The Relationship between Pollen, Hay Fever and Your HVAC System

The Relationship between Pollen, Hay Fever and Your HVAC System

Many people prefer staying indoors in an attempt to avoid exposure to allergens. While that may seem like a good strategy, it hardly is. What such people forget is that the HVAC system could, in fact, be spreading pollen. Due to their tiny nature, pollen spores still manage to get into your home.

What’s The Connection between HVAC and Hay Fever?

Hay fever is characterized by sneezing, stuffy and runny noses, and itchy skin, mouth or eyes. It also causes fatigue resulting from poor sleep due to nasal issues. Statistics show that between 40 and 60 million Americans suffer from hay fever.

The most common cause of hay fever is pollen from trees, grass, wildflowers, weeds, and other plants. While these allergens are mostly outdoors, they can enter your home if your HVAC system isn’t working properly.

Your HVAC system is tasked with circulating air throughout your home. The sad thing is that pollen and other allergens can get into your air conditioning, ventilation, and heating equipment. When the air begins to circulate in your house, these allergens spread around. That’s why you tend to have increased symptoms when you first turn on your HVAC system in the spring.

Far from it. You do not have an HVAC allergy. The issue has to do with the pollen and other allergens that are being blown over your house.

How to Get Rid Of Allergens from Your Home

When you notice the flare-up of allergy symptoms, the first thing you should do is call an HVAC maintenance service provider. They will help you get rid of the pollen by taking the following two measures:

1. Installing Allergy Filters

Don’t get confused. The normal filters on your HVAC system do not have the ability to protect you from allergens. All they do is prevent large debris from causing damage to the equipment. They hardly get rid of the tiny allergens.

The best way to get rid of allergens from your home is by using high-energy particulate air (HEPA) filters. When it comes to getting rid of allergens from your HVAC system, these are the best. Their intricate design ensures that they filter out at least 99 percent of smoke, dust, and pollen.

However, you cannot use these filters forever. You need to replace them every other month. Alternatively, you could ask the HVAC maintenance service provider to install washable filters. If you have that variety, then you ought to clean them regularly.

2. Duct Cleaning

Over time, moisture, dust, and pollen accumulate in your HVAC ducts. In the end, you could have air full of pollen circulating within your home. To have better air quality, ask a professional HVAC service provider to clean the system. You will be able to reduce asthma and allergy symptoms, get rid of insects and rodents, and remove mold. You need this service if it has taken too long since the ducts were cleaned. As part of the cleaning service, there could be the need to repair holes, as well as replace filters and insulation.

When you notice symptoms of hay fever at the onset of the spring, don’t hesitate to call Daniels HVAC Philadelphia 267-971-3639  We will make the air in your home fresh and breathable.

HVAC Smart System Control

New HVAC Smart System Control

In today’s fast-paced world, new technologies keep springing up with every passing day. Good enough, most of the technological advances are meant to make your life better both at home and while you are away. Through the use of HVAC Smart System Control, homeowners can enjoy better efficiency and comfort while minimizing the amount of energy consumed.

What is HVAC Smart System Control?hvac system diagnostic service

The HVAC Smart System Control is composed of state-of-the-art technology when it comes to home automation. Its work is to control the working and improve performance of the HVAC system. The smart system control includes the following aspects:

  • Temperature sensors for measuring the temperature of the air in the room.
  • Motion sensors to help you know when someone enters and occupies your home.
  • Sensors for fault detection for identifying system issues as well as possible malfunctioning issues.
  • Smart vents for controlling air floor as well as adjust room temperature all over the house.
  • Smart apps so that you can remotely operate and manage the HVAC system while away.
  • Smart and programmable thermostats.
  • Data analytics with cloud functionality to enable you track HVAC system usage and point out possible areas that need improvement.

Basically, these are components of the same system. Working together, they operate, regulate, and monitor the HVAC equipment in your home. It keeps track of the typical use of your HVAC system with the aim of making adjustments for the improvement of energy consumption in your home. While you may install some of the equipment to work with an existing HVAC system, others require a totally new HVAC system installation. If you choose a completely new system, it will come fully adaptable and automated.

