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Have You Replaced Your HVAC Filters Lately?

Why Replace Your HVAC Filters?

Heating and cooling systems contribute to around 48% of the typical energy use in a standard home — and with energy prices constantly on the rise, it pays to ensure your HVAC systems are as efficient as possible.

One of the simplest — and most effective — things you can do to reduce energy waste is to check and replace your HVAC air filters on a frequent basis. According to Energy.gov, changing your HVAC filters regularly can improve the efficiency levels in your equipment by 5% to 15%.

They may seem like just one small part of the whole system, but filters are one of the biggest factors affecting the efficiency of your unit, its lifespan, and even its impact on your health.

When Is it Time to Change your HVAC Filters?

Most property owners change their HVAC filters at the beginning of a new season, or when they know their equipment will need to work harder than usual. Some people change their filters once a month, for peace of mind.

A good rule of thumb is to change your filters whenever they’re dirty. Though “when they’re dirty” is different for each individual property, and living situation. The most accurate answer to “When should I change my HVAC filters?” actually depends on a number of factors, such as:

1. The type of air filter — Each type of air filter has a different lifespan. For instance, disposable filters generally don’t last as long as pleated filters. Research the expected lifespan for the type of filters you use.

2. The air quality indoors — If you (or your family members) suffer from frequent colds or allergies, especially if you notice these symptoms intensify inside the house, it may be a sign of poor indoor air quality. Changing your filters more often will improve the air quality.

3. The presence of pets — Usually, people with pets need to change their air filters more frequently, to avoid a buildup of dander.

4. The number of people present — The more foot traffic in the property, the more dirt and dust gathers in the air. If you have a large family, or entertain guests often, change out your filters more frequently.

5. The levels of pollution in your area — If your home experiences a high level of daily pollution, such as car traffic or regular construction debris, your air filters likely get dirty much quicker than those in less polluted regions.

Everything depends on the living conditions of your home, how hard your HVAC system works, and what kind of filters you’re using. If you change your filters once every couple of months, and notice that dust builds up in your property between changes, this is likely a sign you need to switch your filters out more frequently. Remember to check your filters more often during cold winters or hot summers.

What Are the Types of HVAC Filters?

One of the biggest factors dictating when you change your filters is the kind of filter you use. Today, homeowners have a range of choices in energy-efficient equipment, meaning that even something as simple as an air filter comes in many varieties. Here are some of the basic options available to you:

Economy Filters — These are disposable filters, and though they are inexpensive, usually have a poor filter rating, need replacing regularly, and may not perform as well as other options.

Pleated Filters — These filters can last from one to three months, and are more efficient than economy filters. They have a larger filter area but fit into the standard filter space.

High Efficiency Pleated Filters — Rated up to a MERV 16, these filters remove most contaminates out of the air and can last a year or more in some case. Though they filter really well, they also allow great airflow even as the filter continues to load up

HEPA FiltersHEPA filters are hospital grade and often the most efficient, but also the most expensive to purchase.

The Benefits of Changing your HVAC Filters

Changing your filters regularly keeps your energy costs down, by reducing the strain on your systems; but it will also keep you (and your family) healthier. Clean air filters reduce the number of toxins, pollutants, and allergens you breathe in every day. The more pure and filtered your air is, the less likely you are to suffer from allergies, respiratory symptoms, and other health issues.

Neglect and dirt mark the top causes of HVAC failure — one of the easiest ways to prevent system issues is to stay on top of your air filters. Every time you change them out, you’re improving your HVAC system’s lifespan, reducing the risk of breakdowns, and boosting your own health.

Are You Feeling The Effects Of Poor Air Quality?

Why is the air in your home worse than outside?

While you may not be an expert in air quality and ventilation in your home, it’s important to understand the ways in which airborne pollutants and contaminants can affect your health. According to the environmental protection agency, the air quality indoors could be up to five times worse than the effects of pollution outdoors. After common activities such as painting or applying adhesives, the air quality of an average home can become even worse, leading to severe short-term and long-term symptoms.

