1) Your HVAC system should be properly cleaned twice a year. This will remove any debris from the indoor and outdoor coils.

2) Change your air filters every month. When your filters are clogged, it’s harder for air to be pulled into the system, making it work harder and use more energy, which costs you more money. Even “3 month” filters should be changed every 1-2 months.

3) When you have your system maintenance done, make sure your HVAC technician checks your refrigerant balance is at proper levels.

4) Set your thermostat to 72 degrees F and leave it alone. This will allow for more consistent temperature control.

Q. How do I know if I need one?
A. A technician with proper Preventative Maintenance knowledge will use a digital camera to photograph the inside of your supply duct and indoor coil, looking for evidence of fungal growth within the system.

Q. What will a UV light do for the air in my home?
A. It depends on the type of UV light you choose for your home. Some products are designed for duct system air sanitation, while others are designed as a fungal preventative measure at the indoor coil.

Q. How do I choose the right company to install my UV light?
A. Product knowledge and the willingness to educate the customer about the options available are an important starting point. Avoid companies that are unwilling to show proof, or answer your questions about your concerns.

Q. Will you have to tear open my wall or ceiling to install a UV light?
A. No. Most UV installations are done directly into the duct work at the furnace or air handler. This is where your technician is already performing routine maintenance, so the area is readily available for installation.

Q. The UV light is a type of light bulb… How often will it need to be changed?
A. Depending on the product you purchase, the light will need changing every 1-2 years. This will most often be taken care of as part of your routine maintenance.

For more information about UV Lights and how they can benefit the air in your home, call us today.

There are three easy steps you can take to help reverse the poor air quality found in most homes.

1) Have proper preventative maintenance on your heating and cooling systems. This should always include a full inspection of all exposed duct work, a visual inspection of the supply duct where it attaches to the air conditioning coil, and proper cleaning of the A/C coil.

2) Proper filtration. Return filters should be changed every 30 days. And yes, this includes the so called “3 month” filters. They catch more dirt and that restricts the air flow which makes the system work harder and can cause mechanical break down.

3) Ask your HVAC technician about the latest technology in UV A/C and duct sanitation. UV lights are place directly into the duct work and have been proven to kill molds and viruses as they pass through the air supply. Depending on the product you choose, some are effective for only the A/C coil, while others are effective for both the A/C coil and duct system. For more information, feel free to call and talk to our service technician and set an appointment to find out which would best suit you and your home.

This approach to air-conditioning maintenance is troubling given the role that HVAC systems play in today’s modern home. HVAC systems in the typical home are responsible for more than a quarter of total energy use. Keeping HVAC systems running properly and at peak efficiency is the first step in managing economical energy use.

The importance of good HVAC system maintenance goes beyond just controlling energy use. Homes rely on properly operating air-conditioning systems for more than just people comfort. For example, most home electronics have requirements for specific environmental conditions to operate properly. This includes things like your stereo, television, iPod and especially your home computer. Temperatures and humidity levels that fall outside of this range can lead to the degradation of hardware and expensive repairs or replacements.

What’s wrong?
Despite knowing full well how important regular maintenance is to a home’s HVAC system, homeowners continue to defer scheduling proper check-ups and maintenance. The most commonly used excuses for not scheduling routine and preventive maintenance on HVAC systems are the cost and the all too familiar words, “But my air-conditioner runs fine.”

The going creed is that if it’s not broken, don’t fix it. This is what’s wrong with the mind-frame of today’s homeowners. Many don’t realize that regular maintenance is preventative maintenance. Serious HVAC issues can develop in the absence of maintenance and go unrealized until one is left with a hefty repair bill. No one ever thinks about the air-conditioning system because it’s not like the other appliances in your home. Unlike highly visible items, such as your television, washer & dryer, refrigerator, ceiling fans, or lights, most HVAC systems are out of sight and out of mind, until something goes wrong. And when something does go wrong, it is too late for maintenance to be performed efficiently. Maintenance at that point becomes reactive and expensive.

Reactive maintenance is the most costly way to maintain a home’s HVAC system. Homeowners that are wise enough to provide regularly scheduled maintenance for their air-conditioning systems reduce their budgets by taking care of little problems before they become large ones. And when other factors are included such as extended equipment life and reduced energy costs, homeowners find that their total costs can be significantly reduced with scheduled maintenance as opposed to total costs for homeowners that only bother to deal with their HVAC issues when they become apparent.