Benefits of HVAC Smart System Control

With a HVAC Smart System Control, you will be able to control your home’s climate in your home, around the clock and from anywhere. At the touch of your smartphone, you will be able to regulate heat, humidity, central air, ventilation, and air purity. It is also possible to control the system using a laptop or tablet.

Additionally, it is possible to make the HVAC system work more efficiently by taking advantage of the smart technology. After working for a while, these systems are able to learn and adjust to the habits and needs of your family. Apart from analyzing data about energy usage, they are able to fix aspects of the system for improved performance and reduced energy costs. The system can also point out wasteful habits and suggests areas in which you need to improve.

It is possible for you to give control to these smart systems over your energy consumption. In addition, the smart system control works in tandem with other forms of smart technology for the automation of smart home equipment like appliances, lighting, entertainment devices, and security features.

All this is possible in your home if you ask a professional HVAC installation and maintenance expert to help you. Within no time, you will begin to enjoy the convenience of taking control over your HVAC system remotely for more information call Daniels HVAC Philadelphia

Why It Is Important To Service Your HVAC System

 

Why It Is Important To Service Your HVAC System
Have you thought of regularly maintaining your HVAC system? If you haven’t, then you could risk having the entire system fail when you need it the most. A well-maintained HVAC system is also efficient when it comes to energy consumption and will cost you less.
Even is your HVAC system is newly installed, you need to carry out maintenance work at least once a year. It doesn’t matter how expensive it is or the kind of guarantees you get from the manufacturer. Have a professional check it out to prevent mechanical breakdowns that could result in expensive repairs.
Here is why it is important to service your HVAC system at least once a year:
1. Lowering Your Energy Bills
The more you use your HVAC system, the more its efficiency becomes compromised. With time, you start paying high energy bills without special reasons. This is why you should never neglect your HVAC system. It is akin to tuning up your car for greater efficiency. A professional will remove all the things that could be compromising how efficient your HVAC system is.
2. Minimizing Repairs
After serving for a long time, your HVAC system could begin emitting strange odors and sounds. It is important that you service your HVAC system long before these simple issues morph into bigger ones that require major repairs. You don’t want to end up with a malfunctioning HVAC system when you need it most.
Have a technician look at parts such as the fraying belt which produces strange noises when malfunctioning. Continued usage of such a fraying belt could damage the HVAC system beyond repair. Timely replacement of the fraying belt will prevent astronomical future repairs.
3. Minimizing Chances of Critical Failures
If not taken good care of, an HVAC system can cause avoidable consequences. Imagine the HVAC system failing on a sweltering summer afternoon or cold winter night. These are times of the year when you need the HVAC system the most. You can minimize the chances of that happening by having a qualified inspector check your HVAC system on a regular basis. Make sure you schedule annual maintenance at regular intervals.
4. Lengthening the Life of the HVAC System
You can give optimal life to your furnaces, air conditioners, and the rest of the equipment in your HVAC system through regular maintenance. If one part malfunctions, then it is likely to affect the entire system. Through regular service, your HVAC system is able to continue working normally and also give it a longer life.

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8 Ways to Use Your Exhaust Fans

8 Ways to Use Your Exhaust Fans

There are some rooms in your home where normal ventilation is not enough to guarantee fresh air. These are the kitchen and bathroom. In these rooms, you need to use your exhaust fans to get rid of hot, humid air. The purpose of exhaust fans is to maximize the air circulation in the spaces where they are used. They work by keeping the air moving for a fresher and healthier indoor environment.

Why You Need to Use Your Exhaust Fans

In a normal house, the air is likely to be polluted in various ways. Talk about smoke, pet dander, pesticides, and moist humid air. The best way to get rid of the polluted air and allow into your house fresh air is using exhaust fans.

When the air in a house is excessively humid, it may result in the unwanted growth of mildew and mold. When these fungi mix with the air, they cause all kinds of health issues. Excessive humidity can also make the furniture to rot or warp. Paint on the walls may also peel off. When the moisture in the air gets into your electronic appliances, it may cause unnecessary damage.