If you’ve begun to notice discomfort in yourself or your family members, it could be a sign that poor air quality is actually damaging your health – in which case, you need to take steps quickly to resolve the problem. Not only can improving your air quality ensure better comfort and wellbeing for everyone within your home, but studies suggest that improved air quality also contributes to enhanced productivity and development.

So how do you know whether you need to address air quality in your home?

Symptoms to Look For

If you’re suffering from the symptoms of air pollution, health problems may present themselves in a number of ways. Watch out for the following issues:

Congestion

While having a cold is never fun, poor indoor air quality can cause congestion to linger for longer than it should, leading to wheezing and chest discomfort over time. If you think you have a cold, but notice that your symptoms seem to ease when you leave the house, this could be a sign that you need to improve the air quality in your home.

Allergies

People often attribute allergy problems to a change in weather patterns or seasons, but they could also be a sensitive reaction to contaminants lingering in your indoor environment. Many people suffer with allergies linked to dust, pollen, and other irritants – and these materials can be more concentrated in enclosed locations than in outdoor spaces, leading to congestion, headaches, watery eyes, sneezing, and coughing.

Headaches

Headaches can also be an indication of poor air quality. Sometimes, headaches occur because your body is struggling to take in the right amount of clear air; even if you have no trouble breathing. Headaches can also occur as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning – so if you feel sleepy and have a headache at the same time, it might be time to get outside of the house.

Lethargy

Bad air quality in your house can make you feel sluggish when you’re inside. If walking outside into the fresh air helps to give you energy or perk you up, this could be a sign that your house needs better air flow. Some studies suggest that the air quality in your home could also affect your quality of sleep, increasing your chances of feeling tired throughout the day.

Nosebleeds

Particles in poor-quality air can irritate the sensitive hairs in your nose, causing it to bleed. If this happens, a solution could be to simply change the filters in your HVAC system or open up more windows.

While some effects are mild, contaminants like toxic mold spores, asbestos, and other hazardous chemicals may have a far more extreme impact on your health. See a doctor immediately if you notice any of the following symptoms:

  1. Nausea
  2. Rashes
  3. Dizziness
  4. Vomiting
  5. Chills
  6. Muscle Pain
  7. Hearing loss
  8. Shortness of breath

How Does Air Quality Become Unhealthy?

Various factors can contaminate the air in your home. Often, chemicals and materials in the home emit particles and gases that aren’t removed by low-quality ventilation and circulation systems. No matter what kinds of effects you’re feeling, improving the air in your home should be a priority for every homeowner. Unfortunately, it can take a long time for people to recognize the link between their health symptoms and poor indoor air. Often, people are harmed so subtly by their indoor air, that they don’t even notice the connection.

There are a number of ways you can improve air quality in your home, from installing new filters in your HVAC to investing in new devices and systems responsible for removing gaseous and solid contaminants from the air. It’s also important to make sure that your home is well-ventilated, as a poorly ventilated home can hold pollutants inside.

5 Ways To Reduce Allergens In Your Home

How to Clean The Air Inside Your Home

During the most allergy-prone seasons, many allergy sufferers choose to hide away indoors, in an attempt to avoid seasonal sources of dry throats and sneezing. Yet, experts have found that the pollution levels inside your home may be more dangerous than the ones outside, by two to five times!

It’s not uncommon for allergens to lurk around your home — sometimes in the most unexpected of places. From curtains and cushions, to your children’s bedsheets, there are so many ideal spots within the average house where allergens can grow and thrive. Pet dander, dust mites, pollen, mold, and various other forms of airborne allergens can accumulate to add misery to anyone’s day – especially if your HVAC system isn’t in the best shape. Following are some tips on how you can reduce allergens within your home.

1. Know the Details of Effective Dusting

By far, one of the quickest and most useful ways to reduce allergens in the home is to demolish dust. The reason for this is that dust mites trigger asthma and allergy symptoms on a regular basis. Over time, excessive exposure to dust mites can trigger asthma in children who haven’t previously displayed any symptoms. So if you have young children around the home, it’s particularly important to start a regular dusting routine.

