FAQ

What is indoor air quality?

Air pollution surrounds us daily...car exhaust, smog, indoor air. Indoor air? Yes, indoor air quality is important to your health. Your exposure to air pollutants can be up to 100 times higher indoors than outdoors. The American Lung Association estimates that most people spend 90% of their time indoors. So, clean indoor air is important.

WHAT CAUSES INDOOR AIR POLLUTION?
Many everyday, unsuspecting household items contribute to poor indoor air quality. Compounds found in carpeting, furniture, upholstery and drapery fabric constantly "off-gas" or emit fumes. Other sources of pollutants can include, but are not limited to, cleaning agents, paints and personal care products.

Newer, more energy-efficient homes do not "breathe" like older homes. Things like weather-stripping and storm doors keep indoor air in, and outdoor air out. This provides energy savings, but the limited exchange of outdoor and indoor air can mean a build-up of contaminants inside your home.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF CLEAN AIR
Allergies and asthma are two health problems that can be helped with clean indoor air. When airborne irritants are removed, allergy and asthma sufferers often find relief from their symptoms.
Even healthy people who have never suffered from allergies can benefit from clean air. Dust, smoke and other particles float around in the air causing your drapes and furniture to gather dust. By removing airborne dust particles, you reduce the amount of exposure they have on your respiratory system.

HOW CAN I IMPROVE INDOOR AIR?

Eliminate
The first step to improving your indoor air is to identify the sources of air pollutants. Eliminating these sources, to the extent feasible, is the most effective way to clean the air.

Chemicals in carpets, household cleaners, furniture and building materials, just to mention a few, all contribute to poor indoor air quality. Damp basements and other areas where standing water is prevalent can become the breeding grounds for pollutants such as mold, mildew and other microbes.

Although it is not possible to eliminate every contaminant source, reducing the sources and/or the amount of pollutants they emit, will contribute to a healthier living environment.

Ventilate
Knowing that not every source can be eliminated completely, ventilation plays an important role in improving indoor air quality. However, in an effort to increase energy efficiency, today’s homes are being built tighter, make it increasingly difficult to have the proper amount of exchange between indoor and outdoor air. Improper ventilation can lead to an increase in the concentration of pollutants inside your home.

To increase ventilation, open doors and windows, particularly when you are using cleaning agents. Also, make sure to operate any exhaust fans your home may have.

An HVAC specialist can also assist you in recommending ways you can increase the ventilation within your home. Your dealer may suggest the installation of an outdoor air connection or the use of a heat recovery ventilator (HRV), or energy recovery ventilator

(ERV). HRV’s and ERV’s work similarly, bringing fresh air into your home, and exhausting stale air out. They conserve energy from indoor conditioned air and transfer it to incoming outside air.

Clean
A third way you can minimize the concentration of pollutants in your indoor air is by thoroughly cleaning your living spaces. Frequent dusting and vacuuming can help to reduce the amount of dust particles in the air.
Washing bedding in hot water (at least 130° F) is the only way to kill dust mites. Not only will your indoor air quality improve, but your furnishings will benefit as well. They will stay cleaner, look better, and hopefully, last longer!

Although these methods are effective, not all airborne particles can be removed. Some particles are so small, they may escape through the vacuum, or never land on a surface. To capture these particles, products such as electronic air cleaners (EAC’s) and high-efficiency air filters can be beneficial. EAC’s and high-efficiency filters help clean the air and provide respiratory relief by removing dust, dirt and pollen

Would someone explain what ISO 9000 means?

A quick glance at any product literature or product shows many seals of approval. All are important to us, but none is more important than the one that says ISO 9000 Registered. In today’s competitive world, when many claims to quality are unfounded, the ISO 9000 designation is your assurance that a manufacturer follows a consistent process while producing products that meet the most demanding standards in the industry.

WHAT IS ISO 9000?
ISO 9000 certifies the process or system used to manufacture a product or service. The emblem tells you that the process used to build our products complies with the requirements of the ISO 9000 quality system standard. ISO 9000 is a family of international standards for quality management and assurance. These standards cover design, procurement, production, quality assurance and delivery processes for everything from banking to manufacturing.
Because of the diversity of the various industries involved with ISO 9000, specific quality elements have been grouped into distinct models that are based on the functional or organizational capacity of the supplier and its product or service. Listed below are the models that make up the ISO 9000 family of standards.

ISO 9001 Quality Systems — Model for quality assurance in design/development, production, installation and servicing.

ISO 9002 Quality Systems — Model for quality assurance in production and installation.

ISO 9003 Quality Systems — Model for quality assurance in final inspection and test.

WHAT IS THE QUALIFICATION PROCESS?
The road to certification begins with ISO reviewing documentation for a company’s quality system. If the design of the system meets standards, then an on-site assessment is scheduled and conducted by a disinterested third-party agency. Depending upon the size of the facility, a team of one to four certified auditors will spend between two and five days on the plant site. In order for a plant to qualify, the auditors must verify that a company’s quality system complies with ISO standards. Certification only comes when the entire operation meets standards.

Since the entire process is demanding, grueling, and expensive, only the best run and managed companies even try for ISO 9000 certification and only the best of the best make the grade. For instance, Lennox takes great pride in the fact that all of its residential and commercial manufacturing facilities are now ISO 9000 registered.

HOW DID ISO BEGIN?
The European Common Market (ECM) was formed to promote free trade and create what some called the United States of Europe. The idea was that goods would travel between the individual countries as simply and easily as they now travel between U.S. states. Since just about all goods and services are presented with an understandable bit of national pride, the ECM saw the need for an unbiased system of quality standards and checks that everyone would recognize — and accept.

