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Category: indoor air quality

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indoor air quality

4 Reasons You Need an Air Purifier

air purifier

It seems we are spending more time at home than ever before thanks to quarantines and working from home. You may think that you are living a healthier lifestyle at home away from all the outdoor pollutants, but that is actually not the case. The air we breathe indoors can be up to five times more polluted than the air outdoors, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Fortunately, the small but mighty air purifier can improve the quality of the air you breathe in your home. Let’s take a look at a few air purifier benefits that help provide cleaner, healthier air.

They Protect You From Airborne Diseases

If you have multiple people living in your home, you are all breathing the same air. If one of them is sick with a virus, like a cold or flu, then those pathogens are spread around your home through the air. Luckily, air purifiers with HEPA filters fight these viruses and bacteria and can keep you from getting sick. Children, the elderly, or those with autoimmune diseases can especially benefit from air purifiers since they need to be protected from these pathogens the most. 

They Can Help Alleviate Asthma and Allergy Symptoms

There is a multitude of pollutants that can trigger asthma and allergy symptoms. Some of the most common ones in the typical household include dust, pollen, and pet dander. If you suffer from asthma or seasonal allergies, then an air purifier can greatly reduce your symptoms by eliminating these triggering pollutants in your home. Without these symptoms, you can enjoy improved sleep and a better quality of life. 

They Combat Unwanted Smells and Odors

Due to everyday tasks that we do indoors, our homes can start to pick up certain smells. Simple things, like cooking and running gas appliances, can produce unpleasant and sometimes dangerous odors. With an air purifier, you no longer have to worry about these displeasing smells. The machine will absorb the airborne particles and release fresh, odorless air for you to enjoy. 

They Decrease Dust Accumulation

Dust is created by an accumulation of hundreds of particles from both indoors and outdoors. Sometimes, it seems like the dust in your home is never-ending. When you have an air purifier running in your home, it will trap the particles that eventually become dust, leaving you with a cleaner home.  

Indoor Air Quality Products at Clay’s Climate Control

Now that you are familiar with some of the most common air purifier benefits, you may be wondering where you can purchase one for your home. At Clay’s Climate Control, we supply and install air filtration systems, air decontaminating UV lamps, air purifiers, and other indoor air quality products from the industry’s leading manufacturers. If you are interested in improving the quality of air in your home and living a healthier lifestyle, contact Clay’s Climate Control today at (609) 916-1106 to learn more about our advanced indoor air quality products. 

Categories
indoor air quality

How Humidity Damages Your Home

How Humidity Can Damage Your Home
Photo credit: Shutterstock

 

The hot, humid summer days of summer are almost here. While we all love these warm, sunny days, we could all do without the extreme humidity levels. High humidity is not only uncomfortable, but it can also damage your home. The moisture and condensation that is left from high humidity can create lasting damage to your home. Today we’re looking at how humidity affects your home. 

 

Mold and Mildew

Once the water vapor from the humidity settles, mold and mildew will start to grow on surfaces. You can usually spot mildew in your house on things like a shower curtain or bathroom tiles. Mold in your home can be detected by its dark black or green coloring. Not only do the two affect your health, but they can also damage different parts of your home. 

 

It seems that the walls of your home are mold and mildew’s favorite spots to appear. The fungi can start to eat away at your paint or wallpaper if not dealt with correctly. Look out for signs such as paint that is flaking or wallpaper that is beginning to curl at the ends. 

 

Unfortunately, one of the most common building materials for furniture and floors is also affected. High humidity can target wood since the material will swell when exposed to excess moisture. If the humidity is not dealt with properly, stains and growths will start to appear on wood and can even lead to permanent damage. 

 

Humidity Level to Prevent Mold

Now, before you start panicking and Googling ‘mildew in my house’ or ‘mold in my home,’ let’s go over some simple solutions to prevent mold and mildew from growing. The key is to regulate the humidity levels to prevent mold and mildew in your home. One way to do this is by creating proper ventilation in certain rooms in your home. Ventilation in rooms like the kitchen and laundry room is important because doing things like cooking and washing clothes can cause an excess of moisture. Cracking a window when performing these tasks or using a ventilation hood in the kitchen can be a great way to get rid of the humidity. Second, you should always use air conditioning on days that are particularly humid instead of opening all your windows. If this is not possible for you, a dehumidifier can also be a great option to filter out humidity and moisture. 

