maximum water flow rates at 2.5 gallons (9.5 liters) per minute at a standard residential water pressure of 80 pounds per square inch (552 kilopascals).

A quick test can help you determine if your shower is a good candidate for a showerhead replacement: Turn on the shower to the normal pressure you use, hold a bucket that has been marked in gallon increments under the spray, and time how many seconds it takes to fill the bucket to the 1-gallon (3.8-liter) mark. If it takes less than 20 seconds, you could benefit from a low-flow showerhead. A top quality, low-flow showerhead will cost $10 to $20 and pay for itself in energy saved within 4 months. Lower quality showerheads may simply restrict water flow, which often results in poor performance. You will have more money during the summer to run that Los Angeles air conditioning system!

Because of the different uses of bathroom and kitchen faucets, you may need to have different water flow rates in each location. For bathroom faucets, aerators that deliver 0.5 to 1 gallon (1.9 to 3.8 liters) of water per minute may be sufficient. Kitchen faucets may require a higher flow rate of 2 to 4 gallons (7.6 to 15.1 liters) per minute if you regularly fill the sink for washing dishes. On the other hand, if you tend to let the water run when washing dishes, the lower flow rate of 0.5 to 1 gallon per minute may be more appropriate. Some aerators come with shut-off valves that allow you to stop the flow of water without affecting the temperature.

Automatic Dishwashers:

A relatively common assumption is that washing dishes by hand saves hot water. However, washing dishes by hand several times a day could be more expensive than operating some automatic dishwashers. If properly used, an efficient dishwasher can consume less energy than washing dishes by hand, particularly when you only operate the dishwasher with full loads.

The biggest cost of operating a dishwasher comes from the energy required to heat the water before it ever makes it to the machine. Heating water for an automatic dishwasher can represent about 80% of the energy required to run this appliance. Average dishwashers use 8 to 14 gallons (30.3 to 53 liters) of water for a complete wash cycle and require a water temperature of 140°F (60°C) for optimum cleaning.

But, setting your water heater so high could result in excessive standby heat loss. This type of heat loss occurs because water is constantly heated in the storage tank, even when no hot water is used. Furthermore, a water heater temperature of 120°F (48.9°C) is sufficient for other uses of hot water in the home. The question, then, is must you give up effective cleaning for hot water energy savings? The answer is no.

A “booster” heater can increase the temperature of the water entering the dishwasher to the 140°F recommended for cleaning. Some dishwashers have built-in boosters that will automatically raise the water temperature, while others require manual selection before the wash cycle begins. A booster heater can add about $30 to the cost of a new dishwasher but should pay for itself in water-heating energy savings in about 1 year if you also lower your water heater temperature. Reducing the water heater temperature is not advisable, however, if your dishwasher does not have a booster heater.

Another feature that reduces hot-water use in dishwashers is the availability of cycle selections. Shorter cycles require less water, thereby reducing the energy cost. The most efficient dishwasher currently on the market can cost half as much to operate as the most inefficient model.

If you are planning to purchase a new dishwasher, check the EnergyGuide labels and compare the approximate yearly energy costs among brands. Dishwashers fall into one of two categories—compact capacity or standard capacity. Although compact capacity dishwashers may appear to be more energy efficient, they hold fewer dishes and may force you to use the appliance more frequently than you would use a standard-capacity model. In this case, your energy costs could be higher than with the standard-capacity dishwasher.

Turning the hot-water faucet off while shaving or brushing your teeth, as opposed to letting the water run, can reduce water-heating costs. An efficient automatic dishwasher can consume less energy than washing dishes by hand, particularly when you only operate the dishwasher with full loads.

Washing Machines:

Like dishwashers, much of the cost—up to 90%—of operating washing machines is associated with the energy needed to heat the water. Unlike dishwashers, washing machines do not require a minimum temperature for optimum cleaning. Either cold or warm water can be used for washing most laundry loads; cold water is always sufficient for rinsing. Make sure you follow the cold-water washing instructions for your particular laundry detergent. Washing only full loads is another good rule of thumb for reducing hot-water consumption in clothes washers. As you would for dishwashers, consult the EnergyGuide labels when shopping for a new washing machine. Inefficient washing machines can cost three times as much to operate as efficient machines. Select a machine that allows you to adjust the water temperature and water levels for the size of the load. Also, front-loading machines use less water and, consequently, less energy than top loaders.

