Although it’s not cold outside yet, it will soon be. The biggest mistake you can make right now is to wait until the autumn sets in to find out if your HVAC system is functioning properly. Don’t do that!

An HVAC unit works throughout the year, maintaining a cozy temperature indoors during summer and winter. It becomes necessary to perform proper maintenance on your HVAC system at regular intervals. The last thing you want in September is your HVAC system to break down and leave you shuddering with cold. Avoid problems with your unit this autumn and winter by taking these precautions to ensure a properly operating system.

Outdoor elements of an HVAC unit takes the full-brunt of elements. Each summer, they get covered with grime, leaves, pollen, and twigs and obstruct the flow of air to the interior of your HVAC system. Clear all of that debris from your units in September.

Temperatures can easily cross 30 degrees during Paphos summers. It is the season when HVACs run almost non-stop, and air filters get the dirtiest; making their replacement necessary before the onset of autumn. A dirty air filter obstructs air flow, causes your furnace to work harder, and costs you more money.

In a perfect world, your system’s insulation functions properly throughout the year. But real life has this nasty habit of coming in the way. If your energy bills were higher than usual during summer, it’s high time you speak to a technician or perform an insulation check yourself.

Summers don’t change landscapes, but they damage the pads on which your HVAC unit rests. After a season of high day temperatures, your system may not be on level ground; causing non-uniform lubrication in the compressor and eventually burning it out. Repairs are costly. Either ensure yourself that your unit is level or hire an HVAC contractor for the job.

If you live in Paphos, the end of summer and beginning of autumn is the perfect time to call an HVAC contractor. An inspection by an experienced technician will ensure that your furnace is ready for the cold months. It will also prevent unpleasant breakdowns between September and April.

Transitioning from summer to autumn means taking care of your HVAC maintenance tasks. Putting off regular maintenance by an experienced HVAC contractor now may lead to ugly and uncomfortable surprises during the cold months.

Prevent avoidable problems. Call at +357 26945222 and schedule a pre-autumn HVAC maintenance for a cozy, warm autumn and winter.

Are you interested in our services? Want to know more from our specialist? Leave us your contact below and we will contact you.

Via Man Will

In spring and summer our gardens bloom with life. While this may seem nice, it can also cause people suffering from seasonal pollen-related asthma and allergies, such as allergic rhinitis. But what is pollen and how can you protect your family from its possible effects?

Pollen, which usually appears as a fine powder, is microspores that are transferred from one plant to another, resulting in the fertilization and production of new plants. As temperatures rise, pollen production increases causing a variety of symptoms in people with pollen sensitivity including sneezing, nasal congestion, redness, itchy eyes and tearing and / or itchy nose or runny nose.

There are three main types of pollen that together extend the pollen season from early spring to late autumn.

• Pollen from grass: It is the main culprit for asthma and pollen allergies associated with pollen and can affect people from March to October. Grass pollen can cause extremely strong reactions.

• Tree Pollen: While different types of tree pollen occur at different times of the year, tree pollen is usually only a problem from February to June.

• Weed Pollen: Weed pollen most often causes allergic rhinitis. It usually prevails in summer and early autumn.

Daikin air purifiers are the perfect way to ensure that indoor air is cleaner, healthier and cleaner, minimizing the negative effects of pollen on your health.

Daikin air purifiers:

Minimize the symptoms of asthma and allergies by removing dust and pollen particles from the air.

They protect your health by filtering out airborne bacteria and viruses, and also eliminate 99.98% of the human coronavirus HCoV-229E.

They inject moisture into the air when it is very dry, helping to keep your skin healthy.

· They control odors so that your home always smells fresh and clean.

We are a proficient company offering a wide selection of services for all size projects in the areas of Solar Energy, Photovoltaic Systems, Geothermal Energy, Net Metering, Swimming Pools, Air Conditioning, Central Heating, all kind of Mechanical Installations. Please contact us if you have any questions!

Via: Hooi Koorts

Via: Daikin Europe

Have you ever felt warm water trickle out of a garden hose that’s been sitting in the sun? If so, then you have witnessed solar water heating in action.

Now imagine that same water moving slowly though a system specifically designed to heat and store water – that is the essence of solar thermal water heating. People have for centuries used water heated by the sun and stored it for bathing, hand washing, cleaning clothes, heating homes and much more. The solar thermal systems used today combine the most efficient techniques for capturing the sun’s heat with modern plumbing systems to produce cost-effective hot water and reduce the need for gas or electricity to heat water.

