4 Ways to Improve the Air Quality in Your Home

February 21st, 2019 Posted in Central Air Conditioning
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Have you noticed your nose gets stuffy when you are at home, but not at other places? Or maybe you have mold that seems to grow quicker than you can clean on walls, windows or in the bathroom? If so, you may have an issue with your air quality in your home, stemming from your HVAC system. Here are four ways to improve your air quality to keep you and your home healthy.

  1. Change your air filter. Check the filter on your HVAC and change it if needed. Most HVAC filters need to be changed monthly to be effective.
  2. Check the humidity in your home. If mold is a problem, have your local HVAC service test the humidity in your home. If it is too high, adding a dehumidifier to your HVAC system can help improve the moisture level and decrease mold problems.
  3. Upgrade to a better air filter. The MERV rating on your air filter is important for reducing contaminants. Consider upgrading if you are using an air filter with a MERV rating of 8 or less – the higher, the better.
  4. Have your air ducts cleaned. If there is dirt, mold and other debris in your air ducts, it could be spread throughout your home. Consider having your air ducts cleaned if it has been 2-3 years or more since your last duct cleaning.

Doing a few service items on your HVAC system can make a big difference in your air quality. Make sure to keep up with air filter changes and routine service on your HVAC system to maintain the best quality of air in your home.

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

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Pets, Pollen, Mold and Other Allergy Issues in Your Home

January 14th, 2019 Posted in HVAC Accessories
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Do you notice that when you are at home, your allergies are at their worst? Lurking in the air of your home may be the contaminants that are triggering your allergies. If your nose is stuffy when you wake up in the morning, or you use your asthma inhaler more often at home than anywhere else, you may have an air quality problem that is making you sick. Here are some of the contributors to poor air quality in your home.

Pets

Dander and hair from cats, dogs and other pets is a common trigger for allergy symptoms. Keep in mind that even if you were not allergic to animals in the past, that doesn’t mean that is still the case. Allergies change as you get older and you can become sensitive to allergens that were not a problem in the past.

Pollen

Is the pollen from outside getting circulated and trapped in your home? While there is more pollen outside, there is also more air. When it gets trapped in a small space, pollen can have a powerful punch on your allergies.

Mold

Mold can be dangerous for anyone in your home, even if they are not allergic to the spores. Air borne mold is a health risk, but especially tough on those with allergies or respiratory issues.

Dust and Other Contaminants

Besides the common offenders, dust, chemicals and smoke can all impact your home’s air quality if not filtered effectively.

To make your home healthy and reduce your allergy symptoms, talk to your local HVAC service about improving your air filtration in your A/C and heating system. There are HVAC accessories such as HEPA filters that can do a better job filtering your air while helping keep your HVAC system efficient when changed regularly.

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

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Improving Air Quality In Your Home

April 10th, 2014 Posted in Air Duct Cleaning
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Air pollution is not just an outdoor air problem in urban areas; it can also be inside your own home. There are many pollutants which are common in the air you breathe that have nothing to do with automotive or industrial waste products. Your home can be home to mold, viruses, pet dander and dust floating in the air, which can irritate allergies and even cause illnesses. Fortunately, there are ways you can improve the air quality of your home, making it a healthier place for you and your family. 

Steps To Improve Your Indoor Air Quality

Any home can have an accumulation of air pollutants if proper cleaning and maintenance are not performed. Our own skin creates dust in the air, moisture can create mildew or mold and pets emit dander from their fur, causing a continuous build up of pollutants in your home. While it is impossible to eliminate all these elements, you can reduce the amount through a few simple steps: 

  • Cleaning. Vacuuming regularly reduces dust and dander, especially using a vacuum with a HEPA air filter. In addition, dusting surfaces with a damp cloth can also remove many pollutants that could enter the air.
  • Air Ducts. Air ducts can become encrusted with mold, mildew and dust, recycling these contaminants back into your home. Regular air duct cleaning can remove these pollutants from your home.
  • Air Filters. Your HVAC air filter needs to be replaced as recommended by the manufacturer. If you have people with allergies in your home, you may want to upgrade to a higher performance air filter, such as a HEPA filter to remove more pollutants from the air. 

Before summer allergens hit, schedule a routine duct cleaning and filter inspection or replacement. This is the perfect time to remove the pollutants that have built up over the winter in your home,  making it a safer and healthier place to live.

