Author: Kevin

Infographic: A Spring Cleaning Schedule for 2019

Written by Kevin on February 7, 2019. Posted in DIY, Home Improvement. No Comments on Infographic: A Spring Cleaning Schedule for 2019

Refining Your Cleaning Routine

A new year brings with it the opportunity for fresh starts and healthier habits.

Because many people focus on common resolutions like losing weight or exercising more to help boost their well-being, it’s easy to overlook one of the most important things you could be doing to enhance your life. Committing to a regular cleaning schedule not only frees you from the clutter and mess associated with higher levels of stress, but it also improves your everyday air quality.

Air quality in your home, office, and other indoor spaces is more important than you might think. Something as simple as an overload of dust or pet dander can lead to headaches, respiratory irritation, allergies, and even chronic fatigue.

A quick and simple structured cleaning schedule eliminates those nasty contaminants. Let 2019 be the year you discover a happier, more energetic you.

When you approach cleaning armed with a well-planned cleaning schedule, you’ll find that it’s much easier to stay on top of those crucial chores that contribute to a better quality of life. That means fewer weekends spent overhauling your entire home when you’d rather be spending time with the family.

Furthermore, as your tidying strategy beings to spruce up your home, you’ll notice other benefits beyond better air quality. Your home will seem more spacious thanks to limited clutter, you won’t spin into a cleaning frenzy when unexpected visitors turn up on your doorstep, and you may even find that your HVAC and air filters last longer, too!

Want to breathe easy this year? Check out the infographic below for an easy-to-follow, printable cleaning schedule.

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Download and Print:

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A Cleaning Schedule for the New Year

Written by Kevin on January 24, 2019. Posted in Health, Home Improvement. No Comments on A Cleaning Schedule for the New Year

Your tired and you can’t get rid of that nasty cough. Or is it the flu? (We certainly hope not.) We’ve all been there. Feeling under the weather is no fun, and what’s even less fun is wondering if the air quality in your home could be holding you back from regaining your health.

When you start off the new year with an effective cleaning schedule, you’re setting your entire family up for healthier living and enforcing strong habits. You’d be shocked how much of a difference weekly dusting and regular carpet cleaning can make!

Here are some tips for creating a schedule that works for you (while improving the air quality in your home).

Weekly Themed Schedule

Some tasks should be done every week. Make it easy to remember what you’re working on each day by creating a theme. If you’re lucky, it might also make it easier to get your kids on board with helping. Here are some samples to inspire your own daily cleaning themes:

Moppin’ Monday: Give your hardwood floors and carpets a good cleaning every Monday. After a weekend of outdoor play or family gatherings, it’s good to rid of the dirt that was tracked inside.

Toss It Tuesday: Take out the garbage, clean out your fridge, and go through your mail on Tuesday. The less clutter you have, the easier it is to wipe down surfaces and keep them dust free.

Wiping Wednesday: It’s time to wipe down your tables, counters, TVs, bathrooms, and doorknobs. You’ll get rid of germs and dust in a single swoop; don’t forget to reach behind picture frames and other spots where dust can sneakily collect.

Thorough Clean Thursday: You should reserve at least one day for projects that take a bit more time. Does your bathtub need a detailed grout clean? Is the dust beginning to show on your crown molding? Schedule one of these projects per week so they’re less daunting than trying to tackle them all at once.

Folding Friday: Clean your sheets, towels, and laundry once a week. You’ll definitely want to wash hand towels that are used by multiple people throughout the week – you’d be surprised how many germs your freshly washed hands can still leave behind! Get everything folded and sorted so you start the weekend with this task behind you.

Monthly Cleaning Chores

Other cleaning jobs are just as important but don’t need to happen every day or week. Dedicate a half-day once a month to the following cleaning projects:

Cleaning the blades on your ceiling fans
Dusting light fixtures
Vacuuming furniture
Checking air filters and replacing as necessary
Checking other filters in the home as well
Shaking out rugs
Dusting window blinds
Wiping down the inside of your washer and dryer

Quarterly Upkeep

Every 3 to 4 months, you should roll up your sleeves and take care of some deep cleaning. Dust and debris can collect in the most random of places, and a quarterly deep clean ensures that you’re not missing any blind spots. Check these cleaning items off your list about four times a year:

Wash your comforter and pillows
Clean shower curtains and liners
Clean the inside of your oven and dishwasher
Give your refrigerator and freezer a thorough cleaning
Vacuum out the fireplace
Shampoo your carpets

Maintaining a regular cleaning schedule means fewer scrambles to clean everything at once, less stress, and improved air quality. Maintaining a dust-free home with clean air vents means the air quality that’s circulating won’t be filled with dirt — not only will you impress your guests with a floor that’s clean enough to eat off of, but your airways will thank you, too.

