Common Indoor Air Pollutants

March 26th, 2013 Posted in Air Duct Cleaning
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The last thing you want to do when the temperatures soar or plummet is to leave the windows open in your home. When your home is completely sealed, though, the air quality within your home may actually be worse than it is outdoors. There are a variety of pollutants and contaminants that can affect interior air quality, some of which are much more common than others. 

Biological contaminants like dust mites, pet dander and mold can all have a serious impact on members of your family that suffer from environmental allergies. Dust can also be problematic, but is an issue whose severity is reduced by the use of a vacuum cleaner with a high-quality filter.  Air duct cleaining can also help reduce the amount of airborne contaminants in your home while improving the efficiency of your heating and cooling system.

During the winter months, combustion gases used to fuel a gas furnace can build up inside of your home. Burning fuels produce nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide, which can be deadly if they linger in your home. A properly-operating system vents these gases outside where they’re dispersed harmlessly, but a leak can have fatal results. Make sure that you have a functioning carbon monoxide detector in your home, as the gas is colorless, odorless and almost impossible to detect otherwise. Pesticides use to control insects in your home can actually remain in your home long after they’re used, reducing the air quality inside. 

While making sure that your air filters are replaced regularly can make a noticeable difference in your air quality, the most effective way of clearing the air in your home is to install an indoor air cleaner. Contacting a licensed and experienced HVAC consultant in your area to discuss filtration and air quality improvement options will take you one step closer to the clean, clear air you need to keep everyone in your family breathing freely.

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Residential HVAC Service Marietta GA

March 26th, 2013 Posted in HVAC Maintenance
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While mold can cause a host of respiratory problems and dramatically affect the air quality in your home, it’s also a relatively common complaint among homeowners. Mold growth is particularly problematic for those with asthma or other issues that compromise the respiratory system, as well as some other health problems. With just the right amount of moisture, mold can begin to thrive in any area of your home. The HVAC system is no exception. 

Keeping up with regular HVAC system maintenance and scheduling routine inspections can help you track down and deal with any mold forming in your HVAC system. Make sure that condensation is draining properly, that drip pans and lines are not obstructed and that any blowers, plenums and air handlers are completely moisture-free. These things will generally be inspected during your annual maintenance inspection. 

Mold can begin to form in as little as forty-eight hours under favorable conditions, and will continue to spread if it’s not detected. Any porous materials like filters and insulation should be removed by a licensed professional and handled with care, while all standing water is removed from the system. Registers, ducts and vents should be cleaned with detergent and water, and you should run a vacuum cleaner with a high-quality filter through your home carefully to remove any remaining spores. Remember, even dead spores can cause health problems. 

If you suspect that there’s mold growing in your HVAC system, it’s important that you contact a licensed HVAC professional in your area to schedule a full inspection and diagnosis. An experienced professional will be able to give you an idea of where to start, and can help you eradicate your mold problem once and for all.

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Is Your Air Conditioner Warm-Weather Ready?

March 26th, 2013 Posted in HVAC Maintenance
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The dog days of summer are right around the corner, and with them will come the sweltering temperatures of summertime. Before the heat rolls in, it’s a good idea to make sure that your central air conditioner is ready and up to the challenge of cooling your home throughout the season. The last thing you want is for your air conditioner to break down at the peak of the summer, so it’s a good idea to schedule your regular residential HVAC service before you switch over to air conditioning for the summer season. 

If you have a whole-house humidifier, it’s important to turn it off before you switch over to A/C. The humidifier will add moisture to the already-humid air in your home, which can make your air conditioner work harder to keep the house comfortable. Air filters need to be replaced to ensure the best possible air quality and peak energy efficiency, and the batteries in your thermostat replaced if necessary. Make sure that your air conditioner cover is removed to prevent overheating, as forgetting to remove it will restrict the airflow into your unit’s condenser. 

While you can complete many of these tasks on your own, it’s important to schedule a routine inspection before the air conditioner season starts to make sure that everything is in proper working order and not likely to cause problems over the course of the summer. A licensed and experienced HVAC professional should inspect your air conditioner thoroughly, and give your system a tune-up before the season begins. Annual tune-ups can increase the efficiency of your air conditioning unit, paying for themselves in terms of money saved over the course of the summer on energy bills.

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R-22 Phase-Out and What it Means for You

March 26th, 2013 Posted in HVAC Replacement
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If you’re not an HVAC professional, the news that one of the most common and popular air conditioner refrigerants on the market is being phased out may have passed you by. R-22, the refrigerant used in many air conditioners, is in the process of being phased out and replaced by a more environmentally sound choice, R-410a. While this may seem like unimportant news on the surface, this change could actually affect you and your home. 

