by Stephen | August 17th, 2017 | Afterglow, Blog, Health and Wellness
The end of summer often brings those pesky fall allergens that we detest. They pollute the air that we breathe, causing irritating symptoms like a runny nose, watery eyes, sneezing, coughing, dark under-eye circles, and itchy sinuses. These symptoms can last from mid-August well into October, so it is very important to understand what allergies are prevalent in the fall months so that we can reduce their strain.
RAGWEED
The worst fall allergy culprit is ragweed. The pollen from this invasive plant can travel airborne for hundreds of miles, and the dryer the air, the higher the concentration of pollen. Roughly 75% of people with spring allergies also suffer from reactions to ragweed in the fall due to the change in temperatures and winds. Symptoms from ragweed allergies peak at midday when many people are at work, and can be incredibly disruptive to your health!
MOLD
Mold is another trigger for allergic reactions in the fall months, and thrives in moist environments both outdoors and indoors. Keep an eye on damp areas of your home like the washroom, kitchen, or basement to make sure no mold is developing. Damp walls, leaky foundations, improper insulation and carpeting all provide the perfect breeding ground for musty mold.
DUST MITES
Dust mites prefer warm, damp climates; however, that does not stop them from thriving well into the fall. Turning on your furnace can stir up dust into the air, propelling dust mites into the sinuses and causing the allergic reactions suffers dread most.
HOW TO COPE WITH FALL ALLERGIES
TIP #1: Dusting and Duct Cleaning
If you are allergic to dust mites, ensure that you thoroughly dust your home. If your nose is especially sensitive, wear a mask to protect your sinuses as you clean. Since dust likes to settle on every surface, including clothes and bed sheets, ensure that you wash these items in hot water (at least 130 degrees) and dry them in the dryer. Avoid hanging these items to dry because the moisture present is enough to attract ragweed, mites, and mold. Dust often settles in house ducts, so it is also important to inspect and clean your ducts periodically to limit allergic reactions created from dust and mold.
TIP #2: High-Quality HVAC Systems
Dehumidifiers – Depending on the air quality and temperature in your home, using a dehumidifier can drastically improve the air you breathe, eliminating the pesky allergens found travelling in the air. Dehumidifiers will be your best friend in the fall because they work to extract moisture from the air where mold, dust mites, and ragweed thrive.
Air Cleaners and Filters – Find a purifying filter that is right for you. HEPA air filters in particular are fantastic for trapping tiny particles that make their way into the air. Cleaning and filtering the air you breathe in your home is essential for keeping allergies at bay.
TIP #3: Scheduled Maintenance Appointments
Sometimes it can be overwhelming trying to determine the best options for your home when it comes to eliminating pollutants such as ragweed, dust, and mold. Take the stress out of your day by getting advice from the experts. Schedule a regular maintenance appointments with Afterglow today.
by Stephen | June 16th, 2017 | Afterglow, Air Conditoner, Blog
As the hot weather begins, you’ve probably started to think about how to keep cool this summer. At Afterglow, we can help you increase efficiency and get the most from your AC unit throughout the summer months. Follow these easy tips to stay cool:
Avoid Using Heat-Generating Appliances
Appliances such as ovens and dryers create additional heat, so try to limit their use, especially during those hot summer days. Why not relax outside as you cook dinner on the BBQ or use the warm air to your advantage by hanging your clothes out to dry? Avoiding large household appliances goes a long way in maximizing the effectiveness of your AC.
Weather-Proof Your Home
Is your home still hot, even with the AC on full blast? That could mean that you have air leaks by your windows or doors. It may also mean further insulation is required. We’re always surprised by just how many older (and even newer houses) haven’t been properly weather-proofed.
Use Blinds to Block Heat
Leaving your blinds covered over the windows isn’t just a good way to save yourself from the sun, it’s also an easy way to keep your house cool when you’re not home. By leaving your blinds down, you’re helping to save on precious energy.
Keep It Cool
Baking in the sun is a great beach activity, but not for an AC unit. Place it in the shade so it has an easier time intaking the warm air from your home – and exporting it back as cool air. Keeping your unit cool means keeping you cool too. It’s also a great excuse to get out and get some gardening done; trees and shrubs can provide much needed cover from the blistering sunlight.
