Have you begun to notice your home is increasingly dusty in recent days, weeks or months? Not only might this be an annoyance and a frustration, it may also speak to a greater quantity of contaminants and other hazards in your air that need to be removed.
At Airtime Heating & Cooling, we’re here to help with a variety of HVAC services, ranging from AC and furnace repair and replacement to several solutions for indoor air quality – including homes dealing with high levels of dust and related concerns. Here are several of the primary causes of dust increases within the home, plus what you can do about each of them to limit these risks moving forward.
Filter Issues
The first area to look at if you’re experiencing dust issues is your HVAC filter. Filters should be changed at least once every few months, and sometimes more often depending on the filter type you used – for washable filters, these should be cleaned regularly as well.
Failure to do this will result in filters accumulating dust and other materials over time. When they build up too much, they become ineffective and allow dust to spread throughout the home, including in your ducts and vents plus within any room where air is pushed to.
Humidity Levels
While this is less common in a dry state like Utah, high humidity levels within the home or a certain part of the home are still easily possible. These often lead to dust building up, plus to the formation of mold and mildew. If you’re concerned this is the cause of your dust, purchase a basic hygrometer to test for humidity levels, plus consider a whole-home humidifier or dehumidifier.
Air Duct Leaks
In some cases, your filters will be clean and working well – but dust will still make its way around because it was already present in your ducts. This often is due to leaks that cause dirty air from your attic or other spots to enter your standard air supply, including within ducts that are supposed to be supplying recently-filtered air.
Window Cracks
Another of the most common causes of dust in the home is major gaps to the outdoors, and maybe the most frequent situation here is a crack or gap around a window area. You might be surprised how much dust will be prevented simply by re-caulking any small crack or gap areas in windows.
Shoes
Finally, one of the simplest dust causes in some homes is dust being tracked in by occupants, especially in homes with several people living in them. This is simply avoided by requiring shoes be taken off before entering the house.
For more on the common causes of dust in your home, or to learn about any of our indoor air quality solutions or other HVAC services, speak to the staff at Airtime Heating & Cooling today.
Homeowners across Utah have moved firmly into air conditioner season, and for those who suffer from seasonal allergies, this spring transition period is often the toughest of the year. Spring allergies are known to be the most significant out there for many people, and there are certain situations where they may be exacerbated by an AC setup that’s not conducive to preventing allergens and similar risks from spreading into your air.
At Airtime Heating & Cooling, we’re proud to assist with numerous areas of air conditioner repair and upkeep services, including several important air quality themes that will help you limit even minor allergen risks in your home and protect those who suffer from seasonal allergies. Today’s blog will focus on how allergens and other particles enter the home through a faulty AC system, plus the importance of your air filters and additional measures you can take to ensure allergens are not a heightened risk due to your air conditioner this spring.
How Particles Enter Through the AC System
In some cases, the mode of entrance for allergens and various related particles into your air supply is based on cracks or other seal issues with your air conditioner, ducts or related components. When these issues are present, air that has not yet passed through your filter system will be able to make its way into breathing areas, meaning contaminants like allergens and others have not been removed.
In addition, however, it’s important to note that having a proper exhaust system for your HVAC system is also vital. This allows various contaminants or particles that have not been caught by the filters to exit the home properly – these particles will be present no matter how good your filters are.
Filter Factors
Speaking of filters, you should be sure that the filters installed in your HVAC system trap allergens – most do, but some on the cheaper end do not. Also be sure areas like pet dander, which may carry allergens, are caught as well.
As we noted above, however, not all the air in your home necessarily makes it to the air filter before reaching your lungs. For this reason, those homes with significant allergy sufferers may want to consider additional measures.
Other Measures
Here are a few such options available for both allergen prevention and other areas of indoor air quality:
Whole home filtration: We offer the “Clean Effects” filter system from Trane, arguably the top home air filtration system in the world, which will remove all pollutants, allergens, bacteria and viruses within the entire space.
UV lights: There are also UV air cleaner options that attack mold, mildew and other bacteria within your air ducts, common collection locations for these contaminants.
Electronic purifier: A different purifier system that charges particulates in the air and forces them to stick to metal surfaces, which can be easily cleaned.
For more on preventing allergens and other air risks in your home this spring, or to learn about any of our air quality or other HVAC services, speak to the staff at Airtime Heating & Cooling today.
We’re firmly finished with winter and onto the warmer parts of the year in Utah, and some homeowners assume they can simply stop thinking about their furnace or heater until fall comes. And while heating is indeed less of a concern during the spring and summer, did you know that spring is often an ideal time to consider replacing a furnace or heater that’s nearing the end of its lifespan?
