Before you call for service

Indoor

Replace the indoor unit's air filter monthly: Old/Dirty filters cause equipment to work harder, resulting in energy waste and possible internal damage. If you have a reusable/washable filter, make sure that it has completely dried prior to reinstalling.

Inspect the blower compartment of your furnace or blower coil: Use a vacuum to remove any dirt or dust, which can result in improper performance and low efficiency. Make sure that the coil is dry prior to vacuuming.

Remove clutter from around the furnace or blower coil: Items stored near the furnace are fire hazards. They may also obstruct combustion air supply. This could cause complete combustion and the production of carbon monoxide gas. Your furnace or blower coil could be located in a closet, attic or basement. Removing clutter applies to your equipment no matter where it is located.

Check the chimney or flue pipe connections for tightness, blockages or loose connections: Your gas furnace flue pipe must remain tightly connected and free of blockage for the furnace to operate correctly. If repairs are required, contact your local Lennox Dealer to schedule the repairs.

Set the thermostat on "HEAT" and move the temperature setting above room temperature: Listen for any unusual sounds and call your local Lennox Dealer if you suspect problems.

Keep return registers/grilles clear of obstructions: The return register/grille must remain free of obstructions such as furniture, lint, dust or pet hair for the system to operate properly.

Clean humidifier reservoir regularly: If your home comfort system includes a humidifier, it may be necessary to clean the water reservoir to prevent mold or mildew buildup.

Luxpro Thermostats
if you have the LuxPro thermostat to unlock the face you push "Next, Next, Next,Hold". push the "next" button 3 times then the hold button to unlock.

Thermostat Fan Switch
Fan switch on your thermostat. Has two settings fan “auto” brings the fan on at each call for cooling and turns the fan off when the temperature is satisfied. This is the best setting for temperature and humidity control. The fan “on” setting is for continous air flow best for indoor air quality, air filtering and air movement in the home ( air movement will make the home feel a little cooler) but does affect the humidity control.

Before you call for service

Outdoor condensing unit:

• Disconnect power to unit, using garden hose to clean condenser coil with mild pressure not to damage or bend the aluminum fins. It is best to wash from the inside spraying the water to the outside, but some units that is very difficult to do and should be left to our qualified technicians. Some condensing units have two coils side by side and must be split by a qualified technician to clean. you cannot tell if the coil is blocked visually because it stops up between the coils. It would still help to wash down the outside of the coil to remove any debris from the surface while waiting for our service tech. please use extreme caution turning the power back on. water conducts electricity, do not stand in water or where it is wet to plug the fuse clip back in.
• Trim back any shrubs, flowers, trees that block airflow to the coil.
• Check breakers to see if they are tripped, reset breakers. Note if breakers trip again leave them off and call for our service technician to check.
• Clean or change filter, the inside furnace blower works with the air conditioner for air movement. Very important for the filter to be clean.
• Visually check unit if you see something that doesn’t look normal (i.e. ice covering one of the copper lines, oil around unit on the ground, 2x4 sticking into the coil, etc) or here noises that you haven’t heard before turn system off and call us.

Air Filters and indoor air quality
 
Which Product to Choose?
The first question to ask when choosing a filter or air cleaner is "What am I trying to remove from the airstream?" The second is "How much am I willing to spend?" Bear in mind that greater efficiencies usually mean higher costs. The third question, and perhaps most important one, is "Will I do the necessary maintenance on the product I choose?" Many high-efficiency products suffer dramatically if not maintained properly. 
 
Panel Filters
The most common panel filters are the disposable spun glass or fiberglass type and the washable "hog's hair" products. They are usually 1 inch or less in thickness and fit in the standard filter slot for residential forced-air systems.

Panel filters are inexpensive to buy-they cost between 50 and $5-but they have dust-spot efficiencies of less than 5%. Their filtering capability actually increases as they get dirty, but this is accomplished at the expense of restricting air flow and increasing pressure drop. To avoid restricting air flow, they should be changed every one to three months. They do a poor job of protecting the forced-air system and offer human lungs almost no protection from particles.
 
 
 
Electrostatic Panel Filters
Electrostatic panel filters are a little more effective than standard panel filters because they rely on static electricity to attract charged particles in the airstream. Either the static electricity is created by air as it flows through the filter, or the filter is manufactured with precharged electrets made from a propylene, polypropylene, or other plastic material. The electrets are permanently charged with both positive and negative charges. As air flows past the charged filter material, oppositely charged particles in the airstream cling to the filter's fibers.

