How Do Humidifiers Improve Indoor Air Quality?

March 2, 2024

Ever wonder how to make the air inside your home healthier and more comfortable? We’ve got just the solution for you: humidifiers! These nifty devices work wonders in improving indoor air quality, making your living space feel fresher and more breathable. What Exactly Do Humidifiers Do? Humidifiers are designed to add moisture to the air, which is especially beneficial in dry environments or during the winter months when indoor air tends to become excessively dry due to heating systems. By increasing humidity levels, humidifiers help alleviate dry skin, irritated nasal passages, and scratchy throats. The Benefits of Using a Humidifier Relief from Dryness: Dry air can wreak havoc on your skin and respiratory system. Humidifiers add moisture to the air, providing relief from dry skin, chapped lips, and irritated sinuses. Improved Respiratory Health: Dry air can exacerbate respiratory issues such as asthma and allergies. Humidifiers help keep nasal passages moist, making it easier to breathe and reducing the likelihood of respiratory discomfort. Prevention of Airborne Viruses: Studies have shown that maintaining proper humidity levels can help reduce the spread of airborne viruses, such as the flu. By keeping the air moist, humidifiers create an environment less conducive to virus transmission....

View Article

Read More

How Long Do Furnaces Last?

February 1, 2024

Wondering about the lifespan of your furnace? Well, you’re not alone. It’s a common question that many homeowners have, and we’re here to shed some light on it. Furnaces, like any other appliance, aren’t immortal, but with proper care and maintenance, they can keep your home warm and cozy for a good amount of time. The Average Lifespan So, how long can you expect your furnace to chug along efficiently? On average, a well-maintained furnace can last between 15 to 20 years. However, this isn’t a one-size-fits-all scenario. The lifespan depends on various factors such as the type of furnace, how often it’s used, and, of course, how diligent you are with regular maintenance. Maintenance Matters We can’t stress this enough – regular maintenance is key to extending the life of your furnace. Think of it as giving your heating system a little spa day. Simple tasks like changing the air filter, inspecting for any strange noises, and scheduling annual professional check-ups can go a long way in keeping your furnace in tip-top shape. Signs It’s Time for a Change Just like any superhero, furnaces do show signs when they’re reaching the end of their journey. If you notice a...

View Article

Read More

Regular Furnace Cleaning Keeps Your Furnace Efficient

January 14, 2024

If your Burbank, CA home has a furnace that supplies its heat, you likely bought it because of its efficiency. Besides heat pumps, you won’t find heating systems anywhere near as efficient. However, your furnace can start to lose efficiency over time if you don’t maintain it properly. Here is how regular furnace cleaning can keep your furnace running at peak efficiency. What Causes Furnace Efficiency Losses? The efficiency of your furnace depends on how well it carries out the combustion process and how much of the resulting heat it can capture. However, if the combustion process is inherently dirty it can cause your furnace’s burners to lose efficiency over time. So, too, can dirt build up inside your furnace’s heat exchanger, which can interfere with the transfer of heat from combustion gasses into your home’s air. On average, those factors can cause up to a 5% efficiency reduction after a single year of operation. And if left unchecked, the losses only escalate from there. How Regular Furnace Cleaning Restores Efficiency During a furnace cleaning, our HVAC technician will thoroughly clean your furnace’s burners so that incoming fuel burns as completely as possible. They will also clean your furnace’s heat...

View Article

Read More

Heat Pump Effectiveness for Heating and Cooling

December 13, 2023

A heat pump is an energy-efficient heating and cooling option. Instead of generating heat, the pump draws heat from the cool air outdoors and transfers it to the warm indoor space during the heating season. In summer, the pump draws heat from the indoor space and transfers it to the outside. But how effective are these heat pumps at heating and cooling? The Cooling Efficiency of a Heat Pump The effectiveness and efficiency of a heat pump are expressed in SEER2 (seasonal energy efficiency ratio 2). This ratio shows the energy used to generate the cooling output. Most pumps achieve a SEER2 rating of between 15 and 17, while the best systems offer up to 20.5, which is above the rating recommended by the U.S. Department of Energy. Mini-split heat pumps can achieve a SEER2 rating of up to 25, which is almost as high as the most effective and efficient air conditioners. As such, the best heat pumps can cool as effectively, except that they will be more energy efficient. Heat pumps are more energy efficient when cooling. At some point, they are up to five times more efficient compared to traditional air conditioners. The Heating Efficiency of a...

View Article

Read More

How To Address Overly Dry or Humid Air in Your Home

November 16, 2023

The right humidity level is crucial for your family’s health and comfort. Humidity levels also impact your home and its structural stability over time. For instance, dry air causes damage to wallpaper, paint and wooden furniture. The arid environment will cause cracking and other types of damage. On the other hand, too much moisture can lead to mold and mildew growth; both are destructive to porous surfaces. How To Address Dry Air in Your Home Your home can become dry any time of the year, but the winter months are more likely to zap the moisture in your house. Humidity levels are already lower during the winter. When you use a heater, the air becomes even drier. Addressing dry air issues properly will make your family feel more comfortable and will protect against damage. Here are some suggestions: Use a whole-house humidifier to add moisture to the air. Seal any cracks and gaps in your home that could cause your heater to run longer. Consider automating your home’s climate with Smart AC and humidifier controls. Install an air purifier to protect your family’s health. Have check your HVAC system at the beginning of or before winter to ensure it operates...

