Signs Of Poor Indoor Air Quality

Your home is a haven for resting away from the harmful elements out there. However, there are situations when your house can make you sick and uncomfortable. Poor indoor air quality can make your residence in San Antonio, TX, uncomfortable and encourage allergies, respiratory problems, and infections. However, you can prevent the issues caused by poor indoor air quality by determining the source. The following signs can assist homeowners in preventing complications and taking necessary action to make their houses comfortable. Coughing or Difficulty Breathing Coughing is one of the telltale signs of poor indoor air quality. Difficulty breathing is also among the most prevalent symptoms. Lack of ventilation can cause poor indoor air quality, making breathing difficult and causing other respiratory issues because the air is concentrated with dirt particles. Breathing in polluted or contaminated air filled with carbon dioxide can cause complications with your respiratory tract. It would be advisable to take action to avoid severe respiratory problems that affect your lungs. Sneezing or Allergic Reactions Most people confuse allergic reactions and sneezing with cold symptoms. Watery eyes and irritation can come in conjunction with sneezing and allergic reactions caused by poor indoor air quality. If the hay...

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How Long Do Heat Pumps Last?

There are many ways to keep your home at a comfortable temperature all year long. While traditional heating and cooling systems are used seasonally, heat pumps can operate 365 days a year. This modern alternative to a traditional system is built to operate in an efficient, effective manner. It’s a perfect option for most regions in the United States. If you’ve done your homework and have chosen to install a heat pump, congratulations. Heat pump owners can expect reliable results as long as the equipment is handled properly. Here’s more information on how long these units can last and why a heat pump can fail before it should. We also outline why this modern heating source is a beneficial system for most homes. How Heat Pumps Work Many models are installed on a wall near the ceiling and can be operated by remote control. They typically require a single conduit to the outside air to operate. There is no actual heating of the air that occurs inside a heat pump. Instead, a heat pump is designed to move warm air from one place to another through an internal blower. In the winter, warm air from outside the home is moved...

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How Do You Replace an Air Filter in a Heat Pump?

A heat pump is an excellent choice for heating and cooling your home in the moderate climate of San Antonio, TX. Heat pumps transfer heat instead of burning fuel, so they’re efficient and effective at both functions. In order to maintain this indoor climate control, the heat pump needs routine maintenance. One of the most important parts of maintaining your heat pump is changing its air filter. Use these tips to successfully check and change the filter in your heat pump. Locate the Air Filter Housing The first step in replacing an air filter is turning off the power to the heat pump. You shouldn’t access any of its parts while it’s running. Next, locate the filter. Heat pump air filters are contained within a housing that looks like a drawer or cabinet door. It’s in the indoor unit near the air handler. Some air filter housings use a screw or clamp to maintain a tight seal. You might need a screwdriver to open the housing door. If your air filter’s housing isn’t labeled, the owner’s manual or manufacturer’s website will have a diagram of the filter’s location. Determine the Correct Size of Replacement Filter The filter that’s already in...

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7 Reasons Why You Have a Burning Smell Coming From Your Heater

When you turn on your heater to escape the cold temperatures of a San Antonio winter, you expect to feel cozy and comfortable. But have you ever turned on your heater only to have a burning smell fill the room? Residential heaters are designed to deliver clean air into your home, so you may be alarmed when you smell something abnormal wafting out of the vents. Odors from heating systems are common, and some indicate issues that require the attention of an expert technician from , while others are just temporary nuisances. Here are the seven most common reasons why a heating system may emit a burning smell and what you should do in each situation. 1. Dust Accumulation Dust is the most common reason homeowners in San Antonio smell a burning odor sifting through their heat vents. The distinctive odor is a sign your heating system hasn’t been used since last winter. The smell tells you the heating elements of the system is burning the dust particles, and the aroma should only last a few minutes. If that initial smell goes away, and you notice a new smell, there might be something else going on with the system. 2....

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Your Guide to Understanding How SEER Ratings Work

If you are in the market for a new HVAC system, you will notice that a machine’s SEER rating is frequently discussed. This rating provides crucial insight into how an HVAC unit works, so it helps to understand what a SEER rating is and why it matters. Ultimately, getting the right SEER rating can save you hundreds of dollars. What Does a SEER Rating Mean? SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. The SEER rating on a machine tells how much power the system will use to cool a home. The SEER scale uses lower numbers for a less-efficient machine and higher numbers for one that is more efficient. Typically, the SEER rating you see on an AC system will be its maximum rating. This means that the system will operate at that SEER level when run in optimal conditions, but its SEER rating may drop if you take too long between maintenance appointments or do other things to impair efficiency. SEER ratings for residential machines can range from as low as eight to as high as 27. Modern air conditioners are required to reach a rating of at least 13 SEER by the U.S. Department of Energy. A SEER...

