By Jim Ellia on Oct 23, 2017 in Indoor Air Quality |

Now that fall is here and there’s a chill in the air, you’ve probably already resigned yourself to the fact that your windows and doors will be closed up tight for the next several months. While this keeps your home cozy and warm throughout the cold Cleveland winters, it also can have a slightly detrimental effect on your and your family’s health. Why? Well, airing out your house by opening the doors and windows provides a chance to lower concentrations of any toxic chemicals, carbon dioxide and any other “bad stuff” to escape out into the great wide open. Improving Indoor Air Quality in Your Home Don’t despair! There are still a few things you can do throughout the fall and winter to ensure the indoor air quality of your home is the best it can be. Your options include: Purchase a better vacuum. If your current vacuum tends to spit out more dust and dirt than it picks up, it’s time to invest in a new one. There are plenty of affordable vacuum cleaners on the market today that include a HEPA air filter, stronger suction, and faster rotating brushes to make sure you’re getting rid of as much grime on your floors – and thus, keeping it out of the air – as possible. Make sure to use the attachment brush from time to time to clean moldings, walls and carpet edges. Ditch the synthetic air fresheners. Those plug-in air fresheners do make your home smell lovely, but some of them contain synthetic fragrances that can emit harmful chemicals into the air. In fact, one study revealed that some popular air fresheners release as much as 100 volatile organic chemicals into the air in your home! The same goes for some candles, or even cleaning products and detergents. Look for natural or fragrance-free cleaning options. And, if you’re looking for a way to make your home smell nice, try simmering some cinnamon, cloves and apples on your stove. Let plants go to work. One of the simplest ways to improve indoor air quality? Pick up some houseplants and let them naturally purify the air in your home. For example, Bamboo Palms are highly effective at removing chemical...

By Jim Ellia on Aug 7, 2017 in Air Conditioning, Furnaces, Indoor Air Quality |

The air filter is a vital component of your HVAC system. Most people are aware of their existence, and they probably also know you’re supposed to swap it out on a regular basis. But what does that air filter actually do? Is its sole purpose to clean and improve the indoor air quality in your home? 5 Facts about Air Filters The air filter often looks like a flat cardboard box of sorts, with pleated or fiberglass materials throughout. Because they are out of sight and therefore out of mind, it’s not uncommon for us to forget about them altogether.  However, proper maintenance and care (in other words, regularly replacing) the air filter is key to the comfort levels, air quality and an efficiently-running HVAC system in your home. Here are five facts about HVAC air filters: Air filters improve indoor air quality. Air filters trap dust, dirt, pollen, pet dander and fur, lint, mold and mold spores and more. So, what this means is that these particles are less likely to get into your home’s duct work and into the air. Air filters keep your system working properly and efficiently. While the air filter helps trap the contaminants mentioned above from polluting the air in your home, it also keeps them from clogging up your HVAC system. It’s important to choose the right air filter for your system. MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Values, and they are expressed on a scale from one to twenty. The lower the number, the lower the quality of the air filter. In general, most homes can utilize an air filter with a MERV rating of 3-10. In fact, filters with a MERV rating of higher than 16 are so thick and dense they may interfere with the airflow inside your system. Choosing the right air filter is key to getting the most out of your system. Stocking up on air filters for the year is a good idea. Buy an entire box of air filters the next time you visit your local hardware store. If you have a supply of air filters ready at all times, you’ll be more likely to replace them on a regular basis – and keep your...

By Jim Ellia on Apr 17, 2017 in Indoor Air Quality |

Earth Day coming up this weekend on April 22, and ways to keep our air clean and pure are top of mind right now.  Earth Day started as a grassroots movement that ultimately led to both the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the passage of the Clean Air Act, plus several other important environmental laws.   When you think of clean air, your first thought is usually of keeping the skies clear of the smog and haze that covers some busy cities. However, it’s also important to keep the air inside your home as unpolluted as possible to avoid a wide array of health risks that can arise. Air Purifying Plants for Your Home The products you use throughout your daily life can be taking a toll on the air quality in your home, especially some of the products you use to give your home a deep cleaning. For example, ammonia, which is found in many cleaning products is a known irritant to the eyes and throat. There’s also benzene, used in many detergents, which can cause frequent headaches. Plus, painting the walls or installing new carpets can also release air-polluting chemicals. Recent studies reveal a simple way to improve your indoor air quality: house plants. Visit your local nursery and pick up any of these options to naturally purify the air inside your home: English Ivy. The English Ivy has dense leaves that absorb formaldehyde, which is one of the most prevalent indoor air pollutant. It can also thrive in rooms with little sunlight and small spaces. Bamboo Palm. Bamboo Palms are effective at removing chemical contaminants like formaldehyde and benzene. Plus, they keep the air moist during the drier winter months. Peace Lily. The Peace Lily helps clear the air of benzene and can also absorb acetone that gets emitted by electronics, cleaners and adhesives. Just be careful if you have pets, as the Peace Lily is poisonous to your four-legged friends. Snake Plant. These plants are great at producing oxygen and reducing carbon dioxide levels in the home. Plus, they are hardy and easy to grow for those without a green thumb. Like the Peace Lily, though, the Snake Plant is also toxic...

