Upon receiving alerts about extreme heat in the weather forecast, it’s customary to spend more time indoors. However, the effects of extreme heat can impact your indoor experience. Learn more about the ways that extreme heat affects indoor air quality and how to combat it. 1. Mold Growth Whether someone is constantly opening the front door or there are numerous openings in the ductwork, extreme heat can impact indoor air through mold growth. Extreme heat often comes with a higher level of humidity. It’s not uncommon for extreme heat to be followed by intense thunderstorms. When you combine extreme heat and storms, humidity becomes more consuming. As humidity is comprised of heat and moisture, these two elements help mold spread and thrive. Mold tends to spread in dark spaces first. Unfortunately, this can make it harder to detect. In preparation for potentially extreme heat, make sure the ductwork, cracks, and openings are completely sealed and closed off. Use a dehumidifier in spaces that tend to be susceptible to mold growth. When the air conditioning runs with a dehumidifier, this helps to make the indoor air drier. 2. Rain and Pollution In addition to watering plants and contributing to the planet’s...
View Article
While wintertime can bring a nice break from the scorching hot summertime weather, it can also bring along with it some nasty dry skin. This is due to the fact that cold air is naturally low in humidity and will pull moisture out of the human body. Fortunately, you can banish your wintertime dry skin by installing a home humidification system. How Does a Home Humidifier Work? A home humidifier works to introduce humidity into the air inside your home. These systems come with the convenience of being able to set a desired relative humidity level for the inside of your home, and your system will work to reach that level. Most experts recommend setting your indoor humidity level between 40% and 60%. How Will This Reduce Your Dry Skin? When the weather is cold, the air will extract moisture from any source that it can find. One of the most common is your body since the human body is made up of 60% water. When you have a home humidifier installed, it will introduce moisture into the air, so the air won’t naturally try to get extra moisture from other sources, like your body. When the air inside your...
View Article
Poor indoor air quality in your Ingram, TX, home doesn’t require a costly or chemical-based solution. There are many ways to naturally improve the quality of your house’s air. Use these three tips from our experienced technicians at Trade-Mark Air Conditioning and start breathing easier. 1. Control the Sources of Air Pollution The most effective way to naturally improve the quality of your home’s air is to control what comes into your residence. Choose used items that have already off-gassed their volatile organic compounds and paints, adhesives, and solvents that are free of volatile organic compounds. Store pesticides, paints, and other items in a detached garage or shed. 2. Increase Ventilation It’s also important to increase ventilation in your house. Use exhaust fans when cooking and cleaning. Consider a whole-house fan. These fans remove the hot, stale, and particle-filled air in your home’s attic or upper level. They use an intake vent to bring in fresh outdoor air. This air gets filtered before it enters your living space. 3. Use a Better Air Filter or an Air Purifier Find out what minimum efficiency reported value (MERV) rating your HVAC filter has. If it’s less than 12, replace it with a...
View Article
Although the subject of plants improving indoor air quality is somewhat controversial, many people still seek out plants to help purify the air in their homes. Most of our time is spent in the home, so it is important to ensure that our indoor air quality is the best it can be. Here are a few ways homeowners and renters can improve their indoor air quality with plants: English Ivy Houseplant The English Ivy houseplant is an aesthetically pleasing plant that can bring lots of positive energy to a home. The elegance and simplicity in the English Ivy make it a great decorative item as well. Having this plant in your home can help keep harmful chemicals to a minimum. Along with that, it can grow in various shapes and will survive for many years with proper care and attention. Chinese Evergreen Otherwise known as the aglaonema modestum, this plant is great for those that fancy low-maintenance plants and easy care. The Chinese Evergreen can thrive and grow even in low light. While it can be handy for air purification, it has been known to be toxic to pets. Dragon Tree This plant is full of life even in less-than-perfect...
View Article
The combustion process in your Ingram, TX, home’s furnace creates heat, but it also generates toxic byproducts. One of those waste products is carbon monoxide gas. This gas is a poison, and it can affect your health and safety. Carbon Monoxide Is a Sneaky Poison Carbon monoxide gas has no color, odor, or taste. A properly functioning gas-powered appliance ventilates the waste gases to the outdoors. A malfunctioning furnace could cause the poisonous carbon monoxide to mix with the air in your home. The symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning mimic many common illnesses, such as the flu. Without a carbon monoxide detector, you might not realize you’re being poisoned. Immediate Health Impacts of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning The short-term health impacts of carbon monoxide poisoning include nausea, fatigue, body aches, and dizziness. If the level of carbon monoxide in your home increases, you could become confused, develop blurry vision, or experience vomiting. If you’re exposed to a high level of carbon monoxide, you could lose consciousness. Death can occur within minutes of a high level of exposure. Long-Term Complications of Carbon Monoxide Exposure Chronic exposure to a low level of carbon monoxide can have lasting health impacts. You may develop nerve...
View Article
Most people never even think about the air quality inside their homes until they begin to notice respiratory problems. While your home’s AC might not have a huge impact on your immune system, it is going to affect your lungs and your respiratory health as a whole. That is why it is so important for all homeowners to make sure that their HVAC systems aren’t bringing unwanted pollutants, contaminants, and toxins into their homes. Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and Your Health The quality of air inside a home can have an impact on an individual’s immediate and long-term health. Depending on what types of contaminants are in the home, it could also affect their overall comfort. For many people, allergens are going to be the biggest issue that is impacting their air quality. When exposed to allergens, you might notice any number of side effects, ranging from itchy eyes to a runny nose. More severe contaminants and toxins can make their way inside a home as well, and that often leads to long-term problems. While those types of issues are relatively rare, you should still keep an eye out for any signs that you might have dangerous pollutants in your...
View Article
Summer is fast approaching, and keeping your home comfortable is a top priority. Investing in a dehumidifier is a great way to stay cool and reduce the humidity levels in your home. You can choose from a variety of different brands, and an HVAC company can help you find the best humidifier for your home at an affordable price. Here are a few of the main advantages of using dehumidifiers during the summer months. 1. Eliminate Musty Odors One of the top benefits of using a dehumidifier is that it helps to reduce musty odors in your home. Reducing these unpleasant smells creates a much more relaxing environment for you and your family. A dehumidifier can also reduce mold problems, which is often the source of a musty odor. 2. Increase Energy Efficiency Investing in a dehumidifier is also a great way to improve the energy efficiency of your home. Dry air feels cooler, which helps to give your AC unit a break during the hot summer months in Texas. Over time, these savings can really add up and save you a significant amount of money. 3. Improve Your Health Too much moisture in the air can cause a variety...
View Article
