Category: Indoor Air Quality

5 Easy-To-Follow Tips on Improving Your Indoor Air Quality

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If you live in the big cities, the chances are that the air you breathe indoors and outdoors is polluted. While it’s probably impossible to eliminate all allergens in the outdoor air, you can reduce your exposure to them in your home by making simple changes. Indoor air purification helps prevent asthma flare-ups and other respiratory problems during the hot and colder months. If you’re wondering how to improve indoor air quality in your home, here are some simple strategies we thought you’d like to try.

1. Invest in Houseplants

Houseplants are not just pretty. They offer oxygen and take in carbon dioxide, making them natural air filters. You can buy a few plants and keep some inside the house and others outside. It’s crucial to choose your plants wisely based on where you want to keep them, as they can foster mold growth, which can be catastrophic for your health. If your home has plenty of natural light, you can go for the larger plants like Philodendron Micans that require little care but grow fast.

2. Use an Air Purifier

Dust, pollen, pet dander, and other microscopic particles can be difficult to eliminate as they cannot be seen. Air purifiers can help trap 99 percent of these irritants by drawing in dirty air, filtering it, and releasing it back to the house. Air purifiers leave your air cleaner and fresher throughout the seasons, reducing irritants that may trigger respiratory issues.

3. Change Your AC Filter

Air conditioning systems require frequent tune-ups to ensure the filters are not clogged. They also help clean the air by trapping some of the most popular air pollutants. With time, they can fill up and fail to function correctly. Clogged air filters reduce your indoor air quality and wear down your unit as it has to work twice as hard to keep your home cooler.

4. Keep Your Home Clean

Part of improving your indoor air quality begins with keeping your home clean. Good indoor hygiene cuts down animal dander and dust. Focus on cleaning techniques that reduce dust and other pollutants in your home. That means vacuuming your carpet and rugs frequently, regularly cleaning your floor, bedding, and drapes, and getting rid of household stuff that holds dust.

5. Open the Windows

It may appear obvious, but ventilation is one of the easiest ways of improving your indoor air quality. Opening your windows allows fresh, cool air to enter your home. While it may be tempting to lock yourself in to keep the hot air from entering your home during hot days, the stale air circulation in your home can do more harm than good, especially if there is moisture.

Let Us Help You Purify Your Indoor Air

Need help improving your indoor air quality? Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling can help you protect yourself and your family with an air-purifying system. Our product comes with benefits, including aiding better sleep, alleviating flu and allergy symptoms, and airborne germs protection. Contact us at (314) 835-1770 to learn more about this product and other services.

 

 

 

When Should I Replace My Air Filter?

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Every homeowner knows they’re supposed to routinely change their HVAC air filters, but not everyone knows when. Truthfully, the time when you should change an air filter can depend on many different factors, including the type of air filter you have and if there are any pets living in your home.

Below, we provide plenty of information for those asking themselves, “How do I know when to replace my air filter?”

Why change your air filter

Routinely changing your HVAC air filters promotes good air quality within your home. You don’t want dust, pollen and other allergens constantly cycling throughout your home. This would be terrible for you and your family’s health.

Changing air filters also helps ensure the longevity of your HVAC system. When your air filters are clogged with dust and other allergens, your HVAC system has to work harder. This puts a lot of strain on the system, which will likely result in it breaking sooner than expected.

Neglecting to change your air filters on time often results in higher energy bills. An HVAC system with dirty air filters can’t effectively heat or cool your home, meaning you’ll have to run it longer to keep your home at a comfortable temperature.

What type of air filter do you have?

One of the first things to consider when asking yourself, “When should I replace my air filter?” is the type of air filter you have. Most homes and apartments come equipped with fiberglass HVAC air filters. These are the air filters you can find in just about any supermarket for around $10 a pack. Most experts recommend changing these air filters once a month.

Washable air filters have become more common these days, as they prevent the need to constantly buy new air filters. You just need to wash them after noticing a large presence of dust and dirt. Some washable air filters can last over five years before needing a replacement.

If you have pets

If you have pets, your air filter might need changing more frequently than homes without pets. This is because pet hair can easily get caught in the air filter, which only adds to the layer of dust and other allergens. Check your air filter more frequently if you have pets. You still may only need to change them around once a month.

Does anyone in your home suffer from respiratory issues?

It’s important that those suffering from respiratory issues, like asthma, live in a home with good air quality—that means changing your HVAC air filters at least once a month. It might also be a good idea to invest in an air purification system if you or someone in your home suffers from allergies or asthma.

Don’t put off changing your air filters

As you can see, it’s extremely important to know when to replace your HVAC air filter. Doing so can help save energy, prevent allergy symptoms and much more. It’s also a good idea to have your HVAC system routinely inspected by a professional.

If you need new air filters or HVAC system repairs, contact the experts at Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling.

The Advantages of Having an Air Purifier

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There are plenty of reasons why you should have an air purifier in your St. Louis, MO home. They provide the home with quality airflow and help eliminate harmful bacteria. Air purifiers are especially helpful to those who suffer from allergies or asthma. Everyone in your home is sure to see the benefits of a quality air purifier. Read on to learn about some advantages of having an air purifier, then contact a professional to have one installed in your home.

Keeps your family healthy

Air purifiers can help keep your family healthy, which is why many people have them installed. These devices help remove disease-causing germs from the air. If someone in your household suffers from allergies, it’s especially important to invest in an air purifier. Air purifiers help remove pollen, pet hair and most other allergens from the air. They are also beneficial to those suffering from asthma, emphysema or COPD.

Eliminates most unpleasant smells

There are many things that can cause unpleasant smells in your home, including pets, cooking and certain cleaning materials. Air purifiers help neutralize these smells, so you won’t feel embarrassed when having guests over. They can even help remove the smell of cigarette smoke.

Keeps outside pollutants from infecting your home

If you live in an area with high pollution, it’s a good idea to have an air purifier installed in your home. Air purifiers can help eliminate pollution caused by traffic and nearby buildings. You don’t want to breathe in this pollution whenever you’re at home, as it’s terrible for your health. You can easily increase the air quality in your home by investing in a good air purifier.

Promotes a good night’s sleep

If you’re having trouble sleeping due to allergies, consider investing in an air purifier. Constant sneezing and coughing will keep you and your partner up all night. A quality air purifier removes dirt, dust and other allergens. You won’t have to deal with a stuffy nose and congestion-caused snoring with a good air purifier.

Most air purifiers are quiet and energy-efficient, so you shouldn’t have a problem leaving yours on throughout the night.

Helps reduce the possibility of mold growth

Having mold in your home is never a good thing. It can cause major damage to both your house and your health. If mold is already present in your home, it’s best to have it removed as soon as possible. An air purifier will help prevent the mold from spreading while you’re waiting to have it removed. It does so by removing mold spores from the air, thus preventing them from coming to rest on other surfaces.

Some air purifiers have specific features to help remove mold from the air. If mold is one of your major concerns, it’s best to ask an expert which air purifier they recommend.

Now that you know why you should have an air purifier in your St. Louis, MO home, it’s time to have the right one installed. Contact Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling for information on air purifiers. We also provide quality HVAC repairs and maintenance at fair prices.