What is Causing Pollutants in Your Home?

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5 Sources Of Major Pollutants

Indoor Air Quality Should Be Good

Magnolia, TX Air-Quality-ServicesThe quality of the air inside your home should be good, especially since you have to breathe the air day and night.

Even if you’re out of your home many hours throughout the day, you still have to worry about your indoor air quality, which can be contributing to the fact that you’re getting sick more often than not.

Those who have allergies will find a lot of problems with indoor air, especially if it’s not ventilated properly or stays stagnant for long periods of time.

Pollutants Making Your Indoor Air Poor

There are many pollutants inside homes that make the air quality poor, and if you recognize what these pollutants are, then you can possibly do something about getting rid of them.

Pollen- You can get pollen in the home by opening the doors and windows, and pollen can be terrible for those who have allergies.

Dust- Unfortunately, dust is something that many cannot help having in their home, but you can get rid of or control dust.

Cigarette Smoke- Even if everyone in the home is a smoker, it’s unlikely that they want the cigarette smoke to stay in the air, especially since it is considered a pollutant.

Mold- Anyone can get mold, especially if they have wet or damp wood or other surfaces or items in the home that can easily grow mold.

Household Cleaning Products- Although these products may help to keep your home clean, they may linger in the air, polluting your air, and making indoor air quality insufferable at times.

How To Clean Indoor Air

Your best bet at cleaning your indoor air is by having a good working HVAC unit. Get a maintenance person out at least once a year to maintain the unit as well as changing the filter to make sure the air in the home stays clean.

Keeping the windows closed as well as the doors can help to keep pollutants out. If the windows or doors have to be open, then having a screen on the windows and doors will help.

It’s always a good idea to dust when necessary, and avoid dry dusting to make sure the dust doesn’t go back into the air. Opening the windows and doors will help, but it’s better to have a good running HVAC unit to help clear the air of cigarette smoke and other pollutants.

Stop ruining the air quality in your Magnolia, TX home. Call Affordable American Air Conditioning & Heating today at (281) 704-3696 to get further insight and assistance on this issue.

See What Radiant Heating Can Do For You

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Benefits of Radiant Heating

Radiant heating methods heat homes through the use of radiant heat rather than convection heat. The technology used to produce this type of heat has existed for centuries, and underfloor radiant heating has become increasingly popular, especially in countries like China and Korea.

Magnolia, TX Radiant Heating ServicesWhen using radiant heating, heat is emitted from one warm element that is located within a home’s walls, floors, or ceiling.

Then, rather than heating the air, the heat that is emitted provides warmth to people and items in each room. As a result, the air temperature in a home that is heated using radiant heat can feel warmer than that of a conventionally heated home even if they are being heated to the same degree.

Read on to discover more benefits of radiant heating.

You Won’t Hear or Feel a Thing

Since no air is being pushed through vents or ducts, you won’t feel it blowing through the room or hear it coming from a fan or vent.

You won’t even hear the creepy sound of your furnace kicking on every couple of hours. Also, no air blowing around your home minimizes drafts and static electricity.

Radiant Heating is Cleaner Than Conventional Methods

Radiant heating systems are often considered hypoallergenic. Since there is no air blowing out of a vent or duct and into your home, dust and pollen are not flying around in the air you are trying to breathe.

Radiant Heating Can Offer Customized Temperatures for Each Room

You don’t always want every room in your Magnolia home to be heated to the same temperature, especially those you don’t use as often. With radiant heat, you can control the temperature of each room using programmable thermostats. With these, each room can be heated for a specific amount of time and set to heat up to a certain temperature.

Radiant heat offers many benefits to Magnolia homeowners. This heating system is not only efficient but it is also effective. Many people rave about how great it feels to walk on tile floors warmed by radiant heat. Consider each of these benefits when you are searching for the right heating system to add to your home.

Find out more about radiant heating and it’s benefits for your Magnolia, TX home this season. Call Affordable American Air Conditioning & Heating at (281) 704-3696 today.

Keep Some Savings in Your Pocket This Month

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5 Ways to Save on Your Utility Bill

As the seasons change and the weather gets colder, many people are looking for ways to cut energy costs. Thankfully, there are many simple things you can do to save money on your next utility bill.

