Allergy Control

"Poor indoor air quality can cause or contribute to the development of chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma, and hypersensitivity and pneumonitis." - American Lung Association

"Levels of pollutants in indoor air can be up to 70 times higher than outdoor air." - US Environmental Protection Agency Study

Humidity Control

Humidifiers

If the air in your home is too dry, it can be uncomfortable to breathe and it can damage the wood products in your home such as flooring, pianos, picture frames, furniture and cabinetry. In the winter, it's importanat to add moisture to the aire, since dry winter air can drive down the relative humidity level in your home as low as 15% - this is drying than the air in most deserts. A professionally installed humidifier can help keep the humidity in your home or office at the proper level. Trinity Air recommends Honeywell and Aprilaire humidifiers.

Dehumidifiers

Whole-House dehumidification can help eliminate the musty-smelling odors that are invading your living space. Additionally, overly humide air causes skin to feel clammy, sweaty or sticky and it can drive your air conditioning cost up because your will keep your thermostat turned down to cool the air. Air that is too humide can also cause allergies or asthma to bet worse due to the growth of mold, midew and dust mites and can cause your home to become a greeding ground for termites, cockroaches and other pests.Trinity Air recommends Honeywell and Aprilaire dehumidifiers.

Carbon Monoxide Detectors

CARBON MONOXIDE (CO) SAFETY
What everyone needs to know about CO poisoning - the "silent killer"

What is Carbon Monoxide (CO)?

• A colorless, odorless, tasteless, non-irritating toxic gas.

• A combustion byproduct formed by incomplete combustion of carbon based fuel such as oil, propane, natural gas and wood.

• Doesn't stratify, can be located high as well as low in a room (Slightly lighter than air).

• Often referred to as the "Silent Killer".

How is CO produced?

• Carbon monoxide is produced by the incomplete combustion of fuels.

• It occurs when there is not enough oxygen mixed with fuel. This is commonly referred to as a "fuel rich mixture".

• All fuel burning appliances have the potential to produce CO in varying concentrations.

• CO can result from improperly vented or malfunctioning combustion appliances such as furnaces, stoves and hot water heaters.

How does CO affect the human body?

• After being inhaled, CO is absorbed into the bloodstream, taking the place of oxygen in the blood cells forming carboxyhemoglobin.

• Carboxyhemoglobin (a red blood cell carrying CO instead of oxygen) reduces the amount of oxygen available in the bloodstream and affects all major organs.

• Extended exposure to low or brief exposure to high levels of CO will lead to unconsciousness or death.

• Tissue with the highest oxygen needs are most affected by CO including the brain, heart and other large muscles.

• Early signs of CO poisoning are: headaches, nausea, dizziness, shortness of breath and confusion.

High risk groups for CO poisoning include:
Infants/Children, pregnant women, people with angina (chest pains), anyone who has trouble breathing, elderly people, individuals with anemic conditions. Remember even healthy people are at risk from this silent killer.

What are some of the common sources of CO in a residence?

• Unvented cooking appliances and wood burning fireplace

• Gas, oil, wood or coal furnace and block chimney

• Water heater

• gas refrigerator

• Gas clothes dryer

• Attached garage

• Barbecue grill

• Pool/spa heaters

• Tobacco smoke

• Ceiling mounted unit heater

• Fuel burning space heaters

What are Some of the visual clues in CO investigation?

• CLUE: Rust, scale, soot or any other deposits on burners, in the heat exchange, in the vent and in any appliance clean out

• CLUE: Loose or disconnected vent/chimney connections

• CLUE: Debris or soot falling from chimney, fireplace or appliance

• CLUE: Moisture on inside of windows. These are just a few clues that will indicate the presence of CO.

How do ventilation problems increase the hazard of CO?

• Weather tight homes, and the increased use of exhaust fans, can create a negative pressure within the home. This can cause CO to be improperly vented.

• Weather tight homes may also have insufficient fresh air to support complete combustion in fuel-operating appliances, thus producing CO.

• Negative pressure conditions and blocked exhaust flues can result in combustion-type appliances spilling out toxic gases (including CO) into the living areas.

• Negative pressure conditions in homes can result in backdrafting of combustion appliances.

• Bathroom and kitchen exhaust equipment can overtake the normal venting process and back draft hazardous gases in the living environment.

• Outside wind and temperature conditions can influence and even jeopardize the combustion appliance venting process.

This Information is provided by the Conditioned Air Association of Georgia (CAAG) and the professionals HVACR contractors at Trinity Air, Inc.
If you have any questions about carbon monoxide or your HVAC system, please call these professionals.

Energy-Efficient Ventilation

A Fresh Way for Your Home to Breathe Easier.

Today’s homes are built tight for energy efficiency, but that same tightness also greatly restricts the intake of fresh air and can trap dust, allergens and more.  The average person spends 90% of his or her time indoors, breathing that stale air.

Honeywell offers several solutions for bringing fresh air into your home while helping you maintain energy efficiency.  Ask your heating and cooling professional whether an Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV) or Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV) would be right for you.  Both have the capability to bring fresh air into the entire home in an energy-efficient and cost-effective way, since they can recover up to 80% of the heating and cooling energy from the air exchanged in the ventilation system.

Key Features:

• Meets American Lung Association® Health House® guidelines.
• Efficient air exchange.  Recovers up to 80% of heating and cooling energy.
• Low energy usage.  Uses about the same amount of energy as a 100 watt lightbulb.
• 5-year warranty