Humidifiers
The relative humidity in the Sahara Desert is 25%, but did you know your winter household humidity might be as low as 5%-15%? Overly dry air can cause itchy, cracked skin, dry nasal passages, annoying shocks from static electricity and cracked woodwork. Adding a humidifier will add comfort to your home and eliminate these irritating conditions for your family.
How can humidifiers lower my energy costs?
As the moisture from indoor air evaporates, the temperature in your home feels colder. In the winter, that means you will likely turn up the thermostat to feel warmer, so your system will use extra energy. By putting moisture back in the air, a humidifier allows you to remain comfortable at a lower thermostat setting, which lowers your energy costs. Humidity levels between 35% – 55% help you feel warmer at lower temperatures. When you add a humidifier to your home system, you will feel more comfortable and save on utility costs.
How does a humidifier improve my home’s air quality?
Proper humidity control is important for minimizing the growth of bacteria, molds, viruses and dust mites. More airborne moisture means less opportunity for dust and other irritants to circulate, so you will experience improved air quality. Properly humidified air helps reduce nasal dryness, helping your family breathe easier. Less static electricity creates a more comfortable environment for everyone in your household.
Let Corcoran & Harnist help you figure out the best humidifier for your home. Give us a call today at (513) 921-2227 to discuss your options.
Air Cleaners
Unfortunately, in today’s world, pollution is everywhere. And with the type of cleaning products, manmade goods, and activities undertaken within homes and buildings, indoor environments can become very uncomfortable. Even the air we consider to be “fresh” outdoor air has as many as 30 million dust or pollutant particles per cubic foot.
There are, however, measures that can be taken to lessen the effects of these particles in our homes. Since the home is essentially an enclosed system, we are able to take pollution head-on because the air is artificially moved around in our homes. By moving the air through a high efficiency air cleaner, we can remove many of the pollutants that cause discomfort.
What does an air cleaner do?
At a basic level, an air cleaner should filter out the particles that cause irritation such as pollen, spores, dust and other contaminates that circulate in our homes everyday. In order for any air cleaner to work correctly, the particles need to pass through it. Hence, if the particles are not in the airstream (i.e., dust on furniture), it is unreasonable to assume that these particles will be removed. However, a good air cleaner will:
- Remove allergy-causing particles that pass through it.
- Perform well consistently.
- Be economical to maintain.
- Handle a large volume of air efficiently.
How can an air cleaner help with allergies?
Ask most doctors and they’re likely to tell you that the best way to treat someone with allergies is to remove the offending allergen. By using an air cleaner, you can effectively reduce or remove pollutants, pollen, airborne mold spores and other harmful, unwanted irritants. This can be accomplished by selecting a portable air cleaner for smaller spaces or a whole-house air cleaner that works in conjunction with your forced air system to provide cleaner air throughout your home.
What kinds of residential air cleaners are out there?
There are basically two: a furnace-mounted, whole-house unit and portable single-room unit. Both types of cleaners have different models with varying methods of cleaning the air and capacities for doing so. Your dwelling may help determine the right unit for your needs. An apartment, for example, may better utilize a room air cleaner, while a home with a furnace and/or air conditioning system might be best suited to a whole-house unit. It’s important to note that both room and system air cleaners come in a variety of models, and that not all models use the same technology to clean the air. Let Corcoran & Harnist help you figure out the best indoor air cleaning solution for your family. Give us a call today at (513) 921-2227 to discuss further.