Starting in 2020, any air conditioner or heating systems relying on R-22 refrigerant will be restricted in terms of what they can use, with all R-22 being exclusively reclaimed or recycled. This will almost certainly cause services requiring refrigerant to become much more expensive. 

While the Environmental Protection Agency does not currently require homeowners to convert or change R-22 refrigerant-reliant systems, you may still want to consider upgrading to an EPA-compliant system. Whether you’re looking to do your part in terms of taking care of the environment or simply looking for a more cost-effective way to control the temperature of your home, an air conditioner replacement may be the best solution. As the availability of R-22 drops, the price will undoubtedly skyrocket. 

A licensed HVAC professional in your area will still be able to service an air conditioner that uses R-22, even as the price of the substance rises. Speaking with your HVAC professional to discuss your options regarding upgrades and how the phaseout of R-22 will affect you can give you the details you need to make an informed, wise decision.

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Signs That Your Air Conditioner is Failing

March 26th, 2013 Posted in Air Conditioning Service and Repair
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When your air conditioner is in good repair and working as it should, it’s easy to take for granted. Just like anything else in your home, though, your air conditioner is fallible and subject to problems as it ages. The last thing that you want, however, is for a complete breakdown to take you by surprise when the mercury is rising. Keeping an eye out for certain warning signs can help you catch a breakdown before it happens, reducing the amount of time you’ll spend sweltering as your air conditioner repairs or replacement are underway. 

No air conditioner will cool your entire home instantly, but one that takes significantly longer to affect a noticeable change on the temperature of yoru home is probably struggling. In some cases, the problem is as simple as a low coolant level; others, pipes could be rusty or corroding, or the entire system needs to be replaced. 

If you’ve changed your air filters and the air conditioner is still blowing lukewarm, partially-cooled air or the airflow from your vents is weak, those things can also be signs of trouble. Clogged filters are the most common cause of weak airflow, but a frozen unit, malfunctioning blower fan or other mechanical failure could also be the culprit. 

Rather than attempting to diagnose the problem yourself, you should always contact a licensed and experienced HVAC professional in your area to discuss the issue. Some problems with your air conditioner may actually be quick and relatively inexpensive to repair, but all issues will require the attention of a professional. There’s no safe HVAC repair outside of changing an air filter than you can do yourself, and neglecting problems could be even more costly in the long run.

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How to Control Moisture at Home

March 11th, 2013 Posted in Dehumidifiers
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Moisture is a problem regardless of what area of the country you live in, and solving the problem of excess moisture differs depending on the climate of the area where you live. How you handle problems in these different regions varies, but everyone can learn how to control moisture at their home. Your local home heating and cooling professional can share tips on cutting down on excess moisture and humidity in your home. 

Make sure to fix any leaks in or around your home. If water is getting into the house from outside, fixing the problem might range from simple plumbing solutions to expensive fixes like excavation or landscaping. If you find any water in your basement, check if the gutters on your house are leaking, or that any excess rainwater isn’t being channeled to your house’s foundation. 

Water leaking from pipes in your house, and any standing water around tubs and sinks can offer somewhere for pollutants, mold or other hazards to grow. Make sure to clean up standing or excess water immediately. If you have exhaust fans in your bathroom or kitchen, use them to remove any excess moisture in your homes. 

Turn off appliances like humidifiers if you notice any moisture on windows and other interior surfaces like walls or tile floors. At the same time, use a dehumidifier to cut down on moisture in the air, but make sure that these appliances don’t cause or create any kind of airborne irritants. 

Open doors between the rooms in your home to help increase circulation; this allows heat and warm air to contact any standing cold surfaces. You can help to increase circulation in the air by moving around your furniture and using fans.

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Things That Everyone Should Know About Mold

March 11th, 2013 Posted in Dehumidifiers
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There are potential health risks and symptoms associated with exposure to mold, such as allergic reactions, asthma, and other respiratory problems. Mold is a common problem in some households, but unfortunately there’s no practical method for eliminating all mold and mold spores in an indoor environment. The best way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture. 

If there is a mold problem in your home, you should see that the mold is cleaned up immediately, and try to eliminate any possible sources of excess moisture. Any sources of unwanted water or problems with leaks should be addressed  to prevent the growth of mold. Try to reduce indoor humidity to a level between 30 to 60% if possible.  Installing a dehumidifier can help control indoor humidity year round, even when your central air conditioning system.  There are numerous ways to decrease mold growth: venting bathrooms, as well as other moisture generating sources from outside your home; use air conditioners and dehumidifiers; open doors to increase ventilation; use exhaust fans while cooking, washing dishes, and cleaning your home. 