Reasons to have proper HVAC maintenance:

Energy Savings
Homes in which proper HVAC maintenance is completed will use significantly less energy than those homes where systems are allowed to deteriorate. Less energy consumption equals lower energy costs.

Like The Best Neighbor…
Another benefit of HVAC maintenance is improved reliability. Consider it like an insurance policy: the maintenance costs are the premiums being paid to cover you in case there’s an accident except with regular maintenance, you can avoid the accident entirely.

If maintenance doesn’t seem like it should be a high priority, quantify what would happen if your air-conditioning unit suddenly stopped working and required replacement. What would it cost to replace it? How long would it take to purchase and install the replacement? How would its failure impact your daily life?

If maintenance has not been a high priority, chances are that sooner or later, your HVAC system will need to be repaired or even replaced. Although sometimes equipment goes bad due to random failures, most often breakdowns are the direct result of poor maintenance.

System Life
Without proper maintenance, the service life of HVAC systems and components will decrease. It is important to understand this as a responsible homeowner.  How long has your HVAC unit already been in service? Your HVAC system, as an investment, is there to perform a function. Unless it is properly maintained, it will not be able to perform as needed for as long as is needed.

Can you smell that?
An important issue that cannot be overlooked when considering the importance of HVAC maintenance is indoor air quality, or IAQ. The operating condition of HVAC equipment is essential to your IAQ. Poor IAQ is estimated to cause 1.3 million deaths worldwide per year. Poor IAQ means you are unprotected from particulate matter:

Ozone can have a pronounced effect on your health by causing breathing problems, asthma, reduced lung function, and lung diseases.

Nitrogen Dioxide increases the symptoms of bronchitis is asthmatic children and causes reduced lung function.

Sulphur Dioxide can affect the respiratory system and the functions of the lungs, and causes irritation of the eyes. Inflammation of the respiratory tract causes coughing, mucus secretion, aggravation of asthma and chronic bronchitis and makes people more prone to infections of the respiratory tract.

Airborne Diseases are any diseases which are caused by pathogens and transmitted through the air. These viruses and bacteria can be spread through coughing, sneezing, laughing, or through personal contact. These pathogens ride on either dust particles or small respiratory droplets and can stay suspended in the air. They can cause inflammation in the nose, throat, sinuses and lungs. Sinus congestion, coughing and sore throats are examples of inflammation or the upper respiratory tract due to these airborne pathogens. Many common infections can spread by airborne transmission including: Anthrax, Chickenpox, Influenza, Measles, Smallpox, and Tuberculosis.

A well-maintained system, such as a Trane CleanEffects system, installed and maintained by Trinity Home Services will protect you from poor IAQ.

What about the people that aren’t working in the sun? What about people that are retired? What about those folks that are taking a day off from work or are homemakers and simply have a poorly functioning or broken air-conditioning unit? Heat stress can happen inside too! Elderly and infants are most at risk but healthy adults can also be susceptible.

It’s suggested that everyone limit their outdoor activity to early AM or late PM. Use fans, take frequent cool showers, go to the mall, theater, restaurant, or library during the hottest point of the day.

If that’s not enough or if you would like to preempt having to take those evacuatory steps, call Trinity Home Services at (504) 287-4829 and have one of our experienced HVAC technicians provide you with a complete A/C Check-Up today.

Heat stress can be caused by a range of things but more important than its causes are the steps you can take to help prevent heat stress from happening.

• Drink plenty of water. Approximately 1 cup of cool water every 15 to 20 minutes should do the trick even if you’re not thirsty. Stay away from alcohol, coffee, tea and caffeinated soft drinks that can dehydrate the body.
• Stay away from strenuous activities. 104 degree weather does NOT make for a good day to repave your driveway. Rest for long periods throughout the day. Alternate your activity and rest periods, with rest periods in the coolest areas of your home. Shorter, more frequent periods of activity are best but try to avoid activity completely.
• Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing. Wool is not your friend in the heat. Try thin cottons instead. And if you saturate your clothes with sweat, it’s time to change into something dry!
• Use proper ventilation and spot cooling after activities or hotter points of the day. Good airflow increases evaporation and cooling of the skin. Ice packs are helpful too.
• Some people get hot quicker than others and there are certain factors that greatly contribute: obesity, lack of conditioning, pregnancy and inadequate rest can increase susceptibility to heat stress. Pay extra attention if you share a residence with someone who fits any of these conditions and help make sure they do not get heat stress.
• Learn to recognize and treat the signs of heat stress and heat related illness so you can act quickly.