Realizing that an impartial set of strict quality standards would benefit domestic as well as international purchasing, U.S. government agencies, such as the Department of Defense, soon adopted the ISO standard. At the same time, domestic U.S. and Canadian companies recognized that these strict standards would authenticate the quality of their own manufacturing process and services and began seeking certification.

WHAT DOES ISO 9000 MEAN TO ME?
The ISO 9000 designation is your assurance that the home comfort product you purchase was manufactured to top industry standards, which means repeatable quality — no matter who is on the production line.

One of our suppliers, Lennox, has been making quality home comfort equipment for over 100 years, so it’s only fitting that the Lennox Marshalltown plant was the first HVAC manufacturing facility to earn the ISO 9002 designation for registration through the American Gas Association (AGA).

Can you help solve the case of the lingering odor?

It’s no mystery that smells can sometimes linger in a home. New carpet, fresh paint, even the fish you cooked last Thursday can be the source of lingering odors. Believe it or not, activities such as installing new carpet, painting and cooking can contribute to poor indoor air quality (IAQ). Therefore, solving the case can require more than simply spraying air fresheners and lighting candles. It’s a act that poor IAQ can lead to more problems than merely a house that smells funny. That’s why air purification is important to every home, and every person in that home.

HEALTH CONCERNS
Air purification can be crucial to your health and to the health of each of your family members. Studies conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency indicate that your exposure to air pollutants can be more than 100 times higher indoors than outdoors. “Sick Building Syndrome” (SBS), a term many people are familiar with, costs North America more than $100 billion each year in health care costs, absenteeism, lost production time and lost revenue.
Bacteria is also at the heart of SBS. Chemicals in carpets, household cleaners, furniture and building materials all contribute to poor IAQ, as do dust mites, animal dander, cat saliva and mold. To kill the harmful acteria caused by these pollutants, it might be a good idea to “clear the air” with air purification products.

BENEFITS OF AIR PURIFICATION
It is estimated that 50% of all illnesses are either caused by, or aggravated by poor indoor air quality. So, clean indoor air is important. Air purification products provide a variety of methods to help contribute to a healthier living environment.

One such method is through the use of ultraviolet (UV) lights, which inhibit the growth of biological contaminants. Through a process known as photolysis oxidation, UV rays help decompose air contaminants. When installed in conjunction with your home comfort system, these air purification devices can eliminate a good portion of the organisms in the treated area. At the same time, they clean the air filter surface, creating an environment that inhibits biological contaminants from growing.

Other methods of air purification include the use of both activated carbon and microbiocide treated filters. Activated carbon filters are more efficient at odor removal, while microbiocide treated filters are more effective at trapping bacteria as air is filtered through, thereby inhibiting the growth of collected organic pollutants.

HOW MUCH ENERGY DOES AN AIR PURIFICATION DEVICE USE?
If you’re looking for an energy-efficient way to clean the air, air purification devices just might be the answer you’re looking for. Activated carbon and microbiocide treated filters use no energy, as they are not electronic devices, and the energy cost to operate a UV light unit is about the same as operating a 40-watt light bulb.

DETERMINING IF AN AIR PURIFICATION DEVICE IS RIGHT FOR YOU
If you are wondering whether you are in need of an air purification device in your home, you might ask yourself these questions:

Is your home sometimes damp? Hot? Humid? Damp, moist environments are ideal places for biological contaminants to grow. Air purification devices can help inhibit the growth of these contaminants.

Is anyone in your home particularly sensitive to strong odors, such as smoke? Air purifiers, especially activated carbon filters, have been proven to be effective at controlling unwanted odors in the air.

Do you or any member of your family have allergies or respiratory difficulties? Mold, mildew and other airborne contaminants can cause people with allergies or asthma additional discomfort. Through the use of air purification devices, concentrations of these pollutants can be considerably reduced.

INSTALLATION & MAINTENANCE
Ultraviolet lights, activated carbon and microbiocide treated filters are fairly easy to install and maintain. Ultraviolet light units are installed in your ductwork, and the bulbs in the unit should be replaced regularly to keep them in peak operating condition. It should also be noted that specialty UV bulbs are used in these units and can only be obtained through your HVAC dealer. It is also recommended that you change activated carbon and microbiocide treated filters on a regular basis to prevent build-up of contaminants. These filters can be obtained through your HVAC dealer as well.

Will my new furnace work differently than my old one?

Maybe. When you install a new indoor comfort system in your home, you’ll probably notice it operates differently than your old system. Radical changes have taken place in the technology of the comfort industry in recent years. These changes will affect how your system operates, and also may affect what you notice about your system.

HIGH EFFICIENCIES
Higher efficiencies in furnaces and air conditioners have become increasingly important over the past few years. Consumers, government agencies, and manufacturers all see higher efficiencies as a way to conserve our natural resources while reducing consumer energy costs. Today, furnaces are designed with high-efficiency in mind.
To achieve higher efficiencies, new gas furnaces must move more air over the heat exchanger than older furnaces so that as much heat as possible can be sent throughout the house.

The air that comes out of your furnace registers may not seem as warm as with your old furnace, but it will heat your house just as well. In fact, better airflow can improve overall comfort by reducing air temperature differences from the ceiling to the floor, throughout your entire home.

ADD-ON AIR CONDITIONING
Modern furnaces are designed to handle high-efficiency air conditioners and must have blowers that are efficient yet powerful enough to accommodate the add-on cooling. Since cold air is much heavier than warm air, your system needs an extra boost from the blower to get cool air throughout your home to provide you with efficient total comfort during the summer.

