How Indoor Pets Change Air Quality and How to Improve It

September 20, 2023

Our beloved pets bring us immeasurable happiness, but they also bring something else: a complex web of indoor air quality concerns. It’s no secret that pets come with a lot of love and a generous helping of pet dander. Dander consists of tiny skin particles, hair and other microscopic debris that pets shed naturally. While dander might seem harmless, it can become airborne and contribute to a variety of indoor air quality problems, particularly for those with allergies or respiratory issues. This is especially relevant as we use HVAC systems, which can circulate these particles and pet-related odors throughout our homes. How Pets Change a Home’s Indoor Air Quality Allergies, Asthma and Health Concerns For individuals sensitive to allergens, pet dander can trigger allergies and exacerbate asthma symptoms. Common reactions include sneezing, coughing, itchy or watery eyes and even difficulty breathing. If you or your family members experience these symptoms, your pets might be unwitting contributors. Odors and VOCs We adore our pets, but sometimes their unique aroma can linger indoors. This is not just about the obvious odors; pet urine and feces can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air, impacting the overall indoor air quality (IAQ). These...

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Is It More Expensive to Run Heating or Air Conditioning?

September 13, 2023

No matter what time of year it is in O’Fallon, MO, you will probably need to run either your furnace or your air conditioner. Both of these come with increased utility bills, but which one will cost you more? Knowing the answer to this and how you can improve efficiency and keep your bills as low as possible is essential. The information also helps to ensure that your home is always comfortable no matter what type of weather Mother Nature throws at you. Does Heating or Air Conditioning Cost More? The short answer is that it costs more to heat your home than it does to keep it cool. In fact, it could take up to four times more energy to heat your home compared to keeping it cool. Exploring these reasons will help you to develop a plan to lower both costs. In general, your system has to work harder to keep your home warm in the winter than it does to keep it cool in the summer. Most people keep their homes between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit no matter the time of year. During the summer, temperatures may get 20 to 30 degrees above this. Because of...

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