Category: Air Quality

Spring Cleaning Time

As we shift to spring and a warming trend, it’s the perfect opportunity to check the status of existing air conditioners and fans. Before the extreme summer heat sets in, homeowners should explore the condition of exhaust fans, cooling fans, and air conditioners. Any interior fan covers that are in place should be removed and washed with warm, mild, soapy water. Shop vacuums can work wonders when cleaning the filters and the interiors of fan units. A thorough examination of exterior fan ducts and dryer vent hoses and caps is necessary to rule out any damage or debris buildup that could have accumulated over the fall and winter months. For the highest functioning air conditioning units, all equipment should be inspected and serviced by professionals. Spring time marks a great time to get air conditioners and fans in working order. Professional air conditioning repair and installation companies effectively assess any air conditioning repair needs and offer the appropriate maintenance advice and service.

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Indoor Air Quality Tips for Pet Owners

Are you a pet owner? So many people are, and they not only consider pets a part of their life, but also a part of their family. This means that pets occupy space within homes, both inside and out, and are oftentimes in areas that humans spend a lot of time in. What does this mean for you? What makes pets so fuzzy and cute—their fur—can carry a lot of allergens and indoor air pollutants, including dust, dander and elements from the outdoors such as pollen. Because of this, pet owners would be wise to pay attention to the quality of their indoor air. While everyone can be affected by poor indoor air quality, pet owners are even more susceptible due to the nature of owning a pet. Healthy Indoor Air Quality Tips for Pet Owners To prevent poor indoor air quality, it’s smart to consider what you can do to keep your home free of common pollutants from pets. One of the most problematic of these pollutants is dander. Dander is found on cats, dogs, rabbits, and other furry pets, and is essentially microscopic particles of dried skin. It is so problematic because, it, not pet hair, is the

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Indoor Air Can be 70 Times More Polluted than Outdoor Air

You want your home to be safe, secure, and comfortable. You want it to be warm in the winter, cool in the summer, and to not cost you a fortune in the process. But, what if the very system that brings you this security is also a breeding ground for serious health issues? Don’t pack up just yet. There could be a low cost, easy solution. “The more your ‘sealed’ home is for energy efficiency, the more germs, pollutants, and allergens it’s keeping in,” says MightyServ. “In order to maintain humidity and temperature levels, the same air is continuously recycled throughout a home. This increases comfort, but it can also increase health risks. Breathing certain mold spores can cause illness – or even death – and they can develop inside the dark and damp environments of your duct system.” In fact, indoor air quality can be up to 70 times more polluted than the air outside your home.  So what can you do? MightyServ Heating and Air recommends these measures for maintaining a healthy home: Have ventilation systems cleaned annually to help eliminate dirt and mold growth. A qualified technician should check to be sure that all return air is run through the

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Should I Get My Home’s Air Ducts Cleaned?

In recent years, many companies have begun to offer air duct cleaning as a part of the overall cleaning program. This increased interest in duct cleaning brings up a simple question: is it beneficial to get a home’s air ducts cleaned? The short answer is yes. Coastal areas like the San Fernando Valley have plenty of wind stirring up dust, dirt, and other debris. This paired with the fact that our hot weather puts a higher demand on HVAC systems makes clean, efficient operation very important. Here are several reasons why our clients have found it helpful to get their air ducts cleaned, and why you will too. System efficiency: Dust in the air ducts will impede air flow and congest the air-handling unit, leading to excessive energy use and unnecessary wear on system components. Cleaning the ducts will reduce the resistance encountered by the system’s fan. Occupant health: Dust is a notorious source of allergy problems. The dust itself and the mold that can grow in it can be very irritating to building occupants. Duct cleaning makes the home healthier. Home cleanliness: If you’ve ever thought that your home was getting dusty unusually quickly after you cleaned, you probably have dust buildup

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Debunking Indoor Air Quality Myths & Facts

How many times have you thought about the air you’re breathing? Do you think about it at home? At work? Do you think about it when you’re out shopping? Probably not, but you should be aware that the indoor air quality (IAQ) in both residential and commercial establishments may be very poor, creating a potentially harmful environment. In an effort to help raise awareness, we have put together this overview of common Indoor Air Quality myths and facts that every person should be aware of. Indoor Air Quality Facts: Health Concerns of Poor Indoor Air Quality Poor IAQ can cause a number of health problems, including: allergies, irritation of the eyes, skin, nose and throat, frequent headaches, sinus congestion, dizziness, nausea, hypersensitivity, coughing, sneezing and shortness of breath. Causes of Poor Indoor Air Quality Some common air contaminants that may lower IAQ include: tobacco smoke, mold spores, dust, pet dander, dust mites and carbon monoxide among others. The number and types of indoor air contaminants will vary from one establishment to another. Your home will not have all the same contaminants as your local store, or nearby business. Indoor Air Quality Myths: Air Pollution is an Outdoor Problem When people

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What is a Ductless HVAC System and What Are Its Benefits?