Posted on behalf of Western Aire

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All About Indoor Air Quality

July 30th, 2013 Posted in HVAC Maintenance
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One of the biggest concerns people have in their homes and offices alike is the indoor air quality (IAQ), which refers to the quality of the air that the occupants breathe.   The quality is impacted by the presence of both naturally occurring items as well as man-made pollutants.  Examples of items impacting indoor air quality include plant pollen, mold spores, germs and fumes given off by building products.   All of these items ultimately impact the health of the building’s occupants with such items as asthma and other respiratory conditions. 

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), there are three means to improve indoor air quality in homes.  They include source control, improving ventilation and air cleaners.  A qualified HVAC contractor that specializes in both commercial and residential HVAC service and repair can assist in improving indoor air quality by limiting the source, improving ventilation and air cleaners. 

While the complete elimination of the sources of both naturally occurring, as well as man made pollutants is not possible, they can be greatly reduced by a modern HVAC system that brings in fresh air continuously to condition the air within the home or office building.  As the air is brought in and continuously distributed thru the HVAC system, where it is filtered using modern air filters or state of the art electronic air filters.  This process is continuous, resulting in cleaner and cleaner air for the occupants to breath, which ultimately improves the indoor air quality positively impacting the occupant’s health. 

HVAC contractors have a great deal of experience in designing and installing complete modern HVAC systems that will result in improved AIQ.   In addition, they can also make recommendations to improve and existing system quickly and economically.  There is no need to suffer from the results of bad indoor air quality!

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Residential Duct Cleaning

May 21st, 2013 Posted in Air Duct Cleaning
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Many older homes will have a large build up of dirt and dust on the walls of the ductwork, which negatively impacts the indoor air quality in the home, which impact the health of the residents.  While indoor air quality impacts all of us; it really makes a big difference in the lives of those that suffer from allergies, asthma and other respiratory health issues.  In addition, in severe cases the amount of dirt and dust in the ducts restricts the amount of air flowing into the areas that the ductwork is supplying air to, which impacts the heating and cooling of that area. 

The good news is that the cleaning of the ductwork is easily accomplished by using a qualified duct cleaner.  The technicians, who are highly skilled, will clean the ducts utilizing a number of specialized tools, including brushes and vacuum cleaners.  The vacuum cleaners deposit the dust and dirt into a storage unit on a truck using sealed hoses, which keeps the home clean. They are experienced in working in occupied homes and will complete the work in a professional manner and will leave your home clean once they are finished. 

The process for a homeowner’s perspective is very economical, fast and relatively clean.  In many cases the work will be completed within a day and the benefits are noticed immediately, both as far as indoor air quality, as well as the amount of air being supplied to each area of the home by the ductwork.  Air duct cleaning is a home maintenance item that should not be overlooked as it directly impacts your health, as well as the health of your family.

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Tips to Improve Your Indoor Air Quality

May 21st, 2013 Posted in HVAC Maintenance
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Most people think of air pollution as something that is only of concern when we are in the great outdoors. However, the truth is that the inside of our homes or offices can be even more polluted that the outside. The air inside your home can be polluted by chemicals found in your mattress, carpet or paint; house dust can contain lead; and chemicals used in fragrances or cleaners can be volatile or become health hazards. 

In all of that mix above, you can find major allergens, mold and pet dander (whether or not you own a pet). Many people are particularly vulnerable to allergens or indoor pollutants, especially those who suffer respiratory conditions, be they young or old. As we spend more time indoors, clean and healthy indoor air quality becomes more important.  Change your furnace filters regularly and be sure to have your local HVAC professional service your heating and air conditioning system as you approach those hot and humid months ahead. 

In the meantime, simple things that you can do include using a vacuum with a HEPA filter. Use a new microfiber mop (and dust cloths) to capture more dust, using just water without cleaners or chemicals. Keep a large floor mat at every door. Keep the humidity in your home around 30%-50% to keep dust mites and other allergens under control. Inasmuch as cigarette smoke contains more than 4,000 chemicals, make your home a no-smoking zone. Have your home tested for radon, a colorless, odorless gas that is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. today. Finally, limit your use of cleaners and spray products that contain synthetic fragrances, which can emit any number of toxic or hazardous chemical compounds.

