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Causes of Indoor Air Pollution

May 22, 2023

Air pollution, or air contamination inside buildings and homes, is a major environmental concern, but many of us don’t realize that indoor air pollution can also be seriously detrimental to our health. However, you can take steps to protect yourself. Keep reading to learn more. Causes of Indoor Air Pollution Several factors can lead to poor indoor air quality and indoor air pollution, including chemicals used in cleaning products, building materials such as lead or asbestos, insulation, emissions from fuel-burning stoves or heaters, and flame-retardant chemicals in furnishings, carpets and other fabrics. Poor ventilation can also play a role in poor indoor air quality. When ventilation is inadequate, outdoor air is unable to circulate naturally into buildings, and mold and mildew growth can lead to an unhealthy accumulation of microbes in the air. Tackling Indoor Air Pollution Proper ventilation is key, and you can achieve it by opening windows and using fans or air conditioners to increase airflow within a building. In addition to improving airflow, try to limit your exposure to chemicals, such as cleaning products and paints, by using natural alternatives. Vacuum regularly, and clean mold or mildew to prevent their spread. When it comes to heating and...

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9 Ways to Spring Clean Your HVAC

April 24, 2023

Spring is a great time to clean up your home and prepare it for the upcoming season. When you do, don’t forget about your HVAC system! Here are nine great tips to help you give your HVAC system a good spring cleaning as well. 1. Check the Air Filter Air filters should be replaced at least every three months. This helps keep dust, dirt, and other allergens from entering your HVAC system. If you find a clogged filter, replace it immediately. 2. Clean the Outdoor Unit The outdoor unit of your HVAC system can become clogged with debris like grass and leaves. Make sure to clean it out to ensure the unit is running at its best. 3. Clean the Vents Vacuum the vents and registers in each room of your home to remove dust and grime that have built up over the winter months. 4. Clean the Ducts Hire a professional to inspect and clean your ducts. They can remove built-up dust and debris, as well as identify any potential problems. 5. Check for Leaks or Cracks in Ductwork If you find any leaks or cracks in your ductwork, it’s important to address them immediately. This helps prevent air...

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Tips for Turning on the Central Air for the First Time This Spring

March 16, 2023

The temperatures are rising, and it’s time to turn on the central air — but not so fast! If you haven’t used your central air in a while, it’s important to do a few checks before turning it on for the first time this spring. Follow these steps to ensure your AC system is ready for warm weather. Test Your System Before turning on the central air for the first time this year, it’s a good idea to have an HVAC professional perform a maintenance service or tune-up to check all the components of your system to make sure they’re working properly. They’ll check the air filters, inspect the condensate drain line for blockages and debris, and ensure all controls are properly set. Clean the Outdoor Unit Your air conditioner’s outdoor unit contains a fan that helps to keep your system running efficiently. To ensure that the fan is able to do its job, it needs to be free of debris and dirt. Before you ramp up the central air, make sure that no leaves, twigs, or other debris have collected in or around the unit. Any leaves or dirt that have gathered within the system should be carefully removed...

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The Benefits of Heat Pumps for Energy Efficiency

February 17, 2023

Heat pumps are like the superheroes of energy efficiency. They don’t just save you money on utility bills; they also help reduce emissions from your home and even your neighborhood. Not to mention, they make life more comfortable by regulating temperature. So, if you’re looking for an energy-saving solution that won’t break the bank, look no further than a heat pump. Below are some of the reasons why heat pumps are the ultimate energy-saving champions. They Move Heat Instead of Generating It Heat pumps transfer heat from one place to another instead of generating it. This means they use less energy than traditional heating systems, which can save you money in the long run. Plus, since heat pumps don’t burn fuel to stay active, they have a much lower carbon footprint. This helps reduce air pollution and keep your neighborhood cleaner. They Consume Less Energy Heat pumps use electricity to move heat, which consumes less energy than traditional heating systems. In addition, since heat pumps don’t need to be heated or cooled, they don’t need as much electricity to run. This makes them a great energy-saving option for reducing your carbon footprint. For large buildings, they can even be coupled...

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5 Ways to Increase Indoor Air Quality During the Winter Months

January 18, 2023

5 Ways to Improve Your Home’s Indoor Air Quality in the Winter You spend most of your time indoors during the winter. Unfortunately, the indoor air quality of your home can plummet during this time of year. There are thankfully things that you can do to keep your indoor air quality as high as possible. 1. Keep Your Home Clean Keeping your home clean will improve its air quality. Regularly dust surfaces and clean bedding. Vacuum carpets and rugs with a HEPA vacuum cleaner once or twice a week. 2. Install Indoor Air Quality Products Air purifiers trap dust, pet dander, and other air pollutants. To remove air pollutants from your entire home, invest in a whole-house air purifier. This device is installed in your home’s HVAC system where it cleans all the air that passes through it. You can also have a whole-house dehumidifier installed in your HVAC system. This device will keep your entire home at an ideal humidity level. 3. Change the Air Filter You should schedule an HVAC company to tune up your furnace in the spring. As part of this service, they will change the air filter as needed. In the winter, check the air...