A Solar Thermal system works by harnessing the sun’s energy and converting it into heat, that is then transferred to your home or business. The solar collector utilises the sun’s rays to heat a transfer fluid which is a mixture of water and glycol, to prevent the water from freezing in the winter. There are a number of different solar thermal designs, but all are based on the same simple principle as the garden hose. Each has its pros and cons, and each is suitable for a specific application. 

An important distinction among solar thermal systems is whether they are of direct or indirect design.

In an indirect system, also known as “closed loop,” a simple pump moves the antifreeze solution through a loop into the solar collector, through the collector’s pipes, and out of the solar collector. Then, the sun-warmed antifreeze solution flows into a heat-transfer unit where it warms the cool water heading into a conventional hot water tank. The antifreeze solution then returns to the pump and again flows into the solar collector without ever mixing with the building’s water. Indirect systems are encouraged in climates with extended periods of below-freezing temperatures. We primarily install these types of systems. We find they produce the greatest amount of energy, more consistently, with a greater service life than other types of systems.

A direct system, also known as “open loop,” is a little simpler. There is no antifreeze solution; the water heated directly by the sun is the same water used by building occupants. A thermometer and controller sense when the solar collector is warm and ready to heat water. The controller starts a pump that moves cold water into the solar collector, where it is heated. The solar heated water is then stored in a conventional hot water tank. It is typical, especially during high use or periods of little sun for the water to be kept warm through supplemental gas or electricity. This type of system, because it circulates pure, potable water through an outdoor collector, is susceptible to freezing in many climates, unless safeguards are added.

• Solar Thermal Under floor heating
  

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• Solar Thermal Heating of domestic water
  

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• Solar Thermal Heating of the pool
  

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• Combination of the above
  

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We can provide you solutions for an integrated solar thermal system and we can advice you how you can minimize your energy costs by utilizing the sun as a source of renewable energy.

When investing in an air conditioning system, the right type, model and performance play an extremely important role. Air conditioners significantly affect your comfort and health at home. These tips will help you choose the right air conditioner for your space and needs, so that you make the most of your investment.

All Daikin units cool homes with an energy efficiency of up to A +++, the highest on the market, while keeping the electricity bill low. With our solutions you will enjoy a perfect atmosphere throughout the year in an energy friendly way.

When choosing an air conditioning system it is important to determine the required cooling efficiency. A system with very low power provides unsatisfactory results, while a system with more qualifications than required has a stronger air flow than required, resulting in unpleasant comfort. Finding the perfect performance is a balancing act, but your Daikin installer can help you with that.

When installing an air conditioner with an outdoor unit, many people only pay attention to the indoor unit because it is more visible indoors. But the location of the outdoor unit is probably more important as it can significantly affect the proper functioning of the whole system. The outdoor unit is located in the heart of the air conditioning system, so you should not forget it. Ensure that air inlet and outlet are not obstructed by obstacles or leaves. Take a look at your unit before the start of the summer and winter seasons to ensure optimal operation.

Do not wait for the first hot day to order your air conditioning system. Firstly because you will not be the first to want a quick installation of a unit and the program of authorized installers will be full. Secondly, it takes time for the air conditioner of your choice to be sent to you. The time period between ordering and actual installation can take several weeks. Indicatively, the installation of an air conditioner usually takes one working day for a room. The exact installation time depends on the exact installation conditions.

Via Daikin

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) is the air quality in a building or structure, the air that the occupants of the building breathe every day.

When planning new resiednetial buildings, schools, offices or light commercial buildings, many factors need to be considered. Apart from the construction factors, there are also issues of heating, cooling and something that is often neglected: indoor air quality.

Did you know that the indoor air we breathe, at home, in the office or even in a hotel room, can actually be much more poluted than the air outside?

• The 90% of our lives is spent indoors
• The indoor air quality can be 2-5 times worse than outdoor air quality because of pollutants, such as pollen, bacteria etc.

With the right system (air conditioner, ventilation, air purification equipment), contaminants such as pollen, spores, concrete dust, bacteria, viruses or germs can be removed from the air by filtration. The smaller these particles are, the more dangerous they are to our health, so particulate matter is categorized according to its size.