Magnolia, TX Utility-Savings-Tips1. Lower Your Thermostat

Heating accounts for a large portion of your utility costs for the winter months. Heating and cooling expenses typically make up over 50 percent of the energy costs for the average home.

In order to cut back on these costs, you can lower your thermostat by a few degrees. For every degree you lower your thermostat by, you can save 3 percent on your monthly utility bill.

2. Use Light Bulbs That are Energy Efficient

LED light bulbs are the most efficient way to illuminate your Magnolia home. In fact, a 40-watt LED light bulb uses about six watts of power.

This is 85 percent less than what a standard light bulb would use. These bulbs are more expensive, but they have the potential to last up to 20 years, and they can even cost as little as 72 cents to operate.

3. Get a New Shower Head

Nobody wants to hop in a cold shower, so most people just keep the water running until it warms up. This can waste about 7,800 gallons of water per year. Thankfully, there is a simple solution. By installing a new shower head with ShowerStart technology built in, you can conserve hot water and reduce your water usage.

The device decreases the flow of water to a trickle until you pull on a chord indicating you are ready to run the water normally. It costs lest than $30 and will pay for itself within a few months.

4. Avoid Standby Power Energy Use

Nearly $10 billion is wasted every year due to standby energy costs. The United States Environmental Protection Agency claims that new technology will automatically turn off when it isn’t in use.

This technology will otherwise stay on standby mode and waste electricity. In order to reduce these standby costs, you can also buy smart power strips. They can save you up to $100 per year and only cost $30.

5. Look Into a Programmable Thermostat

You don’t need to be heating your Magnolia home when you aren’t there during the day. If you program it correctly, a programmable thermostat can save you nearly 30 percent on your heating and cooling costs each month.

No matter how big or small your home is, the cost of utilities can be a large expense, but they don’t have to be. Keep these tips in mind and your utility bill will be much lower next month.

Try to save during this holiday season on your Magnolia, TX home utility bill. Call Affordable American Air Conditioning & Heating at (281) 704-3696, for any questions or further assistance.

Smell Something Burning in Your Furnace System?

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Burning Furnace Smell

A burning smell coming from the furnace could be a sign that there is something wrong with your furnace and that it needs attention from a professional HVAC technician.

Magnolia, TX Furnace-Repair-ServicesOn the other hand, a burning smell could also be harmless and it may pass quickly on its own. Find out what the possible causes of a burning smell in a furnace are and whether they require attention from a professional below.

Debris, Dust and Cobwebs Being Burned Off

This is a common cause of the burning smell experienced by many people. When heaters are inactive for a long period of time, and they are not cleaned, dust, debris and cobwebs can accumulate on them.

When the heater is turned on, all of this debris and dust will get burned up causing an unpleasant smell in the home.

It should dissipate rather quickly, within half an hour. If the smell does not subside, within half an hour it is likely that another issue is to blame. Old Magnolia homes that have been vacant, often experience a burning smell when the furnace is turned on for the first time.

Too Many Closed Registers in the Ductwork

Another common reason of a burning smell could be that too many air duct registers are closed. Air registers are where air is released to either heat or cool rooms throughout your Magnolia home. If too many air registers are shut, than hot air can accumulate because there is no where for it to go.

Too much accumulated heated air will have a burning smell to it. If a lot of your ducts are closed, open them up and see if the burning smell will subside. You should turn off your heater first, before you open all the registers. Then once the registers are open you can turn your heater on again.

Overworked or Damaged Furnace

An overworked furnace will produce a burning or smoking smell. Overworked furnaces could the result of a dirty air filter. Check your air filter and if it is clogged, replace it. Your furnace’s motor may also need to be lubricated with oil.

If replacing the air filter and lubricating the motor does not eliminate the burning smell than the problem requires the attention of a skilled HVAC professional.

Part of the furnace may be broken or damaged or it may be old and need replacing. An HVAC technician will be able to inspect the furnace and recommend a repair or replacement to get rid of the smell and fix the issue.