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Preventing Your Furnace From Blowing a Fuse

December 21, 2022

With colder temperatures settling in for the season, the last thing you want to experience is a broken furnace. One common occurrence when your furnace works overtime in the wintertime is a blown fuse. Causes of Blowing a Fuse Some of the most common causes of furnace-blown fuses include: Damaged wiring in your system A saturated air filter Thermostat metal frame encountering wiring Faulty parts or worn-out components While some of these fixes may seem like do-it-yourself opportunities, it’s best to contact a qualified HVAC technician to properly diagnose and repair the problem. Furnaces require regular care and maintenance to ensure that they continue to work as intended. Fortunately, there are some simple steps you can take to ensure that your HVAC system can carry the heavy winter load. Take these steps for efficient heating success this winter and beyond. 1. Examine Furnace Fuses and Breaker Boxes Having your breaker box and furnace fuses inspected by a qualified service professional will help eliminate future problems. Change and replace worn-out fuses, and make sure that your breaker box remains up to code to reduce incidents of failed fuses and even electrical fires that could quickly overtake your home. 2. Change Your...

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3 Ways to Increase Your Air Quality During Winter Months

November 18, 2022

Winter is a great time of year. The holidays are around the corner, and there’s nothing like a good snowfall to make everything feel festive. However, as temperatures drop and you spend more time indoors, the quality of your air can suffer. Dust mites, mold, and poor ventilation can all lead to stuffy noses, coughing, and irritated eyes. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to improve the air quality in your home this winter. 1. Keep Humidity Levels in Check During the winter months, humidity levels inside your home can drop significantly. This can cause a variety of problems, such as static electricity and an increased risk of respiratory infections. To combat this, invest in a humidifier. This will help add moisture back into the air and make your home more comfortable overall. 2. Change Your Furnace Filter Regularly Your furnace filter is there for a reason – to trap dust, pollen, and other allergens so they don’t circulate through your home. But over time, filters get clogged and need to be regularly changed. Most experts recommend changing your furnace filter at least once every three months. However, if you have pets or someone in your home...

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Will My Heat Pump Work When Temperatures Reach Freezing?

October 20, 2022

Heat pumps can seem like the ideal heating and cooling option for any home. You need to have only one system installed, and it can be highly efficient to operate as compared to other types of heating and cooling systems. However, one major drawback of heat pumps many years ago was their inability to perform well in freezing temperatures. Modern Technology Has Changed All That Heat pumps for residential use went mainstream around the 1980s. While these initial heat pumps worked great in moderate climates, they struggled a lot when temperatures went down below freezing. This created a problem for many who lived in colder climates where temperatures dipped below freezing on a regular basis. However, modern technology has changed all that. Modern heat pumps can work perfectly fine in zero-degree temperatures. This efficient operation during colder weather can be attributed to improved compressor designs, coil designs, more efficient fans and better motors. Now, heat pumps have been tested to work in all different environments around the globe. Dealing With Negative Temperatures The limitation of most modern air-source heat pumps is around -13 degrees Fahrenheit. If you live in a region of the world that actively sees these low temperatures...

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Why You Shouldn’t Attempt to Change Your AC Fan Speed on Your Own

September 15, 2022

Even when the air conditioner in your Solon, Ohio home is working perfectly, you aren’t guaranteed to have the level of comfort that you really want. Although cranking up your air conditioner’s fan speed will give you a faster and more forceful flow of air, you should never attempt to make this adjustment by yourself. Like all other aspects of your air conditioner, fan speed settings must account for the nature of the AC model you own and the needs of your living environment. Ideal AC Fan Settings Can Vary From Model to Model Across nearly all air conditioner brands, 400 cubic feet per minute (CFM) is the standard fan speed. However, ideal fan settings are often specific to individual AC models based upon their size, cooling capacity, and overall design. More importantly, the standard fan speed isn’t necessarily the correct fan speed for you home. To arrive at the right setting, you’ll have to account for numerous factors that are specific to your living environment. Cranking up Fan Speeds Rarely Provides the Desired Results Increasing the speed of box fans and ceiling fans provides more air movement and increased comfort. This isn’t the case with air conditioners. Having more...

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Reasons Why Your Air Conditioner Might Be Squeaking

August 11, 2022

As you’re relaxing on a hot and swampy day, the last thing you likely want is a problem with your air conditioner. When that squeaking noise starts up, ignoring the issue might be tempting, but doing so can lead to more extensive and costly repairs later on. Learn some of the reasons why the air conditioner might be making that unpleasant sound. It’s Getting Started Keep in mind that at the beginning of the hot season, the air conditioner has potentially not been turned on for many months. If your air conditioner squeaks when the unit is first turned on for the season, and then the noise goes away, you might not have anything to worry about it. It’s Working too Hard The air conditioner might be working too hard to keep up with the home’s cooling demands, which could lead to a squeaking sound. Consider if you need to keep the temperature as low as you currently have it set. Setting the unit to a low temperature can require the parts within the air conditioner to have to work harder, which can ultimately lead to squeaking. The Parts Need Repair or Replacement One or more of the parts in...

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