Preparing Your Home For Spring Allergens

Spring is a wonderful time when the weather gets warmer, flowers bloom and the lethargy of winter begins to wash away. However, it is also a time when allergens such as pollen are at their most numerous and potent, making it a difficult time for those who suffer from allergies.

For that reason, it is important to make sure that your hope is properly protected from allergens by improving its air quality.

By taking steps to improve the air flow and filtration in your home, you will not just be protecting yourself from pollen-related allergies, but also keep out germs and various bad odors as well. Here are some of the ways to prepare your home for the coming allergy season.

Install Efficient Air Filters

Installing air filters on your heating and cooling systems is a no-brainer when you have allergies, but which filters are the best ones to use? The experts recommend making sure that all the air filters in your Boston home are high-efficiency particulate arrestance (HEPA) filters. A HEPA filter is designed to trap and remove the smallest particles from air, including pollen and dust particles that cause allergies.

To qualify for the HEPA rating, a filter needs to remove over 99.97% of 0.3 micrometer or larger particles in the air. It is important to make sure that the filters you are using are officially HEPA-rated, since many of the filters that do not meet this criteria are often advertised as “HEPA-like” or “98% HEPA” but don’t offer the same level of allergen protection as the real thing.

Adding a HEPA filter to your air conditioning unit will make the air in your home cleaner, but even more helpful is a free-standing air purifier. It will automatically cycle the air through its filter and remove the tiny impurities hiding within it, making you air cleaner and removing allergens from it.

Efficient filters keep the allergens from outside of your home from making it inside and causing you problems while you are eating, resting or sleeping. However, what about the allergens that are already present within your home?

Protect Your Home from Mold

While the pollen that plants and trees release into the air in the spring can often trigger allergies, you can become more susceptible to them if you are already exposed to a common household allergen – mold. Mold can grow anywhere within your home that is dark and wet and releases spores into the air that can cause irritation and allergies.

Even if the mold spores do not cause allergies on their own, they tie up your body’s immune system and make the pollen allergies worse. In addition to causing health problems, mold can cause bad odors and even deterioration of your home’s structure which can cause very serious problems in the long run. So how can you fight mold within your own home?

The first thing to do is try to find any patches of mold you may already have. It can be in obvious places like the cellar or bathroom, but can also develop in the kitchen as well. Some other areas to check are around pipes, windows and doors. All of those can develop leaks that release moisture that mold needs to grow. Those should be sealed and insulated to make sure that the mold does not return.

Another useful addition to your Boston home’s anti-mold arsenal is a dehumidifier. A high level of humidity in the air helps mold grow as well as makes it easier for mold spores to travel. Make sure to select a humidifier that is the right size for your home and clean it out regularly for best effect.

Bring in the Professionals

There is a lot that you can do to improve the air in your home and reduce the effect of allergies, but there is always a benefit to consulting a professional air inspection company. Professionals have the experience with all sorts of air contaminants and can often quickly determine both the problems present in your home’s air as well as possible solutions for them.

They also have access to specialized equipment that can make it easier for you to take action. For example, an air particle counter can give a snapshot of air quality in each different area or even room within your home.

This can help narrow down the location of mold, a good location for a HEPA filter or a window that is not properly insulated. A professional service can also perform tests on your home’s air to identify exactly what types of allergens or irritants are present. That can also make it easier to isolate and take care of whatever is causing the problems with your home’s air.

Finally, they can identify other common issues with your home’s air circulation like a lack of ventilation or high levels of toxic gases like carbon dioxide or ozone that can also cause health issues. Most importantly, a professional service can save you time and effort and allow you to enjoy cleaner air much faster than a do-it-yourself solution would.

Be Sure to Maintain the Air Quality in Your Home

Maintaining good air quality in your Boston home is the key to protecting yourself and your family from allergies and allergens in the spring. For best effect, make sure that you are using high-quality HEPA-certified filters to filter as many particles as possible from your home’s air. You should also find and remove as much mold as possible from your home and take steps to make your home less-suited for mold growth by fixing leaks and installing a dehumidifier to keep your air dry.

And in order to make sure that your home’s air is up to the highest standards of quality, get in touch with a professional air inspection service and have them test the air within your home. They can help you discover both the causes and the solutions for any issues you may have with allergens.

An excellent choice in Boston, MA is Atlantic Heating and Air, so don’t hesitate to contact them at (617) 566-6990 today!

3 Reasons Why Your Heater Is Blowing Cold Air

Why Is It Still Cold When The Heat Is On?

What can be more frustrating than turning on the heat in very cold Boston weather only to be met by colder air? You know that you turned on the heat, but only cold air is flowing through the vents. You may even wait for a while to see if the air will warm up some, but if there is a problem that’s undetected, then only cold air will continue to blow, but why is this the case?

