Could Your Air Conditioner Be Making Your Allergies Worse?

During the spring and summer months, allergies can throw you off and make you feel like you’re stuck in a fog. But what if something inside your home is making them worse? Your air conditioner can be a lifesaver, but it can also increase the irritation you feel from allergies.

Have Your AC Serviced Often

To keep your AC from making your allergies worse, have it serviced often to make sure it’s working correctly and that the filter is clean. If you find that your allergies irritate you more during the summer while your AC is on, you can even change your air filter more often to keep the irritation at bay.

Use Better Air Filters

Not only can you replace your filter often, you can use certain air filters that will keep the air clean and prevent your allergies from being worse than they already are. HEPA filters, or High-Efficiency Particulate Air filters, are the only filters that are manufactured fine enough to trap allergens inside your home. Using these specific air filters will help trap all of those annoying and irritating allergens that circulate through your home while your windows are closed.

Open Your Windows

This may seem counterproductive, however, opening your windows on days when the pollen count is low can help circulate the air through your home and get fresh air into your home. This will provide ventilation and help prevent the build-up of allergens inside your home, which leads to less annoying bouts of irritating allergies.

Use Your AC Sparingly

If you’re really suffering from allergies coming from your AC, try using it less and less often. This will lessen the effects it can have on your allergies, along with lower your energy bill costs and is even better for the environment.

If you’re looking to have your AC serviced but don’t know who to turn to, think of Wheeler’s Heating and Air Conditioning. We have a staff of licensed professionals that can assess the problem and find a solution that best fits you and your family’s lifestyle. Not only can we service your AC, but we carry products that help improve your home's air quality. Contact us today at 417-839-9240, or visit our website to read more about the services we offer.

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References

http://blog.unitedallergyservices.com/air-conditioning-causing-allergies

http://www.pureroom.com/Pure_living_blog/air-conditioning-bad-allergies/

Plants: The Solution to Indoor Air Pollution

The Problem

 

According to The National Center for Biotechnology Information, the average person spends 90% of their time indoors. And that means you need to make sure that you are living in a healthy breathing environment to prevent illness and indoor air pollution. To begin detoxifying your air, it’s best to start by giving each room in your house proper ventilation. Poor ventilation can create bad air conditions and eventually make you sick with a disease called  "sick building syndrome," which can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, and eye, ear, and nose irritation, as stated by greatist.com. Upholstery or coverings, furniture, and manufactured cleaning products could be contaminating your air and releasing toxic compounds. After those products release air pollution, the toxic compounds stay in the air if the area is poorly ventilated. 

 

The Solution 

 

Indoor air pollutants come from common household objects and poor ventilation. These pollutants are a risk to the environment and your overall personal health. Luckily, according to NASA, indoor plants have become the solution. The National Center for Biotechnology Information calls indoor plants, “nature’s life support system.” The basic plant photosynthesis process removes toxins from air and soil, along with carbon dioxide, like they do outside. So, it makes sense that healthy air starts with plants. 

Plants That are Easy to Manage

 

Here’s a list created by greatist.com on the best indoor plants that are easy to take care of and will help remove toxic compounds from the air:

 

1. Garden Mum
2. Spider Plant
3. Dracaena 
4. Ficus/Weeping Fig
5. Peace Lily
6. Boston Fern
7. Snake Plant
8. Bamboo Palm
9. Aloe Vera 

 

With these plants you can easily make your living environment have a healthier breathing atmosphere for your lungs. An easy solution of having indoor plants can prevent long term problems that could result in chronic diseases like asthma. 

 

Wheeler’s Heating and Air Conditioning is all about the air being released into your home and we want to make sure you are living in a healthy, safe, environment. With our wide range of air quality products, we can help fight indoor air pollution in your home today! Along with air quality control, we provide other services such as installation of new air conditioner and furnaces. We can repair electric heat, gas furnaces, and air to air heat pumps. For more information visit our website at http://www.wheelerheatingandair.com/. Or give us a call at ​417-839-9240! 

