Month: August 2021

Summertime heat in Odessa and Midland, coupled with the increased rain we’ve had, means you’re likely spending a lot of time inside. You go from your air-conditioned home to your air-conditioned car to your air-conditioned job. With all the time we spend indoors, you see just how important indoor air quality can be. So many factors can impact your air, it can sometimes be tough to tell its quality. In this post, we’ll take a look at some testing easy ways to test your air, what to look for, and how City Plumbing can help improve your air quality.

TYPES OF CONTAMINANTS TO TEST FOR

There are many ways you can measure indoor air quality. The EPA offers a few tips on what to look for. An important fact to remember is that many air quality kits search for specific contaminants, and aren’t necessarily testing overall air quality. With that in mind, you should consider the possible causes of pollution that could be impacting your home.

• Allergy sufferers know the impact of poor air quality all too well. Testing for pollen, mold, and dust could explain sneezing, water eyes, and even asthma symptoms. Biological tests can check for these and many more pollutants.
• Chemicals can be a danger to your air quality as well. Harsh cleaning products, paint, or even older homes with lead-based paint. Fumes from these products can make you feel nauseous or dizzy if not used with proper ventilation.
• Cigarette smoke, even if it’s secondhand, can create an unhealthy environment indoors. Similarly, carbon monoxide can lead to fatigue, nausea, and even death. These combustion contaminants can be detected by air quality testing.

 

TAKE THE TEST

Once you have determined what you’d like to test for, you can purchase an air quality test kit online. Most will come with step-by-step instructions. The final step is sending the test back and waiting for the results. Most testing companies will provide a detailed report about your air quality within a relatively quick period of time.

TREAT THE AIR

If you have poor air quality or want to avoid these tests completely, there are a few things you can do. If you have the opportunity, you should remove contaminant sources as much as possible. This would include limiting smoking or the use of harsh chemicals to outdoors, or areas that are extremely well ventilated. You should also regularly change your air filters and make sure ventilation throughout your home is in good working order.

WE’LL COME RUNNING

City Plumbing does more than just plumbing! We offer a variety of HVAC services, including the installation and service of air purification products such as the Bryant Evolution Air Purifier and RFG HALO-LED Whole Home In-Duct Air Purifier. These products will help maintain the air quality in your home, which helps keep you safe and healthy! Make an appointment online today, or call us at 432-366-2401. Give us a call, and we’ll come running!

HVAC Maintenance is important as we’re in the midst of another hot West Texas summer. If you want to stay comfortable in your home, it’s likely you’ve got the A/C running almost constantly. Unfortunately, pushing your system to the max can be really hard on the equipment. That’s why it’s critical to maintain regular maintenance to ensure long life. While it is important for a professional to regularly maintain your HVAC system, there are a few things you can do in between checkups to keep your system strong.

CHANGING FILTERS

You’ve probably heard “change the air filters” before, so let me give you a few specifics. First of all, you should check your filters once a month. That doesn’t mean you need to actually change them once a month; just check and see if they need replacement. If they’re clogged, that means your HVAC is working harder to allow air through. Replacing a dirty filter or cleaning a reusable one can save you between 5 and 15% a month on electric bills.

CLEANING THE DRAIN LINE

When your A/C takes moisture out of the air, those droplets accumulate, then are removed from your home via a condensate drain line. These lines can become clogged – which can lead to major problems, including water damage in your attic. In many cases, the clogs are simply the result of mold and mildew that accumulates over time. These can be cleaned using a bleach solution and a long brush. Be sure to flush the line out with pure water to avoid any corrosion.

Pro tip: The drain pan underneath your HVAC unit will tell you if there’s a clog in your drain line. It means water isn’t successfully passing through the line. Make sure the pan is completely dry to ensure your drain line is clear!

CLEAR A PATH

Your exterior a/c, or condenser, unit needs to breathe. If it’s in your yard, make sure there aren’t weeds, brush, or tall grass surrounding it. Give it at least three feet on all sides to ensure the unit doesn’t overheat.

WE’LL COME RUNNING

These are things that you could do on your own to help maintain your HVAC and keep it going strong and running efficiently. The best thing you can do is have your unit professionally maintained in the spring and fall each year. City Plumbing is still running our Spring Clean and Check, which includes a complete inspection, cleaning, and calibration of your unit for only $89.99. You can make an appointment online or call us at 432-366-2401. Give us a call, and we’ll come running!