What are the 4 Major Indoor Air Pollutants?

January 19, 2023

Did you know that indoor air can be up to five times more polluted than outdoor air? While most pollutants come from the outdoors, some are generated within our homes and offices. These include radon, carbon monoxide, asbestos, and biological pollutants. Let’s discuss these four major indoor air pollutants and how you can protect yourself from them. 1. Radon Radon is a radioactive gas that occurs naturally. It is one of the leading causes of lung cancer in non-smokers and accounts for an estimated 21,000 deaths each year. Fortunately, radon levels can easily be measured with a radon test kit or professional help from a local radon mitigation company. 2. Carbon Monoxide Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless gas that comes from burning fuel. The most common sources are appliances such as boilers, stoves, and heaters that use combustible fuels such as oil, wood, or gas. Unvented kerosene space heaters also emit large amounts of CO into the air. To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, make sure all fuel-burning appliances are vented properly and that your home has working carbon monoxide detectors installed on each floor. 3. Biological Pollutants Biological pollutants include dust mites, pet dander, mold spores, and viruses...

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The Effects of Poor Indoor Air Quality on Your Home

December 20, 2022

Many clients who call us to their Peoria homes are concerned about their household temperature. However, the technicians at know there is more to home comfort than the reading on the thermostat. Poor indoor air quality can heavily impact your quality of life. Dust and Allergens On a sunny day, you can watch dust floating in your air. The visible particles consist of fibers, hair and dander. On a smaller scale, you may also find pollen grains and other allergens. These substances can trigger cold-like symptoms and asthma issues in people who are sensitive. Installing more efficient air filters and air purification equipment will reduce the levels of these common irritants. Mold Spores Mold develops in any place there is extra moisture. Once a colony establishes itself, it sends off spores that allow it to grow larger. This organism will damage fabrics, stain your walls and give your home a musty smell. Some mold strains can cause allergic reactions and other health issues. Using ventilation fans in your bathroom can help prevent mold and mildew. However, the best mold prevention comes by controlling your home’s humidity. The team is happy to talk about our humidity solutions. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)...

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Dangers of Clogged Furnace Filters

November 18, 2022

Switching out your furnace filters regularly is a great way to protect your HVAC system from serious damage. A key function of these filters is to trap particulates. However, your filters also stop debris and lint from accumulating inside the HVAC cabinet. Here are a few of the ways a clogged filter can harm your furnace and even stop it from functioning. Increases Energy Consumption Your heating system requires a constant supply of air to be able to produce and distribute heat. When your HVAC filter is clogged, more debris can make its way into the system. Your furnace then has to work harder to produce the same amount of heat. Not enough airflow also increases how long your furnace has to run. This puts stress on the system, leading to higher energy bills and more frequent repairs. Freezes Evaporator Coils In a healthy system, internal condensation will dissipate as air moves over it. However, a clogged filter can cause this moisture to freeze on the evaporator coils. Once this ice starts to melt, it will drip down into the furnace, causing issues like mold or rust. If rust spreads to your heat exchanger, you may have to replace the...

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3 Possible Reasons Your Furnace Is Making a Banging Noise

October 20, 2022

When the Peoria, IL winter is in full force, it’s important that your furnace is running smoothly. After all, you’re probably relying heavily on the heating system to keep your household warm and comfortable. So, when the appliance starts behaving strangely, it’s always disconcerting. In some cases, a furnace that’s having mechanical problems will start making strange noises, which can indicate a variety of issues. One of the most common furnace sounds is a banging noise, and there are a few things that could potentially mean. 1. Dirty Burners Over time, it’s relatively normal for your furnace’s burners to become dirty. If not addressed, though, that can start to cause problems. If enough dirt and debris are allowed to build up, it can result in the furnace making a loud banging noise when the burners attempt to ignite. Essentially, these noises are small explosions that are taking place inside the appliance. Ideally, you should have your furnace’s dirty burners cleaned by professionals as soon as possible to prevent more serious problems from occurring. 2. Fan Blockage For your home’s furnace to push warm air around the household, it needs its fan to have a clear pathway and be working properly....

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Why It’s Important to Hire an AC Technician to Replace Your AC Unit’s Motor

September 13, 2022

An air conditioner is one of the most important appliances in your home. You’re able to enjoy comfortable indoor temperatures all year round, but that’s only possible if all parts of your AC unit are functioning well. An air conditioner motor is a critical component in your AC unit and may need to be replaced due to damage or normal wear and tear from the passage of time. Replacing an Air Conditioner Fan Motor The fan motor is responsible for blowing indoor air across the condenser. A set of cooling copper coils, the condenser regulates the refrigerant in your AC to ensure that the air reaches the temperature set by the thermostat. This cooled air is then circulated through the vent and out to the rest of the home. As time goes by, your AC unit’s motor can wear out due to age. It is important to conduct regular maintenance to ensure that the motor is functioning normally. An HVAC technician from can help you determine if the motor needs repair or replacement. Why You Need an HVAC Technician to Replace the AC Unit’s Motor Hiring an AC technician offers many benefits. Most importantly, a professional will have the right...

