How Your HVAC Can Help With Pet Allergies

September 19, 2023

The presence of an HVAC system is an essential aspect of a comfortable experience at home. Despite the overwhelming benefits offered by your heating and cooling system, it may indirectly cause pet dander to circulate and linger in your home. Pet dander has been known to instigate pet allergies, causing those who are susceptible to become ill. Luckily, you won’t have to put up with constant pet allergies just so you and your furry companion can live comfortably in your home. Keep reading to discover four different ways you can lessen pet allergies by utilizing HVAC systems and accessories. 1. Have a Dehumidifier Installed A dehumidifier can help mitigate pet odors that become intensified from high humidity levels in the home. By reducing the overall humidity, dehumidifiers lessen the growth of bacteria caused by a muggy, humid environment interacting with pet dander. Additionally, some dehumidifiers can be affixed with filters designed to catch and therefore decrease the amount of pet hair present in your home. 2. Germicidal Lights Could Be the Answer Germicidal lights can kill bacteria caused by pet dander. This occurs because UV lights are able to disturb the bacteria’s DNA, therefore neutralizing its ability to trigger pet...

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Do You Need to Change Your Air Filter More in the Summer?

August 7, 2023

The role of an air filter is vital in keeping your HVAC system working at an optimal level. The filter improves indoor air quality by eliminating dust, debris, and other contaminants. Taking the time to change your air filter more often during the summer is recommended for various reasons. Here are a few factors to consider if you are undecided about replacing your air filter. Higher Usage Rates in Summer During summer, people tend to use their air conditioning units more to combat the hot temperatures. The continuous operation of your HVAC system during this period can cause the air filter to fill up quicker with dust and pollutants. The air filter needs to be replaced more often to maintain your unit’s efficiency, preferably during routine AC maintenance. Allergen Buildup Summertime can bring an increase in airborne allergens like pollen. This increase in allergens can cause the air filter to clog up faster, reducing your HVAC system’s effectiveness. Regularly replacing the filter ensures that the allergens are captured, improving the indoor air quality of your home and reducing potential allergen-related health issues. Maintaining Optimal HVAC Performance The performance of your HVAC system relies heavily on the cleanliness of your air...

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5 Ways You Can Reduce Your Cooling Expenses This Summer

July 17, 2023

Some estimates suggest that your air conditioning may account for as much as 50% of your summer electricity consumption, especially when it’s hot and humid outside. Discover five ways you can easily reduce the amount of energy you’re consuming each day and your expenses this summer. 1. Replace Your Air Filter A clogged air filter will restrict airflow into your air conditioner, reducing its efficiency and increasing your costs. Plan to check your filters every month, and expect to change the common 1- and 2-inch filter every 30 to 90 days. 2. Leverage Thermostat Programs The Department of Energy estimates that you can save up to 10% of your annual cooling costs by using your thermostat’s programs. Use these settings to increase your home’s temperature by at least 7 degrees during the times when you’re not home to reduce the amount your air conditioner runs. 3. Draw Your Shades One of the best ways to reduce the amount of work your air conditioner performs is to reduce the heat in your home. Keeping thermal heating down is key, so draw your blinds and shades when the sun is beating in on your windows. 4. Manage Heat Producing Activities There are...

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4 Simple Steps to Ensure Fresh and Clean Indoor Air During the Summer Months

June 12, 2023

As the summer heat rolls in, it’s important to pay attention to the temperature in our homes and the quality of the air we breathe. Indoor air quality is crucial to our overall well-being, affecting our respiratory health and comfort. To ensure a healthier living environment, it’s essential to take proactive measures to improve indoor air quality. Read on as we explore a range of tips and strategies to enhance indoor air quality this summer. 1. Keep Windows Closed During Peak Pollution Hours While it’s tempting to open windows for fresh air, it’s important to be mindful of outdoor air quality. During peak pollution hours, such as early mornings or late afternoons, pollutants like vehicle emissions or pollen may be high. Keep windows closed during these times to prevent them from entering your home. 2. Clean and Maintain Your Air Conditioning System Regular maintenance of your air conditioning system is crucial for good indoor air quality. Change air filters according to the manufacturer’s recommendations, which is typically every 1 to 3 months. Clogged filters can reduce airflow and allow dust and allergens to circulate in your home. Additionally, consider scheduling professional maintenance to clean out ducts and ensure optimal functioning....

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Finding the Perfect Size AC Unit for Your Home

May 10, 2023

Getting the right size air conditioner is important for reducing your costs of installation, operation, and maintenance. Learn what AC size means and how a professional determines the exact size you need for your home. How AC Systems Are Sized Air conditioner size refers to the cooling capacity it offers, which is measured in British Thermal Units, or BTU for short. You may also see it expressed in tons or tonnes, which is equivalent to 12,000 BTU per ton. A single BTU is the amount of heat needed to raise one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. The BTU rating on an air conditioner tells you how much heat the unit can transfer out of your home for each hour of operation. Your Home’s Size The first step to determining your cooling capacity needs is your home’s serviceable area. This could be as simple as looking at the last real estate listing. However, you need to check your attic, garage, and basement to see if the system services those areas too. Consider Your Home’s Construction How your home is built will affect the amount of cooling capacity you need. This includes the amount of insulation you have, how well...

