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Strategies For Optimizing Your Commercial AC Performance

Posted on by Comfort First Products

Maintaining a comfortable and energy-efficient commercial space is crucial to running a successful business. A properly functioning air conditioning system is one of the most critical components in this equation. However, ensuring optimal performance requires proactive measures and strategic maintenance. Here are some effective strategies to keep your commercial AC system running smoothly.

Optimal Airflow Management

Proper air circulation is essential for maximizing the performance of your commercial AC system. Installing air conditioning deflectors on the ceiling is an effective way to enhance airflow. These devices help direct the air movement in the desired direction, ensuring uniform cooling throughout the space. By strategically positioning deflectors, you can minimize hotspots and improve overall comfort levels for occupants. Invest in high-quality deflectors for your AC system from Comfort First Products, our company specializing in indoor air quality products to enhance air circulation.

Regular Maintenance Checks

Regular maintenance checks are crucial for the efficient functioning of your commercial AC system. Arrange regular inspections conducted by qualified professionals to evaluate the condition of your HVAC system. This includes examining filters, coils, fins, and other components for signs of wear and tear. Additionally, ensure adequate refrigerant levels and tight electrical connections. Immediately addressing minor issues can prevent them from escalating into major problems that could disrupt your business operations.

Efficient Temperature Control

Maintaining the right temperature settings is key to optimizing your commercial AC performance. While setting the thermostat to the lowest possible temperature during hot weather may be tempting, doing so can strain the system and lead to higher energy consumption. Instead, aim for a moderate temperature that keeps occupants comfortable without overworking the AC unit. Utilize programmable thermostats to create temperature schedules that align with your business hours, allowing for energy savings during off-peak times.

Regular Filter Replacement

Maintaining optimal indoor air quality goes beyond mere convenience; it’s essential for comfort and health. At Comfort First, we offer a range of replacement filters tailored to fit our products seamlessly. Our MERV-12 and MERV-14 filters trap even the tiniest particles, ensuring cleaner air circulation throughout your space. This superior filtration efficiency means fewer airborne contaminants circulating in your space, reducing the risk of respiratory issues and allergies.

Scheduled Cleaning of Coils and Fins

The coils and fins of your commercial AC system are susceptible to dirt and debris accumulation, which can impair heat exchange and hinder performance. Schedule regular cleaning of coils and fins to remove any buildup and ensure efficient heat transfer. This can be done using specialized coil cleaners and fin combs to dislodge dirt and debris. Keeping these components clean can improve energy efficiency and reduce the risk of system malfunctions.

Proactive Leak Detection and Repair

Refrigerant leaks can affect the performance of your commercial AC system, leading to decreased cooling capacity and higher energy consumption. Implement proactive leak detection measures to identify and address any leaks promptly. Regularly inspect refrigerant lines and connections for signs of leakage, such as hissing sounds or oil stains. If you detect a leak, enlist a qualified technician to repair the issue and recharge the system with the appropriate refrigerant.

Proper Insulation and Sealing

Ensuring proper insulation and sealing of your commercial building can greatly impact the efficiency of your air conditioning system. Inspect and address any gaps, cracks, or areas of poor insulation around windows, doors, and other potential entry points for outside air. This can help prevent cool air from escaping and reduce the burden on your AC unit.

Maintaining a comfortable working environment and safeguarding perishable goods are pivotal, underscoring the critical role of commercial AC systems. You can achieve consistent comfort and performance year-round with diligent care and attention. Comfort First’s innovative products, such as air vent deflectors, ensure even distribution of conditioned air, eliminating hot and cold spots in the room. Our air vent diverter installation service also helps you find the perfect HVAC accessories.

The Importance of Changing Your Air Filter

Posted on by CFAdmin

Indoor air quality is more important than ever, especially with the current climate of our world when it comes to pollution. While your 2020 New Year’s resolution may not have been surrounded on improving the quality of your indoor air, it definitely should be. At Comfort First Products, we’re here to help make it easier than ever to improve your indoor air quality. All of our products are designed to give you the best air quality so that you can keep your employees and space as healthy as possible. In this blog we will be discussing the importance of changing your heating and air conditioning filter. Keep reading to learn more! 

 

Changing your air filter is something that’s actually pretty easy to do. While you can hire a professional, most times you should be able to change it yourself. Here at Comfort First Products, all of our products can be installed yourself and can be done quickly with minimal effort. You can easily shop all of our products on-site. 

 

So, why is it so important for you to change your air filter?

