February 2020 - Windy City

February 17, 2020March 17, 2020

Air Quality Tips For Better Environment At Home

Do you think that pollution is only outdoors? Well, you might want to revisit that thought because the truth is that even our indoor environment gets polluted. What a lot of people don’t realize is that the indoor air might be more polluted than the outdoor air. As you spend most of your time indoors, it is essential that you work upon enhancing the indoor air quality to improve your overall health and keep allergies as well as infections at bay. Fortunately, improving indoor air quality isn’t that difficult and can be achieved through easy steps and measures. Listed below are some tips that can help you out.

Duct Cleaning

When we make use of air conditioning or heating on a regular basis, the air ducts start accumulating dirt and dust. Pet’s dander, cigarette or cigar smoke, water contamination, remodeling projects contributes to the accumulation. You can clean the rest of the house but air ducts are hidden away so they miss the eye. Also, it is difficult to reach such places and clean it effectively. If left unnoticed, the dust and dirt will combine with the air passing through it and enter your living and breathing environment. From then on it can cause various health and breathing problems to the dwellers. You can call the professional once or twice a year to get the ducts thoroughly cleaned so that you can breathe clean air without any fears.

Make Sure Your AC Is Clean

Air conditioners have proved to be very helpful, especially in the summer months as it provides with cold air and refreshing the stale air. Now, what we forget is that there are filters in every kind of ACs must be cleaned too. When the ACs work, impurities, and pollens get stuck in the filter, which after some time, it starts throwing the same pollutants into the indoor air, decreases the air quality of a home. So it is critical to clean them regularly or take professional help.

Keep Your Upholstery Clean

Another thing that people usually overlook is their upholstery and carpets. If it looks clean, it doesn’t mean that it is not hiding dust and dirt inside it. You will get various signs like nose irritation, throat feeling dry and tired when there will be dust inside the upholstery. The dust mites if left untreated, will linger in the fabric of your homes such as bedding, cushions, and curtains. Do clean those as well on a regular basis to breathe easily when in close contact with fabrics and upholstery.

Take A Close Look At Chemicals Used In Your Home

We use a lot of chemicals at home to clean the floor, bathrooms and other things. Now, these chemicals will definitely offer great results but it can affect the air quality of your house. Ingredients like perchloroethylene, ethylene glycol, ammonia, chlorine, methylene chloride, formaldehyde, acetone, and benzene are quite common in VOCs. So, you can either avoid using such chemicals or can switch to organic products.

February 12, 2020March 17, 2020

Why Annual Furnace Tune-Ups are Necessary

Did you know?

The furnaces that we have installed at home produce heat by burning fuel.

So, it is very important to maintain the efficiency and safety of the system, the burning of the fuel, must be accurate. The cracks and leaks in the system might increase the quantity of the carbon monoxide to dangerous levels that can be dangerous for us.

Having getting properly examined the heat exchanger, gas burner and gas valve calibrations are important to the operation of the furnace. Who would want to take any chances of risk when it’s about our beloved family?

A regular check-up for your furnace isn’t always top of the priority. But in order to ensure the guarantee of your furnace and to provide you maximum comfort throughout the winter months, a scheduled furnace tune-up is crucial.

Is Annual Furnace Tune-Up Necessary?

Professionals say that Furnace inspections and maintenance by a qualified technician is an important thing to consider. Let’s check out, WHY?

Keeps You and Your Family Safe

As we have already discussed that furnace burns fuel to produce heat and the combustion process must be kept accurate to maintain the safety and efficiency. Even a minute issue in the system can lead to gas leaks into your home or hazardous carbon monoxide levels.

It’s better to take precautions and ensure the health and safety of you and your family.

Ensures proper airflow of the system

During the furnace tune-up inspection, the heating technician will check your heating system to ensure if your systems are receiving the proper airflow. Any restricted or limited airflow puts an unnecessary strain on your furnace that can later demand in increased repairs and will become less efficient.

Saves a Lot of Time

Scheduling a furnace tune-up at the right time, before the winters hits the city, is much more convenient than waiting for a technician during the winter in a chilled home without heat.

No need of Emergency Repairs

During winters, very often we receive emergency calls regarding furnace repairs which could have been prevented if one already has done with routine maintenance.

In addition to cleaning and filter replacement of the furnace system that keeps the system run efficiently, a furnace tune-up can identify potential problems before they turn into major ones.

The Manufacturer’s Warranty Actually Works

If the furnace installed at your home is under a manufacturer’s warranty, then it is important to get an annual furnace tune-up (which shouldn’t be over-looked at). Some manufacturers demands that the furnace is maintained more frequently in order not to void the warranty.

An Annual Furnace Tune-up can very well satisfy this requirement and maintain the warranty of the furnace.

What does a furnace tune-up do?

During a furnace tune-up, the technician is supposed to thoroughly clean and adjusts the parts and mechanisms inside your furnace. It will keep the furnace running efficiently throughout the season without letting you face the issue in between. He will also perform a comprehensive inspection to detect the potential problems before they turn up into a full-scale furnace breakdown.

