By Jim Ellia on Mar 9, 2015 in Indoor Air Quality |

As we look forward to springtime and the warmer weather associated with it, for some of us, spring has another, less positive meaning: allergy season. Trees budding and grass growing can equal misery to those who suffer from seasonal allergies. While it’s wonderful to be able to open our windows and doors to air out our homes after a long, frigid winter, allergy sufferers can absolutely dread this time of year. However, there are some simple ways to allergy-proof your home to help ease the dripping noses, itchy eyes and other symptoms of your loved ones’ allergies. How to Allergy Proof Your Home Know the allergies you’re dealing with. If you know you tend to get stuffy in the springtime but have never been officially diagnosed with allergies, it’s wise to go get an allergy test done at your doctor’s office. Learning what allergens affect you the most is the first step to reducing them in your home. Keep it as clean as possible. Regularly dusting and vacuuming will help get rid of allergens from dust and dust mites. Dust with a damp cloth to avoid stirring up mite allergens and potentially making things worse. Your vacuum should have a HEPA filter or a double-layered microfilter bag to better trap dust particles. Wash bedding regularly. Dust mites have a nasty habit of hanging out in our bedding, so wash your linens weekly and your comforter or blankets monthly. You can also consider purchasing special allergen-reducing pillowcases and mattress pads for further relief. Invest in a dehumidifier. Moisture within the home causes mold, which many people develop allergies to. Keep relative humidity in the home below 50%. You may find a de-humidifier necessary, especially in high-moisture areas like the basement. Eliminate carpets and drapes. Allergens easily get trapped within our carpets and drapery. If possible, consider adding hardwood flooring throughout the home in place of carpets or rugs. Avoid heavy drapery that can’t be washed regularly, and install blinds or shades instead. Ask guests to remove their shoes. Wearing shoes inside your home tracks in not only dirt from outside, but also a variety of allergens and irritants! Place a mat on the outside of the door as well as a...

By Jim Ellia on Jan 10, 2015 in Indoor Air Quality |

Air pollution is not just something you deal with outside in major cities. Within our own homes, the air quality can become quite dirty and create lots of issues, especially for people with allergies, asthma or other breathing problems.  The elderly and children are more susceptible to indoor pollutants, but they may have negative effects on even the healthiest person years down the road. Your home’s air quality can be affected by things like pets and their dander, chemical pollutants from a fresh coat of paint, certain cleaners, mold, dust mites, etc. Newer homes are more airtight than ever, too, which means none of this “bad stuff” is escaping when all the windows and doors are closed. Air Quality Improvement Tips If you are concerned about how you can improve the air quality in your home, there are certain steps you can take to ensure it’s staying as clean as possible. Make sure your home is properly ventilated.  Whenever it’s possible, open the doors and windows to “air out” your home. However, remember that spring and fall are allergy seasons, so check the pollen and ragweed levels outside, too! Also, make sure the filter on your furnace or air conditioner is clean and changed often. You can look into purchasing a stand-alone air cleaner like an electrostatic system or ion generator, too. Keep a regular cleaning schedule. People track all kinds of dirt and debris into the home. Place large floor mats or rugs near the entrances and request that visitors remove their shoes when they come inside. Regular dusting, mopping, and washing linens can help improve the air quality in your home, and invest in a good vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter to ensure all that dust and dirt you’re picking up isn’t getting shot back out into the air. Limit chemical pollutants as much as possible. Chemical pollutants can come from the cleaning supplies you use, certain air fresheners and hobbies that might involve paint stripping or the use of glue or solder, just to name a few. Use fragrance-free or natural cleaning products as much as possible, including your laundry detergent, and freshen the air in your home by using plants to purify the air....

By Jim Ellia on Jul 7, 2014 in Indoor Air Quality, Residential |

According to the American Lung Association, the indoor air quality in your home can have a huge impact on your health. In fact, failure to take the proper steps to ensure that you have high quality indoor air can cause you and your family to suffer from several health issues, including asthma, fatigue, nasal congestion, headaches, nausea and dry eyes. With this in mind, it makes perfect sense to assist your home’s indoor air quality by keeping your central air and heating system in good shape. As an added bonus, focusing on this aspect of indoor air quality will also help you maintain proper humidity levels and a comfortable temperature in each room. How Does the Central Heating and Cooling System Impact My Home’s Indoor Air Quality? Your central heating and cooling system is one of the primary factors that affect your home’s indoor air quality. Moving hot or cold air through your home can also stir up any bacteria or other pollutants that are sitting in your ducts. Therefore, it is critical to utilize a regular cleaning and maintenance routine to keep the quality of your home’s air from becoming potentially unsafe. Fortunately, there are many simple techniques that can be used to enhance your air quality, and our professional team can assist you with any necessary HVAC and duct work. What Steps Should I Take to Maintain Good Indoor Air Quality? 1. Change Filters As Needed – One of the biggest mistakes that homeowners make is failing to replace the filter in their central heating and cooling system on a regular basis. Your system’s manual can easily provide you with information regarding the optimal amount of time to wait between each filter change. 2. Regular HVAC Maintenance – It is important to ensure that your central heating and cooling system receives regular maintenance as needed. Keep in mind that delaying small repairs could hurt your indoor air quality and end up turning into a much more expensive issue. 3. Purchase Indoor Plants – Plants and trees are a natural source of clean oxygen, and they help remove carbon dioxide from the air. This makes houseplants the perfect choice for every home, especially if you or a family...