At Airtime Heating & Cooling, we’re happy to offer heater replacement service to our clients at any time of year, along with basic AC and furnace repair services to cover your entire HVAC system no matter which season we’re in. Why is spring often a sneaky-good time to consider such a replacement, and what are some signs your system might be giving you that now is the time for this decision? Here are some general tips to be aware of.
Time and Money Savings
For starters, you’d be surprised how much time and money you can save by arranging furnace replacement in spring. For one, furnace replacement schedules tend to be far less filled at this time of year, meaning you’re more likely to get your ideal appointment time range within a few days of calling for an appointment. You also might be able to get good deals on installation or even sales, as some manufacturers offer discounts on furnaces during their slower season.
Additionally, choosing the spring offers you more time flexibility on your end. If you decide to wait on signs that replacement is needed, you could suddenly be staring at a late-fall cold front – and all of a sudden, furnace replacement appointments are much harder to get. Taking the time to cover this area now allows you a full range of product choices, plus ensures you aren’t chasing the game.
Maintaining Comfort
Another benefit of replacing the heater during spring is the comfort retention the process offers. We’re mostly past the point where homes need to have their heaters on to keep the temperature comfortable – this means it’s no big deal if our pros have to turn your heating system off for a few hours while we replace the system. If you wait on replacement, however, this process might take place during a cooler period where things won’t be so convenient.
Signs It’s Time
Some general signs your furnace or heating system is giving you that it’s time for replacement:
Common repairs: If you’re making the same kinds of repairs over and over again, this is a sign that the heater has worn down and needs to be replaced.
Age: Any furnace or heater that reaches above 15 years of age should at least see replacement considered.
Lost efficiency: If you notice your HVAC costs rising compared to previous years, or if you can’t seem to get the proper heating levels, this could mean the furnace is worn down and needs a replacement.
Noises: Finally, some malfunctioning furnaces make loud noises like rattling, clanging or electrical humming, all of which may signal replacement needs.
For more on why spring is often an ideal season for heater replacement, or to learn about any of our HVAC services, speak to the staff at Airtime Heating & Cooling today.
As anyone who has lived here for a significant period is well aware, the state of Utah is known for its desert qualities, namely dry air. Humidity levels are generally fairly low in Utah, and this can have an impact on everything from your home’s air quality to the impact dry air has on your HVAC system.
At Airtime Heating & Cooling, we offer a wide range of HVAC services, from new furnace and air conditioner products to several indoor air quality solutions, including humidity-related areas. How does dry air impact your HVAC system, particularly on the severe end of the spectrum? Today’s blog will dig into this area and why you might be well-served looking into humidification solutions for your home if you’re dealing with consistently dry air.
Dry Air and Health
First and foremost, it’s important to realize that dry air is more than a nuisance for many people – in plenty of cases, it actually has a direct impact on human health. This is often the case in relatively minor areas, such as dry skin, chapped lips and related areas.
However, in some cases these risks will be even more significant. Many, especially those with previous respiratory conditions or weakened immune systems, will experience coughing, sore throats and even sometimes illness due to mucous membranes that have dried out as a result of extremely dry air.
Home and HVAC System Impact
In addition to having a potential impact on your health, dry air may also have an impact on your home. This begins with the HVAC system, which often has to use far more energy to warm the home during the cooler months – this is because warm air and humidity tend to go together, and vice versa. If your air is overly dry, you may find your winter heating bill is far higher than it should be.
In addition, there are other home areas that could be damaged due to dry air. Spit wood is a common occurrence, for instance, as is damage to electronics, chipping paint and split wallpaper due to static shock or related factors.
Humidification Benefits
Luckily, we offer the “Clean Effects” system from Trane that provides a whole-house solution for several items, including humidity control. Offering the proper levels of humidity to your home not only keeps you more comfortable and healthy on a daily basis, it also improves your HVAC system’s efficiency by limiting its strain, particularly during winter months. Using a whole-home system also prevents dry air issues from cropping up in certain areas and then re-appearing in others, as the entire space is covered.
For more on dry air and its impact on your health and home, or to learn about any of our indoor air quality or other HVAC solutions, speak to the staff at Airtime Heating & Cooling today.
We’re nearing the end of the winter period, and for homeowners throughout Utah, this means it’s almost time for an important transition. The move from winter into the spring and summer seasons means your HVAC system will switch from heating to cooling, and ensuring the entire system is ready for this transition is vital.