View Article

Read More

3 Reasons You Should Replace Your HVAC System’s Indoor & Outdoor Units Together

October 18, 2023

Are you having trouble deciding whether to replace indoor and outdoor HVAC units separately or together? Replacing one unit at a time may seem more cost-efficient, but in certain situations, it makes better sense to replace them at the same time. Not only can replacing them at the same time help you save money, but it can also reduce the risk of future breakdowns. Additionally, replacing both systems together can have a positive effect on your health by improving your home’s indoor air quality. 1. Improve Heating and Cooling Efficiency Replacing indoor and outdoor HVAC systems at the same time makes it easier for the systems to efficiently heat and cool your home. If the two systems aren’t replaced together, you run the risk of their parts not working in harmony, which can lead to inconsistent temperatures, unnecessary wear and tear, costly repairs and breakdowns and higher energy bills. 2. Enhance Your Home’s Indoor Air Quality Many modern systems have better filtering choices than their predecessors. Upgrading the indoor and outdoor systems at the same time with superior air filtration capabilities is great for maintaining a healthy indoor environment, especially for homes with newborns or individuals with allergies. 3. Take...

View Article

Read More

3 Ways Opening Your Windows Could Benefit Your HVAC System

September 20, 2023

Opening the windows in your Burbank, CA home moves stale, stagnant air out and allows fresh, outside air to flow in. According to researchers, in the right conditions, it can also boost your energy, cognitive functioning, and mood. However, what you may be surprised to discover is that it benefits your HVAC system in three important ways. 1. Address Carbon Dioxide and VOCs Standard HVAC air filters are great at screening out particulates, but gases are a different story. As you and your family use a room, you slowly replace the oxygen levels with carbon dioxide. High carbon dioxide levels can lead to sluggishness and other physical symptoms. Additionally, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are gases that emanate from plastics, paints and other household items. These substances are linked to feelings of malaise called “sick house syndrome.” Open windows replace both carbon dioxide and VOCs with fresher outdoor air. 2. Give Your HVAC System a Breather When the outside temperatures plummet or soar, some heaters and air conditioners work nearly non-stop to maintain comfortable, uniform temperatures in homes. On days with moderate weather, opening your windows is an excellent alternative to running your HVAC system. Given that you should never run...

View Article

Read More

4 Common HVAC Airflow Problems & How to Solve Them

August 21, 2023

HVAC systems face different kinds of issues. One of them is airflow problems that can adversely affect your comfort levels. The following are four common HVAC airflow problems and how to solve them. 1. Blocked Vents One common airflow problem is blocked vents. Vents clogged by dust, dirt, and other debris can block or restrict airflow in your home. Furniture, electronics, and objects blocking your vents can also result in airflow issues. Remove any objects in front of your vents and clean their insides on a regular basis for better airflow. 2. Leaky Ducts Compromised ductwork can leak heated or cooled air before reaching the designated rooms. Blockages in the ductwork can also make air escape through the joints and other tiny holes. The leaks can lead to increased energy bills and poor comfort levels. Regular inspection and maintenance can help solve this issue. 3. Poorly Sized Ductwork The size of your ductwork affects airflow. Undersized ductwork will increase static pressure, which will lead to excessive noise. On the other hand, oversized ducts will not maintain the pressure needed to blow air, leading to poor airflow. Ensuring you have the right-sized duct can help prevent airflow issues caused by oversized...

View Article

Read More

4 Tips to Beat the Heat and Cool Your Home During a Heat Wave

July 25, 2023

Heat waves can be an uncomfortable and potentially dangerous time for your home. To help keep temperatures inside comfortable, here are five tips to cool your home better during a heat wave: 1. Keep Your Shades and Blinds Closed Shutting your shades and blinds can help block out the heat from the sun, preventing a greenhouse effect inside. Sun-blocking curtains are also a great way to keep the heat out. By keeping the windows closed and the shades down, you can keep cold air in when you decide to turn on the AC. 2. Use Fans to Create a Breeze Using fans to circulate the air can help make your home feel more comfortable and keep the air circulating. Ceiling fans are particularly effective since the rising hot air will be pushed away from people and furniture. For an even bigger effect, set up oscillating fans to move the air from one side of the room. 3. Install Awnings and Reflective Film Awnings and reflective film can help deflect the sun’s rays away from your windows, preventing heat gain. You may not need to turn on the AC as often, as these materials can reduce heat gain by up to...

View Article

Read More

Acceptable Humidity Levels for Inside Your Home

June 20, 2023

Humidity can change with the seasons and can negatively impact your home and your health, depending on if the levels are too high or low. To protect your home and your health, you need to know what levels are acceptable. The Ideal Range It’s a good idea to keep your home’s humidity levels between 30 and 55 percent. When dealing with mild weather, you might not have to worry about humidity because it will be within this range. However, in the winter, the air will become too dry. When you use your heater, you will dry the air out even more. As a result, your skin, lips, and hair will feel dry, and your throat and nose may start to feel scratchy or irritated. Some people experience bloody noses when there’s not enough moisture in the air. During the summer months, humidity levels can skyrocket, which will cause you to have difficulty breathing. High humidity also provides a breeding ground for mold to grow. Fortunately, it’s easy to make an adjustment to the humidity level inside your home. A whole-home humidifier can be hooked up to your HVAC system. You can get a bypass, fan-powered, or steam humidifier, and it...

View Article

Read More