All year long you rely on your HVAC system to keep your house at a comfortable temperature, cold in the summer, and warm in winter.  But have you considered the humidity levels inside your home?  Research has suggested that using humidifiers regularly can go a long way in preventing sickness.  But it can be a hassle to have to constantly remember to fill up the water, change the filters, or clean the build-up that occurs.  A whole-house humidifier is a great option for keeping the humidity levels between 30 and 50% without the disadvantages of regular humidifiers.

Improve Health

Dry air will not only cause dry skin, but can also lead to bloody noses, dry, cracked lips, or breathing problems.  If the air in your home is exceptionally dry, it is most likely because of low humidity.  Dry air can also contribute to lung health and can also exacerbate asthma or allergy symptoms.  Many contribute more humidity in the air to less snoring.  Humidifiers have long been used to alleviate cold symptoms and decrease the length of illnesses.  If you feel dry air may be affecting your health or the health of your family, a whole-house humidifier may be something to consider.

Protect From Damage

Dry air is not just detrimental to your health, but it is also harmful to things as well.  Furniture made of wood can experience damage from dry conditions.  Low humidity levels can cause cabinets, flooring, or any type of wood furniture to crack.  The cost of repairing or replacing cracked wood throughout the house can add up quickly.  Instead, invest that money in a whole house humidifier to ensure that your house is always set to the proper humidity levels that will prevent dry air and keep wood from becoming damaged.

Lower Energy Bills

When you think of high humidity levels outside, it always feels warmer than it actually is.  The same is true for inside your home.  While humidity levels may be low in the winter months, they can be higher than the recommended 30 to 50% in the summer.  When this happens, your home is going to feel warmer.  So what do you do?  Crank up the AC of course.  But this can raise your monthly energy bills, costing you more to cool your home.  A whole-home humidifier will keep humidity levels to recommended levels in both winter and summer.  Lower humidity levels in summer will make your house feel cooler, meaning you can lower the temperature and cut energy costs, saving you money each month.

If you are considering a whole-home humidifier, Comfort Experts can help.  Home humidifiers piggyback off your HVAC system and connect to your water lines to circulate through the whole house.  For a consultation or installation, contact Comfort Experts HVAC professionals.  It will make all the difference for your comfort year-round.

When you see dust or dirt stuck to your air vents, it can be easy to simply clean the vents with soap and water and think you have taken care of the problem.  But air ducts can be a lot more complicated than just cleaning the visible debris off the vents.  Because of the complexity of HVAC systems and ductwork, cleaning of air ducts is better left to professionals.  If you notice dirt on your vents, it’s time to consider air duct cleaning from the professionals at Comfort Experts.

Regular Maintenance

According to the National Air Duct Cleaning Association, the recommended amount of time to clean air ducts is every three to five years.  Some contractors recommend having it done more often if the need arises.

Pet Owners

Pet owners might need to consider having ducts cleaned more regularly.  Hair and dirt from pets will cause dust and dirt to accumulate more quickly in vents than normal.  While you love your furry pets, they could be affecting your air quality.  Thankfully, air duct cleaning by professionals at Comfort Experts can take care of that annoying build-up so you can breathe fresh, clean air.

Health Concerns

If you have health concerns such as allergies or asthma, it can be beneficial for your health to consider regular air duct cleanings.  Breathing in allergens that flow throughout the home from dust and debris in the ductwork will only worsen symptoms of asthma or allergies.  It is also important to change the air filter regularly to make sure clean air flows through the home.

Renovations, Moving and the Military

Home renovations or moving to a new house may mean it’s time to consider professional ductwork cleaning.  All the dust and debris from construction has to go somewhere, right into your air duct vents.  Moreover, when you move to a new home, you have no idea what the previous tenants did to clean out ductwork.  Military families and veterans especially move frequently and can benefit from ductwork cleaning.  Comfort Experts is pleased to offer veterans a discount on HVAC services.

Pest Infestations

Pests like mice or rats that get inside the home carry microorganisms that can lead to the spread of unwanted diseases.  Dander, dropping, and the bacteria from pests can be a serious health concern. Avoid breathing in what pests bring into your home by first ridding your home of pest infestations and then calling an HVAC professional to clean your ductwork.

If you notice a lot of dust and debris in your home, let Comfort Experts help.  We can improve air quality inside your home by performing a thorough cleaning of all ductwork and vents.  For your peace of mind, be sure to have your air ducts cleaned regularly.  It will make a difference in the air that you breathe as well as your quality of life. Call Comfort Experts to schedule your cleaning.

