FAQ

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), your exposure to air pollutants can be up to 100 times higher indoors than outdoors. The American Lung Association estimates that most people spend 90% of their time indoors, so clean indoor air is very important.

Dry air in your home can make your throat feel dry and cause or aggravate respiratory ailments. The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) recommends that you maintain a household humidity level between 30 and 60 percent.

During extremely cold weather, your home loses humidity to the outdoors and the level may drop to as low as 10 percent. A humidifier adds moisture to your indoor air and can help relieve ailments related to dry respiratory membranes.

Health Concerns

One of the major causes of respiratory infections is inadequate humidity during cold weather. The start of the heating season each fall causes many people to begin having repeated attacks of winter colds. Winter weather is blamed for these problems, but the actual cause may be dryness, which develops in the membranes of the nose, throat, and bronchial tubes. Relative humidity also has a significant effect on controlling the occurrence of airborne infections.

Other Concerns

Dry air can cause more than health problems. Static electricity is a direct result of very dry air. And houseplants can suffer from “winter drought” caused by low humidity levels. A humidifier can help keep the indoor air comfortably moist, despite conditions of the low outdoor humidity.

AirFlex technology allows your Lennox Dealer to adjust the SLP98V’s gas furnace heating, cooling, and fan-on mode blower settings to accommodate your lifestyle, home design, and geographic location. For example, your dealer can choose a setting that increases airflow during fan-on operation to compensate for cathedral ceilings or long duct runs. If you live in a humid climate, your dealer may choose a slower fan-on setting that helps minimize off-cycle re-humidification.

Until recently, noisy furnaces were accepted as the norm. High noise levels were associated with heating your home. But today’s technology allows you to choose a furnace that is not only highly efficient but also exceptionally quiet.

Sound is measured in decibels (dB). A decibel describes the relative loudness of a sound.

Although no financial savings are tied to it, a sound rating of a heating system can directly affect your comfort. Your ears tell you what is too noisy and what seems quiet.

Most heating systems manufactured today are quieter than those produced in past years. But there is still a great difference in the sound levels of products on the market today.

At Lennox, we don’t believe that you can ever be too comfortable in your own home. If you cherish the idea of a quiet day or evening at home, you’ll appreciate the calm composure of Dave Lennox Signature® Collection furnaces, designed with exclusive SilentComfort™ Technology.

For example, the Lennox SLP98V Variable-Capacity Gas Furnace is at least 50 percent quieter than competitor’s furnaces, making the SLP98V gas furnace the quietest furnace you can buy1.

SilentComfort™ is achieved by utilizing variable-speed technology. In other words, this furnace has a high and low speed. Since the low-speed setting is adequate to meet household-heating demands approximately 80 percent of the time, the furnace is much quieter than a conventional single-stage furnace.

In addition, the variable-speed motor ramps up gradually, eliminating the sudden “kick” or blast of air upon startup.

Unlike other furnaces, the gas burners are contained within a patent-pending sound enclosure. Special sound-absorbing insulation has been added to the cabinet to further reduce the operation noise.

With the new Dave Lennox Signature® Collection furnaces, designed with exclusive SilentComfort™ technology, the sound is no longer a barrier to home comfort.

Your local Lennox Dealer can show you additional benefits of owning the quietest furnace you can buy.

Furnace technology has advanced significantly in recent years, raising concerns over chimney use. As a result of changing technology, many existing masonry chimneys aren’t able to meet the specific demands of new furnaces.

There are several reasons for this furnace-chimney incompatibility. First, the size of the chimney can be an issue. Modern, higher-efficiency furnaces transfer more heat into your home and less heat up the chimney than older, less-efficient units. While this means more efficiency for your energy dollar, it also means that the existing chimney might be too large for the new furnace. The result could be improper ventilation of flue products, which can cause condensation problems inside the chimney.

Other considerations include chimney height and location, proper lining, and condition of the chimney. Building codes must also be kept in mind to ensure proper draft in the chimney for adequate ventilation.

For the best advice on how to configure your new furnace, contact your local Lennox® Dealer.

You can purchase replacement filters from your Lennox Dealer. Some filters are not recommended by Lennox for use with Lennox heating and cooling equipment because they may be too restrictive and cause system malfunctions. Your Lennox Dealer can help you choose the best filter for your HVAC system and needs.

Household appliances such as your furnace, water heater, stove, space heaters, charcoal grill, and gas dryer can be sources of carbon monoxide, especially if they are not in good working condition or have been installed improperly. Vehicle exhaust fumes from attached garages, as well as improperly operating fireplaces, also can become carbon monoxide hazards, particularly if your home is well-sealed for energy efficiency.

You can find the model and serial numbers (M/N and S/N) for your furnace by removing the top-front service panel and looking to the left side of the interior cabinet or the top of the blower deck, depending on whether your system is an 80% or 90% AFUE unit. Also, the orientation (horizontal or vertical) and flow direction (down or up) of your furnace may impact the location of the information. To view a diagram, click here.

The model and serial numbers for your cooling system can be found on the nameplate or sticker, located near the service panel. The nomenclature sticker should have a white background with black letters. Click here for an example.

Yes. The SLP98V gas furnace’s variable speed motor slowly – and quietly – ramps up to speed, with no sudden rush of air. It ramps down slowly, too, and either cycles off or continues running in a slow, quiet fan-on mode.

The PureAir system reduces concentrations of pollutants through a process called photocatalytic oxidation (PCO). Similar to the process used by the Department of Defense to combat germ warfare, PCO combines nature’s three most powerful air purifiers:

• Ultraviolet light
• Titanium dioxide, a nontoxic substance found in the earth’s crust
• Hydroxyl radicals, particles derived from hydrogen peroxide

The PureAir PCO process involves three steps:

• The pleated media filter captures particles and bioaerosols like pollen and pet dander, removing them from the airstream.
• As the odor- and chemical-filled airstream flows over the UVA light, the airstream is exposed to the catalytic surface (titanium dioxide-coated mesh filter).
• The light energy activates the catalyst, which generates hydroxyl radicals. These particles, which are more than twice as powerful as chlorine, break down the odors and chemicals into carbon dioxide and water.