However, in this country, front loaders are not as widely available as top loaders. Keep in mind that the capacity of front loaders may be smaller than that of most top-loading machines.

Smaller capacity washing machines often have better EnergyGuide ratings. However, a reduced capacity might cause you to increase the number of loads you wash and possibly increase your energy costs.

Faucets, shower heads, dishwashers, and washing machines are only destination points for hot water in your home. The journey of your hot water before it reaches these outlets can be fraught with opportunities for energy losses. Fortunately, you can reduce the incidence of water heat loss from the point of departure to the point of arrival by applying a few basic measures.

Indoor Air Quality- How do molds affect people? Los Angeles Air Conditioning

Los Angeles Air Conditioning is here to inform you that indoor air quality is really important. Not everyone realizes that the quality of the air inside your house is sometimes worse than the air quality outside. Mold can be a big issue and negatively contribute to your air quality. Some people are sensitive to molds. For these people, exposure to molds can cause symptoms such as nasal stuffiness, eye irritation, wheezing, or skin irritation. Some people, such as those with serious allergies to molds, may have more severe reactions. Severe reactions may occur among workers exposed to large amounts of molds in occupational settings, such as farmers working around moldy hay. Severe reactions may include fever and shortness of breath. Some people with chronic lung illnesses, such as obstructive lung disease, may develop mold infections in their lungs.

EPA's publication, Indoor Air Pollution: An Introduction for Health Professionals, assists health professionals (especially the primary care physician) in diagnosis of patient symptoms that could be related to an indoor air pollution problem in Los Angeles Air Conditioning. It addresses the health problems that may be caused by contaminants encountered daily in the home and office. Organized according to pollutant or pollutant groups such as environmental tobacco smoke, VOCs, biological pollutants, and sick building syndrome, this booklet lists key signs and symptoms from exposure to these pollutants, provides a diagnostic checklist and quick reference summary, and includes suggestions for remedial action. Also includes references for information contained in each section. This booklet was developed by the American Lung Association, the American Medical Association, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, and the EPA. EPA Document Reference Number 402-R-94-007, 1994. Los Angels AC

Allergic Reactions - excerpted from Indoor Air Pollution: An Introduction for Health Professionals section on: Animal Dander, Molds, Dust Mites, Other Biologicals. Los Angeles AC

"A major concern associated with exposure to biological pollutants is allergic reactions, which range from rhinitis, nasal congestion, conjunctival inflammation, and urticaria to asthma. Notable triggers for these diseases are allergens derived from house dust mites; other arthropods, including cockroaches; pets (cats, dogs, birds, rodents); molds; and protein-containing furnishings, including feathers, kapok, etc. In occupational settings, more unusual allergens (e.g., bacterial enzymes, algae) have caused asthma epidemics. Probably most proteins of non-human origin can cause asthma in a subset of any appropriately exposed population."

Los Angeles Air Conditioning company, American Air Conditioning & Heating has been proudly serving the Los Angeles County area for over 30 years. Give us a call today with any questions about mold, indoor air quality or anything about Los Angeles Air Conditioning!

Replacing Air Ducts- Los Angeles Air Conditioning

Complete air duct replacement is typically only something you need to consider in extreme cases. If you are thinking about investing in a complete LA HVAC duct replacement because you want to upgrade the efficiency of your heating and/or cooling system, the actual logistics of thisproject may surprise you. The air duct replacement cost alone is reason enough to look for other options. There are some cases when completely replacing the air ducts in a residential home is necessary, but in most cases it is much more beneficial to upgrade your Los Angeles Air Conditioning existing system.

If you currently have a steam or electric resistant LA heating system, many experienced companies will tell you that the best type of LA air duct replacement service would be a hot water baseboard upgrade. But if you live in a home with multiple levels or a single story home with a finished basement or attic, the idea of such air duct replacement may be too overwhelming for most contractors to consider. It would require completely gutting and rebuilding huge portions of the home.




The team at American Air Conditioning & Heating can offer a solution for homes that cannot reasonably have the ducts replaced without a huge overhaul. A mini-duct air distribution system forces air through two-inch plastic feeder ducts that are simply threaded through cavities in walls, floors and ceilings. And if you want to add ducts to a home that currently does not having an air duct system, perhaps to provide central air conditioning, a ductless mini-split air conditioner or ductless mini-split heat pump may be the best solution. The team of skilled professionals at American Air Conditioning & Heating can determine the best duct system with a high velocity air distribution certified by the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute.

