Posts Tagged ‘Indoor Air Quality’

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Phoenix Heating Tip: How Heating Affects Indoor Air Quality in Your Home or Business

Monday, December 10th, 2012

Do you feel that heating your Phoenix area home or business compromises the indoor air quality in every winter? While there are many effects on the air quality inside your home or office throughout the winter, you can remedy these issues with a few tips and indoor air quality system choices. The indoor air quality experts at Norris Air Inc. are here to help with a few of these tips and ways to alleviate these issues.

It’s important to know which symptoms are most troublesome to you. Here are a few potential effects of dry air inside the home or office:

  • Dry skin
  • Sinus issues
  • Respiratory problems
  • Damage to furnishings

Installing a whole-house humidifier is one way to prevent air that gets dried out by the heat in the winter. While you may not be ready to invest in one of these systems, it will pay off in the long run, especially compared to room humidifiers. A humidifier attached to your heating system maintains proper moisture control throughout your home or office building. Proper moisture control is important for several reasons. First, it helps to prevent mold growth, but it also prevents excess wear and tear on your heater due to the dry air feeling colder.

Installing a room humidifier will not provide the correct amount of moisture to the air. The other advantage to a whole-home humidifier is that it can also be plumbed directly into your plumbing system so that you don’t have to worry about constantly refilling a tank.

Contact the Phoenix heating experts at Norris Air Inc. to learn more about indoor air quality when heating your home or office this winter!

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Improve Efficiency and Indoor Air Quality with Air Cleaners in Phoenix

Monday, November 5th, 2012

At Norris Air, Inc. we know that the quality of the air that you breathe in your Phoenix home is just as important to your comfort as the temperature of that air. That’s why we would like to share some information with you about the benefits that a high-quality air cleaner can present to your home. Not only can you improve the quality of air in your home with the addition of an air cleaner, you can actually increase the efficiency of your heating and air conditioning systems.

There are two basic types of air cleaners available for installation in your home: mechanical filters and electronic air cleaners. Which is most appropriate for your home depends on the unique conditions in your home as well as your personal air quality goals. Most will agree, though, that the best way to clean your air and improve energy efficiency is to use a combination of air cleaning techniques.

Mechanical air filters are the simplest way to remove unwanted pollutants such as dust, dirt and dander from the air in your home. They are installed in your HVAC system and as air passes through them pollutants are trapped in their filter material. Mechanical air filters’ efficiency levels are rated on the MERV (minimum efficiency reporting value) scale, which ranges from 1 – 20. The higher the MERV the more effective the filter is, with HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filters having a MERV of 17-20. Due to the high levels of airflow resistance, though, true HEPA filters are generally not appropriate for residential use.

Electronic air cleaners, such as electrostatic precipitators, use an ionization chamber to give pollutants a static charge as it passes through. This causes the particles to stick to a collection plate which can be cleaned off or, in the case of an ionizer, simply causes them to adhere to the walls and other surfaces in your home, removing them from circulation. UV germicidal lights make a great addition to your air cleaning system, though because they do not remove dirt and debris from the air they are to be used as a supplement, not a replacement, of your air filtration system. These devices use safe levels of UV radiation to destroy biological pollutants such as bacteria and viruses.

Removing these items from the air in your home not only keeps your air clean, it keeps your heating and air conditioning systems clean as well. Keeping the inner components of your HVAC systems clean can help boost energy efficiency in your home. It really is a win-win situation. Breathe high-quality air while potentially paying less to keep your Phoenix home comfortable. If this sounds like something you are interested in, call Norris Air, Inc. today for more information about the air cleaners available in your area.

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Phoenix Indoor Air Quality Tip: Types of Air Filters

Monday, October 29th, 2012

If you’re thinking about putting in a whole house air quality control system, there are many different questions to consider. Chief among them might be what kind of air filter is best for your home. There are lots of products on the market for different residential applications. Depending upon what kind of heating and air conditioning system you have, there are a number of options available. If you have any questions about which air filter is right for your home in Phoenix, call the experts at Norris Air, Inc.