There are five basic strategies for outsmarting indoor air pollution:

Identify the problem

The first step toward better indoor air is to identify the types of pollutants present in the home. The best way to do this is to schedule an in-home air-quality test with your local Lennox Dealer.

Reduce concentrations of particles and bioaerosols

Routine cleaning and housekeeping help reduce indoor air pollutants, but these simple fixes are not cure-alls. Some contaminants are so small that they may escape through the vacuum or never land on a surface. Lennox HEPA filtration systems, electronic air cleaners, high-efficiency air filters capture even the smallest of particles and bioaerosols.

Reduce or eliminate chemical vapors and odors

Chemical vapors and odors can come from many different sources inside and outside the home. Once inside the home, these potentially toxic pollutants circulate through the ductwork, entering every room, and living space. A Lennox air purification system removes and destroys 50% of household chemical vapors and odors within 24 hours.

Ventilate Your Home

Today’s modern homes are well-insulated and sealed to conserve energy, which means airborne pollutants have no way to escape. Lennox® ventilation systems help remove particles and bioaerosols by exchanging stale, recirculated indoor air with fresh, filtered outside air.

Control Temperature and Humidity

Improper humidity levels and high temperatures can actually increase concentrations of particles and bioaerosols. Lennox ComfortSense® 7000 Series Touchscreen Thermostats regulate moisture levels and temperatures to improve indoor air quality and enhance comfort.

To determine which indoor air quality system best meets your needs, contact your local Lennox Dealer.

Every month, you should inspect or clean your air filter, or replace it if necessary, to keep your equipment running at peak efficiency.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), indoor air is two to five times more polluted than outside air. Given the fact that most people spend 90% of their time indoors, the EPA has ranked poor indoor air quality as one of the top five environmental risks.

Pollutants in your home’s air can cause poor indoor air quality, which may cause dizziness and headaches, plus aggravate allergies and asthma.

Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to address potential IAQ problems:<

Eliminate

The first step toward better indoor air is to identify the sources of air pollutants and remove as many as possible from your home. You can decrease the amount of dust and dirt in your home by cleaning and vacuuming at least once a week. You should also regularly wash bed linens and stuffed toys. If someone in your family is sensitive to fumes, you should safely store household products and use them only when necessary.

Ventilate

Today’s modern homes are well-insulated and sealed to conserve energy, which means airborne pollutants have no way to escape. Lennox® ventilation systems help remove particles and bioaerosols by exchanging stale, recirculated indoor air with fresh, filtered outside air.

Clean

Although cleaning and ventilating helps reduce indoor air pollutants, these simple fixes are not cure-alls. Some contaminants are so small that they may escape through the vacuum or never land on a surface. Lennox electronic air cleaners and high-efficiency air filters capture even the smallest of particles and bioaerosols. Lennox germicidal lights kill them. And a Lennox air purification system goes a step further—it removes particles, bioaerosols, and odors, and it destroys chemical vapors.

Monitor

Improper humidity levels and high temperatures can actually increase concentrations of particles and bioaerosols. Lennox ComfortSense™ 7000 Series Touchscreen Thermostats regulate moisture levels and temperatures to improve indoor air quality and enhance comfort.

To determine which indoor air quality system best meets your needs, contact your local Lennox dealer.

Installing a humidifier is simple if you are replacing your furnace. But you can also have a humidifier fitted to your current system with minimal labor since it is designed for installation in your ductwork. It is also important to properly maintain your humidifier to avoid potential bacterial growth. Periodic cleaning and draining of the reservoir are strongly recommended.

For details on the complete line of Healthy Climate® humidifiers, contact your local Lennox Dealer.

If you are like most people, you try to cope with high humidity by lowering your thermostat while your air conditioner is running. But this can increase your utility bills and make your home feel too cold, rather than comfortable. Patented Humiditrol® technology delivers a level of comfort beyond what is provided by traditional cooling systems. It removes moisture from sticky indoor air, making you feel more comfortable without having to turn down your thermostat and overcool your home.

Whole-home dehumidifiers have larger capacities for moisture removal with no buckets of water to empty. They have been designed to easily integrate into your central heating and cooling system, so they are quiet and do not take up valuable living space.

Lack of humidity in a home can be the cause of numerous respiratory ailments. Improper moisture levels can cause dryness in the membranes of the nose, throat, and bronchial tubes. Respiratory infections, repeated attacks of winter colds, and airborne infections can also stem from inadequate humidity.

How a humidifier helps

Fortunately, there’s an easy way for your home environment healthy and comfortable. All you have to do is install a whole-house humidifier, which puts moisture into the air, making harsh, dry air easier to breathe. Water mist instead of hot steam is used, keeping the entire house at the desired humidity level.

A humidifier uses from 1.5 to 12 gallons of water per day—just enough to raise the humidity to the desired level, but not enough to make a difference on the water bill. And because a humidifier is installed in the ductwork, there is no need to carry one from room to room.

How to select a humidifier

There are many factors to take into consideration when selecting a humidifier, starting with size. A humidifier’s capacity, the amount of moisture it can dispense, should match a household’s needs. The capacity is measured in gallons per day of operation.

In terms of cost, consider the purchase price of the unit, as well as operating and maintenance costs. Some models consume more energy than others, so choosing a model that is right for your home and budget is extremely important.

Also, regular maintenance is necessary to keep your humidifier in top working condition. Installing a humidifier is simple when also replacing a furnace. But a humidifier can also be fitted to a current system with minimal labor since it is installed in the ductwork.

