Q: Which filters are best for my system?

The Short Answer: The highest rated filter your system can safely handle and not have airflow too restricted. MERV 8, MERV 11, and MERV 13 filters are common. The Informative Answer: The higher the rating is on a filter, the more contaminants it will remove from the airstream...the tradeoff though, is the higher the rating, the more naturally restrictive it is for airflow. When a technician is out to your house, one of the tasks they perform is to measure the air pressure (restriction) your system is operating at naturally (without a filter) to see what filter would be the most effective without causing too great a restriction.

Q: Should I add vinegar to my drain? Or bleach?

Short Answer: Dont use either of them. Use chemicals specifically designed for Florida AC condensate drain lines. You can find these chemicals at your local hardware and grocery stores. Informative Answer: (Is it safe?) While bleach and vinegar are known for their disinfecting properties, they are also corrosive to certain metals.... namely copper and aluminum.... which is exactly what your AC coils are made out of. Repeatedly adding these chemicals to your drain line can potentially cause costly repairs to your HVAC system, especially if your drain line backs up and its sturated with bleach or vinegar. (Is it effective?) The bacteria that grows in your drain lines is primarily Zooglea (Pronounced "Zoo Glee Uh"). Because of its nature, it is actually resistant to both bleach and vinegar due to a bio-film defense it secretes while forming and growing. There are far more effective chemicals on the market that are both safe for your AC system and effective at staving off the bacterial growth.

Question 1

How do I keep my HVAC system maintained?

Accepted Answer

HVAC systems are designed to be maintained by both the homeowner as well as a licensed HVAC technician.

As a homeowner, your maintenance consists of replacing your filters at proper intervals and keeping your condensate drain line clean.

As a licensed technician, our maintenance services include:

Maintenance Level Cleaning and Light Disassembly of unit, Debris removal, Condensate drain line cleaning, exterior wash, and servicing of all IAQ or additional related products (UV lights, Filters, Oxidation bulbs etc.).

Performing a 30+ point inspection of your Mechanical, Electrical, Airflow, Refrigerant, and Electronic related components.

System Settings and Performance optimization

System Analysis and Advanced Report of your education and peace of mind

*** Special note: Due to an almost infinite amount of filter sizes, qualities, bulb types and various IAQ technologies that would need to be cleaned and maintained differently at each household, we would not have enough room in our van to carry them all.

Because of this, homeowners are responsible for providing the replacement media for the technician to replace while on site, and we have priced our maintenance services accordingly with this in mind.

Question 2

How often should I replace my filter?

Accepted Answer

The answer varies depending on your filtration setup. For typical 1" thick filters, it's recommended to replace once per month.

For 4" thick filters, it's recommended to replace once every 6 months. This is a rule of thumb and can be adjusted depending on the cleanliness or dirtiness of the environment.

A word of advice though:

We are in the field every day and can see patterns of what is actually real and what is sensationalized. The REAL pattern we see, is 90% of premature (early) system failures can be traced back to dirty or poorly maintained systems with poor filtration maintenance being the main culprit.

Word of advice is to maintain your HVAC system often, and at the recommended intervals as it will keep your system efficiency maximized (saving you money on those energy bills) and maximized lifespan.

Question 3

Which filters are best for my system?

Accepted Answer

The Short Answer:

The highest rated filter your system can safely handle and not have airflow too restricted.
MERV 8, MERV 11, and MERV 13 filters are common.

The Informative Answer:

The higher the rating is on a filter, the more contaminants it will remove from the airstream...the tradeoff though, is the higher the rating, the more naturally restrictive it is for airflow.

When a technician is out to your house, one of the tasks they perform is to measure the air pressure (restriction) your system is operating at naturally (without a filter) to see what filter would be the most effective without causing too great a restriction.

Question 4

Should I add vinegar to my drain? Or bleach?

Accepted Answer

Short Answer:

Dont use either of them.
Use chemicals specifically designed for Florida AC condensate drain lines.
You can find these chemicals at your local hardware and grocery stores.

Informative Answer:

(Is it safe?)

While bleach and vinegar are known for their disinfecting properties, they are also corrosive to certain metals.... namely copper and aluminum.... which is exactly what your AC coils are made out of. Repeatedly adding these chemicals to your drain line can potentially cause costly repairs to your HVAC system, especially if your drain line backs up and its sturated with bleach or vinegar.

(Is it effective?)

The bacteria that grows in your drain lines is primarily Zooglea (Pronounced "Zoo Glee Uh"). Because of its nature, it is actually resistant to both bleach and vinegar due to a bio-film defense it secretes while forming and growing. There are far more effective chemicals on the market that are both safe for your AC system and effective at staving off the bacterial growth.

Question 5

What is IAQ?

Accepted Answer

IAQ stands for "Indoor Air Quality". Basically, what it is referring to is the cleanliness and quality of the air inside your home. As HVAC professionals we are responsible for not only the temperature of the air but the humidity, cleanliness, and purity of the air.

Here's a quick guide to IAQ:

Filtration: (Air Filter) Filtering particulates out of the air.
Humidification: Humidify or dehumidify the air.
Ventilation: Intaking fresh outdoor air and removing (venting) contaminated indoor air.
Purification: (UV systems) Bacterial & Viral sterilization of the air.
Oxidation: Oxidize the air to provide additional bacterial and VOC removal.
Ionization: Ionize the air to provide additional particulate and VOC removal.

Depending on what you are wanting to accomplish, there are different systems in place that can help condition the quality of the air inside your home to greater or lesser degrees.

Not all systems are created equal though, which is why we only offer proven professional grade systems that takes care of the whole home.

"Armored Tough" HVAC Systems and Services

"Whatever you are, Be a good one" - Abraham Lincoln

Having HVAC Trouble? Why Choose Armor - HVAC?

Certified, Licensed, and Factory Trained

Armored Tough Maintenance, Repairs, and Equipment

Tried and True - Technology & Innovation!

Honest Service, Honest Work

Our HVAC services

HVAC Maintenance

Repair & Diagnostics

New System Installation

Indoor Air Quality

Ductwork

Blog / FAQ

Comprehensive HVAC Services

Air Conditioners

A+

Heat Pumps

A+

Gas Furnaces & Boilers

A+

Mini - Split Systems

A+

Single Package Units

A+

Coastal Protection Packages

A+

Commercial & Residential

A+

From the Owner: About Us

Frequently asked questions

How do I keep my HVAC system maintained?

How often should I replace my filter?

Which filters are best for my system?

Should I add vinegar to my drain? Or bleach?

What is IAQ?

"Armored Tough" HVAC Systems and Services

"Whatever you are, Be a good one" - Abraham Lincoln

Having HVAC Trouble? Why Choose Armor - HVAC?

Certified, Licensed, and Factory Trained

Armored Tough Maintenance, Repairs, and Equipment

Tried and True - Technology & Innovation!

Honest Service, Honest Work

Our HVAC services

HVAC Maintenance

Repair & Diagnostics

New System Installation

Indoor Air Quality

Ductwork

Blog / FAQ

Comprehensive HVAC Services

Air Conditioners

A+

Heat Pumps

A+

Gas Furnaces & Boilers

A+

Mini - Split Systems

A+

Single Package Units

A+

Coastal Protection Packages

A+

Commercial & Residential

A+

From the Owner: About Us

Frequently asked questions

Question

How do I keep my HVAC system maintained?

Question

How often should I replace my filter?

Question

Which filters are best for my system?

Question

Should I add vinegar to my drain? Or bleach?

Question

What is IAQ?