Home Maintenance Archives - Page 2 of 3

May 28, 2021

The Importance of Your Home’s Air Quality

Every day, we expose ourselves to several unavoidable risks while carrying out our day-to-day activities. For the most parts, these risks are inevitable, and air pollution is one of them. When most people think of air pollution, what comes to mind is outdoor air quality. However, indoor air pollution can also put you at the risk of developing health issues. Even without opening your windows, pollen and smoke can get into your home through cracks and pollute the air you breathe. On this note, this article will address the importance of air quality and how to improve your home’s air quality.

What is good air quality?

The-Importance-of-Your-Home's-Air-Quality

Air is a transparent mixture of gasses, and because it’s constantly moving, its quality can change depending on the location, season, or time of the day. Air quality can be either good or bad, and this is measured using the air quality index. The air quality index ranges from 0-500, and it shows the status of major air pollutants. According to the indoor air quality standard from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), any air quality that rates above 100 is unhealthy, and a rate of 300 indicates hazardous air quality. This standard is set to protect public health and help people understand the importance of fresh air.

Why is air quality important?

There is plenty of information regarding the correlation between smoking habits and respiratory issues. However, many people don’t know that poor air quality puts you at the risk of having severe health issues.

With over 800 toxins polluting the air resulting from human activities, it’s dangerous not to care about your air quality. Bad air quality can lead to respiratory and dermatological health conditions. Symptoms from the effect of air pollution can include headaches, sinus congestion, and coughing.

While these immediate issues are usually short-term and treatable, there are delayed issues that can arise from air pollution. They can be fatal, especially among children and the elderly or those with weak immune systems. Therefore, thoroughly understanding the importance of home ventilation can help you live a longer and healthier life.

Improving your home air quality involves making conscious efforts, and below are a few things you can do to promote quality indoor air around your house.

Carry out regular maintenance on your appliances.

Just as you would want to regularly take the new vehicle you bought from a new car dealership in for maintenance, you should also apply the same level of concern to your home’s appliances. With regular maintenance, you can tell when insulation needs replacement, as this is one of the best ways to improve your home’s air quality. Most times, old or poorly installed insulation could be releasing chemicals that contain high levels of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), and you wouldn’t know because you don’t conduct regular maintenance.

Use energy recovery ventilators (ERV).

The relationship between insulation and energy efficiency is another factor that can improve your home’s air quality. When a house is well insulated with an energy-efficient air conditioner, it lessens energy usage, subsequently reducing the production and infiltration of air pollutants around the home.

An example of a proper ventilation system is an HVAC system. HVACs provide an excellent solution for homes. This home ventilation system helps regulate humidity levels and eliminates stale air and moisture that promote mold growth, thereby allowing quality airflow around the house—irrespective of the season.

Establish good habits.

While getting an energy-efficient ventilator is excellent for reducing pollutants, your home’s air quality won’t be at its best if you don’t have good cleaning habits. Therefore, ensure that you establish a cleaning routine to get rid of dust, pollen and pet dander around the house. Also, remember to use a certified asthma and allergy-friendly company to replace your carpets and keep windows closed during peak pollen seasons.

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Good Reason For Having An Air Purifier In Your Home

May 22, 2021

5 Benefits of Proper Ventilation

There’s nothing quite like a breath of fresh air. A moment of clarity and calm comes simply from stepping outside and getting in a deep inhale and exhale. It’s important to have that same presence of clean air and proper ventilation inside your home, and it’s actually achievable in fairly easy ways.

1. Improved Air Quality

Indoor pollution can linger anywhere in your home, from dust accruing on a ceiling fan to a poorly operating exhaust fan in your kitchen. The fact of the matter is proper ventilation helps get the polluted air out of your home. All you have to do is simply open a window or door to get a cross-breeze to bring outdoor air inside and improve indoor air quality in your living space.

Natural ventilation is the quickest and simplest way to improve your indoor air quality rather than relying on air cleaners to do the job. If you have a ventilation system in your home, you’ll want to make sure to stay on top of any upkeep to prevent any allergens from continuing to circulate through your home that may aggravate asthma symptoms.