Spring is Here - Is your Air Conditioner Ready?

Spring is in the air here in Ozark region of Missouri. While the heat of summer seems like it is a long way off, it will be here sooner than you think. Making sure your air conditioner is ready for summer is important if you want to enjoy cool comfort when the heat and humidity hit. Giving your AC a spring check up should be at the top of your to-do list.

 

What a Check up might include

 

• Full system inspection – A diagnostic test of the entire AC unit should be conducted to ensure that all parts are working effectively.
• Cleaning of any dirt or other build up on the coils  – Leaves from the fall and dirt and debris over the winter can get into the coils and can reduce efficiency.
• Lubrication of moving parts – Just like any other piece of machinery, your air conditioner has a lot of moving parts that must be properly lubricated to move efficiently.
• Air filter replacement – A clogged air filter can reduce airflow and burn out the motor in the AC unit. Additionally, it can blow dirt throughout your entire ventilation system.
• Thermostat controls and wiring – Be sure that the controls and wiring is in good shape to maintain efficiency of your AC unit.
• Condenser Cleaning – Remove debris and ensure that your condenser
  is ready for the demands constant use during the warm summer months.

 

While it might seem like a check up for your air conditioner is an added and unnecessary expense, taking the time to properly care for small things now could save you big money in the future. And, with the warm weather here in Missouri, it could also spare you several days of discomfort waiting for repairs on an AC unit that has suffered a break down or needs to be completely replaced.

 

To be sure that your home is ready for the upcoming heat and humidity of the summer months, a springtime air conditioning system check up is essential. Contact the experts at Wheeler’s Heating and Air Conditioning and ask about our spring cleaning special to prepare your AC unit for summer.

Get More For Your Money: Why Newer, More Efficient Equipment Pays Off

Not sure what to spend your tax return on this year? Why not consider upgrading your current heating and cooling system to an energy-tax-credit-eligible system. New equipment can allow you to reap the benefits of a more efficient unit, lower monthly energy bills, and yearly tax credits.

Consider the Savings

The tax credit makes it a little easier to do what you most likely will have to do anyway. By upgrading your HVAC system to energy-efficient units, you can cut your utility costs, on average, by 20% or $200 annually. Although the initial cost may be more than you’d like to spend, it is a wise investment. The savings will pay off over time - and you can feel good about increasing your comfort level at home and lowering your household’s drain on non-renewable fossil fuels. Meanwhile, you will increase the resale value of your home by replacing your old equipment. 

Do Your Homework

Not all heating and cooling systems are created equal. An Energy Star sticker doesn’t automatically qualify you for tax credits. You can go to the Energy Star website, but please note that at anytime the annual fuel utilization efficiency ratings (AFUE) can be updated. The better way to find tax credit eligible systems is to ask your HVAC Contractor, as they will be aware of the most current standards. To verify tax credit eligibility, ask your HVAC contractor to provide the Manufacturer’s Certification Statement for the equipment you plan to purchase. 

Look for Rebates

Your state or local utility company may offer rebates or incentives for replacing your old HVAC system. If they both offer promotions, submit for the pair and relish in savings on your new equipment. You can also review any current rebate offers from the leading HVAC manufacturers, such as Trane, Carrier, and Lennox.

Go Ahead and File

File Tax Form 5695 with your tax return along with the Manufacturer’s Certification Statement. You cannot file without the MCS, so it is imperative that you have this document along. Pay attention to detail on the tax form, as it can be confusing.

If you are struggling with the idea of whether or not to replace your current HVAC system, keep in mind the overall savings and comfort that come with it. You may find you will save enough in energy costs to easily justify the cost. Spring is a great time to have your new system installed, when HVAC contractors aren't as busy. 

To learn more about upgrading to a more efficient heating and cooling system, please visit Wheeler’s Heating & Air Conditioning website or call 417-839-9240. 