Want to keep up with all of the ways to keep your home’s air supply clean and your surfaces tidy? Follow the Bob Jenson blog for the latest news on home air quality, HVAC repairs, and more.

Why You Shouldn’t Take a DIY Approach to Your HVAC

Written by Kevin on January 18, 2019. Posted in DIY, HVAC. No Comments on Why You Shouldn’t Take a DIY Approach to Your HVAC

Here at Bob Jenson, we’ve heard DIY stories that run the gamut when it comes to folks trying to tackle their HVAC systems. From the guy who improperly installed a replacement cooling unit in his attic and ended up ruining expensive electronics to the woman who didn’t realize something was wrong until her unit started smoking, there seems to be an endless supply of these sort of tales.

Do-it-yourself projects may be entertaining, but they often involve doing it wrong, especially when it comes to HVAC systems. In some areas, mistakes might be part of the learning curve and not that big of a deal, but when it comes to your HVAC, you probably don’t want to risk it.

Bottom line: Your handyman skills are, well, handy for fixing a stuck door or building a new end table, but here are just a few of the reasons you ought not to try your hand at HVAC repairs and replacement. Instead, reach out to the team at Bob Jenson. Our award-winning, industry-certified technicians are best in class.

You Don’t Have the Right Tools

Though you might have a fancy set of forty screwdrivers and your grandfather’s trusty pair of pliers, you likely do not have the specialized equipment and talent required to work on your heating and cooling system. Watching YouTube videos doesn’t provide the same knowledge as proper training and hands-on experience.

But you know who does have access to these expensive tools and technology? Educated, skilled HVAC field technicians who have trained for years to work on these complicated systems. Bob Jenson’s technicians are not only well-trained, but they’re licensed, insured, and bonded to ensure your confidence in their work.

You’re Putting Yourself (and Your Family) at Risk

Working with HVAC systems can be awfully dangerous if you’re not prepared. Toxic fumes, high voltages, carbon monoxide, sharp metal edges, flammable natural gas — these are but some of the dangers that professionals know how to navigate.

Working with cooling systems also means working with refrigerant chemicals, and the EPA has very specific requirements with regards to handling and disposal of those dangerous materials. Bob Jenson has the know-how and all the necessary safety equipment — like goggles, gloves, earplugs, and respiratory protection — needed to safely complete the job.

You’re Causing Costly Long-Term Issues

Even if you have managed to avoid injuring yourself while tooling around with the ducts in your home, the odds are strong that you will have made your system less efficient. Even small issues or changes can lead to much more significant (and expensive) problems in the future; for instance, even a slight uptick in humidity because of a change you made could lead to a future outbreak of mold or mildew.

Who pays a heavy cost for those small inefficiencies in the long run? Your bank account knows the answer. Leave the fixing to the pros and you’ll save big.

You Might Void Your Warranties

Your HVAC system is comprised of many different parts, machines, ducts, levers, pieces, and assorted components, and many of these have manufacturers’ warranties that will be voided if you tamper with them. Most warranties require a certified HVAC professional to maintain or repair your system. That warranty is valuable — keep it intact by relying on Bob Jenson instead.

You’re Lowering the Value of Your Home

Shoddy HVAC work will negatively affect your home’s resale value. Consider the potential homebuyer who inspects the attic only to find the heating system barely held together with duct tape, the remnants of a botched repair job.

Most people sell two or three homes in a lifetime, so keep your home as valuable as it can be with regular maintenance and proper (read: professionally performed) repair work.

Checklist for a Healthy HVAC System

Even though you’re now aware of many reasons to leave your HVAC system’s repair and replacement to the professionals, you may be wondering what you can do to positively impact your air quality and HVAC system.

Here are some actions you can take:

Replace your HVAC system’s air filter regularly, about once each month, but at least once a season.
Regularly check and clean other filters in your home, such as air purifier and clothes dryer filters.
Clear away any branches and leaves to maintain clear space around your outside unit.
Check the batteries in your carbon monoxide detector, or buy one for each level of your home if you do not own any.
Keep aware of any signs of wear and tear, including unusual noises coming from the ductwork.
If your air is not blowing cool enough or strongly enough, check that no vents are blocked and all registers and vents are open.