A recent fire that started in the attic of a Kenner, LA house ultimately claimed the lives of a mother and her 5-year-old daughter after they and others were hospitalized.

Did you know that in most homes, the furnace and air-conditioning system is installed in the attic? No smoke detectors or carbon monoxide detectors appear to have been found in the home — Can you imagine this happening to your family? Could this tragedy have been prevented by a properly installed and working warning system consisting of smoke & carbon monoxide detectors? When was the last time you checked your warning system to make sure it worked correctly? Do you have a well-rehearsed evacuation plan for your family? When was the last time you had an EPA certified HVAC-technician perform an inspection on your home’s Heating, Ventilation, and Air-Conditioning system to ensure that it is running safe and efficiently? A clean, efficiently-burning gas furnace produces very small amounts of carbon monoxide, while a dirty, inefficiently-burning one can produce deadly amounts plus increases the risk of a fire!

Because of this recent tragedy, please continue reading to learn what EVERYONE should know about keeping their homes and loved ones safe, plus look over our suggested evacuation plan for your family!

The National Electrical Codes and local Inspectors now require the following life safety equipment in all new home construction, to keep families safe.

Here’s what you should know:

Smoke Detectors

• Over 50% of fires occur during normal sleeping hours
• It requires 75db of sound to wake an average person (the equivalent of a vacuum cleaner just 3 feet from your head)
• You have just 3 minutes to escape a flaming fire (according to Nat’l Institute of Safety and Technology)
• The correct number and placement of smoke detectors, and ensuring that all detectors are working properly, is critically important. Without a working smoke detector, your chances of dying in a fire increase by 50%
• After 10 years your detector is likely to have corroded contacts or otherwise faulty electronics. Replacement is recommended every 10 years.
• The National Codes Require Smoke Detectors in:
• All Bedrooms
• Next to Sleeping Areas
• Minimum of One per Floor!
• All Hallways

Carbon Monoxide (CO) Detection

• Carbon Monoxide can come from your furnace or any flame device
• CO is odorless, colorless, tasteless, and deadly
• The Centers for Disease Control recommend at least one CO detector outside all sleeping areas

Your Family’s Fire Evacuation Plan

1. Plan an escape route with your family present.
2. When planning your escape, identify more than one potential exit for each room and each level. Create several different escape plans, in case one or more are blocked by fire or smoke.
3. Be sure your escape plan takes into account the particular characteristics of each member of your family including age, physical conditions, sleeping habits, hearing ability, etc.
4. Young children often panic in fires, hiding in closets or under beds. Teach them not to hide – GET OUT OF A BURNING HOUSE IMMEDIATELY
5. Practice the escape plan at least twice a year, making sure that everyone is involved – from kids to grandparents.
6. Allow children to master fire escape planning and practice holding a fire drill at night when they are sleeping.
7. It is recommended that you hold a fire drill while family members are sleeping in order to determine their response to the sound of the smoke alarm while sleeping and to determine whether they may need assistance in the event of an emergency.
8. Practice fire drills and your escape plan with the alarm sounding. This will teach children to associate the alarm signal with the need to escape.
9. Designate a meeting place outside of the home for the entire family – do a head count to be sure you have accounted for everyone.
10. When practicing an escape plan, be sure that all family members know and properly understand the following, especially children.

• Feel the door before opening – if it’s hot, don’t open it. Use another escape route. If you can use the door, close it behind you. A closed door may help stall a fire.
• Stay low! Smoke and heat rise. Crawl on the floor where there is less smoke and less severe heat.
• Never return to a burning building for any reason including toys or pets.
• If your clothes should catch fire, don’t run! STOP! Where you are, cover your face, DROP to the ground, then ROLL over and over to smother the flames!

Call Trinity Home Services today and get your HVAC Inspection to
make sure that your home’s furnace and air-conditioning systems are running efficiently and safely BEFORE tragedy has the chance to strike!

