The Clean Air Act Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Dehumidifier’

Is My AC Causing Indoor Air Quality Issues?

Monday, February 18th, 2013

The Clean Air Act, Inc. is here to serve all of your Beaverton, Oregon air conditioning needs, including AC maintenance to help improve indoor air quality. Whether you have a ductless mini split or central air conditioner, there are many ways in which your AC system can impact indoor air quality. To ensure that your system is not reducing the quality of air inside your home, we’ve put together a list of ways your air conditioner may be causing indoor air quality issues.

Dirty Air Filter

Clogged air filters do not work to trap particles in your home and keep them from getting distributed throughout the home. Even if you have a ductless mini split AC system, you should change air filters at least once a month, especially if you have pets or during times of heavy use.

Lack of Proper Humidity Control

In the summer, you probably know that your home gets more humid that normal. Most air conditioners have a built-in dehumidifier, but if moisture levels are extraordinarily high, then your AC system has to work harder, and indoor air quality is affected as well. Installing a whole-home dehumidifier or air cleaner may be your best option. Indoor air pollutants can get trapped inside homes that are too moist more easily. In addition, air that is too humid is also very uncomfortable.

Older AC Systems

If you have an older AC system, it may not be equipped with the proper type of dehumidifier or effective air filters. Unless you are thinking of installing a new air filtration system, you may want to consider an upgrade for your air conditioner.

Call the Beaverton air conditioning experts at The Clean Air Act, Inc. to provide all your AC and indoor air quality needs.

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How Do I know if I need a Dehumidifier or Humidifier?

Monday, November 12th, 2012

Humidity is a critical factor in your home in Beavercreek. Most people know that the winter is dry while the summer tends to be more humid. While there are many humidity control products available on the market, few people know how to tell if they need more or less humidity in their home. Here at Clean Air Act, we thought it would be helpful for the community in Beavercreek if we put together a quick checklist so you can know if you need more or less moisture in your home.

Why is Humidity So Important

Humidity in your Beavercreek homes plays a large part in how comfortable you are there. Humidity can impact your health as well as the quality of the air inside your home. For example, when your home is too humid, dust mites and mold can thrive. If the air is too dry, it can also cause your wood furniture to dry out and crack.

Too Little Humidity

There are a number of indications that you might have too little moisture in your air.

  • If you start to notice that your lips or hands are drying out, this probably means that the humidity in your home is too low. You may also notice that your throat and nasal passages are dry as well. This could result in a cough or a bloody nose.
  • The increase of static electricity in your home is more evidence of low humidity. If this is the case, you’ll notice that you get shocked when you walk across your home or that your clothing sticks to you.

Too Much Humidity

Here are a few indicators that you have too much humidity in your home.

  • Too much moisture can make your home feel stuffy and uncomfortable.
  • If you notice an increase in mold growth around your home, that can also mean you have too much moisture in your air.

Hydrometer

If you really want to be sure if your air is too dry or too moist, a hydrometer can be useful. Hydrometers, as you can probably guess, measure how much water is in the air as a percentage. On rainy days, a properly calibrated hydrometer would indicate a 90% humidity level.

If you would like more information about humidity control systems for your home in Beavercreek, then call the experts at Clean Air Act. We can help you measure the current humidity levels in your home and let you know if a humidity control product is right for you.

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Benefits of a High Velocity Heating System

Monday, October 22nd, 2012

If you are considering a high velocity heating system for your home or business, call the Portland heating experts at The Clean Air Act. We can go over the benefits and your options no matter what your heating needs are. For upgrades, we can also send a technician to your home or office to determine which type of heating system is right for you. Here’s how it works and the basic benefits you’ll get.

High velocity systems are also called small duct velocity. They are an energy-efficient air delivery system to meet all your HVAC needs, including heating, air conditioning, ventilation, air filtration, and moisture control. This improves indoor air quality and provides heating and cooling in one efficient system. Similar to installing ductless split systems, there’s very little disruption during the installation process. In other words, you don’t have to tear out all your walls due to the use of a flex duct system used to deliver the air throughout your home or office building.

The other main components can fit into closets, mechanical rooms, attics, crawlspaces, and most other tight-fit spaces. This makes high velocity systems ideal for retrofits, but they are also a good option for new construction projects. These systems are quiet and provide ample heat for your space even on the coldest days of the year. You can also add a whole-home dehumidifier or humidifier for better indoor air quality.

Another benefit is that high velocity systems evenly distribute the air to every room in your house evenly. However, if you are upgrading, you will need to make sure your air handler is upgraded to ensure that it is compatible with the new high velocity system. While there are many heating replacement options, you may find that a high velocity system is the most cost-effective upgrade for your needs, but it’s always good to speak with a professional contractor first.

Don’t hesitate to call the Portland heating, air conditioning, and indoor air quality experts at The Clean Air Act for all your questions about high velocity heating systems. Call today to get started!

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Do Humidity Levels Affect My Air Conditioning System?

Monday, July 30th, 2012

When humidity levels are high outside, you’ve probably noticed that your air conditioner helps to remove some of the excess moisture from the air inside your home. While most AC systems have a built-in dehumidifier, they are not a substitute for a whole-home dehumidifier. When you are looking for Portland  air conditioner services, call The Clean Air Act Inc. We can go over your options for installing a whole house humidifier to work with your AC system to create a comfortable indoor environment. Here are a few reasons many homeowners choose to install a dehumidifier for the whole house.

When you air conditioner is removing a lot of moisture from the air, it uses more energy to keep your home cool. If you are running your air conditioner only to dehumidify, you could be wasting a lot of energy. Because your system has to use more energy during times when the weather is particularly humid, it may increase your utility bills. You will be able to more effectively control the relative humidity inside your home by installing a dehumidifier to work with your air conditioning system.

A dehumidifier that is specially designed to only remove moisture from the air can also help reduce the load on your air conditioning system. On days when it is humid with moderate temperatures, you can just run the dehumidifier to keep your home comfortable during those times. Because your AC system will need to run less often, it will have less wear and tear on its components, which helps it last longer. Using a dehumidifier may also reduce the need for frequent air conditioner repairs.

Overall, dehumidifiers use much less energy and remove moisture more effectively than running the AC system alone, which helps to lower your energy bills and make your home more comfortable. To learn more about installing a a whole home dehumidifier in Portland, give Clean Air Act Inc. a call today!

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