Having clean air in your home is important for the health of your family. The most efficient way to filter household air is through your home's forced-air heating or central air-conditioning system. Do you know how to choose the best filter for your home?

The filters are built into the return-air duct work, trapping particles as air passes through. These systems are passive; as long as the fan is running, they are constantly filtering all the air in your home.

Whole-house filters come in four main types. Understanding the ratings of air filters can help you decide which is best for your home and your family.

Filters are rated on a scale using MERV. This stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value. lt rates the filter on how well it can catch particles in your home’s air.

The higher the Merv rating, the more efficient the air filter is at catching pollutants inside your home. Mold, pollen, dust mites, bacteria, tobacco smoke and pet dander are some of the pollutants common in homes. 

According to the American Society of Heating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHAE), there are 4 general tiers or categories of MERV ratings:
• MERV 1–4 (decent): A filter in this MERV range is a disposable fiberglass filter. These can pick up particles that are 10 microns or larger, which include pollen and regular standing dust.
• MERV 5–8 (good): These are better at catching smaller particles (3–10 microns) like mold spores, hair spray, dust mites and animal dander.
• MERV 9–12 (better): These are considered the best option for residential use. These filters can remove pollutants as small as 1–3 microns, which includes particles like humidifier dust, auto emissions and legionella.
• MERV 13–16 (best): These filters are usually only found in hospitals because they can capture particles as small as 1–0.03 microns in size. Particles this small include bacteria, tobacco smoke and even the contaminants in sneezes.

(Air particles are measured in microns (one-millionth of a meter). The smaller the particle size in microns, the bigger the MERV rating you’ll need to trap it.)

There are three things to consider when  choosing an air filter. 

1. Do you have a limited budget? The higher the MERV rating the more expensive the filter. 
2. How many pets are in your home? If you have pets iin your home, their dander is picked up and distributed by your HVAC system throughout your home. A filter with a MERV 8 should eliminate most animal dander, but if you have more than one pet, you may need a MERV 11 to completely eliminate those harmful particles.
3. Does anyone have health health issues? If someone has asthma or allergies a MERV 11 filter would be the best choice. This filter can pick up smaller particles than a MERV 8 filter. 

Ohio Heating & Air has been providing clean air solutions for home owners for over 20 years. Give us a call at 614-863-6666.  Our indoor air specialists service all makes and models of whole house air cleaners and ultra violet air purifiers.

Our Air Cleaner Services Include:

High Efficiency Air Cleaners
Replacement Filters
Service all makes and models
UV Air Purifiers

No hot water or heat? There are many reasons why your boiler is not producing hot water or heat, from broken diaphragms and airlocks to motorised valve failures or low water levels. A qualified boiler technician should be called to identify the issues and replace any failed parts.

Four Common Issues

1. The condensate pipe is frozen.
Your boiler's condensate pipe transports acidic water that is produced by waste gas from the boiler to an outside drain. This pipe can freeze. Your boiler may then display a fault code which will alert you to a problem with the condensate pipe.

2. The pilot light is out.
The gas supply may be stopped by a broken thermocouple. This could result in the pilot light going out. Also a build-up of residue on the pilot light could also cause it to fail.

3. There is a loss of pressure.
Your system could have a pressure issue if your pressure gauge reads below 1. This can be caused by a water leak, or a faulty pressure relief valve. 

4. The boiler is kettling.
When your boiler is making a deep rumbling sound, as though it were a giant tea kettle about to boil over, you have a pretty serious problem with your system. It is most often because of lime scale or sludge build up on the system’s heat exchanger. This can restrict water flow. The water then boils, creating the kettle sounds.

Boilers can break down at any time, but usually fail in the winter months following a long period of inaction. The sudden pressure on the system’s components often cause a breakdown – at a time of year when a household needs heating and hot water most. 

If you need a repair for your boiler, call Ohio Plumbing & Boiler at 614-863-6666. We've been helping Central Ohio familes for over 20 years. We're locally owned and operated and service all makes and models.

Residential boilers, also known as hydronic heating, are gaining in popularity. They may be something you should consider for your family. 

Boilers today don't actually boil water. The term “boiler” comes from the past when steam boilers were common. Those did boil water to make steam.

Boilers today are water heaters and typically use natural gas. Most can heat water in a range from 145-190 degrees, depending on the radiation system.

No longer the monster in the basement with clanking radiators in each room, today’s boiler is compact, and as mandated by law, they come in a variety of efficiency ratings of a minimum of 80% AFUE.