Factors such as air duct replacement cost, installation cost, energy savings and the inconvenience of the project are all things that must be considered before installing new ducts, replacing old ducts or upgrading the current system. The team at American Air Conditioning & Heating can help determine what would be best for your home. Los Angeles Air Conditioning is here for your families comfort.

Los Angeles Air Conditioning

A programmable thermostat offers a lot of flexibility in its temperature settings. Los Angeles air conditioning can answer all your questions. We have specialized in Los Angeles AC and heating for over 30 years!

Using a programmable thermostat, you can adjust the times you turn on the heating or Los Angeles air conditioning according to a pre-set schedule. As a result, you don't operate the equipment as much when you are asleep or when the house is not occupied.

Programmable thermostats can store and repeat multiple daily settings (six or more temperature settings a day) that you can manually override without affecting the rest of the daily or weekly program. When shopping for a programmable thermostat, be sure to look for the ENERGY STAR label.

General Thermostat Operation- Los Angeles Air Conditioning

You can easily save energy in the winter by setting the thermostat to 68°F while you're awake and setting it lower while you're asleep or away from home. By turning your thermostat back 10°–15° for 8 hours, you can save about 5%–15% a year on your heating bill—a savings of as much as 1% for each degree if the setback period is eight hours long. The percentage of savings from setback is greater for buildings in milder climates than for those in more severe climates.

In the summer, you can follow the same strategy with central Los Angeles air conditioning, too, by keeping your house warmer than normal when you are away, and lowering the thermostat setting to 78°F (26°C) only when you are at home and need cooling. Although thermostats can be adjusted manually, programmable thermostats will avoid any discomfort by returning temperatures to normal as you wake or return home.

A common misconception associated with thermostats is that a furnace works harder than normal to warm the space back to a comfortable temperature after the thermostat has been set back, resulting in little or no savings. This misconception has been dispelled by years of research and numerous studies. The fuel required to reheat a building to a comfortable temperature is roughly equal to the fuel saved as the building drops to the lower temperature. You save fuel between the time that the temperature stabilizes at the lower level and the next time heat is needed. So, the longer your house remains at the lower temperature, the more energy you save.

Limitations For Homes with Heat Pumps, Electric Resistance Heating, Steam Heat, and Radiant Floor Heating

Programmable thermostats are generally not recommended for heat pumps. In its cooling mode, a heat pump operates like an air conditioner, so turning up the thermostat (either manually or with a programmable thermostat) will save energy and money. But when a heat pump is in its heating mode, setting back its thermostat can cause the unit to operate inefficiently, thereby canceling out any savings achieved by lowering the temperature setting. Maintaining a moderate setting is the most cost-effective practice. Recently, however, some companies have begun selling specially designed programmable thermostats for heat pumps, which make setting back the thermostat cost effective. These thermostats typically use special algorithms to minimize the use of backup electric resistance heat systems.

Electric resistance systems, such as electric baseboard heating, require thermostats capable of directly controlling 120-volt or 240-volt circuits. Only a few companies manufacture line-voltage programmable thermostats.

For steam heating and radiant floor heating systems, the problem is their slow response time: both types of systems may have a response time of several hours. This leads some people to suggest that setback is inappropriate for these systems. However, some manufacturers now offer thermostats that track the performance of your heating system to determine when to turn it on in order to achieve comfortable temperatures at your programmed time.

Alternately, a normal programmable thermostat can be set to begin its cool down well before you leave or go to bed and return to its regular temperature two or three hours before you wake up or return home. This may require some guesswork at first, but with a little trial and error you can still save energy while maintaining a comfortable home.

Choosing and Programming a Programmable Thermostat

Most programmable thermostats are either digital, electromechanical, or some mixture of the two. Digital thermostats offer the most features in terms of multiple setback settings, overrides, and adjustments for daylight savings time, but may be difficult for some people to program. Electromechanical systems often involve pegs or sliding bars and are relatively simple to program.