The air filter is key to making sure your HVAC system is working efficiently and that clean air is being cycled through the home.  On average, you should change your air filter every three months, sometimes more if you are running your system more often.  But even if you are following the suggestions and changing your air filter often, your air filter may be getting dirtier sooner than expected.  This can lead to clogs and poor air quality inside the home.  So why is this happening?  There are several factors to consider if your air filter is getting dirty quicker than expected.

1. Leaky Air Ducts

Ducts that have holes, gaps, or leaks should be sealed up properly to prevent good air from getting out and bad air from getting in.  If there is a leak in the return air ducts, the dusty, dirty air from spaces like that attic or crawl space gets sucked up into the ducts, dirtying the air filter and causing clogging.  Leaky air ducts also affect energy efficiency as your HVAC system has to work harder to put out airflow to heat or cool the home to the set temperature.  Comfort Experts professional HVAC technicians will inspect your ducts for leaks and repair any problem areas for maximum efficiency.

2. Using a 1-Inch Pleated Air Filter

A one-inch pleated air filter is specifically designed to catch more dust, debris, or other airborne contaminants.  Because of this, it is more likely to get dirtier than other types of air filters.  It’s like a fine netting that is designed to catch everything, but thus, fills up much quicker.  To correct this problem, switch to a thicker pleated air filter or consider using a disposable fiberglass filter instead.

3. A Fan That Is Set to the “On” Position

Your fan position has an off, on, and an auto position.  A fan that is set to “on” will continuously run at all hours of the day and night.  When air is running constantly through the air filter, it will fill up faster as more contaminants are running through it.  Additionally, running your fan in the “on” position also increases energy use and monthly energy spending.  Set your fan on auto so that the fan is only set to run when your system turns on, decreasing the dirt flowing through the filter as well as energy usage.

4. Pets in the Home

Those loveable furry critters in your home come with added hair and pet dander that is sure to clog your air filter faster.  If you plan to have or keep pets in the home, it may be in your best interest to consider an air filtration system for purer air quality.

If you want to look into air filtration system installation or just want to schedule your annual maintenance inspection to be sure your HVAC system is up to date, call the pros at Comfort Experts.  We look forward to hearing from you.

Fall allergies can be miserable for many.  Outside allergens can cause sneezing, itchy, watery eyes, and a runny nose.  But did you know that things inside your home can also exacerbate fall allergies?  Dust mites, in particular, can really ramp up allergy symptoms and even affect those with respiratory conditions such as asthma or bronchitis.  So even though pollen may be outside, running inside to stay away could cause even more problems.  If this is you, improving your air quality inside your home can go a long way in eliminating your fall allergies.  Here are some ways to reduce poor air quality and dust mites inside the home.

Invest in a Whole-Home Dehumidifier

Dust mites like humidity.  High humidity inside the home is a breeding ground for dust mites.  When fall hits and air conditioners are turned off, humidity inside the home rises, leading to more dust mites and more allergy symptoms.  A whole-home dehumidifier will control the humidity inside your home to keep humidity levels at a recommended 30 to 50 percent.  This won’t kill all the dust mites but it will drastically reduce their numbers for a cleaner, healthier air quality that will reduce sinus problems, decrease respiratory issues, and even protect your wood surfaces from warping.

UV Lights

Another unique way to address dust mites in the home is to look into ultraviolet germicidal lights. While this may not be something you have heard of, it can be an extremely effective method to better your air quality inside the home. This special type of UV lights utilizes safe UV rays to kill airborne contaminants like dust mites and germs.  They are so effective that they can decrease airborne bioaerosols by a whopping 50% in only 45 minutes.  It’s a great way to keep germs and pollutants from getting inside your HVAC system and circulating inside your home.

Use HEPA Filters

HEPA filters, or High Energy Particulate Air filters, are specialized air filters that are designed to cut down on contaminants in the air by 99.97%.  HEPA filters are so efficient at keeping out unwanted pollutants such as pollen or dust mites that hospitals and labs invest in these types of filters.  Eliminating the majority of contaminants means higher air quality inside the home so that you can breathe clean air all autumn long.

There are enough pollutants outside the home to affect your seasonal allergies.  Don’t add to your misery with pollutants inside the home as well.  Take these steps to get rid of dust mites and other contaminants so that your home can be a comfortable space.  Do you have questions or concerns?  Comfort Experts can help.  Ask our experts how they can improve the air quality inside your home for cleaner air.  Find out what products are available to reduce indoor pollutants and decrease miserable allergy symptoms for you this fall season. Give us a call today!