Most importantly, contact us to help with any and all HVAC maintenance, sales, and repair needs. We are always prepared to assist you!

A Day in the Life of an HVAC Technician

Written by Kevin on January 10, 2019. Posted in HVAC, Maintenance. No Comments on A Day in the Life of an HVAC Technician

Meet Marty, a skilled and trusted HVAC technician who lives in San Diego. Working for Bob Jenson Air Conditioning & Heating, an established family business in the San Diego area, means that he calls the whole county his service area. No two days are alike at Marty’s job, and he’d be the first to tell you that every call requires good communication skills, resourceful thinking, and quality training. Above all, he prioritizes his customers above all else.

Come along with Marty to learn what a day in the life of an HVAC technician looks like!

7:30-8:30 a.m.

Marty starts his morning by driving to the office and meets with his Service Manager. He learns which clients require service that day and after a quick appraisal of the day’s jobs, Marty grabs the required gear and safety equipment. Restocking the work van, cleaning and gathering the needed parts and filters takes a few minutes, and then Marty drives to the first location.

8:30-9:30 a.m.

The first stop of the day is a common task for Marty: performing a regular maintenance check on a customer’s HVAC system. Rhonda, who lives in La Jolla, is a decades-long client, partially because of the excellent customer service and the consistency of high-quality work she’s received from Bob Jenson.

Marty asks if Rhonda has noticed any heating or cooling issues over the past year and after confirming she hasn’t, Marty continues his inspection. He discovers a part that appears to be malfunctioning slightly and takes note to show Rhonda right away.

Marty get Rhonda’s approval to order the new part and documents the expected arrival date on Rhonda’s paperwork and reviews his maintenance check with her before wishing her well and moving on to his second client of the day.

9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

The installation of an HVAC unit at a new microbrewery opening up in North County will take the better part of his day, so Marty joins several other colleagues who are already on-site to help with the install.

Because this is building is still under construction, Marty will have to work in cramped quarters and in very cold crawlspaces and ceilings. Marty’s years of experience interpreting blueprints and working to exact specification means he is able to work quickly and efficiently. He’s reminded of a similar installation that took place this past July, in which he helped install rooftop chillers and air conditioning units in a new build across town—incredibly sweaty work!

In the mid-afternoon, Marty gets a call from his supervisor letting him know a nearby customer is having issues maintaining temperature in his home. After he finishes some wiring, he cleans himself up and hops back into the van to visit that client.

12:30 p.m.-1:30 p.m.

Marty Grabs a quick bite to eat on the way to his next call, he knows all the good spots around San Diego!

1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m.

After arriving on the call and having a brief discussion with Ernesto, the Imperial Beach resident who is having issues keeping his house warm, Marty investigates several possible causes of the problem. He checks that the thermostat is in working order. He performs visual inspections for leaks in the pipes and defective joints in the ductwork. He methodically checks the safety components that would stop the unit from working. Finally, he disassembles part of the HVAC equipment and finds the problem. It’s a simple fix for Marty and his tool bag, but not one that the average person could repair on his own. (While it’s tempting to DIY, many times, it’s best to let HVAC professionals handle repairs and maintenance.)

Marty then provides an efficiency check to ensure that Ernesto’s system is operating as it should. Ernesto is happy when warm air once again flows into his home! Marty cleans up and receives payment, he checks if there is anything else he can do and also recommends particular thermostat settings to keep his home warm and comfortable all winter long. Finally he leaves a review card for Ernesto to be able to leave a review online, he knows how valuable a review from a happy customer can be for himself and the company!

3:30-4:30 p.m.

Marty returns to the office to submit his daily paperwork and returns the borrowed tools and equipment to the office. His service manager lets him know, Ernesto has already left a great review! After getting some kudos, he grabs his personal tools that he wishes to take home with him and signs out, satisfied with another rewarding day of keeping his skills sharp and helping his customers stay comfortable.

Of course, temperature control systems can break down at any point on any day, and in such emergencies, they need to be fixed right away in order to protect people’s health and safety, as well as keep clients comfortable. Like his co-workers, Marty sometimes has to squeeze in unexpected calls, work late and can be on call some weekends in order to assist customers with breakdowns and time-sensitive issues with HVAC systems.

