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A whole-home humidifier is an evaporative unit that attaches directly to the air ducts in your home. When the HVAC system activates, some of the air in your home is diverted into the humidifier by way of a water pad. A pipe that is connected to your home’s water pipe moistens that water pad, thus putting moisture into the air. 

Today, we are going to cover some frequent concerns and questions about home humidifiers and discuss the best way to use one to get the most home humidifier benefits from it.

Can dry air make you sick?

As we covered earlier in this article, yes, especially if you have allergies or asthma, and during flu and virus season especially. For us to breath easily, our nose needs some of the gooey mucus that it naturally creates. That mucus traps germs, viruses and other invaders as we breath. With dry air, our nostrils become dry, and we become more vulnerable to colds, flu, infections, especially sinus infections. This is amplified by cold, dry air and when there areallergens in the air, our airways become irritated.

There are things you can do to help the issues this dry air causes, such as staying hydrated, moisturize dry skin, shorten your showers, and seal up your home to keep the cold air out in the winter so that you don’t have to crank the heat.

You can also purchase a home humidifier for your house. This is the biggest asset you can have in the winter. It will put moisture into the heated air, which will keep your mouth, nose, and skin lubricated. And those static shocks are eliminated, overall, making your home comfortable again.

What is the best home humidifier?

When you decide to purchase a home humidifier, you want to make sure to get one that is large enough and powerful enough for your entire home. You’ll need to know the square footage of your home and consider how many levels your home has as well. The great thing about this is that you can do it too.

With so many on the market today, shopping for a home humidifier can be complicated and confusing. The first thing you should know is that there are three different types of humidifiers and we are not advocating or promoting one over the other. The following is a list of different types:

• Whole House Cool Mist Humidifiers
• Digital Whole House Humidifiers
• Whole House Console Humidifiers

Do whole house humidifiers cause mold?

It isn’t comfortable to live in a house with low humidity, and anything below 20% needs to be increased, therein is where a home humidifier fits the bill. However, one of the most common concerns, and with good cause, is the correlation between a home humidifier and mold. Today, a whole-home humidifier is commonplace, but if you’re not having any of the problems we’ve mentioned earlier, then why would you get one? Because while they have great benefits, they can also cause mold growth. But there are things you can do to eliminate this from happening if a humidifier is needed

• A Steam Home Humidifier – A steam model is more efficient because it will boil its own water rather than pull hot air from the supply duct for generating water vapor. These produce more humidity quicker as well.
• Use Only When Furnace Running – When a humidifier runs through cold ducts, this allows it to create and grow mold. So, by running the home humidifier while the furnace is running, the ducts will be warmed up.

How can I humidify my room without a humidifier?

 While a home humidifier puts moisture into an otherwise room with dry air, it also takes up room and increases the electric bill. With so many people looking for eco-friendly ways to live while saving money, the following tips can provide moisture in your room naturally:

1. After your bath, don’t drain the water until it has cooled down.
2. After your shower, leave the bathroom door open and let the steam escape.
3. Adding houseplants to any room will add moisture in the air as well as beauty to see.
4. Fill a dish or pot with water and place near the heat source.
5. Place water-filled vases in the window when the sun is shining in them.
6. Instead of using a clothes dryer, hang your laundry in the house or your room.
7. Purchase a relaxing indoor water fountain.

When you purchase a whole-home humidifier, how to use it properly is something you need to learn. Read the instructions and manuals, making sure you understand and follow all the directions and tips. Want a quality system for your home? A 100% Guarantee Heating and AC can help! Call (707) 450-1258 today for home humidifier installation in Vacaville, CA.

Indoor air quality and health

Outside or inside, the quality of the air around us affects our health in many ways. Keeping track of indoor air quality is just as important as staying alert to outdoor air quality. When measuring indoor air quality vs outdoor, in some instances, indoor air quality may be worse than outdoor air quality. Pollutants like pollen and other allergens such as dust and pet dander can have an adverse affect on our health, as can dangerous chemicals and gases like carbon monoxide and cancer-causing radon. Problems such as allergies, headaches, eye irritation, and fatigue can be caused by poor air quality.

If you are interested in improving indoor air quality through testing and air purification, check with the specialists at A 100% Guarantee Heating and AC. Find out how we can help by calling (707) 450-1258.

What is acceptable indoor air quality?

While air quality standards may vary from region to region, there are governmental standards and regulations to manage major contributors to poor air quality such as ventilation. Buildings and residences should be well-ventilated to maintain indoor air quality. Good ventilation includes serviceable doors and windows, as well as well maintained air conditioning and heating systems. Maintenance should include everything from keeping the air filters clean, and changing them out frequently, to making sure the ductwork is working properly 

Indoor air quality is affected by the amount of pollutants inside the building, and the humidity levels. With a good balance of both, there’s a better chance that the air quality will improve. This balance will reduce the chance of adverse health effects. 

What are the 4 major indoor air pollutants? 

There are many Indoor air quality contaminants, ranging from allergens to bacteria to gases and chemicals. But, 4 pollutants top the list. These contaminants are: 

• Carbon monoxide: An odorless, colorless gas that can cause illness or even death. It’s produced by heating systems, water heaters, and other appliances that burn gas or oil. Keeping these appliances serviced will reduce the risk of exposure
• Radon: An odorless, colorless radioactive gas that seeps into homes through cracks in the foundation or floors and walls. It can also be found in water, and can cause lung cancer.
• Mold: Grows where there is an abundance of moisture. Affects upper respiratory health. 
• Secondhand smoke: Tobacco smoke can affect the health of both smokers and nonsmokers around it. It contains more than 3,800 chemical compounds.