Place Your Thermostat Properly
If your thermostat happens to be placed in direct sunlight, near windows/doors or even in the kitchen you may be getting incorrect readings. Your thermostat should be placed in the direct centre of your house (or as close as it can be) to avoid other elements from influencing the temperature that it’s reading.
Invest in Energy Efficient Units
Investing in a new AC unit can not only save you cooling costs over time, it can also maximize the performance upgrade that it offers. If your AC isn’t aging gracefully, it could be time to retire it for a newer model. Check out our previous blog on Energy Star rated HVAC products for more info, or call an Afterglow technician.
Whether it needs to be cleaned, inspected, upgraded or tuned, we’re available 24/7 and have an emergency response time of four hours in Kitchener Waterloo. Afterglow has been serving the region for over 20 years and we are experts in: air conditioners, air ventilation, boilers, water heaters, radiators and furnaces. Contact us now to get a quote!
by Stephen | May 17th, 2017 | Afterglow, Air Conditoner, Blog, Kitchener-Waterloo cooling
It’s (almost) that time of year again, so make sure you’re ready to beat the heat by choosing an air conditioning system that works for your home. It’s not a one-size-fits-all solution and we’re here to help you make the right decision for your lifestyle.
No ducts in your home? No problem! Ductless air conditioners are suitable for homes with boilers, additions or attic spaces that can’t be properly cooled by a central system. Rather than going through the hassle of expanding or installing new ductwork, a ductless system can help you save on money, space and energy.
Go Ductless Now – Top FOUR Reasons Why:
- Ductless air conditioners are more energy-efficient than other cooling options. While central air conditioning can lose up to 30% of the cooled air in the ductwork, ductless air ensures you get everything you’re paying for.
- Ductless systems have a reverse pump that also creates heat so it can be used to both heat and cool your home. A win-win situation for everyone, all year round.
- You can install the indoor part of the ductless system anywhere you want. They’re compact and easy to store, both inside and out. You’re the boss of your cooling system and you decide where it goes!
- You are the master of your domain and can set a different temperature in different rooms. No more arguing with your cold-blooded family members… or your mother-in-law, who’s always running slightly warmer than average.
The installation process is simple and requires only a small hole to link the inside and outside units together. Contact Afterglow to meet with one of our experienced HVAC technicians, and be guaranteed an efficiently installed ductless system. We also provide maintenance services for ductless and central AC systems so you can stay cool this summer.
by Stephen | March 8th, 2017 | Afterglow, Blog, Uncategorized, Your Home Comfort
In-floor heating, also known as radiant floor heating, is a method of heating your home that provides heat through the floors, wall panels, and ceilings of your home. Not only is radiant floor heating more energy-efficient than many other forms of indoor climate control, but it can also be an excellent alternative to other types of forced air heating for those with allergies. If you have radiant floor heating in your home, do you know how to maintain the system and preserve its longevity? If you’re considering a home with radiant floor heating, here are some tips for maintaining your system. When radiant floor systems are well-maintained, they rarely experience breakdowns, and are a fairly hassle-free heating system.
Pump Maintenance
Radiant floor heating relies on your pump being in good condition, and problems with pumps should be fairly infrequent if maintained properly. However, one sign that the pump may need an HVAC technician’s inspection is if it begins to make noise, as pumps generally operate silently. Keep in mind that equipment more than a few years old may operate at a louder noise level than new pumps. Get acquainted with what your pump sounds like when it’s healthy, so that you can quickly detect changes.
Afterglow offers a yearly maintenance package to keep pumps functioning in peak condition, and if you stay on top of maintenance, you shouldn’t encounter any problems with your radiant floor pump. However, if you do encounter a problem, our technicians at Afterglow are experienced, and can provide service in any emergency.
