Month: November 2009

Control Board Identification

When you call in with a tech support issue we will want to know which version of our control board is controlling your unit. This is important because it will help us properly diagnose what is going on with your WHF. In most cases we can determine the control board version if you give us the model information for your AirScape. The model is listed on a sticker found on the unit (near the junction box on the 1.7, 2.5, 4.5 and on the damper door of the 1.0). Occasionally the model sticker isn’t enough. If you are already going into the attic to write down the model information you might as well take a look at the control board as well.

The control board has had several different incarnations over the years. Please take a look at the photos below and identify your control board before you call tech support.

My control board looks most like: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 (Differences between 3 and 4 circled in red)

1C1_blue_300x250 2C1_green_300x250

3B8_10_300x250 4B7_300x250

5B5_6_300x2506

Foam Recycling Program

As a manufacturer of environmentally friendly products, it is always our goal to find new ways to be even more green in our business practices. In January 2009 we decided to implement a foam packaging recycling program to help reduce our environmental impact. Packaging_reduced

In order to ensure that our fans reach customers throughout the country without damage, they require robust polyethylene foam packaging. Polyethylene is a highly elastic and strong plastic that can withstand multiple impacts, making it ideal for shipping heavy objects such as whole house fans. Unfortunately, both the production and disposal of polyethylene, like all plastics, causes serious damage to the environment. In many parts of the country polyethylene foam is difficult if not impossible to recycle, so most of it ends up in a landfill.


The only way to reduce the hazards of plastic is to reduce the production of new plastic products. This is done by both decreasing overall demand and increasing the recycling of plastic. Our program allows us to reduce our need for the production of new polyethylene and also reduce the total amount of plastic being thrown away. We reuse the foam as many times as we can and then we recycle it, ensuring that the foam returned to us does not end up in a landfill.


It is immensely satisfying to us that we have had great customer response to this program. Almost 1 year  into the program and we have an average return rate of 42%, and the numbers are constantly increasing! My personal goal is to achieve a 50% return rate by next Spring, and with the return rates always increasing, I believe we can easily achieve this goal.

We owe a big thank you to all of our customers who have supported this program. We would also like to send out a hearty thanks to UPS, who has kindly begun waiving label printing fees and also begun offering us a discount on our return packages. With the help of UPS, our foam recycling program has been made more financially viable for us to continue in the future.

Wiring A Timer To Your WHF

NOTE: The following instructions do not apply to the Kohilo 1.5 or 2.8

NOTE: The following instructions do not apply to units newer than July of 2013. Please call for compatibility

We often get asked how to use a timer with our whole house fans. The short answer is to purchase the optional wireless remote which has a built in timer. But for people who prefer a wall switch there is a solution for you. You can wire a mechanical turn dial timer to operate your WHF. We recommend a mechanical timer because most digital timers require 110v. Our controls are 24v and hooking up 110v would damage the AirScape control board. We also want the process to be a manual one so that you remember to open a window. The following shows two ways to wire a timer with your AirScape WHF:

OPTION 1: TIMER AND AIRSCAPE WALL SWITCH

OPERATION:

ON – Wall switch in on position, turn timer to desired time, chose fan speed

OFF – Switch wall switch to OFF or timer expires

timer_option1_1

OPTION 2: TIMER AND CUSTOMER SUPPLIED SINGLE POLE SWITCH

OPERATION:

ON – Turn timer to desired time, choose fan speed

OFF – Timer expires

timer_option2_2

Is this the best stimulus we could think of

Our government program to encourage home buying is coming to a close.  Was it as good idea ? Certainly, it was for real estate agents! At least with the “cash for clunkers” program, the country as a whole (possibly) benefited by encouraging production of new, efficient cars and the retirement of low MPG cars.

Why didn’t we do the same thing for houses ?  OK, not the same thing, but how about this idea (in case we’re crazy enough to exend it):  Pay out the $8,000 directly to buyers of newly built homes.  For buyers of used houses, put the cash towards sealing, and insulating, and generally making the old house efficient.  Either way, contractors and their employees are working.

I will name this complicated economic concept “Have something left after the party’s over” , with the other very, very complicated concept (especially not  understood by bankers) “Spread the wealth”.