The PureAir air purification system is unique in that it is the only indoor air quality system that removes all types of pollutants:

Particles—Pollen, dust mites, dirt, pet dander

Particles are any substances measuring less than 100 microns in diameter. The Environmental Protection Agency has found that small particles (less than 2.5 microns) are responsible for the health effects of greatest concern.

Bioaerosols—Bacteria, viruses, mold spores, fungi

Bioaerosols are microscopic organisms that grow and multiply in warm, humid places. Exposure to these organisms can occur in even the most well-maintained living environments.

Odors/Chemicals—Pet odors, cooking fumes, tobacco smoke, perfumes, chlorine, cleaning supplies, paints, solvents

Odors and chemicals are air contaminants in the form of gases. Classes and concentrations of chemicals found in a home are largely determined by air circulation, product usage and types of furnishings.

You wouldn’t buy a brand-new car and expect to never have to put air in the tires, change the oil and check out any unusual noises, would you? In the same way that an automobile requires periodic maintenance for optimal performance, a home comfort system should be regularly inspected by a qualified technician.

Heating and cooling your home can represent as much as 44% of your utility bill.* With high efficiency ratings and innovative, industry-leading technology, Lennox® home comfort systems can go a long way toward reducing these costs.

When selecting a new system, pay close attention to the SEER rating of the air conditioner and AFUE of the furnace. The higher the SEER or AFUE, the higher the savings.

Beyond efficiency ratings, other factors to consider are:

Maintenance

You can ensure your system operates at peak performance by scheduling annual maintenance checks.

Zoning

A zoning system can drastically lower your heating and cooling costs. With zoning, you no longer have to pay to heat or cool areas of your home that are rarely used.

Programmable Thermostats

According to the Department of Energy, a programmable thermostat can reduce your heating costs by up to 35% and cooling costs by up to 25%.

For more energy-saving solutions, contact your local Lennox Dealer.

*According to the Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network

There are a few factors you should take into consideration when purchasing a humidifier for your home:

Size

A humidifier’s capacity, or the amount of moisture it can dispense in a given time, should match your particular household’s needs. The capacity is measured as gallons per day of operation. One method that is used to determine the correct-size humidifier for your home is multiplying the total floor area in square feet by the ceiling height.

Cost

Consider not only the purchase price of the unit. but also the operating and maintenance costs. Some models consume more energy than others, so choosing a model that is right for your home and budget is extremely important.

Regular maintenance is necessary to keep your humidifier in top working condition.

For more information on humidifier selection and installation, contact your local Lennox dealer.

The amount of sound generated by a heating or cooling system can have a significant impact on comfort. Inside the home, a low sound level means no sudden blast of air at startup and smooth, vibration-free operation. Outside the home, low sound levels help you keep the peace with your neighbors. This is particularly important, given that many communities have noise ordinances.

Choosing the right thermostat to control operation of your cooling system depends a lot on the equipment you have. Lennox offers a complete line of thermostats, both programmable and non-programmable models, each designed to maximize the performance of your heating system. Your Lennox Dealer will help you choose the thermostat best suited to your needs.

The icomfort Touch® is our most user-friendly programmable thermostat yet. It acts as the “brain” of the icomfort by Lennox™ system, sensing the environment and optimizing Dave Lennox Signature® Collection flagship products to deliver the highest level of comfort, energy efficiency and overall performance.

Lennox ComfortSense® 7000 Series thermostat is designed with intuitive touchscreen operation and flexible programming options to enhance the performance and efficiency of your heating and cooling systems. ComfortSense 7000 Series thermostats can also be used with a dual-fuel system.

The ComfortSense® 5000 Series touchscreen thermostat is another of our programmable models, and is compatible with almost any heating system. This thermostat is unique in that it mounts directly to a wall, but can be easily removed for remote programming.

ComfortSense® 3000 Series thermostats are available in programmable models that allow you to customize temperature settings for weekdays and weekends, with a value-priced, non-programmable model also available for use in basic applications.

Yes. Increased system efficiency is possible when you pair the SLP98V gas furnace with an electric heat pump. This dual-fuel combination helps control heating costs by seamlessly alternating between the two energy sources, depending on outdoor conditions and prevailing energy costs. The SLP98V gas furnace’s energy-efficient blower motor helps control cooling costs, too.

The Dave Lennox Signature® Collection PureAir™ air purification system cleans the air better than any other single system you can buy. It is the only indoor air quality product that removes all three sources of contaminants (particles, bioaerosols and odors). And it is the only product that combines air filtration and purification capabilities into one integrated system.

At one time, it was possible to achieve natural ventilation in our homes by merely opening a window. However, with the concern for energy efficiency in recent years, we have been busy making homes “tighter” from an energy standpoint. Armed with weather stripping and caulk guns, we have eliminated air leaks from our homes. Unfortunately, that means contaminants have no way to escape.

Pollutants in your home’s air can cause poor indoor air quality, which in turn may cause dizziness and headaches, plus aggravate allergies and asthma. That’s why Lennox offers ventilation systems that help remove contaminants by exchanging stale, recirculated indoor air with fresh, filtered outside air.

An air conditioner seems as if it cools your home’s air, but it actually makes your home less warm by removing heat from the indoor air and transferring that heat to the outdoor air.

Heat is extracted from the home by passing indoor air across a refrigerant coil in the indoor unit. Refrigerant lines then carry the heat to the outdoor unit, where it is released into the outside air. The cooling cycle continues until the indoor temperature reaches the thermostat setting.

Choosing the right thermostat to control the operation of your heating system depends a lot on the equipment you have. Lennox offers a complete line of thermostats, both programmable and non-programmable models, each designed to maximize the performance of your heating system. Your Lennox Dealer will help you choose the thermostat best suited to your needs.