A Spring Cleaning is in Need for Your Home and Appliances

Do you have a case of the “winter blues?” If yes, you are certainly not alone—it happens to countless people around this time of year. When February strikes, it seems that winter has not only lasted far too long, but that it will never end. Be assured that the end of winter is approaching quicker than you realize which means spring is thankfully around the corner!

With the arrival of spring, a multitude of challenges can present themselves in the form of harmful pollens. We are all too familiar with allergies and how they personally impact us. There are fortunately ways to combat allergies, and it often starts with the condition of your home. While keeping a clean home is always crucial, it is especially essential in the spring season to help minimize your allergy symptoms.  The best visible ways to clean your home and keep it in top condition are to scrub and disinfect products and materials where pollen can easily attach. These would include your home’s carpets, floors, and draperies. And don’t forget to pay attention to your home’s appliances—they also must be cleaned to help prevent your allergy symptoms!

A clean house is just the start to helping you fight allergies in the coming months. Not only is a thorough cleaning of your home’s floors, carpets, and draperies a strong strategy, but you must also carefully consider the condition of the air in your home. That’s where your friends and experts at Wheeler’s Heating and Air Conditioning come into the picture! Known for our reliable and affordable service, our team can expertly examine and repair your air pumps, air heat pumps, gas furnaces, and electric heating systems to get you safely through spring. On top of that, we are also proud to offer a wide variety of indoor air quality products. And the best part of all? All of these outstanding service offerings begin with a free in-home estimate!

Count on us to get you through the spring season! Be sure to contact Wheeler’s Heating and Air Conditioning for all of your Heating and Cooling repair needs! Give us a call 417-839-9240!

 

How Does Your Air Conditioner Affect Allergies?

Summer in Missouri means blooming flowers, green grass and an excess amount of pollen in the air. Unfortunately, with the August weather come the affects of seasonal allergies. Allergies can impact individuals at any age. Allergic reactions from pollen, mold and even household dust, can include itchy eyes, sneezing and runny nose, skin rashes and even breathing difficulties such as asthma.

Since indoor air pollution levels are two to five times higher than outdoor air pollution levels and we spend a good deal of our time indoors, the air quality we breathe indoors should be of the utmost importance. Regular maintenance of your HVAC system can improve indoor air quality and reduce allergens throughout the home. Take a look at what you can do to ensure your indoor air is as clean as possible:

●       Replace filters. Use high-quality filters or permanent HEPA filters, which remove more than 90% of microscopic particles, drastically reducing indoor allergens. For replaceable filters, consider changing them every three months. For permanent HEPA filters, clean them or have them cleaned regularly.

●       Keep your HVAC unit clean. Check your outdoor AC unit and indoor unit to make sure they are free of dust and debris. If your unit is left dusty or dirty, that debris will be sucked into the HVAC system and circulated throughout your home. Keeping your units clean will reduce allergens.

●       Check for mold. Mold is one of the most dangerous indoor pollutants that can be in your home. You should be checking your air ducts, drip pan and drain, evaporator coils, and air handler every few weeks to make sure there is no mold growth. Mold spores cause allergies and in some cases if left unchecked, they cause serious illness and even death.

●       Dust regularly. When dusting your home, you should dust your air registers and return vents first. If your registers and vents are dusty, then they will circulate dust to the rest of your home. And cleaning them with a damp cloth instead of a feather duster will pick up the dust rather than just redistributing it elsewhere.

●       Schedule HVAC maintenance. Spring is a great time to schedule an HVAC maintenance appointment. Regular professional maintenance is important to keep your system healthy and free of dust and blockage.

If you suffer from seasonal allergies in the Ozarks and surrounding Christian County, Wheeler’s Heating & Air Conditioning can help! We provide air conditioning repair and preventative maintenance to ensure your summer is as allergy-free as possible. To schedule an appointment, visit www.wheelerheatingandair.com or give us a call at 417-839-9240.