There can be several reasons why cold air is coming from the heater, and this must be determined by doing some troubleshooting. It’s possible to troubleshoot on your own to find the problem, but the problem might be a lot deeper and need an HVAC specialist to check out the unit to see why only cold air is blowing in the home.

A Few Reasons Why The Heater Blows Cold

The reasons why the heating is blowing out cold air may not be readily prevalent, but it may be something that can be determined after checking out a few things.

The thermostat may be the issue, lack of gas in the furnace, or the furnace or HVAC unit has a problem that is keeping it from working properly.

The Thermostat-

Anyone who has central air in their home will have a thermostat to control the system, and it works based on the temperature in the room. The thermostat will tell the current temperature in the room, and if you’re trying to warm up the room, then the temperature setting for the heating system must go above the current room temperature. If the heat is turned on and the temperature is set to higher than what the room temperature is, then warm air should be coming out of the central heating system if everything else is working properly.

The thermostat tends to be an issue why no warm air is blowing into the room, and it could be because the thermostat hasn’t been turned on properly.

Some may accidentally turn on the cooling system as opposed to the heat, and that’s why they are getting cold air. It should be determined that the heat is on, and not the air-conditioning if the thermostat is programmed for both the heating and cooling system. If the heat is on and turned to a temperature higher than the current room temperature, then there may be another issue.

Also, check the battery on the thermostat because a low battery can affect the thermostat and not allow it to turn on the heating or cooling system when necessary.

The Pilot Or Electricity-

Those with a gas furnace that heats the home may not realize that the pilot has gone out, and this should be verified to determine if it’s the reason why cold air is blowing when the heat should be blowing instead.

The pilot on a gas system must be lit, and in turn, it will help the gas system to keep the home warm. If the pilot is out, then it’s a matter of determining if the gas supply is low, if it’s out, or if it has fluctuating pressure or other issues. Check the other gas appliances in the home to determine if there is a problem with the gas supply.

If every other gas appliance works properly, then there may be an issue with the furnace itself. If the supply of gas is the issue, then contacting the gas company should give you an idea of when the gas should be turned back on or if there is a problem with normalcy of the gas supply.

It may even be necessary to get a professional from the gas company over to your home to determine why the gas pressure is low, especially if they have not noted any problems with other homes in the area.

Those with an HVAC unit that has both AC as well as heat won’t have issues with a pilot, so they may need to look at the electricity supply for the HVAC unit to make sure it's plugged in, even though the unit is outdoors. If electricity is properly being supplied to the unit, then it’s possible that the HVAC unit itself is the problem.

The Furnace Or HVAC Unit-

A major reason for cold air to be coming out of the heating system is because the furnace or HVAC unit is having one of many possible problems. There may be a disconnection somewhere, parts may have been worn and not replaced, the unit may be broken and need replacement, a burner may be failing, there could be a problem with the heat exchanger or many other issues.

Since there are so many issues that can be had with both the furnace or an HVAC unit, this is where it’s necessary to call out a professional to check on the unit, which may need repair.

Resolutions To Fix The Cold Air Problem

After some troubleshooting, the problem should become clear, or it’s possible that the problem becomes more elusive. With all the different parts that go into a furnace or an HVAC unit, it’s possible that there can be many problems.

If the thermostat is not the problem, the gas pressure isn’t a problem, and the pilot on the furnace is lit, then more than likely there’s a problem with the unit itself.

A professional will be able to determine exactly what the problem is, and it may be necessary to get parts for the unit, especially if the unit hasn’t regularly been maintained.

A yearly inspection and maintenance should head off any problems in the future, but this should be done before there is ever a problem. Even those that do not use their unit throughout the year should still get maintenance, and then it’s unlikely that repairs will be needed later if the unit is maintained correctly.

Get furnace or HVAC repair or maintenance from Atlantic Heating and Air Conditioning in Boston, MA at (617) 566-6990. 

Why Do A/C Units Freeze?

You have probably experienced the following scenario at least once with your window air conditioner or heating ventilation and air conditioning system:

Outside the heat is blistering hot. The temperature inside does not seem much better. The air coming out of your Boston home window unit or HVAC system vents has diminished to a trickle.

Ice has built up on the interior of the unit near the evaporator coil and possibly on the outside of the unit as well.

Ice in Heat

Many Boston  homeowners and renters are amazed when ice forms in hot outdoor temperatures, but this scenario is normal whenever the evaporator coil freezes.

The compressor in the unit sends cold refrigerant into the evaporator coil or "cold coil." Hot air fanned over the coil then brings the temperature to above-freezing as the coil absorbs the heat. If this process fails in any way, the coil freezes.