Higher airflows required for cooling operation can contribute to unfamiliar sound levels when your new furnace is operating, because in older homes air duct systems were designed for heating only. Most Lennox products have multiple speed settings to allow for the varying air needs of both heating and cooling cycles.

YOUR NEW SYSTEM: FINE-TUNED FOR YOU
We can tell you if the changes you’ve noticed are normal when upgrading from an old, inefficient system to a new, highly efficient system. Sometimes minor adjustments and modifications can be made to existing duct systems to maximize comfort and minimize sound levels.

These changes are a small price to pay for the high efficiencies that mean significantly lower fuel bills and improved total comfort!

What do all those heat pump and air conditioner ratings mean?

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the array of efficiency ratings, abbreviations and acronyms used to describe or explain heat pumps and air conditioners! In this fact sheet, we’ll tell you what they all mean and how you can use the knowledge gained to make a more informed choice on your comfort needs.

EFFICIENCY RATINGS
SEER - Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. This is a system for rating the efficiency of cooling equipment. It is calculated by dividing the cooling capacity of a continuously operating air conditioner by the electric power input. The higher the SEER, the less your unit will cost to operate.

HSPF - Heating Seasonal Performance Factor. This measurement is similar to SEER, but it measures the efficiency of the heating portion of your heat pump. Like the SEER, HSPF industry minimums have risen in recent years. The current industry minimum is 6.80 HSPF.

SOUND RATINGS
In recent years, HVAC equipment has not only gotten more energy efficient, it has gotten quieter. Although sound does not affect the efficiency of a unit, it can certainly affect your comfort. If your unit has a low sound level, you (and your neighbors) will hardly notice when it is operating.

db - Decibel. A term to describe the relative loudness of a sound. Typically, heat pumps and air conditioners are between the sound of a human voice (70 db) and a blender (88 db).

SRN - Sound Rating Number. A unit based on ARI tests. Average sound ratings range from 74 to 80 db. The lower the SRN rating, the quieter the unit.

GENERAL INDUSTRY TERMS
HVAC - Heating, ventilating and air conditioning. This term applies both to the heating and cooling industry and to the products they manufacture.

ARI - Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute. A non-profit, voluntary organization comprised of HVAC manufacturers. ARI publishes standards for testing and rating heat pumps and air conditioners and ensures a level of quality within the industry.

DOE - The Department of Energy. This is the federal agency that sets the HVAC industry efficiency standards.
Btu - British thermal unit. This is the amount of heat that will raise or lower the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit.

Btuh - British thermal units per hour. A measure of heat transfer rate.

COP - Coefficient of Performance. This is a measurement of comparison of a heat pump’s heating capacity to the amount of electricity required to operate it. Since a heat pump is less efficient at lower outside temperatures, the COP falls as the temperature drops. To aid you in comparing efficiency, ARI provides the COP for two temperatures, 47° F and 17° F.

Ton - A ton is 12,000 Btuh. A typical single family residence uses air conditioning or heat pumps ranging between two and five tons of capacity.

Watt - (W). A unit of electrical power.

Kilowatt - (kW). One thousand watts.

KWh - Kilowatt-hour. A unit of electrical energy equal to the work done by one kilowatt acting for one hour.

COMFORT SYSTEMS
Heat pumps and air conditioner systems have an outdoor unit and an indoor unit. The outdoor unit is the actual heat pump or air conditioner. The indoor unit includes the coil or blower coil. Combinations of various units result in vastly different efficiency ratings.

Most Popular Coil - A term meaning the highest sales volume indoor unit matched with the given outdoor unit. Sometimes, there are attempts to combine unrealistic indoor and outdoor equipment combinations to obtain a higher SEER. Ratings made in such a way may be simulated or unrealistic. Ratings obtained using the most popular coil, however, are attainable and closer to reality.

THE PRICE OF QUALITY
There is more to buying a heat pump or air conditioner than ratings. The quality of construction and materials used as well as the reliability of the manufacturer and installing contractor can all affect your long-term satisfaction and comfort. Top quality, high-efficiency equipment will cost more initially, but it will save you money on utility bills and service calls for years to come. Be sure to weigh all the factors before choosing your new system.

Q: What are furnace ratings?
A: Furnaces are rated by the Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency ratio (AFUE), which is the percent of heat produced for every dollar of fuel consumed. Like the miles per gallon on you car, the higher the AFUE rating, the lower your fuel costs. All furnaces manufactured must meet at least 78% AFUE. If your furnace is 10 to 15 years old, it probably falls well below the current furnace minimum and wastes energy.

ISOLATED COMBUSTION SYSTEM(ICS): A NEW RATING
In 1989, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) adopted a new, fair way to rate furnaces for AFUE efficiency. Isolated Combustion System, or ICS, is the industry standard that has been designed to reflect the efficiency of a furnace installed in a home setting.

WHAT DOES THIS RATING MEAN?
The AFUE rating shows the efficiency of a particular furnace. Your contractor can determine your potential cost savings for your fuel costs, annual usage and efficiency.

The AFUE rating provides consumers with one consistent number for comparison. Essentially, the ICS test compares “apples to apples.” That is, all furnaces are tested equally.

Manufacturers determine AFUE ratings by testing furnaces under set conditions for various lengths of time. The conditions were determined by the DOE to simulate an average home setting.

Therefore, the ICS rating is the best way to compare furnace efficiencies, since all manufacturers must comply with the same testing procedures.

SO I CAN JUST LOOK FOR A FURNACE WITH THE HIGHEST AFUE RATING, RIGHT?
Not exactly. The efficiency rating is just one factor to consider when looking at new furnaces. Furnaces use electricity to run fans and motors. The amount of electricity used varies greatly, depending on the type of furnace. Be sure to check electricity usage before making a purchase decision.