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Common Problems That Can Develop With Zone Control Systems

Zone-control systems regulate airflow and efficiently manage the amount of warm or cold air getting into the rooms. Zone control can reduce incidences of cold spots and, in the process, enhance comfort. Also, temperature regulation is more accurate, and therefore, it cuts down on energy consumption. Unfortunately, the installation has many components that can complicate troubleshooting your AC in your San Antonio home. Here are some common problems you may encounter with zoning systems in the River City. Faulty Thermostats The thermostat serves as the central point for temperature regulation in your home. It sends signals to the dampers, which are responsible for regulating airflow through the duct. A faulty thermostat will, therefore, not efficiently condition the rooms. Sometimes the problem may be a simple issue with the thermostat settings. Temperature regulation across different zones depends on the accuracy of the device. That’s why it should be accurately calibrated right from the time of its installation. It is also worth noting that the location of the thermostat in your home can also affect its accuracy. The placement of your programmable device should be away from sunlight, lamps and electronics. The ambient heat around these items can force your AC to...

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How Are Indoor Air Quality and HVAC Related?

Indoor air quality is a severely underrated aspect of your home. No matter how clear it looks, impurities may be lurking about. If the air is unclean, it can pose a serious threat to your health. Individuals with preexisting health conditions such as asthma and allergies are at an even greater risk. Fortunately, HVAC systems are a great way to solve the issue of air quality. With the right appliances, you can circulate fresh air throughout your entire home. In this post, we will learn how indoor air quality and HVAC are related. Air Conditioning First, it’s important to note that HVAC isn’t strictly a good thing when it comes to indoor air quality. Some devices such as AC units can actually have negative effects. An AC constantly sucks air in and out of the device, stirring up particles that already exist in your home. If you have a pet, strands of hair could float into the air. Dust will be moved around as well. Although it’s not as severe as the debris from a portable fan, be aware that air conditioning can stir up fine particles in your home. Air Purification Fortunately, an air purifier is an easy solution...

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How to Read HVAC Gauges

The ability to read HVAC gauges is an important skill because allows someone to troubleshoot their heating, cooling and ventilation system in San Antonio, TX. When an HVAC unit is not operating as expected, sometimes there are obvious signs. Then, there are times when there are no obvious signs. At , our qualified technicians read gauges to troubleshoot the systems of our customers. The goal is to solve the issue in an efficient manner. If you want to learn how to read these gauges, here is an overview. The Right Equipment To successfully read the gauges of your HVAC system, you must have the right equipment. Today, there are analog devices on the market as well as digital. Since professionals work in this area on an almost daily basis, they acquire the gauges that help them do their job best. The most common device is the gauge manifold. It delivers an analog readout. Other versions can also deliver a digital readout. If you would like to determine the device that will help you troubleshoot your HVAC unit best, consider heading over to your local hardware store. You can speak with a salesperson who is knowledgeable in this area. They can...

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Summertime Indoor Air Quality Concerns

Your home is a refuge from the stresses and problems of the world. Naturally, you want your time there to be as comfortable and pleasant as possible. Indoor air quality is an important aspect of your home environment. The air inside your home can have hidden irritants and pollutants that you cannot see but that can cause allergic reactions and other health issues. Common issues that can harm your indoor air will often increase in severity during the summer. Thankfully, there are many steps you can take to remove these contaminants and improve your air significantly. However, you should first identify what’s causing your indoor air to suffer. 1. Increases in Humidity Levels During the summer, humidity levels will increase exponentially. The main reason behind this is that warmer air retains more water vapor than cold air. High levels of humidity can affect your comfort and health negatively. The Environmental Protection Agency recommends that maintain a relative humidity level of under 60%. Furthermore, you should aim for a target range between 30% and 50%. Even cities like San Antonio will have elevated levels of humidity in the summer. High humidity level causes physical discomfort because it interferes with your body’s...

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What are the Types of Smart Thermostats?

If you are looking for ways to save money on your heating and cooling, you may have come across information about smart thermostats. These devices come packed full of features, and the selection may feel overwhelming. Here is a breakdown of the types of smart thermostats that you can find at for homes and businesses in the San Antonio area. 1. Basic Models of Smart Thermostats Also known as programmable thermostats, the basic models of smart thermostats that offers can be pre-set with specific temperature settings by the time of day. These are great options if you want an affordable way to reduce your utility bills. You can set temperatures for when you are home, away, or sleeping, and the thermostat will regulate the HVAC system accordingly. 2. Smart Thermostats That Learn Smart thermostats that can learn are one step above traditional programmable thermostats. Instead of pre-programming the device, you simply put it in learning mode and adjust your temperature settings as normal. The thermostat records your temperature preferences by setting and time of day. At the end of the learning mode, which is normally about two weeks, you can put the thermostat on auto, and it will use the...

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