 

Extend the Life of Your HVAC System 

You’ve probably seen it before, your air duct is caked with dust and dirt that just sits on the vents. It’s pretty unsightly but it also can be dangerous. A clogged air filter can cause extensive damage to your system. So by replacing these filters, not only are you eliminating polluted indoor air but you are also saving your indoor system. Repairs or replacements of your indoor HVAC system can cause thousands of dollars, while replacement filters are relatively inexpensive. Dirt build up and neglect are some of the main causes of failed heating and cooling systems. This is almost completely avoidable if you pay attention and change your filter frequently, so what are you waiting for? 

 

Give Yourself Cleaner Air

This one may seem pretty obvious, but changing the air filter in your system gives you cleaner, fresher, and healthier air. While everyone can benefit from this, children and elderly people can be especially sensitive to polluted air. Asthma, allergies, and other breathing problems can occur and be heightened if the air around you is polluted. When your air filter is dirty, you’re constantly circulating dust, dust mites, pollen, dirt, and other particles in the air. You may think that the air in your home is cleaner, but if you’re not replacing your air filters, you may be inhaling air that is more polluted than it is outside.

 

Reduce Your Bills 

Dirty or clogged air filters use more energy than clean, fresh air filters. So, by replacing your air filter and eliminating old dirty filters, you are essentially saving money and may find that your electricity bill has actually decreased. Some people have even saved up to 15% on the electricity bill, and while that may not seem like a lot, every bit counts. No one has ever complained about having too much money!  

 

Save the Environment 

Not only are you improving your health, saving money on bills, and extending the life of your HVAC system but you’re also helping the environment. As we mentioned earlier, a dirty air filter causes your electricity bill to increase which also means that there is a lot more carbon monoxide and other greenhouse gasses that are being released by extension. Changing your filter often helps eliminate that, and you end up running your home in a very eco-friendly manner. Changing your air filter can make a large difference. 

 

Reduce Mold 

Dirt, dust, and other forms of grime can block the airflow and therefore provide a space for moisture to gather, which encourages the growth of mold and bacteria. When these form, they can provide an even more solid barrier and will prevent air circulation even farther. Depending on what side of the filter that they gather, they can even introduce more pollutants and allergens into the air. They may also get into the entire HVAC system which can cause even more damage too. 

 

Reduce The Risk Of Pipes Freezing and Overheating 

If your air filter is blocked with pollutants, the hot and cold air can’t travel out as easily. This means that your entire system runs the risk of either overheating or freezing up. You end up paying the same amount of energy or using the same amount of gas and oil, but there will be no change in the temperature. So, don’t run your system harder than it needs to, simply change your air filter and this problem is solved. 

 

All in all, air filters are extremely important and should be replaced frequently. Check your filter every couple of months. You can even stock up on extra air filters from Comfort First Products so that you always have a backup. No matter how long it’s been, make sure that you’re prioritizing your air filters and the indoor air quality of your home. For more information, contact us and shop our entire collection of products!

Under Pressure – Why Clean Air Filters Matter

Posted on by CFAdmin

Just like the iconic rock band Queen, your HVAC system is always “Under Pressure.” As air moves throughout a building, different factors have an effect on the flow of that air. These factors affect the air flow temperature, speed, and pressure. Issues within your HVAC system can cause the air pressure to change, which could negatively affect you and others attempting to work or live in those spaces. If you have ever walked into a room and immediately noticed something “off” about the way the air felt in the space, then you may have been experiencing high air pressure. High air pressure can lead to temperature fluctuations and general discomfort for people operating in that room. Even if you have already stocked your building with Comfort First’s premier air conditioner deflectors and air vent diffusers, an issue with your HVAC system could be causing static pressure issues.

 

How Does Air Flow Through An HVAC System?

In order to understand how your building can be negatively affected by high air pressure, you must first grasp how air is brought in to a space and distributed by an HVAC system. HVAC systems work by in-taking outside air, putting it through an air purification process, and then distributing that air throughout the building at the desired temperature. This entire system is controlled by a thermostat – the HVAC unit self-adjusts the pressure and heat levels to produce the desired effect. The air that reaches the occupants of the building can not only vary in temperature level, but in pressure levels as well.

 

What Is Static Pressure?

Static pressure can be a real drag. In fact, drag is a great way of framing one’s thinking about static pressure. When air is free to move throughout a space without being impeded or experiencing drag, the static pressure will remain at comfortable levels. When air is trying to move through a system where it experiences drag, the static pressure of that air will rise. High static pressure can not only make the air in a space uncomfortable, but it can also place stress on components of your HVAC system that could lead to maintenance issues and even system failure. Having a certified HVAC professional evaluate your system will definitely determine if there is in fact a static pressure issue.

 

How Is Static Pressure Measured?