 

Indoor Air Quality Products

Now that you know the signs of humidity damage and some tips on how to prevent it, let’s look at some products that will keep the air you breathe as clean as possible. If you want to take humidity damage prevention a step further, then Clay’s Climate Control has the home humidity prevention products just for you! Clay’s has everything from dehumidifiers to air purifiers to WiFi thermostats, all to make sure you, your family, and your home are as healthy as possible. Give the humidity experts at Clay’s Climate Control a call today at 609-916-1106 to get cleaner, healthier air!

Categories
air conditioning efficiency HVAC indoor air quality

Why You Should Go Ductless This Summer

Going Ductless Benefits

Sure, we all love posting our throwback posts, feeling nostalgic with record players and driving classic cars, but when it comes to your HVAC system, you don’t want to stick with the “old school” systems. Not only are they lacking in efficiency, but they’re also becoming money pits AND having negative impacts on the environment — this is why ductless systems are all the rage! The experts at Clay’s Climate Control are here with five reasons to go ductless this summer, so you can leave the nostalgia for other things and reap the benefits of this latest innovation today.

Get More Solutions with Less Work 

Unlike old school heat pumps and air conditioning systems — which cool and heat a home through air ducts — ductless heating and cooling systems send room-to-room cool or warm air straight out into specific zones. Because ductless heating and cooling systems consist of small outdoor units and one or more indoor units, all they require for installation are mounting areas and easy access to electricity. Thanks to their flexibility, one of the many benefits of ductless HVAC systems is that they can quickly, easily and affordably be installed, so you can finally replace that window unit, space heater or electric baseboard heater. Plus, because they cool and warm a specific zone, they can also be utilized by any home or business space, no matter the size.

Save Money Without Sacrificing Comfort 

Perhaps one of the best benefits of a ductless HVAC system is its money-saving benefit. Home’s that depend on a system that is not energy-efficient experience high utility bills — this is because their inefficient system has to work so much harder to achieve the temperature the homeowner or business owner is hoping to achieve. In contrast, ductless systems are the most affordable HVAC systems! Why? Well, not only are they smaller than old school systems, but they also deliver room-to-room temperature, which means no cooling or heating benefits are lost, and you’ll have the freedom to just warm or cool the rooms you’re currently occupying. In addition to their money-saving benefits, those who install them are eligible to receive a tax credit or utility rebate for the year of the installation. 

Enjoy Better Indoor Air Quality at Home

More often than not, indoor air quality (IAQ) is often worse than outdoor air quality, and due to the current climate of today’s world, air quality has never been more important than it is right now. If you have an old school HVAC system, the air ducts need to be routinely cleaned and maintained by an HVAC professional. If they haven’t been, all of the contaminants that fill up the air ducts are being blown into your home/business, leading to poor IAQ. When it comes to a ductless system, you’ll get to enjoy less maintenance AND a noticeable decrease in the dust, bacteria, pollen and other contaminants that circulate through your air at home or at work. 

Installation is Quick and Easy 

When you had your current system installed, do you remember how long it took? Chances are it took several weeks and the project probably interrupted your everyday life activities, making it a nuisance. Fortunately, another benefit of a ductless HVAC system is that it is significantly easier to install — in fact, most can be installed, operated and enjoyed within just one day! Plus, mini-split systems typically only require small holes to fit pipes into, so you won’t have to worry about having to rebuild a wall or area of your ceiling. 

Increase Comfort While Reducing Your Carbon Footprint

Not only are ductless systems the most affordable HVAC systems, but they’re also the most eco-friendly! These systems adhere to ENERGY STAR guidelines —  a program run by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to promote energy efficiency — and utilize a refrigerant known as R410A. This particular refrigerant is best known for having zero depletion effects on the earth’s ozone layer. so when you have one installed, you won’t just be helping your home/business and bottomline — you’ll also be reducing your carbon footprint and helping the environment. ductless mini split system

Now that you know five reasons to go ductless this summer, contact the team at Clay’s Climate Control today! We proudly work with Mitsubishi Electric Cooling & Heating — a leader in innovation and design — which means that you will get the highest quality of home heating and cooling solutions possible. Contact us today!

Categories
efficiency indoor air quality

Air Quality Q & A: You Have Questions About Air Quality, We Have Answers

air quality frequently asked questions

Air pollutants, such as carbon monoxide, cigarette smoke, fossil fuels etc., have long been a concern to many people, but the COVID-19 pandemic has opened even more eyes to the impact that air can have on people’s lives. Although many of us are actively protecting ourselves right now from the air while we’re outside — and cleaning our hands excessively — not everyone is thinking about cleaning the air in their home after they’ve come back inside. While we’re not saying this is making you more susceptible to developing COVID-19, the air quality in your home can make you more susceptible to other health issues, such as asthma, congestion, nosebleeds, headaches and more. If the coronavirus pandemic has sparked questions about air quality in your home — and how to improve it — the experts at Clay’s Climate Control are here with answers to the common questions about air quality and how air cleaners can help. 

