How to Maintain Healthy Indoor Air Quality During Local Wildfires

October 20, 2020

This year’s wildfires in Burbank, CA, and the surrounding areas have burned a record-breaking amount of land. Even if you’re able to stay in your home, the smoke and smog from the wildfires are likely affecting the air you breathe. You might be surprised to learn that the wildfires could even be affecting the quality of the air inside your home. Read on to learn how wildfires affect indoor air quality and what you can do to breathe easier and stay healthy. How Wildfires Affect Indoor Air Quality Even if you’re tens of miles away from the wildfires, their smoke travels a great distance. Wildfire smoke can get into your home. The smoke contains tiny particles of ash as well as other particles. They irritate your eyes, nose and throat. Breathing in the particles could worsen your asthma. People with breathing disorders or heart disease have a high risk of complications from wildfire smoke. How Wildfire Smoke Gets Into Your Home Wildfire smoke enters your home in up to three ways. It can infiltrate through little gaps around your doors, windows, flue and vents. Your heating and cooling system’s mechanical ventilation may bring the contaminated outdoor air into your home....

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How Dirty Ductwork Can Damage Your Home Comfort

September 20, 2020

Air ducts become dirty from more than just dust and pollen. Allergens, smoke by-products, pet and human dander, rodent and pest droppings, and other contaminants accumulate in the ductwork. Dirty air ducts decrease your home comfort and indoor air quality. Here are three of the top reasons dirty ducts need to be addressed. 1. Restricted Airflow Dirty ductwork restricts airflow from your heating and cooling systems, which is not only bad for the system, but it also reduces your home comfort. The system won’t be able to effectively cool or heat your home due to the restricted airflow. It may take longer for the heating and cooling systems to reach the thermostat’s set temperature, resulting in higher energy bills. This problem also causes increased wear and tear on your heating and cooling units. You might have to replace them sooner than expected. They may also require more frequent repairs because of the excessive strain. is a heating and cooling company in Burbank, CA, that offers maintenance for heating and cooling systems. Just as your ducts need to be cleaned, the actual healing and cooling systems need to be cleaned, too, for maintaining home comfort. 2. Unpleasant Physical Symptoms Dirty ducts...

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How To Effectively Set Your Thermostat For A Multi-Story Home

August 16, 2020

One of the challenges of living in a multi-story home is that the temperature could be different on each floor. Warm air rises, so upper floors will inevitably be hotter than lower levels. The information below explains how to make your whole home comfortable without dramatically increasing your energy bills. Install Multiple Thermostats Most homes, including new ones, have just one thermostat located on the first floor. You should have a thermostat on every floor so that you can properly zone them. Without a thermostat on every floor, it is unlikely that you can guarantee what the temperature will be on each of them. of Burbank, CA, installs programmable and smart thermostats. We can help you get your home properly zoned so that it’s at its most comfortable. Thermostat Settings for the Summer In the summer, you should set the temperature to what you want on the thermostat located on the uppermost floor. Each floor below that should be set two degrees cooler. This creates what’s called a temperature cascade. The upper floor will reach the temperature on the thermostat. From there, the cool air on the upper floor will fall as warm air rises, cooling your lower floors. With...

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Do I Need a Humidifier or a Dehumidifier?

July 16, 2020

The climate in Burbank is hot but not always so humid. Therefore, you may wonder if you need a humidifier or dehumidifier. Because the air tends to be dry here, you’re more likely to need a humidifier for the cold months. However, some homes can still become too humid during the summer, in which case you’ll need a dehumidifier. Each home is different, so check your humidity level in the summer and winter to find out if you need a humidifier, a dehumidifier, or both. Problems Associated With Dry Air If the air inside your home is too dry, you will fall sick more easily because cold and flu viruses thrive in cold, dry environments. Dry air can also dry out your sinuses which hinders their ability to ward off illnesses. Humidifiers combat dry air by dispelling water vapor into the air, which increases the humidity level. You can adjust the machine to control the humidity in your home. Problems Associated With Humid Air Indoor air that’s too humid is harmful to your health too, especially if you have a respiratory health condition like asthma. Too much humidity causes damage to wood furniture, wood floors, and other wood structures in...

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How To Choose The Right IAQ Product For My Needs

June 18, 2020

Having a comfortable and healthy refuge at home is important. Good air quality is not just about having a comfortable air temperature, but it is also about the quality of the air itself. Your indoor air should be well-ventilated, filtered, and possess the right level of humidity. Fortunately, there are many products that are helpful in improving your indoor air that is often impaired by these common air quality issues. Humidity Levels When it comes to humidity levels and your indoor air quality, it is high humidity that is most often discussed as a problem. However, too low of a humidity level can also cause discomfort and negatively impact your health. Burbank often has low humidity, so your indoor air may suffer as a result. Installing a humidifier will help to raise your humidity levels. You can use a stand-alone humidifier for specific areas or install a whole-home humidifier that works with your cooling and heating system. Pollen and Dust Your indoor air can become contaminated with excess pollen, dust, and other small particles that are trapped inside and accumulate over time. Spring can be particularly troublesome when outdoor plants begin to bloom. These irritants can cause increased symptoms among...

