Changing the HVAC filter is one of the easiest things you can do to ensure your air conditioner and heating system runs properly. Surprisingly, many homeowners avoid changing the filter regularly, allowing it to collect dirt, which causes problems that range from inefficient operation to system breakdown. Read on to learn about signs that [...]
North Houston is in Zone 2 of the IECC/IRC Climate Zones map. That means we live in a hot, moist climate, which is no news to any of us! Here in this part of the country, we use attic ventilation to keep our homes cooler. Our homes “expel solar-heated hot air to lessen the building [...]
Most of us have environmentally conscious lifestyles and indoor air quality (IAQ) is everyone’s business, not just HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning) professionals. Here are some common causes of air smells, but when you notice an odor, use your other senses, too. Listen for unusual noises and look for water drips on your floor as [...]
IAQ is “indoor air quality.” The air quality inside buildings and homes is something that is a fairly recent concern for our global population. Understanding the common causes of poor indoor air quality and controlling air pollutants can lower your risks of health problems. Some of the health effects of poor indoor air include: Asthma [...]
Most of us spend 90% of our time indoors! Here are some stunning facts about indoor air quality from consumer advocates at Greenguard Certification: Indoor air is 2-5 times more polluted than outdoor air. Many home ventilation systems simply recirculate the “bad air” and minimize cleaner outdoor air. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) reports [...]
Even though you maintain high standards of cleanliness in your home, the stale air trapped inside could be making you sick. In our Gulf Coast area, where we keep the home closed up for a good part of the year with the air conditioner on, indoor air pollution can contribute to allergies and respiratory problems. [...]
Changing your HVAC system's air filter regularly can save you as much as 15 percent on your utility bills by improving the efficiency of your air conditioner or furnace. But that's not the only reason to change a dirty air filter. Replacing a filter before it's so dirty that it affects airflow can also spare [...]
Residential air filters are generally located out of sight in the home, in a wall or sometimes a ceiling. That means most homeowners give little thought to whether air filters are dirty or in need of replacement. To ensure good indoor air quality. However, your air filters need regular replacement. Dirty Air Filters and Supply [...]
How good is your indoor air quality? Maybe you don't give it much thought, assuming that your HVAC system does an adequate job of adequately keeping the air fresh. That assumption would be wrong, however. Here's why. There are myriad airborne particulates swirling around in your home. Some may be harmless, but a good many [...]
You'd think we would get a break from allergies in the winter, but unfortunately for us Texans, that doesn't happen. In winter, we are subjected to mountain cedar pollen, an allergen that affects us in the southern part of the state from December through March. And, even when mountain cedar isn't the culprit, we can [...]
You probably would be surprised to find out all the negative impacts a dirty HVAC air filter can have on your home's comfort, energy efficiency and air quality. While simple to replace, the air filter performs a vital function in your forced-air central air conditioning or heating system. Learn why a dirty or clogged air [...]
If you're like most homeowners, you understand the reason for changing your air filter is to protect your HVAC system from dirt particles that might clog it and cause system malfunctions. What you may not know is that air filters -- or at least the right kind of air filter -- can have another purpose. They can [...]
It's winter in The Woodlands. That's not as harsh a fate as it is further north, but it still takes its toll. While everyone works to stay warm, there's another issue that often goes overlooked: indoor air quality in winter. The cold season is the worst time for air pollution in your home. When you're [...]
A dirty air filter may sound relatively harmless, but if ignored for too long, it can leave you with high energy bills and even damaged air conditioner components. With all the use your A/C gets during our area’s hot summers, your filter can pick up a lot of debris and requires careful attention. […]
Indoor air pollution is a growing and disturbing trend in many homes and businesses throughout Southeast Texas. As buildings are built more and more airtight for energy efficiency, your home loses natural ventilation and traps indoor pollutants inside your home. This leads to poor indoor air quality. Before shrugging this problem off, read the following [...]
As our mild winter gives way to our already-warm spring, you could be finding yourself with uncomfortable allergy symptoms. Because of such an uncharacteristically warm winter, pollen and dust levels are higher than normal, and those irritants could be making their way into your home. Here is a three-step plan to reduce your allergy symptoms [...]