Clean mold off hard surfaces with water and detergent within 24-48 hours of getting damp or west to prevent mold from growing, and allow to dry completely. Any absorbent materials like ceiling tiles which show signs of mold will need to be replaced if all traces of mold aren’t eliminated. Reduce the potential for condensation on any cold or wet surfaces like windows, pipes, exterior walls, or floors. Consider adding insulation to cut down on condensation. In areas where there could be a moisture problem, do not install any carpeting (e.g., on concrete floors with leaks or frequent condensation). 

Mold can be found almost anywhere. If your home has a problem with mold, contact a licensed HVAC professional immediate.

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Heating and Cooling Your Vacation Home

March 8th, 2013 Posted in HVAC Replacement
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Because you only spend a portion of the year in your vacation home or recreational vehicle, you may not give much thought to the heating and cooling options available to you. In fact, saving money on the operation and maintenance of a second home or RV can be as simple as reviewing your climate-control options with an eye on efficiency. 

The appeal of a vacation home is, for many, the idea of escaping to a climate entirely different that that of your primary residence. While this does introduce an exotic element to your vacations, it also means that the requirements of an HVAC system will almost certainly be quite different from those of the home where you spend most of your time. In these cases, you’ll need to discuss the matter with a licensed and experienced HVAC contractor in that area so that you can determine the best possible solution for boosting both comfort and efficiency. In addition to the HVAC system installation, you’ll also need to discuss the necessary winterizing steps and climate control for harsh temperatures when you won’t be in the home, especially if the vacation home is situated in a particularly cold climate. 

For recreational vehicles and travel trailers, HVAC needs will often be quite different. Some residential heating and cooling companies offer their services to owners of mobile vacation homes, and will be well-versed in the best HVAC solutions for them. In order to enjoy your vacation or second home to the fullest, you’ll need to make sure that it’s as comfortable as possible. Your HVAC technician will be able to help you make the necessary changes to ensure that your vacation home is an efficient and comfortable place to spend leisure time.

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Properly Placing Your Programmable Thermostat

March 8th, 2013 Posted in HVAC Accessories
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When you’re building a new home or remodeling an existing one, you will almost certainly have a detailed picture fixed in your mind of what everything will look like when the work is finished. Unfortunately, when it comes to the placement of your programmable thermostat, your professional HVAC contractor may be forced to adjust that mental picture a bit. 

Regardless of what your internal interior designer is looking for aesthetically, a programmable thermostat’s location is vital to proper functionality. If it’s too close to a heating vent or cold air return, it will affect the temperature in the area in a way that may not accurately reflect the temperature throughout your home. Remember: your thermostat only knows what the temperature is in the area surrounding it. That’s why placement is so integral to functionality. 

Installing your thermostat near an exterior door can dramatically affect how it works, as the opening and closing of the door will change the ambient temperature in the immediate area, regardless of temperature in the rest of the house. For the same reason, it’s not recommended to place a thermostat near windows. This is only one of the reasons why, when it comes to HVAC installation and maintenance, you will need the guidance of a professional who’s able to draw upon years of experience and training. 

Before you paint a picture of how your home will look upon completion, down to the placement of thermostats and light switches, you should contact an HVAC contractor in your area. Together, you can work out a plan that ensures peak performance of your central heating and air conditioning system while keeping the look of your home satisfying and aesthetically pleasing.

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Reasons to Consider Duct Sealing

March 8th, 2013 Posted in Reducing HVAC Energy Costs
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Traditional forced-air HVAC systems keep your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer. They can also be a source of major energy usage, especially if they’re not properly maintainted. 

While some energy loss can be attributed to improper thermostat placement, failure to maintain a system and inefficient insulation, the EPA estimates that up to twenty percent of heated or cooled air circulating through an HVAC system is lost through leaks in the home’s ductwork. Leaking ductwork dramatically reduces the efficiency with which your system operates, while increasing your energy bills. The problem can become even more pronounced when a duct system runs through attics, crawlspaces and other areas with temperatures that aren’t maintained by the HVAC system. 

When the air ducts within your home are leaking, the rises in your energy bills may be gradual and, as such, difficult to notice. In addition to higher energy bills, one sign of possible leaks within your ductwork is uneven heating and cooling of your home. If some rooms never seem to be the same temperature as the rest of your house, it could be attributed to leaks within the ductwork leading to those rooms. A central unit that seems to run almost constantly in order to maintain a comfortable temperature may also be struggling to keep up the setting you’ve chosen while heated or cooled air is being lost in the attic or crawlspace. 

Discussing your concerns and possible solutions, including the sealing of your ductwork, with a licensed and experience HVAC contractor in your area can help you save big bucks over time, as well as reducing your home’s carbon footprint.

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