How Does Cooking Pollute Your Indoor Air Quality?

Most people love a good home-cooked meal. They like the smell and taste of them. However, cooking can lower the quality of your indoor air. It throws pollutants in the air. Studies show that homes have two to five times worse air quality than the outdoors. Cooking is a large reason for why this is the case. Stove Natural gas stoves can produce many pollutants, such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and formaldehyde. One study showed that making fried chicken can produce 400 parts per billion of nitrogen dioxide, well above the suggested guideline of 250 parts per billion. Electric stoves also produce air pollution. They produce high levels of particulate matter. One study showed that stir-frying on an electric stove causes more pollution than when using a gas stove. At in Eatonton, GA, we offer indoor air quality tests and solutions. We sell and install equipment that improves your air quality. Oven Electric and gas ovens emit pollutants like formaldehyde and particulate matter. Self-cleaning ovens produce high levels of pollutants such as carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide. Overcooked food, especially, releases particulate matter into the air. The most harmful pollutant released by ovens is particulate matter. Fine particulates are...

View Article

How Does Indoor Air Quality Affect Our Health?

Because people spend so much time in their homes, it’s important that the air in their houses is clean and safe to breathe. Poor indoor air quality can lead to a variety of health issues and can detract from your quality of life. Pollutants in the form of particulates and volatile organic compounds can build up in an indoor space. These issues become more pronounced during winter months when windows and doors are shut more often. Short-Term Problems Short-term exposure to indoor air pollutants can create health problems. People may feel dizzy or experience throat, nose, or eye irritation. These issues tend to be worse in people who already have asthma or who suffer from allergies. Long-Term Effects Breathing in polluted air has been linked to a variety of serious diseases. Poor indoor air quality can lead to respiratory or heart disease. It has also been associated with certain types of cancers. If your home is next to a busy street or in a polluted area, you might be breathing dangerous air. Reducing Indoor Air Pollution There are several ways that you can minimize the air pollution in your indoor air. Proper maintenance for your HVAC system can keep it...

View Article

Why Does My Thermostat Click When It Comes On?

Each time that your thermostat comes on, you may hear a faint clicking noise. In most cases, it will be barely audible, but it is important to note that even a loud noise isn’t usually a cause for alarm. Let’s take a look at why the click occurs and what you can do to dampen the noise if you don’t like hearing it. Why Does the Thermostat Click? The reason why the thermostat clicks when it comes on is that it is sending power to the heating or cooling system. When the signal reaches the furnace or AC, it will begin the process of generating and distributing warm or cool air to the rest of the house. When the air reaches your preferred temperature, the thermostat will tell the furnace or AC to stop creating hot or cold air. Most Thermostats Will Click Your thermostat will likely click when it turns on regardless of how old it is or if it is considered to be a smart unit. Instead, you should be more concerned if it doesn’t click as it could be the result of an electrical short or other type of problem. You should also be concerned if the...

View Article

3 Reasons To Use A Humidifier During Flu Season

A humidifier adds moisture to the air in your home. There are three reasons to have a whole-house humidifier installed by a professional in your house. Prevents Influenza The National Academy of Sciences conducted a study 10 years ago about how humidifiers help to prevent the influenza virus. Flu germs thrive in dry air conditions. Humidifiers add moisture to the air, and this can kill flu germs. A humidity level above 40% can deactivate these germs and make the surviving ones less infectious. If you do get sick, being in a moist environment can help you to heal faster. Another way a higher humidity level prevents the flu is by adding moisture to your nasal passages, including the tiny hairs (cilia) in them. Moist cilia can better prevent dust, germs, and other pollutants from entering your respiratory system. This helps the body to ward off flu germs and bacteria. Helps You to Sleep Better A humidifier helps you to sleep better. It keeps your nasal passages and throat better hydrated. By getting better sleep, you are less likely to catch the flu or otherwise get sick. A humidifier also reduces snoring when you sleep. A dry air environment exacerbates snoring,...

View Article

Are Furnace Tune-Ups Necessary?

The rattling sound coming from the furnace could either be a minor problem or an indication that a severe mishap is looming. Is the heating system circulating dirty air? What about energy efficiency levels? Are they too low? A decent tune-up could address these issues. Don’t overlook the value of an annual inspection. There are more than a few reasons why a tune-up is worth it. Uncovering Worn and Ages Parts Homeowners have found themselves stunned to discover how a dirty filter could cause all kinds of chaos inside a furnace. There may also be other mechanisms within the furnace that could benefit from prompt upgrades. A tune-up involves a technician performing a thorough inspection. Uncovering expiring parts and replacing them is part of the deal. If you live around Eatonton, can help you with tune-ups and preventive maintenance services. Don’t let problems with your heater catch you by surprise. Spending Less on Repairs Replacing a single worn part won’t be as expensive and replacing several. When changing out a dirty filter, the cost is relatively low. If the dirty filter remains in place, all kinds of problems might arise, including the cracking of the heat exchanger. Replacing the heat...