Ventilation systems ensure optimal air conditioning conditions by providing a fresh, healthy and comfortable environment for buildings of all dimentions and different applications. In a completely enclosed space in a bulding, air cannot enter/leave easly, leaving air pollutants remaining and accumulating in the room. This can effect the health of the people in the room. Ventilation is essential for diluting and removing these air pollutants. A well-maintained ventilation system and and adequate air exchange rate have proven to be an effective solution to protect people from contaminants, incluidng visruses.

Daikin ventilation products are perfectly combined in a total heat pump solution, so that it is possible to reduce the number of individual systems and independent suppliers for your HVAC-R system

To achieve optimal ventilation, Daikin maintains the highest standards of energy efficiency and has a wide range of options to achieve the filtration and level of hygiene required for your project.

With a good filtration system you can collect very small particulate matter from the air stream but the viruses, bacteria and fungal organisms that accumulate are not inactivated. They can continue to reproduce and possibly cause disease. To prevent this from happening, air disinfection is required.

Flash Streamer

Superior air treatment through the unique Flash Streamer technology

Daikin’s patented Flash streamer technology disables more than 99.9% of the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2).

The huge streamer discharge hits allergens and hazardous chemicals, breaking down and breaking down surface proteins, which are then destroyed by oxidation.

During the test, allergens are placed on the electrode of the streamer discharge unit and then photographed with the electron microscope after being irradiated.

UV-C lamp

UV energy inactivates viral, bacterial and fungal organisms so that they can not reproduce and possibly cause disease.

The entire UV spectrum has the ability to inactivate microorganisms, but UV-C energy (wavelengths 200 – 280 nm) provides the greatest microbicidal effect.

UV-C disinfection and sterilization is widely used in hospitals.

However, the UV-C lamp is a danger to the health of the human body.

By treating the fresh recirculation air with a UV-C lamp directly inside the air management units, pure germ-free air can be achieved without exposing the human body to the harmful UV lamp.

Via Cyprus Daikin Europe

Photo Credits: Shutterstock

How to Know if Your Air Conditioner Needs Servicing? There are so many things to keep track of as a homeowner. Some of them are obvious, like seeing you need to hit the grocery store. Some of them are not so obvious like remembering the last time you had the carpets cleaned.

One of the things that often gets overlooked in terms of maintenance is the air conditioner. This can be a highly used appliance that you don’t even think about as a typical “appliance” like your dishwasher or refrigerator.

This means it can also be difficult to see exactly when it needs to be serviced. We tend to just push the “on” button and forget about it. There are several signs that we can see that tell us to have our air conditioner serviced.

One of the biggest and most obvious signs that your air conditioner is in need of servicing is the temperature of the air it produces. If it is producing appropriately cool air, you can check for other signs.

However, if your air conditioner is blowing out warm or hot air, this is a very clear sign that something is wrong. If this is happening, you can check the temperature setting on your thermostat. Make sure it is set to “cool” first and then check the vents.

If they are all blowing out hot air, there is likely a problem with the airflow or the compressor. You can try to fix it yourself by setting the temperature to be lower than it currently is. However, anything further than that should be handled by a professional.

Another thing you can check with the vents is the quality of the airflow coming out of them. You should be able to feel the air coming out when you are standing underneath them. If it is a weak air flow, then you need to have your air conditioner checked out by a professional.

There are several things that could be wrong with your system. It could be as simple as a clogged duct or filter or as complex as a broken motor or issue with the ventilator. Either way, poor airflow is a sign of a problem.

Leaks should not occur at all with your air conditioner. It should not leak anywhere outside your home, but especially not anywhere inside your home. A leak that comes out through a pipe on the outside of your house can indicate a clogged pipe somewhere inside your house.

Only a professional should unclog the pipe and fix this problem. It can be hard to find the clog on your own and you don’t want to try unclogging it like a regular pipe. If there is a leak on the inside of your house, it is imperative that you hire a professional to have it looked at immediately. A leak inside the house can lead to basic damage or even structural damage and can cause serious problems.

Another common problem that can happen with air conditioning systems is unnatural noise. The majority of air conditioning systems make a noise when they turn on and off, but other than that, they should be basically silent. If your air conditioner rattles or whistles or makes any kind of loud, sudden noise, there is a problem within somewhere. It could be a loose part or something completely broken on the inside.

In addition, if you hear the air conditioner turn on and off too frequently while you have it set to auto, this could be a problem. When the air conditioner is set to “automatic” and regulates the house based on temperature, it will turn on and off accordingly.

However, if it seems to run these cycles too often, this can be a sign of a problem with the unit. You may want to have it checked out.