Where to Use Your Exhaust Fans

To reiterate, the purpose of exhaust fans is to remove impure air and circulate fresh air. They are usually connected to the ductwork in your home and may exist in the following forms:

1. Bathroom. These fans are installed next to your bathroom lights so as to expel steam and unwanted odors while allowing in the fresh air.

2. Kitchen Range. In the kitchen, the fans are usually installed in your stove’s hood. The purpose is to expel smoke, odors, and excess steam in the kitchen.

3. Dryer Room. To dry your clothes, the dryer creates moisture which needs to be removed by an exhaust fan.

4. Ceiling-Mounted. When air stays in the house for too long, it becomes stale. Exhaust fans can be used to remove this air through a roof cap or other external vents.

5. Wall-Mounted. These are the kind of exhaust fans installed on the walls outside your home. To carry out their function, these exhaust fans do not need to be connected to ductwork.

6. Inline. These kinds of exhaust ducts are installed between ducting. Compared to the other types of exhaust fans, they are quiet in nature. They work very well with an 8-inch flex duct.

7. Attic/Crawl Space. Did you know that the air in your attic can stay undisturbed for years? You can install exhaust fans in the attic to remove this air and replace it with a fresh one.

8. Exterior Remote-Mounted. Like the wall-mounted exhaust fans, these are mounted outside too. Instead of pushing stale air, they pull it out. Although noisy, the sound is rarely heard inside the house.

It is clear that exhaust fans are important when it comes to refreshing the air in your house. They complement the other ventilation measures to ensure that your home has a conducive living environment. If you haven’t started, use your exhaust fans now!

leaky ductwork

5 Reasons for Leaky Ductwork in Your HVAC System

How do you tell if there is leaky ductwork in your HVAC system? To know if the ductwork in your home is leaking air, you need to look out for certain tell-tale signs. If anything, the HVAC system will not operate as efficiently as when it is free of damage.
Here is how a forced air HVAC system works. Connecting the equipment is a system of pipes through which cold or hot air is moved to the rooms in the house. These ducts need to be completely sealed. If not, air will start leaking out of the HVAC system.
Here are some of the signs that could indicate the presence of leaky ductwork in your HVAC system:
Lack of Comfort                                                                    
If the air in your house has been feeling stuffy of late, it could be an indicator that you have leaky ductwork. You could also be finding it hard to cool certain rooms in the house. It is highly likely that the cold air that should be coming into the house is leaking into the outdoors. Don’t blame the floor plan in your room but rather check out the duct connections.
Low Air Quality
When the connections in the ductwork are compromised, they are likely to let in air from the basement. The likely outcome is that this air will begin to smell like the pesticides, fertilizers, and paint thinners stored in the basement. As you already know, the air from your HVAC system shouldn’t have any smell. If you notice any changes, check the ductwork.
High Energy Bills
How high are your utility bills? Do you think you get what you pay for? Could the HVAC system be consuming much more than you are getting? If you already have high utility bills, the problem could be made worse by leaking ductwork. It’s simply for the reason that you are paying for the air that gets into your house as well as that which leaks out. You can reduce your energy bills by fixing the leaky ductwork in your HVAC system.
Backdrafting of Hazardous Fumes
There are other appliances in your home which produce fumes and send them outside your home. After they have released these fumes, the leaky ductwork may pick it up and return it right back into your home. Apart from reducing the air quality in your home, this may prove to be costly and dangerous as well. If you don’t solve the problem early enough, you will end up being exposed to the poisonous carbon monoxide.
A Dusty Home
Dust is a fact that you will have to deal with in your home. When you have leaky ductwork, you stand the risk of having fine dust particles getting distributed throughout your home. Of course, a little bit of dust is normal. But if there seems to be a lot of dust in your home, the culprit should be leaky HVAC ductwork.
If the ductwork is not serving you as it should, talk to a qualified Daniels HVAC installation and repairs expert to give it an examination. If they find any glaring issues, they will fix them for you.

Facility Maintenance Company

How to Hire A Facility Maintenance Company?