Poor dusting practices can make symptoms worse, by making allergen particles airborne – so make sure that you use a moist cloth, that’s capable of attracting dust, rather than spreading it around. If you have allergen issues yourself, consider using a mask while cleaning, and attempt to minimize clutter throughout your rooms wherever possible.

2. Have Your HVAC System Serviced

Because dust mites are attracted to moisture, and mold thrives on the same element, air conditioners that help to minimize humidity within the home can help to reduce allergens. However, it is important to change filters within the system regularly, and follow any maintenance or service instructions as recommended by the system manufacturer. If you begin to suspect that your air conditioning system isn’t working as it should be, or that mold may be growing within the machine, you may need to have the ducts professionally cleaned.

If you see mold particles near the ducts, or smell a musty odor when using your HVAC system, consult a professional to ensure that mold hasn’t started to accumulate. You may also consider upgrading the system that you currently have if it has aged, and is no longer offering the results that you need.

3. Use Your Vacuum Cleaner

Allergens can accumulate and thrive within the home environment, particularly if there are plenty of places for dust to gather without detection. Indeed, many allergy sufferers are encouraged to opt for hardwood flooring instead of carpeting within their homes, as fibers within carpets can easily hide dust and allergen particles. Whether you’ve chosen to stick to carpeting or attempt wooden flooring, it’s worth noting that vacuuming — particularly in the areas most likely to accumulate dust, such as furniture and carpeting — can help to control the spread of allergens throughout the home. However, like dusting, vacuuming can sometimes send dust particles into the air, causing problems for people with allergies, so it may be worth considering HEPA filters.

4. Purify the Air

A great way to reduce allergens within the home, is to ensure that the air is clean, pure, and free of any problem-causing particles. For instances, it’s usually a good idea to avoid using window fans which bring pollen and mold spores into the home, and instead opt for HVAC systems that can filter the air used to determine indoor temperature.

High-efficiency particulate air filters, or HEPA filters, assist in capturing tiny particles of dust, pollen, and dander in the area, meaning they can be ideal for improving the productivity of air conditioners, air purifiers, and even vacuum cleaners.

5. Reduce Mildew and Mold

Mildew, and various types of mold tend to thrive within damp areas like the basement, bathroom, or sometimes even the kitchen. Like dust, mold spores can sometimes circulate in the air, triggering allergy symptoms. To minimize these problems, try painting damp-prone areas with mold-resistant paint, and run fans after taking baths or showers so that condensation can’t build up over time. Also, remember to replace moldy carpeting whenever necessary.

Conclusion

Above are just some of the methods that you can use to help reduce the presence of allergens in your home. Regardless of what you might be allergic to, helping to rid your house of airborne particles and sources of discomfort should help to give you and your family a more pleasant experience — regardless of the weather.

Do you have any tips or tricks to removing allergens throughout the home? Let us know in the comments!

How To Prepare For Possibly The Hottest Summer Ever

El Niño’s Impact on Temperatures for Summer

As the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) defines it, the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle “is a scientific term that describes the fluctuations in temperature between the ocean and atmosphere in the east-central Equatorial Pacific.” There are two phases to ENSO: El Niño and La Niña.

La Niña refers to the cold phase of ENSO while El Niño is the warm phase. El Niño is marked by warmer-than-average sea temperatures in the Pacific Ocean near the equator. The phenomenon often causes warmer temperatures over central and western Canada along with areas of the western and northern United States. Depending on its severity, El Niño can also lead to more rainfall in areas like California and the Gulf region while dryer conditions occur in the Ohio Valley and the Pacific Northwest.

In March of 2015, the NOAA announced that El Niño had arrived. With a good chance that El Niño will continue throughout the summer, this means that North American residents should prepare for less-than-typical weather patterns in their region. Check out what this year’s El Niño is likely to bring in summer 2015.