In addition to water coming from your air conditioner, you also need to keep an eye out for any odors coming from your air conditioner. Not only are unpleasant smells, well, unpleasant, but they also indicate a much bigger problem with your air conditioner. If you smell something funky that you think is coming from the air conditioner, it could be an indication of some sort of bacterial growth within the system.

Here are so many signs and signals that your air conditioner needs servicing. If you see any one of these signs, there is a good chance it needs a tune-up. Even if you don’t see one of these signs, it is a good rule of thumb to have it checked yearly. This will reduce the number of problems you may encounter and keep your air conditioner in top shape!

If you are not sure whether you need a home AC repair, just call us. Our customer service team is here to listen to your concerns and schedule an appointment with our highly skilled technicians. You may just be due for an AC maintenance appointment, or it may be time for a whole new air conditioner (if it is, we have very competitive pricing!). Fill out the form below and we will be in contact with you.

Originally posted on: Aircon Service Sg

Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Beat the wait, queues and cold! 

Skip the cold this year and enjoy your home to the fullest. Make sure your central heating has been checked and serviced, and properly functioning. 

Don’t be this guy… 

Go straight to this! 

Book your central heating and air conditioning service by 30/09/20 and enjoy a 15% discount off your final bill.  

*The offer is accordingly adjusted and also applies for customers with either central heating or air conditioning units only. 

Simply fill in your details below and we will be in touch with you directly.

Για παρεμπόδιση της εξάπλωσης του Covid-19 μέσω των Συστημάτων Κλιματισμού και Εξαερισμού, πρέπει να λαμβάνεται υπόψη το γεγονός ότι τα μικρά σωματίδια του ιού μπορούν να παραμένουν αερομεταφερόμενα για αρκετό χρονικό διάστημα. Με βάση την πρόσφατη βιβλιογραφία των οργανισμών ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers) και REHVA (Federation of European Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning Associations) για την μη εξάπλωση του Covid-19, συστήνεται όπως εφαρμόζονται μέτρα κατόπιν συνεννόησης του εργοδότη / διαχειριστή του υποστατικού με τους εμπλεκόμενους εγκαταστάτες / συντηρητές για τη λειτουργία των Συστημάτων Κλιματισμού κλειστών εσωτερικών χώρων εργασίας, τα οποία θα λαμβάνουν υπόψη τα ακόλουθα:

Για μονάδες διαχωρισμένου τύπου (split units), οι οποίες δεν συνδέονται με άλλα κλιματιστικά παρακείμενων χώρων, συστήνεται όπως αυτές να τίθενται σε κανονική λειτουργία (εάν είναι εφικτό, με παρατεταμένο ωράριο) με παράλληλη λειτουργία φυσικού αερισμού (π.χ. με μερικώς ανοικτά παράθυρα ή εξωτερικές πόρτες) για εισαγωγή αέρα στους εσωτερικούς χώρους από έξω. Καθαρισμός / αντικατάσταση των φίλτρων στις μονάδες αυτές θα γίνεται σύμφωνα με την κανονική διαδικασία σύμφωνα με την προγραμματισμένη συντήρηση / απολύμανση. Οι τακτικές εργασίες αντικατάστασης ή συντήρησης φίλτρων και καθαρισμού / συντήρησης των εσωτερικών μερών των κλιματιστικών θα εκτελούνται με χρήση και λήψη όλων των προστατευτικών μέτρων, που αναφέρθηκαν πιο πάνω για την προστασία του συντηρητή / τεχνικού.

Για τα Κεντρικά Συστήματα Κλιματισμού / Εξαερισμού

1. Ρύθμιση, καθαρισμός, απολύμανση, και συντήρηση των εσωτερικών μερών (fan coils, evaporators, κ.ά.) των Κεντρικών Συστημάτων Κλιματισμού / Εξαερισμού για παρατεταμένη λειτουργία. Όπου υπάρχει ξεχωριστός εξαερισμός να γίνονται ρυθμίσεις ώστε ο εξαερισμός να διατηρείται σε λειτουργία 24 ώρες την ημέρα, 7 ημέρες την εβδομάδα, σε χαμηλότερο ρυθμό εξαερισμού όταν δεν υπάρχουν πρόσωπα στον χώρο. Να μην επιτρέπονται επί μέρους διαφοροποιήσεις στη λειτουργία του Κεντρικού Συστήματος (μη λειτουργία τοπικού ελέγχου HVAC).

