Month: April 2017

Furnace filter is one of the most important and easiest item to maintain or improve your indoor air quality. Replacing the filter regularly is also important for the furnace blower. A standard furnace filter replacement frequency is 3-4 months. This is one maintenance aspect you DO NOT WANT TO MISS for the sake of your family’s health because the air you breath is filtered through it.

Every household will have different internal and external factors and needs. The filters start at a couple of bucks for the most basic one and go in the range of 50-60 $ or more depending upon the filter quality and rating.

Here is a quick chart explaining the filter need and price range. There are 3 general ratings criteria – MERV, MPR and FPR. Higher the rating (number), more expensive and better filtering capacity it will have.

MERV: Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value

MPR: Microparticle Performance Rating (used by 3M/Filterate)

FPR: Filter Performance Rating (used by Home Depot)

Interestingly enough, a high value (HEPA) filter is not recommended for furnaces because it may put a heavy burden on the furnace blower. Please make sure that the size of the filter you are buying matches with the size your furnace requires.

Some examples of different rated filters are: Filtrete MPR 300; Nordic MERV 8; Filtrete MPR 1000; Nordic MERV 12; Filtrete MPR 1500

Here is easy to understand comparison between different ratings and what it means for you.

Please be sure to let me know if this information is helpful to make an informed decision next time you are in the market.

Just wanted to bring to your attention to a safety recall for “SMOKE AND CARBON MONOXIDE” alarms. The alarm installed in your house may be affected and eligible for a replacement.
Please check out:
Step 1. CHECK THE BRAND OF THE ALARM. IF IT IS “KIDDE”; THEN PROCEED TO STEP 2

Step 2. CHECK IF IT IS HARD WIRED OR BATTERY OPERATED ONLY. THE ONE SHOWN IN THE PICTURE ABOVE IS HARDWIRED AND THE ONE AFFECTED BY THE RECALL. ONE WAY TO CHECK IS TO TWIST IT OPEN FROM ITS BASE AND CHECK IF THERE ARE WIRES CONNECTED TO IT. IF IT IS HARD WIRED, THEN PROCEED TO STEP 3.

Step 3. CHECK MODEL NUMBER ON THE BACK OF THE ALARM. YOUR ALARM MAY BE AFFECTED IF THE MODEL NUMBER IS: KN-COSM-IBCA or KN-COSM-ICA, PROCEED TO STEP 4. THE PICTURE BELOW SHOWS WHERE TO FIND THE MODEL NUMBER.

Step 4. CHECK MANUFACTURE DATE. IT CAN BE FOUND AS SHOWN IN THE PICTURE ABOVE.

Step 5. IF THE MANUFACTURING DATE IS BETWEEN JUNE 2004 AND MARCH 2011, THEN YOUR ALARM IS AFFECTED BY THIS SAFETY RECALL.

Step 6. YOU NEED TO CHECK ALL ALARMS INSTALLED IN YOUR HOUSE FOR THE ABOVE INFORMATION.

Step 7. CALL KIDDE CUSTOMER CENTRE AT 855.239.0490 AND FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED BY KIDDE REPRESENTATIVE

Here is the web link to the product alert: https://inmarmarketaction.com/kidde217/

ABOUT ALARMS: The price for new alarm ranges from low 20$ to over 100$ depending on your requirements. The alarm comes primarily as a combination or single purpose as well as either battery operated or hard-wired (with or without battery backup). Here are some examples:

Kidde KN-COSM-IB – Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm – Detects Flaming Fires and/or CO Hazard – Voice Message Warning – 120V Wire-in with Battery Backup – Interconnectable

Nest Protect smoke & carbon monoxide alarm, Battery (2nd gen)

First Alert SCO5CN Battery Operated Combination Carbon Monoxide/Smoke Alarm