Warm but Dry Conditions in California

In January, the governor of California declared a drought State of Emergency. But as Climate.gov points out, “only about 3 of the past 10 El Niño years exhibited above-average rainfall in California during March-April-May.” Unfortunately for California residents, El Niño hit later in the year and at a milder level than anticipated, so it’s unlikely that heavy rainfall will provide any drought relief for Californians.

Potentially the Hottest Year

Time.com reports that 2014 was the hottest year on record. While scientists can’t be certain, it’s speculated that rising global temperatures combined with the El Niño pattern could put 2015 in the lead. This is a real possibility since last year, there was no El Niño. However, El Niño years tend to be hotter on average than non-El Niño years. Put continuously rising temperatures together with a mild El Niño, and we may just see the hottest year on record.

Vox.com explains why this might be the case. Thanks to the release of greenhouse gasses, we’re trapping heat on Earth’s surface. Approximately 90 percent of that gets absorbed by the oceans. During times of La Niña, the heat is trapped below the ocean’s surface. In El Niño events, that heat is transferred to Earth’s surface, where we begin noticing the effects in precipitation and temperature changes.

Typically, temperatures peak about three months after an El Niño event, but everything considered, 2015 may pose some of the hottest temperatures on record.

How to Beat the Heat

If El Niño does bring a warmer-than-average summer this year, you’ll want to prepare for the heat, which can lead to dehydration, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and heat cramps among other complications. Get yourself ready for the summer with the following tips.

Prepare Your HVAC System

Before the heat hits, you’ll want to ensure your HVAC system is ready. Start by making sure your system is in working order by switching it on. The last thing you want is to turn it on during a hot day only to find out it doesn’t work. Chances are when you call for maintenance, half the people on your block will be having the same problem and you could be left to face the heat. Instead, be sure it’s working now so that if there is a problem, you can get someone in there quickly to fix it.

Even if everything seems to be working fine, be sure to check on parts like your air filter. A properly cleaned filter will help your air conditioner run more efficiently, which helps reduce costs and energy. You’ll also want to check your condenser unit and remove any debris that has accumulated over the winter. Remove the panels if necessary, and use a vacuum cleaner to clear away debris.

If anything needs repairs, be sure to call a professional instead of trying to tackle the situation on your own.

Ensure Proper Hydration

Hot days, especially when combined with exercise, can pose many health risks. Each year, almost 100,000 high school athletes alone experience heat-related complications. These heat-related illnesses can often be attributed to dehydration. During a hotter summer when you’re sweating more than normal, it’s crucial that you keep hydrated.

Knowing that this summer will be a hot one allows you to prepare for high temperatures like this. A few things you can do to keep yourself and your children hydrated this summer:

  1. Purchase a reusable water bottle. Keep this water bottle full and with you while you run your errands or attend events. The last thing you want is to be outside in the heat and unsure of where to find a drinking fountain or water vendor
  2. Avoid alcoholic and caffeinated beverages. Both alcohol and caffeine are diuretics, which means that they cause an increased passage of urine. While a drink might hydrate you for the time being, too much alcohol or caffeine in your body means you’ll pee more than normal, reducing your body’s water levels. Opt for straight water or sports drinks to preserve water levels
  3. Eat fruits and veggies for snacks. Fruits and veggies like watermelon, grapefruit, and strawberries are high in water, so they can help keep you hydrated even if when you’re not drinking plain water

Keep Your Electronics Off When Not in Use

You already know to keep lights and appliances off when not in use in order to save energy, but you’ll also be keeping your house cool since any energy you’re using is also producing heat. Furthermore, think ahead for what you’ll prepare for dinner. Plan for meals where you don’t have to use the oven or stove, which will only heat the house. Alternatives include salads—including fruit salads and other tasty combinations—sandwiches, and raw fruits and veggies.

While scientists can’t be certain about what summer 2015 will bring, there’s a good chance that the Northern Hemisphere will see high temperatures. How will you prepare for what’s likely to be one of the hottest summers on record?