Other contaminants include solvents from household cleaners, as well as art supplies, and pesticides.

If you notice damp areas along the walls, floors, or ceilings, you risk mold growth, which affects indoor air quality, and you may have a plumbing leak. Clogs in areas like the kitchen plumbing can cause problems like leaks. Have a plumbing professional check your plumbing for issues like clogs and leaks. 

Once you have your indoor air quality tested, you’ll have a better idea of how to improve it. You want to do something simple like getting indoor plants, unless they cause allergies for someone in your household. Too many indoor plants can also affect moisture levels and mold growth. Opening windows and doors occasionally to let in fresh air helps as well. Cleaning regularly, including vacuuming at least once a week will help.If you have pets, you may want to vacuum more often to ensure pet hair and dander are eliminated.

Many people also choose to get air purifiers. Some are small and used for just one room. Others choose to get a whole house air purification system, which attaches to the HVAC system. While your heating and cooling system filters out contaminants, as long as it is well maintained, adding a whole house filtration system improves the air quality dramatically. They stop contaminants with a series of filters that are often combine neutralizing agents like germicidal lights.

No matter how large or small of step you take, you’ll find improving indoor Indoor air quality benefits you in many ways. You’ll have a more pleasant and comfortable environment, and lessen the chance of illness.

Are you looking to improve your indoor air quality in Vacaville, CA? If so, let A 100% Guarantee Heating and AC take you on the first step with an air quality test, and call us at (707) 450-1258.

How Often Should AC Be Serviced?

It is standard policy for heating and air conditioning equipment to be inspected, cleaned and serviced at least once a year. Optimally, the heating system should be checked in the fall and the air conditioning should be inspected in the spring. If the equipment in question is oil-fired, it should be cleaned and serviced annually, or at the first of winter or fall.

Is an AC Tune-Up Necessary?

As homeowners move into late spring and early summer, home maintenance questions arrive. With regard to the question of whether or not an AC tune-up is necessary, homeowners need to consider the possible ramifications and the lead up to the summer months. If the unit is displaying multiple problems already, then scheduling an AC tune-up is certainly within the realm of consideration. The safety and comfort of one’s home and family remain important regardless of the season. With electricity costs on the rise, making sure your AC unit is functioning flawlessly and efficiently has never been more important.

How Long Does an AC Unit Last?

With regard to how long an AC unit lasts, the truth is simple. Most technicians will stipulate that a solid average for AC unit life is twelve to fifteen years. In fact, the quality of the original unit combined with routine maintenance by qualified professionals can lengthen the life of your unit. The lifespan of a central cooling unit may be reduced if its capacity is not properly matched to the cooling load of the home. When the AC unit does finally fall into complete disrepair, it’s important for homeowners to know that they have options. If you are in need of emergency air conditioning repair, there are qualified AC repair experts available.

Air Conditioner Inspection Checklist

When an air conditioner repairman comes to your property, it is likely that they will initiate the following checklist. Below, is an abbreviated list of the potential items that will be checked on your air conditioner unit.

• Condenser Coil. This shall be cleaned because dirty condenser coils raise refrigerant pressure higher than needed. This negatively impacts the electricity bill.
• Refrigerant Charge. This aspect is checked by thermocharging, which is the process of superheating and supercooling the unit.
• Controls and safeties. Necessarily, these will be inspected and checked.
• Crankcase heater. Crankcase heaters that are malfunctioning can lead to compressor failure.
• Temperature and pressures. These will be taken and recorded. At the end of the day, an accurate report of your equipment’s vital data can indicate potential problems.
• Capacitors. Capacitor failure can lead to compressor and motor dysfunction.

Free Air Conditioner Inspection

Many heating and air conditioning companies are happy to provide free air conditioner inspections. HVAC systems should service the home according to the temperatures stipulated by the thermostat. When this does not occur, homeowners should secure a reputable HVAC company that performs free air conditioner inspections. It is likely that if there is a recurrent problem, such as short cycling, an appropriate repair can be made. It’s important for homeowners to do appropriate research into the air conditioning company they select.

Air Conditioner Is Leaking

If you have recently asked yourself the question, “why is my home air conditioner leaking water inside?”, you are not alone. When this occurs, first turn off the AC thermostat to prevent further damage to the home. Water forms in the air conditioner because of problems associated with the evaporator coil. Possible problems include a clogged condensate drain line, a damaged/rusted drain pan, a broken condensate pump, a dirty air filter, or low refrigerant. If changing the air filter on your air conditioner did not improve the problem, contacting a professional is the logical next step.

Air Conditioner or Air Conditioning

An air conditioner is a unit that either functions as a part of the greater HVAC system, or in smaller singular window units. For larger homes, it is generally recommended for homeowners to opt for an air conditioning system that functions through ducts in the home. For small residential homes, window air conditioning units are far more affordable and may be a viable option given appropriate circumstances. A reputable HVAC company may be hired to service both types of units.

If you think you need an air conditioning inspection in Vacaville, CA, call A 100% Guarantee Heating and AC at (707) 450-1258 to speak with our staff about making an appointment today!