The Pros and Cons of Owning an Air Purifier

May 20, 2022

There’s no doubt about it, air pollution is a huge problem. According to the World Health Organization, over 4.3 million people die every year as a result of air pollution. Many of those deaths are the result of respiratory problems. If you’re concerned about your health and the quality of the air you breathe, you may be wondering if an air purifier is right for you. The Pros There are many benefits to owning an air purifier. The most obvious benefit is that it can improve the quality of the air you breathe. Nobody wants to inhale air that’s full of pollutants. If you live in an area with high levels of air pollution, an air purifier can help to remove some of the harmful particles from the air and make it safer for you to breathe. They can also eliminate odors, so your home will always smell fresh and clean. Another benefit of air purifiers is that they can help to improve your respiratory health. Medical scientists believe that air purifiers can help reduce the severity of allergies and asthma symptoms. This improves the air around you, reducing triggers and making it easier to breathe. Air purifiers can also...

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A Guide to Portable ACs and How They Operate

May 20, 2022

Summertime brings hot weather, and for many, that means relying on portable air conditioners to keep them cool. If you’re in the market for a portable AC, you may be wondering how these devices work and what the benefits are. Portable air conditioners are one way to keep cool this summer, but before you buy this equipment, it’s important to know how they function, the different types available, and which might be right for you. What Are Portable ACs, and How Do They Work? Portable air conditioners are self-contained units that can be moved from room to room as needed. They function by pulling in warm air from the room, cooling it, and then circulating the cool air back into the space. They use a compressor to cool the air inside the unit. The compressor takes in warm air from your room and passes it over a set of coils filled with refrigerant. This process cools the air, and the cooled air is then passed back into your area through a set of vents. Most portable ACs also have a built-in dehumidifier, which helps to remove excess moisture from the air. In essence, a portable AC operates on the same...

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4 Common Indicators Your AC Is Due for Repairs

May 20, 2022

Many people rarely think of their AC units until the weather becomes unbearable and the demand for air conditioning becomes indispensable. Some homeowners will often praise the vital role of a cooling system but won’t take the necessary steps to keep them in ideal working conditions. You must understand that air conditioners run on fault-prone components that need regular care and repairs. Even if you’ve got the most luxurious, top-tier air conditioner, you still need to watch for faults and failure signs. To save you the hassle of dissembling your AC unit every few months to check for defects, the following are the top four telltale signs of an AC system that’s due for repairs. 1. Erratic Cooling An effective air conditioning unit spreads its cooling power evenly throughout the zoned area. These units are accurately sized to the cooling demands of the target area. Therefore, it’s normal to question the performance of your air conditioner if it fails to distribute cool air throughout your home. In some instances, wrong thermostat settings may affect how air is distributed throughout the house. However, the leading cause of uneven cooling is a faulty AC unit. When an air conditioner has clogged filters,...

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How Ductless Air Conditioners Cool Down St. Louis Homes

April 18, 2022

Not every home in St. Louis is built to support a central HVAC system. If you live in a house with insufficient HVAC ductwork or absolutely no ductwork at all, you may be tired of relying on ceiling fans, standing fans, and inefficient window air conditioners during the summer months. Fortunately, ductless air conditioning provides the same reliable performance that central A/C systems do. These systems are flexible enough for meeting the needs of everyone in the home. They’re also easy to install. Keep reading to find out exactly how these relatively new options in home cooling equipment work. What Is a Ductless Air Conditioner? Also known as mini-splits or ductless mini-splits, ductless air conditioners have an outside compressor and multiple indoor air handlers. For every room or zone throughout your home that you want to cool, you’ll need to have a separate air handler installed. This configuration means that you don’t have to turn the air conditioner on in every room at once. Instead, building residents can selectively cool down the areas that they’re actively using. Each air handler has its own thermostat and remote. This makes ductless A/C systems an excellent choice for households with residents that are...

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7 Ways Spring Weather Affects Your Indoor Air Quality

April 9, 2022

7 Ways Spring Weather Affects Your Indoor Air Quality Spring weather in St. Louis, MO can be a wild, unpredictable ride. With strong, gusty winds, ample rain, hail storms, and tornadoes, many residents aren’t eager to greet this often volatile season. Sadly, even when you’re nestled safely inside, there’s still the issue of greatly diminished indoor air quality (IAQ). The good news is that you have a far better ability to manage the environment inside of your home than you do the environment outdoors. The following are seven springtime IAQ concerns along with a few tips for mitigating them. 1. Dirty Air Filters, Vents, and Ductwork Spring in St. Louis often comes on the heels of severe winter weather and an extended cold season. It’s not uncommon for locals to see record-breaking snowfall in mid-March. When compared to locations with shorter and more temperate winters, this means far more strain on central heating systems. By the time that April arrives, your HVAC system is likely riddled with dirt, dust, pet hair, and other accumulated debris. If the weather stays cold throughout all of early spring, you may make the mistake of skipping or delaying your regular HVAC maintenance. One of...