If you have further questions about HVAC services or want to schedule a consultation with one of our skilled techs, call Bob Jenson today. Don’t ask for Marty though, he’s just an example technician! Bob Jenson A/C has been serving the San Diego area since the late 1970s and has continued to be a trusted provider today.

Top 5 Qualities of the Right HVAC Contractor

Written by Kevin on December 28, 2018. Posted in HVAC, San Diego. No Comments on Top 5 Qualities of the Right HVAC Contractor

Forget Brand, Choose the Right Contractor

If all these years in the HVAC industry have taught our staff at Bob Jenson anything, it’s that clients sometimes underestimate just how critical proper HVAC installation is. The wrong installation can result in sweaty summers, winters not warm enough, and utility bills through the roof.

So how can you choose an HVAC provider you can trust? You probably want more info than what’s on Yelp — although if you just looked at our reviews, we’d be okay with that. Before you contact a contractor to install a new system or upgrade an outdated one, learn these five essential qualities to ensure that you end up satisfied with the HVAC provider you choose.

They Have the Proper Paperwork

First and foremost, a proper HVAC contractor in California will be licensed by the Contractors State License Board. This licensure allows a contractor to manipulate electrical, plumbing, and gas lines. Licensed contractors know how to handle refrigerant, especially in compliance with federal restrictions from the Clean Air Act that require newer air conditioning units to use R-410A instead of R-22.

Look for your contractor’s license number on their website (ours is located at the bottom of the page), business cards, informational pamphlets and brochures, and/or their work vehicles. The parent company will also hold worker’s compensation, liability insurance, and a surety bond.

They Meet You in Person

A legitimate contractor will always visit your home or business to provide an estimate or bid. Beware of inexperienced contractors who will try to hustle you with an attractive price over the phone without ever setting foot inside your door. Windows, insulation, ducting, number of registers, square footage — these are all concerns that a proper contractor will take into account during a walkthrough. A contractor will then utilize calculations — known in the industry as Manuals J (for cooling and heating), S (for equipment size), and D (for ductwork) — to create a thorough evaluation.

Don’t rely on verbal or over-the-phone promises. Always insist on a written and itemized contract that includes payment due dates and project deadlines, which any reputable HVAC company would be happy to provide.

They Rely on Knowledge and Experience

You want a contractor who will select the perfect HVAC system for your home or business. Choosing the correct size or having an energy-efficient air conditioning unit is far more important than buying the most popular brand. For instance, heating and cooling systems that are Energy Star qualified meet strict federal standards for energy efficiency, thereby promoting long-term savings on utility costs.

Some contractors will attempt to push a certain model on customers simply because they are trying to get rid of old inventory, or they will use gimmicks and act-now discounts to disguise their inexperience. Ethical contractors will also make you aware of your system’s warranties, in addition to any guarantees, incentives, and potential rebates and refunds available to you as the homeowner or business owner.

They’re Certified and Proud of It

The best HVAC contractors stay up-to-date on the latest technologies in order to save their customers money on utility costs. You’re ideally looking for a company that has years of experience installing multiple types and sizes of HVAC systems and a demonstrable skill set in computers and programmable systems.

The North American Technician Excellence (NATE) organization, the nation’s largest non-profit organization for HVAC installers, also provides rigorous testing to earn their certification, with additional continuous education programs required for recertification every two years. A NATE-certified HVAC installer typically provides the highest-quality service with fewer average callbacks than a contractor without such credentials.

They’re Trusted in Your Community

You will want to brush up on a company’s credentials by reading about their past service, but be skeptical of online reviews that are overwhelmingly glowing or deeply bitter without providing much in the way of specific details. The Better Business Bureau is a solid resource to utilize — Bob Jenson has an A+ rating and zero customer complaints through the BBB — as are Angie’s List and the ACCA (Air Conditioning Contractors of America).

Of course, your friends, family, co-workers, and neighbors might provide the most honest and important recommendations, and the best HVAC companies work hard to maintain their community standing. Bob Jenson is a highly accredited, certified, licensed, and experienced HVAC contractor, serving the Greater San Diego Area. Contact our trusted experts today to experience the difference!