The icomfort Touch® is our most user-friendly programmable thermostat yet. It acts as the “brain” of the icomfort by Lennox™ system, sensing the environment and optimizing Dave Lennox Signature® Collection flagship products to deliver the highest level of comfort, energy efficiency and overall performance.

Lennox ComfortSense® 7000 Series thermostat is designed with intuitive touchscreen operation and flexible programming options to enhance the performance and efficiency of your heating and cooling systems. ComfortSense 7000 Series thermostats can also be used with a dual-fuel system.

The ComfortSense® 5000 Series touchscreen thermostat is another of our programmable models, and is compatible with almost any heating system. This thermostat is unique in that it mounts directly to a wall, but can be easily removed for remote programming.

ComfortSense® 3000 Series thermostats are available in programmable models that allow you to customize temperature settings for weekdays and weekends, with a value-priced, non-programmable model also available for use in basic applications.

There are several factors to consider when choosing a filtration system, starting with sensitivity to allergens. The more sensitive a person is to allergens, the greater the need for a high-efficiency filtration system.

Efficiency

The efficiency of the air filter should be a top consideration. Efficiency is based on the size of the particles captured by an air filter. The higher the efficiency, the more effective it will be. Look for the filter’s MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) number, a new industry standard for rating filters based on their performance. Residential filters typically have a MERV range of one to 12. Higher ratings indicate more efficient filters.

Higher filter efficiency not only helps clear the air, but it also improves airflow. Generally, the more efficient a filter is, the less airflow reduction there will be.

Cost

Cost is another major factor—both in terms of the initial purchase price and expense of maintenance and upgrades. Purchasing a filter of reasonably high quality can save you money over the long term. Inexpensive filters may not provide the level of filtration you need and may also require frequent filter replacement.

Solutions

Among the many filtration systems available are pleated filters, which are constructed of fiberglass or synthetic fibers woven into a more dense material. The pleats are arranged in V-shaped forms to increase the area of the filter material without increasing the face area. This increases the particle-holding capability.

Germicidal lights use intense ultraviolet light to sterilize surfaces. Each solution removes particles, bioaerosols and chemicals, depending on the size of the allergen.

Electronic air cleaners (EACs) are highly efficient and clean the air by taking recirculated air and passing it through a prefilter that traps the large pollutants. Then, ionizing wires give a positive electrical charge to the remaining particles. A negatively charged collecting section collects the particles. High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters are also very effective at small-particle removal.

Activated carbon and microbiocide-treated filters can also purify your home’s air. Both the carbon and the microbiocide-treated filters remove odor and kill bacteria, but the carbon filters are more effective at removing odor, and the microbiocide-treated filters trap bacteria as the air is pulled through, which inhibits growth of biological contaminants.

To find out which indoor air quality products are right for you, contact your local Lennox dealer.

If you’re wondering whether you need to clear the air in your home, you might ask yourself these questions:

When was your home built? If your home is new, chances are it was built “tighter” to be more energy efficient. This may mean concentrations of air pollutants in your home could be a concern.

Have you upgraded your home to be more energy efficient? If so, it may need an additional source of ventilation.

How often throughout the course of a year can you comfortably open your windows? Due to cold winters and hot summers, it is not always possible to have your windows open year-round. This means that you may not always have a constant controlled source of ventilation.

Do odors tend to linger in your home? If this is the case, it is a sign of poor ventilation. There isn’t enough air being circulated throughout the home to dilute unwanted odors.

Your home comfort should include products and accessories that improve indoor air quality. Your family’s health and comfort should be priorities, and working together, we can help you provide your family with a breath of fresh air.

Contact your local Lennox Dealer about updating your home comfort system. The benefits you’ll feel and see will be worth it.

A zoning system is designed for the many ways you use your home. Maybe you’re caught up in family “thermostat wars?” Or perhaps you have unoccupied areas that do not need conditioning? A Lennox® zoning system allows you to divide your home into separate areas, giving you the comfort and control you’ve always wanted.

The main benefits of residential zoning are:

Comfort

Zoning meets the specific temperature and airflow requirements of one area, without affecting other areas.

Efficiency

A properly designed zoning system can save you hundreds of dollars in energy costs each year.

Control

Zoning divides the home into different areas and comfort into different levels, giving you more choices and control than ever before.

Quiet Performance

When integrated with variable speed and/or two-stage HVAC systems, zoning allows your heating and cooling equipment to deliver peak performance and efficiency without continually operating at peak capacity. Lower speeds mean lower sound levels.

Furnaces are rated by the Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) ratio, which is the percent of heat produced for every dollar of fuel consumed.

Like the miles-per-gallon rating on your automobile, the higher the AFUE rating, the lower your fuel costs. All furnaces manufactured today must meet at least 78% AFUE. If your furnace is 10 – 15 years old, it very well may fall below the current furnace minimum and waste energy.

This doesn’t mean that you should only select a furnace based on its AFUE rating. The efficiency rating is just one factor to consider when looking for a new furnace.

Furnaces use electricity to run fans and motors. The amount of electricity used varies greatly depending on the type of furnace. Be sure to check electricity usage prior to making a purchase decision.

Carbon monoxide can be an invisible threat to your family’s health and safety. Though more commonly associated with fires and automobile emissions, carbon monoxide poisoning can accumulate in any home unless certain precautions are taken.

Home heating systems represent only 5% of potential carbon monoxide sources. Though the amount of carbon monoxide produced is not substantial, it is important to schedule annual maintenance visits by a qualified technician to make sure all combustion appliances are operating properly and all chimneys and vents are free from obstruction.

For more information on carbon monoxide detection, contact your local Lennox dealer.

To ensure your Lennox® product performs safely and reliably over its lifetime, we recommend that you contact your local Lennox dealer for any service needs you may have.