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Keep Your AC Running Great With a Pre-Summer Tune-Up

April 19, 2023

A yearly tune-up can help keep your air conditioner running efficiently while saving you money on energy bills. During a tune-up, an HVAC technician from can check for any worn or damaged parts and replace them before they cause damage. Our technicians can also clean and lubricate moving parts and check for refrigerant leaks to ensure that the system is properly charged. Then, they can inspect your unit for signs of mold, mildew and other contaminants and ensure that the filters are clean. Why A Yearly Tune-Up Is a Wise Investment In addition to helping you save money on electricity and repairs, annual AC service will help extend the life of your unit. Regular maintenance can help prevent major breakdowns while keeping the system running at peak efficiency. It can also help ensure that your unit is up to date on all safety standards and reduce the risk of carbon monoxide leaks. It’s important to have trained technicians check your AC’s wiring and electrical connections, look for potential gas leaks and ensure the system is properly vented. They can also check the overall condition of your system, look for signs of wear and tear and ensure that all parts are...

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What Is Duct Sealing and How Can It Benefit Your Home?

March 16, 2023

Poorly sealed ducts have the potential to cause many issues in your home. Duct sealing can help you save money by improving the performance of your HVAC system as well as maintaining healthy indoor air quality, but what exactly is it? Let’s take a more in-depth look. What Is Duct Sealing? Duct sealing is the process of finding and repairing air leaks in the air ducts installed throughout your home. This helps keep conditioned air from escaping, which improves the efficiency of an HVAC system. In addition, sealing ducts can also help improve indoor air quality. The process minimizes the amount of dust and allergens that enter a living space through leaks. How Does It Work? Having your ducts sealed begins with a professional performing a comprehensive inspection of all accessible ductwork. This often requires the use of specialized equipment such as infrared cameras or smoke testers. The goal is to detect any leaks or compromised connections between pieces of ductwork. Once any issues have been identified, they are then repaired using either traditional methods such as sheet metal screws and mastic sealant or modern techniques such as Aeroseal technology. This uses microscopic particles to seal even the most minor...

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Rewarding Benefits of a Whole House Generator

February 17, 2023

People who have whole house generators appreciate them every time their power grid loses power. This type of generator transforms a power outage from a big problem into something that is hardly noticeable. How Does a Whole House Generator Work? A whole house generator is permanently integrated with the power supply to your home. In the event your home loses power, the sensor on the generator detects the power loss and automatically turns on. This seamless activation is close to priceless if you have a family member who relies on electrical medical devices. The generator uses gas as fuel and is connected to a natural gas or propane supply when it is installed. Whole House Generator Benefits 1. No Exposure to Fuel Exhaust 2. No Interruption in Power 3. Increased Safety 4. No Food Spoilage Safe and Convenient Backup Power A whole house generator outperforms a portable generator by almost every measure. A whole house unit can run your entire household. In contrast, a portable one has limited abilities in this regard. To obtain a generator capable of powering your entire home, talk to in Charlottesville about whole home generator installation. Perhaps the best characteristics of a whole house model...

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6 Winter Energy Saving Tips

January 14, 2023

If you are concerned with the energy consumption in your home this winter, we have six simple things you can do that will help. Consider making these changes so you can start seeing lower energy bills throughout the winter months. 1. Change Air Filters Regularly changing air filters will help you ensure that the ventilation systems in your home are working efficiently, which in turn, saves money. Also, changing air filters more in the winter means higher indoor air quality in your home. 2. Have Your Furnace Inspected A furnace inspection means that all the connections get checked, and we lubricate the system during a tune-up. Our team will ensure that your furnace runs as efficiently as possible. 3. Check Doors and Windows for Drafts If there is a draft in your house, your heater has to work extra hard to make sure the whole home is at a specific temperature. Walk around your home and weatherstrip any drafty areas around the windows and doors. 4. Have Leaky Air Ducts Sealed Sealing leaking air ducts in your home helps improve heating efficiency. Not only will your home have even heating, but you will also prevent pests from nesting in the...

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Some Reasons Why Your Outlets Don’t Work

December 20, 2022

Most individuals aren’t trained electricians, and it’s common for homeowners to be stumped when an outlet suddenly stops functioning. It’s an issue you’ll most likely have to deal with as a homeowner at some point. Below are some of the reasons why your outlets aren’t working. Tripped Circuit Breaker Circuit breakers control the electrical current in each room in your house. The breaker will “trip,” or shut off, if too much current runs through the circuits, preventing the circuits from overheating and being damaged. Look at the circuit breaker box if you can’t get power to an outlet. The tripped breaker will be in the middle positio n, between “on” and “off.” To turn anything on or off, flip the switch. If your damaged outlet can be fixed by resetting the circuit, do so. Blown Overheated Fuse A blown fuse in an electrical system that uses a fuse box may be the source of the issue. Look for burnt metal or discolored glass in the fuse box. Find the blown fuse, unscrew it, and swap it out for a new one of the same kind. If you’d prefer not to do this on your own, reach out to the professional...

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