 Do you have an office or industrial building that requires regular facility maintenance? Make sure that you only work with an experienced facility maintenance company. That will ensure the proper running of your HVAC, heating, air conditioning, plumbing, and electrical systems.

daniels hvac philadelphia/ facility maintenance serviceThere are a number of ways through which you can hire a facility maintenance company including the following:

  • Ask a friend Maintenance or just CLICK

If you are not ready to subscribe for the services of the security maintenance company, you can enter into an a la carte arrangement. That’s especially if you are running a start-up business. Instead of being tied down to an HVAC maintenance contract, you can simply call the facility maintenance company whenever you have a problem. Before hiring the company, make sure it has the right number of staff to be able to deal with customer maintenance needs whenever they arise.

  • Long-Term Maintenance Contracts

A facility maintenance company is meant to ensure that your interests and those of your employees are safeguarded on a daily basis. With a long-term contract, you can call them at any time you have a problem with your plumbing or electrical systems. Out of necessity, the company has standby staff to send to your premises whenever you have an emergency. It is not just any staff but those with the highest levels of training and experience.

Long-term contracts are not just about handling emergencies. The facility maintenance company is able to draw annual schedules for maintaining air conditioning and hvac systems. That is to ensure that systems such as heating continue to give you the best services all year round. It doesn’t matter if you have a massive office or you operate from a tiny one. Make sure you have an ongoing contract with a facility maintenance company. When you have a long-term contract, you will pay for it on a subscription basis.

Signs That You Need To Change Your Facility Maintenance Company

Have you been in a contract with a facility maintenance company for some time now? How do you know when you need to get an alternative? The following are the tell-tale signs that you need to hire different professionals:

  • High technician turnover. The alarm bells should go off when the technicians sent to your home are different all the time. It is highly likely that all is not well at the electrical, plumbing, air conditioning or heating company.
  • Supply issues. When the facility maintenance company doesn’t seem to have parts and equipment they need for their work, then you need to hire a different firm. It could be that they are having issues with their suppliers, which will eventually affect you.
  • Frequently missed appointments. The way a company responds to situations of crises in your business should indicate whether you ought to keep working with them or not. Find a new service provider if the current one doesn’t seem to be working for you.

Make sure that the systems in your workplace are maintained on a regular basis as a way of motivating your staff and keeping them productive. Your production lines will also keep working to make your business more profitable.

5 Star Building Facility Maintenance Contractor Philadelphia

5 Star Building Maintenance Contractor

WOMEN CALLING FOR HELP FOR HVAC SYSTEMAre you looking for a 5-star building maintenance contractor? You should. Hiring just about anyone to handle your building maintenance works will not give you the result you desire, after all. The right contractor is able to work on a residential, industrial or commercial property and give you the best results. You want the building to remain in great shape when the contractor is through with the work.

The following are some of the things to look for in a 5-star maintenance contractor:

A thorough knowledge of building maintenance

To maintain your building, the contractor will have to carry out tasks related to carpentry and metal work. Apart from that, they should have the ability to detect and fix any issues with the structure of the building, mechanical equipment, and HVAC systems.

State-of-the-art equipment

If you are working with a 5-star building maintenance contractor like Daniels HVAC company in Philadelphia expect them to come to your premises with the latest equipment. Such contractors cannot be compared to independent contractors who don’t have the proper equipment.

Around-the-clock service

You don’t want to get stuck with a faulty HVAC system in the middle of a heat wave.  Daniels HVAC A 5-star contractor will remain on call around the clock so that they can handle any unforeseen emergencies.

License, bonded, and insurance

If you can find a contractor with the proper licenses and insurance policy, that is definitely a 5-star company. Add in surety bonds and you can be sure that your property is protected in case the job isn’t completed as per your agreement.

References

It doesn’t hurt to check out online reviews on the past work of the company. But that is not enough. A 5-star contractor should of necessity provide you with professional references, which you can cross-check. If their work is reliable, then you can go ahead and hire them.

Employees with the right skills

That is a must-do if you hope to get the best building maintenance services. A 5-star building maintenance contractor is one with employees with the right skills. Anything other than the right skill-set is a no-no.

Cheaper prices

It is important that you choose a company you can afford for maintaining your building. However, extremely low prices can be a red flag. Before you fall for the lower prices, make sure you check the reasons why the company is charging such a lower price.