Lennox provides factory-direct technical support to Lennox dealers across the country. Should your dealer encounter an unusual situation that requires specialized expertise, he may contact us directly for assistance. If you’re in need of a replacement part, your Lennox dealer can supply and install the component.

Furnace technology has advanced significantly in recent years. Modern furnaces are designed to provide more even and efficient heating than past furnaces, which can impact both how your system operates and what you notice about your system.

To better regulate temperatures and airflow, modern furnaces move more air over the heat exchanger than older furnaces. The air that comes out of your furnace registers may not seem as warm as the air from your old furnace, but overall airflow is improved. Better airflow means higher comfort.

Also, new furnaces are designed to integrate with high-efficiency air conditioners, so furnace blowers are more powerful to accommodate add-on cooling. Since cold air is much heavier than warm air, your system needs an extra boost from the blower to deliver cool air throughout your home. If you have an older home, this performance boost could produce unfamiliar sounds because air duct systems were originally designed for heating only. To minimize sound levels, choose a variable speed product that automatically changes speeds to meet the airflow needs of both heating and cooling cycles.

Most heating and cooling systems manufactured today are quieter than those produced in past years. But there is still significant variance in sound rating ratings among these products.

Lennox designs each air conditioner and heat pump to be as quiet as possible. Through extensive testing, Lennox has come up with many features that, either alone or in combination, make our air conditioners and heat pumps some of the quietest available.

Insulated compressor compartments, discharge mufflers, and patented fan designs work to soften the sound of a hard-working, high-efficiency compressor. Top-panel orifices, compressor wrappers, and indoor blowers are all designed to further promote smooth, quiet airflow.

Poor indoor air quality (IAQ) can be the cause of numerous health problems. Medical groups report that as many as half of all illnesses are caused or aggravated by indoor air pollution. Pollutants in your home’s air can cause dizziness, headaches, and nausea, plus aggravate allergies and asthma.

Clean indoor air benefits everyone, even people who have never suffered from allergies. By removing airborne dust particles from the air, the amount of exposure the respiratory system has to them is greatly reduced.

Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to address potential IAQ problems:

Eliminate

The first step toward better indoor air is to identify the sources of air pollutants and remove as many as possible from your home. You can decrease the amount of dust and dirt in your home by cleaning and vacuuming at least once a week. You should also regularly wash bed linens and stuffed toys. If someone in your family is sensitive to fumes, you should safely store household products and use them only when necessary.

Ventilate

Today’s modern homes are well-insulated and sealed to conserve energy, which means airborne pollutants have no way to escape. Lennox® ventilation systems help remove particles and bioaerosols by exchanging stale, recirculated indoor air with fresh, filtered outside air.

Clean

Although cleaning and ventilating helps reduce indoor air pollutants, these simple fixes are not cure-alls. Some contaminants are so small that they may escape through the vacuum or never land on a surface. Lennox electronic air cleaners and high-efficiency air filters capture even the smallest of particles and bioaerosols. Lennox germicidal lights kill them. And a Lennox air purification system goes a step further, it removes particles, bioaerosols and odors, and it destroys chemical vapors.

Monitor

Improper humidity levels and high temperatures can actually increase concentrations of particles and bioaerosols. Lennox ComfortSense™ 7000 Series Touchscreen Thermostats regulate moisture levels and temperatures to improve indoor air quality and enhance comfort.

To determine which indoor air quality system best meets your needs, contact your local Lennox dealer.

Covering the unit is not necessary, especially if you have a heat pump that runs all year long. In fact, covering an entire unit may actually trap moisture. If you’re concerned about leaves and debris getting inside the housing, short covers are available as an optional accessory and may be purchased through your local Lennox dealer.

For additional maintenance suggestions, visit our Tips from Dave section.

Whether you live in a warm or cold region, you are probably feeling the pinch of high utility bills. An ENERGY STAR® qualified comfort system can help you cut energy costs and save hundreds of dollars every year.

A good sign

ENERGY STAR is a U.S. government-sponsored program that helps businesses and homeowners save energy and protect the environment by giving them the information they need to make smart choices about efficiency. A key component of this program is the ENERGY STAR label, which recognizes excellence in energy-efficient performance.

Brilliant savings

One of the strongest reasons for choosing an ENERGY STAR-labeled product over a conventional model is that it can deliver significant savings. An ENERGY STAR furnace can reduce your heating costs by as much as 40%. And an ENERGY STAR air conditioner can save you up to 50% on your cooling bills. Proper sizing and installation of equipment is critical to achieving optimal performance. Split system air conditioners and heat pumps must be matched with appropriate coil components to meet ENERGY Star® criteria. Ask your Lennox Dealer for details or visit www.energystar.gov.

Extra credit

If you install a new ENERGY STAR heating or cooling system, you may qualify for a federal tax credit of up to $500. You may also be eligible for utility rebates in your area.

Cleaner global environment

By creating a more efficient home environment, you are contributing to a cleaner global environment. According to the EPA, if just one in ten households installed ENERGY STAR heating and cooling products, the change would keep more than 17 billion pounds of pollution out of the air.

More comfortable home environment

Advanced technologies that improve energy efficiency also enhance your comfort, so you can enjoy more even temperatures, better humidity control and a constant flow of warm air. Lennox® high-efficiency home comfort systems are designed with the finest features available, so you get the best of all worlds.

For an efficient home comfort solution customized to fit your needs, contact your local Lennox Dealer.