If you suspect your system has a high or low static pressure issue, or if you just want to do a general wellness-check on your HVAC system, contact a certified technician. A maintenance technician will visit your location and perform a test on your system. He or she determines if there is an air pressure issue by measuring static pressure at several places along your system and by checking the air handler filter pressure sensor. This sensor is a permanent installation in your HVAC system that is designed to protect the system from a catastrophic failure. Low static air pressure issues will typically cause this type of catastrophic failure, but high static pressure issues are much more common and need to be measured by an on-site technician.

 

Problems Bad Static Pressure Can Cause

If your unit is experiencing static pressure issues, it can manifest in your system in a number of ways.

  • Noise: if your system is experiencing high static pressure, you may hear loud sounds coming from the unit and ducting. The higher the static pressure, the more physical pressure and strain is placed on your HVAC unit.
  • Lackluster Airflow: if you can feel distinct hot or cold spots in a space, or the air just being generally uncomfortable, static pressure could be the culprit.
  • Component Failure: as previously mentioned, high static air pressure causes intense strain on your unit. Components may cease to function or drastically lose efficiency.
  • Complete Unit Failure: if not caught in time, high static pressure can cause the catastrophic failure of your entire unit.

 

How To Fix Static Pressure Issues

Regular wellness checks from a qualified HVAC maintenance technician is your best bet to ensure the longevity of your HVAC system. There are steps you can take to prevent static pressure issues and safeguard the health of your unit. The biggest thing that can be done to prevent high static pressure is providing clean filters for your unit. Think back to drag – the easier air can move through a space the better quality that air will maintain. Drag causes air molecules to slow down and work harder to reach you, which means that they may change temperature and no longer match the temperature that the HVAC unit is trying to produce. A dirty filter blocks the flow of air and makes the entire unit work harder to push air through.

The proper filtration system can make all the difference to the health of your HVAC unit. Luckily, Comfort First makes it easy to filter air through our commercial diffusers and vent diverters. We also provide convenient replacement filter sets to keep your air flowing and at optimum static pressure levels. Shop our online store today!

Why Indoor Air Quality Is Often Worse Than Outdoor Air Quality

Posted on by CFAdmin

If you are a facility manager or owner of a commercial or industrial building, you can take action to improve indoor air quality (IAQ). In fact, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been receiving an increasing number of inquiries on how IAQ can be improved.

This has resulted in the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) taking action and completing more than 600 indoor air quality investigations in the office buildings under the Health Hazard Evaluation Program.

Not only do owners and facility managers need to make an effort toward improving air quality, but the staff and occupants of the building need to get involved as well. IAQ, whether commercial or industrial, is a community effort.

That’s why in this blog post, Comfort First Products is going to share the factors that contribute to IAQ, what owners and facility managers can do to improve IAQ, and how staff and occupants can get involved to help improve IAQ.

Why Indoor Air Quality Matters

Indoor air quality can impact health, well-being, and performance. Did you know that humans on average spend 93 percent of their time indoors? 87 percent of that time is in a building, and the other six percent is in an automobile. What’s more, the EPA shared another study that showed that “concentrations of some pollutants are often two to five times higher than typical outdoor concentrations.”

This means that building, facility, and business managers have an obligation to ensure that the IAQ of their building or facility is being addressed regularly to keep the environment clean and healthy for themselves, staff, occupants, employees, and more.

What Factors Contribute To Indoor Air Quality?

The reason indoor air quality is often worse than outdoor air quality is the ability to filter pollutants, chemicals, and allergens from the air before they come into contact with staff or occupants. In fact, IAQ is not an easily defined problem like a broken desk drawer or a leaky faucet; it’s a complex issue that includes many factors. Also, heat, dust, and moisture all play a role in indoor air quality. Some of those factors are listed below:

  • Types and levels of pollutants, allergens, or chemicals in the environment
  • Sources of pollutants
  • HVAC design, maintenance, and ventilation
  • Dust, moisture, and humidity of the indoor environment
  • Staff and occupants susceptibilities to pollutants, chemicals, and allergens
  • Age of the building

All of these factors and more must be accounted for before a successful and effective IAQ strategy is enacted. Here are three steps you need to take to manage the IAQ of your building or office:

  1. Remove or isolate pollutant sources to better mitigate negative effects indoor.
  2. Dilute pollutants and remove them from indoor via ventilation.
  3. Utilize effective air filtration to scrub the air of pollutants.

How Owners and Facility Managers Can Improve Indoor Air Quality

As an owner or facility manager, it’s important you take indoor air quality seriously. It directly affects the health of all the staff and occupants in the building. In some case, IAQ will involve more than one person. For example, an owner of a building may work with a maintenance crew and specific staff members to better manager IAQ. Furthermore, a facility manager may work with the landlord, building tenant, and a local HVAC company to improve the HVAC system and the IAQ.

