Sources of Air Pollution in Your Home

Posted by & filed under air filters, air pollution, allergies .

There could be a problem with the air you’re breathing. With airtight construction prodded by energy-efficient building practices over the last few decades, homes are less likely to exchange air as quickly – meaning the natural ventilation from times of old now no longer allows for the routine exchange of air between inside and outside. That means what’s inside your home stays inside your home, including the pollutants that collect over time. What’s more, because Americans spend up to 90% of their time indoors, these pollutants are potentially reaching right into your family’s breathing passages.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, there are several common pollutants found in homes these days. They include:

Combustion Pollutants – Gases or particles that come from burning materials, major residential sources of combustion pollutants improperly vented or unvented fuel-burning appliances such as space heaters, wood stoves, gas stoves, water heaters, dryers and fireplaces. Common combustion pollutants include carbon monoxide (CO) which is a colorless, odorless gas that interferes with the delivery of oxygen throughout the body. Carbon monoxide causes headaches, dizziness, weakness, nausea and even death. Additionally, nitrogen dioxide is a colorless, odorless gas that causes eye, nose and throat irritation, shortness of breath and an increased risk of respiratory infection.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) – These are chemicals found in paints and lacquers, paint strippers, cleaning supplies, varnishes and waxes, pesticides, building materials and furnishings, office equipment, moth repellents, air fresheners and dry-cleaned clothing. VOCs evaporate into the air when these products are used or sometimes even when they are stored. VOCs irritate the eyes, nose and throat, and cause headaches, nausea and damage to the liver, kidneys and central nervous system. Some of them can cause cancer.

Asthma Triggers – These include mold, dust mites, secondhand smoke and pet dander. Asthma triggers cause symptoms including coughing, chest tightness, wheezing and breathing problems. Molds produce spores that float in the air, land on damp surfaces and grow. Inhaling or touching molds can cause hay fever-type symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, red eyes and skin rashes. Molds can also trigger asthma attacks.

For peace of mind on any of these pollutants, contact us today for an Indoor Air Analysis. Just call or email, and we’ll take care of you.

Standing by for your call…

Posted by & filed under robin aire, routine maintenance .

If you’re old enough to remember the iconic Maytag repairman from TV commercials of days gone by, you’ll remember how bored and lonely he was because Maytag washing machines never needed repair. That whole campaign was a great idea because of how long it lasted in popular culture and what a good message it was for customers to hear: you’re not going to have a problem with our products.

In our work, we have a similar message. If we’ve tuned up your furnace for the winter season, you shouldn’t have any problem. In fact, if we tuned up every customer we served prior to winter, we might feel a little like that Maytag repairman. Still, we know the unexpected can happen. Plus, sometimes you just have questions. So, just know, we’ll always welcome your call.

One of the other great lines from infomercials of days gone by was the call to action at the end: “Operators are standing by.” That meant “call now and someone will be able to help you.” You could almost picture a whole room of desks with telephones just waiting to be answered. So think of that when you call us. We’re standing by, ready to help. Whatever home comfort issue is on your mind, just call us at (800) 361-0888 or request service through our website, and we’ll get someone to you right away.

Season of Change

Posted by & filed under fall, hvac, robin aire, season of change .

Fall is quite the season of change. The weather is cooler and the leaves are changing; it’s a sight to see. Sweaters and jackets are becoming a must and pretty soon we’ll be breaking out the scarves and gloves. Holidays are just around the corner and things are about to get busy.

During this busy season it’s easy to forget things you have to do. Wouldn’t it be nice if there was someone who could just come in and do it all for you? Do the grocery shopping, the cleaning, the yard work and anything else you can think of. While we may not be able to do all of those things for you, we can get your home comfort system ready for this weather change.

It may not even be something that crossed your mind, but it’s something that you should get checked off your list. If your system has given you trouble in the past, or you just want to get it tuned up, we want to help. Just call or email and let us know.

Who Should You Trust to Check Your Home Systems?

Posted by & filed under ac, air conditioner .

If you’re like most folks, your home is your most valuable financial asset. The systems that run your home represent a sizeable part of your investment, of course. So you’ll only want reputable, qualified and competent contractors to take care of them for you.

When you need service done, many of you ask family, friends and neighbors for names of companies, and that’s a great way to check for a sound reputation. You can also take a close look at the testimonials from satisfied customers. Get a sense of how the company presents itself on the Web and in other advertising.

Your trust should grow the more you know. But when there’s something in the back of your mind that says you’re not sure about what you’re hearing, stop and reassess. For example, the Federal Trade Commission says tip-offs to rip-offs from a less-than-reputable contractor could include any of the following: solicits door-to-door; only accepts cash payments; does not list a business number in the local telephone directory; pressures you for an immediate decision; and asks you to pay for the entire job up front.

If you’re tired of people touting services that are too good to be true, you’re not alone.
Robin Aire offers 24 hour service. We also drug test and background screen all of our technicians. If you want your air conditioning to stay reliable all summer long, doesn’t it make sense to call a reliable company for your tune-up?

We’d be honored to have you trust your system to us. Let us hear from you.

Controlling Humidity in Your Home

Posted by & filed under ac, ac system, air conditioner, air conditioning system .

When there are high levels of relative humidity outdoors, most people recognize this fact by sensing a thick moisture in the air and a sticky feeling on the skin. Inside, the presence of high levels of humidity can produce a different response: itching, sneezing and coughing. That’s because organisms that thrive in humidity can cause allergic reactions, and high levels of humidity, so common in summer, can create a breeding ground for mold, dust mites and fungus.

Humidity – more accurately called “relative humidity” – is a measure of water vapor content in the air. According to industry experts, the best humidity level for your indoor environment in summer is between 30% and 50%. But what if your level veers from that standard?

According to Weather.com, humidity that is too dry (<30%) can cause:

  • Damage to wood floors, furniture, musical instruments
  • Static electricity; electronic equipment damage
  • Increased dust
  • Respiratory, throat and skin irritations

Humidity that is too wet (>50%) can lead to:

  • Termites, cockroaches and other insects
  • Condensation and stains on walls, ceilings, windows
  • Flaking paint and peeling wallpaper
  • Mold, mildew, dust mite growth; allergic reactions

The use of central air conditioning helps in the control of humidity. The Environmental Protection Agency says, “When air conditioners are frequently running in the summer, people tend to think something must be wrong, that the unit is inefficient and not working properly.” But frequent cycling by your air conditioner is a good thing! This is how an air conditioner removes humidity – by the frequent runs – so it is something to welcome, not lament.

“In fact, it is standard practice for central air conditioning units to be installed that are 30-100% oversized on the assumption that a large unit will blast cool air throughout the house. However, the opposite is true. Oversized air conditioners cycle less frequently, remove less moisture and waste energy. After shooting that big blast of cool air, the excess ‘idle time’ is when indoor humidity levels rise and that’s what makes you uncomfortable.”

We’d be happy to talk with you more about important issues of comfort and health. Schedule an appointment or learn more about Robin Aire Heating and Cooling here.