A residential boiler heats water and circulates it to each room. Pipes travel along baseboards or are installed as radiant flooring. Forced air furnaces use a central heating unit to heat air that is blown through ducts into a desired space.

Important Reasons to Consider Hydronic Heating:

• They are easy to customize or zone, allowing spaces to be heated for individual preferences. 
• The rooms feel warmer. A boiler infuses heat directly into the air that is already in the space, minimizing uncomfortable drafts caused by blowing air from a furnace.
• Hydronic heat uses the air already within the space. it does not add dust or other pollutants by blowing air into the room. This is a great benefit for those with allergies and respiratory ailments.
• Most modern residential boiler systems can heat domestic hot water while also warming the home.

Keep in mind, for home safety, residential boiler systems require regular maintenance and should be cleaned regularly, and aging parts promptly replaced. Replacing water levels in a boiler is best left to a professional boiler repair company such as Ohio Plumbing & Boiler.

We offer homeowners expert installation, maintenance, and replacement of residential hydronic heating systems.  Call us at 614-863-6666, if you have any questions. We are pleased to help you as you select the home comfort system which meets your needs and your budget.

Commercial appliances are an essential investment to a business’s success, but they’re not made to last forever. Keeping up with regular maintenance and minor repairs can help extend the life of your commercial refrigerators, but it’s important to recognize when it’s time to buy new equipment.

Without proper monitoring, it is easy to waste money and resources on old or inefficient refrigerators in extensive repair costs, higher utility bills, and spoiled inventory.

Here are a few signs that you may need to replace your  commercial refrigerators to keep your business running smoothly.

You See Leaks and Condensation
Damaged or worn seals allow water leaks and puddles to develop. It can also cause ice build ups inside the unit. This is a perfect environment for mildew and mold to grow. Not only is this a health issue, but it can result in lost inventory. 

When condensation forms your equipment is not cooling properly. You will see condensation in, on, or around the unit’s door frame. This is an indication that warm air is getting in the refrigerator while cold air is escaping. 

The Unit is Hot
The back of the equipment should be warm to the touch, but never hot. Dirty condenser coils, located on the back or bottom of the unit, are most likely the problem. Removing dirt and dust from the coils is essential. Otherwise, the coils become hot causing the motor to overcompensate.

You Have an Increase in Repair Costs
When a refrigerator is older than 10 years, you should monitor the repair costs. When vital components start breaking down, you may spend more on repairs than you would on a new unit.

Food Spoils Before Its Expiration Date
If you are throwing out food and perishable items before their expiration date, something is wrong with your equipment. 

You Notice an Increase in Energy Bills
If your energy bills have been looking higher lately and you’re still using the same amount of power from month to month, inefficient equipment may be the root of your problem. When your equipment starts to age, it is normal for it to run less efficiently. Consider replacing with more efficient models. The energy savings will help you pay for the replacement.

Recognizing the common signs that your commercial refrigerators are on the verge of failing and need to be replaced, will save you time, money, and frustration. Ohio Refrigeration carries a wide range of commercial refrigeration equipment that will keep your products fresh and save on energy costs. Contact us today to learn more.

If your water heater is over 8 to 12 years old, it’s probably time for a new one. Most heaters only last 10 years. Older models tend to run less efficiently and that can add to your energy bills.

A little maintenance goes a long way with water heaters, too. Start by draining it at least once a year to remove sediment from the bottom. Just drain the tank to flush out sediments that have settled to the bottom of the tank. This sediment buildup shortens the life span of your water heater. 

Draining 2 or 3 gallons of water is usually enough to flush out sediments, but always let the water flow until you no longer see particles in the bucket. Open the drain valve slowly and let the water run until it’s clear and free of sediments.

 Water Heater Tips:

• Maintain the temperature to around 120 degrees. You can save up to 5% on your energy costs for every 10 degrees lower you set it the temperature. Also, higher temperatures increase sediment buildup and the risk of scalding injuries.
• Use foam tubing to insulate the pipes going into the water heater and an insulating blanket for the heater. Adding insulation reduces heat loss by up to 45 percent and can shave as much as 9 percent off water-heating costs. 
• Test the pressure relief valve by lifting the handle and letting it snap back down. If working correctly, a burst of steam will come.

If you do decide it’s time for a new one, look at some of the modern designs like a tankless heater. They work more efficiently and require fewer repairs.  

If you need a new hot water heater installed, call Ohio Heating & Air, we have hot water solutions for every budget, from tankless hot water heaters to standard gas and electric models.