We live in a day and age where our pets are often treated like members of our family. They inhabit most of the same spaces in our homes as we do, they roam around and explore (often in spaces we don’t see underneath our furniture and on top of our highest spaces), and they clean up after themselves about as well as the children in our lives. This is not always the best combination, particularly when it comes to the maintenance our HVAC system needs to function optimally.

Here are a few steps you can take to make sure you can enjoy your pets and your comfortable home all at once.

Create a Barrier to Your Outdoor Unit

Many homeowners with pets that use the outdoors to play and use the bathroom consider fencing in their outdoor HVAC units to protect them and the pets from interfering where they needn’t be playing. This will prevent accidents and damage to the unit that disturbs your system’s ability to regulate temperature comfortably.

Program Your Thermostat to Suit Your Pet While You’re Out

One bonus to your pet’s effect on your heating and cooling systems is that they generally are comfortable in slightly less regulated temperatures than we are. When you are out during the day, you can save money and treat your pet well by lowering the temperature slightly in the winter months and raising it a bit in the summer months.

Prevent Your Pet from Tampering with Your System

Pets can often turn to pests when they are left to their own devices. Play is encouraged, but the destructive habits some pets develop can wreak havoc on your heating and cooling units. Chewing, urination, and clogged parts due to pet hair and dander can affect your unit’s performance. Chewed AC components will need to be repaired in order to function as they need to. Your air conditioner cannot run smoothly and at the optimal temperature if the unit has been urinated on. This tendency must be trained out of pets who like to mark. And pet hair clogging up your ductwork and vents will certainly cause a drag on the performance of your home’s most essential comfort causing appliance.

Keep Your Filters Changed on the Regular

More than typical homeowners, pet parents need to keep air conditioner maintenance at the forefront of their minds. One of the simplest ways you can keep your air conditioner running the way you need it to is to regularly change your unit’s filters. The air quality in your home will never suffer as long as you remember this small maintenance step. Contact our team at Comfort Experts, Inc. today to schedule regular system maintenance if you find any of the aforementioned issues related to pets and HVAC systems apply to you and your home.

Having bad allergies is never fun, especially if you live in Texas. With the ever-changing weather and so many trees and plants that cause allergies, it can be incredibly frustrating to deal with constant sneezing, coughing, and watery eyes. If you have seasonal allergies like this, you likely find respite when you’re indoors. But if you experience similar symptoms when you’re inside your home, you know that something needs to be done.

Having bad quality air in your home can be just as harmful to your allergies as laying outside on a flower bed surrounded by kittens. Even though there could be several factors contributing to allergens in your home, from pets to the plants you have around your house, you still have the ability to eliminate or prevent some of them. AC repair technicians can give you advice on how to improve your air quality and minimize allergens in your home.

The Main Sources of Allergens

While pet dander and environmental factors, like pollen, are big allergens, there may be another big allergen right inside your home that you likely don’t think about often: dust mites. Dust mites are insect-like pests that live in house dust.  They are microscopic and feed on flakes of dead skin that are shed by people and their pets.  These little monsters can affect people with allergies and asthma.  They tend to live around mattresses and bedding where you typically shed most of your skin, but they can also live in your carpet, furniture, and curtains.

How to Reduce the Allergens in Your Home

Air filters play a big role in preventing and minimizing dust mites and other allergens from hanging around your home. They also help to minimize other allergens that may come from outside, your shoes and clothing, and more. By properly filtering the air and minimizing the amount of dust in your home, you can effectively reduce the number of dust mites in your home.  High-efficiency particulate air filters are the best air filters on the market, particularly for those who have sensitive respiratory systems.  These air filters can remove almost 100% of air contaminants, including pollen and ragweed.  These filters are a great buy for cleaning the air in your home, and they are widely used in labs and hospitals where air quality is very important.  There are several types of HEPA filters that are effective for different things like chemical vapors, tobacco smoke, and dirt particles.  You have many options to choose from to help keep the air quality in your home as clean as possible.  Not only is it important to choose the perfect air filter, but you must remember to change it out on a regular basis.

Clean air is very important for you and your family.  Keep a good routine for switching out your air filters and make sure you are buying the recommended filters for your unit.  For questions or concerns related to your filter or HVAC system, be sure to call Comfort Experts today. Our AC repair technicians can check out your air filters, make recommendations for how to further improve your air quality, and ensure your HVAC unit is working properly.