View Article

Questions First Time HVAC Buyers Should Ask

Buying a new HVAC system can be an effective way to reduce utility bills while making your home more comfortable to live in. However, it is important that you know what you’re purchasing before spending thousands of dollars on heating and cooling components. How Long Will a Component Last? Generally speaking, you can expect a compressor unit to last for about a decade; you can expect a furnace to last for up to 30 years. The folks at in Eatonton can install a new furnace or central air system in your home. We can also repair heating and cooling components to improve the odds that they last for their entire useful lives. Is There a Warranty Available? In many cases, you will receive a warranty or some other guarantee when you purchase a furnace or any other HVAC component. This warranty may come directly from the manufacturer or the company that installs it for you. In some cases, you may get a warranty from both the manufacturer and the service provider that installs it in your home. It may also be a good idea to ask if the warranty is transferable in the event that you want or need to...

View Article

The Best Way to Cool Older Homes

Keeping your older home cool during our hot and humid Eatonton, GA, summers can be a challenge. Window air conditioning units are not as efficient as central air. They are geared toward cooling smaller spaces, and they can be expensive to run all summer. They also don’t do much for the curb appeal of your home. The problem is that not all older homes are designed to accommodate a central air system, especially if you do not have existing ductwork. If this sounds like your situation, here are a few options for cooling your older home. Traditional Central Air Conditioning System If your home is already outfitted with ductwork for your heating system, it may be possible to add a central air unit to your home. Your existing HVAC components and your ducts would need to be evaluated to determine if they are compatible for a modern AC system. The components will then need to be configured properly. For example, new AC systems require ungraded air handlers. Packaged Heat Pump System It may be necessary to upgrade your heating equipment, too. If that is the case, you may want to consider a heat pump system that can perform dual duty...

View Article

August HVAC Maintenance Tips

August is usually when you are in the middle of enjoying your summer vacation. It’s probably not the most likely time for you to focus your thoughts on maintaining your HVAC system. However, with a little effort, you can be providing a great service to your system by applying a few HVAC maintenance tips. Here are some tips that will allow you to maintain your home’s cooling and heating system without having to disrupt your downtime. Replace Your Air Filter Replacing your air filter is something that you do on a regular basis if you are diligent about keeping your HVAC system in good condition. A clean filter is essential to the operation of your HVAC system. You want to avoid having the unit overheat because of debris that accumulates and prevents the heat from being absorbed. Also, you want the HVAC system to help maintain healthy and clean indoor air for you and your loved ones to breathe. At , we place great importance on safeguarding the health of our loyal customers in Eatonton. We can help you select the correct filter and replace your old one. Remove Debris From Your External Unit Another area where debris can gather...

View Article

3 Ways to Choose the Best AC System for You

Selecting a new AC system to install on your property is no easy task. Air conditioners are an investment for any home or office, which makes it necessary to do your research and have confidence with your purchase. For those who are new to buying a cooling system, it can be difficult to know where to start. Here are a few ways to determine which system will be the best purchase for your residential or commercial property. 1. Research Reviews One of the best ways to determine the reliability and efficiency of an AC system is to research reviews that have been written by customers. You can gain a lot of insight by looking into the reviews in advance. This is certainly better than discovering the quality of the model once it’s already installed on your property. Make it a point to narrow down your top choices to models that have the highest reviews. 2. Consider the Price Many air conditioning units are marked too high depending on the brand, but most of the internal components for each appliance is the same. When researching various models, consider the price and avoid purchasing a product that is more than $6,000. The...

View Article

Why You Need to Change Your AC Filter

Maintaining your air conditioner throughout the year is necessary to avoid potential issues that can develop if proper care and attention aren’t provided. Changing the air filter is an integral part of maintaining the appliance and should be more of a priority than most people make it. At Oconee Climate Control in Eatonton, we know this is important. Here are a few reasons why you need to change your AC filter every month. Better Air Flow The filter that’s in place in the air conditioner will influence how much airflow there is in the building. If the filter is clogged with dirt and debris, you can expect the interior setting to feel less cool during the warm season. With better airflow, the AC will operate more efficiently. This will help you to avoid potential issues. It will also limit the wear that occurs over the years and ensures that the appliance lasts longer before it needs to be replaced. Cost Savings It may cost a few dollars to purchase more air filters, but the investment will pay off with the amount of money you’ll save in energy throughout the year. A clean air filter means that less energy is used...

View Article