Name: Bounds Heating & Air
Address: 25645 West, Newberry Road, Newberry, FL, 32669
Telephone: 352-472-2761

HVAC UV Lights: Do They Really Work?

Ultraviolet (UV) light is mostly known for being the primary cause of fading fabrics and furniture. You might be surprised to learn that UV light can actually make your home healthier. In this blog, your HVAC repair expert, Bounds Heating and Air, takes a look at HVAC UV lights.

How Do HVAC UV Lights Work?

Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) systems have been widely used since the 1930s in hospitals for disinfecting hands and tools such as scalpels. The light targets bacteria, viruses, and spores by destroying the microorganisms’ nucleic acids, which either kills them or their ability to reproduce. This same system is also used in water purification and other similar applications, such as HVAC UV lights.

According to experts like Bounds Heating and Air, UVGI systems produce high-intensity UV light, using

special lamps installed inside specially designed enclosures. The actual length of exposure, or dose, depends on several factors, including the size of the area to be disinfected, the distance from the area to the lamp, and the quality of the lamp used. Certain types of lamps may have coatings that prevent shattering in case of breakage, which can decrease the UV output. Similar to HVAC maintenance, UVGI systems require regular maintenance to maintain the output level.

Should You Buy HVAC UV Lights?

It should be noted that UV lamps cost much more than ordinary lights, and lose power over the course of about two years. Also, while UVGI systems are effective in cleaning microorganisms, they don’t eliminate dust, pet hair, and smells.

That being said, HVAC UV lights are a good investment if air quality is of paramount concern. Perhaps you or someone in your home has a respiratory condition that is triggered by microorganisms, such as asthma or allergies. Or perhaps there is a flu virus making the rounds in the area and you wish to minimize its spread. HVAC UV lights are not meant to replace the filters that your HVAC system has in place. Rather, they’re meant as a complementary system to catch what the filters can’t.

Bounds Heating and Air has provided quality HVAC products and services to North Floridian communities for over 20 years. To learn more about HVAC UV lights, or if you need air conditioning repair, maintenance or installation services, call us today at 352-472-2761. You can also fill out our contact form to schedule a free estimate. We serve Lake City, FL, and surrounding areas in Florida.

Split System Heat Pump: How Does It Work?

Split-system heat pumps are HVAC systems that incorporate both heating and air conditioning systems in one unit. It’s the ideal solution for homes with existing single ductwork and registers. Your HVAC repair expert, Bounds Heating and Air takes a closer look at how split system heat pumps work.

Air Conditioning Systems

Before we talk about split system heat pumps, we must first take a look at how air conditioning systems work. Air conditioners have two distinct sections: the condenser and the evaporator. While window-mounted units have both in a single enclosure, split units have separate enclosures for each section: the evaporator is installed indoors, while the condenser is installed outdoors.

The condenser unit houses the compressor, which compresses the refrigerant until it condenses into its fluid form. As the pressure is released, the refrigerant releases a tremendous amount of heat, which is radiated through the condenser coils. By the time it reaches the evaporator unit, the refrigerant becomes cold and is passed through coils. Room air is then blown through these coils, resulting in cold air. As the refrigerant becomes warm, it is fed to the condenser, repeating the cycle. With regular HVAC maintenance from providers like Bounds Heating and Air, the refrigerant can go through thousands of cycles without needing a refill.

Split System Heat Pump

The only major difference between split system heat pumps and typical air conditioner units is in the compressor unit. It has an additional component that lets the user reverse the direction of the compressor, so instead of radiating the heat at the compressor coil, it is instead pumped into the ductwork. Heat is distributed through the same registers used for air conditioning.

Split-system heat pumps eliminate the need to use fuel-based heating systems. This is ideal if you currently do not use furnaces and similar heaters for space heating, or if you are looking into replacing your old, broken furnace. Note that split system heat pumps do not function as water heaters. However, there are several energy-efficient tankless water heaters available which let you have on-demand hot water at any time.

To learn more about our heating and air conditioning repair, maintenance, and installation services, call Bounds Heating and Air today at 352-472-2761. You can also fill out our contact form to schedule a free estimate. We serve Gainesville, FL, and surrounding areas in Florida.

How Hurricane Florence Affected the State of Florida

It may not have caused landfall in Florida, but Hurricane Florence, the Category 4 storm that ravaged the Carolinas last September, was strong enough to inflict damage in the Sunshine State. Bounds Heating and Air, your trusted air conditioning repair pros in the area, discuss this recent event further.

Hurricane’s Impact

As the storm moved towards the Carolinas, flights in Florida were canceled, affecting passengers at the Miami and Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood international airports. Before the landfall, some residents from the East Coast evacuated the state, making sudden reservations as a way to ensure their safety.