Types of Pollutants

Before we talk about air filters, it’s probably a good idea to talk about the pollutants that they remove from your air supply. Indoor air pollutants are classified into two categories: particulate matter and gaseous.

  • Particulate Matter – This encompasses particles like pollen, bacteria, viruses, dust, tobacco smoke and pet dander.
  • Gaseous Pollutants – This category includes combustion fumes from indoor appliances like stoves, water heaters and vehicle exhaust. It also includes fumes from paint, varnishes, pesticides, adhesives and cleaning products.

Contaminant Removal

Mechanical air filters and electronic air cleaners are two types of filters that actually remove pollutants from your air supply.

  • Mechanical filters – These types of filters use a dense material like glass fibers to trap particles. These filters are rated based on the size of particles they can filter. HEPA filters, which are not normally installed in homes, are in this category.
  • Electronic filters – These types of filters use electrostatic attraction, similar to static electricity, to attract particles and contaminates to a collector plate.

Contaminant Destruction

This technology uses ultra-violet light to actually destroy different kinds of pollutants. Ultra-violet germicidal irradiation systems (UVGI), target biological pollutants like bacteria, mold spores and viruses.

Installation

Mechanical and electronic air cleaners are typically installed in-duct. They sit inside your air handler or in your ducts and filter the air as it moves through. UVGI systems are also installed in-duct, usually after a filter.

If you have questions or concerns about the indoor air quality in your home in Phoenix, call the professionals at  Norris Air, Inc. We can talk with you and help you figure out the best way to get cleaner air in your home.

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Phoenix Air Quality Tip: Problems Caused by Dust

Monday, October 15th, 2012

Dust is a nuisance. Keeping up with sweeping and vacuuming can help reduce dust levels in your Phoenix home, but it doesn’t take long for dust to accumulate again. Here are some common problems and a few preventive measures regarding dust in your home.

Common Problems Caused by Dust

  • Heating and Air Conditioning Inefficiency: It’s easy to spot dust on the floor and surfaces in your home. As your heating and air conditioning system operates it is circulating and filtering air, meaning that dust in that air passing through your system. Some of that dust is trapped on the air filters in this system. As it accumulates dust can restrict the flow of air through the air filters, causing your system to work harder for the same – or weaker – performance. This decreases efficiency and can drive up the cost of operation.
  • Problems with Coils: Your air conditioner has condenser coils that allow it to convert hot gas back to liquid form during the cooling process. Dust and dirt accumulation can seriously affect the performance of these coils. If they are dirty enough they can actually fail to convert this gas back to liquid form, which in turn can cause a number of problems. Your air conditioner will work inefficiently, and may even run without cooling the air at all. Eventually it can overheat and break down. The evaporator coil can also freeze and ice over if airflow is restricted.
  • Poor Air Quality: Dust on the floor is bad enough, but when that dust and other debris are mixed up in the air that you breathe it can seriously reduce indoor air quality. Residents with allergy symptoms may notice that they are aggravated, and even those without these symptoms will likely notice some level of discomfort with dusty air. Electronic devices can also suffer from the presence of dust in the air.

Solutions

  • Air Filtration Systems: A good quality air filtration system can remove much of the dust and allergens from the air in your home. A professional installation will ensure proper operation and maximum efficiency from your air filters and cleaners. Call Norris Air with any questions you have about air filtration.
  • Change Heating and Air Conditioning Filters: Don’t put the performance of your heater or AC at risk. Be sure to replace filters regularly. Your system can function efficiently if you have restricted air flow.

For more information on the problems dust can cause and possible solutions, call Norris Air, Inc.. We’re happy to help you improve comfort and air quality in your home.

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Phoenix Air Quality Guide: Air Filtration Options

Monday, October 8th, 2012

Maintaining comfortable temperatures in your home is important, but just as important to your comfort is maintaining the highest air quality possible. There are a number of home filtration options which, paired with a quality heating and cooling system, can help keep the air in your home comfortable, clean, and of the quality you deserve. Here are a few examples of air filtration options available for your Phoenix home. If you’re interested about the installation of any of these devices, call the air quality professionals at Norris Air for more information.