A variety of services

Does the company offer any other services apart from the maintenance work? If they have landscaping and floor cleaning, do you need it? It is always better to work with a single contractor offering a wide variety of services compared to a number of different service providers.

Ability to maintain more than one properties

Are you the owner of a multiple number of properties? A 5-star building maintenance contractor should be able to create a plan that works on different types of properties.

Offering commercial solutions

Do you own a high-traffic property? If you are working with a 5-star contractor, they should be able to provide workable commercial solutions tailored for your type of business.

Are you looking for a 5-star building maintenance contractor in Philadelphia PA.? Talk to one today.

For more information click —    DANIELS HVAC PHILADELPHIA LLC

How the stove and oven in your home give off high carbon monoxide levels

How the stove and oven in your home give off high carbon monoxide levels

Although you may not know it, the gas stove and oven in your home can be sources of carbon monoxide. The trouble is that this is something that can go on for a long time without you ever noticing. Scientific research has established that kitchens are some of the places in the home with the highest carbon monoxide levels. As an odorless and colorless gas, CO is hard to detect.

How does that happen?

Not all types of gases burn in the same way. However, all of them have the potential to produce carbon monoxide so long as it is burning in low oxygen. A kitchen stove and oven can produce CO albeit in mild concentrations. The normal level of carbon monoxide produced in a kitchen should be no more than 30 PPM. But in a normal kitchen, there is extended cooking which leads to the buildup of CO levels. That is in contravention of the fact that kitchen stoves and ovens are designed for irregular, not extended use.

In poorly ventilated kitchens, the carbon monoxide levels tend to rise very fast to the extent of exceeding the acceptable CO levels. Also to blame is blockage of air to the gas burner which leads to inefficient burning. Look at the color of the flame and you will know you have a problem. If the flame is red or orange, it indicates poor gas combustion.

If you use gas for cooking, make sure you regularly check your regulator. If you skip the inspections, then the chances are high of having increased levels of CO in your home. That’s beside risking a fire explosion in your kitchen. If you are not careful, the continued emission of CO in your home can lead to serious respiratory complications or even fatalities.

Mitigation measures

It is best to always contact a www.DanielsHVACPhiladelphia.com or HVAC technician to carry out a number of combustion tests in your home. That way, you will be able to know the level of CO produced in your home. If the levels are too high, then you will have time to fix the problem.

If your stove and oven came with operating instructions, follow these always. Check if air vents are blocked and maintain a high level of cleanliness on your stove. As a rule, never cover the vent holes at the bottom of the oven with foil.

The weather will be extremely cold sometimes. Whatever you do, don’t use your stove or oven to heat your home. Ovens are not meant to work with their doors open. If anything using the oven to heat your home without making provision for ventilation will only lead to increased CO levels. Don’t be surprised if the occupants of the house complained of breathing complications.

Service your stove or oven when you notice the following:

  • Red or orange flames.
  • Improper lighting on the burner.
  • Production of soot.
  • Increased CO concentrations.

To be sure that your home is CO-free ensure your oven is working efficiently. Providing proper ventilation in the home is also key.

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Improve Air Quality and Safety through a Good Ventilation System

Improve Air Quality and Safety through a Good Ventilation System

chimney liner installationYou have put in a lot of effort to make your home energy-efficient and well insulated. Although that might be good for your heating and cooling bills, it isn’t necessarily good for the indoor air quality in your home. You need a ventilation system to create some kind of exchange of the indoor and outdoor air.

Your home’s ventilation system circulates air in and out of your home apart from ensuring that the air keeps moving all over your home. Improving the air quality in your home requires a good ventilation system. If you already have a ventilation system in place, you can do the following to improve it:

Adding chimney liner to the old chimney system

It is the recommendation of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) that you inspect your chimney yearly. That’s especially if you burn solid fuels such as coal, wood, and pellets. The same goes if you use your chimney to vent oil or gas-fired water heaters and furnaces. Over time, the byproducts from the combustion make the inner surface of the flue to deteriorate over time. you may have back draft of carbon monoxide gases.