5 Signs of an Oversized Furnace and What to Do About It

Written by Kevin on December 21, 2018. Posted in Furnace, Heating. No Comments on 5 Signs of an Oversized Furnace and What to Do About It

Signs of an Oversized Furnace

As the cold — or here in San Diego, cold-ish — season approaches, it’s important to make sure that your home’s furnace is optimized for running efficiently. Did you know that the size of your furnace actually plays a crucial role in whether it operates well? Read below to learn about the most common signs of an oversized furnace and how you can minimize negative effects.

Note: we’ve talked about this before, but it’s worth noting again that a proper furnace installation is crucial. This is not an area to DIY! Furnaces are among the most expensive items in your home and it can be costly to mitigate any issues arising from poor or improper installation.

If you’ve been living with an oversized furnace, you may have accepted your home’s heating and cooling quirks as just that. Over time, however, small issues may contribute to larger and more costly problems. To evaluate whether your home’s furnace is too large for the amount of square footage you have, take the following signs into consideration.

Uncomfortable Room Temperatures

Do you ever walk into a room and feel a burst of uncomfortably hot air? When you notice certain vents blasting heat when others are not, this could be a symptom of an oversized furnace. This problem occurs because the heat output is more than your home actually needs.

As a result of this problem, your home may never be able to stay at a consistent or comfortable temperature. The furnace’s uneven cycling can cause extreme heat in certain areas, while others stay uncomfortably chilly. Not only does this affect how your home feels, but it also has an impact on the ability of your thermostat to effectively control room temperature the way it should.

Short Run Cycles

Have you noticed that your furnace seems to turn on and off relatively quickly? If you’ve ever experienced 10-15 minute bursts of run time, this could indicate an oversized unit. Although it may seem normal, shortened cycles may mean that the furnace is not operating efficiently and is using more energy than it should be.

Expensive Operating Costs

Because a furnace uses most of its energy to start and heat up, the pattern of short cycles mentioned above means that the unit must use more energy at a greater frequency. As a result of this continual “startup mode,” your energy bills may be significantly higher than they would be if the unit ran consistently.

If you’re paying more to heat your home than what you would expect to pay based on square footage, it may be time to explore whether you have the right size furnace installed.

Excessive Noise

Have you noticed more noise than usual when your furnace cranks up? Although some clamor is to be expected as air flows through the vents, a lot of noise is cause for concern. If your furnace is circulating more air than your ducts are designed to handle, you can expect to hear more noise during operation; this can actually signal a need to have both your furnace and your air ducts inspected for proper size.

Shortened Equipment Lifespan

The issues mentioned above, such as shortened run times and greater energy use, inevitably take a toll on equipment. If your furnace is running too many shortened cycles because it is improperly sized, components like the igniter and gas control valve may give out sooner than they otherwise would. In the end, this results in more service calls and more part replacement. Your unit may even completely give out before it was designed to.

What Can Be Done?

To prevent having an oversized furnace in your home, it may be beneficial to explore the following factors to determine your home’s true heating load calculation:

Daytime heat increase throughout the house
The type and level of insulation
The number and quality of doors and windows
The number and size of various rooms
The number of people occupying the home

Contact Bob Jenson

If you suspect that your furnace is improperly sized based on your home’s square footage or heating load, contact the Bob Jenson Air Conditioning and Heating team. A consultation can help answer questions you may have about your furnace’s size or efficiency, as well as provide an opportunity for routine furnace maintenance.

Causes of Hot and Cold Spots in Your Home

4 Causes of Hot or Cold Spots In Your Home

Written by Kevin on December 14, 2018. Posted in Home Improvement, HVAC. No Comments on 4 Causes of Hot or Cold Spots In Your Home

Conquer Differing Temperatures in Your Home

Do you have a room that always feels hot — or one that is much draftier than the others in your home? Your house should have a uniform room temperature throughout, which is why it can be frustrating to find that certain areas feel warmer or colder than they should be.

No matter what time of year you notice disparate temperatures, you should investigate the problem as soon as you find it — it could end up saving you a ton of money on your heating or air conditioning, not to mention you won’t have to randomly bundle up (or take off some layers) in particular rooms! Identifying what’s causing this issue can help you get back to an ideal temperature in no time.

Here are a few of the most common causes of hot or cold spots, and what you can do to fix them or prevent them from happening:

Why Hot or Cold Spots Are Happening

Although we’ve heard plenty of spooky stories about ghosts causing cold spots, the real causes are far less supernatural. The same goes for hot spots. They’re both due to certain flaws that are happening within the home’s heating and cooling systems, which also include the windows, the insulation, and more.

