Category: Indoor Air Quality

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 Legionnairesโ€™ Disease and HVAC systems

Most of us donโ€™t really consider the indoor heating or cooling system as dangerous. The systems are there to cool or heat the building up and thatโ€™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 doesnโ€™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.  Weโ€™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), youโ€™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 itโ€™s important to do your research before investing in a new home appliance. So, letโ€™s get the big question out of the way… Do Air Purifiers Work? Yes, air purifiers work. Of course, itโ€™s important to understand what โ€œit worksโ€ 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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Spring Cleaning

5 Tips to Supercharge Your Spring Cleaning During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Ahh, spring cleaning. The annual ritual of decluttering, deep scrubbing, and elbow grease. A quick internet search will yield hundreds of housekeeping lists for this once-a-year event. But since weโ€™re all sheltering in place with COVID-19, you may have extra time and extra motivation to spruce up your home and take your cleaning to the next level. Here are five ways to supercharge your spring cleaning during the COVID-19 pandemic: Disinfect and Clean Food Storage Areas Hidden in plain sight, the place you keep your everyday food and ingredients is a must-hit on your spring cleaning list. After all, you probably handle something in these areas multiple times a day.  Nearly every deep-cleaning list will include your refrigerator and freezer. But donโ€™t leave out your pantry, cabinet, or shelving that stores your dry ingredients. An extra bit of cereal or dusting of flour are concealed by the dark corners in a pantry. Exposed food – even in negligible quantities – can entice bugs or pests.  Remove everything from your pantryโ€™s shelves. Start with the obvious: throw away expired items or anything that has seen better days. Clean off any jars with leaks down the sides. Wipe down the shelves in

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