The Biggest Myths About Air Purifiers

June 2, 2025

You’ve probably seen ads saying air purifiers can fix things like pet smells, allergies, or even prevent illness. In an age where advertising can overpromise, it’s helpful to understand the uses and limits of these devices before spending the money to purchase one. If you’re considering a purifier but don’t know what to believe, here is a look at what’s real and what isn’t. Air Purifiers Do Not Replace Cleaning Your Home Many people assume that once they plug in an air purifier, they can scale back on dusting or forget about vacuuming altogether. This seems logical at first glance. If the purifier pulls allergens and particles out of the air, why not let it do the work? But while air purifiers help reduce airborne particles, they don’t clean surfaces or remove the heavier particles that settle into furniture, curtains, and carpets. Dust contains skin cells, fibers, pet dander, and other debris that falls out of the air and sticks to things. Once it lands, an air purifier can’t touch it unless it is disturbed. To have a dust-free home, also vacuum with a HEPA filter, wash bedding regularly and wipe down surfaces. If your purifier picks up fewer particles...

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How HVAC Impacts Humidity Levels in the Home

May 9, 2025

Living in O’Fallon, MO, means you deal with high humidity during the summer. In the winter, it’s not uncommon for low humidity to dry out the air and cause discomfort. Fortunately, some of the best ways to control indoor moisture are with your heating and cooling equipment and other helpful strategies. Your Air Conditioner’s Impact on Indoor Humidity Many people look at air conditioners as a way to cool down their homes. What they fail to realize is that cooling systems can also help with humidity. They do this by circulating warm air over cold evaporator coils and condensing moisture. With less moisture in the air, the home won’t feel so stuffy and uncomfortable. You won’t have to lower the thermostat as much, which can save money on cooling costs. However, if the AC isn’t the right size for your house, it won’t do a good job of removing humidity. An oversized unit will cool the house quickly, but shut off before it has time to remove moisture. An undersized system will run constantly but still struggle to dehumidify, making your space feel damp. To ensure you have the right size AC, you should let a professional help you select...

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Top Features to Look for in a New HVAC System

May 2, 2025

Picking the right HVAC system for your home is crucial to your indoor comfort and energy bills. This is why we always recommend letting a professional help you with the selection process. There are several must-have features that maximize efficiency and ensure long-term reliability. SEER Rating (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) A SEER rating shows how energy efficient an air conditioner is. The higher the rating, the more efficient the AC. Over time, the higher efficiency will save money on cooling costs. We suggest installing an AC with a SEER rating of at least 14. AFUE Rating (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) This rating is applicable to gas furnaces and provides information on their heat production in relation to its fuel consumption. Your system is very efficient if its AFUE value is high. The AFUE of most new furnaces ranges from 80% to 98%. ENERGY STAR Certification HVAC systems that satisfy the stringent energy efficiency standards established by the EPA will have ENERGY STAR certification. These systems not only help save money on power costs, but they also improve the environment. Wi-Fi Thermostat With a Wi-Fi or smart thermostat, you can manage the temperature of your house from a mobile device from...

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DIY HVAC Maintenance Benefits and Disadvantages

April 24, 2025

Your HVAC system is one of the most essential components of your home. It keeps you warm during the colder months and cool when the summer heat hits, all while helping to maintain clean, comfortable indoor air quality. Like any major system, your HVAC requires regular maintenance to run efficiently and reliably year-round. While certain maintenance tasks can be done on your own, it’s important to know the limits. Simple DIY care can save you money and give you a sense of control, but improper handling can lead to costly repairs or safety risks. Let’s explore the pros and cons of DIY HVAC maintenance and when it’s best to rely on a professional. The Pros of DIY HVAC Maintenance Before we cover why professional maintenance is key, let’s highlight a few simple DIY tasks that can benefit your system and your wallet. Cost Savings Homeowners often consider DIY maintenance to reduce expenses. While professional service offers a thorough approach, certain tasks, like changing air filters, can be done quickly and affordably on your own. Replacing your air filter every one to three months (depending on filter type and home conditions) helps maintain airflow and indoor air quality. A professional may...

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How HVAC Improvements May Help Your Seasonal Allergies and Health

April 4, 2025

Seasonal allergies affect millions of Americans each year. People experience symptoms like sneezing, congestion, and itchy eyes that can make daily activities difficult. While many people focus on how the outdoors can trigger allergies, many overlook the influence of indoor air quality. This is because indoor air can contain two to five times more allergens than outdoor air, making your home a potential source of allergy triggers rather than a source of relief. Poor indoor air quality often worsens allergy symptoms because pollen, dust mites, pet dander, and mold spores become trapped inside. These particles circulate through your home and trigger immune responses even when you’re indoors. The good news is that you can significantly improve indoor air quality and reduce allergy symptoms by upgrading your HVAC system. Modern filters can address a wide range of allergens. There are also related solutions such as ventilation upgrades and humidity controls that make a big difference. Let’s take a closer look at common seasonal allergy issues and how HVAC might be the answer. Respiratory Health and IAQ Poor indoor air quality doesn’t just trigger sneezing. It often drives serious health problems. When allergens and irritants build up in a home, they may...