Other important factors to consider include:
-How long you plan to live in your house
-Special comfort needs
-Fuel availability
-Fuel cost
-Geographic area and climate
All these factors, plus your lifestyle and family needs, add up to show you which system is best for you.

Q: Is there really that much difference in air conditioner and heat pump sound levels?
A: Because the answer is most definitely YES! Until recently, noisy air conditioners and heat pumps were accepted as the norm. High noise levels were even associated with the “power” of heating and cooling systems. But today’s technology lets you choose an air conditioner or heat pump that is not only highly efficient, but also exceptionally quiet.

HOW IS SOUND MEASURED?
Sound is measured in decibels (db). A decibel describes the relative loudness of a sound.

WHY IS A SOUND RATING IMPORTANT?
Although no financial savings are tied to it, the sound rating of a cooling system can directly affect your comfort. Your ears tell you what is too noisy, and what seems quiet. The chart below shows sound ratings for some common sounds that you are used to hearing:

Common Noise/Decibel Level
Blender-88
Garbage Disposal-80
Dishwasher-75
Voice (normal level)-70

Obviously, the sound an air conditioner or heat pump makes depends on a variety of factors, not the least of which are the age of the unit and whether or not the compressor is insulated. On average, the noise level of air conditioners and heat pumps rate somewhere between a dishwasher and a garbage disposal.

ARE ALL AIR CONDITIONERS AND HEAT PUMPS QUIET?
Most heating and cooling systems manufactured today are quieter than those produced in past years. But there is still a great difference in the sound levels of products on the market today. Be sure to compare sound ratings when you shop for a new air conditioner or heat pump…your good night’s sleep depends on it.

LENNOX…DESIGNED TO BE QUIET
Lennox designs each air conditioner and heat pump to be as quiet as possible. Through extensive testing, Lennox has come up with many features that, either alone or in combination, make our air conditioners and heat pumps some of the quietest available.

Insulated compressor compartments, discharge mufflers and unique fan designs work to soften the sound of a hard-working, high-efficiency compressor. Top-panel orifices, compressor wrappers and indoor blowers are all designed to further enhance smooth, quiet airflow.

Purchasing an air conditioner or heat pump system with a low sound rating will make you more comfortable…because even on the hottest summer days or coldest winter nights, you’ll feel your air conditioner or heat pump working, not hear it.

What is happening with refrigerants in air conditioning systems?

Due to environmental concerns, our federal government has issued regulations that restrict the future production of HCFC refrigerants. This is having, and will continue to have, significant impact on the air conditioning industry.

BACKGROUND
There have been many reports regarding air conditioner refrigerants and their effect on the earth’s ozone layer. Refrigerant is the cooling agent used in air conditioning systems. Most all of the air conditioner and heat pump products sold today utilize one refrigerant known as R22, which is from the family of refrigerants called HCFCs. HCFCs have been used for decades in a safe and efficient manner, but government regulation will eventually phase them out of use.

WHAT ARE THE CURRENT GOVERNMENTAL REGULATIONS FOR REFRIGERANTS?
The United States congress, acting in response to an international treaty called the Montreal Protocol, provided new direction and authority to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). As a result, the EPA, through the Clean Air Act, is regulating the production and use of refrigerants in air conditioning systems. These changes will eventually eliminate air conditioning refrigerants containing chlorine due to the concern about ozone depletion.

HOW DOES THIS EFFECT THE EQUIPMENT I MIGHT BUY NOW?
EPA regulations call for the eventual phase out of R22 which is the refrigerant used in current air conditioner and heat pump equipment. Products that use HCFC refrigerants, such as R22, must stop being produced by the year 2010. All production of R22 refrigerant will stop by 2020.

SHOULD I HESITATE TO BUY A NEW AIR CONDITIONER OR HEAT PUMP?
There is no need to hesitate buying current air conditioning or heat pump equipment. The air conditioning industry has worked closely with the EPA to coordinate the eventual HCFC phase-out so that consumers can have confidence that the products they purchase today will be capable of supplying their home heating and cooling needs for the full expected life-span of the air conditioner or heat pump. Sufficient quantity of R22 refrigerant will continue to be produced for any service needs that may arise until 2020. After 2020, recycled refrigerants will be available, for many years, which will safely fulfill all service needs for products that use R22.

WILL THESE REFRIGERANT CHANGES MAKE NEW EQUIPMENT MORE EXPENSIVE?
Given the costs associated with developing the best new air conditioning products for customers, the initial cost of any new refrigerant is expected to be quite high. Today, cost of experimental alternate refrigerant is approximately four times that of the current R22 refrigerant; but, as production of new refrigerants increases, the costs will naturally come down.

HOW SHOULD I KNOW WHAT REFRIGERANT TO BUY?
The apparent refrigerant of choice to replace R22 is known as R410A.

WHAT ARE PLANS FOR THE FUTURE?
Lennox Industries is committed to remain a leader in technological innovation, and to that end, they have been working in cooperation with the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI) on investigating long-term replacements for R22. Through this research thirteen potential replacements for R22 have been identified.

The refrigerant option offered by Lennox, a leader in home comfort for over 100 years, will benefit both the environment and consumer. Lennox' Elite 13™ air conditioners and heat pumps with R410A are now available. R410A refrigerant has the following attributes:

- Non ozone-depleting

- Chlorine-free

- 50 percent CH2F2

- 50 percent CHF2CF3R410A is marketed by Honeywell as Genetron® AZ20. Additionally, R410A is marketed under the brand name of Puron® by Carrier Corporation and by Bryant Heating and Cooling Systems.

