But did you know that uninvited guests are floating in the air in your home and impacting your health? Common indoor pollutants, including dust particles, bacteria, excessive moisture, and volatile organic compounds (VOC) can all negatively affect your home’s indoor air quality.

If you want to improve the indoor air quality of your home, the heating and air conditioning services team at Global Green Solutions has you covered! Here are 10 ways to care for your air.

1. Bring the Outside In

Adding some lush houseplants to your space isn’t just beautiful, but it’s also healthy. Plants actually breathe, taking in carbon dioxide and exhaling fresh, clean oxygen. By bringing some houseplants into your home, you can create a symbiotic relationship and filter your indoor air.

Some great houseplants to consider purchasing include aloe, snake plants, and spider plants.

2. Use Safe Cleaning Products

Do you have pets or kids? Then you’re probably already using safe household cleaning solutions. But did you know that traditional cleaners are brimming with toxins that can affect your air quality? That’s right! Using natural cleaning products will keep everyone, from your tots to your four-legged pals, safe.

3. Open the Windows

During splendid spring days, open your windows and let the outside air come through! Newer houses don’t breathe well and can re-circulate the same old air over and over again. This can put a real damper on your indoor air quality. By opening your windows, you can let fresh air come into your home.

Consider placing a fan in the window to promote air circulation.

4. Switch Your Furnace Blower On

Though Los Angeles residents rarely turn on their heat, it’s a good idea to switch your furnace blower on if you want to enhance the quality of your indoor air. This re-circulates the air in your home, into your intake ducts, and back out of your house’s supply ducts.

Always ensure your furnace has been serviced so that it operated efficiently. The furnace repair pros at Global Green Solutions are here to help!

5. Routinely Change Your Air Filters

It’s important to change your air filters based on the manufacturer’s recommendations. Your home’s air filters are the front line of defense against indoor air pollutants. Your HVAC system circulates over 1,000 cubic feet of air per minute through the filter. This means that all of the air in your house passes through the filters numerous times every day.

By regularly changing your filters, they’ll be able to efficiently capture harmful airborne particulates, including dust and pollen. Clogged air filters have a tougher time circulating the air. This drastically increases your utility bill and also results in reduced airflow throughout your HVAC system. 

Be sure to change the filters monthly during the winter seasons. During the summer months, you can change it according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.

If you need additional information or help, the experienced HVAC installation and air duct replacement in Los Angeles technicians at Global Green Solutions are here to help.

6. Frequently Wash Your Bedding

Over time, your sheets, blankets, and comforters can become filled with microscopic skin flakes, dust mites, and dirt. Yuck! If you own pets, they can also leave pet dander and hair in your bedding. These tiny pollutants can become airborne and decrease your home’s indoor air quality. 

Get into the habit of washing your bedding in hot water once a week. The hot water will kill germs and dust mites which contribute to poor indoor air quality.

In addition to your bedding, be sure to regularly clean your fabrics, including your rugs, drapes, and couch pillow covers. Allergens, dust mites, and other particles can accumulate in linens, impacting your indoor air.

7. Buy a Humidifier, Dehumidifier, Or Fan

Having the ideal humidity levels in your home will enhance your indoor air quality. Too much humidity can encourage the growth of mold and other bacteria. On the other hand, dry air can lead to itchy and flaky skin.

Change the humidity levels in your home by investing in a humidifier, dehumidifier, or fan. Fans will circulate and dry out the air. Aim to keep your home’s humidity levels between 30% and 60%.

8. Vacuum Regularly

Make vacuuming a weekly cleaning habit. Regularly vacuuming can greatly reduce the amounts of harmful allergens in your home, including dander, dust, and pollen. If somebody in your home suffers from asthma or allergies, buy a vacuum with a special HEPA filter. This filter will automatically filter and clean the air as you vacuum.

9. Use an Air Purifier

Use an air purifier in your home to clean and filter your indoor air. These purifiers can remove odors, toxic particles, and pollutants from your home’s air. This helps to lessen the chances of catching a cold. 

10.  Get Your Home Inspected by an HVAC Tech 

If you’re worried about your home’s indoor air quality, you may want to have a professional HVAC technician perform an air quality test. While they’re there, the technicians can also inspect your AC and heating systems and make any necessary repairs or adjustments to improve the quality of your indoor air.

Improve Your Indoor Air Quality Today

If you want to boost your comfort and indoor air quality, call the trusted team of HVAC specialists at Global Green Solutions today. We are proud to serve Los Angeles and offer heater installation, attic insulation, duct replacement, and more.

Call us today at (310) 269-0002 to get your free quote.

The post 10 Indoor Air Quality Solutions for Health and Wellness appeared first on Global Green Solutions.

In order to stay comfy all year long, it’s essential to find the ideal balance of humidity and heat. Thankfully, the heating and air conditioning services in Los Angeles experts at Global Green Solutions are here to help. Here’s everything you need to know about achieving the perfect humidity levels for optimal home comfort. 

What is Relative Humidity?