2. Συστήνεται η αύξηση εισαγωγής εξωτερικού νωπού αέρα, μείωση (ή εάν αυτό είναι τεχνικά εφικτό, τερματισμός) της λειτουργίας ανακυκλωμένου αέρα για αποφυγή πιθανής αερομεταφοράς παθογόνων οργανισμών που περιέχουν αερολύματα όπως τον Covid-19 από ένα εσωτερικό χώρο στον άλλο. Αυτό συνεπάγεται αύξηση της εισαγωγής εξωτερικού νωπού αέρα, συνήθως πολύ ζεστού αλλά και υγρού κατά την καλοκαιρινή περίοδο, με ορισμένα μειονεκτήματα, όπως η επίπτωση στην άνεση των εργαζομένων και επισκεπτών. Για τα ενδεικνυόμενα φίλτρα για χρήση στα Κεντρικά Συστήματα Κλιματισμού / Εξαερισμού, γίνεται αναφορά στο σημείο 9 που ακολουθεί. Για βελτίωση της παροχής νωπού αέρα για κάθε πρόσωπο στον κλειστό χώρο εργασίας, πρέπει να τηρούνται οι οδηγίες για κοινωνική αποστασιοποίηση και η αποφυγή συγκέντρωσης μεγάλου αριθμού προσώπων στον ίδιο κλειστό χώρο.

3. Σε Κεντρικά Συστήματα Κλιματισμού με περιστροφικούς εναλλάκτες αέρα (rotary wheel), θα πρέπει να σταματήσει η περιστροφή τους και αν είναι δυνατόν να απορρίπτεται ο αέρας χωρίς να διέρχεται από τον εναλλάκτη. Επίσης για μείωση των διαρροών αέρα εντός του Συστήματος, θα πρέπει να εξασφαλιστεί ότι δεν υπάρχει πολύ υψηλότερη πίεση αέρα επιστροφής σε σχέση με τον αέρα παροχής. Για Κεντρικά Συστήματα Κλιματισμού με πλακοειδείς εναλλάκτες ολικής ανάκτησης θερμότητας (θερμοκρασίας και ενθαλπίας) να τίθενται σε λειτουργία παράκαμψης (bypass) εφόσον αυτό είναι εφικτό (παρότι δεν τεκμηριώνεται επαρκώς ο βαθμός επικινδυνότητάς τους). Τέλος, σε περιπτώσεις Κεντρικών Συστηματών Kλιματισμού με πλακοειδείς εναλλάκτες μερικής ανάκτησης θερμότητας (μόνο θερμοκρασίας) μπορούν να λειτουργούν κανονικά (χωρίς παράκαμψη) νοουμένου περιορίζονται οι διαρροές λόγω διαφοράς πίεσης αέρα.

4. Σε Κεντρικά Συστήματα Κλιματισμού με ανακυκλοφορία αέρα θα πρέπει να κλείσουν οι ρυθμιστές ροής ανάμειξης (damper) και να απορρίπτεται ο αέρας επιστροφής κατ’ ευθείαν στον εξωτερικό περιβάλλοντα χώρο. Σε περιπτώσεις όπου η ανακυκλοφορία του αέρα υπερβαίνει το 50%, επιβάλλεται η λήψη πρόσθετων μέτρων, ειδικότερα για μεγάλους εσωτερικούς χώρους, π.χ. εμπορικά κέντρα, θέατρα, όπου αναμένεται συνάθροιση κοινού. Τέτοια μέτρα είναι η τακτικότερα απολύμανση των μερών του Συστήματος στα σημεία προσαγωγής του αέρα ή / και άλλες τεχνικές λύσεις.

5. Σε Κεντρικά Συστήματα αερισμού – εξαερισμού όπου γίνεται χρήση συσκευών ολικής ανάκτησης θερμότητας (Heat Recovery Ventilator – HRV – θερμοκρασίας και ενθαλπίας), να τίθενται σε λειτουργία παράκαμψης (bypass) εφόσον αυτό είναι εφικτό. (παρότι δεν τεκμηριώνεται επαρκώς ο βαθμός επικινδυνότητάς τους) και να διασφαλίζεται ότι δεν υπάρχει ανάμιξη και επιμόλυνση από την πλευρά ροής εξαγωγής προς την πλευρά τροφοδοσίας του αέρα. Σε Κεντρικά Συστήματα αερισμού – εξαερισμού με πλακοειδείς εναλλάκτες μερικής ανάκτησης θερμότητας (μόνο θερμοκρασίας) μπορούν να λειτουργούν κανονικά (χωρίς παράκαμψη) νοουμένου περιορίζονται οι διαρροές λόγω διαφοράς πίεσης.