At Airtime Heating & Cooling, we offer a variety of furnace and air conditioning tune-up services, the type that are perfect for these transitional seasons during a given year. In addition to these, here are several basic areas we recommend you keep a careful eye on as you prepare your system for the spring, ensuring your air conditioner and other vital HVAC components are in great shape as the temperatures change.
Cleaning Areas
For starters, there are two major cleaning areas to perform before spring hits:
Outside unit: Many homeowners take good care of the interior elements of their HVAC system, but neglect the vital unit outside the home. This is the AC condenser, the one in charge of cycling out warm air and providing cool air during the summer – you should take the time to clean off all dirt, debris, branches, leaves or other items from this area. This will prevent costly maintenance on this unit that may arise due to built-up deposits, which can slow the unit down and damage it.
Air ducts: It’s also vital to clean your air ducts and visible vent areas of all dust and debris, allowing the system to work without any strain or air loss.
Changing Filter
HVAC filters should be changed regularly throughout the year, including during the winter-to-spring transition if they have not been swapped out recently. Filters that are left too long will build up significant blockages and clogs, slowing the passage of air through the system and raising your monthly energy bill. In the process, they will also diminish your air quality.
Test Run
Chances are, your air conditioning system has been completely unused for most or all of the previous winter. Take the time to switch the system to cool and run it for around 30 minutes – check in individual rooms to ensure cooling is taking place, and listen/look for any issues that may come up. If you’re scheduling professional maintenance, be sure to mention any such issues to your HVAC expert.
Schedule a Tune-Up
Finally, as we noted above, there are few better ways to guarantee the quality of your AC and HVAC system headed into spring and summer than to hire our pros for a quick, affordable tune-up. We’ll inspect and clean basic elements of the system, plus check for minor issues that have arisen over time to ensure your unit is in tip-top shape headed into cooling season.
For more on pre-spring HVAC tips to consider in your home, or to learn about any of our heating and cooling services, speak to the staff at Airtime Heating & Cooling today.
As your comprehensive HVAC specialists throughout Utah, one area our team at Airtime Heating & Cooling is always cognizant of when providing services for your home is indoor air quality. Our whole-home air purifier solutions offer the kind of air that improves breathing, skin quality, sleep and numerous other potential actors for home occupants, plus allows you to control humidity throughout the year.
One area that often is perceived incorrectly by homeowners when it comes to their air quality: Burning candles inside the home. While many forms of candles are fine to burn inside, there are also several popular types that research has shown to be harmful to indoor air quality, and you should be very careful about regularly burning these types. Let’s look at everything you need to know about which candle materials to avoid and how to burn candles in safe, healthy ways if this is something you enjoy.
Candle Materials and Air Quality
When it comes to determining whether a given candle is good or bad for your indoor air quality, the primary theme is assessing the materials the candle is made from. Specifically, research has shown that candles containing a substance known as paraffin – one of the most popular types available, sadly – emit toxic chemicals such as toluene, benzene and even formaldehyde. These chemicals can lead to everything from respiratory concerns like asthma to nervous system disorders and even heightened risk for certain forms of cancer.
Now, not all candles are made using paraffin. The same research showed that soybean candles or beeswax did not have the same outputs of toxic chemicals, though there is still debate about whether these types are truly safer.
Overall, researchers noted that even for paraffin-based candles, occasional use is generally okay and will not pose a health or air quality threat. If you constantly are lighting these candles, however, especially in spaces with poor ventilation, this is when issues can begin.
HVAC Filter Impact
One note for those who burn candles often, even if you’re burning beeswax or soybean candles that don’t emit toxins: Soot and smoke released from candles will generally clog up your HVAC filters faster than they would have otherwise. You should check your filters often and replace them more commonly if you burn candles regularly.
General Tips
Some general ventilation and other tips for burning candles safely and without health or air quality risks:
Stick with beeswax or soybean candles, and cotton or paper wicks
Ensure candle wicks are trimmed down to limit smoke and soot output
Use a lighter instead of a match for lighting candles – the former emits fewer toxins
Burn candles in a properly-ventilated area
When possible, choose odorless candles and use essential oils for improved aromas
For more on the possible issues with candles and air quality, or to learn about any of our HVAC services, including central air, furnace repair or even pre-spring air conditioner installations, speak to the staff at Airtime Heating & Cooling.