Is your furnace in smelling up your Magnolia, TX home? Call Affordable American Air Conditioning & Heating today at (281) 704-3696, and get that foul odor out of your home.

Check Out the Difference Between Geothermal & Air-Source Heat Pumps

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Geothermal & Air-Source Heat Pumps

In today’s world of rising energy costs, more and more people are looking for ways to save money on their heating and cooling bills. But as technology has greatly improved over the years, heat pumps have become some of the most widely-used options for most Magnolia homes.

Magnolia, TX Heat-Pump-ServicesHowever, as geothermal heat pumps have become more common in recent years, many people have had difficulty in deciding between geothermal heat pumps and air source heat pumps. While they share many similarities, there are also vast differences between them.

Air Conditioning Efficiency

While both heat pumps do well when it comes to air conditioning, geothermal heat pumps are generally considered to be the more efficient of the two.

Because they are installed indoors, they are able to use the ground’s temperature as its starting point.

This is in sharp contrast to air source heat pumps, which are installed outdoors and rely on using hot air as their main heat shedder. While this may sound like a minor difference, it’s estimated geothermal pumps save between 20-40 percent on home cooling bills.

Indoors v. Outdoors

When deciding on which type of heat pump to use in your house, one of the biggest decisions to make is whether you want a heat pump that will be installed indoors or outdoors.

Air source pumps are always installed outdoors, since they can be extremely noisy due to the large fans they have to pull air over compressor coils.

However, geothermal units are much quieter because they have a circulation pump for water rather than a fan, allowing them to be as quiet as refrigerators.

Geothermal pumps are also compact enough to be installed indoors, since they are enclosed in a cabinet about the size of a washing machine.

Durability and Reliability

While air source models have been known to be very reliable, they have also been prone to various problems along the way. For example, since their fans draw in dirt and other materials, the bearings inside the heat pump may get severely damaged. Also, since they are outside and exposed to various elements, corrosion can be an issue.

On the other hand, geothermal pumps are stored inside a Magnolia home and thus avoid many of the problems brought on by the elements. Also, air source pumps may last only 10-15 years at a maximum, while most of the geothermal pumps last an average of 20 years or longer.

Find out more info about the differences of geothermal and air source heat pumps in your Magnolia, TX home. Call Affordable American Air Conditioning & Heating at (281) 704-3696 today, to get more insight on this topic.

Show The Flu Who Is Boss

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Keep Airborne Viruses Under Control

The flu is a nasty illness that most of us have to deal with at least at some point in our lives. That being said, most of us would also like to keep that exposure to a minimum. How do we get this done? Well, there are a few things that we know for sure will work when it comes to the flu in particular.

Magnolia, TX Flu Season TipsBattle the Flu

To battle the flu is to battle airborne viruses that like to spread and move from person to person.

Since we know this, we know a few of the tools used to fight back. Humidity for example is a big part of what allows or prevents the flu bug from being able to grow and spread.

The airborne virus of the flu likes to live in low humidity environments, but we have some control over this.

If we would like to, we can make it so that the humidity of the place that we are living or working in is not nearly as comfortable for the virus.

We simply purchase a humidifier and that allows us to prevent the illness from going any farther than it already has.

Use UV Lights to Fight the Viruses

UV lights are used in some homes or offices to fry the little virus right in its tracks. Once again, this is a proven method for fighting against the flu.

You do not want to let the opportunity pass you by. As odd as it may sound, this is one of the best ways to get the job done because the virus simply does not respond well to the UV lights. You will have it dead to rights at that point, and you can happily proceed to moving on to the next thing.

Keep Your Spaces Clean

Finally, just keep the spaces around you as clean as possible. It is not rocket science, but it works. You just want to disinfect things frequently to kill those germs and stop them from spreading.

The things that you touch all the time is where you want to start. In other words, get at the door knobs, keys, desks, computer keyboards, and more that are touched by hands on a daily basis.

The secret to getting through flu season is just to be prepared. The things that you need to have in order to be prepared are all available at your local store, so there is really no excuse for not staying on top of things.