6. Οι αεραγωγοί απόρριψης να έχουν τη μεγαλύτερη δυνατή απόσταση από τα σημεία αναρρόφησης φρέσκου αέρα.

7. Οι μονάδες αεροχειρισμού (Fan Coil Units -FCU) όπου είναι εφικτό, να τίθενται εκτός λειτουργίας, ή όταν αυτό δεν είναι εφικτό, να τίθενται σε συνεχή λειτουργία (24ώρη) για λόγους αποφυγής της επαναιώρησης των σωματιδίων / ιών σε περίπτωση διακοπής και επαναλειτουργίας των μονάδων.

8. Η λειτουργία εξαερισμού από τα Κεντρικά Συστήματα των κλειστών χώρων εργασίας πρέπει να συνεχίζεται, με χαμηλότερο ρυθμό, όταν δεν υπάρχουν πρόσωπα στους χώρους εργασίας. Όπου είναι εφικτός, ο νυκτερινός αερισμός των εσωτερικών χώρων κατά τους καλοκαιρινούς μήνες, προσφέρει ως αντιστάθμισμα τον δροσισμό των χώρων και τη μείωση του κόστους κλιματισμού.

9. Ανάλογα με τη χρήση του χώρου εργασίας και τις τεχνικές προδιαγραφές των Κεντρικών Συστημάτων Κλιματισμού, δύναται να χρειαστεί πιο τακτικός καθαρισμός, αεραγωγών και των λοιπών μερών του Συστήματος, καθώς και συντήρηση ή αλλαγή των φίλτρων στα Κεντρικά Συστήματα Κλιματισμού και στα στόμια εισαγωγής εξωτερικού νωπού αέρα. Περαιτέρω, για ορισμένους κλειστούς χώρους εργασίας, δύναται να απαιτηθεί, εάν είναι τεχνικά εφικτό, η εγκατάσταση ή/και αντικατάσταση φίλτρων (τύπου σακούλας / σακκιών) που να επιτυγχάνουν τουλάχιστον φιλτράρισμα σωματιδίων μεγέθους 0.3 – 1.0 μικρομέτρων (μm) σε ποσοστό έως 75% και σωματιδίων μεγέθους 1.0 – 3.0 μm σε ποσοστό τουλάχιστον 90%, βάσει των προδιαγραφών για Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) του Οργανισμού ASHRAE. Συστήνεται χρήση φίλτρων τουλάχιστον της κατηγορίας MERV 13. Βάσει του σχετικού Ευρωπαϊκού Προτύπου ΕΝ779, η αντίστοιχη κατηγορία φίλτρων είναι η F7. Επίσης, με βάση το Διεθνές Πρότυπο ISO 16890, η ενδεικνυόμενη ομάδα φίλτρων είναι η ePM1, η οποία συγκρατεί σωματίδια με μέγεθος μέχρι 1μm, με ελάχιστη απόδοση 50%. Δύναται επίσης να χρησιμοποιηθούν φίλτρα Υψηλής Απόδοσης Απορρόφησης Σωματιδίων, τύπου HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air / Absorber) για συγκεκριμένους κλειστούς χώρους εργασίας, όπου η επικινδυνότητα για τους εργαζόμενους η/και για το κοινό, από πιθανή αερομεταφορά του Covid-19, κρίνεται αυξημένη, εφόσον οι τεχνικές προδιαγραφές του Συστήματος το επιτρέπουν. Για τους χώρους με αυξημένη επικινδυνότητα αερομεταφοράς Covid-19, δύναται να χρησιμοποιηθεί εξοπλισμός με υπεριώδη ακτινοβολία ως μικροβιοκτόνο (UltaViolet Germicidal Irridiation, UVGI).