5 Ideas to Eliminate Your Springtime Allergies

Allergies, there is a solution

Spring is beautiful—flowers in bloom, animals coming out of hibernation, and a world that is flourishing with life. Unfortunately, spring also means allergies. Those flowers, newborn animals, and changes in weather mean more pollen and dander, which only makes for more sneezing, nasal congestion, and irritated eyes. If you suffer from allergies, fear not. There are plenty of things you can do around the house to keep allergens from makings your spring a nightmare.

1. Check and maintain your ventilation system.

A good ventilation system pumps clean air into your home while pumping stale indoor air out. However, a malfunctioning ventilation system can just blow around the dust already in your home or fill your home with pollen from the outdoors.

An easy solution is to replace your air filter. Air filters are designed to clean the air of irritants and allergens, making sure that what you breathe in doesn’t make you sneeze. The average air filter should be replaced about once every two to three months.

The best thing you can do for your HVAC system is to get it professionally inspected and maintained. Your ventilation system should be maintained at least once a year, which will not only keep the sniffles away, but also ensure your system’s longevity.

2. Use your air conditioner instead of opening a window.

As tempting as it might be to let in that wonderful spring air, you’re also letting in the pollen, dander, and other allergens that will set off your sneezes. As long as you’ve replaced the air filter, your air conditioner will do an excellent job of keeping your home comfortably cool. Only use fans after you follow the next step.

3. Dust your home.

Dust accumulating on air vents, windowsills, blinds, and other hard, flat surfaces will exacerbate your outdoor allergies when you get back inside. Give your home a good sweeping and vacuuming. Check curtains and drapes as well. If allergies are really bad, cover your mouth and nose with a handkerchief and eyes with protective glasses.

4. Give your mattress a quick clean.

Make this a seasonal habit. Use your vacuum to suck up any dust on your mattress. Sprinkle on some baking soda, wait about 15 minutes, and vacuum again. This will not only eliminate pollen and allergens, but also eliminate odors that have built up in the fabric.

5. Wash your pillows.

Allergen debris tends to collect on pillows. Considering you press your face onto them for hours every night, that’s a big problem. Vacuum foam pillows. Down and fiberfill pillows can be thrown in the laundry (but make sure you check the labels).

Spring cleaning and keeping an eye on the pollen forecast are the best ways to keep your home allergy free. Stay healthy!

5 Steps To Breathing Easy This Summer

Today we are bombarded with things that aren’t good for our health and especially our lungs. We may think we are getting away from bad air outside by closing ourselves up inside our home. But the reality is the stuffy air in our homes can be 10 times worse than outside. That can make us sick and effect our immune systems. Here are 5 ways to take control of our health and breath easier inside your home this summer:

BREATHE EASY Bob Jenson Graphic scaled

How a Comfortable Environment Affects Productivity

How Your Office Space Contributes to Employee Productivity

In the workplace, productivity has a direct connection with efficiency and profitability, but the average office has countless forms of distraction, from whatever’s heating up in the microwave to notifications on your phone, that can reduce productivity.

Creating a productive, efficient work environment that also cultivates fun and employee growth is a difficult balancing act. Let’s take a look at some simple ways you can foster a productivity and happiness at work.

1. Check your ventilation.

When you think about it, you’re breathing in the recirculated air of the other employees in the office. It’s no wonder that germs spread so quickly, and older office buildings are susceptible to harmful molds and toxins, like asbestos. Employees can’t be productive if they are constantly ill.

Stale air alone is enough to hamper concentration. Poor air quality often means high humidity and low oxygen. In other words: uncomfortable. Studies show that increased carbon dioxide levels impair cognitive abilities, like decision making.

Make sure your HVAC system is regularly maintained and that the filters are regularly cleaned. Crack open your windows or keep some plants in the office to invite some fresh air in.

2. Mind the thermostat.

Climate control is one of the greatest developments in modern history, but since its inception and integration into commercial spaces, the thermostat has caused a great struggle between two factions: those who are always cold and those who are always hot.