Keep your Magnolia, TX home free from germs of the flu season. Call Affordable American Air Conditioning & Heating today at (281) 704-3696, to get tips on how to keep your home flu free.

Is Your Furnace Ready for Winter?

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Prevent a Furnace Disaster This Winter Season

During the winter, more and more people begin to rely on their furnace to keep them and their Magnolia homes warm on a cold night. But if the furnace breaks down, a warm home will become a cold one very quickly.

Magnolia, TX Furnace-Repair-ServicesWhile some furnace problems are minor ones that can be fixed rather easily and at little expense, other problems can result in large repair bills or even the purchase of a new furnace.

To guard against the chance of a furnace disaster happening over the winter, there are many tasks that can be done to keep everything running smoothly.

Install Carbon Monoxide Detectors

To guard against the possibility of carbon monoxide leaking into your Magnolia home through cracks in a furnace, many people have turned to letting technicians install carbon monoxide detectors on or near their furnace.

This is seen as an excellent idea, since carbon monoxide is an extremely lethal gas that has no taste, color, or smell. To make sure none of this gas leaks out, it’s good to have a technician inspect the furnace for any cracks or holes and repair them as soon as possible.

Clean Air Ducts

Dust and dirt can be some of the greatest enemies to a furnace, keeping it from operating efficiently as well as damaging equipment such as burners or fans if there is a large enough buildup of it inside the furnace.

To avoid having this happen, it’s smart to have a service technician use their specialized tools to clean the furnace’s parts during an inspection.

Technicians can reach far inside the furnace and remove dirt and dust from the motor, fans, and other areas that may be vulnerable to damage from dust buildup. Also, if enough dust and dirt build up inside the furnace, it can create a fire hazard and should be cleaned as soon as possible.

Check the Chimney

Each year, thousands of chimney fires start due to a buildup of soot that has not been cleaned. To not let this happen, it’s important to open the furnace access door and check the chimney for soot.

If the buildup is minor, a service technician can usually take care of the job. But if the soot accumulation is large, you’ll have to hire a chimney sweep to do the job. Either way, making sure soot is eliminated from the chimney can greatly reduce the chances of a furnace fire.

Don’t suffer from a furnace disaster in your Magnolia, TX home this season. Call Affordable American Air Conditioning & Heating at (281) 704-3696 and get assistance now.

Fight the Germs in Your Home!

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Reasons to Install UV Air Sanitizers

When you are looking at solutions to sanitize the air in your Magnolia home, you might want to consider installing a UV air sanitizer. UV air sanitizers use ultraviolet light to kill bacteria and viruses that might be circulating in the air you breathe. Here are three reasons why you want to use them in your home.

Magnolia, TX UV-Air-Sanitizing-300x199Kill Germs Without Chemicals

Some of the substances used to kill germs in your home are nearly as bad as the germs themselves.

Household cleaners and air fresheners can have harsh chemicals in them that can cause you and your family to have a bad reaction or have trouble breathing.

And some chemicals can even cause allergic reactions in some people. With a UV light sanitizer, you won’t have any such problems. The machine does its work quietly and thoroughly and leaves behind no trace of what it is doing.

No Odors in Your Home

What smells good to one person doesn’t always smell good to the next person, so when you pick cleaners and air fresheners with smells you like, those smells could actually be annoying to other members of your family, your pets or guests.

And it can be hard these days to find cleaners and air fresheners that don’t have strong smells. With a UV air sanitizer, you won’t have to worry about any smells, other than maybe a light ozone smell. You will get clean air that smells like — air.

More Effective

UV air sanitizers can be extremely effective if they are used properly, which is why they are used in clinical settings such as hospitals and labs and also are used to purify water systems. UV air sanitizers tend to be more effective than chemical cleaners at wiping out micro-organisms.

However, UV air sanitizers can be safety hazards if not used properly. When the sanitizer is on, people and pets must stay out of the room, because it can cause skin burns and eye damage.

Whether or not to use a UV sanitizer in your Magnolia home can come down to personal preference, although if you have someone in your home with chemical sensitivity or severe allergies, it could easily be your best option for sanitizing the air in your home.