There are several everyday steps you can take to reduce the pollutants circulating in your home, including:

• Store household cleaners, paint solvents, and chemical products in tightly sealed containers. If possible, keep them outdoors.
• Clean and vacuum at least once a week.
• Regularly wash bed linens and stuffed toys.
• Keep windows closed when pollen, pollution, and humidity levels are high.
• Ask you, local Healthy Climate dealer, to test the air in your home for dust, pollen, chemicals and other pollutants (data is evaluated by an independent testing agency).
• Make sure your home is properly ventilated. (Modern homes are well-insulated and sealed to conserve energy, which means airborne pollutants have no way to escape).
• Keep humidity levels within a healthy, comfortable range to prevent the growth of mold and mildew (25% – 55%).
• Avoid using scented deodorizers and odor-masking air fresheners, which may cause toxic chemicals.
• Have your HVAC system regularly inspected to make sure it is clean and in good operating condition.
• Choose furnishings that emit the smallest possible amount of chemical vapors.
• Do not allow smoking inside your home and make sure all gas appliances are properly vented.

You may have tried to get rid of odors in your home by spraying air fresheners or lighting candles. The problem with these methods is that they only mask the odors—they don’t get rid of them. In fact, they may even cause further contamination of the home due to chemical ingredients.

Improve ventilation

What causes lingering odors? Sometimes, poor ventilation in a home causes unpleasant odors. Moisture condensation on walls or windows and stuffy air are signs of poor ventilation. A qualified service technician can inspect your home comfort system to determine if this is indeed the problem, and the technician can also inform you whether or not your equipment is working properly.

Purify the air

Bacteria, dust mites, animal dander, cat saliva, and mold may also be roots of your home’s odor problem. You can reduce these odor-causing contaminants with a germicidal (UV) light, which inhibits the growth of biological contaminants, sterilizing surfaces in the HVAC system. Germicidal lights are designed to work with your home comfort system.

Activated carbon and microbiocide-treated filters can also purify your home’s air. Both the carbon and the microbiocide-treated filters remove odor and kill bacteria. The carbon filters are more effective at removing odor, and the microbiocide-treated filters trap bacteria as the air is pulled through, which inhibits biological contaminants from growing.

Electronic air cleaners clean the air by taking recirculated air and passing it through a prefilter that traps large pollutants. Then, ionizing wires give a positive electrical charge to the remaining particles. The particles are collected by a negatively charged collecting section. Pollutants pass through an optional carbon filter that absorbs unwanted odors.

To find out which indoor air quality products are right for you, contact your local Lennox Dealer.

Two-stage heating means the furnace has two levels of heat output: high for cold winter days and low for milder days. Since the low setting is adequate to meet household-cooling demands 80% of the time, a two-stage unit runs for longer periods and provides more even heat distribution.

The longer, low-capacity operation has many advantages:

Consistent comfort

Two-stage heating eliminates the temperature swings associated with standard furnaces, regulating temperature to within as little as one degree of the thermostat setting.

Quiet operation

Two-stage furnaces start in the first stage, when the amount of heat required is lower, instead of reaching full capacity all at once. That means there’s no sudden “kick” or blast of air.

Improved air filtration

The low-speed operation allows your filters to capture more contaminants (because air is constantly passing through them), so you can breathe easier.

Efficient performance

Because the furnace operates mostly in its lower-capacity first stage, it burns less fuel than a standard furnace that always runs at full capacity and shuts off when the heating demand has been met.

A heat recovery ventilator (HRV) uses virtually noise-free fans that draw in fresh, cool outdoor air while removing stale, heated indoor air. An energy recovery ventilation (ERV) performs the same function but utilizes a rotary energy recovery wheel. In both cases, the units transfer the temperature and moisture properties from one air stream to the other, without allowing the two airflow streams to mix. Both units offer easy access for change of filters and necessary maintenance, making them not only energy-efficient but also easy to use.

Unfortunately, the symptoms are easily overlooked because they are often flu-like. With mild exposure, most people experience headaches, fatigue, and nausea. Medium exposure can cause a severe throbbing headache, drowsiness, disorientation, confusion, and an accelerated heart rate. Extreme exposure can lead to unconsciousness, convulsions, cardiorespiratory failure, coma, and possibly death.

Two-stage cooling means the air conditioner or heat pump has a compressor with two levels of operation: high for hot summer days and low for milder days. Since the low setting is adequate to meet household-cooling demands 80% of the time, a two-stage unit runs for longer periods and produces more even temperatures.

Longer cooling cycles also translate to quieter, more efficient operation and enhanced humidity control. Compared to a single-stage unit, a two-stage air conditioner or heat pump can remove twice as much moisture from the air. This is important because when moisture levels are high, there’s a higher potential for mold and other pollutant problems.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), indoor air is two to five times more polluted than outside air. Given the fact that most people spend 90% of their time indoors, the EPA has ranked poor indoor air quality as one of the top five environmental risks.

Pollutants in your home’s air can cause poor indoor air quality, which may cause dizziness and headaches, plus aggravate allergies and asthma.

Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to address potential IAQ problems:

Eliminate

The first step toward better indoor air is to identify the sources of air pollutants and remove as many as possible from your home. You can decrease the amount of dust and dirt in your home by cleaning and vacuuming at least once a week. You should also regularly wash bed linens and stuffed toys. If someone in your family is sensitive to fumes, you should safely store household products and use them only when necessary.

Ventilate

Today’s modern homes are well-insulated and sealed to conserve energy, which means airborne pollutants have no way to escape. Lennox® ventilation systems help remove particles and bioaerosols by exchanging stale, recirculated indoor air with fresh, filtered outside air.

Clean

Although cleaning and ventilating helps reduce indoor air pollutants, these simple fixes are not cure-alls. Some contaminants are so small that they may escape through the vacuum or never land on a surface. Lennox electronic air cleaners and high-efficiency air filters capture even the smallest of particles and bioaerosols. Lennox germicidal lights kill them. And a Lennox air purification system goes a step further—it removes particles, bioaerosols, and odors, and it destroys chemical vapors.

Monitor

Improper humidity levels and high temperatures can actually increase concentrations of particles and bioaerosols. Lennox ComfortSense™ 7000 Series Touchscreen Thermostats regulate moisture levels and temperatures to improve indoor air quality and enhance comfort.