Electrostatic filters are typically 1 to 2 inches thick and have low air flow resistance so that they can easily be substituted for a standard panel filter. However, they "face load," meaning that dirt accumulates primarily on the surface facing the direction of air flow. Face loading can significantly increase the pressure drop and reduce efficiency. The time between cleanings or before replacement can vary from one month to an entire heating or cooling season.

Electrostatic air filters typically have a dust-spot efficiency of 10%-15%. They are marginally effective at capturing small particles (1 µ or less) but more effective than a panel filter on larger particles (greater than 10 µ), such as mold spores and pollen.

Prices for electrostatic filters vary widely. Some products are sold for under $10; others are priced at over $125. These filters usually last longer than standard panel filters.
 
 Extended-Surface Filters
Extended-surface filters achieve higher efficiencies by increasing the surface area of the filter, usually through pleats. A basic 1-inch-thick pleated filter can have a dust-spot efficiency of up to 20% and can replace a standard panel filter without significantly restricting air flow. Prices are under $30, and most products last from three months to a year or more.

More efficient extended-surface filters have dust-spot efficiencies of 25%-45%. These filters are several inches thick and cannot fit in a standard 1-inch filter slot. They must be installed in a special housing in the return ductwork. The filter and installation costs can be several hundred dollars, with replacement filters costing around $30-$50.
 
 High-Efficiency Particulate Air Filters
High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters achieve the maximum efficiency available, with dust-spot and DOP test values greater than 97.99%. However, HEPA filters greatly restrict air flow and require special blowers and duct design. They are usually found in "clean room" applications in industrial or commercial settings, rather than residences. Some form of upstream prefiltration is usually installed to remove the larger particles. This protects the HEPA filter's ability to remove smaller contaminants and increases its life.

A HEPA filter should be designed and installed by knowledgeable professionals and can cost several thousand dollars. Replacement filters cost approximately $150-$200 and can last a year or more.
 
 Electronic Air Cleaners
An electronic air cleaner, or electrostatic precipitator, uses high voltage to charge particles in the return airstream. The charged particles are collected on an oppositely charged metal plate. Electronic air cleaners achieve dust-spot efficiencies of over 90% with little air flow restriction.

To maintain their efficiency and avoid contamination, electronic air cleaners must be cleaned regularly. Be sure that there is easy access at the air handler to remove the metal plates for cleaning and to clean the housing.

Electronic air cleaners require electricity and must be fabricated to fit in the return ductwork. They can cost from $600 to $1,200, including installation. The power demands of these units vary from 20 W to 50 W, so the operating cost of some units will be more than double that of others. Depending on the unit, the price of electricity, and the amount of time the system operates, users can expect to pay between $3 and $30 per year in operating costs.

In producing the high voltage necessary to charge particles, electronic air cleaners also produce small amounts of ozone, a highly reactive gas composed of three oxygen atoms. Ozone can be an irritant to lungs, eyes, skin, and respiratory membranes. Most health experts feel that the small amount of ozone produced by a properly installed and maintained system poses little threat to healthy individuals. Nevertheless, extremely sensitive individuals may react to it. Some electronic air cleaners rely on a special adsorption filter (see below) to reduce levels of ozone entering the airstream; however, the long-term effectiveness of these adsorption filters is unknown.
 
 What About Gases?
Filters and electronic air cleaners primarily screen out particles; they do little to remove gases, such as ozone or volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Removal of gases requires an adsorption filter. In these filters, gases adhere to the tiny pores in certain solid materials, usually activated carbon (also known as charcoal filters) or alumina (aluminum oxide).

An adsorption filter that removed a large percentage of gases (by weight) from the air would have to be several inches thick and would create too much resistance for a standard residential air handler. Most residential adsorption filters are about 1 inch thick and can remove some gaseous pollutants. However, a product's ability to remove specific gases, such as formaldehyde or other VOCs, varies. There is also the possibility of long-term desorption or release of gases, which can occur when the filter becomes saturated.
 
Ozone and Negative Ion Generators
Ozone generators produce low levels of ozone, which may reduce the levels of some air pollutants, but can increase the levels of others. Ozone can pose serious health threats to sensitive people.