Fight odor issues in your Magnolia, TX home today! Call Affordable American Air Conditioning & Heating at (281) 704-3696, so we can eliminate the germs!

 

Have You Winterized Your Home Yet?

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5 Home Winterization Tips

Winterizing your home might seem like just one more seasonal chore, but a little bit of preventative maintenance during the fall could save you and your family quite a bit of money. Here is a look at five tips that will make this project as quick and cost-efficient as possible.

Magnolia, TX Winterization-Tip-Services-300x2001. Start With an Energy Audit

Energy audits do not necessarily need to be carried out every year, but they are a great option for finding problematic areas in a home.

These audits begin with an inspector carefully looking over one’s house to find any efficiency problems that might be taking place.

They will then provide the homeowner with a detailed report on areas where they can make improvements.

2. Set Your Programmable Thermostat

One of the best investments that any homeowner can make is a programmable thermostat for their home. These devices give a family unprecedented control over their home’s temperature even when they are not there.

During the coldest months of the year, the Department of Energy suggests that families keep their thermostat at 68 degrees when they are home and around 60 degrees when they are asleep or out of the house.

3. Inspect Rain Gutters and Downspouts

Rain gutters should be thoroughly cleaned out before any major rainstorms and downspouts should be checked for any clogs. Homeowners might also need to install downspout extenders to ensure that water is deposited as far from the home’s foundation as possible.

4. Seal Unused Vents

Closing the doors to unused rooms and sealing unused vents will allow you to heat only the areas of your home where you and your family will be.

There are a number of products that are designed specifically to fit over vents and not allow air between the metal grates. These products are generally referred to as draft shields or vent shields and will make your HVAC system must more efficient.

5. Turn Off Outdoor Faucets

Those that live in an area prone to freezing temperatures will need to be especially careful with their plumbing system. All hoses should be removed from faucets and stored indoors.

The faucets themselves should be flushed so that they no longer have any water in them and then turned off completely so that they do not freeze and crack.

Winter is almost upon us in the Magnolia, TX area. To get the best advice on winterizing your home, call Affordable American Air Conditioning & Heating at (281) 704-3696 today!

Lets Improve Your Home Ventilation Today

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Ways to Improve Home Ventilation

Running your air conditioning throughout the summer can lead to many issues that may impair air circulation.

Seasonal maintenance services and the installation of new equipment and appliances can help to provide your household with a superior level of indoor air quality and to ensure that your HVAC system is able to operate as efficiently as possible.

Magnolia, TX home-ventilation-services-300x300The resources, training and experienced that only a qualified technician can provide can be essential for preparing your home for colder weather and ensuring your household is able to be kept comfortable all year long.

Cleaning Services for Vents and Ducts

Dust, pollen and even potentially harmful microorganisms that can build up within ducts and vents can create no end of issues that Magnolia homeowners would be wise to avoid.

While selecting the right air filter and ensuring that filter-changed and addressed promptly and without delay can be essential for ensuring good air flow throughout your Magnolia home, such efforts may not always be enough.

Having a professional inspect and clean your ventilation from time to time can eliminate foul and unpleasant odors, ensure that air quality does not become impaired as well as alleviating stain that might impair the output and performance of your HVAC system.

Ceiling Fan Installation

While lower temperatures may require less use of your air conditioning, warmer fall days can still result in an interior environment that is less than comfortable.

The installation of ceiling fans in certain area and in rooms that are frequently occupied can have many benefits. Improving air circulation through use of a fan can allow for a more convenient and cost effective climate control solution.

Fans can even improve the performance of your furnace or heater by ensuring that warm air is able to remain in circulation throughout the home.

Seasonal Equipment Inspections

Parts and components can wear out throughout the year, especially towards the end of the summer when air conditioners have been in extensive use.

From exterior vents to your thermostat, having a professional look over your system and ensure that your equipment is all in good working order can allow you to avoid many problems before they even develop.

Scheduling an inspection of your HVAC system and equipment can be an important part of your efforts to better prepare your home for the cooler temperatures of the fall and winter.

Call Affordable American Air Conditioning & Heating today at (281) 704-3696 to get the proper ventilation that you deserve in your Magnolia, TX home.