As temperatures rise or fall, the capacity of air to hold water will also fluctuate. Hotter temperatures allow air to hold more water. Cold air has a tougher time holding water. This is why you’ll see dew on your lawn during chilly winter mornings.

Relative humidity is a term describing how much humidity is present in the air, compared to how much there could be. When temperatures drop to the dew point or the point at which air cannot hold onto water, relative humidity becomes 100%.

What’s the Best Humidity Levels for Los Angeles Homes? 

The first step to achieving ideal humidity levels in your home is knowing what those levels are. During the hot summer months, the average humidity levels in your home should range between 30% and 45%. In the winter, relative humidity levels should fall below 40% in order to avoid window condensation. 

If these levels aren’t properly maintained, your home will become dry and uncomfortable. You may also notice physical symptoms, such as dry, flaky skin and respiratory issues.

Moreover, improper humidity levels can also damage your home, both inside and out. While excessive moisture can encourage the growth of mold, low amounts of moisture will wreak havoc on wooden furniture and other beloved possessions.

A good rule of thumb to follow is the following humidity level suggestions from ASHRAE: 

Comfortable: 30% – 60%

Recommended: 45% – 55%

High: 55% – 80%

To keep your home comfortable, aim to keep the humidity between 30% and 60%. Anything above that would be too dry and anything above 60% is too humid, increasing your risk of a mold infestation.

Health Benefits of Proper Humidity Levels

Maintaining the right humidity levels in your home come with many health perks, including:

• Clearer sinuses and better breathing
• Lower risk of infection
• Smooth, hydrated skin
• Better sleep quality
• Fewer instances of sore throat
• A hydrated and healthy body

Moreover, maintaining the proper humidity levels can benefit your home too. Global Green Solution’s team of heater repair specialists has seen homes with the right humidity preserve paintings, pictures, and wooden furniture.

Drawbacks of High and Low Humidity

Having humidity levels in your home that are too high or too low can present a unique set of challenges.

Too much humidity can promote the growth of mold and bacteria in your house. Mold can put your home, and your health, at risk. Since mold eats away at any surface it grows on, it can harm the structural integrity of your home. Additionally, mold can cause breathing problems, watery eyes, and a runny nose.

Low humidity levels can make conducive environments for viruses and bacteria. Other drawbacks of low humidity levels include rashes, chapped lips, and dry skin. 

As you can see, it’s crucial to maintain the proper levels of humidity in your home all year long.

How Can You Achieve an Ideal Humidity Level? 

Fortunately, there are many simple steps you can take to maintain proper humidity levels in your home. The A/C repair experts at Global Green Solutions recommend that you: 

• Purchase a humidifier or dehumidifier: One of the best solutions to set ideal humidity levels in your home is with the help of a humidifier or dehumidifier. These effective appliances can either increase or decrease the moisture levels in your indoor air.
• Exhaust fans: In our opinion, the most cost-effective solution to maintain the right humidity levels in your house is with an exhaust fan. These fans efficiently circulate air throughout your home, preventing humidity buildup. They’re especially useful in rooms that see high humidity levels from hot showers or cooking.
• Smart controllers: Smart AC controllers, also known as mini-split thermostats, automatically monitor and maintain your home’s humidity levels. Best of all, you can control the humidity right from your smartphone!
• Houseplants: Creating a mini jungle in your home is a great way to control humidity levels. Not to mention, plants add instant beauty to any space.

Is Your HVAC Contributing to Your Humidity Problems?

Did you know that your HVAC system contributes to the humidity levels in your home? That’s right! When your air conditioning is working efficiently, it will remove the proper amounts of both moisture and heat from the air. If it’s not working, your humidity levels could drastically fluctuate.

If you need an awesome A/C repair team in Los Angeles, look no further than NATE-certified technicians at Global Green Solutions today!

Enjoy Optimal Comfort in Your Los Angeles Home Today

If your home has super high or low humidity levels, your HVAC system might be to blame. If you need an experienced crew of highly-skilled professionals, call Global Green Solutions now. With over 10 years of experience, our fully licensed bonded, and insured team is here for you when you need us the most.

To enjoy optimal comfort and ideal humidity levels in your LA home all year long, contact us today by calling (310) 269-0002. We look forward to seeing you soon!

The post Ideal Humidity Levels for Maximum Comfort And How to Get Them appeared first on Global Green Solutions.

It’s a common belief that energy efficiency negatively affects air quality, and vice versa. Yet, both aspects can be improved together through smart design decisions, i.e. you can maximize indoor air quality without having to sacrifice energy efficiency. 

Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are responsible for the largest share of energy consumption in most residential and commercial buildings. Additionally, indoor air quality depends strongly on HVAC performance. So, a good HVAC design is fundamental in terms of achieving both energy efficiency and indoor air quality in a building project.

HVAC Technology And Its Effect On Your Health

New HVAC technology’s impact on improving health isn’t anything new either. A little over forty years ago, a phenomenon called “sick building syndrome” (SBS) became a concern for both homeowners in residential and commercial buildings worldwide.

