Blog | Heating and Cooling Tips and Tutorials

Do Ceiling Fans Help Air Conditioning?

June 13, 2020

A ceiling fan does not provide the same air quality improvements as an air conditioner. However, it may be able to help your system run a bit more efficiently. Here are some things to know about cooling down your home with ceiling fans. Do Ceiling Fans Lower the Temperature? A ceiling fan does not actually lower the overall temperature in a room, but it can definitely make a space feel cooler. Ceiling fans primarily work through something called a wind chill effect. Essentially, the moving air across your skin helps to evaporate sweat at a faster rate. This can help...

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Common Indoor Air Quality Problems in Home Gyms

May 10, 2020

Home gyms are usually located in an unused area in a garage or basement. This has led to a few indoor air quality issues often occurring. Here is what you need to know to improve your home gym’s air quality. Mold and Fungus Garages and basements often have mold and fungus issues. This can lead to infections and headaches, among other health problems. If you can smell a distinct dank odor, you probably have mold and fungus growing in your home gym area. If it is just confined to one space, use soap and water to kill it. If there...

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Tips for Improving Indoor Air Quality in the Spring

April 15, 2020

The flowers are blossoming, trees are sprouting new leaves and honeybees are making their rounds collecting nectar. These are sure signs of spring in Orchard Park, New York. Unfortunately, if you or someone in your home has allergies or asthma, spring can be a time of considerable suffering. Here are some tips for improving your home’s indoor air quality this spring. Change Your HVAC Filter The most important thing you can do to improve your home’s indoor air quality this spring is to change your HVAC filter. Most HVAC systems use a disposable air filter. The air filter captures particles,...

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What’s Causing Your Indoor Air Pollution?

March 19, 2020

Breathing dirty air in your home can cause a variety of health issues. Modern houses are often highly energy-efficient and airtight. Unfortunately, this means that there may be less airflow throughout your residence. This can lead to the buildup of a variety of pollutants in your indoor environment. Dust particles and volatile organic compounds are pollutants that can negatively affect your health. Dirty air can cause a variety of respiratory issues and make asthma symptoms worse. Long-term exposure to pollution has also been linked with heart and lung disease. Keeping the air in your home as clean as possible is...

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Do Plants Help Indoor Air Quality

February 20, 2020

There is a lot of talk about what living plants can do for indoor air quality. However, is this just marketing hype, or is there some science to support it? What Plants Do for the Air Most of us remember taking a science class in school where we learned about plants. This included the process of photosynthesis and how plants help create oxygen and clean the air. There is not much debate in the scientific community on their general usefulness for the planet. This hypothesis is at the global level, however, with billions of plants around the world. Can one...

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HVAC Troubleshooting Tips

February 10, 2020

Your HVAC system will benefit from getting extra care and attention in between scheduled tune-ups. In the event that the unit develops problems, you can safely carry out minor adjustments to improve its performance. Not every issue requires special tools or advanced skills. 1. Check and Replace Filters As you use your HVAC system throughout the year to achieve and maintain comfortable indoor conditions, dust and debris build up on its inner components. The good news is that a filter is in place to protect the system’s most vulnerable parts. This filter needs to be replaced at least every 90...

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What Are the Different Types of Heating Systems?

January 20, 2020

Heating systems come in a variety of types that combine heat generation with a distribution system. The generator usually burns a fuel like natural gas or creates heat from an electric current. The heat is then moved to each room of your living space through vents or radiators. Below are the five most common types of heating systems. Furnaces Typically furnaces burn fuel like natural gas, heating oil, or propane to generate heat quickly. Some, however, are electric. Because they excel at providing heat fast, residential furnaces usually are paired with a forced air distribution system. They are a good...

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Are Annual Furnace Inspections Necessary?

January 10, 2020

Requesting a service technician to visit your home and perform an inspection seems like a good plan. Why do some homeowners feel cautious about asking for help? They may worry about the cost. If so, they may not be looking at the overall big picture. The nominal charge for an inspection could save a lot of money. Make Necessary Repairs Right Away An annual inspection allows a technician to look over your furnace closely. He/she might notice a problem that should be fixed right away to prevent the heater from outright breaking down. For example, worn parts that won’t last...

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Home Comfort Resolutions for 2020

December 21, 2019

With the year drawing to a close, it’s time to look ahead to 2020. As you consider your New Year’s resolutions, why not plan to improve your home comfort? These resolutions will help you reduce your heating and cooling bills, save energy, and keep your Orchard Park home comfortable throughout 2020 and the years to come. 1. Keep Air Filters Clean Regularly changing your air filters is one of the simplest ways to keep your heating and cooling system functioning its best. Keeping your filters clean will ensure your HVAC system is running efficiently and give your indoor air quality...

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Furnace Tips for the Holidays

December 7, 2019

The holidays are a time for wrapping presents, decorating the tree, and baking cookies with your loved ones. All these fun activities make it easy to forget about mundane chores like preparing your furnace for cold weather. Unfortunately, winters in Orchard Park typically include lots of snow and frigid temperatures. Here are some simple furnace tips to ensure that your home stays cozy and warm this season. Change the Furnace Filter When the filter is dirty, the furnace requires more energy to perform. It also puts additional strain on the fan motor and may cause it to overheat. Indoor air...

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