Author: plumberseo

Why Good Indoor Air Quality Is Essential

Indoor air quality refers to how healthy the air is in a home or building. It’s essential for households to have good indoor air quality to keep their families healthy. It’s even more important for family members with allergies or asthma to have good-quality air in the house to prevent their symptoms from getting worse. 

A home with high humidity levels, poor ventilation, mold, dust, and other allergens and contaminants circulating throughout the house can enhance allergy or asthma symptoms even more. To avoid this, property owners must take steps to improve the indoor air quality in their homes. This August, National Wellness Month, is an excellent time for households to schedule indoor air quality services and improve their health.

Adverse Health Effects of Poor Indoor Air Quality

Poor indoor air quality can impact an entire household’s health, making it essential to take action to improve it. It can cause many health symptoms, such as nasal congestion, sore throats, hoarseness, eye irritation, nausea, headaches, dizziness, and fatigue.

Additionally, if family members with allergies or asthma are exposed to poor indoor air quality, it can trigger additional symptoms. They might also experience coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, asthma attacks, sneezing, itching, runny nose, and watery eyes. When households experience these health symptoms, it’s essential to have their indoor air quality tested and improved.

Routine Filter Replacements and Maintenance

Homeowners have many tools at their disposal to prevent poor indoor air quality. Scheduling routine HVAC maintenance on their air conditioner and heater and changing the air filters regularly, typically every three months, can help prevent poor indoor air quality in a home. Technicians recommend changing the air filters at least every three months to ensure they don’t get clogged and can adequately remove particles and allergens from the air. If a family owns a pet or lives in an area with high air pollution, they may need to replace the filters sooner. 

Homeowners should also schedule regular maintenance on their heaters or furnaces once a year and on their air conditioning systems once a year. Routine maintenance allows experts to inspect the unit and look for issues that can lead to poor indoor air quality. This can include looking for leaks and cleaning the system’s components to remove dust and debris. In addition to improving air quality, routine maintenance, and filter replacement will also improve the HVAC system’s energy efficiency and extend its lifespan. 

Install an Air Cleaner and Filtration System

To improve indoor air quality in a home, AC technicians may also suggest installing an air cleaner or air filtration system. These units – including air purifiers and UV air sanitizers – can remove particles and contaminants from the air. Air purifiers are recommended for households who want to remove more dust and allergens from the air in their home since they use a series of filters to capture them. 

On the other hand, UV sanitizers use ultraviolet light to remove bacteria and germs from the air, which will help prevent illnesses from circulating throughout a home. To determine which type of system is best for their home, property owners can ask indoor air quality contractors for their advice.

About MYK Air 

MYK Air is a reliable heating and air conditioning company serving Rock Hill and the surrounding areas. They offer flat rate pricing, the latest technology, and a satisfaction guarantee. Call them today for indoor air quality services in Rock Hill, SC.

Answering Frequently Asked Questions About Refrigerant

During an air conditioner tune-up, homeowners might hear HVAC technicians mention refrigerant levels and wonder what this substance has to do with the functionality of their AC unit. In short, a lot. Refrigerant is necessary to cool a house effectively. It lives in the coils of an AC system and absorbs the heat to cool the air. Without the appropriate levels of refrigerant or coolant, homes cannot cool to the desired temperature. 

To ensure their AC unit works properly, property owners need to understand what type of refrigerant their unit needs, what causes refrigerant leaks, and when to schedule an appointment with an HVAC technician. This post will answer some of the most commonly asked questions about AC refrigerants. 

How Can You Tell Which Refrigerant an AC Uses?

It’s important for homeowners to know which type of refrigerant their air conditioner uses. Refrigerant is not interchangeable, so using the wrong type could actually damage a system. It’s essential to check the system and locate the type of refrigerant the unit needs to prevent this.

It is usually found on a label on the outside of the outdoor unit. It can also be found in a user’s manual. If a homeowner cannot locate the refrigerant type, they can ask an HVAC technician during an annual inspection. If a homeowner’s air conditioner was built before 2010, it likely uses R-22 or freon. However, the R-22 refrigerant has been banned due to its negative environmental impacts and cannot be used in new models. 

What Causes Refrigerant Leaks?

Refrigerant leaks can occur in air conditioner systems for several reasons. Some of the most common causes can include:

• Aging and corrosion of the air conditioner and the coil: Chemicals, acids, and wear and tear can create small holes that cause refrigerant leaks. 
• Damage to components: Over time or during installation, damage to the AC unit can cause refrigerant leaks. 
• Lack of maintenance: If technicians are not hired to inspect units proactively, experts cannot identify more minor issues before they become larger. These problems can result in refrigerant leaks.

When Is It Time to Call a Professional for a Refrigerant Leak?

It’s essential for homeowners to call a professional for refrigerant leak repairs at the first signs of an issue. There are numerous symptoms they can watch for, but the most obvious one can be if the air conditioner is not properly cooling their house. This can be due to a lack of refrigerant in the system – which can indicate a leak.

Other signs to watch for are if the air conditioner is continuously running, hissing or gurgling sounds are coming from the unit, ice forming on the refrigerant lines, and frozen AC coils. Technicians will inspect the AC coils and use refrigerant leak detectors to determine if there is a refrigerant leak that needs to be repaired. 

About MYK Air

MYK Air is a team of heating and cooling experts serving Rock Hill and the surrounding areas. They provide straightforward pricing, the latest technology, and a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Call them today for AC refrigerant leak repair in Rock Hill, SC.