Everybody loves central air. It’s an absolutely wonderful invention that allows us to live comfortably in otherwise disagreeable climates. But there are several major drawbacks to central air as a heating and cooling method which have left homeowners frustrated and wanting a better way of doing things. In time past, there wasn’t much in the way of different options to alleviate these frustrations, but recent advances in technology and new ways of using “old” systems has opened up new options for homeowners. Let’s go over how ductless HVAC systems have changed the game for indoor air. Looks Like a Duct, Sucks Like a Duct With central air there is usually a single return per air handler where the warm air from inside the home is sucked into that air handler. Some homes will have two returns for a single air handler, or will have two air handlers for a single floor of the home if it has a large square footage. There is also usually one air handler per floor of the home. But even those extra returns aren’t sufficient to adequately perform some basic functions. Those returns are where the air in the home is filtered. Trying to pull the

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Which Type of Air Filter Do You Need?

Every air conditioning system uses some type of filter in the air handler. Air filtration keeps dust and allergens from recirculating in the air you breathe, helping you keep your family happy and healthy. The right air filter can reduce allergy symptoms while improving your home comfort. Below, we’ll discuss what types of air filters are available and what benefits each provides. Types of HVAC Filters and Air Filter Benefits Before you add a $3 air filter to your cart, consider these filters, which may improve your health and HVAC experience: Standalone Filters and Air Purifiers HEPA Filters High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters have been around since World War II. These filters collect 99.97% of the airborne particulates that pass through them. HEPA technology does an exceptional job removing pollen, bacteria, pet dander, dust mite residue, and mold from airflow, but may not capture smoke or chemical-related fumes. HEPA filters are most commonly available as standalone units or in commercial HVAC systems. Ionic Filters An ionic filter won’t slide into your air handler the way other filters do, but they do improve air quality. Homeowners often use standalone ionic filters to reduce the number of allergens and irritants in the

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3 Reasons Why You Need Proper Ventilation in Your Home

You walk into a room and are immediately assaulted with the musty, stale odor of stagnant air. In cases like this, it is easy to see—or, rather, smell—how improper ventilation can create an air quality issue. The problem of inadequate ventilation has increased in recent years. In pursuit of energy efficiency, many modern homes are designed to be airtight, trapping pollutants and allergens. As a result, these homes are chocked off from much-needed fresh outside air. Here are three reasons to ensure proper ventilation in your home. Volatile Organic Compounds These dangerous chemicals are emitted from thousands of everyday building materials, cleaners, and furniture into your home. They can lead to serious health concerns marked by respiratory issues, headaches, and neurological symptoms. Since it is nearly impossible to avoid VOCs in your home, the best way to prevent the buildup of the gasses is to provide proper ventilation. Moisture and Mold Without proper ventilation, a house can quickly suffer from too much moisture in the air. This is especially true in hot, humid climates where moisture is prevalent. The Department of Energy ranks air movement as the most efficient method of conducting moisture. Odors and Allergens Odors and allergens such as dust

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What Are the Top Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Threats

The quality of the air you breathe has an impact on your health. This is why maintaining good indoor air quality, or IAQ, in the home and workplace are so important. Indoor smoking bans across the nation have done a lot to improve indoor air but many other airborne contaminants are still IAQ threats. Top Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Threats Gas Appliances Carbon monoxide has no color or odor and it can be deadly. A small amount of this noxious gas is released every time a gas appliance turns on. The exposure is minimal unless there is something wrong with the equipment. You should have your gas appliances inspected by a professional as part of your preventive home maintenance plan. Install home CO alarms away from vents and choose devices that signal a warning when it is time for replacement. Paint And Furniture The PFCs (perfluorinated compounds) found in wall paint and protective coatings for carpeting and the upholstery on your furniture are helpful for repelling stains and water but they are toxic when released into the air. Scented Fragrances Many scented products, including cleaners, air fresheners, shampoos, lotions and bath soaps emit harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOCs gain

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Wildfire Smoke Solutions: Enhancing Indoor Air Quality

Safeguard your indoor air quality from wildfire smoke in San Fernando Valley and surrounding areas with MightyServ’s tailored solutions. Learn how to protect your home against the hidden dangers of wildfire smoke pollutants with our expertise and commitment to excellence.

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