When programming your thermostat, consider when you normally go to sleep and wake up. If you prefer to sleep at a cooler temperature during the winter, you might want to start the temperature setback a bit ahead of the time you actually go to bed; you probably won't notice the house cooling off as you prepare for bed. Also consider the schedules of everyone in the household; is there a time during the day when the house is unoccupied for four hours or more? If so, it makes sense to adjust the temperature during those periods.

Other Considerations- Los Angeles Air Conditioning

The location of your thermostat can affect its performance and efficiency. Read the manufacturer's installation instructions to prevent "ghost readings" or unnecessary furnace or air conditioner cycling. Place thermostats away from direct sunlight, drafts, doorways, skylights, and windows. Also make sure your thermostat is conveniently located for programming.

Los Angeles AC Condensers

Los Angeles AC condensers are essential to central Los Angeles air conditioning systems. An AC condenser unit will usually consist of a heat exchanger, a compressor and a fan. The heat exchanger cools and condenses the incoming refrigerant vapor into liquid, the compressor raises the pressure of the refrigerant and forces it to move and the fan blows the outer air through the heat exchanger. This results in a cooling of the refrigerant inside the home AC condenser. A central AC condenser is typically located outside the home with a layer of tubing between it and the building that ushers vapor refrigerant in and pulls liquid refrigerant out.

There are many factors that may keep Los Angeles AC condensers from running efficiently, which can keep your home from being as cool as you want it to be and cause unnecessary expenses on your electric bill. Cleaning AC condenser units is often all it takes, which should be part of your annual maintenance service. Or if components of the system are not functioning properly, AC condenser repair may be necessary to make your home comfortable and energy efficient again.

Los Angeles AC condenser replacement may also be the best option if your unit is beyond repair or if it is unable to meet today’s energy efficiency standards. The team of skilled technicians at American Air Conditioning & Heating is prepared to replace Los Angeles AC condenser units for homes of all shapes and sizes in the greater Los Angeles area. We can provide detailed information about the AC condensers that are available, install the unit with the utmost professionalism and provide all the maintenance and repair services you need to keep it running smoothly and efficiently.

Los Angeles Air Conditioning Repair

Los Angeles Air conditioning repair is an extremely important service with the often warm and sometimes scorching hot weather of Southern California. If you have invested in an air conditioning unit or purchased a home with central heating, Los Angeles AC repair will inevitably be necessary to keep the system in good working order and to prevent further problems. Los Angeles air conditioning service providers can also help with annual cleaning and maintenance to make sure your Los Angeles AC unit lasts as long as possible and to catch small repairs before they become much bigger issues.

You don’t want to hire just anyone to do your air conditioning repairs; it is best to trust this critical job to a highly trained and experienced professional. There are many air conditioner repair companies out there that all promise great things, but not all are able to deliver. This is why it’s a good idea to find a company like American Air Conditioning & Heating that you can trust for air conditioning maintenance and other services long before you actually need any major repairs. When you do find yourself in an emergency and need urgent Los Angeles AC repairs, the last thing you want to do is call the first company you can find without having the time to investigate their services.

When choosing a company to rely on for air conditioner repair and maintenance, the most important thing to look for is a highly skilled and reliable team of technicians. At American Air Conditioning & Heating, for example, all technicians must pass a complete drug test, physical and personality exam before being hired. They must also undergo a DMV and criminal background report, and before any technician begins servicing customers’ air conditioners, they must complete an extensive apprenticeship program with factory training. Every air condition repair technician on the team is clean cut, neatly dressed, polite, courteous and respectful of clients’ homes. This is the kind of Los Angeles AC service provider you know you can trust.

As always visit American Air Conditioning & Heating for more information. We are also on Facebook and Twitter!

Sizing and Installation- Los Angeles Air Conditioning

Your new heating and cooling system should be a custom fit for your home. Los Angeles AC can help. Sizing and a handful of other installation practices can dramatically affect how well your new equipment will deliver comfort and savings. Expect to pay a little more for a good contractor who follows these practices.

• Calculate the size of equipment
• Seal and insulate ducts in attics and crawlspaces
• Check and correct air flow
• Proper refrigerant charging
• Equipment placement
• Calculate the size of equipment

For starters your new furnace, boiler, heat pump or Los Angeles air conditioner should be sized to fit your home. You can request a copy of the design load calculation used to determine the right size of equipment for your home. A good contractor will not size your equipment solely on the square footage of your house or assume that your existing equipment was sized properly in the first place. Proper equipment sizing is based your home's heat loss during cold weather and heat gains during warm weather.

