How Poor Air Quality Impacts Infants

January 8, 2024

A baby’s immune system is incredibly sensitive, which means that poor indoor air quality can harm his or her health. Therefore, if you are a new or expecting parent, it’s essential to take steps to make the air in your home as clean and healthy as possible. Sources of Poor Indoor Air Quality You don’t have to be messy to suffer from poor indoor air quality issues. If you have a pet, it will likely shed a lot of hair, fur, and dander into the air and onto various surfaces around your house. If you have flowers or other plants in the house, they may release pollen into the air. Finally, if anyone has smoked in your home recently, particles could circulate your home for days or weeks. Therefore, even if no one has smoked around your baby, it could still result in serious health issues down the road. Health Issues Related to Poor Indoor Air Quality Your baby may develop asthma symptoms or experience an allergic reaction to dust, pollen, or other particles. Furthermore, your baby may be more likely to get sick from germs in your home. Everyone in your home could be more likely to develop breathing...

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Is It Necessary to Replace a 25-Year-Old Furnace?

December 13, 2023

If your Peoria, IL, home has a 25-year-old furnace, it may still work reliably. However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be thinking about replacing it. On the contrary, there are a variety of reasons why it might be a good idea to procure a new furnace. Improved Efficiency On average, a furnace installed 25 years ago would have been about 78% efficient when brand new. However, your 25-year-old furnace is far less efficient than that due to wear and tear. A new furnace will give you a major efficiency boost, saving you significant sums on your heating bills. Reduced Repair Costs Furnaces tend to suffer more frequent breakdowns within the final two years of their lifespans, and few furnaces make it beyond 30 years of use. That means your 25-year-old furnace is bound to start breaking down soon and cost you more to keep running than is worth spending. If you replace it now, you can avoid getting trapped in an endless cycle of breakdowns and repairs. Improved Comfort Even though the technology that makes furnaces work isn’t new, there have been significant improvements to how they operate over the years. That means a new furnace should offer you superior...

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What is the cheapest method of heating a home?

November 17, 2023

When it comes to heating homes in the Peoria area, one of the most pressing concerns for homeowners is which heating solution is the cheapest. Use this guide to understand your heating options and the variables that will affect which will cost the least in utility expenses. Variables That Affect Heating Costs The options typically considered for heating a home include gas furnaces, electric furnaces and heat pumps. Of these options, there are three primary factors that will affect which system will cost the least to operate. System Efficiency For furnaces, the efficiency rating is AFUE or annual fuel utilization efficiency. This essentially considers how much heat the unit produces compared to what it loses through exhaust. From this perspective, electric furnaces are always more efficient than gas units. However, heat pumps beat both electric and gas furnaces because they transfer heat rather than produce it. These units measure efficiency with HSPF or the heating seasonal performance factor. The heating seasonal performance factor is a ratio of how much heat a heat pump transfers compared to the electricity it consumes. Outside Temperature The outside temperature is a major factor in how much a system will cost to run. Once the...

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Do You Know the Most Common Problem With Furnaces?

October 18, 2023

During Peoria’s cold winter months, furnaces are essential for keeping our houses warm. However, problems may arise, as they do with any complicated system. The most common reason that furnaces break down might surprise you. It’s a dirty or clogged air filter. This seemingly small problem can result in a number of issues, but it is easily avoidable with regular care and upkeep. The Number One Problem: Dirty Air Filters A furnace’s air filter acts as a barrier against airborne particles like dirt and grime. The accumulation of these particles over time reduces airflow in your home. As a result, your home’s heating system will struggle to circulate warm air, which increases energy consumption, decreases efficiency, and may eventually cause system damage. An accumulation of harmful airborne particles also significantly harms your home’s indoor air quality and can lead to major problems for people with allergies or respiratory issues. What to Do About It The answer is shockingly simple: just change your air filters regularly. Experts advise checking them once a month and changing them at least every three months, depending on you circumstances. Pets or a smoker in the house will shorten their useful life. You should replace them...

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Understanding Your Furnace’s Maintenance Requirements

September 20, 2023

All furnaces require yearly maintenance to prevent issues and keep them working effectively. Without maintenance, your furnace will likely need more repairs and have a much shorter lifespan. Maintenance is also important for the energy efficiency of your furnace and will help to keep your heating costs lower. With all this in mind, here is a quick overview of what is involved with maintaining your furnace. Air Filter Replacement Replacing the air filter is one of the most important steps for maintaining your furnace and ensuring it continues to function well, and it is also the only maintenance task you should do on your own. It’s best to change the air filter at the start of the heating season and then at least once more during the winter as the filter should always be replaced every one to three months. If you don’t replace the filter often enough, it will start to clog and greatly reduce how much heat your furnace produces. This means your furnace will start running longer, using more energy and experiencing more wear and tear. What Professional Furnace Maintenance Involves In addition to replacing your furnace filter regularly, you should also have your furnace professionally serviced...

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What Are Some Disadvantages of a Mini-Split System?