Dirt and Debris

Dirt that builds up on the coil can prevent the hot air from actually touching the coil's surface. A dirty air filter can also block airflow. Low air flow allows higher than normal condensation. The water builds up on the coil, freezes and then the coil and drain line freeze.

Blocked Vents

Any type of inadequate air flow can cause freezing. Whether you have a window A/C or HVAC unit, always make certain that the vents are free of plants and any debris that can block the air intake.

Additionally, if you have an HVAC system, make certain that you haven't accidentally blocked off or closed the majority of the supply registers.

Drain Issue

Condensation that drips off the evaporator coil can sometimes fail to drain out of the unit, build up and freeze. Make certain that the drain pan is empty and that you are not dealing with a blocked drain.

If you are using a window A/C unit, check that you installed it with the front slightly higher than the back so that the condensation water can drain out.

If you have a drain clog that you can't clear or you suspect that something else is causing the problem, it is time to call a professional HVAC technician for assistance.

Other potential serious causes for freezing include low refrigerant, one or more leaks, a failing compressor, a faulty thermostat and a collapsed duct. For more information, call our experienced Atlantic Heating & Air Conditioning technicians in your Boston, MA at (617) 566-6990.

5 Ways To Combat The Spread Of The Flu In Your Home

Run The HVAC Unit

Having the HVAC unit on can be a great start to fighting the flu virus, especially if the flu is already in your Boston home. An HVAC unit will have a filter that catches a lot of the particles in the air, and it should be good enough to help keep the flu virus from going from one person to another, especially if the unit is running regularly throughout the day.

Wash Your Hands

The best way to prevent the spread of the flu is by washing your hands, and it’s best to have everyone in the home wash their hands regularly. If you touch your face, then wash your hands. If you go to the bathroom, then wash your hands. If you sneeze, then wash your hands.

Washing your hands constantly will kill germs, bacteria, and the flu virus itself, and it’ll keep you from spreading the virus around, especially if you wash your hands after touching certain surfaces in your Boston home or your face.

Change The Air Filter

The air filter in your HVAC unit is as important in the fight against the flu as taking flu medication itself. Since the air filter is what catches the bad particles in the air, it can be used as a way to keep the flu from spreading around the home, whether the flu is already in the home or not.

An air filter in an HVAC unit is very useful, especially when the HVAC unit runs on a regular basis. Change the air filter every one to three months or when it’s dirty.

Cover Your Mouth

If you don’t cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze, then you can bet that you’re going to spread the flu if you already have it. Many don’t consider the fact that a sneeze can spread up to four feet, but that means anyone in the room is susceptible to catch the flu as well as anyone else who comes in the room, even if it’s after the sneeze has settled. Always cover your sneezes and coughs.

Fix The HVAC Unit

It’s never wise to let an HVAC unit sit unfixed if it has any kind of issue. A properly working HVAC unit is the best way to fight the flu virus in a home, so get a technician to fix your nonworking HVAC unit.

Find out more ways to combat the flu in your Boston, MA home. Call Atlantic Heating & Air Conditioning today at (617) 566-6990, and get the quality services you deserve.

The Latest HVAC Technologies

Reducing the overall energy usage of your home is one of the hottest trends on the market. There are many Boston homeowners who are spending thousands of dollars to upgrade their home in various ways.

One of the best ways to make your home more energy efficient is to upgrade the HVAC unit in your home. With all of the new technology in the industry, this is an investment that can pay off over time. Here are some of the best new technologies for homes.

Better Temperature Control

There are a lot more options for people to control the temperature in their home today. Over the long term, this can really reduce the amount of money that is spent on trying to heat and cool your home.

There are many people who are interested in reducing the total energy consumption of their home. One of the best ways to do this is by investing in better temperature controls.

This allows a person to set the temperature based on what the outside conditions are. For example, a home will use a different temperature plan when it is night versus the day. This subtle difference will make a huge difference in the total amount of energy used.

Energy Efficiency

HVAC units use a lot less energy today than they did just several years ago. This is a huge area of opportunity for people who are looking for ways to save money over time.

Anyone who is wanting to save money on their HVAC unit can do so by buying a new unit that is more energy efficient. The purchase price may be more expensive on the front end, but it will help to reduce energy consumption over the long term in various ways.

Financials of a Unit

With all of the new upgrades that are in the marketplace today, there are a lot of people who are interested in upgrading their HVAC unit. However, this is something that is difficult to purchase for many people.

Always make sure to keep the long term in mind when buying a new HVAC unit for your Boston home. This can help people think with a longer term mindset about the payoff over time.

If you are interested in getting a new HVAC unit for your Boston, MA home, there are a lot of new ways to do so. Give Atlantic Heating & Air Conditioning a call today at (617) 566-6990, so that we can get the process started for you.