No one enjoys the presence of rodents like mice or rats anywhere in their home, and they can be particularly problematic if they invade – and eventually die in – your HVAC system’s ductwork. Often entering this area to attempt to find shelter and warmth, such rodents can lead to not only health issues and contaminants in your air, but also damage to your ducts and related HVAC performance issues.
At Airtime Heating & Cooling, we’re happy to assist with a variety of areas, from furnace replacement to general upkeep and tune-ups of various HVAC systems, including your ducts. If you believe a rodent has died in your duct system somewhere, here are some general steps to take in terms of locating it, removing it and remedying any damage that was created – either on your own or with the assistance of our HVAC professionals.
Tracking Odor
For starters, the most common indicator that will signal a rodent’s presence in the duct system is the odor that comes from it. At the same time, however, such a smell could be coming from several sources or locations, and you have to follow it to determine the precise area.
If you’ve already checked other primary areas or believe the ductwork is the location, find the strongest area of smell nearest to a vent cover you can access. Remove this cover and use a flashlight to check inside.
Careful, Safe Removal
In cases where you can see the dead rodent and it’s close enough to the vent opening to reach it, you can likely perform this task yourself if desired. It’s vital, however, to take proper health and safety precautions: Wear gloves, use disinfectant products and ensure you have a strong, durable garbage bag for storing the remains.
If the rodent is out of your reach, however, you may need to call our team for assistance. We have special tools and expertise that will allow us to reach the rodent and remove it without damaging your ductwork in any way.
Once the rodent has been removed, thoroughly disinfect the area, including any section that was touched by the animal.
Repairing Leaks or Damage
Finally, once the area is clean and sanitary, it’s important to inspect the system and understand how the rodent was able to enter it to begin with. Our pros will be able to help you ascertain this location, which often includes a small leak or hole that allowed the rodent to get in. We’ll also assist with simple, affordable repairs or replacement to ensure this cannot happen again, plus increase your energy efficiency.
For more on what to do if a rodent has died in your HVAC duct system, or to learn about any of our heating and air services, speak to the staff at Airtime Heating & Cooling today.
With winter upon us, homeowners and families everywhere are preparing for the festive holiday season, or have already kicked it off in some cases. Those who plan to host guests in their home during the holidays, particularly family or friends staying for long periods, have a few important areas to think about, one of which is comfort and air quality – both dictated by a strong HVAC system.
At Airtime Heating & Cooling, we’re here to help. We offer a variety of quality HVAC services, from furnace installation to heater repair and even air quality solutions to keep your home comfortable and healthy for anyone who visits over the holidays – plus you and your family, of course. Here are several areas to prioritize, from those we’ll assist you with to others you can handle on your own in many cases.
Inspection and Maintenance
For starters, having your HVAC system and furnace inspected and maintained by our quality HVAC pros during the late fall or early winter is vital, both for this and several other reasons. The last thing you want to be running into is a broken furnace or some other temperature issue while company is around, the kinds of issues that could have been prevented with a basic inspection and upkeep appointment. We’ll perform tasks ranging from basic cleaning to minor repairs as needed, also lengthening the lifespan of your system.
Filter, Vents and Ducts
Changing HVAC filters is important throughout the year, and especially so if your home will have additional occupants for a period of time – this introduces a wider array of contaminants that need to be removed from the air. Ensure your filter is up-to-date and clean.
In addition, take a few minutes to clean the accessible areas of your vents and air ducts, particularly if any dust or other buildups are present. This will limit allergens and other air quality detractors while also making it easier for the system to function at peak capacity.
Specific Room Prep
When preparing guest rooms or other areas where guests will stay, take some time to ensure all vents are both open and free of any impediments, such as furniture. Even if you don’t normally keep vents open in this room, you should now. You may also consider leaving an extra blanket just in case your guests need additional warmth.
Large Groups and Thermostat Considerations
Finally, for some minor cost savings, you might consider lowering your thermostat a degree or two during large holiday gatherings. This is because large groups of people give off significant body heat, often warming the room or even the entire home on their own. Combine this with potential oven use and lots of lights being on, and you can likely give the thermostat at least a minor respite during events.
For more on preparing the HVAC system and your home for holiday guests, or to learn about any of our furnace, air conditioning or air quality services, speak to the staff at Airtime Heating & Cooling today.
For those who suffer from allergies, whether seasonal or on a year-round basis, indoor air quality is a vital concern. Allergies can be triggered by a number of different particle types, and homes with poor air quality tend to contain far more risks for exacerbating allergies than those with air quality systems in place.