Although the exact SBS cause remains uncertain, there is widespread agreement that the root of the issue was insufficient ventilation for residents of well-sealed buildings. Today, we know SBS symptoms can include dizziness, nausea, headaches, eye, nose, and throat irritation, fatigue, and more. If you think there is a correlation between new HVAC technology and health improvement, you’re right. 

New HVAC Technology Ever Important Amidst COVID-19 Pandemic

Perhaps most significantly today, it is believed air cleaning and building ventilation improvements can be chief components of a larger strategy against the COVID-19 pandemic. The United States Environmental Protection Agency has indicated that among other means, coronavirus may spread via airborne particles in indoor environments. One of the strategies to mitigate virus transmission involves introducing fresh, outdoor air. 

New HVAC Installation

It is estimated that more than 50% of the energy in a typical house is consumed by the heating and cooling systems. That’s precisely why you, as a homeowner, should think hard about the decisions you need to make about your HVAC system. This is one major issue that can make a huge difference in your comfort level and utility bills.

New HVAC Installation Benefits

Now, let’s take a deeper look at some of the HVAC installations in Los Angeles benefits.

Air Flow

There are variable speed motors in high-efficiency systems which ensure that air flow is at the optimal level for any homeowner. Besides, thanks to the motors’ super energy-efficient levels, you don’t have to worry about the bills. Improved flow, in turn, keeps the air healthier because the temperatures in every room are more comfortable. 

Noise

Today’s modern equipment has sound-absorbing materials that ensure your equipment is felt but not heard. You will be able to avoid the nagging shaking or rattling sound of older models at the start of every cycle. 

Environmental Impact

If you find the green approach vital, new HVAC Installation is the right choice for you. High-efficiency systems use up to 33% less fuel in comparison to older models. 

Options

High-efficiency systems offer an abundance of options. Whether it’s programmable thermostats to help control temperatures or solar and geothermal technology in your home, your priorities are key when it comes to installing the best product for your situation. 

Increased Resale Value

A new high-efficiency HVAC system can increase your property’s value. This can be a significant positive for prospective buyers. Also, if you install it now, you will be able to easily show the money you saved in the utility bills.

HVAC Replacement 

Considering the busy lifestyle so often surrounding our adult lives, it’s not surprising that the average homeowner ignores or overlooks their aging household HVAC system. This, however, can be detrimental to your household airflow, budget, and overall feeling of security. 

With the technological growth rate skyrocketing every year, you might be surprised to discover that replacing your old system with a more modern one offers many benefits. The questions that we get asked most about HVAC replacement are when the right time to replace a unit is and whether it would be better to repair it instead. 

HVAC Replacement Benefits

There are also a lot of benefits to updating your heating and air conditioning. Let’s take a closer look at some of them.

Furnace Cost Savings

Replacing an older furnace with a high-efficiency one, can start saving you money as early as your first bill. Furnaces are measured by AFUE (annual fuel utilization efficiency.) High-efficiency systems operate at 93 to 98 % AFUE, as opposed to older ones (around 65 %). Feel the difference in your pocket!

A/C Cost Savings

As in the case with your furnace, if you replace an older inefficient A/C, you will save a lot of money. Air-conditioning systems are measured by SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio.), the higher the SEER level, the more money you save. SEER is significantly higher in new systems when compared to that in older units. New units will pay for themselves over the unit’s lifetime.

Greater Home Value

Window-based air conditioners and baseboard heaters are very unappealing to future real estate agents looking to buy your household. With many great features, such as a remote control for optimum airflow in your home, you’ll be in a much better spot if you decide to sell your home later in life. 

Age of Unit 

Generally, most heat pumps are expected to last about 10 years. If a certified HVAC technician has properly maintained the household unit throughout the years, it’s highly possible to prolong its lifespan to 15 years. However, If your heat pump is already 10 years old, any more money spent on repairs is in vain and you would be much more comfortable updating to a more modern unit. 

Expired Warranty or Unavailable Parts

Very often, when you use your heating or A/C unit beyond their expected lifespan, you run into two problems. Either the warranty that covers replacement parts has expired, or the parts in question aren’t manufactured anymore. In both cases, replacing the unit is always a better option than repairing the old one. Install Your New HVAC Today – Call Global Green Solutions

Installing a new HVAC system or replacing an old one is a smart move for more than one reason. Whether it’s the positive impact on your health, the lower costs, or all other aspects we’ve discussed so far, the advantages are obvious. So, why wait when you can act right now?

Hire Global Green Solutions. You will quickly find out it’s the wisest decision you made in a long time. If you want to get the best HVAC new installation or HVAC replacement service, they’re just the solution.

Call Global Green Solutions at (310) 269-0002, email them at service@ggshvac-wordpress-ggshvac.rwuht4.easypanel.host or fill in the form here. 

The post Maximizing Indoor Air Quality Without Sacrificing Energy Efficiency appeared first on Global Green Solutions.