These flaws could include:

Your HVAC is too large or too small for your home. Whether your home is old or new, it’s worth taking a look to see if your HVAC unit is the right size to heat and cool it properly. A small HVAC in a large house would be working ineffectively, and a large HVAC in a small house would struggle to properly dehumidify.

Either way, it’s a recipe for inconsistency and can wreak havoc on how humid or dry your home feels. You should get an expert’s consultation on exactly what size HVAC system your home needs— particularly if you’ve been renovating and adding on units.

The air ducts might not be working properly. If your home’s air ducts have holes or cracks, they could be letting warm or cool air escape. Also, this means your HVAC has to work even harder, since faulty air ducts — even if they’re simply loose or not connected correctly — can lose up to 40% of your heated or cooled air.

Dirty air ducts are another issue, as debris that’s built up within the ducts can affect air flow from room to room. In this case, you can clean or replace the duct filters yourself, or call in a professional to take care of it. A professional can also assess if there are any cracks in your ducts — again, you can seal those yourself, but it’s a smarter move to have an expert fix them, especially since it can save you from more damage down the line.

Your home has an insulation problem. Since ductwork is typically made of metal, it needs to be insulated to ensure that it can carry the warm or cool air further away from the HVAC unit. If the pipes aren’t properly insulated — or if they aren’t insulated at all — this can cause random hot or cold spots as the temperature leaks. It’s also an issue if you have exposed ducts in areas like basements or attics.

A trained professional can take a look at all areas of your home and note where there should be more insulation around the ductwork — and they can also check to see if your windows and doors need stronger seals to prevent drafty leaks.

You need better zoning. If you’ve got a large home, it may be difficult for your HVAC’s output to reach every single area. This is where zoning comes in: It allows you to set different temperatures for different rooms, which is especially handy when the heat rises within a multi-level home.

Setting the temperature from room to room can also save money on your heating and cooling bills. And it allows everyone to choose how warm or cool they’d like their bedroom to be! A similar solution is to go ductless, which will give you an even higher level of customization.

Get the Right Fix

You shouldn’t have to live with hot or cold spots in your home, particularly when it’s an annoyance that could also be costing you money. Although it could be as small an issue as a dirty duct filter, it could be something as serious as an embattled HVAC straining itself to service a larger home.

Whatever the problem may be, contact Bob Jenson for an evaluation and consultation — we’ll make sure you’re not too hot and not too cold, but just right!

4 Home Decorating Tips for Better Air Quality

Written by Kevin on December 7, 2018. Posted in Air Quality, Home Improvement. No Comments on 4 Home Decorating Tips for Better Air Quality

Home Decorating for Health?

As a homeowner, you want your home to be a relaxing, comfortable environment for you and your loved ones to enjoy. We often think of interior decorating and home decor selections as a way to achieve those goals. But did you know that many of the decisions you make when it comes to your home can also enhance — or compromise — your health?

Everything from the type of decor you choose to liven up your rooms to the way you manage your cleaning routine can affect the quality of air in your home. Today we’ll be exploring some of the choices you can make to support improved air quality.

Here are five ways to ensure your house supports not only your desired aesthetic but your health, too:

1. Go Green

First, can you name a natural detoxifier that will purify air while also being nice to look at? If you guessed “plants,” you are absolutely correct. Studies done by NASA revealed that plants can filter harmful toxins that cause negative health effects like headaches and nausea.

Some plants are more effective at improving air quality than others. For instance, the spider plant (chlorophytum) removes approximately 90% of chemicals from the air, according to the aforementioned NASA study. Alternatively, the peace lily (staphiphyllum) is easy to care for, and it can reduce the humidity in your rooms — perfect for getting rid of dry noses.

NASA recommends one plant for every 100 square feet of real estate. To keep your plants thriving, be sure you care for them properly. Soil must be kept free from sugars and exposure to liquids other than water; this will help eliminate flies. Vegetated plants with white speckled leaves require plenty of light. Each plant comes with its own care instructions, and you should do your best to follow them.

2. Upgrade to a “Smart” Thermostat

Want a cutting-edge, modern look for your home? A smart thermostat brings a unique edge to your décor. These systems are sleekly designed, and they provide plenty of helpful information about your home’s humidity and air quality.