Q: How does an air cleaner work?

A: Everyday, irritants such pollen, dust and other allergy-causing contaminants circulate through the air in your home, but air cleaners have the ability to filter these particles out. With that being said, an air cleaner can only capture the particles that are floating through the air and pass through the air cleaner, meaning that, for example, it will not eliminate dust that is covering furniture. However, a high-quality air cleaner will:

  • Get rid of allergy-causing particles that go through the air cleaner
  • Operate efficiently and consistently
  • Operate affordably 
  • Handle large volumes of air easily 

It’s important to note that air quality — specifically bacteria, mold and viruses — thrive in humid environments. With the humid weather of summer around the corner, an air cleaner will drastically decrease the risk of these contaminants thriving in your home. 

 

Q: How do air cleaners help with allergies?

A: If you or someone you know suffers from allergies, more often than not, a doctor will state that one of the best treatments is to get rid of the allergen. When you incorporate an air cleaner into your home, you will be able to successfully reduce the amount of allergy-causing contaminants in the air, if not remove them altogether. Whether you choose a portable air cleaner for a small bedroom or a whole-house air cleaner for a larger space, you will see — and feel! — a noticeable improvement in your allergy symptoms. 

 

Q: What are the different types of air cleaners?

A: When it comes to residential air cleaners, there are two different types:

  1. Whole-house units that are furnace-mounted
  2. Portable units for single room use

Within these two types, there are a variety of models with different air cleaning methods, which is why it’s best to first consider your living situation. For instance, if you live in an apartment, a portable air cleaner may be adequate; if you live in a home, you may want to opt for a whole-house unit. 

We hope that our air quality Q & A was helpful, but if you have any additional questions — or would like to schedule an air cleaner installation appointment with us — please don’t hesitate to contact Clay’s Climate Control!

Categories
HVAC indoor air quality

4 Natural Ways to Supplement Your Air Purifier System

As a family-owned company, we want your home to have the best indoor air quality, so you and your loved ones can breathe healthy air. While our air cleaner, air purifier, humidifier and dehumidifier products will remove dust, particulates, and contaminants—and give you healthy air—these 4 natural products are a great way to complement our indoor air quality products!

Himalayan Salt Lamps—The Only Time It’s Good to Be Salty

Loaded up with 84 different minerals, pink Himalayan salt is believed to have powerful health benefits, all of which are released into the air when this lamp is turned on. Once heated, this lamp will release ions into the air, neutralizing pollutants and leaving you with cleaner air. Plus, the mellow glow that this lamp gives off will make for a perfect night light, for you or your kids!

Beeswax Candles Are Something to Buzz About

Candles have a way of creating a mellow environment, but because paraffin candles are made from petroleum, these types of candles aren’t benefiting the air you breathe. If you want to improve your home’s air quality, it’s best to opt for beeswax candles. Similar to pink Himalayan salt lamps, these candles emit negative ions into the air and remove allergens such as dust and dander, making them a great natural option for those suffering from asthma or allergies.

Don’t Say “Boo” to Bamboo Charcoal—Say “Yay!”

If you use a water purifier, then you know the power of charcoal! Just like your water filters—which are filled with charcoal—remove toxins from the water you drink, bamboo charcoal will do the same thing for your home’s air. Thanks to Moso air purifying bags, you can easily incorporate the powerful effects of charcoal into your home. Simply set up the bag, turn on your air purifier, and this dynamic duo will remove bacteria, absorb moisture, and prevent mold—and that’s something to breathe easy about.

Help Healthy Air Quality Flourish With Houseplants

Remember in science class when you learned how plants capture carbon dioxide and release clean oxygen? Well, certain plants also have the power to capture other toxic substances, such as benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene. However, all plants aren’t created equally, so to improve your air quality the most, it’s best to incorporate Bamboo Palm, Boston Fern, Golden Pothos, Lady Palm, and Peace Lily plants into your home’s decor.

Are you ready to stop breathing in dust, contaminants, and pollutants and start breathing in clean and healthy air? From relieving congestion to alleviating asthma symptoms, our indoor air quality products can help improve your home’s air quality AND your health. Contact us today to schedule an indoor air quality product installation!

Categories
indoor air quality

5 Tips for Choosing a Dehumidifier

Now that summer is here, it is important that you maintain a proper humidity level in your home. Too little humidity can cause some discomfort, such as chapped lips and cracks in your wooden furniture; the opposite brings too much moisture and can make your home a breeding ground for mold and mildew. That being said, a dehumidifier can help you to remedy any problems!