At Airtime Heating & Cooling, we offer fantastic indoor air quality products from Aprilaire and Trane to help keep your home’s air clean and healthy for all occupants, particularly those with allergies. With fall in full swing, let’s look at some of the seasonal allergies that may show up during this period or the upcoming winter, plus some general tactics you can utilize to ensure you don’t have any long-term issues at play here.
Common Seasonal Allergies
The most common individual fall seasonal allergy is ragweed, which can travel all over the country through wind currents that pick it up and move it around. Ragweed causes eye and lung irritation symptoms, and is generally felt by those who also suffer from spring allergies as well.
In addition, mold is a common allergy trigger that often tends to show up in greater quantities during the fall period. This is because as temperatures get colder, moisture and humidity often increase, which improves the conditions for mold to grow in. Another factor here is leaves piling up around the home, restricting air, holding in water and generally increasing the risk of mold forming.
HVAC Maintenance
There are several distinct strategies you can take to benefit your home’s air quality while also increasing HVAC efficiency:
Cleaning: Take time to clean dust, dirt and other debris off every area of the HVAC system, including the outdoor AC condenser. Dust is another common allergy trigger, but one you can significantly reduce within your home through basic cleaning.
Ducts: Another area to clean is the ducts within your HVAC system, which can also become dusty. You likely won’t be able to clean the entire duct system on your own, but our HVAC pros are happy to help.
Home cleanliness: Even areas like raking leaves, vacuuming dirt and other household chores will limit allergy risks.
Filters: Perhaps the most important tactic listed here is changing your HVAC filters, which should be done on a regular basis throughout the year for many reasons. Filters keep the air quality high and your HVAC components functioning optimally.
Other Air Quality Products
Finally, if you’ve done all the above and are still experiencing allergy or air quality risks, contact our team about our air quality products, which will clean either individual rooms or your entire house and leave you with nothing but healthy air.
For more on air quality or any of our other HVAC services such as furnace installation or repair, speak to the staff at Airtime Heating & Cooling today.
Like any other system that operates using mechanical parts, such as a vehicle or a toilet, HVAC systems and their components require maintenance to keep them from breaking down. Such upkeep serves two primary, and related, purposes: Keeping HVAC equipment working properly so occupants of a given structure are comfortable and healthy, and limiting potentially major repair and replacement costs for systems that are allowed to wear down too quickly.
At Airtime Heating & Cooling, we’re proud to offer a number of services to ensure your HVAC system is in great shape and not costing you money, from precision AC and furnace tune-ups to a wide range of inspection and preventive services. In coordination with our HVAC professionals, here are several themes you should keep in mind when looking to keep your costs and hassle to a minimum when it comes to your heating and air system.
Keep an Eye (And an Ear) Out
For starters, maybe the single most valuable thing you can do as a homeowner is simply pay attention to your HVAC system on a regular basis. Once you have a basic idea of how your system operates when it’s functioning properly – how it sounds, how long it runs for during heating or cooling season, how often filters need to be changed, etc. – you should also be able to identify occasions when the system is not operating normally.
In many cases, the first signs here are noises like rattling, grinding, buzzing or thumping. In others, you may notice actual performance issues like weak airflow, malfunctioning thermostats or pooling water near indoor units. The keener your eyes and ears are, the sooner you’ll spot these issues and can immediately remedy them before they worsen.
Regular Filter Replacement
Every 30 to 90 days, depending on the filter type and the details of your system, you should be changing out your air filters. This frequency increases if you have pets in the home, which add to the dust and dander levels in the air. Not only does changing filters at the proper intervals lead to cleaner, healthier air, it also keeps several HVAC components functioning optimally rather than wearing down too quickly.
Cleaning Areas
There are a few areas you can clean regularly to keep your HVAC system in peak shape:
Vents: Vacuuming in and around vents helps remove dust and dirt that might block airflow.
Outdoor unit: Outdoor AC condensers need regular maintenance too – make sure they’re free of leaves and other debris, plus cut back any nearby shrubs to give them space to breathe.
Ductwork: If your home has ductwork, schedule an inspection at least once every couple years with our HVAC technicians to ensure there are no blockages or leaks.
Inspection, Maintenance and Service Plans
Finally, involve our team as often as needed to ensure your system stays in good shape and never presents major costs. Our basic inspection and maintenance services are easily affordable on any budget, designed to limit larger risks that come with high price tags down the line.
For more on how to keep your HVAC costs low through basic approaches, or to learn about any of our heating and air services, speak to the team at Airtime Heating & Cooling today.