  • Mechanical air filters: Mechanical air filters are one of the simplest yet most effective ways to remove pollutants from the air in your home. They are installed into the ductwork of your heating and cooling system, and as air passes through them they trap pollutants in a filtering material. Their efficiency is measured on the MERV (minimum efficiency reporting value scale) which ranges from 1-20. The higher the MERV rating the more trapping power they have, though the highest rated mechanical air filters create too much airflow resistance for residential use.
  • Electronic air cleaners: These devices, including electrostatic precipitators and ionizers, use electrostatic attraction to trap pollutants and particles in your air. Air is pulled through an ionization chamber where it is given an electrical charge. The charged particles trapped on oppositely charged collector plates or are allowed to attach themselves to surfaces in your home, removing them from the air.
  • UV germicidal lights: These devices do not actually filter air. Rather, safe amounts of UV radiation are used to destroy biological pollutants such as bacteria and allergens. UV germicidal lights are a great way to prevent the growth of biological substances within your ducts and to eliminate allergens from your air. However, because they do not filter air but only destroy specific pollutants they should be used as a supplement to a filtration system rather than a replacement.

We hope that this information has been helpful, and feel free to contact the indoor air quality experts at Norris Air for more information.

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Phoenix Air Quality Tip: Benefits of Proper Home Ventilation and Air Filtration

Monday, October 1st, 2012

There are many benefits to having a good ventilation and filtration system installed in your Phoenix home. The most obvious benefit is to the health and comfort of anyone living in that space, but there are a number of others as well, from higher efficiency from your HVAC systems to a better all around environment for your pets, plants and even your furniture. Here are a few things to consider when having your ventilation system worked on or upgraded.

 Health and Well-Being

The number one benefit of a good ventilation and filtration system is general health of the people in your home. Proper ventilation ensures that allergens inside are removed and fresh air from outside is introduced to your home. Proper filtration removes allergens that remain, including pollen, dust, pet dander, mold spores, and much more.

 Other Benefits

There are many benefits to having a good system in place for your ventilation and air quality control. From heating efficiency to health to your furniture and upholstery remaining in good condition, it is a good idea to have both inspected and upgraded when possible.

A good ventilation and air filtration system is a must for your home. Even if no one in your home suffers from allergies or asthma, such a system just makes the home more enjoyable and comfortable to be in. Whether you need a simple upgrade or maintenance on your existing system, it’s a good idea to have your ventilation and filtration systems checked regularly.

For more information about improve the air quality in your Phoenix home, give Norris Air Inc. a call today!

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Phoenix Air Quality Guide: Why You Need Air Filtration

Monday, September 17th, 2012

In recent years, the news media has paid a lot of attention to the air quality in residential homes. Now-infamous studies have been released showing that indoor air quality is often worse than air quality outside. There are any number of reasons for this, but primarily it is because homes are so tightly sealed up to avoid energy loss through the heating and cooling systems.

By adding more insulation and weather stripping to your Phoenix home, you block ventilation and air is allowed to stagnate inside, leading to a buildup of pollutants like dander, dust and pollen. But is it really that bad and how quickly do you need to act on it? Here are a few things to keep in mind about indoor air quality in your Phoenix home and what it can mean for each member of your family.

 The Truth about Your Indoor Air

Air quality inside can be a problem, but most of the time, it is a problem only for those that have existing health conditions like asthma or seasonal allergies. The vast majority of indoor pollutants are things like dust, dander, and pollen.

The real issue with air quality is not that it will make everyone sick (such instances are rare), but that it is simply not very comfortable. Poor air quality can lead to longer colds and flus, feelings of malaise and fatigue, and general discomfort. Simple filtration upgrades and humidity control systems are often all you need to counter such conditions.

Generally speaking, if you are concerned at all about air quality, the first thing you should do is call a Phoenix air quality professional like Norris Air Inc. who can inspect and recommend upgrades for your air quality control system. Just a couple of simple upgrades can go a long way towards improving your quality of life.