Here are nine ways owners and facility managers can work to improve IAQ:

  1. Foster a relationship with building maintenance and/or landlord so that taking steps to improve indoor air quality and environment issues is an option.
  2. Position furniture, plants, equipment, and more to enhance the environment, IAQ, temperature control, and pollutant removal functions.
  3. Coordinate and cooperate with building maintenance when HVAC maintenance or updates are needed, Including regular filter replacements.
  4. Establish a clear, effective smoking policy.
  5. Define and avoid processes or products that can negatively affect IAQ.
  6. Include IAQ into all indoor environment purchasing decisions.
  7. Communicate with landlords, building owners, or managers to ensure pest control is only used when necessary, and, if possible, non-chemical treatments are the chosen method.
  8. Identify and communicate with building managers before any renovation or remodeling occurs to mitigate environmental pollutants.
  9. Introduce and encourage your building management team to use the EPA/NIOSH guidance document.

How Staff and Occupants Can Get Involved In Improving IAQ

When it comes to IAQ, it’s a group effort. The staff and occupants of a building can influence IAQ, and they can take action to help improve it. Here are the six ways staff and occupants can help with enhancing IAQ:

  1. Filter the office air.
  2. Keep air vents and/or grilles unblocked and clean.
  3. Comply with the smoking policy for the building or office.
  4. Report water leaks immediately, maintain office plants routinely and clean up liquid spills as soon as possible.
  5. Collect and dispose of garbage and trash promptly.
  6. Be mindful of proper food storage.
  7. If you suspect an IAQ issue, notify the owner, building manager, or facility manager promptly.

Comfort First Products: Your Solution To Indoor Air Quality

At Comfort First Products, our mission is to provide our customers with a variety of products that improve office comfort, health, and wellbeing. Whether you are a facility manager, business owner, landlord, or otherwise, the indoor air quality of your building is crucial to the health and safety of yourself, the staff, the occupants, and more. It’s time you shop our indoor air quality and comfort products online now.

Do You Need a Vent Deflector?

Posted on by CFAdmin

Vent deflectors, also known as air diffusers, are a great product to help you keep your home and office a consistent temperature. Whether you get blasted by hot air in the winter and cold air in the summer, a vent deflector may be exactly what you need to keep yourself comfortable year-round.

What is a vent deflector?

A vent deflector is just a fancy word for a device that fits over air vents. The purpose of the deflector is to change the direction of the air flow. Now, you may be asking yourself, “Why would I want to change the direction of the air?” If you do, continue to ask yourself questions, such as: Are there hot or cold spots in my home or office? Am I tired of not staying a consistent temperature? If you’ve answered, “yes” to any of those questions, it may be time to purchase a vent deflector. By installing one in your home or office, you’ll be able to avoid cold or hot drafts, and you may even be able to increase air quality.

What kind of materials are used to make a vent deflector?

There are many different types of vent deflectors available. Some are made with the sole purpose of a commercial building, and others were created for use in a home; however, they’re usually created with plastic of light metals which weigh less than 3 pounds.

Shop Comfort First Products, online now!

Choose to deflect air and keep your home or office a comfortable temperature when you shop online today with Comfort First Products. We have affordable vent diffusers available. Shop for one you love and if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at 800-804-3366.

There’s an Easier Way To Stay a Comfortable Temperature

Posted on by CFAdmin

Are you wanting to effectively cool and warm your office when seasons change? There’s no doubt about it; every office manager wants their workplace to be held at the most comfortable and consistent temperature possible. One of the easiest and mindless ways to do so is by making sure your office is equipped with a high quality air diffuser.

What happens to air when you install an air diffuser?

When an air diffuser is installed in your office, you’ll soon start to experience the wonderful benefits of it. Not only will you feel drafts inside of your office come to a halt, but the quality of air your breathe will improve tremendously. With more control over the direction of the airflow, you’ll be able to successfully keep cool or warm air pointed in the direction you wish. If you know your office has a tendency for cold or hot spots, you can easily avoid them with an air diffuser.

What are the benefits of installing an air diffuser?

Air diffusers are an amazing way to improve your life at work. By spending a few bucks on one of our products, you’ll be able to experience some wonderful benefits, including:

  • Easy installation
  • Happier and healthier individuals in your workplace
  • Higher quality of air
  • Controlled airflow

Shop for an air diffuser online today with Comfort First Products!

At Comfort First Products, your comfort is our number one priority. Feel free to peruse our incredible selection of air diffusers to find the perfect one for your office. If you have any questions, feel free to give us a call at 800-804-3366.