The highly efficient and reliable Elite 13 also has numerous consumer-friendly characteristics, including:

- Energy Star qualification; meets the EPA's non-pollution and high-efficiency standards.

- Compact dimensions

- 10-year compressor warranty and five-year parts warranty.

- Hush Tone™ Cabinet Design with separate insulated compressor compartment for low operating noise.

- Lowest overall sound ratings in its class.

- Scroll compressor, designed for use with R410A refrigerant, with fewer moving parts and better liquid tolerance.

Why is it important to have regular maintenance on my home comfort equipment?

You wouldn’t buy a brand new car and never expect to have to air the tires, change the oil, and check out any unusual noises, would you? Well, in the same way it is important to have regular inspections of your comfort equipment by a qualified technician. Just as a well running car can get the best gas mileage and keep you safe on the road, properly running home comfort equipment will run more efficiently and keep you comfortable and safe in your home.

LENNOX HAS SOME OF THE BEST WARRANTIES IN THE BUSINESS
As a matter of fact, good warranties can make you complacent about the need for regular inspections for your equipment. If not regularly inspected and maintained, there are many things which over the years can compromise your comfort equipment’s performance and reliability.

PREVENT PROBLEMS BEFORE THEY START
One of the best ways to avoid problems with your home comfort equipment is to prevent them from occurring. The best way to do that is scheduling regular maintenance. We are highly qualified to maintain all your heating and cooling equipment year-round. We’d be glad to talk to you about our planned service program to head off problems before they start.

Even the best equipment, if not maintained properly can cause problems. Changes made to your home during remodeling or careless activity can result in kinks, blockages and even leaks in your ductwork which can lead to poor airflow, discomfort and even higher utility bills.

BENEFITS OF PLANNED SERVICE
Having your equipment serviced on a regular basis has many benefits for you:

- Regular service lengthens the life of the equipment by keeping it in good working condition.

- It maintains efficient operation which saves you energy dollars.

- It will save you money by eliminating costs of needed repairs and reducing any major repair expenses.

- It will establish you as a priority customer which you’ll appreciate if you’ve ever needed cooling during the hot days of summer or heating during the coldest blizzard of the year.

- It assures you of service by experienced and qualified technicians from an established dealership who will be there when you need them.

- Regular service protects your warranty.

PLANNED SERVICE WILL HELP KEEP YOUR HOME SAFE
Carbon monoxide in your home is an invisible threat to your safety, but it is a threat that is preventable. Cars and trucks, lawn equipment, water heaters, stoves, clothes dryers, furnaces, space heaters, and other combustion appliances are some of the potential sources of carbon monoxide. Though designed to be safe and not produce carbon monoxide, home heating systems are only one of the many sources. In addition negative pressure in your home, coupled with improper combustion, can lead to carbon monoxide entering your living space. Negative pressure can be cause by central vacuum systems, high volume kitchen range hoods, countertop range exhaust systems, bathroom exhaust fans, and particularly fireplaces which can remove an enormous amount of air from your home when burning.

Prevention is the most important step to take to reduce carbon monoxide problems. That’s why it is important to schedule annual maintenance visits by a qualified technician to check combustion appliances to make sure they are operating properly and to be sure that all chimneys and vents are connected properly and not blocked.

COMPLETE CARE OFFERS EXTENDED PROTECTION
In addition to planned service, we can offer you additional protection and peace of mind through Lennox’ Complete Care™ extended rotection plan. This is an extended warranty and does not take the place of planned service. In fact, to keep this warranty in effect, it is required that your equipment be properly maintained.

That way, with Complete Care protection for the next 5 or 10 years, if your air conditioner goes out on the hottest day of the summer or the coldest day of winter, you’re covered. You can rest easy knowing that relief is on the way and you won’t have to sweat the bill. And if you like to think ahead, consider this: Planned service and an extended warranty can save you money down the road because your costs are fixed.

When replacing the outdoor unit of an air conditioner or heat pump, should the indoor unit also be replaced?

The answer is most likely YES, and here are the reasons why!

MATCHED SYSTEM DESIGN
All air conditioner and heat pump outdoor units are specifically designed to work with matched indoor units for optimum efficiency and performance. The result of this matched system is a coordinated, top-performance team that ensures the dependability and high-efficiency today’s applications require.

Air conditioner and heat pump outdoor units may “work” with indoor units other than those for which they have been specifically designed…however, the result is a definite compromise in system performance.

DESIGN ADVANCES
Through the years, indoor blower coil units have undergone numerous design advances- especially in the areas of air handling performance, filtering efficiency and operating sound levels. A new outdoor unit will also include the latest design advances.

HIGHER COOLING AND HEATING EFFICIENCY
The cooling and/or heating efficiency ratings that are advertised for an air conditioner or heat pump are based on their performance as matched systems.

While changing only the outdoor unit may result in improved efficiency compared to the old system, it will not be as efficient as it was designed to be and your savings will be lower than with a matched system.

EQUIPMENT AGE
If an air conditioner or heat pump outdoor unit is 10 years old and needs to be replaced, the indoor unit is just as old and has been subjected to the same amount of wear and tear.

Replacing both units means you won’t have to replace the indoor unit in a short time…you’ll have years of service from both units.

NEW WARRANTY
A new unit also gives you a new product warranty. Replacing the indoor unit at the same time as the outdoor unit results in peace of mind, knowing the new warranty covers the entire system.

A BARGAIN?
At first glance, replacing only an air conditioner or heat pump outdoor unit may appear to be a bargain. But when you consider the lower cooling and heating efficiencies, decreased reliability and the high cost of ownership that results, it’s not such a bargain after all!