Before you can know the benefits of a dehumidifier, you need to know what they do. A dehumidifier reduces the level of humidity in the air to leave the environment feeling more comfortable and ultimately, healthier. They pull warm, moist air into the unit and chill it against coils containing a liquid coolant. The moisture that condenses out of the air is captured; then, the dry air is sent back out into the room.

Before selecting a dehumidifier, make sure you consider the following:

  1. Room Size – Dehumidifiers are usually rated according to how many pints of water they can remove from the air per day and how many square feet they can keep dry. Therefore, knowing the square footage of the room (length x width) can provide a close estimate of what dehumidifier you’ll need. Be careful though! If the square footage of your space is near the top end of a dehumidifier’s capacity, you will want to get the next size up.
  2. Humidity Levels – If you live in a humid climate, or if your space has a particularly high level of moisture, a standard dehumidifier may not be able to function adequately. Instead, look for a high-capacity unit built to operate more often than normal. This way, you can ensure that you don’t have to worry about moisture and mildew problems in the future.
  3. Room Temperature – Most dehumidifiers operate best at standard room temperatures. If your space is usually on the cold side, a standard dehumidifier may not function properly and could suffer damage early on. Instead, to avoid any problems, look for a dehumidifier that can handle colder temperatures.
  4. Energy Consumption – Dehumidifiers are great for keeping your energy costs to a minimum, but only if you do research and buy the proper unit. By purchasing a properly sized, energy-efficient unit and ensuring that it operates and is maintained as directed by the manufacturer, you’ll properly filter your space.
  5. Operation – A dehumidifier should be plugged into a grounded outlet and have at least a foot of space around it while in use. Be prepared to check the water level in the tank daily at first to determine how quickly it fills up. Then, clean the water tank at least once a month with a mild detergent. Just make sure to always unplug the unit before any inspections or servicing!

If you’d like more information about dehumidifiers, or other ways to improve your indoor air quality, please feel free to contact Clay’s Climate Control today!

Categories
indoor air quality

IAQ Tips for Pet Owners

We all love our furry family members dearly! However, if you live with pets, there are a few things to be aware of regarding how to maintain excellent indoor air quality within your home. Here are a few tips to help keep your home healthy and pet friendly. These tips will not only keep your home free of airborne pollutants, but will also keep your HVAC system running great all year long!

  • Have your HVAC system serviced: An easy way to ensure your family and pets are living in a healthy home is to get regular maintenance checks on your HVAC system from a professional HVAC company. With regular maintenance, your HVAC professional will be able to determine if your HVAC system is running optimally, and will be able to help you fix it if it’s not. Additionally, regular maintenance checks can catch small problems before they turn in to much larger ones.
  • Check your air filter once a month. You should inspect your systems air filter once a month and replace it if it appears dirty – like with pet hair, fur instance! If the filter is noticeably gray in color and you can see dirt and build up on the filter then you will need to replace it. This will not only improve the indoor air quality of your home, but also make your HVAC system more efficient. Quick Tip: Air filters such as HEPA filters are made especially for pet friendly homes, and will prevent hair and dander from blocking your filter!
  • Keep your home clean: As most pet owners know, a routine deep cleaning of your home becomes a necessity when our furry friends are running around, outside the house and inside, all day – or maybe just walking, for pets that are older! Be sure to vacuum regularly, and dust often in order to keep debris, dander, and pet hair to a minimum in your home.
  • Consider installing an air purifier or air scrubber: Pet dander often stays in the air for several hours before it settles down on your carpets, clothing, and furniture. This can negatively impact your indoor air quality and contribute to your allergy symptoms. Installing an air purifier or air scrubber will help remove these impurities from the air. Added Bonus: having an air purifier/air scrubber installed can also remove pet odors!

Don’t let pet dander cause you and your family to suffer from poor indoor air quality. If you’d like more information on ways to improve your air quality while keeping your pets at home, contact Clay’s Climate Control today.

Categories
indoor air quality

Steam Humidifier FAQs

Clay’s Climate Control is dedicated to providing superior indoor air quality solutions and serving our customers to the highest degree. With that goal in mind, we have compiled a list of FAQs to provide you with quick answers to common questions about steam humidifiers.

  • What is a steam humidifier?

Steam humidifiers help make dry air more comfortable by releasing moisture into the air and can be installed to humidify your whole home. It adds humidity to the air by heating water electrically until it boils to create humidity in the form of steam even if the furnace isn’t on. Adding humidity to your indoor air in the winter has many benefits including health benefits and energy savings. Steam humidifiers offer the fastest and most efficient way of increasing and maintaining the appropriate and comfortable level of humidity in your home.