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Indoor Quality Monitors

March 16, 2022

Indoor Quality Monitors There are many contaminants inside your home such as smoke, carbon monoxide, pet dander, and dust that could make it uncomfortable and cause or worsen conditions like asthma and allergies. Research shows that indoor air pollution is sometimes higher than outdoor air pollution, and the World Health Organization states that approximately 3.8 million deaths annually are a result of indoor pollution-related issues. You can protect yourself by getting an air quality monitor to help you determine indoor air quality and understand how to improve it. What Is an Air Quality Monitor? Air quality monitors are electronic devices used to detect and measure the presence of tiny liquid and solid particles plus gases in your house or business that could be dangerous. Sometimes, the contaminants in your home or commercial building could accumulate. Without the monitor, you might not notice it, and it could eventually become a health threat for your family. Depending on the size of your home or business premises, you can choose a floor or tabletop model, a ceiling- or wall-mounted model, or a handheld, portable monitor. Wall or ceiling-mounted are permanent, and you can’t move them from room to room like the handheld or...

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Spring Has Arrived – It’s Time to Tune-Up Your Air Conditioner

March 11, 2022

Spring AC Tune-Up The warmer seasons are just around the corner, and so is the need for your air conditioner. To avoid paying more in electricity costs, you’ll want to schedule your spring AC tune-up to ensure it is working properly. Consider the following benefits of having regular system maintenance and what you can expect during your maintenance visit with one of our experienced technicians. Lower Operating Costs One of the most important reasons to have your system regularly maintained is to keep it running efficiently. Your system experiences additional strain when it isn’t functioning properly. This increases the amount of energy needed to effectively cool your home, ultimately increasing your electricity bill. Keep costs low by keeping up with routine maintenance of your equipment. Reduce Preventable Repairs Along with increased energy consumption, lack of efficiency also means your system experiences excessive strain. For example, airborne contaminants that flow through your filter and settle on the equipment components restrict airflow through the system, increasing resistance on your circulating fan motor. The motor itself creates vibration, which slowly loosens the mounting hardware and electrical connections in the air conditioner. Both of these increase wear on the circulating fan motor. It can...

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8 Ways to Maintain Clean Indoor Air During Allergy Season

March 5, 2022

Maintaining Clean Indoor Air One of the healthiest ways to encourage air circulation in a home is by opening a window. By opening the windows on a daily basis, you’re able to eliminate the collection of stale smells and more. However, if someone in your household has allergies, you can’t necessarily open your windows every day. Even if a person doesn’t have allergies, you still probably don’t want to invite a ton of pollen or ragweed into your home. In order to encourage clean air during allergy season, consider the following tips. 1. Monitor Your Beds and Linens Statistics show that the average individual spends a third of their life asleep. If the average person is getting at least eight hours of sleep, this is a significant amount of time to be in one space. Knowing this, it’s important to prioritize a clean bed environment. After a long day, it might be tempting to climb in bed. However, it’s best to take a shower and thoroughly clean yourself. This helps you to wash off all of the dirt, debris and allergens you can’t always see. Change your linens on a weekly basis. Cover your mattress, pillows and your box spring...

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Step-by-Step Furnace and Heat Pump Cleaning

January 18, 2022

Did you know that you should clean your furnace at the start of each heating season? The fact is that repeating it sometime mid-year will also help with keeping your furnace operating at peak efficiency while also helping you to prevent any future problems. In addition, to keep it running efficiently, annual servicing by an HVAC professional is recommended. On the other hand, if your home has a heat pump, you should be cleaning your supply and return registers annually as well as straightening their fins if they get bent. You should also call in a professional service provider, like , at least once a year to inspect your blower, ducts, filters, and indoor coil for any dirt or other obstructions. Check Your Warranty First Before doing any repair or maintenance work on your own on any HVAC unit, read your warranty carefully. Many units require that maintenance is regularly done by a professional (and not by you) in order to stay valid. Others will state that, if you work on your own furnace without the right credentials, your warranty is also voided. These requirements vary by brand, age and type of service performed. Routine Heat Pump Cleaning Simply put,...

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Tips for Prevention of Carbon Monoxide Leaks in Furnaces

January 11, 2022

Furnaces are necessary for many households, but they can also be a significant source of high carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide is an odorless and colorless gas produced by incomplete combustion. The presence of carbon monoxide has been linked to increased rates of heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and neurological damage. Causes of High Carbon Monoxide Levels Several causes lead to high levels of CO inside your furnace, including blocked air vents, blocked chimney flues, gas appliances installed incorrectly or not serviced regularly. A blockage in the air vents can cause your furnace to work harder than it should, which can lead to high levels of carbon monoxide. Your chimney flue is a significant part of the furnace, and it helps to remove the exhaust from your home. If this is blocked, it can cause the fumes from the furnace to enter your home. Insufficient ventilation can also lead to high levels of carbon monoxide inside your furnace. Make sure that you have sufficient fresh air coming into your home to help prevent this from happening. If you have a gas appliance in your home, it is essential to have it installed and serviced by a professional. This will...

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