There’s nothing best than taking action immediately and be prepared not regret it during the middle of winters when your furnace actually come in the role play. Schedule your service today!

February 11, 2020March 17, 2020

Step to Take to Improve Indoor Air Quality

The quality of indoor air is measured by the condition of the air inside your building. On one hand, where good Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) can help to create a comfortable environment to live, on the other hand, bad IAQ can make your lifestyle unhealthy and impaired.

Exposure to toxins even for a short time can prove to be dangerous. It can irritate your respiratory tracts and eyes, cause headaches and fatigue. Each of us actually reacts differently to indoor air pollutants. To save ourselves from this hazard we need to have a proper understanding of what are the sources of these pollutants and how to control these common indoor pollutants and improve our indoor health concerns.

Common causes of indoor air pollution

Some chief causes of indoor air pollution are:

Tobacco products
From the fuel-burning combustion appliances
Old building materials like worsened, asbestos-ridden insulation and freshly installed upholstery or carpet
Odors of chemicals cleaning products
Outdoor pollutants like pesticides and radon

Steps to take

To maintain a healthy IAQ you need to take certain measures like:

1. Keep your house clean –

In order to maintain good indoor hygiene you need to focus on the following:

Use a vacuum cleaner equipped with a HEPA filter for vacuuming the area rugs and carpets at least once or twice a week
Cleaning items that tend to attract allergens like the drapes, bedding, etc. especially if you have pets, is very important. Also try and use dust and mite-proof pillows covers, mattresses and box springs, if possible.
Keep your house mess- Free as it tends to trap and hold dust that can trigger an allergic reaction

2. Don’t keep indoor plants –

Indoor plants can add beauty to your home but they can also are a reason for mold growth. So, if you want to stay away from indoor allergens it would be wise to avoid having indoor plants.

3. Change the air filters regularly –

In case you have a forced-air heating system, be particular in changing the filters regularly. Electrostatic filters trap the airborne irritants and dust and check them from being re-circulated inside your home. Also, get the ducts cleaned to get rid of the dust trapped inside.

4. Get home an air purifier –

If you are allergic to indoor allergens and not really able to control the source of the problem an air purifier may prove to be useful. Go for ionic purifiers that can help capture the irritants which may trigger your allergic symptoms. A purifier may not be able remove the allergens completely but can help to check the problem.

In damp areas, you can consider investing in a dehumidifier to prevent the growth of molds. Keep the damp areas like your basement, bathroom, etc. well-ventilated and dry.

5. Let in the fresh air –

Leave your windows open from time to time to allow fresh air to get in the house even in the winters. Also turn on the exhaust fan to move out the possible air impurities while cooking.

February 3, 2020February 4, 2020

Top 5 Furnace Issues to Take Care of This Winter

With winters approaching, it becomes necessary to rely on heating appliances and furnaces to stay warm during the season. The last thing you would want is to end up cold because you didn’t pay attention to checking the furnace in advance.

Don’t wait until the cold winds blow through the windows to decide it’s time to clean and use the furnace. These have a way of troubling when you need them the most. But by taking care of a few issues in advance, you can ensure that the winter chill stays away from your home. You can have a cozy, warm, and comfortable winter without having to worry about a non-functioning heating appliance or a clogged furnace.

Talk to the maintenance service providers and book an appointment. You can sign up for an annual contract so that they would clean the furnace and keep it in working condition for you before the winter arrives.

You can also do your bit to inspect the furnace and see the extent of cleaning and maintenance it requires. Ensure that you check and clean the below components.

Filters

If you have an annual filter, you will have to change it every year. But, if you have disposable filters, try to change them once every three months. It doesn’t matter if you are not using the furnace. Dust will still get accumulated on the filters. And if you live in dry and dusty areas, it becomes even more important to change the filters regularly.

Intake Pipe

The modern furnaces use less fuel to generate more heat. The intake pipe supplies air to the furnace to aid in the process. Check the pipe to clear away bugs, ice, or dust that block the external intake pipe. A blocked intake pipe could result in carbon monoxide building up in the furnace, which is dangerous to health.

Drainage Tube

Furnaces using natural gas and propane release some water as they heat up. This water is drained through the drainage pipe that is located on the exterior of your house. Always check the drainpipe to see that no birds have built their nest in it. You can remove the pipe and clean it with vinegar or blow hot air through it and fix it back again.

Thermostat and Wires

Turn off the furnace before you start cleaning it. Once you remove the doors of the furnace, slightly tug the wires to see that they are not loose and are properly fitted. Don’t to them hard. A gentle tug will tell you if the connections are good or not. If you are doubtful of any connection, immediately call the maintenance service providers.

Flame Sensor

If the flame sensor is dirty, it will stop the entire unit from working. It is necessary to clean the flame sensor every year.

If you don’t have the time tackle these issues, it is advisable to call the maintenance company. They have the professional experience of handling the furnaces and will clean them thoroughly for you.