Allergies and Your HVAC System

October 9th, 2019 Posted in HVAC Accessories
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If anyone in your household has allergies or respiratory health issues, air quality control is vital. Dirty, unfiltered air can trigger allergies, asthma attacks and breathing problems. Your HVAC system circulates the air in your home. When the air is flowing through a dirty filter or duct, it is no longer pure. Your HVAC system can help or irritate allergies, depending on how it is used and maintained.

Using Your HVAC System to Control Air Quality

Since your HVAC system already circulates the air in your home, it makes sense to use it to clean it. All HVAC systems have a air filter, but that does not mean your air is clean. The type of filter you use can determine what particles are removed for the air. Plus, the filter needs to be changed frequently to be effective. Other HVAC elements that can impact air quality:

  • Moisture control. Does your HVAC use a humidifier or dehumidifier to control moisture? Mold can be detrimental to those with asthma, allergies or respiratory problems, and dry air can impact breathing issues as well. .
  • Ductwork cleaning. When was the last time your air ducts were cleaned? Ducts should be professionally cleaned every 3-5 years.
  • Circulate air consistently. If your HVAC is your only source of air quality control, make sure the air is circulated regularly, even when heating or cooling is not needed. Circulating on “fan only” mode can ensure air stays filtered.
  • Routine maintenance. Make sure your HVAC receives annual maintenance to keep it working correctly and efficiently.

Your HVAC system can help make your home healthier for those with allergies. Keep up with maintenance to manage air quality.

Posted on behalf of:
ClimateSmith, LLC
3870 Peachtree Industrial Blvd. Suite 340-129
Duluth, GA 30096
(770) 475-9555

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Improving the Air Quality in Your Home

March 26th, 2019 Posted in HVAC Accessories
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There are many factors that can impact the quality of air in your home, from mold spores to dust and airborne contaminants. While you may not be able to see what you are breathing in, it can become apparent when you or family members begin to have health issues. Protecting the air you breathe in your home is a vital part of wellness, helping improve your family’s health. Maintaining your HVAC system can help improve your air quality and ensure you have clean air for your family to breathe.

Removing Contaminants from the Air

The air in your home is circulated through your HVAC system, making it the easiest place to filter out contaminants. All HVAC systems have filters that remove some particles from the air, but the level of purification depends on the filter you use and how often it is changed. To improve this process, choose a filter with a high minimum efficiency reporting value or MERV, which will filter out smaller particles. For homes with members with extreme sensitivities, auto immune deficiencies or allergies, a HEPA filter may be best for cleaning the air.

Check Humidity Levels

Another aspect of air quality is maintaining 40-60% humidity in your home. Too much humidity can lead to mold problems, and too little can cause respiratory irritation. Have your humidity levels tested by your local HVAC service company – adding a humidifier or dehumidifier may be needed to maintain the right level of moisture in the air.

You can improve your air quality by keeping up on filter changes in your HVAC system – many filters should be changed every month. Also, have annual HVAC service and inspections performed to ensure your system is working correctly and your duct work is kept clean and free from contaminants.

Posted on behalf of:
ClimateSmith, LLC
1925 Lena Carter Road
Buford, GA 30519
(770) 475-9528

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Finding the Right Moisture Balance for Air Quality

December 3rd, 2018 Posted in HVAC Accessories
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Home air quality is not just about filtering out allergens, dust and mold. Moisture has a big impact on the quality of air you breathe, whether it is too dry or too humid. Regulating your moisture balance in your air can be tricky; some homes may be too dry part of the year and too humid during other months. To get the right balance, you need to manage moisture and keep it at an appropriate level.

The right humidity level for homes tends to be right around 50%, within the 40-60% range. However, if you go above or below these levels, you may notice issues. Here are some of the problems that can occur when the humidity is too high or too low:

  • Too high. When humidity stays above 60%, your home could begin to have mold problems. You may notice musty smells, see mold on walls/windows/ceilings and notice water stains. Mold can be hazardous, especially for those with immune or respiratory issues, and cause expensive damage to your home.
  • Too low. When the air becomes to dry, which can happen when using air conditioning constantly, it can become uncomfortable. It can dry out nasal passages and cause other health issues.

To manage humidity, you can add a humidifier or dehumidifier to your HVAC system, or use portable models. Portable models are fine for individual rooms (like a basement that has mold issues) but are not efficient for whole-home air quality. Your local HVAC service provider can add either a humidifier, dehumidifier or both to your HVAC system to help you keep a perfect level of moisture in your home for health and comfort year-round.

Posted on behalf of:
ClimateSmith, LLC
3870 Peachtree Industrial Blvd. Suite 340-129
Duluth, GA 30096
(770) 475-9555

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Improve Your HVAC with Optional Accessories

September 21st, 2018 Posted in HVAC Accessories
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Your HVAC system is designed to keep your home comfortable year-round, cooling the hot summer air and heating it up when the temperatures drop in the winter. While a good HVAC system can easily control temperatures, it may need additional accessories to provide clean, comfortable air. Here are a few optional accessories to consider adding to your system to improve your HVAC efficiency and air quality in your home.

High Capacity Air Filters

The air in your home is circulated constantly and needs good filtration to keep it safe and healthy for your family. The filter you use in your HVAC system can make a big difference on the purity of your home’s air. High capacity air filters provide a higher level of filtration, removing more contaminants from the air, including molds and other allergens.

Humidifiers

The air in your home can become very dry, especially with air conditioning. A humidifier helps improve the comfort level of your home and can help keep respiratory and skin issues from dry air from occurring.

Advanced Thermostats

Upgrading your thermostat can improve the efficiency and comfort of your HVAC system. Advanced options include wi-fi capabilities so you can change the programming from anywhere. Setting it to more mild temps when you are sleeping or away from home can dramatically impact your energy bill; many newer models can even be controlled through your smartphone.

Talk to your local HVAC service company about accessories you can add to your HVAC system when you schedule your next service. Remember, annual service can prevent breakdowns and extend the life and efficiency of your HVAC system, so make sure to keep up with the needed maintenance.

Posted on behalf of:
ClimateSmith, LLC
1925 Lena Carter Road
Buford, GA 30519
(770) 475-9528

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Managing Humidity in Your Home

April 4th, 2018 Posted in Dehumidifiers
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Musty odors, moldy bathrooms and bad indoor allergies can all be signs of high humidity in your home. Most regions have certain months that are higher than normal humidity – for some it is winter, for others summer is the wetter season. Regardless of where you live, keeping humidity under control inside your home can protect your house and health.

What Level of Humidity Is Too High?

Humidity must be the right balance indoors to avoid issues. If there is not enough moisture in the air, your comfort can be affected. Too much moisture and your home becomes a breeding ground for mold and mildew that can ruin wood, fabrics, walls and be a detriment to your health. The right humidity balance indoors should be hovering around 35-45%.

To keep your home at the ideal humidity level, you first need to know where it is at now. If you have had problems with mold, mildew or condensation on windows, there is a good chance you have a high humidity problem. A hygrometer can measure your humidity levels – you can buy one or have your local HVAC service perform a humidity test on the air in your home.

If you do have high humidity, you can invest in a dehumidifier that can keep your moisture levels in the right zone. For some homes, only certain areas have humidity issues, like a basement or garage. In those cases, a portable dehumidifier is the best option. For whole home moisture balance, a whole home dehumidifier can be added to your HVAC system to keep your air quality at the ideal moisture levels. Both options can be found through your local HVAC service company.

Posted on behalf of:
Western Aire Heating & Cooling
Marietta, GA 30066
(770) 505-7426

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