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Why Regular HVAC Filter Changes Are Crucial

March 8, 2025

Of all the maintenance tasks that you perform in your O’Fallon, MO home, routine air filter changes rank among the most important. HVAC air filters play a significant role in protecting your indoor air quality (IAQ). They also determine the overall efficiency and performance of your HVAC system. Discover why regularly changing your air filter is vital and how often you need to do it. The True Purpose of HVAC Air Filters Standard HVAC air filters provide an impressive but limited range of IAQ benefits. These components sieve our larger airborne particulates and limit the amount of dust, dander, and pollen in the indoor air. In busy, high-traffic environments, air filters also pick up tiny textile and carpet fibers, pet fur, hair, and other debris. However, the primary purpose of standard HVAC air filters is to protect your heating and cooling equipment, not you. HVAC equipment manufacturers install these components to keep the sensitive, interior components of their heat pumps, air conditioners, and furnaces clean. With fewer particulates floating throughout your home, there’s far less debris to find its way into your air handler and settle on your evaporator coil or other elements. All the air that cycles through your...

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Debunking Common Misconceptions About Whole-Home Air Purifiers

March 1, 2025

You want clean, fresh air in your home—who doesn’t? But if you’ve been thinking about getting a whole-home air purifier, you’ve probably run into a lot of confusing information. Some people say they’re a waste of money. Others act like they’ll solve every problem in your house. It can be hard to know what’s true and what’s not. You might be wondering, “Do I really need one? Will it actually help with allergies or dust?” These are good questions, and the answers might not be what you expect. Myth: Whole-Home Air Purifiers Are Just Expensive Fans A whole-home air purifier is built to pull air through special filters that catch stuff you don’t want to breathe in: dust, pollen, pet dander, and even some bacteria. It’s not just pushing air around; it’s actually cleaning it before sending it back into your rooms. Think about that one sunny afternoon when you opened the blinds and suddenly saw all those little dust particles floating in the air. That’s the stuff you’re breathing in all the time. An air purifier works to trap that kind of dust so that you breathe in less of it. It’s like having an extra layer of defense...

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Key Advantages of Using a Heat Pump in a Colder Climate

February 8, 2025

While gas furnaces continue to be the most common choice for heating a home in colder climates, heat pumps are gaining popularity as well. Not too long ago, heat pumps were mainly an effective heating solution only in regions with relatively mild winters. Today, however, heat pump technology has progressed to the point where these units can operate effectively even in extremely cold weather. Additionally, heat pumps offer several notable advantages compared to other heating options. In this article, we will explore these advantages and cover everything else you should know if you’re considering installing a heat pump. How a Heat Pump Works in Winter The first thing to understand about heat pumps is that they’re quite similar to air conditioners. Both use a refrigerant and feature an evaporator and condenser coil to capture or remove heat from one location. The heat is then transferred and released elsewhere. When a heat pump cools in the summer, it operates just like an AC system, extracting heat from the house and releasing it outside through the condenser coil. What makes a heat pump system unique is its reversing valve, which allows the heat transfer process to work in reverse. This means the...

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The Most Common Reasons for Inaccurate Thermostats

February 1, 2025

When your thermostat is inaccurate, it can lead to temperature inconsistencies and reduced heating and cooling efficiency. However, there are several things you can try before resorting to replacing it. Miscalibration If you suspect your thermostat’s temperature readings may be inaccurate, you can test it. All you will need is a reliable thermometer and some masking tape. Tape the thermometer next to your thermostat and leave it in place for 10 to 15 minutes. Next, compare the two readings. If the thermostat and thermometer readings are within a few degrees of each other, your thermostat is reading your home’s indoor temperature correctly. However, most thermostats need periodic calibration to maintain accuracy. Your HVAC technician can do this during a regular heating and cooling maintenance visit. Mercury-based Thermostats For older mercury-based thermostats, the recalibration process involves adjusting a small screw, usually located near the coil or bimetallic strip inside the unit. To begin, carefully remove the thermostat cover. Locate the calibration screw, which is often brass and near the base of the unit. Use a small flathead screwdriver, like the ones that come with eyeglass repair kits, to make the adjustments. Rotate the screw clockwise to increase the temperature reading or...

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Using UV Lights to Improve Winter Indoor Air Quality

January 14, 2025

It’s extremely important that we maintain a healthy level of indoor air quality (IAQ) in our home. In the winter, this becomes more important as we spend more time inside. Exposure to contaminants can cause issues like allergy symptoms, breathing problems, and spreading germs more frequently. UV lights are starting to be used in homes more frequently to help improve indoor air quality. Let’s look at how this technology works and why it’s beneficial for your O’Fallon, MO home. What Impacts Indoor Air Quality in Winter? In the summer months, it’s common for pollen and other outdoor contaminants to come inside and compromise a home’s indoor air quality. In the winter months, there are several issues to watch out for. Because of reduced ventilation and increased use of heating equipment, homeowners may experience too much or too little humidity, mold growth, a large prevalence of dust particles, and a high concentration of allergens like pet dander. Working with an experienced HVAC professional to address the individual concerns of your household can help bring your IAQ to a healthier level. This can be accomplished with the use of a whole-house purification unit, humidity-controlling equipment, and UV light technology. What Is UV...

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