August 21, 2023

A mini-split system is an excellent alternative for those who don’t require whole-home heating and cooling systems, but there may be some disadvantages. Learn why a mini-split may not be the best option for everyone. Limited Cooling and Heating Capacity Though effective for small spaces, there may be better choices than mini-split systems for larger homes or open floor plans. These systems are designed to cool or heat individual rooms, making them less efficient for whole-house temperature control. If you have multiple rooms that require cooling or heating simultaneously, you will have to order additional air handlers. Currently, the largest available unit can handle eight air handlers. If you need more than that, you need to purchase an additional unit. Higher Initial Cost While mini-split systems are known for their energy efficiency, the initial installation cost can be higher than traditional central HVAC systems. This is because each indoor air handler is connected to the outdoor condenser unit, which can add to equipment and installation expenses. Aesthetics and Interior Design Impact While mini-split systems are less intrusive than window air conditioners, they still require an indoor unit mounted on the wall or ceiling. This can impact the aesthetics of your...

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Why You Should Replace Your 20-Year-Old AC

July 26, 2023

With the summer heat on the way, homeowners in Peoria, IL, know they need their home’s AC ready to go. For those with aging AC systems, this naturally leads to questions about whether it’s time for a replacement. But many homeowners are reluctant to replace their working AC systems, even if they’re more than 20 years old. However, that’s what they should do, and here’s why. Massive Efficiency Gains On average, a 20-year-old residential AC system will have a SEER rating of 10. Today, you can’t legally purchase a central AC with a SEER rating below 14. That means replacing your old AC with a new one guarantees you a minimum 28.6% energy efficiency gain. And if you want even more efficiency, you can easily buy a new AC with a SEER rating of 20 or higher. Increased Reliability No matter how well you’ve maintained your aging AC, it’s bound to break down soon. That means you could face the prospect of spending a small fortune on repairs just to avoid facing the summer heat without AC. By installing a new AC now, you can prevent that and guarantee that you’ll have reliable AC for many summers to come. You’ll...

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Possible Reasons Why Your AC Is Running But Not Cooling

June 12, 2023

There are several reasons why your AC may fail to work. The bad news is that it may fail to work when you need it the most. If your AC fails to blow cold air into your home, do not panic, as it does not always mean it has run into a complex problem. You can do some simple troubleshooting when a problem occurs. Here are some reasons why your AC runs but does not blow cold air. 1. Incorrect Thermostat Settings If your house is getting a lot hotter, the first thing you should check is the thermostat. Check the temperature setting and ensure it has not been adjusted. Furthermore, the thermostat may display inaccurate temperature readings, which means you will be wasting much energy trying to keep your home at optimal temperatures. Erroneous thermostat readings also mean that it cannot control the temperature inside your home effectively. 2. Dirty Air Filter Your AC has an air filter that prevents airborne particles from being circulated inside your home by filtering them out. It also ensures that the components of the system are clean. A dirty air filter restricts normal airflow, resulting in warm air circulating in your home. In...

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AC Tune-up: What’s Included in an AC Service

May 15, 2023

Air conditioners require regular maintenance, just like any other mechanical system in your home. During an AC tune-up, a technician will inspect and clean several key components of the system. Here are the basic components of an AC tune-up: Cleaning the Evaporator and Condenser Coils The condenser coils and evaporator coils are responsible for releasing or absorbing heat from the air in your home. If the coils get too dirty, they will become less efficient, and your air conditioner will have to work harder to cool your home. Inspecting Electrical Connections The electrical wiring and connections in your AC should be inspected and tightened to ensure they are not loose. This helps reduce the risk of a short circuit or other electrical problems leading to expensive repairs. Checking Freon Levels The technician will check the refrigerant levels in your unit. If the levels are low, Freon can be added to get your system back up and running at peak efficiency. In some cases, the Freon may need to be replaced. If there are any leaks in the line that carries the refrigerant, the technician will locate and repair the leak. Testing Thermostat Accuracy Your thermostat is responsible for controlling when...

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Tips for Establishing the Right Maintenance Schedule for Your AC

April 24, 2023

Maintaining a high-performing and efficient air conditioner in your Peoria, IL home starts with diligent care. From regularly changing dirty air filters to scheduling AC tune-ups, there’s much to keep track of. To make things a bit easier, the following are several tips for establishing the right AC maintenance schedule. Check Your Air Filter, AC Condenser, and Air Vents Monthly Filter changes are one of several AC maintenance tasks that homeowners can easily manage on their own. You should check your AC air filter once each month. If this component is covered in a thick buildup of lint-like debris, replace it with a clean one. This is also a good time to inspect the air registers, air vents, and air grilles throughout your home. These may be coated in lint-like material, too. If they are, use your vacuum cleaner and its hose attachment to suction this debris away. You can also wipe these components down with a damp cloth. When you’re done with your monthly AC maintenance indoors, take a quick trip outside. Make sure that your air conditioner’s condenser has no less than 2 feet of clearance on all sides. Trim back all bushes, trees, and other foliage growing...

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