To complete the design load calculation the contractor will need to take measurements during the initial visit to your home and ask you some questions. The calculation is usually done using software, and should be based on professional guidelines such as Manual J from the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) or similar method. Oversized equipment can cause reduced comfort and excessive "air" noise. Oversizing will shorten the life of the equipment by causing it to cycle on and off more frequently than a properly-sized unit. Undersized equipment, with airflow that is too low, can reduce the efficiency of the air distribution and accelerate wear on system components, leading to earlier failure.

After the design load calculation is completed, ducts, supply registers, and return grilles can be sized and selected using professional guidelines in ACCA's Manual D or similar method.

Seal and insulate ducts in attics and crawlspaces

If you’re installing Los Angeles Air Conditioning and you choose a central air conditioner, furnace or heat pump ask your contractor about the condition of your air ducts. A good contractor should be able to test your air ducts to identify and seal leaks.

Duct sealing should be done by a professional using mastic, metal-backed tape or aerosol-based sealing.
In some instances, your contractor may advise you that it is necessary to replace or add ducts. If there are insufficient supply registers or return air grilles in your home, it may be necessary to install additional ducts to accommodate the need for registers or grilles. When possible ducts should be located within conditioned space. If the ducts must be in unconditioned space (attic or crawlspace) they should be insulated.
Check and correct airflow

For central air conditioners, furnaces or heat pumps there is an optimal air flow for comfort and savings.

If airflow is too high, duct leakage increases and the temperature at the register is not sufficient for optimal home comfort.
If airflow is too low, distribution efficiency drops and accelerates the wear on system components leading to premature failure.
A good contractor will test the air flow of your heating and cooling system and make adjustments for optimal performance. Typically, testing and adjustments should be done after duct leakage repairs have been completed.

Proper refrigerant charging

If your are installing a new central air conditioner or heat pump you should know that recent field studies suggest that approximately 75% of installed cooling equipment may have incorrect amount of refrigerant. Incorrect refrigerant level can lower efficiency by 5 to 20% and can ultimately cause premature component failure, resulting in costly repairs that could have been prevented. A good contractor will use one of three methods, recommended by equipment manufacturers, to verify the correct refrigerant level. These methods include super-heat, sub-cooling, or weigh. Ask your contractor how they verify the refrigerant level is correct.

In addition, you should know that since 1992, in order to protect the earth's atmosphere (ozone layer), all technicians must be certified to handle refrigerant. Ask them to show you proof of refrigerant handling certification.

Equipment placement

Placement of new equipment is unique for every home, but a good contractor should follow manufacturer's installation instructions for best results. For example, Indoor equipment should be installed in conditioned space, or a space that is well insulated. The Outdoor compressors should be placed out of the sun and kept free of debris. Equipment should be installed in an accessible area for easy maintenance. Allow plenty of room for free airflow on all sides of the equipment. Thermostats should be placed away from direct sunlight, drafts, doorways, skylights and windows.

Methods of Controlling Indoor Air Pollution- Los Angeles Air Conditioning

The three most common approaches to reducing indoor air pollution, in order of effectiveness, are:

1. Source Control: Eliminate or control the sources of pollution;
2. Ventilation: Dilute and exhaust pollutants through outdoor air ventilation, and
3. Air Cleaning: Remove pollutants through proven air cleaning methods.

Of the three, the first approach -- Source Control -- is the most effective. This involves minimizing the use of products and materials that cause indoor pollution, employing good hygiene practices to minimize biological contaminants (including the control of humidity and moisture, and occasional cleaning and disinfection of wet or moist surfaces), and using good housekeeping practices to control particles. Keep your Los Angeles air conditioning clean!

The second approach -- Outdoor Air Ventilation -- is also effective and commonly employed. Ventilation methods include installing an exhaust fan close to the source of contaminants, increasing outdoor air flows in mechanical ventilation systems, and opening windows, especially when pollutant sources are in use. Los Angeles A/C must have a great ventilation system.

The third approach -- Air Cleaning -- is not generally regarded as sufficient in itself, but is sometimes used to supplement source control and ventilation. Air filters, electronic particle air cleaners and ionizers are often used to remove airborne particles, and gas adsorbing material is sometimes used to remove gaseous contaminants when source control and ventilation are inadequate. Los Angeles A/C air cleaning is important.