Florence moved north of Florida, keeping heavy rains away from the state. The coastal areas, however, experienced strong tides and rough seas, leading to beach and pier closures. Despite this, the state government took steps to lend a helping hand to the victims. For instance, first responders and rescue teams were dispatched to assist citizens affected within the path of the storm, especially in the Carolinas.

Securing Your Home During Storms

Whenever a brewing storm is expected to affect the state of Florida, it is important that you are alert and prepared to ensure the safety and security of your family. Also, as your HVAC maintenance experts, we recommend protecting your home ahead of a hurricane. One of the things you can do is to cover your AC unit exposed outside of your property.

With the possibility of power interruptions, you must be able to safeguard all the circuitry and exposed wires in your home. Shut off all electrical appliances and HVAC units before your local area’s power grid does the same. This practice is also imperative given the potential of lightning strikes during such weather disturbances.

A natural disaster such as this is beyond our control, but that doesn’t mean we can’t manage anything at all. Bounds Heating and Air is aware of the importance of being proactive when dealing with heating and cooling systems. Our company provides HVAC repair and other related services for all seasons of the year. Give us a call at 352-472-2761 for more information. We serve residents of Florida, including those living in Alachua, FL, and surrounding areas.

Caring for Your Home’s HVAC System – Part 3

Many homeowners might see preventive maintenance as merely an added expense, but it’s actually a simple way for you to save on repair costs and your energy bill, breathe cleaner air, improve indoor comfort, protect your home and even help the environment, and all it requires is a relatively small investment.

In fact, it’s not expensive at all compared to what you would have to spend for a replacement when your HVAC deteriorates prematurely. Say a unit costs $10,000 and has a rated service life of 10 years. With proper care, it will surely reach that lifespan, leaving you to spend $10,000 when it’s time to replace again.

Without proper care, however, an HVAC unit will not make the most of its service life, needing replacing after just five years. That’s $10,000 you have to spend before the ideal time and $10,000 from the previous purchase that you weren’t able to take full advantage of.

What You Can Do

It’s always a good idea to enlist a professional to do preventive maintenance on your HVAC system. As experts, they know what problems to look for and how to address them, ensuring they don’t worsen and cause bigger issues for you down the line. However, there are also things you can do as a homeowner, including:

Keeping air conditioning and heating units free of grass, leaves, and pollen.
Clearing two feet of space around outdoor units.
Replacing air filters regularly (at least every 90 days).
Investing in better air filters.
Turning off the water to the furnace humidifier during summer.
Turning on the water and replacing the humidifier filter in the fall.
Preventing clogs in AC condensate drain with a bleach-water mixture.
Ensuring outdoor AC is on firm, level ground.

Your HVAC system greatly affects your experience living in your home, so caring for it is one of the best investments you can make for your property. To ensure your maintenance efforts yield the best results, make sure you only work with a reputable HVAC expert in your area.

How a Humidifier Can Improve Your Home’s Air Quality

Humidity plays a crucial role in keeping your home comfortable. While there are various ways to enhance the comfort in your home, only a humidifier can address certain issues. In this article from your trusted air conditioning repair company, Bounds Heating & Air, you’ll find out exactly how a humidifier can help improve your home’s indoor air quality.

What Is Indoor Air Quality?

Indoor air quality (IAQ) pertains to the quality of air within a certain building or establishment such as a residential property. IAQ can affect the health and the overall quality of life of the building occupants. This is why it’s important to find ways to improve your home’s air quality. Getting a humidifier is one way to solve your problem.

Defining the Humidifier

A humidifier is an electric unit that adds moisture to the air by producing mist or steam in the room where it is located. You can choose from an array of different humidifier models such as compact, personal, and portable. There are also floor consoles and whole-house variants. Price points depend on different styles and sizes. Choosing a humidifier can get overwhelming, but you can always consult your HVAC maintenance company for their recommendations.

Uses of Humidifier

Humidifiers combat dry air. With a humidifier, you can say goodbye to chapped lips, coughing due to pollutants, and static electricity. Humidifiers can also prevent wooden furniture from cracking prematurely. Humidifiers can be used all year round: in the summer when it’s hot and even during winter when the air tends to be dry. Keep in mind that the average relative humidity level should be kept between 35-45%.

Consult your HVAC repair company on how to maintain the ideal humidity levels in your home. Bounds Heating & Air is committed to giving you excellent services and outstanding workmanship. Turn to us for all your heating and cooling needs. You may call us at (352) 278-9123. We serve Lake City, FL, and other areas in Florida.

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