Category: Indoor Air Quality

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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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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High Winds Across the United States Affecting Indoor Air Quality

The high winds that have been experienced from coast to coast in the United States lately have wreaked havoc on home A/C and HVAC systems. Therefore, it is the perfect time to clean the dust and debris from the air conditioning components and machinery. It is important to clean as soon as possible in order to prevent broken parts and eventual expensive repairs. Taking the necessary steps to protect the system and to prepare for harsh weather can help protect the whole family’s safety and comfort. HVAC Vent Cleaning and MaintenanceIndoor air quality is an issue of growing importance and increased visibility. Many HVAC contractors are marketing services and products intended to improve home air quality. The range in cost of vent cleaning services depends on the services offered, system accessibility, the size of the system, and the level of contamination. Generally, vent cleaning refers to the cleaning of different heating and cooling components of forced air systems, including the air ducts and registers, heating and cooling coils, grilles and diffusers, condensate drain pans, fan motor and housing, and the unit housing. If not properly cleaned and maintained, these components may become contaminated with allergens, dust, pollen, and other debris.

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Reasons to Replace Your Attic Insulation

Attic insulation replacement is vital in older homes, as insulation wears with age. Failure to replace it directly impacts energy consumption both in winter and summer months. It could easily result in a cold home in winter, and an uncomfortably hot home in summer. There are some indications that your home needs new attic insulation, such as higher utility bills, among others: A well-insulated home will regulate temperatures year round, reducing monthly energy bills. Worn insulation results in inconsistent room temperatures. The hands-on approach of testing the quality of the insulation will determine if it needs replacing. Wear a glove and touch the insulation, noting its condition. Crumbling insulation is a sure sign that it requires replacing. A previous pest infestation is good enough reason to replace the attic insulation. A leaky roof. If the insulation were not properly dried as a result of a leak in the roof, it could develop mold, which will require replacement. Mold can be extremely dangerous to people and is linked to numerous health risks. DIY or Professional Installation? In a day where DIY projects are all the rage, there are some that are best left to professionals. Professional insulation installers will properly and

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The Basics About Legionnaires’ Disease and HVAC systems

Most of us don’t really consider the indoor heating or cooling system as dangerous. The systems are there to cool or heat the building up and that’s it. Proper maintenance ensures that you can enjoy the heat during winter and cooling during summer. But did you know that your building ventilation systems could make your sick? Apparently, they can! On July 15th 2015, New Yorkers were told that more than 100 people tested positive for Legionnaires Disease. The infection caused by Legionella pneumophila bacteria that spread because of an infected water-cooling tower. Due to poor maintenance, the bacterial infection spread to all five cooling towers of the South Bronx building and infected the people in the building and around it as well. At the time of writing, more than 10 people had died from the infection and the city health commissioner had issued health warnings to people living in the area. What Caused The Legionella Outbreak? Legionella bacteria thrived in wet humid locations and the cooling system of the building had not been cleaned in quite some time. The bacteria spread through the ventilation system and it was vented out in the form of water droplets. The sick, elderly, children,

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Should I be concerned about carbon monoxide in my home?

The short answer is YES! You should be very concerned about carbon monoxide in your home. If there are high levels of carbon monoxide in your home, it will make you sick at best, and kill you at worst. Between twenty and thirty thousand people become ill from carbon monoxide poisoning each year in the US alone. Around five hundred people a year die of carbon monoxide poisoning in the United States. Carbon monoxide gas is produced when carbon is burned without sufficient oxygen in the air. Thus if you burn anything made of carbon within an enclosed space rather than outdoors, then you will be at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. The trouble with carbon monoxide is that it doesn’t have a color. Nor does it have a discernible taste or smell. So you could be breathing in carbon monoxide at dangerous levels at this very moment without any knowledge of it occurring. Buy A Carbon Monoxide Detector For Your Home At present, having a carbon monoxide detector is mandated by law in twenty five states in the US. However, some states in the US relaxed the rules in 2012. That means people living in those states that have

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Indoor Air Quality: Facts You Need to Know

What causes people to suffer poor health? When asked such a question, most people refer to things like poor diet, lack of exercise, and genetic factors. However, if you have noticed a decline in your health, it could actually be caused by the air you breathe in your home every day. You might be surprised to find out how poor the indoor air quality in your home is. There are many seemingly innocent items in most households that can cause concerns with your health. After reading this article, you may want to throw a few items away. Items Affecting Indoor Air Quality In Your Home: Paraffin candles, for example, are a major cause of poor indoor air quality in homes. The candles give off two different carcinogen as well as some chemicals that are also found in exhaust fumes. Throw the paraffin candles away. Replace them with soy or beeswax candles scented only with natural essential oils. Air fresheners are no good for you either, and they are especially harmful to babies and young children. They contain phthalates, which can disrupt hormone function in children and can interfere with their reproductive development. Your furniture might also be having an adverse impact

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Los Angeles Air Purifiers

Are Air Purifiers Effective in Controlling Indoor Air Pollution?

Homeowners across the San Fernando Valley are becoming increasingly concerned with indoor air quality or IAQ.  We’ve spent decades using candles and plug-in scents to make our house smell more like a cozy home environment. But air quality is so much more than just the odor it has. And when you research ways to improve indoor air quality (IAQ), you’re likely to come across air purifiers.  Many of our customers across the Los Angeles area have heard of air purifiers, but they question the effectiveness of these devices. It is totally understandable to be skeptical! There is a lot of conflicting information out there on the internet, so it’s important to do your research before investing in a new home appliance. So, let’s get the big question out of the way… Do Air Purifiers Work? Yes, air purifiers work. Of course, it’s important to understand what “it works” means. There are many myths about IAQ devices. Here at MightyServ, we install Carrier Infinity Air Purifiers. This product is installed within the ductwork inside your home. This way, all the air that flows through your home will also flow through this air purifier.  The Carrier Infinity Air Purifier has been tested

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