Working to Curb Unlicensed Contracting-062514

1. Understand the Problem While most people would think twice before eating from dirty dishes or drinking impure water, surprisingly few take the steps necessary to understand the quality of the air inside their own home. Yet, indoor air pollution inside the typical American home is typically 2-10 times higher than outdoor air pollution and [...]

There's Good Mold and There's Bad Mold Molds are the “bleu” in bleu cheese and Roquefort. Molds improve our wine. They produce penicillin and antibiotics and are used widely in the food and beverage industry. Without mold and mold's decaying mechanism, the natural environment would be overwhelmed with large amounts of dead organic matter. Despite [...]

What's in your air and what can you do about it Unfortunately, in today's world, pollution is everywhere. And with the type of cleaning products, manmade goods, and activities undertaken within homes and buildings, indoor environments can become very uncomfortable. Even “fresh,” outdoor air has as many as 30 million dust or pollutant particles per [...]

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (the Stimulus Bill) increased tax credits available to homeowners who make qualified energy efficient improvements to their existing primary residences. Homeowners thinking about installing new HVAC or hot water equipment should consider the benefits qualifying equipment would provide at tax time. Not only can these credits lower [...]

Preventive Maintenance = $avings! Take care of your HVAC system, and it will take care of you. Preventive Maintenance Agreements (PMAs) are agreements between you and your Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) quality contractor for scheduled inspections and maintenance of your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. PMAs are generally scheduled for the [...]

Keeping your heating and cooling systems in good working order means your utility bills will be lower, your home will be more comfortable, and you'll need to call for repairs less often. Maintenance Scheduling Schedule a maintenance service call before the heating season starts. If there are any problems with your system, it's better to [...]

According to the EPA, the air inside the average home is up to five times more polluted than the air outside. Pollen, dust mites, dirt, and mold spores in your home's air can cause minor health problems like eye and nose irritation, dizziness, and headaches. Indoor air pollution can also cause more serious problems like [...]

Do–It–Yourself 1. Find the air leaks– First, close all your windows, doors and flues and turn off your furnace and water heater. Then turn on all your exhaust fans–this will help pull air from the outside. Now, walk around your home and feel for drafts in the following areas: Doors and windows Fireplaces Corners, baseboards [...]

It's All Relative Proper humidity levels keep you healthier and more comfortable. Your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system can do more than heat and cool your home. It can also keep the humidity at a comfortable level in winter and summer. It's a delicate balance: if it's too low, you'll feel the effects [...]