The problem comes from the fact that most office buildings have a one-size-fits-all temperature design. How you deal with temperature is based on all kinds of factors—age, weight, body type, activity levels. And generally, air conditioning systems don’t affect all parts of the office equally.

Temperature has a significant effect on employee productivity. Being uncomfortable is a distraction, so at least some part of your attention is focused on how cold or hot you are instead of on the assignments at hand.

Various studies consider the “optimal” temperature for the average office. Cornell University believes that 77° F is the best temperature for offices, while OSHA recommends an optimal range of 68° to 76° F. It may seem better to take the average and go with 75° F, but a difference of just a few degrees can reduce productivity up to 5%.

Your best bet is to err on the warmer side. Cornell’s study showed that colder temperatures led to greater typing errors.

Make sure your air conditioning system is working properly. The thermostat may not indicate the actual temperature. Furthermore, you can encourage employees to bring mini-heaters and blankets or fans.

3. Rethink lighting.

Lighting has an immense effect, not only on productivity, but also many of the basic functions going on inside your body. Sunlight is the best light around. Fluorescent lights, which are the most common choice for offices, have unfortunately been linked to a variety of issues, including migraines and eye strain.

Artificial lighting also has a harmful effect on your natural sleep cycles. Light directly affects your body’s melatonin production. Melatonin is the hormone that keeps your biological clock in check and is most important in the realm of sleep. At night, your body floods with melatonin, making you feel sleepy. While light should have the opposite effect, the human body is designed to respond to natural sunlight. Fluorescent lighting suppresses the production of melatonin, essentially causing you to feel sleepier as the day goes on.

Over-illumination also increases your stress levels and can even contribute to anxiety disorders and depression.

To combat these negative effects, you should consider replacing your fluorescent bulbs with LED lights, which are warmer, offer a better color temperature, and provide greater energy efficiency, saving you money in the long run.

Most importantly, try to get as much natural light as possible, whether it’s opening the blinds or encouraging employees to go outside for walks.

4. Reconsider your work culture.

Your work culture defines your company and comprises your goals, values, policies, style, and behaviors. Productivity plays off of workplace culture, and a poor workplace culture can lead to declining sales, high turnover, and displeased employees.

No matter how much they live and breathe their jobs, employees want to spend time with family, friends, and loved ones. Many companies offer that opportunity with flexible schedules, allowing employees to work from home or set their own work hours.

While that sounds out of reach, telecommuting isn’t as difficult as it once was. Studies show that flexible hours lead to greater productivity and satisfaction.

That’s just one idea of many. Work culture differs from office to office. Culture is present in your workplace whether you created it purposely or not—so you might as well enjoy the benefits of playing an active role in establishing a company culture you’re proud of!

With some simple modifications around the office and in your company policies, you can find ways to foster a positive, engaging environment for your employees. Good luck!

Spring Home Maintenance Tips

Spring Has Sprung; Now Get Some Maintenance Done!

Spring has arrived, already promising plenty of sunlight, warm temperatures, and thriving nature as far as the eye can see. Spring is a time for a fresh start, and there’s nothing like freshening up your home than with some much needed spring maintenance.

Now that the weather is warm and the air is fresh, let’s take a look at some ways you can shake off the cold and turn your house back into a warm, inviting, and efficient home.

Room to Breathe

Poor air quality causes the continuous circulation of irritants and particles within your home, forcing a flu virus from the winter to linger a little longer. Consistently poor air quality can lead to persistent respiratory issues and an inability to concentrate.

As beautiful as the spring bloom is, it often gives way to excess pollen, dust, and spores, all of which contribute to allergies.

To maintain your home’s air quality, make sure you check the filters on your HVAC system. Filters are designed to trap dust, allergens, pollen, mold spores, and more, but dirty filters won’t properly capture microscopic particles. This can cause your ventilation to recirculate allergens and work double-time to get clean air into your home. How often you change a filter depends on its rating and how often you use your HVAC system. But as a general rule of thumb, you should change your filter every three months.