By Jim Ellia on Mar 6, 2017 in Indoor Air Quality |

When most people think of air pollution, it’s not uncommon to picture a bustling city coated in a hazy layer of smog. However, did you know that the air inside your home or office building is just as likely to be polluted? Sadly, it’s the truth. Indoor air quality is often affected by factors like dust and dust mites, mold, and pet dander. Plus, chemicals from some cleaning supplies, paint and even formaldehyde can pollute the air inside. Those with allergies or asthma are especially affected when the air inside is of poor quality. But, others can also be at risk over time, as indoor pollutants can pose many different health risks after being exposed to it repeatedly. 5 Ways to Improve Indoor Air Quality Taking steps to improve the air quality in your home is important, especially as we tend to spend a great deal of time inside these days. Here are a few easy steps to take to ensure the air you and your family breathe is as clean as can be: Open the windows. Opening the windows on a daily basis allows some of that bad stuff to escape outside; it helps lower concentrations of any toxic chemicals and carbon dioxide. Even just opening the windows for five minutes at a time can help. It’s especially important to crack a window when you bring home new furniture, paint the walls, or deep clean the home. Keep the floors clean. Sweeping or vacuuming on a weekly basis helps eliminate dirt, dust and debris that may be getting tracked inside and polluting the air. Use a vacuum with a special HEPA filter to ensure what you’re picking up isn’t getting blown right back out into the air. Also, mop the floors after vacuuming or sweeping to pick up any dust that may have gotten left behind. Watch home humidity levels. Keeping humidity levels between 30 and 50 percent helps eliminate the growth of mold and keeps dust mites at bay. On muggy days, use a dehumidifier to reduce some of the moisture in the air, and also make sure there are no water leaks anywhere in the home. Read the labels on cleaning supplies. Many of the products...

By Jim Ellia on Feb 6, 2017 in Indoor Air Quality |

There’s nothing quite like coming home to a wagging tail or a happy purr after a long day of work. According to the Humane Society, around 62 percent of households in the United States own at least one pet. People love their pets and often consider them a member of the family; however, when there’s an allergy sufferer in the house, life can be pretty miserable for that individual, no matter how much he or she loves the animal. Reducing Allergens from Pets in Your Home Contrary to some beliefs, it’s not the animal hair that causes allergies in humans. Rather, it’s the pet dander that is the culprit. Pet dander consists of tiny pieces of skin, which every animal create. This dander accumulates throughout the home, but especially inside your ventilation and heating and air conditioning system, forcing those allergens to be released throughout the home. Luckily, there are some methods and new innovations in HVAC technology that can help alleviate some of those allergy symptoms. Hold off on re-homing Fido or Fluffy; here are a few options you should try to make the allergy sufferer more comfortable: Get your HVAC system cleaned. Schedule an annual furnace check to ensure your HVAC system is getting a thorough cleaning at least once a year. This will not only remove the buildup of contaminants like pet dander and greatly improve air quality in your home, but can also extend the life of your system and help you avoid costly repairs. Invest in a better air filter. A high quality furnace filter are a great defense against poor air quality levels in your home. If you have pets, it’s wise to purchase an electronic filter that uses electric charges to attract and deposit allergens and irritants around the home. Or, try a HEPA air cleaner to assist your furnace in eliminating allergens from the air; HEPA cleaners are equipped with electrostatic filters that are specifically designed to remove allergen particles from animals. Check out some new innovations in HVAC technology. There are devices you can install with your HVAC system that utilize ultra-violet lights to kill airborne particles and germs, plus neutralize pet odors in your home. Get your ducts cleaned....

By Jim Ellia on Nov 21, 2016 in Furnaces, Heating, Indoor Air Quality |

Throughout a long, bitter winter, everyone looks forward to coming home to a cozy house, cuddling up on the couch with a snuggly blanket and some hot tea. We want our homes to be comfortable and warm, especially since we’ll be spending so much time inside during these colder months. However, sometimes, we need to take a few extra steps to ensure our home comfort levels are as we expect them to be. Home Comfort Tips to Keep You Cozy Don’t let a chilly home get you down this winter! Instead of layering on extra sweaters and blankets, here are a few things you can do to provide optimal comfort inside: Schedule a furnace maintenance check. If you haven’t scheduled an annual furnace maintenance check, now is the perfect time to do so. Having a professional come over to check all the components and controls, repair any damaged parts, and make sure everything is running as efficiently as it should will help decrease the chances of your furnace breaking during the next big blizzard. Install a programmable thermostat. One of the main benefits of a programmable thermostat is the fact that it can improve home comfort levels. How? Well, a programmable thermostat allows for a consistent temperature throughout the house, plus it can work with your family’s schedule. Set it to warm up the home at least an hour before you’re returning from work or school so the house is as cozy as can be when you arrive. As an added bonus, since your furnace will only be running when you need it to, you’ll save money on your utility bills, too! Check your insulation. Head up into the attic and inspect your insulation. Homes tend to lose the most heat through the ceiling of the top floor, so if your insulation is old and thin, it’s definitely time to replace it. Keep in mind that insulation should be at least six to seven inches thick. Seek out drafty areas. Take note of cold air seeping through your doors or windows. If necessary, add new or replace the current weather stripping to help keep the cool air outside and the warm air inside. Check for drafty or leaky ductwork,...