Smart thermostats make life more convenient by allowing you to adjust your heating and cooling from your smartphone. What’s more, the system can learn from your typical behavior patterns and turn systems off and on as it predicts you’ll need them. Lastly, smart thermostats provide handy data about your AC filter status, so you’ll never miss a routine change again.

3. Rethink the Ordinary

A clean home is a standard most of us try to meet — few things offer more peace of mind than a spotless, dust-free abode. There are benefits beyond that, though. For example, a regular dusting schedule can eliminate dust and irritants from the air, thus protecting your lungs, reducing your risk of allergies, and helping respiratory issues like asthma.

Here are some suggestions for transforming your home in ways you may have overlooked:

Get rid of clutter. A simple, minimalist look for your home can be a great way to draw attention to visual focal points, like a stunning fireplace or a family portrait on the wall. What’s more, less clutter means fewer places for dust to gather.
Replace curtains with blinds. Although blinds require regular cleaning just like curtains do, soft furnishings can be a serious magnet for dust. Switching to dust-resistant shades and cleaning them regularly with a damp cloth will boost your air quality in no time.
Swap carpets for hardwood floor or laminate. Eliminating carpets might seem like a big step, but hardwood floors are both stylish and much easier to clean. Whereas your carpeted floors can cling to dust even after a vacuum, your hardwood floors will be clean with just a quick mopping.

Always remember to replace your furnace and air conditioning filters regularly as part of your monthly routine. Filters prevent dust from blowing throughout the home and undoing all your hard work.

4. Opt for Natural Scents

Cans of air freshener and bulky plug-in devices can diminish the impact of your interior décor efforts. What’s more, many of these devices are filled with chemicals and VOCs that damage air quality. It may take some creativity, but you can absolutely enjoy an amazing-smelling home without compromising on air quality.

Try making a DIY air freshener with a diffuser and some essential oils, or add bunches of fresh herbs or flowers around the house. Also, consider investing in an up-to-date air purifier. The latest models are sleek and attractive — just like your smart thermostat! — and they’ll help eliminate odors, dust, and other pollutants.

Improving Home Style and Air Quality

Creating a beautiful home for yourself and your family isn’t just about choosing the right paint colors and color schemes. For a happier and healthier life, it pays to implement an interior design strategy that will provide a literal breath of fresh air.

Just remember that the tips above are meant as an enhancement to a proper HVAC strategy, as using the right heating and cooling system has the strongest, long-lasting impact on the way air circulates around your home. Reach out to Bob Jenson for advice on how to achieve the best indoor air quality possible.

The Case for Mixing Plants and Business

Written by Kevin on December 2, 2018. Posted in Air Quality, Filtration. No Comments on The Case for Mixing Plants and Business

Let Nature Into Your Workplace

Looking for a natural way to improve your office environment? Incorporating plants within your office space could provide more than just aesthetic rewards. Business leaders around the world are jumping on the green bandwagon when it comes to bringing plants into their workspaces, and for good reason — we’re learning they can improve everything from air quality to staff productivity.

It seems as though the benefits operate in a reciprocal, symbiotic fashion, with one benefit leading to another, which in turn builds on the first one. Take cleaner air: It leads to healthier employees who are motivated to be more productive — which also contributes to overall happiness, wellness, and health in the office.

Here are the benefits supporting the case for mixing plants and business:

Cleaner Air

The primary reason plants are trending in offices lately is due to their air-purifying qualities. Offices are full of people, supplies, and chemicals (think: benzene from glue and paint and ammonia from cleaners), and relatively closed off to fresh air. Many indoor offices have worse air quality than that of the outdoors, and it’s making people sick. This is called Sick-Building-Syndrome (SBS).

Fortunately, it seems as though introducing plants into these environments is an efficient way of cleaning the air. Certain plants can absorb chemicals, pollutants, and carbon dioxide, and release oxygen in return. The NASA Clean Air Study in 1989 proved this and outlined some specific plants that are particularly effective.

It turns out many common, affordable, and easy-to-maintain varieties are some of the best options: peace lilies, mother in law’s tongue (also called snake plant), spider plants, and devil’s ivy are some of the most popular choices. Read more about their properties here.

Healthier Staff

While this is a relatively new area being researched, the available evidence does seem to point to cleaner air resulting in healthier staff members. In fact, studies have shown that indoor plants reduce a range of health issues including fatigue, lack of focus, and overall stress, while making us feel more carefree and less sensitive to negative stimuli.