Along with a new filter, have your entire ventilation system checked out by the pros. A good ventilation system supplies your home with plenty of fresh air and pushes stale air and indoor pollutants back outside.

In the Attic

Attic insulation plays a significant part in your comfort. Most people assume that attic insulation only matters in cold months, sealing in warm air, but it works in a similar way during hotter seasons. As the sun beats down on your house, your attic soaks up the heat, which bleeds through the ceiling into the living areas of your home. Attic insulation can prevent heat from seeping into your home come summer.

For added effect, check your attic’s ventilation. A well-vented attic keeps warm air from accumulating and prevents the build-up of moisture, both of which can lead to mold growth. An attic fan can also help move the air around to keep it from getting warm and stale. Consult a professional HVAC company to figure out what would be best.

Taking Care of Air Conditioning

You probably won’t need your air conditioner for spring, but this is a good opportunity to give your air conditioning system a checkup in preparation for the hotter months ahead. If your air conditioner hasn’t been touched in a while, it will need maintenance before you can properly use it again.

Along with a clean or new filter (as mentioned above), make sure you clean the condenser. This is the outdoor unit that generally looks like a large fan inside a metal box. Make sure the breaker or disconnect is shut off. You can take a hose and gently spray the sides of the Condenser, cleaning the dirt and dust off of the coils. Also trim away any plants that are on or near the outdoor unit so it can get maximum airflow.

For more stubborn debris, you may need to call a professional who can carefully take apart the unit and use a commercial coil cleaner, carefully scrubbing the coil clean. When they’re done they can make sure the unit gets put back together properly. They also will check refrigerant levels and electrical connections and test that everything works as it should! You usually can save some money by signing up for a regular maintenance program.

Window units require just as much care as central units. Use a damp rag to wipe down the exterior of the air conditioner, getting into the vents and edges of the unit. The more thoroughly you clean, the cleaner the air will be. Make sure you also clean out any dead leaves and debris in the back of the air conditioner. If your window unit sits close to the ground, pick out the weeds growing around it.

Keeping your air conditioner in good working order ensures that you can stay comfortable in the summer, but you can also save money in the long run by replacing your current air conditioning system with a more energy efficient model.

General Spring Cleaning

Aside from general maintenance, spring is all about tidying up your home and turning it into a refreshing, lovely place for you and your family. Here are some basic tips for your spring cleaning:

  1. Use a commercial spot cleaner or a 50/50 solution of water and vinegar to remove spots and odor in carpets and upholstery.
  2. While most of the dust in your home will fall on the floor, just enough clings to the walls to warrant a seasonal washing. Use a sponge and some dishwashing soap to wash your walls in sections. Use a sponge mop to reach higher spots. Dry with a clean cloth.
  3. Unfortunately, the fridge is often left forgotten in the rush of spring cleaning, but food poisoning and other food-borne illnesses remain a common issue. Throw out any old foods, even if you’re not sure. It’s better to play it safe. Give your fridge a good scrubbing. While you’re at it, check your condenser coils, which can be found behind the toe grille at the bottom of your fridge. Too much dust on the coil will cause your fridge to overheat, so use a vacuum and long brush to remove any built-up dust.

Bring spring into your home with some simple maintenance, and you are sure to feel your home lift itself up in warmth and light. Don’t be afraid to consult a professional like Bob Jenson for help with your spring home maintenance.

3 Healthy Solutions For a Happy Office

Solving 3 Office Health Hazards

According the American Time Use Survey conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average employed person age 25-54 spends 8.8 hours a day at work or doing work-related things. That number overshadowed all other activities in a typical 24-hour day, even sleeping. Spending so much time in the office endears you to all kinds of perks—cool coworkers, free food in the break room—but it also comes with some potential health drawbacks. Let’s take a look at some potential health hazards lurking in your office and how you can solve them.