Call TODAY!!! 504-287-4829

Whenever a potential customer would ask a resale staff person or volunteer a question regarding the purchase of an HVAC system or part, the answer was always tentative at best. The store’s management made no secret of the fact that neither they nor their employees were HVAC experts. In fact, customers were made aware of the store’s overall lack of HVAC knowledge with both written and verbal warnings. Signs that read “ALL ITEMS SOLD AS IS – WHERE IS” were prominently posted in the HVAC section in the back of the store. Admonitions were given prior to every sale for the potential buyer to make sure he or she knew whether or not the component being purchased was compatible with the HVAC system in which it was to be installed. Customers were also strongly reminded of the policy which stated that the store refused returns due to misinformed purchases.

Yet, in spite of all the warnings, numbers of individuals refused to hire a qualified HVAC Technician as can be found at Trinity Home Services. Instead, they depended on some fly-by-night handymen, or their neighbors and uncles, to select a component that turned out to be wrong. Even though many people were able to save a lot of money, a saddening large amount wound up throwing money away. Many people learned that all too familiar lesson about bargain priced merchandise: a great deal on something you cannot use is not so great at all.

So, other than the moral-to-the-story, what should be ascertained? Are we trying to say that HVAC bargains should not be sought after, nor should anyone purchase an HVAC system or related component from a nonprofit resale store? No! That is not the message at all. HVAC bargains are good, and nonprofit charity retail stores are better. Continue to shop for the former at the latter, but make sure you are not alone. One thing that should be understood is that there are complexities involved in selecting and installing HVAC units and related parts. HVAC system components are not one-size-fits-all. There are qualified and experienced technicians at Trinity Home Services who have devoted a large amount of time developing an expertise in the field of air and climate control. Spending a few extra dollars to hire an up-to-date expert of HVAC systems to help select the right part for the correct application is money well spent.

So, call Trinity Home Services today at (504) 287-4829 and let one of our experienced HVAC technicians help you determine your climate control and ventilation needs. If you think hiring a professional to do the job is expensive, wait until you hire an amateur! After all is said and done, you can safely save money by NOT spending too little. Remember, the best bargain is the one you can use!

Many readers will immediately say, “Why, doctors, of course. They are often our last hope for life, and can aid to make that life much more comfortable.” Then there are those who contend, “Ministers of Faith are most important, because they comfort us in this life, and keep us from damnation in the next.” And then there are others who by some set of reason or rationale conclude that it should be any one of a number of professions, ranging from the teaching vocation to construction. All in all, it is pretty difficult to try and justify worth of one over the other, when all are so important.

However, has anyone considered the arguments that can be made for the HVAC Technician at Trinity Home Services? Think of it for a moment. HVAC stands for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning. Where would we be without the HVAC? We would be cold in the winter, hot in the summer, and stuffy all year long. Sure, a doctor can save lives, but is life worth living in the uncomfortable misery the lack of working HVAC equipment would allow? And as far as Ministers of Faith go, let them try to comfort or counsel someone in an office where the HVAC system has gone out. Not only would his or her one on one ministry be affected, but it is hard to imagine a church full of attentive parishioners without proper Heating Ventilation or Air Conditioning! And are you concerned about the after life? Why? Is it because of the possibility of going someplace with extreme heat, a place that feels like the (you guessed it) HVAC system is eternally out? Doesn’t that make you more inclined to give Trinity Home Services’ HVAC Technician a higher place than the Minister? (It has been said that hell may be hotter thanNew Orleansin August, but at least it won’t be as humid.)

What about some of the other noble professions? Shouldn’t they be ascribed some value? Let us look at teaching. Teaching is a wonderful craft, as long as the teachers are in climate controlled classrooms actually teaching, and not out protesting the lack of funds needed to fix the schools HVAC system. Do you understand the comparison about to be made? The HVAC Technician at Trinity Home Services rises to a superior level of importance over the teacher, unless of course the teacher is part of a school or college that actually trains HVAC technicians. Construction is also a very important trade but remember: installing an HVAC system is a part of making life comfortable for you while you are at home. Ask anyone you meet if they would prefer to live in a large home without Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning or a modest size home with HVAC, and see what answer you get.

In conclusion, while we at Trinity Home Services do not claim to answer the question of which is the most important profession, we would like to show that there is at least one that is usually overlooked. Can you guess which one? Call Trinity Home Services today at (504) 287-4829 and tell us if you think you’ve guessed the right one.