To determine which indoor air quality system best meets your needs, contact your local Lennox dealer.

Depending on the model you choose and the size of your home, a humidifier uses from 1.5 to 12 gallons per day when the furnace is operating. This minimal amount of water is enough to raise the humidity to your desired level, but not enough for you to notice a difference in your water bill.

Select Lennox cooling products are specifically designed to deal with harsh weather conditions and debris buildup. The outdoor units of the XP21 and XP17 heat pumps and the XC21 and XC17 air conditioners all include the exclusive SilentComfort™ fan motor, which senses the buildup of frost, ice or dirt on any part of the fan assembly. If such buildup occurs, the motor automatically compensates by operating at a higher starting torque and alternating the rotational direction of the fan to allow its specially designed composite fan blades to break up the debris. The fan motor then resumes normal operation, keeping the air conditioner or heat pump running at peak efficiency.

According to studies conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the air inside your home may up to five times more polluted than the air outside. For some people, this may mean no more than a runny nose or watery eyes. But, for others, particularly children, seniors, and those who suffer from respiratory ailments, the effects may be devastating and long-lasting.

Cleaning the air

Reducing the number of pollutants in the air is the most effective way to improve indoor air quality. Filtration products capture contaminants that can’t be removed through vacuuming and regular cleaning. Among the filtration solutions available are UV light units, air filters, energy recovery ventilators (ERVs), heat recovery ventilators (HRVs), and electronic air cleaners.

UV light units help decompose contaminants, such as bacteria, chemicals, dust mites, animal dander, cat saliva, and mold, through a process called photocatalytic oxidation. When the UV lights are installed in the ductwork of your central air and heat system, they can eliminate most of the organisms in the treated area.

Activated carbon and microbiocide-treated filters can also purify your home’s air. Both the carbon and the microbiocide-treated filters remove odor and kill bacteria, but the carbon filters are more effective at removing odor, and the microbiocide-treated filters trap bacteria as the air is pulled through, which inhibits the growth of biological contaminants.

The efficiency of the air filter is an important consideration. Efficiency is measured in terms of the particle size an air filter can capture. The higher the efficiency, the more effective it will be. Look for the filter’s MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) number, a new industry standard that rates filters based on their performance. Residential filters typically have a MERV range of one to eight.

Electronic air cleaners clean the air by taking recirculated air and passing it through a prefilter that traps the large pollutants. Then, ionizing wires give a positive electrical charge to the remaining particles. A negatively charged collecting section collects the particles. Pollutants pass through an optional carbon filter that absorbs unwanted odors.

Clearing the air

ERVs and HRVs bring fresh air into the home and exhaust stale air out. An HRV conserves energy from indoor conditioned air and transfers it outdoors. An ERV does the same thing, but it also maintains the desired humidity levels to keep the house comfortable.

To find out which indoor air quality products are right for you, contact your local Lennox Dealer.

With central heating, people are confined indoors with unnaturally dry air for many months each year. Humidifiers help to keep comfortable levels of moisture in the air, which is essential for your respiratory health.

Whole-house humidifiers work like old-fashioned room humidifiers: They put moisture into the air, making harsh, dry air easier to breathe. And whole-house humidifiers use water mists instead of hot steam, which keeps the entire house at the desired humidity level—no more carrying a humidifier from room to room in the winter.

A heat pump is an all-in-one heating and air conditioning system that works year-round to keep you comfortable.

During warmer months, a heat pump works as a normal air conditioner. It extracts heat from inside the home and transfers it to the outdoor air. In colder weather, however, the process reverses—the unit collects heat from the outdoor air and transferring it inside your home.

Even when the air outside feels extremely cold, the air still contains some heat. The heat pump pulls the heat from this cold outdoor air and sends it inside to warm your home. When there’s not enough heat in the outside air to meet the demand of the thermostat setting, an electric heater supplements the outdoor air to warm the home. Extremely efficient, this process produces two to three times more heat than the energy it uses.

Also, a heat pump can be an effective add-on option to use in conjunction with an existing gas furnace. With this dual-fuel option, the two systems share the heating load but never function at the same time. Each system operates when it is most cost-effective. The heat pump will be the primary heating and cooling system. However, when the temperature drops below the heat pump’s ability to operate as efficiently as the gas furnace, the gas furnace will take over until the temperature rises enough for the heat pump to operate more efficiently.

To learn if a dual-fuel system is right for your home, contact your local Lennox Dealer.

Precise Comfort™ technology is an operating and control system that allows a furnace to automatically adjust airflow and heat output in increments as small as 1% to match a home’s precise comfort requirements. It operates like your car’s cruise control, making small, seamless adjustments to meet varying demand, all while improving overall efficiency.

Allergies and asthma are two health problems that can be helped with clean indoor air. When airborne irritants are removed, allergy and asthma sufferers often find relief from their symptoms. Even healthy people who have never suffered from allergies can benefit from clean air. Dust, smoke, and other particles float around in the air, causing your drapes and furniture to gather dust. By removing airborne dust particles, you reduce the amount of exposure your respiratory system has to them.

“Variable speed” refers to the fan motor inside the air handler—the indoor part of an air conditioner that moves cooled or heated air throughout the ductwork of your home. An air handler is usually a furnace or a blower coil.

Unlike conventional single-speed motors, a variable speed motor runs at a wide range of speeds to precisely control of heated and cooled air throughout the home. Better airflow control has several benefits:

Electrical efficiency

Variable speed motors can actually save you money on your energy bills, as they consume less electricity than standard motors.

Cooling efficiency

Variable speed technology also means you will gain air conditioning efficiency or SEER.

Zoning

Variable speed motors are excellent for zoning, which allows you to customize your comfort in different areas of your home and control your energy bills.

