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Med City Builders Blog

Attention Air Exchangers!!!!

  • By Jenni Jordan
  • 15 Mar, 2011
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!!!
By Jenni Jordan September 9, 2020
This seems like a common thing to say with the current state of the world and this COVID pandemic, but many don’t take the time to figure out why this might be the wrong thing to say.  For many of us, our home has been and always will be our single best investment.  The key to any good investment is time and many who see the wild swings in the stock market soon forget.  I often have clients ask me when the right time to buy or build a new home and I have kept my answer the same for the past 20 years.  It is “Yesterday" but you can’t go back in time obviously.  Each year we begin with price increases in labor, materials, and typically land.  We often think that this seems too high for our customers but by the following season our customers call and say how thankful they are that they built when they did.  This year will be no different for anyone who took that leap of faith and next year will be the same.  Our home has been the only place we are able to take our masks off, the only place many of us have been able to work, and the only place our kids have been able to learn over the past year.  That being said, we should look at our home as the place we should invest the most in and if and when the time is right for our family we should make the move to do what is right at the time.  Recently we have seen an uptick on the lumber costs across the nation and that has caused many to hit the pause button and think that if we wait until next year we might be better off.  Historically we have seen an average of 2-3% in new home increases from fall to the next spring and this is the overall effect that we are seeing with the higher costs in the materials today.  If the lumber prices go back down next year, you are only going to be paying the same amount for your new home and likely more with the normal set of increases we see yearly.  Interest rates are another factor.  We currently have historically low rates and next spring that home you can build now will be unattainable with a small shift in that rate.  The bottom line is this.  Never be afraid of taking the leap if your time is right.  Your home has been and always will be one of your best investments you can make for yourself and your family.  Yesterday is almost here so now is the time to get moving!
By Jenni Jordan October 24, 2017
Winter is almost here and there is no better time to talk about our homes ventilation systems. The cold is fast approaching and I thought I’d touch on two vital air movement systems in our homes to prepare for it. … Continued
By Jenni Jordan February 3, 2016
Spring Outdoor Tasks: Clean gutters & downspouts Inspect roof/chimney for cracks and damage Touch up peeling or damaged paint Wash all windows, inside & out Service your lawn mower Fertilize your lawn Install downspout extentions   Indoor Tasks: Test smoke … Continued
By Jenni Jordan January 18, 2016
When I meet with my customers on the final walk through, I spend time discussing the major mechanical systems in the home. The last topic was on the Air to Air Exchanger and today I will focus on the homes … Continued
By Jenni Jordan January 7, 2016
Today I’m going to run down my typical walk through discussion with my customers regarding their air to air exchangers. I normally start off by making sure people don’t overthink what the system is designed to do. Anyone who has … Continued
By Jenni Jordan April 3, 2015
Sounds pretty mundane, but in the MN building industry it is a pretty hot topic. As code continues to be understood by us all, the best and most cost effective ways to build a home always seems to filter to … Continued
By Jenni Jordan March 12, 2015
Might seem like a strange title, but this is a reality for the next few months in our market. Many of you are aware that we saw a major influx of building permits pulled trying to beat the new building … Continued
By Jenni Jordan October 27, 2014
Have you ever considered building?  If so, you probably have wondered where to start.  We have clients come to us at all different stages…some know exactly what plan they want and the flooring they want in it, and some don’t … Continued
By Jenni Jordan July 18, 2013
You are selecting a quality builder with Med City Builders.    Andy is great from the first detail down to the follow up after the build. He explains everything thoroughly and does not cut corners in the build.    His … Continued
By Jenni Jordan June 13, 2013
I just had a moment to catch up from the wild spring and start to the summer and was thinking about the new issues we are up against as builders and building customers.  The lots in Rochester are becoming very … Continued
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