1. Bad Ventilation

You probably don’t give a second thought to the air you’re breathing in. But if that air is cycling through a poorly maintained HVAC system, it probably carries allergens, irritants, smoke, and other things that could leave you feeling ill at your desk. Some of the harmful elements in your office air include:

  • Particles – These are any little bits of matter in the air that eventually settle—like dust, dirt, and allergens.
  • Microbial contaminants – This category includes mold and bacteria.
  • Gases – Carbon monoxide, radon, and other volatile organic compounds are included in this category.

However, most work illnesses aren’t caused by any single factor. More often it’s a combination of these airborne irritants that cause a problem, which is where sick building syndrome comes in. Sick building syndrome describes situations wherein employees get sick just from being inside a building. Symptoms include everything from headaches and dry cough to fatigue and nausea. These symptoms immediately go away when leaving the building.

The really scary thing: pollutant levels inside your office can be two to five times more concentrated than outdoors—and in some cases 100 times that amount!

Solution:

Switch out air filters and have your ventilation system checked regularly. A properly functioning HVAC system keeps humidity in check to discourage mold growth while also weeding out the pollutants that cause many of the common health problems in the office.

It also doesn’t hurt to get a little nature in the office. Plants situated throughout your work area look great and naturally improve air quality and humidity.

Sit up straight

2. Sitting

Bad posture is a well-known detractor of good health, leading to back pain, headaches, and digestive issues. Not typing correctly can give you carpal tunnel, and staring too long at your monitor leads to eye strain.
All that said, the constant sitting itself is also a risk. According to various forms of research, sitting for extended periods during the day is linked to a whole host of health issues, including:

  • Heart disease – Sitting has been connected to high blood pressure and cholesterol, which contribute to an unhealthy heart.
  • Diabetes – Idle muscles have a harder time responding to insulin, forcing the pancreas to make more and more insulin, which can cause diabetes (among other diseases).
  • Varicose veins – Sitting slows down circulation and causes blood to pool in your legs, which can lead to varicose veins, blood clots, and deep vein thrombosis.

Solution:

Standing and treadmill desks have become quite the craze in response to this information, but both can be tiring if not done properly. If you do go the route of a standing desk, make sure you either invest in good footwear or use a desk mat to prevent fatigue and take some of the pressure off your feet and ankles.

If you’d rather not spend all day on your feet, make sure you sit with good posture. That means:

  • Feet flat on the floor
  • Elbows bent at 90 degrees
  • Shoulders relaxed
  • Neck even with the spine
  • Lean back a bit to relax your upper back on the backrest (while maintaining posture) instead of leaning forward and hunching over.

Most importantly, take frequent breaks to stand, stretch, and get some sun. Aim for a five-minute break once an hour.

long hours

3. Long hours

The average nine-to-five job has stretched way beyond those limits, and it’s not uncommon for average weekly hours to exceed 40. While you might have overtime on your mind, working so long isn’t good for your body. Studies show that working 11 or more hours a day increases your risk of coronary heart disease 67 percent. People who work 11 or more hours a day also have an increased risk of depression.

Long hours also spell doom for your sleep cycle, which can raise your stress hormones, cause an imbalance in insulin, and reduce your leptin, the hormone connected to appetite.

Solution:

The easy solution is to limit your hours, but that’s not always possible. If you find yourself having trouble getting through all the items on your to-do list, consider your time management techniques. Make a plan for your day that includes all breaks, delays, and distractions. Know when to say no, and learn the value of delegating tasks to those under you.

If things really become a problem, take things up with upper management. There’s no reason any employee should spend consecutive days working overtime.

Are these three office health hazards bogging you down? Start by having your HVAC system checked out by a trusted commercial professional like Bob Jenson Air Conditioning and Heating. Look for ways to get yourself moving throughout the day, whether it’s standing for part of the day or banning the elevator. Say no to too many late nights by experimenting with some time management tricks or talking to your supervisor. Share your knowledge and enjoy the benefits of a healthy office with your whole team!

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