2. Health Benefits

Proper home ventilation is the best way to reduce the number of health issues like asthma, throat irritation, headaches, and allergies. Having a good ventilation system reduces dampness that triggers many common respiratory troubles. Removing these contaminants can be done by bringing outdoor air in, or investing in a proper air cleaner to give you freshly circulated air and a clean environment.

Indoor air problems can stem from home appliances like a clothes dryer that are not properly cleaned out after use, keeping irritants in their filtration, and clogged in their exhaust system. The use of a gas stove can also raise concern for the buildup of odorless carbon monoxide that is linked to severe illness, even the potential for death from prolonged exposure.

3. Low Humidity Levels

With proper indoor ventilation, you’ll be able to avoid the buildup of humidity within your household. Humid climates are a breeding ground for mold, viruses, and other dangerous spores that can have real-life health implications. Relative humidity in a household should be anywhere from 40 to 50 percent, going lower than 40 during the winter months to prevent condensation.

The buildup of mildew could lead to dangerous respiratory infections. Be sure to use disinfectants and mold-killing cleaning products regularly to prevent this growth. It’s important to maintain a proper cleaning regimen, and that includes proper ventilation while scrubbing to avoid inhaling dangerous irritants within those products.

4. Less Wasted Energy

If you invest in a proper home HVAC system, you can use ventilation to your advantage. With proper maintenance, an HVAC unit can operate successfully for air conditioning and heating. Some units come with vent control that allows users to control just how much of that power comes through a household. This does require regular cleaning for filters and vents to keep mites from making their way through a household.

5. Home Comfort

The most important quality of your indoor environment is the level of comfort you feel just sitting on your couch. Outdoor air is an easy way to cool off on a warmer day rather than put pressure on your air conditioner. The amount of outdoor air you bring in can help to eliminate high levels of pollutants without even realizing it.

Proper cleaning habits and cross ventilation are the easiest ways to improve your indoor air quality. Keep your family members in mind, and take the best steps to eliminate any potential health hazards, and keep your airflow clean as can be.

April 24, 2021

How to Handle Common HVAC Issues

Your HVAC system can be your best friend, keeping you warm through the winter and cool through the summer, or it can be your worst enemy. Issues can arise with your HVAC unit that can leave you frustrated, stressed, and, even worse, cold on a freezing day. Thankfully, there are simple ways for homeowners to troubleshoot the most common HVAC issues, and be able to enjoy the comfort of their house once again.

Odd Noises

One of the most common HVAC issues has no problem making its presence known throughout your household. Strange noises coming from your HVAC unit may require you to contact a technician to evaluate the cause. HVAC systems usually run smoothly, not making any overly noticeable noise. If you notice the unit hissing, rattling, or making a loud humming, it could mean a larger issue.

A booming noise from the furnace could be due to delayed ignition or dirty burners, while a squealing sound signifies issues with the blower motor or blower belt. The truth is regular maintenance of your heating and air conditioning unit will help to prevent troubles with blockage and debris that are often at the root of these noises.

Problems with Airflow

Have you ever found that while your HVAC has the heat turned on, one room is warm and another is much colder? Well, that is the result of airflow inconsistencies within an HVAC system. These airflow issues can be brought on by small leaks within the ductwork. As part of the routine maintenance, an HVAC technician will evaluate the condition of these ducts, as well as your system, to evaluate any issues that may be causing one room to not be feeling what it reads on the thermostat.

Dirty and clogged air filters require regular cleaning and replacement to prevent any crud and contaminants from obstructing ventilation and ductwork. If your HVAC unit has an outdoor component, be sure to clear debris around the unit that may be creating dirty coils and blockage.

Indoor Air Quality

With dust and other materials blocking vents, those contaminants can really mess your indoor air quality, leaving you and your loved ones inhaling what’s taking up that dirty air filter. Frequent respiratory illnesses and allergic reactions have been linked to problems with HVAC air filters. These clogged air filters minimize the quality of the indoor air. Dirty condenser coils also restrict airflow.

Cross-ventilation is one of the simplest ways to improve indoor air quality, by bringing in fresh air from outside. You may have just cooked something in your chef-quality kitchen, and need to clear out the odors lingering in the room. This is a common issue that can also be addressed with easy cleaning to remove lingering stenches and bacteria from after cooking. This includes scrubbing countertops, appliances, and even forks and knives. Keeping the windows open will also help to waft out the scent of cleaning chemicals such as bleach.