By Jim Ellia on Nov 20, 2013 in Cleveland, Humidity, Indoor Air Quality |

Do you use a humidifier in your home? Humidifiers are typically used to make forced air homes more comfortable, especially in the winter time. Using a humidifier in your home can relieve the physical discomforts of dry nose, throat, lips, and skin.  It can also help those who suffer from asthma or eczema. But if your home is too dry from winter heating, then you might encounter static electricity, peeling wallpaper, and cracks in paint and furniture in your home. What is the ideal humidity level?   The ideal humidity level for health and comfort is between 40 and 50 percent, depending on the temperature outside.  Low levels of humidity in the winter can contribute to a sense of discomfort, while higher levels may result in a clammy, damp feeling and can cause mold formation. You can get an accurate humidity reading in your home by buying a hygrometer and following the manufacturer’s directors. A good guideline to follow is based on outside air temperature. If it is above 50°F outside, your indoor humidity should not be over 50 percent. If it is above 20°F outside, your indoor humidity should not be over 40 percent. If it is between 10 and 20°F outside, your indoor humidity should not be over 35 percent. If you add more moisture into the air than is needed, you may start to see fog form on your windows or condensation on the window sills.  Over time, the water can destroy woodwork and you run the risk of growing mold. Keeping your humidity at the proper levels will keep your home safe, comfortable, and protect it from unnecessary damage. If you have questions about your humidifier, give us a call at...

By Jim Ellia on Mar 7, 2013 in Indoor Air Quality, Residential |

We all know someone who always seems to be sick.  No matter what they do, they are always suffering from some type of illness.  But many people don’t realize that poor indoor air quality can contribute to many common health ailments we encounter.  Pollutants like mold, secondhand smoke and formaldehyde (just to name a few) affect our health in more ways than we realize. Research indicates that we spend close to 90 percent of our time indoors, so we are at greater risk with the exposure to indoor air pollutants than to outdoor pollutants.  The reality is, we live in a very polluted world.  Whether it’s new carpet or an inefficient HVAC system, chemicals are everywhere. If you think you’re suffering from what’s known as sick building syndrome, it’s always best to start with your heating and cooling system, since that’s what regulates the air flow and temperature in your home.  While an analysis of the home is necessary to determine the exact problem, we often recommend a few key steps. First, we might recommend duct cleaning to remove excess pollen or pet dander.  If you suffer from allergies or if you have a pet, we might also recommend a high efficiency filter to help remove these pollutants from the air.  We’ll also take a look at your humidity levels and make recommendations accordingly.  The humidity level in your home should be closely regulated to ensure comfortable moisture levels.  If it’s too dry, you’ll suffer from dry a dry throat, nose and eyes.  If it’s too humid in your home, you run the risk of growing mold, which presents its own set of health risks and problems. Even though indoor air pollutants can be bothersome, many of them are easy to fix.  If you suspect you have an indoor air quality problem, give us a call at...

By Jim Ellia on Dec 9, 2012 in Cleveland, Furnaces, Indoor Air Quality, Residential |

Humidifiers are typically used to make forced air homes more comfortable, especially in the winter time. Using a humidifier in your home can relieve the physical discomforts of dry nose, throat, lips, and skin.  It can also help those who suffer from asthma or eczema. Dry air brought on by winter heating can also cause damage around your home. Static electricity, peeling wallpaper, and cracks in paint and furniture can also be prevented by using a humidifier in your home. The ideal humidity level for health and comfort is between 40 and 50 percent, depending on the temperature outside.  Low levels of humidity in the winter can contribute to a sense of discomfort, while higher levels may result in a clammy, damp feeling and can cause mold formation. A good guideline to follow is based on outside air temperature. If it is above 50°F outside, your indoor humidity should not be over 50 percent. If it is above 20°F outside, your indoor humidity should not be over 40 percent. If it is between 10 and 20°F outside, your indoor humidity should not be over 35 percent. If you add more moisture into the air than is needed, you may start to see fog form on your windows or condensation on the window sills.  Over time, the water can destroy woodwork and you run the risk of growing mold. Keeping your humidity at the proper levels will keep your home safe, comfortable, and protect it from unnecessary damage.  If you have questions about your humidifier, give us a call at...