There are a number of reasons why you might want to reline your chimney. Top among this is the fact that it wasn’t built with a flue liner and, therefore, lacks a smooth and seamless surface that also acts as insulation. You might also want to reline your chimney because the flue is defective. Of course, with time, flue liners tend to deteriorate due to cracks in tiles and erosion of masonry joints between bricks and stones by combustion gases. That might lead to poor air quality inside your home.

Relining can be done in the following ways:

  • Reconstructing clay tile flues using new clay tile liners.
  • Reinforcing the chimney and creating new flues using poured cement liners.
  • Relining the existing flues and running new ones with metal flue liners.

The choice method you eventually go for depends on the specific reason for which you have a chimney. Also, consider whether you have a water heater or furnace.

Venting combustible gases from water heater and furnaces

There are a number of people who have the heater or water boilers= fired by gas, propane, kerosene, and oil. If you are one of them, then you have combustible gases being produced in your home. These might appear either as smoke or as invisible gases that should be vented out through a vent pipe or chimney. However, when they escape into your home, they may cause some health as well as other concerns.

Combustible gases should be kept away from the water heater and furnace. This is because these gases, no matter how small their quantity is, can cause serious or tragic results. Heat generated from your appliances can ignite the combustible gases and cause a fire. Also, combustible gases may contain a number of toxins such as carbon monoxide.

That’s why you should ensure that your ventilation system is working properly. How else will you be sure you are living in a safe home?

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Most old rusty HVAC System have Hi Carbon Monoxide Level

Most old rusty HVAC System have Hi Carbon Monoxide level

old chimney systemThere is a colorless, tasteless, and odorless gas that is produced in your home when fuels such as wood, coal, charcoal, natural gas, gasoline, and kerosene fail to burn completely. It is known as carbon monoxide (CO). Lack of oxygen or a disruption in the burning process is the major reason why this poisonous gas is produced.

Any home appliances that use fuel are the major sources of carbon monoxide. One big culprit is the heating system in your home. Don’t trust it completely, even if it is still new. A malfunctioning air conditioning system can be the cause of poor air quality in your home. You might end up with carbon monoxide poisoning for you or your family members.

Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning

Many people are easy to brush off the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. Mild exposure leads to headaches, nausea, and fatigue. People who have undergone medium exposure to carbon monoxide complain of drowsiness, confusion, disorientation, and increased heart rate. When the exposure is extreme, it will result in convulsions, unconsciousness, cardio-respiratory failure, coma, and possibly death.

How does the HVAC system cause carbon monoxide poisoning?

The University of Rochester Medical Center suggests that the heaters in your home can release carbon monoxide into your home. In fact, many of the carbon monoxide leaks in the home arise from heating and ventilation systems problems.

Hi Carbon monoxide level from your heating system arise when the combustion of fuels is incomplete. This is common in aged or corroded HVAC systems which have holes in their burners resulting in incomplete combustion. The result it the production of carbon monoxide. Thus as warm air flows throughout your home, it brings with it the deadly gas. That’s why you need to talk to your HVAC service company to help you nip the problem in the bud.

HVAC carbon monoxide safety tips

It has already been established that your HVAC system is a major culprit when it comes to carbon monoxide leaks. Here are some HVAC safety tips:

Regular furnace maintenance buy Daniels HVAC company

Before the onset of the cold season, ensure your HVAC system is checked by a professional. Things to check include the furnace, vents, chimneys, fireplaces, and other fuel burning equipment. Address any problems detected before they result in a carbon monoxide leak.

Inspecting heat exchangers

Ensure that visits by the furnace maintenance crew include inspection of the heat exchanger. That’s because many causes of carbon monoxide leaks come from failed or leaking heat exchangers in your oil or gas furnace. Of course, the heat exchanger is the exhaust system of your HVAC setup. That’s why you need to ensure the carbon monoxide produced from your HVAC system is exhausted from your heating system. Seal off any cracks or holes in the heat exchangers. Maybe just replace the old one for a brand new one.

Cleaning vents and flues

When the vents, chimneys or flues in your home are blocked, they can lead to the buildup of carbon monoxide in your home. The reason you have ventilation is so that poisonous gases can move out of your home. That’s why you need to remove any debris and dust that might have accumulated over the years.

The takeaway from this is that you must ensure your HVAC system is properly maintained.

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