Replacing an entire air conditioner or heat pump system costs more, but you get more…efficiency, reliability and comfort.

Why is my throat so dry?

Dry air in your home can make your throat feel dry, and cause or aggravate respiratory ailments. The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)recommends that your home maintain a humidity level between 30-60%. During extremely cold weather, your home loses humidity to the outdoors and may drop to as low as 10%. A humidifier adds moisture to your indoor air, and can help relieve ailments related to dry respiratory membranes.

HEALTH CONCERNS
Conditioning the amount of moisture in the air is necessary for your family’s health. One of the major causes of respiratory infections is inadequate humidification during cold weather. The start of the heating season each fall causes many people to begin having repeated attacks of winter colds. Winter weather is blamed for these problems, but the actual cause may be dryness which develops in the membranes of the nose, throat and bronchial tubes. Relative humidity also has a significant effect on controlling the occurrence of airborne infections.

OTHER CONCERNS
Dry air can cause more than health problems. Static electricity is a direct result of very dry air. And houseplants can suffer from the “winter drought” caused by low humidity levels. A humidifier can help keep the indoor air comfortably moist, despite conditions of low outdoor humidity.

HUMIDIFIER BENEFITS
With central heating, people are confined indoors with unnaturally dry air for many months each year. Humidifiers help to keep comfortable levels of moisture in the air, and properly maintained levels of humidity are beneficial for your respiratory system.

Whole-house humidifiers work like old-fashioned room humidifiers: they put moisture into the air, making harsh, dry air easier to breathe. And whole-house humidifiers use water mist instead of hot steam, which keeps the entire house at a desired humidity level. No more carrying a humidifier from room to room in the winter.

A humidifier is installed in the ductwork, right beside your furnace. Just select the desired amount of humidity and enjoy the moist air that circulates through your home this winter.

HOW MUCH WATER DOES A HUMIDIFIER USE?
Depending on the model you choose and the size of your home, a humidifier uses from 1.5 to 12 gallons per day when the furnace is operating. This minimal amount of water is enough to raise the humidity to your desired level, but not enough for you to even notice a difference on your water bill.

CHOOSING A HUMIDIFIER THAT’S RIGHT FOR YOU
There are a few factors you should take into consideration when purchasing a humidifier for your home.

Consider size. A humidifier’s capacity, or the amount of moisture it can dispense in a given time, should match your particular household’s needs. The capacity is measured as gallons per day of operation. One method that is used to determine the correct size humidifier for your home is by multiplying the total floor area in square feet by the ceiling height. A reputable HVAC dealer can also provide you with additional ways in which you can determine which unit best suits your needs.

Consider cost. Consider not only the purchase price of the unit, but the operating and maintenance costs as well. Some models consume more energy than others, so choosing a model that is right for your home and budget is extremely important. Regular maintenance is necessary to keep your humidifier in top working condition.

HUMIDIFIER INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE
Installing a humidifier is an easy job if you are replacing your furnace. But you can have a humidifier fitted to your current system with minimal labor, since it is installed in the ductwork. It’s also important to properly maintain your humidifier to avoid potential bacterial growth. Periodic cleaning and draining of the reservoir is strongly recommended.

What�s the advantage of two-stage heating?

Thanks to the innovation of two-stage heating, Lennox has made it possible for your home to be cozier than ever while saving you money on your energy bill in the process.

WHAT IS TWO-STAGE HEATING?
Do you sometimes find it challenging to obtain the ideal temperature within your home during the winter months? First, it’s cold so you turn up the thermostat which starts the furnace; then it’s so hot you turn it down again.
Traditional furnaces are designed to heat your home, and keep you warm during the coldest weather in your climate, therefore, they operate at one level — high. However, even during winter, temperatures fluctuate and many winter days can be somewhat mild.

Unlike traditional furnaces that turn on and run at full capacity with each demand for heating, two-stage furnaces operate like two separate furnaces to maintain more consistent comfort in your home. The unit starts out running in its first stage, and operates at about 68% of its heating capacity. This reduced capacity is sufficient to warm your home on mild winter days. But when the temperature outside really drops, the furnace adjusts to full capacity (second stage) to meet the demand for heat within the home. It’s kind of like having two furnaces for the price of one. With two-stage heating you won’t have to keep adjusting the thermostat.

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF TWO-STAGE HEATING?
Consistent Comfort: Thanks to two-stage technology, the temperature inside your home should vary only a few degrees versus the larger temperature swings that are common with traditional furnaces.

Quiet Comfort: Because a two-stage furnace starts in its first stage, when the level and amount of heat required is lower, and runs in this stage the majority of the time, it greatly reduces the noise associated with furnaces that turn on and run full blast. Two-stage technology means quiet comfort.

Improved Air Filtration: A two-stage furnace provides more consistent airflow and with more consistent airflow comes improved air filtration, which means you’ll breathe easier with two-stage heating.

Efficient Operation: Because the furnace spends the majority of its time operating in its lower capacity, first stage, it burns less fuel than a traditional furnace that always runs at full capacity and then shuts off when heating demand is met.

IS A TWO-STAGE FURNACE RIGHT FOR ME?
Ask yourself these questions: How much time do you and your family spend inside your home? Did you take time and care to pick furniture, appliances, and other items that met your lifestyle and made you feel comfortable? Then why wouldn’t you do the same thing with your heating equipment?

Although you can’t see the air and temperature within your home you certainly can feel it. It affects you every day. A two-stage furnace can provide preferred comfort within your home despite the range of weather outside your home.

If you want and expect high-level performance from your heating equipment then a two-stage furnace is the right choice for you!

