Attention Air Exchangers!!!!

Depending on the price points needed to be attained by my clients, I include Air to Air Exchange units as often as I can.  On average, I install them in 85% of the homes I build.  The clients I build homes for have these systems explained to them them several times during our many walk throughs, but as we all know our lives take over and we forget what we should be doing with them once we are in the home.  One of the first things I try to make clear is the air exchanger is actually the diamond shaped center core inside the box hanging from the ceiling.  The box around it has a fan that makes the center air exchanger an active system.  That center core is where the heat is extracted from the warm moist air leaving the home and where it blends with the cold air coming in. This is the reason for the 2 screen filters on the unit.  Once filter or screen is for the air coming in and one filter or screen is for the air going out.  Both air flows have dust in them and both need to be filtered so they don't dirty the center core or air exchanger.  By keeping the 2 screens around the center core or air exchanger clean, it will allow the system to do what we installed it for.  If these screens get dirty, the air cannot go through the air exchanger as easily and it also can potentially clog it.  To clean the screens, simply open the door on the unit and remove it.  Then slide the two screens off the center core and tap out the dust or soak them in hot soapy water if very dirty.  Make sure they are dry before installing them onto the center core or air exchanger and vacuum out any other dust you might see in the housing around the center core.  This should be done at least monthly or whenever you change your furnace filter.

Once a year, I recommend removing the center core and soaking that in hot soapy water as well.  Fall is a great time to do this just prior to turning the system on for the winter months.  I described the running schedule in an earlier blog.  Again, make sure this core is dry before putting it back into the housing.  At this same time, I recommend cleaning the intake screen at the exterior of the home.  The air exchanger will run in the summer months and will be bringing on dusts when running the bathroom controls to remove moisture.  This is the reason fall is a good time to clean the filter to make sure the air coming into the homes air exchange unit is cleaned before it even gets to the unit.

One of the most important things to keep in mind with these systems is that they work best when kept clean.  It is impossible for you to expect a dust free home if the appliance in your home responsible for bringing in the fresh air is clogged.  A little bit of maintenance goes a long ways with these types of systems.  They are designed for making a home more efficient, but one of the most beneficial things they do is cut down on air born allergens.  If you keep it clean, your home will be healthier and greener!!!