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What Size Air Conditioner Do I Need?

May 14, 2020

Air conditioning systems are often a significant expense to homeowners. Thus, choosing the right unit is an important decision. Having a system that is too small can result in an underperforming unit. However, an air conditioner that is too large may be an unneeded cost. Here is what you should consider when choosing the right air conditioning system for your home. It Depends on the Type of System It is impossible to give a specific answer that is correct for every person because each homeowner’s needs are different. One of the big factors to consider when deciding on an air conditioner is what type of system you intend to buy. Modern mini-split air conditioners are much more energy-efficient than older forced-air models, so a smaller system is often sufficient. Similarly, window units are often only cooling a certain area, so a smaller unit may suffice. Your Climate Matters The biggest factor to consider when choosing the right size air conditioner is your climate. It stands to reason that the hotter the climate, the larger the air conditioner you may need. That said, a cooler climate does not always mean that a smaller AC unit is the better option. Many homeowners...

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Ways to Prevent Sickness With Indoor Air Quality Products

April 17, 2020

Polluted indoor air can lead to a variety of issues and can cause the spread of diseases. Bacteria and viruses can be airborne and circulate around your home, passing from person to person. Poor circulation in your home can lead to a variety of issues. By having a proper air cleaning system in your home, you can keep the air in your house as healthy as possible. Using Air Purifiers Having an extra air purifier in your home can remove up to 99.9% of harmful bacteria and virus particles. You can choose to get a whole-house system or individual units for various rooms in your home. These units need to be properly maintained to ensure they work as efficiently as possible. Most air purifiers have exceptional filters so that you can have peace of mind about the air in your home. Adding UV Lights UV lights are highly effective at destroying bacteria and viruses. The high-energy light can disrupt the internal DNA and RNA of these particles and keep them from being able to reproduce in your body. Upgrading Your HVAC System A modern HVAC system can remove any viruses and bacteria from the air. Getting proper maintenance for your...

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Can a Smart Thermostat Lower your Heating Bill?

March 11, 2020

Perhaps in your search for ways to reduce your heating bill you’ve come across people or websites recommending smart thermostats. While there is no doubt that smart thermostats can save you money, the question is really how much. Ordinary Thermostats and Smart Thermostats First of all, it is important to know how a thermostat works. This device turns the heating system on and off based on its reading of the indoor temperature. It can only indirectly cut down on energy costs by having the system turn on for a shorter period to heat at a lower temperature. The difference is that while ordinary thermostats require you to set the temperature according to your own lights, smart thermostats know more accurately what is energy-efficient at what time. In other words, even an ordinary thermostat can help you to save money; it just takes more effort on your part. Smart Thermostats and Heating Schedules The main draw with smart thermostats is that they can learn your heating preferences and lower the temperature during those times when it’s wise to do so — namely, when you’re asleep or outside of the home. With a smartphone app, you can turn the heat on before...

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Do Plants Help Indoor Air Quality?

February 11, 2020

According to a growing number of researchers and plant enthusiasts, the air inside can gradually improve if you create and maintain an indoor garden. Several plants will suffice because green foliage can remove a good amount of airborne pollutants. Although they won’t be as effective as air-purifying devices, you can still benefit from the results. Top Reason to Consider Plants can get the job done because their leaves are covered with stomata, which are similar to the pores on your skin. Because of these tiny openings, plants have excellent absorbing power. They take in not only gases and light but also a variety of volatile organic compounds. This is good news for you if you often handle plastics, smoke cigarettes or use cosmetics. Benzene and formaldehyde are toxic components in cigarette smoke, plastic containers, and makeup. By placing plants throughout your property, you can potentially prevent benzene and formaldehyde from building up in the indoor environment. Without such chemicals floating around, the air in your breathing space will be 10 times safer to inhale. Other Ways to Improve Air Quality It should be noted that plants alone often aren’t enough to totally refresh an indoor area. While they can certainly...

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5 Ways to Help Your Furnace Deal With Extremely Cold Weather

January 4, 2020

When it gets extremely cold out, your furnace needs your help to deal with the extra strain of heating your home. Here are five ways to manage an extreme weather event. 1. Clean or Change Your Filter A dirty filter makes your furnace work harder than it needs to. Your furnace needs all the help it can get when it’s bitterly cold out, so make sure the filter is clean. This will help keep your furnace from working overtime to heat your home. 2. Lower Your Thermostat Setting You should set the temperature 3–5 degrees lower than you normally do, and keep it there. With a lower temperature setting, the furnace won’t have to work as hard to heat your home. If you’re accustomed to turning down the temperature when you are away or asleep, stop this practice temporarily. Getting your home’s temperature back up again in these circumstances will be very difficult for your furnace. 3. Prepare Your Home Ahead of Time Before winter arrives, make sure your home’s doors and windows are sealed. Repair any cracks so that warm air stays in your home instead of leaking outside. 4. Keep the Vents Clear High-efficiency furnaces have exterior vents...

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