  • What is the ideal humidity level I should maintain?

A comfortable humidity level in your home typically measures between 30% and 50%. Humidity levels that measure above 50% create a breeding ground for mold, bacteria, dust mites, and other bacteria. Humidity levels that measure below 30% can lead to uncomfortable respiratory symptoms and increases the likelihood that cold and flu viruses will spread. Air that is too dry can also cause damage to your home’s foundation. To avoid the problems of too little or too high of humidity, it is recommended that you maintain a humidity level of between 45% and 50%.

  • How much energy does a steam humidifier use?

It’s difficult to predict how much an impact that a humidifier will have on your monthly energy bill, and it depends on a variety of factors including the type of humidifier you’re using, speed settings, and the number of hours that it is on each day. Be sure to compare the efficiency of different models, and please be sure to give us a call if you have any questions!

Our team of professional HVAC technicians here at Clay’s Climate Control is always happy to help when it comes to keeping you and your family comfortable. All you have to do is make the call, and we’ll handle it all!

Categories
indoor air quality

House at the Shore? Here’s what you should know about Dehumidification

If you own or rent a house in South Jersey including Egg Harbor Township, Northfield, and surrounding areas of the NJ Shore region, humidity is an important concern. Humidity in your home can cause a great amount of discomfort during the scorching heat in the summer months. Even worse, humidity in your home can also cause serious health hazards because of the excessive moisture in the air.

Moisture allows mold and rot to grow and flourish, which poses significant health risks when you’re breathing in that air. Your air conditioning will work persistently to reduce your humidity to a more comfortable level, but there’s an additional step you can take to reduce the amount of humidity in the air: get a dehumidifier.

A dehumidifier removes the moisture from the air inside your home, eliminating the risk for mold to grow and increases indoor air quality. By dehumidifying the air, you make the conditions of your home feel cooler. Therefore, you can increase the temperature of your AC and save money.

Here are some additional benefits of installing a dehumidifier in your home:

  • It will reduce odor, musty and rusty smells caused by mold and mildew.
  • It helps you to breathe in clean air easier by eliminating the irritation of the respiratory system and skin.
  • High humidity in a home makes your air conditioner work harder because it has the double function of cooling and removing moisture. This will increase your energy bill because the harder your air conditioner works the more energy it consumes.

If you’re ready to eliminate high indoor humidity and improve indoor comfort, give us a call today to schedule a consultation!

Categories
indoor air quality

Can the Air in my House Make me Ill?

People spend most of their lives inside of their homes, so clean indoor air is extremely important for everyday health. Purifying the air in your home requires a dynamic, multi-faceted approach that is unique to each household. Here at Clay’s Climate Control, we offer air purifier installations. Air purifier systems filter the air in your home removing all airborne particles like pollens, dust and cleaning supplies. This investment will greatly improve your indoor air quality and will keep you from constantly rubbing your eyes.

There are a few different ways that the air in your home can be making you sick. By addressing these three signs, you can ensure a healthy living space where you’ll love spending your time.

  1. Check your heating and cooling systems – Your HVAC system is probably the biggest culprit of spreading pollutants in your home. When your air conditioning cools your home, it leaves traces of water in the ducts that become the perfect breeding ground for mold and other bacteria. This can be the cause of respiratory issues such as asthma, allergies, and coughing. Although this doesn’t happen to everyone, some members of your family may become symptomatic. In order to avoid this happening, you should have your ducts professionally cleaned at least every couple of years.
  2. High humidity – A house with high humidity levels can attract mold and let it spread easily. Levels of high humidity can also affect the drywall in your home and create an environment where mold spreads behind the walls. Certain species of mold can cause serious health issues, so you want to be sure to lower the humidity in your home. You can do this by running vents when showering and cooking, or purchase a dehumidifier to extract some of the moisture out of the air. Low humidity can also cause problems such as bacteria, viruses, respiratory infections, allergies and ozone production as well. We offer humidifiers to help with that.
  3. Tightly sealed homes – The air in our home needs to be ventilated so that the toxins inside our homes are filtered out by fresh outdoor air. The air we exhale and the gas our appliances give off can potentially cause a huge health problem for you and your family. By simply opening a window or a door, you can get some natural ventilation and remove the toxins in the air from your home.

If you want cleaner, healthier indoor air, Clay’s Climate Control services installs the latest air filtration systems, purification systems, and dehumidifiers. Give us a call today and start breathing easier!