3 Tips to Reduce Energy Bills This Summer

While the summer months can be filled with fun, sun, and relaxation, they can also be very hot. South Carolina homeowners rely heavily on their air conditioners to combat the heat. While this can provide comfort for their homes, it can also cause their energy bills to skyrocket. These costs can be reduced using some tips, and this post will share three ways homeowners can help reduce their cooling costs without discomfort.

Programmable and Smart Thermostats

Running the air conditioner can result in hefty utility bills in the summer months. Air conditioning contractors recommend installing programmable or smart thermostats to help control the indoor climate and costs. One benefit of these Wi-Fi-enabled thermostats is providing climate control options that homeowners can adjust inside or away from home. 

Property owners can download an app on their mobile devices to change the temperature throughout the day. This means they can alter the thermostat when no one is home or away on vacation and adjust it to the ideal temperature just before returning. Programmable thermostats provide an easy way to preset temperatures when away from home or asleep at night, while smart thermostats can learn peoples’ habits and adjust the temperature automatically. 

These devices can help save energy and money on utility bills by eliminating the need to manually adjust temperatures all the time. With a programmable thermostat, homeowners can set specific times for their heating or cooling system to turn on and off, ensuring it runs only when needed. Smart thermostats have even more features that allow them to detect occupancy in a home and use weather forecasts to automatically adjust temperatures throughout the day. Both types of thermostats come in various styles and offer features such as remote access, multiple zone control, humidity control, and more.

Weatherstripping

When standing by their door or windows, homeowners might notice a draft. This means cooled air is escaping through the gaps around windows and doors, and the hot air from outside is entering their home. The result is higher than desired temperatures, which can cause air conditioners to overwork and use more energy to keep the house cool, raising energy bills. 

Weatherstripping is important for energy efficiency when keeping a home cool in the summer. Installing weatherstripping around doors and windows gives a more secure seal that prevents cool air from escaping through cracks and crevices. This reduces the energy needed to keep the home comfortable, saving money on cooling costs.

Use the AC Less and Fans More

An AC unit can quickly cool down a home, but running the air conditioning for long periods can drastically increase energy bills. On the other hand, running a ceiling fan can help circulate air and keep rooms comfortable without consuming as much energy. So to maximize comfort and energy efficiency, use the AC less and ceiling fans more. 

Homeowners can set the thermostat higher than they usually would if using air conditioning alone, so the ceiling fans can work together with the AC to maintain a comfortable temperature while using less energy and saving money. Additionally, adjust the direction of ceiling fans each season to move counterclockwise in the summer and clockwise in the winter. By taking these steps, homeowners can save energy while still being comfortable in their homes.

About MYK Air 

MYK Air is a heating and air conditioning company serving Rock Hill, SC, and the surrounding areas. They provide straightforward pricing, the latest technology, and a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Call them today for a smart home thermostat installation in Rock Hill, SC. 

What Heating and Cooling Contractors Keep in Their Fully Stocked Trucks

When a homeowner needs air conditioner or furnace repairs, installation, or maintenance, the expectation is likely that HVAC contractors will arrive with the tools required to complete the job. Contractors coming to the job prepared with the right tools allows them to complete the job quicker and with fewer interruptions. Read on to learn about some hand tools, safety equipment, and specialized tools heating and cooling technicians keep in their trucks.

Hand Tools

HVAC technicians must keep various hand tools in their vans or trucks to ensure they have the right equipment to complete a multitude of air conditioning and heating services. Some of the most common essential tools include screwdrivers, flashlights, pliers, tape measures, and cutters.

These serve practical purposes:

• Screwdrivers: Technicians must remove and put back screws from thermostats, AC, and heater systems to access the insides for inspection and repair.
• Flashlight: Heating and cooling contractors need to look closely at units when looking for the source of problems. A flashlight lets them get a good view of the components when inspecting and making repairs.
• Pliers: These are needed to bend, hold, and strip wires while repairing or replacing an HVAC system.
• Tape measure: When installing a new system, technicians must know how much space they have to work with.
• Cutters: Cutters are necessary when replacing or installing piping into the HVAC system.

Safety Equipment

Working with air conditioners and heaters can be dangerous as technicians must handle hazardous equipment, chemicals, and gases. To protect themselves, they need to wear safety equipment.

Some standard safety items contractors use include:

• Gloves: Gloves protect their hands from hot components, handling chemicals, and dealing with sharp parts.
• Masks and Goggles: Technicians must protect their faces and eyes when dealing with gasses and chemicals or using power tools.
• Proper Shoes: Technicians must wear heavy-duty work boots to protect their feet and toes and provide traction to prevent accidents when working.

Specialized Tools

Technicians also use specialized HVAC tools that apply specifically to HVAC work. Some of these include:

• Coil Fin Straighteners: These are used to straighten bent fins on the outdoor condenser unit and clean debris off the fins.
• Thermometer: A digital thermometer can help detect the temperature of a system and the air it’s producing.
• Leak Detectors: These are needed to check for moisture around the system to identify refrigerant leaks.
• Psychrometer: These measure the relative humidity and airflow.

About MYK Air

The team at MYK Air are friendly and professional heating and air conditioning experts serving Rock Hill, SC, and the surrounding areas. They provide straightforward pricing, on-time arrival, and the latest technology. Call them today for heating or air conditioning services in Rock Hill, SC.