An excellent case study of plants’ benefits involves Kamal Meattle, the plant-loving CEO of the Paharpur Business Centre in New Delhi. Meattle has over 1200 plants in and on his company’s building — not to mention 2000 more next door! There have been multiple studies based on Meattle’s employees; one even showed nonsmokers working in the building experienced significantly fewer health challenges compared to nonsmokers elsewhere in the area.

Happier Employees

Not only do plants functionally clean the air in office environments, but they also visually brighten the space and make people feel good. Introducing plants into your workspace has the power to actually improve employee satisfaction. One working theory posits that having plants and natural elements around makes people happier in general because we are biologically wired to be attuned to nature. Plants seem to boost creativity and can also work to absorb loud noises, therefore removing distractions and increasing focus.

More Productive Teams

While clean air and healthy, happy employees should be important to business owners, there are solid bottom-line benefits to bringing plants into the office, too. For example, Meattle has seen higher productivity and fewer sick days since introducing plants in his workspace. Some research shows that when employees can see plants from their desk, productivity rises as much as 15%! Even better? Creativity and innovation are boosted at a similar rate.

If you’re encouraged by all this news but don’t know where to start, try not to feel overwhelmed. The evidence shows that even just a couple of visible plants are an excellent place to start. Have fun decorating, and enjoy your new leafy friends!

For the latest in air quality and safety, visit the Bob Jenson blog. Since the late 1970s, we’ve been a trusted heating and air conditioning services provider in the San Diego area. We’d love to hear more about your needs or concerns and develop a plan that works for your home or office today.

3 Ways to Get Ready for Flu Season

Written by Kevin on November 30, 2018. Posted in Health, Humidity. No Comments on 3 Ways to Get Ready for Flu Season

Reduce Your Chances of Getting The Flu

Is winter synonymous with cold and flu outbreaks in your house? If so, you’re not alone — each year, around 700,000 people are hospitalized due to severe flu and last year was a particularly rough season. Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to lessen your family’s chances of coming down with the flu.

Hopefully you’re already employing good handwashing technique and avoiding exposure to sick family members or coworkers. Both of these practices help greatly in preventing the spread of sickness. Here are three more ways to keep influenza at bay as we approach peak flu season:

1. Get a Flu Shot

Flu season starts in October and lasts until the spring – that’s a long time to remain germ-free without a little help. The first and most obvious way you can prepare for flu season is by getting a flu shot. Remember, the flu shot varies in effectiveness: According to the CDC, over the last 8 years, the shot has been between 36-60% effective from season to season. However, it remains the agency’s top recommendation for flu prevention.

2. Buy a Humidifier

Try as you may to avoid it, someone in your family is bound to bring the flu virus home from work, school, or everyday errands. If you have small children, we don’t have to tell you that it feels impossible to avoid tracking germs home from school or childcare. There is hope, though: Controlling the humidity levels at home may help you stop influenza in its tracks after it comes through the door. That’s because cold and flu germs have a hard time thriving in humid environments.

One study funded by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) found that when the humidity level was at 7-23%, more than 70% of flu particles can survive for more than an hour. When the humidity was raised to 43-57%, only between 14-22% of flu particles remained infectious.

In short, using a humidifier can lower the likelihood that family members will infect each other if any flu-related germs are carried into your home.

3. Give Your HVAC System a Tune-Up

Does your HVAC system have an air purifying feature? If not, an HVAC professional can add one and increase the quality of air filtration in your home. A good air purification system will eradicate nearly all airborne germs (as much as 95%).

You should also treat your HVAC to new filters before flu season, whether or not you have an advanced purification system. Increasing the MERV value of your filters will allow your heater to catch smaller particles, making it more likely to capture influenza before circulating contaminated air into another room.

Finally, you can add a UV light to your HVAC system to kill even more germs before they enter your vents. Just as UV lights are often used to sterilize the air quality in hospitals and medical centers, they help you keep your home from becoming a welcoming environment to dangerous viruses.

Are you ready to tackle flu season head on? Start planning today! Contact Bob Jenson Air Conditioning and Heating to schedule a duct cleaning, filter change, and evaluation of your current system. If you work toward flu-proofing your home now, you may finally enjoy a winter without taking a sick day! For more posts on how to make it through the winter season, check out our blog compilation.