According to an article published by the American Industrial Hygienist Association Journal, despite "long-term and widespread use of these devices, there is a lack of evidence in the scientific literature that would support ozone as effective at low concentrations to remove organic contaminants from indoor air. Rather, scientific evidence exists that implies that low levels of ozone will not effectively remove most indoor air contaminants. Subjective claims of improved air quality may instead be explained by evidence indicating that ozone may act only to mask odors or to convert some odorous compounds to less odorous but potentially more toxic compounds."1

The Federal Trade Commission has signed agreements with manufacturers requiring them to cease unsubstantiated advertising claims or to provide "competent and reliable scientific evidence" to support marketing claims that ozone generators eliminate or clear specified chemicals, gases, mold, mildew, bacteria, or dust from the user's environment; the product does not create harmful by-products; and the product prevents or provides relief from allergies, asthma, and other specified conditions.2

Negative ion generators operate by releasing negatively charged ions into the airstream. These ions attach to dust particles, giving them a negative charge. The charged particles are then attracted to other surfaces in the home, such as walls, ceilings, and furniture, which have a more positive charge.

Although negative ion generators remove particles from the airstream, the particles are collected on room surfaces and can give them a dirty appearance. Some models include a filter to capture the charged particles before they can attach to room surfaces. Over time, the particles can lose their charge and be released back into the air. There is little scientific evidence to support the effectiveness of negative ion generators in removing air contaminants.
 
 Houseplants
People with greenery in their homes can appreciate the therapeutic effects of houseplants. However, studies show that they do little to remove airborne contaminants. Early NASA studies concerning the effect of houseplants as filters for air pollutants have been widely misinterpreted. In fact, wet soil inside the home can be a source of biological contaminants, such as mold or mites.
 
Protect the Clean Air
Duct-sealing crews regularly tell horror stories about expensive air cleaning systems that cause more problems than they correct, because dust and other pollutants are drawn into the home from poorly sealed installations. Since filters or air cleaners are installed in the return ductwork of a forced-air system, it is critical that all seams between their housings and the ductwork be airtight. Even tiny unsealed seams can draw in pollutants. To ensure an airtight installation, seal permanent connections with duct mastic. Use UL-181 metal tape to seal over loose-fitting filter openings and other areas that require access for maintenance. The tape can be cut to provide access, and it should be replaced if it dries out and no longer seals adequately.

Along with sealing the ductwork and building envelope, efforts should be made to reduce the sources of indoor pollutants. Paint, solvents, adhesives, and household cleaning solutions all contain potential indoor air pollutants. Reduction or removal of the sources is the sensible first step in cleaning household air.

VOC’s
The term volatile organic compounds, "or VOC's as they are often referred to," are probably the least understood and most complex elements of indoor air pollution. What are VOC's? The word volatile refers to the ability of a substance to evaporate or readily vaporize at room temperature. The word organic in chemical terms refers to compounds containing hydrocarbons. Finally, compounds consist of two or more elements, substances, ingredients or parts. Put it altogether and what does it mean: VOC's are hydrocarbon based compounds which involve life or the products of organic life that will evaporate or vaporize when placed at room temperature.  Petroleum products such as gasoline for example, is a bi-product of once living organisms that will vaporize at room temperature. Glues, which are often made up of boiled animal parts, (hydrocarbons) that are often used in the production of wood products and the installation vinyl flooring etc., will also vaporize or off-gas formaldehyde as they cure. This is where the term "off-gassing" comes from. 
What makes the understanding of VOC's a bit more difficult, is that we usually consider evaporation or vaporization as the change of a solid or liquid to a gas or liquid vapor. However, as most of us know, a word can have more than one meaning. To vaporize, also refers to the diffusing or scattering of matter. This is why mold for example, has been referred to as a VOC, even though it is considered a bio-aerosol belonging to the fungi family. Mold has the property of vaporizing (scattering) spores which often contain proteins that can be extremely dangerous to humans. (mycotoxins) Likewise, the fecal material of dust mite can vaporize which also contain harmful proteins that can affect the lining of the lung. Paints, cleaners, shoe polish, carpeting, cupboards, furniture......and the list goes on, play a significant role in polluting our indoor environment with sometimes benign but more often dangerous emissions that have both short and long term affects on our health.  Controlling VOC's can be achieved by installing a ultra violet air purifier. Lennox Healthy Climate germicidal light.