Air quality

A variable-speed motor can also help clean the air in your home. When the fan is in constant operation (indicated by the “Fan” setting on your thermostat), the motor will continue to slowly circulate air, allowing filters to capture more contaminants.

Humidity control

A variable-speed motor combined with a ComfortSense® Thermostat allows you to control the amount of humidity in your home for improved indoor air quality and comfort.

The only reliable way to determine the size that best matches the needs of your home is to have your local Lennox Dealer perform a load calculation, which takes into account the square footage of your house, the insulation value of your windows, the amount of insulation in your walls and roof and many other factors.

There are several measures you can take to reduce your risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Because vehicles are a major cause of carbon monoxide poisoning, always back your car out of the garage to let it warm up. Never leave it running in the confined space of a garage, particularly if the garage is attached to the home. The same holds true for lawn mowers or snowmobiles. Never use ovens or grills for heating devices.

Home heating systems represent only 5% of potential carbon monoxide sources. Though the amount of carbon monoxide produced is not substantial, it is important to schedule annual maintenance visits by a qualified technician to make sure all combustion appliances are operating properly and all chimneys and vents are free from obstruction.

For more information on carbon monoxide detection and prevention, contact your local Lennox dealer.

The best method of detection is to use a carbon monoxide detector in your home. A carbon monoxide detector is a device very similar to a smoke alarm. It monitors the air for carbon monoxide and sounds an alarm if a specific level is detected. Ideally, you should have one detector adjacent to every living area in your home.

Carbon monoxide detectors are most effective when used in combination with preventive maintenance. For more information on how to schedule regular maintenance for your furnace or about purchasing a carbon monoxide detector, contact your local Lennox Dealer.

Your air filter is located in either the blower compartment of your furnace, in an attached filter case, or in a wall-mounted return air grille. If you cannot locate the air filter, call your local Lennox Dealer for assistance.

It is now possible to exchange stale indoor air with fresh outdoor air without compromising the energy efficiency of your home. Heat recovery ventilators (HRVs) and energy recovery ventilators (ERVs) exchanging stale, recirculated indoor air with fresh, filtered outside air, and no energy is wasted.

HRVs and ERVs are electronically powered units that circulate air throughout your home using the existing forced-air system or specially installed ducts. These units pump stale air out of your home and replace it with an equal volume of fresh outside air. An HRV is a compact unit that conditions the temperature of the outside air, while an ERV is a packaged unit that conditions both the temperature and humidity of the outside air. Because these units condition the air before it enters the home, your energy costs remain stable.

The Dave Lennox Signature® Collection PureAir™ air purification system cleans the air better than any other single system you can buy. It is the only indoor air quality product that removes all three sources of contaminants (particles, bioaerosols, and odors). And it is the only product that combines air filtration and purification capabilities into one integrated system.

A zoning system is designed for the many ways you use your home. Maybe you’re caught up in family “thermostat wars?” Or perhaps you have unoccupied areas that do not need conditioning? A Lennox® zoning system allows you to divide your home into separate areas, giving you the comfort and control you’ve always wanted.

The main benefits of residential zoning are:

Comfort

Zoning meets the specific temperature and airflow requirements of one area, without affecting other areas.

Efficiency

A properly designed zoning system can save you hundreds of dollars in energy costs each year.

Control

Zoning divides the home into different areas and comfort into different levels, giving you more choices and control than ever before.

Quiet Performance

When integrated with variable speed and/or two-stage HVAC systems, zoning allows your heating and cooling equipment to deliver peak performance and efficiency without continually operating at peak capacity. Lower speeds mean lower sound levels.

There are several factors that can cause system freezing. Most need to be corrected by your local Lennox Dealer.

One thing you can do to prevent or correct this problem is to make sure the filter is clean or replaced. You can check to see if the airflow is restricted.

Dirty filter

After replacing or cleaning the, you can speed up the thawing process by turning the system off and turning on the fan. If you have a heat pump system, you can try turning the system to heating mode until the ice has melted. After the ice has melted, switch the system settings back to normal. If the system refreezes, contact your local Lennox Dealer to correct the problem.

Low refrigerant

In some cases, freezing is caused by a leak in the refrigerant lines. Weak solder joints, friction from piping rubbing, or vibrating against an object, open valves, or loose fittings are all factors that can cause leaks. When determining whether to have the system repaired or replaced, the age of the system and the nature and location of the leak are important considerations.

Dirty evaporator coil

Over time, the evaporator coil will become dirty. When this happens, you will begin to lose airflow, slowly enough that you probably would not realize it until it freezes up or cooling performance is compromised. At this point, you will need to contact your local Lennox Dealer to correct the problem.

Defective blower motor or relay

A blower motor not running at the proper speed or not running at all is another factor that can cause freezing. The motor operation may be intermittent, starting at full speed and slowing down after it heats up. Or, a relay could cause it to start one time and not the next. In either case, you will need to contact your local Lennox Dealer to correct the problem.

The term “variable speed” refers to the furnace’s indoor blower motor, which moves at different speeds to precisely control the flow of heated and cooled air throughout your home. Better airflow control has several benefits:

Electrical efficiency

Variable speed motors can actually save you money on your energy bills, as they consume less electricity than standard motors.

Cooling efficiency

Variable speed technology also means you will gain heating efficiency or AFUE.

Zoning

Variable speed motors are excellent for zoning, which allows you to customize your comfort in different areas of your home and control your energy bills.

Air quality

A variable-speed motor can also help clean the air in your home. When the fan is in constant operation (indicated by the “Fan” setting on your thermostat), the motor will continue to slowly circulate air, allowing filters to capture more contaminants.

Humidity control

A variable-speed motor combined with a Lennox ComfortSense® 7000 Series thermostat Home Comfort Control allows you to control the amount of humidity in your home for improved indoor air quality and comfort.