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Surprising Sources of Indoor Air Pollutants

January 9, 2024

The Environmental Protection Agency reports that indoor air can be up to five times more polluted than outdoor air. Many household products and activities contribute to poor indoor air quality. Indoor air pollutants include volatile organic compounds, biological contaminants, particulate matter and combustion pollutants. Your heating, ventilation and air conditioning contractor can help. Mike's Heating and Air of Albany, OR, offers residential and commercial indoor air quality solutions for residents of the Willamette Valley and nearby areas. Volatile Organic Compounds Some liquids and solids emit gases known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Some create short-term

5 Reasons Why Your Furnace Keeps Shutting Off

December 11, 2023

You rely on your furnace to keep your home warm and comfortable as winter approaches. When your unit keeps shutting off, it leaves you and the members of your household feeling frustrated and chilly! Let’s take a look at five reasons why this might be happening. 1. Faulty Thermostat Your thermostat sends signals to the furnace based on your interior temperature. If your thermostat isn’t reading the temperature accurately, the furnace may shut down. If you suspect a faulty thermostat, check whether the batteries need to be charged or replaced. In addition, remember that if your

What Are Zoned Heating Systems?

November 20, 2023

Closing HVAC air vents to redirect conditioned air is not the best way to customize heating in your Albany, OR home. In fact, doing so can actually lead to the build-up of air pressure within your ducting, diminish the lifespan of your equipment, and cause untimely breakdowns. With HVAC zoning, you can meet the unique needs of every household member, cut your energy costs, and sidestep problems resulting from extended vent closures. What Zoned Heating Is and How It Works Central heating systems create uniform temperatures throughout homes. This means that when your heater is on,

Which Humidifier Is Best for Your Family?

October 23, 2023

Maintaining an ideal humidity level in your home during the winter can be hard due to the extra dry cold air. Constantly using your furnace will further lower your humidity, putting your household at risk of sinus irritation and other health side effects. Utilizing a humidifier will keep your house safe no matter the season. Take a look at these pros and cons of portable humidifiers and whole-home systems. Portable Humidifiers A freestanding or portable humidifier can be plugged into a standard electrical outlet. These systems will improve the humidity of one to two rooms at

How You Save Money When You Invest in a New Furnace

September 21, 2023

The initial price tag for a new HVAC system often scares homeowners from considering an early replacement. However, investing in a new system before your current one stops working entirely can dramatically lower your monthly costs. Here are a few ways you’ll save money when you install a modern system. Decreased Monthly Energy Bills Older systems can’t compete with the energy efficiency ratings of new models. Without regular maintenance, your current furnace will struggle to efficiently heat your home consistently. The harder your system must work, the longer it will stay on. This will increase energy

5 Tips to Ensure Your Furnace is Ready for Cold Weather

August 7, 2023

When the cold weather arrives, ensuring your furnace is ready for the change in season is important. Preparing your furnace beforehand saves you money on energy costs and helps ensure that your home stays warm all winter. Here are five tips to help you get ready for the colder months. 1. Change Your Furnace Filter A dirty filter restricts airflow, forcing your furnace to work harder. This increases energy consumption and can shorten the lifespan of your system. Change your filter every three months during your routine heating maintenance or as the manufacturer recommends for optimum

Signs of a Failing HVAC Blower

July 21, 2023

What Does an HVAC Blower Motor Do? Your HVAC blower motor is the part of the system that moves air through your home. After your air conditioner cools the air or your furnace heats it, the blower motor pushes that conditioned air through the ductwork and out of the vents. Without a working blower motor, your HVAC system may still turn on, but it will not be able to deliver steady airflow where it needs to go. This means that your home won’t be as comfortable, and your indoor air quality will deteriorate. Here are some signs that

How To Deal With a Frozen AC System

June 21, 2023

When your home’s HVAC system freezes up amid the summer heat, it’s easy to panic and fear the worst. However, if you know what to do when your HVAC freezes in advance, it takes most of the stress out of the situation. To help, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to deal with a frozen HVAC system. 1. Turn Off Your AC When your HVAC system freezes, leaving your AC turned on will only make the problem worse. The first thing you should do is turn off your AC. That will stop the flow of refrigerant

Discover Why the AC is Running but Not Cooling

May 10, 2023

There’s nothing more frustrating than discovering that your air conditioner is running but not cooling. This wastes money and energy and makes you uncomfortable. The following are a few reasons why this could be happening: Dirty Air Filters Clogged air filters keep your AC from cooling properly. You can change the air filters if you look at them and see that they are full of dirt and debris. Doing so will provide you with proper air flow through your cooling system. Clogged Coils Your air conditioning system has an outdoor condenser and

3 Different Central Air Conditioning Types

April 21, 2023

The first step in finding the right air conditioner for your Albany, OR home is knowing what your options are. All central air conditioners are either packaged units or split-system units. However, you also have the option of installing a heat pump for year-round heating and cooling. To make the most of your home’s ductwork, increase your indoor comfort, and maintain modest energy bills, read on to learn more about these central AC types. 1. Packaged Air Conditioners Although packaged air conditioners are frequently found in commercial buildings, there are a number of homes that have

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