Three Basic Strategies

Source Control- Los Angeles Air Conditioning

Usually the most effective way to improve indoor air quality is to eliminate individual sources of pollution or to reduce their emissions. Some sources, like those that contain asbestos, can be sealed or enclosed; others, like gas stoves, can be adjusted to decrease the amount of emissions. In many cases, source control is also a more cost-efficient approach to protecting indoor air quality than increasing ventilation because increasing ventilation can increase energy costs. Specific sources of indoor air pollution in your home are listed later in this section.

Ventilation Improvements- Los Angeles AC

Another approach to lowering the concentrations of indoor air pollutants in your home is to increase the amount of outdoor air coming indoors. Most home heating and cooling systems, including forced air heating systems, do not mechanically bring fresh air into the house. Opening windows and doors, operating window or attic fans, when the weather permits, or running a window air conditioner with the vent control open increases the outdoor ventilation rate. Local bathroom or kitchen fans that exhaust outdoors remove contaminants directly from the room where the fan is located and also increase the outdoor air ventilation rate.

It is particularly important to take as many of these steps as possible while you are involved in short-term activities that can generate high levels of pollutants--for example, painting, paint stripping, heating with kerosene heaters, cooking, or engaging in maintenance and hobby activities such as welding, soldering, or sanding. You might also choose to do some of these activities outdoors, if you can and if weather permits.

Advanced designs of new homes are starting to feature mechanical systems that bring outdoor air into the home. Some of these designs include energy-efficient heat recovery ventilators (also known as air-to-air heat exchangers).

For more information about air-to-air heat exchangers, contact the U.S. Department of Energy's Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy's Office (EERE) at www.eere.energy.gov/. You may contact the EERE Information Center with questions on EERE's products, services, and 11 technology programs by calling 1-877-EERE-INF (1-877-337-3463).

Air Cleaners- Los Angeles Air Conditioning

There are many types and sizes of air cleaners on the market, ranging from relatively inexpensive table-top models to sophisticated and expensive whole-house systems. Some air cleaners are highly effective at particle removal, while others, including most table-top models, are much less so. Air cleaners are generally not designed to remove gaseous pollutants.

The effectiveness of an air cleaner depends on how well it collects pollutants from indoor air (expressed as a percentage efficiency rate) and how much air it draws through the cleaning or filtering element (expressed in cubic feet per minute). A very efficient collector with a low air-circulation rate will not be effective, nor will a cleaner with a high air-circulation rate but a less efficient collector. The long-term performance of any air cleaner depends on maintaining it according to the manufacturer's directions.

Another important factor in determining the effectiveness of an air cleaner is the strength of the pollutant source. Table-top air cleaners, in particular, may not remove satisfactory amounts of pollutants from strong nearby sources. People with a sensitivity to particular sources may find that air cleaners are helpful only in conjunction with concerted efforts to remove the source.

Over the past few years, there has been some publicity suggesting that houseplants have been shown to reduce levels of some chemicals in laboratory experiments. There is currently no evidence, however, that a reasonable number of houseplants remove significant quantities of pollutants in homes and offices. Indoor houseplants should not be over-watered because overly damp soil may promote the growth of microorganisms which can affect allergic individuals.

At present, EPA does not recommend using air cleaners to reduce levels of radon and its decay products. The effectiveness of these devices is uncertain because they only partially remove the radon decay products and do not diminish the amount of radon entering the home. EPA plans to do additional research on whether air cleaners are, or could become, a reliable means of reducing the health risk from radon. EPA's booklet, Residential Air-Cleaning Devices, provides further information on air-cleaning devices to reduce indoor air pollutants.

For most indoor air quality problems in the home, source control is the most effective solution. This section takes a source-by-source look at the most common indoor air pollutants, their potential health effects, and ways to reduce levels in the home. (For a summary of the points made in this section, see the section entitled "Reference Guide to Major Indoor Air Pollutants in the Home").

Ozone Generators That Are Sold As Air Cleaners (which is only available via Los Angeles AC specialists American Air Conditioning & Heating's website) was prepared by EPA to provide accurate information regarding the use of ozone-generating devices in indoor occupied spaces. This information is based on the most credible scientific evidence currently available.