10. Κατά την εκτέλεση εργασιών καθαρισμού, απολύμανσης, συντήρησης / αλλαγής φίλτρων στα Κεντρικά Συστήματα Κλιματισμού, οι εργαζόμενοι (συντηρητές /τεχνικοί) πρέπει να φέρουν κατάλληλα Μέσα Ατομικής Προστασίας (ΜΑΠ), όπως μάσκες προσώπου και γάντια για την προστασία τους σε περίπτωση που τα φίλτρα είναι επιμολυσμένα με ενεργό μικροβιακό φορτίο. Επίσης, να φέρουν μαζί τους κατάλληλα σακούλια για απόθεση των χρησιμοποιημένων φίλτρων που πρόκειται να αντικαταστήσουν. Σε περίπτωση που ο καθαρισμός φίλτρων μέσω πλύσης δεν μπορεί να αποφευχθεί τότε πρέπει να ληφθούν μέτρα απομάκρυνση/περιορισμού εξάπλωσης των παράγωγων της πλύσης σε άλλους χώρους.

11. Στον βαθμό που είναι εφικτό, να γίνονται ρυθμίσεις για επίτευξη σχετικής υγρασίας στους εσωτερικούς κλιματιζόμενους χώρους μεταξύ 40-60% για μείωση της πιθανότητας παραμονής των σταγονιδίων και των παθογόνων σωματιδίων στον αέρα για περισσότερο χρόνο.

12. Στους χώρους υγειονομικών διευκολύνσεων (τουαλέτες) των κλειστών χώρων εργασίας, εάν υπάρχουν παράθυρα, αυτά πρέπει να παραμένουν κλειστά, για να μην υπάρχει ο κίνδυνος η κατεύθυνση του αέρα να μεταφέρει τα σταγονίδια μέσω του Κεντρικού Συστήματος σε άλλους κλειστούς χώρους του κτιρίου. Εάν είναι εφικτό, να γίνεται ο τεχνικός εξαερισμός των χώρων αυτών σε συνεχή βάση όλο το 24ωρο. Η χρήση μηχανημάτων για στέγνωμα των χεριών (jet air dryers) δε συστήνεται γιατί και σε αυτή την περίπτωση υπάρχει κίνδυνος διασποράς των σταγονιδίων. Να τονίζεται η σημασία εφαρμογής των μέτρων υγιεινής της τουαλέτας και καθαρισμού των χεριών πριν και μετά τη χρήση της τουαλέτας με σαπούνι και νερό για 20 δευτερόλεπτα τόσο για το προσωπικό όσο και για τους επισκέπτες και το στέγνωμα των χεριών με χαρτοπετσέτες μιας χρήσης.

13. Συστήνεται η ενίσχυση της παροχής νωπού αέρα σε εσωτερικούς χώρους εργασίας με Συστήματα Τοπικού Εξαερισμού όπου αυτό κριθεί αναγκαίο. Η παροχή του φρέσκου αέρα, όπως αναφέρεται πιο πάνω, πρέπει να γίνεται διαγώνια με το σημείο εξαερισμού εντός του ιδίου χώρου, για αποφυγή επιμόλυνσης άλλων χώρων.

14. Σε περιπτώσεις υποστατικών χωρίς Κεντρικά Συστήματα Κλιματισμού, να ανοίγονται παράθυρα / θύρες για περιόδους 15 λεπτών, για εισαγωγή εξωτερικού αέρα, αν και αυτό συνεπάγεται θερμική επιβάρυνση του εσωτερικού χώρου του υποστατικού.

All-time summer heat records keep buckling under the weight of rising global temps—a trend that hits home, literally and figuratively, when you receive your monthly air conditioning bill. Unfortunately, mistakes you’re making with your home A/C may be undercutting its efficiency, effectiveness, and safety, experts say.

“If you have a badly maintained system, it can become contaminated with microorganisms that may be harmful if inhaled,” says Mark Mendell, a staff scientist with the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory’s Indoor Environment Group. Mendell mentions asthma problems and allergies as some of those possible harms.

Here are eight of the most common mistakes people make when it comes to home A/C, and some simple adjustments that can save your lungs and wallet.

At a minimum, you should be changing the filter on your central A/C unit once every three months—and as often as once a month if your system is running all the time.

Neglect this chore, and a dirty filter can lead to poor air flow or freezing up of your unit’s evaporator coil. A filthy filter could add 5% to 15% to your A/C bill, and will shorten the lifespan of your whole system. Fortunately, replacement filters are not expensive! 

If you have ductless “split” A/C units, there should be a removable panel on your unit that will allow you to wipe off the filter with a rag—no replacement necessary.

An air conditioner’s filters, coils, and fins require regular maintenance for the unit to function effectively and efficiently throughout its years of service. Neglecting necessary maintenance ensures a steady decline in air conditioning performance while energy use steadily increases. 