Why should I choose a variable-speed unit?

The term "variable-speed" refers to the furnace indoor air blower motor. The blower motor is the component that determines the amount of air the blower is required to deliver to your home.

How does it work?
When your furnace is installed, the speed and airflow for your home is set (depending upon your specific situation, such as the size of your home, etc…). However, there are situations that can occur within the household to restrict this airflow such as ductwork design, unit location, zoning or dirty filters, to name just a few. Think of variable-speed technology as your insurance for home comfort the way you prefer it. The variable-speed technology ensures that your home receives the amount of air required to keep you and your family comfortable.

Variable-speed motors have intelligent technology that monitor incoming data from the blower and adjust accordingly so you can feel confident that your system is working to keep you comfortable — giving you…One Less Thing to Worry About.®

Why Should I Buy a Unit with a Variable-Speed Motor?
Having the technology of variable-speed in your furnace offers many benefits: electrical Efficiency Variable-speed motors can actually save you money on your energy bill as they consume less electricity than standard motors.

Cooling efficiency
Having a variable-speed furnace as part of your home’s comfort system means you will gain air conditioning efficiency or SEER.

The higher the SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) the more energy efficient the unit. This means even more energy savings for your household.

Zoning
Variable-speed furnaces are excellent for zoning, where you control the conditioning of your home. Zoning allows you to customize your comfort in different areas or zones in your home and control your energy bills.

Air Quality
A variable-speed motor combined with a humidistat, allows you to control the humidity in your home. Humidity plays a big role not only in the comfort of your home but also its air quality. The relative humidity in your home should be between 30-60%. This range is most ideal to minimize growth of biological pollutants such as mold and mildew.

And the consistent airflow of the variable-speed motor helps to improve air filtration.

Why is ventilation important for proper indoor air quality?

We were once able to achieve natural ventilation in our homes by merely opening a window. However, with the concern for energy efficiency in recent years, we have been busy making homes “tighter” from an energy standpoint. Armed with weather-stripping and caulk guns, we have eliminated air leaks from our homes. Unfortunately, that has also eliminated the opportunity for outside ventilation that could help to reduce concentrations of indoor contaminants. But, thanks to some innovative engineering, it isn’t necessary to throw energy efficiency out the window in order to grab a breath of fresh air.

HOW CAN I VENTILATE MY HOME AND STILL BE ENERGY EFFICIENT?
It is now possible to exchange stale indoor air with fresh outdoor air without compromising the energy efficiency of your home. With heat recovery ventilators (HRV’s) and energy recovery ventilators (ERV’s), it’s out with the bad air and in with the good — all without wasting energy. HRV’s and ERV’s are electronically powered units that circulate air throughout your home, using the existing forced air system or specially installed ducts. The units pump stale air out of your home and replace it with an equal volume of fresh outside air. The HRV is a compact unit that conditions the temperature of the outside air, while the ERV is a packaged unit that conditions both the temperature and humidity of the outside air. Because these units condition the air before it enters the home, your energy costs remain stable.

PROVIDING FRESH AIR FOR EXCHANGE
The HRV uses virtually noise-free fans that draw in fresh, cool outdoor air while it removes stale, heated indoor air. The ERV performs the same function, only utilizing a rotary energy recovery wheel. In both cases, the units transfer the temperature and moisture properties from one air stream to the other, without allowing the two airflows to mix. Both units offer easy access for change of filters and necessary maintenance, making them not only energy efficient, but easy to use.

DETERMINING IF AN HRV OR ERV IS RIGHT FOR YOU
If you’re wondering whether you need to clear the air in your home, you might ask yourself these questions:

When was your home built? If your home is new, chances are it has been built "tighter" to be more energy efficient. This may mean concentrations of air pollutants in your home could be a concern.

Have you upgraded your home to be more energy efficient? If so, it may need an additional source of ventilation.

How often during the year can you comfortably open your windows? Due to cold winters and hot summers, it is not always possible to have your windows open year-round. This means that you may not always have a constant controlled source of ventilation.

Do odors tend to linger in your home? If this is the case, it is a sign of poor ventilation. There isn’t enough air being circulated throughout the home to dilute unwanted odors.

Q: Why is clean indoor air important?
A: Indoor air quality is a concern today as most newer homes are being built "tighter" to be more energy efficient. Existing structures have also been "tightened-up" with better insulation, weather-stripping, upgraded windows and high quality exterior doors. Unfortunately, making homes more energy efficient exacts an unexpected price. Indoor air quality suffers as the exchange of indoor and outdoor air is limited. Indoor air pollutants get trapped inside and can build up to harmful levels. Because of this, it is important to clean the air by filtering out as many pollutants as possible.

HEALTH CONCERNS
Indoor air pollutants can cause homeowners to suffer from flu-like symptoms such as headaches, nausea and respiratory irritation. They can also exacerbate existing illnesses such as allergies and asthma. Recent statistics show that over the past ten years, asthma cases have increased by 51.6% and that over 40 million people suffer from asthma and allergies today. By removing airborne dust particles from the air, you reduce the amount of exposure they have on your respiratory system.

HOW CAN I CLEAN INDOOR AIR?
There are a number of things you can do to reduce the amount of pollutants in the air. Frequent dusting, vacuuming, and washing of bedding will reduce the amount of dust and dust mites present in your living spaces. Although these methods are effective, not all airborne particles can be eliminated. Some particles are so small they may escape through the vacuum or never land on a surface. To capture these particles, filtration devices can be helpful.