Leaks
Radiant floor heating is meant to be a closed system, meaning that leaks should be rare. The best way to prevent leaks is to have an HVAC technician inspect your radiant floor system and make sure it’s functioning at optimal pressure. Low pressure can indicate a leak somewhere in the pipe system, which may not be disastrous at first, but will mean that the system isn’t functioning as efficiently as possible over time. Radiant floor heating can operate 25-40% more efficiently than other heating systems, but these efficiencies won’t be realized if a leak exists somewhere in the system.
We’re always here for you at Afterglow, whether you need routine maintenance or whether you’re facing an HVAC emergency! We offer a four-hour emergency response time, and our certified HVAC technicians are always happy to provide service for all your heating and cooling needs.
by Stephen | February 15th, 2017 | Afterglow, Blog, Uncategorized
As most of us know, your “carbon footprint” is a way of measuring how much your daily activities and consumption of energy affect the environment. Since your carbon footprint is calculated in part according to how much energy you use, when you start to consider the health of the environment by shrinking your carbon footprint, you also end up saving money! Here are our top tips.
- Use a carbon footprint calculator to pinpoint where you can improve:
Find out which areas of your life (whether it’s gas mileage, electricity use, or your food consumption) are contributing to your carbon footprint. Awareness of your energy usage is the first step to shrinking your carbon footprint, as we often forget that many of our daily activities have an impact on both environment and our own expenses.
- Control your temperature and energy usage with a programmable thermostat:
During cold weather, use a programmable thermostat to lower your home’s set temperature at night and during times of the day that you won’t be home. Lowering your set temperature by as little as 2 degrees can add up to huge savings.
- Change your HVAC filter regularly:
Did you know that regularly changing your HVAC air filter can reduce your energy usage by 5-10%? When you don’t change your HVAC’s air filter on a regular basis, the system has to work harder because airflow is restricted. Eliminate wasted energy by getting the filter changed once a month.
- Find a reliable HVAC technician:
Asking your technician to perform regular maintenance on your HVAC unit, before there’s a problem, can save you tons of money in wasted energy. A technician can inspect and seal your heating and cooling ducts, which can increase your HVAC’s efficiency by up to 20%, and technicians can also perform any necessary maintenance or upgrades that your unit might need.
At Afterglow, our technicians are here to help you get the most of your HVAC unit. We want to keep your HVAC equipment running optimally, so we can all work together to decrease our carbon footprints and keep our costs down.
by Stephen | January 23rd, 2017 | Afterglow, Blog, emergency service, Uncategorized
During cold Canadian winter nights, your HVAC system becomes the number one asset in your home. However, if not working properly, it can become one of the most expensive liabilities. Without fail, every year we get phone calls from people that are both frustrated and scared when their furnace stops working. We want to help! Take three minutes to check out main causes for a HVAC breakdown and how you can prevent it:
1. Lack of proper maintenance
One of the reasons for breakdowns is the lack of proper maintenance of the HVAC unit. Failing to get your furnace or boiler checked at least once a year will slowly run down the system, which results in lower efficiency and could lead to an expensive breakdown. Alongside maintenance, remember to replace filters every one to two months to ensure that your unit is working properly.
2. Items around your furnace
The area around your furnace or boiler should be cleared of any debris. Storing salt bags or chemicals nearby can adversely affect your HVAC unit. Debris close to the unit that obstructs the flow of air to and from the HVAC system can also contribute to a breakdown.
3. Improper sizing
Getting an HVAC system that best fits your household needs is very important. Installing a system that is too small for your household will decrease the unit’s lifespan, as it will be overworked. Oversizing results in excessive burner cycles. Our trained technicians at Afterglow will ensure that you get a unit installed in your home that will best fit your household needs.
4. Improper installation
Improper installation of an HVAC unit can reduce its efficiency by up to 30%. When it comes to repairs, maintenance check-ups, or replacing and installing a new furnace or air conditioner, our Afterglow technicians have the expertise to get the job done quickly and efficiently. We guarantee it!
Afterglow offers emergency service when you need it and guarantees a four-hour response time to ensure your comfort and safety. We’ll send one of our trained technicians to your home to take a look at the problem. We’ll provide an honest assessment of the issues with your system and what needs to be done to have it working again.
Stay Warm!