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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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Why Install A Whole House Humidifier

December 4th, 2012 Posted in Humidifiers
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Keeping adequate and even moisture level in the air in your home is important for both health and comfort. Too much moisture can lead to mold and other spore growth while too little can cause irritation to health conditions and even can be hard on surfaces within the home. A whole house humidifier helps homeowners adjust and control the moisture in the air, creating a healthy, warm environment.

How Whole House Humidifiers Work

When the weather turns colder and homes need to be heated to stay warm, devices such as furnaces can remove the moisture from the interior air. When air is dry, there is increased static electricity, wood surfaces can dry out and crack and it can become drying on nasal passages and sinuses. While smaller humidifiers may help bring moisture into one area, whole house humidifiers work with the heating system to maintain an even humidity throughout the home.

Most of these large humidifiers are connected in with the furnace or heat source and add moisture to the warm air being distributed through the home. The water they use can be in a large reservoir or hooked into the homes water supply system. The type used can often be determined by the quality of the tap water in a home, as some tap water can cause build up in the system as the water evaporates and leaves minerals and other residue.

Improved Air Quality

Adding a whole house humidifier can improve the air quality in your home, especially for those who sufferer from sinus and respiratory ailments. It can also stop skin and wood surfaces from becoming dried out during the winter months. Consult with a professional to determine what type is best for your home and to understand what maintenance is involved.

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Duct Cleaning

November 25th, 2011 Posted in HVAC Maintenance
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Many homeowners have their air ducts cleaned in an effort to improve their home’s indoor air quality.  The effectiveness of air duct cleaning is the subject of some debate, largely due to duct cleaning companies who make inflated claims about the dangers of dirty ducts and the improvement you can expect from clean air ducts.

Before you spend money on duct cleaning, you should know that not every home needs duct cleaning and most homes don’t need routine duct cleaning.  However, duct cleaning can improve the air quality in many homes and for some homes, air duct cleaning can lead to improved health, especially for asthma and allergy sufferers.

Anyone who has changed their furnace filter knows that a lot of dust, dirt, pet hair, and other airborne debris circulates through your heating and air conditioning ducts.  In many systems, all this dust, dirt and debris can accumulate on the inside of your ductwork.  If you use a high efficiency pleated filter and change it regularly, you may not have much accumulation in your ducts.

On the other hand, if your HVAC system is equipped with a standard flat filter and you often wait a little too long between filter changes, there may be buildup of dust and dirt in your ductwork.  Duct cleaning can remove this buildup and lower the amount of dust, dirt, pet dander, and other airborne contaminants that are re-circulated through your home via the HVAC system.

If moisture accumulates on this mat of material, it can be a breeding ground for mold and mildew.  Mold and mildew spores are then distributed throughout your home every time your air conditioner, heat  pump, or furnace turns on.  If you or a family member suffers from allergies or asthma, duct cleaning under these circumstances may offer improved air quality and reduce allergic reactions.

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Improve Air Quality With Air Duct Cleaning

November 22nd, 2011 Posted in HVAC Maintenance
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If you have noticed that the air quality in your home isn’t what it used to be, or that your allergies have been causing you more trouble this year, the problem may be that you have dirty air ducts.  Dirt, dust, pet dander, and other airborne particles can collect in your air ducts and be distributed around your home by your heating and air conditioning system.

Even worse, if moisture enters your air ducts, it can create an excellent environment for mold and mildew growth.  Mold and mildew spores are then blown into the living areas of your home where they can cause serious health problems.

Not every home needs air duct cleaning.  In fact, if your air ducts were properly installed and you use a high efficiency pleated filter that you change regularly, your air ducts should stay clean for years.  On the other hand, improper installation, using standard flat fiberglass filters, or failing to change filters regularly can lead to dirty air ducts.

You can inspect your air ducts by removing an air register and examining the inside of the duct with a mirror and a good flashlight.  If you see a buildup of dust, dirt and other debris or mold and mildew growth, your ducts may need cleaning.  Better yet, ask your HVAC contractor to inspect your ducts during your routine HVAC maintenance visit.

Your HVAC contractor will not only be able to help you determine whether you need duct cleaning, but also will be able to identify leaky or improperly installed air ducts.  Many HVAC contractors can also handle your air duct service and cleaning if necessary.

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