Maybe you’re one of those superhumans who always remembers to adjust the thermostat before leaving the house. But if you’re like the rest of us, a programmable thermostat can save you hundreds on your annual A/C bill by automatically raising the temp at those times of day when you’re at work or away from home.

Research shows the human body is capable of adapting to hot or cool temperatures pretty quickly—like within a week or two. When you consider you’ll cut up to 3% off your A/C bill for every degree you raise the temperature—not to mention the potential environmental benefits of lowering your A/C use—it’s worth sweating through that adjustment period and setting your thermostat somewhere in the high 20s (or higher if you can handle it).

Any type of fan, but especially ceiling fans, can help keep cool air circulating throughout your home. That removes some of the burden from your AC system. Just be sure your ceiling fans are turning counterclockwise during the summer, which promotes greater air flow.

If the sun or a nearby lamp blasts your thermostat for big chunks of the day, that could throw off its readings and cause it to crank your A/C even though your place is pleasantly cool. Especially if you’re away during the day, you may not realise your system is working overtime due to a misplaced thermostat.

Blocking AC vents with furniture or curtains can also limit air circulation. Unless you spend a lot of time huddled under your sofa, you’ll want to be sure your A/C vents are unobstructed.

If A/C vents are open in every room of your house, you’re chilling a lot of real estate that may not be in use on a day-to-day basis. Walk around and close those A/C vents that open onto unoccupied rooms. Also, closing closet doors ensures those spaces aren’t swallowing your cold air.

Bright sunlight is your A/C system’s nemesis. By closing blinds and sliding curtains to block the sun’s rays, you’ll also shield your space from the sun’s heat.

Via Time

An air conditioner’s filters, coils, and fins require regular maintenance for the unit to function effectively and efficiently throughout its years of service. Neglecting necessary maintenance ensures a steady decline in air conditioning performance while energy use steadily increases. 

The most important maintenance task that will ensure the efficiency of your air conditioner is to routinely replace or clean its filters. Clogged, dirty filters block normal airflow and reduce a system’s efficiency significantly. With normal airflow obstructed, air that bypasses the filter may carry dirt directly into the evaporator coil and impair the coil’s heat-absorbing capacity. Replacing a dirty, clogged filter with a clean one can lower your air conditioner’s energy consumption by 5% to 15%.

For central air conditioners, filters are generally located somewhere along the return duct’s length. Common filter locations are in walls, ceilings, furnaces, or in the air conditioner itself. Room air conditioners have a filter mounted in the grill that faces into the room.

Some types of filters are reusable; others must be replaced. They are available in a variety of types and efficiencies. Clean or replace your air conditioning system’s filter or filters every month or two during the cooling season. Filters may need more frequent attention if the air conditioner is in constant use, is subjected to dusty conditions, or you have fur-bearing pets in the house.

The air conditioner’s evaporator coil and condenser coil collect dirt over their months and years of service. A clean filter prevents the evaporator coil from soiling quickly. In time, however, the evaporator coil will still collect dirt. This dirt reduces airflow and insulates the coil, reducing its ability to absorb heat. To avoid this problem, check your evaporator coil every year and clean it as necessary.

Outdoor condenser coils can also become very dirty if the outdoor environment is dusty or if there is foliage nearby. You can easily see the condenser coil and notice if dirt is collecting on its fins.

You should minimise dirt and debris near the condenser unit. Your dryer vents, falling leaves, and lawn mower are all potential sources of dirt and debris. Cleaning the area around the coil, removing any debris, and trimming foliage back at least 2 feet (0.6 meters) allow for adequate airflow around the condenser.

In the winter, either cover your room air conditioner or remove and store it. Covering the outdoor unit of a central air conditioner will protect the unit from winter weather and debris.

When your air conditioner needs its annual maintenance, hire a professional service technician. A well-trained technician will find and fix problems in your air conditioning system.

The technician should:

• Check for correct amount of refrigerant
• Test for refrigerant leaks using a leak detector
• Capture any refrigerant that must be evacuated from the system, instead of illegally releasing it to the atmosphere
• Check for and seal duct leakage in central systems
• Measure airflow through the evaporator coil
• Verify the correct electric control sequence and make sure that the heating system and cooling system cannot operate simultaneously
• Inspect electric terminals, clean and tighten connections, and apply a non-conductive coating if necessary
• Oil motors and check belts for tightness and wear
• Check the accuracy of the thermostat.

Via ENERGY.GOV