What is Your IAQ (Indoor Air Quality)?

With a few smart choices, you can stay comfortable and save money.

Do you or any of your family members suffer from allergies, asthma or other respiratory ailments?

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases has estimated that 11 percent of the U.S. population, or 22 million Americans, suffer from allergies or asthma caused primarily by reaction to biological contaminants, such as mold spores, pollen and dust mites.

A Healthy Climate® 16 Media Air Cleaner brings relief to allergy sufferers by removing up to 94% of unwanted contaminants in the air. In fact, this air cleaner is so effective, it's considered equivalent to a MERV 16 filter. By comparison, a typical disposable filtered is rated MERV 1.

Do you or any of your family members often feel nauseous, listless or dizzy?

The EPA has found that in a typical day spent at home, people are likely to breathe in about two to five times more chemicals than they would if they had spent the day outside. For some people, this may mean headaches, dizziness and shortness of breath. For others, particular seniors and small children, the effects can be devastating and long lasting.

To combat the ill effects of chemical vapors, try the PureAir™ air purification system, the only indoor air quality product that safely removes and destroys 50% of household odors and chemical vapors in a 24-hour period.

Are there any pets or smokers in your household?

Pollutants like pet dander and tobacco fumes can cause poor indoor air quality, which in turn may cause dizziness and headaches, plus aggravate allergies and asthma.

Do you feel better when you are away from home?

Unfortunately, the place where you feel most safe and secure - home sweet home - is the place that can be most harmful to your health. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the air inside your home or office may be up to five times more polluted than the air outside.

If you're wondering whether you need to clear the air in your home or office, Contact Us to help you to select the correct air purification product that will work the best for you and your budget.

What You Should Know About House Dust

This ever-changing and seemingly ever-present substance has been a concern of housekeepers and allergy patients alike. It is the result of the natural decomposition of the things we have in our homes plus we have dust that infiltrates from the outside through cracks in doors and windows. Wherever it comes from, it causes a lot of symptoms for the allergic person.

What is in house dust?

The composition varies from house to house, but in general, you might find textile fibers, decomposing insect parts, pet dander, human and animal hair, food leftovers, pollen grains, mold spores, bacteria, skin flakes, insulation, sand, and the most likely offender, the dust mite and its fecal material.

What increases the amount of dust in a house?

Carpets, draperies, ruffled items, knickknacks, books, magazines, pets, upholstered furniture, animals and pillows, and fireplaces are some of the things that increase dust levels. Infrequent cleaning or cleaning with a vacuum cleaner without a high efficiency filtering device, high traffic levels, location of the house, type of yard, and condition of the central air system can all contribute to the amount of dust in your home For example, if you are in a new neighborhood where there is a lot of construction and the yards are not sodden with grass, you will have more dust in your home. Leaks in the duct work can cause dust and insulation from the attic to be drawn into the living space.

How can I reduce my exposure is house dust?

1. It's best for the dust sensitive person to not do the vacuuming or dusting. If you must do these tasks, wear a mask, and use a vacuum cleaner with a high efficiency filter to reduce your exposure.
2. There are electrostatically charged cleaning cloths and mops which attract and hold the dust to keep it from becoming airborne. Using a damp mop on floors and walls can reduce dust levels. Don't forget to clean bed springs, window sills, under furniture, Venetian blinds, and other dust catchers with a damp cloth.
3. Remove carpets and as many dust producing and dust catching items from your home as possible. Select closed book cases and curio cabinets instead of open shelves. Books and magazines are dust catchers. Tile, linoleum, or hardwood floors are much better for the allergic patient than carpets.
4. Mattresses, box springs, and pillows should be encased with impermeable, zippered covers. New fabrics are now available that are breathable to allow water vapor to pass through for added comfort.
5. Keep clothing in drawers, and closet doors closed.
6. Vacuum frequently with a machine equipped with a High Efficiency Air Filter. Nilfisk, Fantom, Miele, and Euroclean are brands with HEPA filters.
7. A high performance filter in the central air system can remove 90%+ of the dust from the air as it operates. These washable filters should not contain any materials with glue on them. Check with the manufacturer before making a purchase.
8. Room air purifiers are helpful in controlling dust especially in your bedroom.
9. Have the duct system cleaned and checked for leaks.
10. Use wooden, glass, or plastic furniture where possible rather than upholstered items. Antiques often contain high amounts of dust.
11. Use washable curtains or window shades instead of Venetian blinds and heavy draperies.
12. Select easily cleaned decorations instead of silk or dried flower arrangements, straw, wicker, or fabric wall coverings.

Dust Mite Allergy

Dust mite allergy is an allergy to a microscopic organism that lives in the dust that is found in all dwellings and workplaces. Dust mites are perhaps the most common cause of perennial allergic rhinitis. Dust mite allergy usually produces symptoms similar to pollen allergy and also can produce symptoms of asthma.

How can I reduce my heating and cooling costs?

First, be sure to clean or replace your air filters are per the manufacturers recommendations.

To reduce heat gain, pull drapes or shades over sun-facing windows.

Stir up breezes using a whole-house fan or ceiling fans; or circulate air using the "Fan Only" setting on your central system.

When possible, minimize mid-day activities that add humidity to the air, such as washing and drying clothes, showering, and cooking. When doing these activities use ventilating fans.

What is Central Air Conditioner Energy Efficiency?

To reduce wasted energy, the U.S. Department of Energy has established minimum efficiency standards for central air conditioning system. Every unit is given an efficiency rating, called a SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating). This is listed on the yellow Energy Guide label posted on each unit. It's very important to look at these ratings-the higher the number, the more efficient the unit and the lower the cost to provide a given amount of cooling.

The minimum allowable SEER rating for new central air conditioners 13. The most efficient models have SEERs of 15 to 19. When buying, watch the terminology. "High efficiency" models are actually those that meet the minimum SEER standard of 13.

Common Service Issues

Water leaks on floor or from ceiling.

The unit constantly cycles on and off.

The air-conditioner doesn't get cold enough.

Other Central A/C Problems and Solutions

Water leaks on floor or from ceiling.