CHOOSING AN AIR FILTER THAT’S RIGHT FOR YOU
There are many factors you should consider when evaluating an air cleaning device:

EFFICIENCY-The efficiency of an air filter is measured in terms of the particle size it can capture. The higher the efficiency, the more effective it will be at the removal of small, hard to capture particles.

COST-Consider not only the initial purchase price of the item, but cost of maintenance and upgrades as well. Make sure that the filter you purchase is of reasonably high quality. Inexpensive filters may not clean the air as effectively as you need them to and may also need to be replaced more frequently.

MAINTENANCE-Air cleaning devices should be accessible and easily removable to make cleaning or replacing the filter a breeze.

WHAT ARE MY CHOICES WHEN IT COMES TO FILTERS?
Disposable filters are generally made of coarse fiberglass mats in a frame mounted on a filter rack. They are often referred to as “throwaway” filters. Very large particles are collected by straining, as they are too large to go through the openings in the filter. Particles are also deposited on strands of the filter when they come in direct contact with one another. The filter efficiency increases as it fills with particles, until it reaches the point of saturation and begins to lose as many particles as it gains. The disposable filter’s capability is limited to larger particles.

Reusable foam or metal filters have slightly higher performance capabilities than disposable filters due to the use of the oils and adhesives applied to the filter to cause the particles to adhere to them. They are washable and must be recoated after washing to obtain their original efficiency for reuse. They are most effective on large particles.

Electrostatic filters have a means for electrically charging the filter or the entering particles, much like a magnet, to attract particles to the strands of the filter as well as collecting particles by straining. They are more effective on large particles.

Pleated filters are constructed of fiberglass or synthetic fibers woven into a more dense material. The filter is arranged in V-shaped forms to increase the area of the filter material ithout increasing the face area. This increases the particle holding capability. This filter allows you to capture a wider range of particle sizes, from small to large.

Electronic Air Cleaners are highly efficient filters that use an electrical charge to emove and collect particulate matter such as dust, smoke, pollen, etc. The charged particles are then attracted to each other and forced to a series of alternately-charged metal plates where they are collected. These cells must be periodically cleaned with detergent and hot water maintain the efficiency of the collection. They are generally used with a pre-filter to remove large particles before entering the cells.

High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters generally have an efficiency rating of 90% and above are considered to be very effective at small particle removal. There are many models of portable HEPA filters intended for use in a room that are self-contained with their own air mover and electrical system.

FILTER MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION
The need to replace or clean filters is a function of many variables such as run time, efficiency, size and type. Typically, low-efficiency disposable and permanent filters need to be replaced or cleaned every one or two months in peak heating and cooling seasons. Electronic air cleaner cells should be serviced at this frequency as well.

Why should I zone my house?

To keep all areas of your home comfortable, no matter what the weather! No longer must you have hot or cold rooms, or pay to heat or cool areas of your home that you rarely use. Zoning has come a long way in recent years, and it is now efficient, easy to install and flexible enough for any home.

What is zoning?
Zoning divides your home into separate comfort areas and makes your comfort equipment cool or heat only areas that need conditioning. For example, a living room with large windows may stay too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter. A zoning system will send more conditioned air to the living room, to make up for the heat gained or lost through the windows.

Why zone?
Today's families have different lifestyles and comfort needs. Maybe you have a home office that needs extra conditioning during the day, and none at night. Or you only use the upstairs bedrooms when guests visit. Whatever your needs, zoning can keep each area of your house at the perfect temperature for you and each family member.

When to install zoning.

If you are replacing your air conditioner, furnace or heat pump, it is an excellent time to install a zoning system. When your new comfort equipment is matched with a zoning system, you will have precise control in each zone. Houses that had been nearly impossible to keep comfortable are a thing of the past.

Zoning is also excellent for new homes, since it is installed during construction. If you are buying a new home, check with a your builder about a zoning system. It could make the difference between enjoying your new house and being truly comfortable in it!

Zoning alternatives.
Installing more than one comfort system can work to keep temperatures comfortable, but multiple systems are expensive. Typically, in a two-story home, one comfort system is installed for the downstairs, and one for the upstairs. This way, when hot air rises, the upstairs unit can keep it cool upstairs, even in the summer. And in the winter, the downstairs unit can keep that area warm.

Zoning uses only one comfort system to control the temperature for each zone. Installing a comfort system with a zoning system costs quite a bit less than installing two systems, and the yearly maintenance is also less expensive.

How does zoning work?
In almost all zoning systems, zoning is controlled by thermostats in each zone. For instance, if you have four zones in your house, you will have four thermostats. Depending on your zoning system, you may have a choice of thermostats. With separate thermostats, each zone signals the heating or cooling unit independently. This lets the system deliver cooling or heating only where it is needed. You will never have to cool or heat the whole house just to make one room comfortable.

Zoning saves you money!
Zoning can drastically lower your cooling and heating bills. Zoning systems can use setback thermostats in each zone to make the most of energy savings. However, in zones rarely used, electromechanical thermostats make sense because you can set them at energy-saving temperatures and forget about those areas of your home. No more closing registers or shutting doors with each seasonal change.

A good example of this is a guest room on the north side of the house. You do not want to condition it like the rest of the house, but in the winter, it needs to be kept from freezing. With zoning, you can set the thermostat back, and know you are not wasting money. And you have peace of mind, knowing the bedroom will not get cold enough to freeze pipes.

Another way zoning can save money is when you are not at home. When you leave for work or vacation, you can set the whole house at an energy-saving temperature to avoid conditioning an empty house. And if you have setback thermostats, you can program them to have your living areas comfortable when you arrive home.

As you begin using your home more and in varying ways, as a home office, for example, zoning will become more important. Also, the energy savings can really mean a lot with a zoning system.