HVAC System Capacity

If you have any HVAC questions before purchasing and having the unit installed, make sure you address all of them with a professional. Sometimes, homeowners buy too large of an HVAC unit that operates less efficiently and send electric and heating bills skyrocketing. However, too small of a system can put too much strain, and lead to quick burnout. The proper HVAC size ensures effective heating and air conditioning, enhancing your indoor comfort.

It is important to have a technician evaluate your unit on a regular basis, to look into every possible HVAC issue that may arise. Anything from faulty thermostats to refrigerant leaks can be addressed in the proper hands. However, keeping filters clean and replacing them is an easy way to avoid any long-term issues on your end.

March 17, 2021

Home Efficiency Upgrades You Need To Prioritize

Owning a home is expensive. In addition to the mortgage, property taxes, and insurance costs, homeowners are responsible for their utility bills and the cost of household repairs.

Most homeowners spend thousands on household maintenance and emergency repairs every year. Investing in the home efficiency upgrades and routine maintenance outlined here can prevent systems from breaking down and save homeowners money in the long run.

Doors and Windows

Old doors and windows can allow unwanted airflow. Drafty doors and windows will make it harder to heat or cool your home and increase the strain on your HVAC system. You may be able to correct this issue by applying caulking around old windows and adding draft stoppers to your doors.

It’s also a good idea to consider investing in new doors and windows. The cost of upgrades pays for itself by lowering your utility bills and increasing your property value. If your doors and windows are drafty, you won’t be able to fully enjoy your home in the winter because you’ll want to avoid drafts to stay warm.

HVAC System

Your home’s furnace distributes hot air throughout your home during the winter. If your heating system struggles to reach your desired temperature, it’s possible your furnace doesn’t run efficiently due to serious mechanical issues. Efficient heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems draw in air through the intake vents and heat the air. The blower distributes warm air through the supply vents until the home reaches the temperature set on your thermostat. You can extend the life of your HVAC system by making regular maintenance a part of your routine. Schedule maintenance from an HVAC technician every fall to ensure your furnace is working correctly before winter. This can extend your heating system’s life, so you don’t have to buy a new furnace prematurely.

Your HVAC technician will inspect the unit to ensure all parts are working correctly and replace worn parts. The technician can also remove debris from the ducts to keep your system from distributing contaminants throughout your home. Have your technician return to perform routine maintenance on your air conditioner in the spring to ensure it’s ready for summer.

If your heating system does break down, check to ensure the pilot light is on. Make a habit of cleaning or replacing your HVAC system’s air filter each month. A dirty filter can obstruct airflow, which will make it harder for your unit to heat or cool your home. When the system has to work harder to perform its tasks, it consumes more energy, which will cause your utility bills to increase.

Insulation

Your attic can cause energy efficiency issues by allowing unwanted airflow that affects your home’s temperature. Insulating your attic prevents hot air from escaping during the winter and keeps the cool air in during the summer. Your furnace and air conditioner won’t have to run as often to heat or cool your home, which means you’ll save money on energy bills.

Your ducts can also leak air. Sealing leaks and wrapping your ducts with insulation ensures your home’s cooling and heating system can distribute air efficiently.

Lighting

If your healthy routine includes completing a workout first thing in the morning, you’ll need appropriate lighting to ensure your safety. Set up your exercise area near a window so you can take advantage of the natural sunlight during the summer months. You can also reduce your utility bills by replacing old light bulbs with LED light bulbs, which consume less energy. Another idea is to take advantage of natural sunlight by placing your desk and favorite reading chair near a window.

Appliances

Old appliances use more energy than new energy-efficient appliances consume. Although it can cost hundreds upfront to replace your stove or refrigerator, the older your home’s appliances are, the more money you’ll save by replacing them. You may even save money on your home insurance costs as well because some old appliances may be a fire risk.

Smart home upgrades can improve your home’s efficiency and save you hundreds to thousands of dollars per year on your utility bills. You can also avoid the inconvenience and cost of paying for emergency repairs.