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Phoenix Air Quality Tip: How to Reduce Allergens in Your Home

Monday, September 10th, 2012

Dust in houses is the main culprit causing allergic reactions. Some dust will always be present in your Phoenix home, no matter how often or how thoroughly you clean it. But because having clean and fresh air to breathe is so important, especially for asthma and allergy sufferers, it is essential that you know how to reduce the concentration of allergens in your home.

  • Take Some Precautionary Measures

Keeping your home clean can help reduce the likelihood of long term dust build up. Wash your bed linens, clothes and towels at least once a week. Use the vacuum cleaner to clean your carpet, mattresses and couches. Avoid smoking indoors. Use hot water to clean laundry so that you can get rid of the dust mites that may be hiding there.

  • Use Air Filtration

If you or your loved ones experience allergy or asthma symptoms frequently, installing a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filtration system is an excellent step to take. The American Lung Association recommends installing air filtration in homes with people suffering from allergies and asthma. It helps you get relief from the discomfort of asthma and allergy symptoms and also helps improve the health of your respiratory system.

Air filters remove most of the main indoor allergens like mold, mildew, pet dander, pet hair, insects like dust mites, and smoke. Air filtration system uses various methods to purify air. It is advisable to consult your doctor or an indoor air specialist to determine a system that will effectively eliminate the specific allergens triggering your symptoms.  You should also consider the size of the space you need cleaned and the efficiency rating of the air filtration system before making your selection.

In order to get the maximum benefits from air filters, you should replace them once every three to six months. A dirty air filter reduces the quality of air in your home, aggravating allergies and asthma symptoms. Replacing air filters on a regular basis is especially important if you have children with allergy problems living or spending a lot of time in your home.

For more information about how to improve in the indoor air quality in your Phoenix home, give Norris Air a call today!

 

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Phoenix Indoor Air Quality Pointer: Using a Humidifier in the Summer

Monday, August 20th, 2012

Many people believe that it is best to add moisture and humidity to indoor air during winter months when the air tends to be dry, and to remove moisture and humidity from indoor air during summer when many places tend to be more humid. There are some climates where this is not the case.  Because of the desert climate which boasts hot dry air a good portion of the time throughout the year, using a whole house humidifier in the summer can be ideal for many locations including the Phoenix area.  The AC professionals at Norris Air want to help you understand why to use a whole house humidifier in the summer heat.

For those that live in desert climates such as the Phoenix area, dry air can be an issue year round.  Excessively dry air can result in dry and cracked skin, irritation while breathing and dehydration.  Humidity levels that reach below 30% can cause problems for you and your home, so it is important to address the issue no matter what time of year it is.

A whole home humidifier can keep your home comfortable all year long.  Many whole home humidifiers today offer the option of telling you how much humidity is in your home, which can help you keep it at the desired level. Humidifiers can also be combined with other indoor air quality devices such as electronic air filters and UV germicidal lights to ensure that you are able to maintain high indoor air quality at all times.

Norris Air has a team of indoor air quality experts in Phoenix that understand all the factors that can affect proper humidity in your home and can assist you in determining which indoor air quality products will best meet your home’s needs.

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Mesa AC Tip: How AC Can Improve Indoor Air Quality

Monday, August 13th, 2012

Did you know your Mesa air conditioner can actually improve your indoor air quality?  Not only do air conditioners provide us with cool indoor air, during their operation they actually improve indoor air quality in a number of ways.

Air conditioning systems filter the air we breathe.  The air that moves through an air conditioner must be filtered so as to keep excess dust and debris from clogging vital internal mechanical systems.  While filters are rated to filter out different sized particles, even small particles can be filtered out by them, ensuring that the air in a building is as clean as possible.

AC systems offer increased ventilation and periodically pull fresh air from outside into the interior of a building.  This means air indoors does not get stale and instead is quite fresh and healthy to breathe.

Air conditioning systems can also have air cleaners such as UV germicidal lights installed within them, which can help destroy viruses and bacteria.

With such a wide range of functions and features it is easy to see how you Mesa AC can improve indoor air quality.  Call Norris Air today to find out more!

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