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Can You Safely Power Wash Your Outdoor AC Unit?

August 15, 2022

The outdoor unit of your Peoria, IL home’s air conditioning system is constantly exposed to the elements. In addition to sunlight, dust, and dirt getting on the unit’s housing, pollen, tree sap, and animal droppings may also accumulate on it. This debris interferes with the AC system’s energy efficiency and longevity, so you might wonder how to clean it and whether or not it’s safe to do so. Read on to learn more about whether or not it’s safe to power wash your AC unit. Avoid AC Damage Never power wash any part of your AC unit. A power washer delivers too much pressure. This pressure warps aluminum. In some cases, the high-pressure stream of water can crack the tubing, which will cause a total failure of your air conditioner. Safe Ways to Clean the AC Unit Once each month, rinse the outdoor unit. It’s safe to do this with a garden hose and spray nozzle. To start, power off the AC. Turn off the breaker to the unit. Use the jet spray setting on the nozzle, and rinse bird droppings, tree sap, or other caked-on debris. Avoid scrubbing the unit’s metal fins or coils, as this could cause them...

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What’s Involved in Multi-Zone Heating and Cooling?

July 20, 2022

With single-speed heating and cooling, your HVAC system heats or cools your entire home to a single set point. There are, of course, disadvantages to this: You may heat or cool unoccupied rooms, and the set point may not correspond with everyone’s sense of comfort. This is where multi-zone heating and cooling can come in. Ducted Multi-Zone HVAC Systems The process of creating multiple zones is easy. You get to decide how many zones there are and what each zone covers. For example, in a multi-level home, you could make each level a zone, or you could create more zones within each level. Every room can be a zone if you wish. To every zone, you get a thermostat, and these thermostats connect to a central control panel. You would then add dampers inside the ductwork. When, with the proper thermostat adjustment, you tell the HVAC system to heat or cool a particular zone, the dampers will open the ducts to that zone while closing off the ducts to the other zones. The Need for a Variable-Speed System We can’t recommend zoning off your home if your HVAC system runs at only one speed. The reason is that single-speed systems...

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The Low Down on HVAC Dampers

June 16, 2022

An HVAC damper is a movable plate found in the ductwork that controls airflow and redirects it to different parts of a building. Concerning their operation, HVAC dampers work like a valve in a dam. The dampers are installed near the end of distribution pipes and usually block air in the ducts. The dampers open to distribute heated or cooled air to different parts of your home to achieve optimal conditions based on your settings. They close to block air from entering certain parts. HVAC dampers can be operated manually or automatically and are mainly used in zoning systems. Read on to learn the different types of dampers. Blade Dampers Blade campers are made of thin metal plates to stop or control airflow inside HVAC systems. There are two types of blade dampers: parallel and opposed blade dumpers. The latter has blades moving parallel to each other, while the former’s blades move in the opposite direction. Louver Dampers Louver dampers consist of parallel blades for regulating airflow. They are compatible with any duct size. Many homeowners prefer them because of their high blocking ability. Butterfly Flat Dish Butter flat dish dumpers comprise a round blade, a central hinge, and a...

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Top Causes of AC Leaks

May 17, 2022

The smell of mold and water puddling around the air conditioner are some warning signs of a leaky unit. Water leaking from your air conditioner indicates an underlying issue. Here are reasons why your AC unit may be leaking water. Clogged Condensate Drain Line Dust and dirt particles that pass through the condensate drain line can clog it. Over time, the buildup of dust and dirt mixes with the moisture from the AC unit and sticks to the inside of the drain line. The mixture prevents the condensation from draining to where it should. Consequently, the drain line backs up and overflows out of the air conditioner. Low Refrigerant When the refrigerant levels are low, it lowers the pressure inside of your air conditioner. Therefore, the evaporator coil freezes and creates a wet mess when it thaws. If you notice bubbling or hissing sounds, you may have an AC unit leak because of low refrigerant levels. Also, if the unit isn’t cooling your home properly, it may be time to check the refrigerant levels. An HVAC professional can detect the leak and fix it early before you pay for a new air conditioner. Air Filter Needs Replacement A dirty air...

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Installing a Smart Thermostat

April 19, 2022

Switching to a smart thermostat can have a significant impact on your energy use and on the energy bills for your Peoria, Illinois home. This device takes the accuracy and efficiency of programmable thermostats a step further by giving homeowners access to learning technologies that collect critical data all the time. With built-in motion sensors and the ability to track your usage habits, a smart thermostat will become increasingly adept at adjusting itself. You can use this device to track changes in your energy use, limit energy waste, and identify the ideal temperature range for your home at all hours of the day and night. However, before you can experience any of these benefits, you’ll need to have your smart thermostat properly installed. Location Still Matters Although the capabilities and performance of smart thermostat remains unrivaled by both standard thermostats and programmable ones, poor placement of a smart thermostat will still negatively impact its functioning. No thermostat should be installed too near: A large window or other source of natural light Radiant flooring Heat-emitting appliances It’s also important to put a smart thermostat for a central HVAC system in a central location. If you have a zoned central heating system,...

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