How To Test Indoor Air Quality For Mold

February 11, 2021

Most homeowners in Fort Collins, WY, are shocked to learn that the air in their houses is two to five times more polluted than the outdoor air. There are many types of indoor air pollutants, including dust, bacteria, viruses, spores, vapors from cooking, and volatile organic compounds that off-gas from products. Mold spores are of particular concern because they may trigger allergy or asthma attacks or breathing problems. Here’s what you should do if you think there are mold spores in your home’s air. Use Your Senses You can informally test for mold with your nose and eyes. If you detect a musty or earthy odor anywhere in your house, it’s probably caused by mold. You may also see discolored areas. Mold can appear black, brown, green, white, or a rusty color. Use an At-Home Test Kit Many companies offer at-home mold testing kits that you can use yourself. To use one, you’ll collect samples from strategic areas of your house. For example, if you have a discolored area in the corner of your bathroom, you would swab that area to collect a sample. Most of these kits are done through the mail. Once the company receives and tests your...

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How is Indoor Air Quality Measured?

January 12, 2021

The air in your Cheyenne, WY, home could be up to five times more polluted than the air in your backyard. Indoor air pollutants lead to poor air quality. At Advanced Comfort Solutions, we use these methods to measure the quality of your home’s air. Sensors for the Measurement of the Air Quality in Your Home If you want to have the quality of your home’s air tested, there are a few options. Some providers use handheld sensors that detect the presence of different types of pollutants, such as carbon monoxide and other gases. There are also detectors for volatile organic compounds. You can also have sensors installed in your home. They measure air quality over time, and they’re able to transmit information and generate an air quality report for a specific period of time. Testing Strips for Air Quality Measurement Another way to measure your home’s indoor air quality is with testing strips. These strips are typically placed away from a door, oven, shower or window. A good place is on an interior wall, about six feet up from the floor. The strips should be exposed to the air for 48 hours. The strips absorb contaminants. They are sent...

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How to Winterize Your Home’s HVAC System

December 3, 2020

It’s important to winterize your home’s HVAC system in the fall so that it works reliably throughout the winter. You’ll thank yourself when the first winter storm hits, and your heater keeps your home nice and comfortable. Here are a few points to consider. Schedule Preventative Maintenance You should have an HVAC professional perform preventative maintenance on your HVAC system every fall. This will not only prevent it from breaking down in the winter but keep it operating as efficiently as possible throughout the cold season. Keep track of any issues you notice, such as odd odors, so the technician can focus on them. Advanced Comfort Solutions offers a preventative maintenance service for people throughout Greater Cheyenne, WY. Change the Filter Change the filter in your HVAC system before winter arrives. This will help your system operate smoothly and efficiently when it’s most needed. The last thing you’ll want is to burden your furnace with a clogged filter. Seal Your Air Ducts In the average home, up to 30% of heated air is lost to unconditioned spaces like the attic and crawlspace. You can prevent this by having your air ducts sealed. This will eliminate holes, gaps, and fallen ductwork....

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Why Is My Heat Pump Making Loud Noises?

November 16, 2020

It’s not unusual for a heat pump to make noises, especially when it’s starting up or turning off. You should familiarize yourself with its normal sounds, such as a swooshing noise when it goes into defrost mode. That way you’ll know when loud noises are a cause for concern. Clanging When you hear this noise, turn the heat pump off and inspect the fan. This sound usually means the fan blades are hitting something inside of the unit. It could be a small branch, a chunk of ice, or a part that’s come loose. You’ll likely need to have your heat pump serviced by a professional. Not doing so can cause extensive damage. For people in Cheyenne, WY, Advanced Comfort Solutions is a trusted HVAC company that services heat pumps. Squealing This sound isn’t always a problem, as the screw compressor will often make it. However, if it’s a new loud noise, it may mean the motor is going bad or the refrigerant is overcharged. Another sign there’s a problem is if you can’t get your home to a comfortable temperature. Buzzing You may hear this noise in the winter when it’s nothing to worry about. However, if it’s loud...

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An Introduction to SEER Ratings

October 20, 2020

When you’re in the market for a new air conditioner or heat pump for your home in Cheyenne, WY, energy efficiency will likely play a role in your decision about which product to buy. At Advanced Comfort Solutions, we’re proud to offer a variety of systems with different seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) ratings. Read on to learn more about what a SEER rating is and why it matters. What a SEER Rating Is A SEER rating is a measure of how much cooling output a heat pump or air conditioner delivers compared to the amount of electrical input it requires. SEER is usually measured for a whole cooling season, which includes very hot days as well as moderate ones. SEER ratings range from 1 to 27. The Department of Energy requires all heat pumps and air conditioners to have a minimum SEER of 13. Why SEER Ratings Matter The higher the SEER rating, the more energy-efficient a system is at cooling the indoor air. This matters because greater energy efficiency means lower operating expenses. A more efficient air conditioner won’t cost as much to cool your home. An air conditioner or heat pump with a SEER of 20 saves...

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End of Summer AC Maintenance Could Help You Save Money Next Spring

September 20, 2020

Although the summer of 2020 is winding down, it’s not too late to start planning how to save on next year’s cooling costs. Spending a few minutes now could help you enjoy a more comfortable and affordable home next year. Use these three tips for end-of-summer AC maintenance to save money next spring in Cheyenne, WY. Replace the Air Filter During the autumn months of the year, the days can be warm. It’s possible that your air conditioner will cycle on some of these warm fall days. Now is a good time to replace your air conditioner’s filter. A dirty filter lowers air conditioner efficiency by as much as 15%. Even if the weather this autumn is cool, the new filter will be ready when the air heats up next spring. Wash the Outdoor Unit Pollen, tree sap, dirt, and dust can accumulate in the unit, reducing its efficiency. After a cooling cycle finishes, turn off the air conditioner’s power. Use your garden hose to wash the outdoor unit. Sanitize the Condensate Line Warm air holds a lot of moisture. When the warm air in your home passes over the cold refrigerant in the indoor unit’s evaporator coil, some moisture...

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Are Ductless Air Conditioners Efficient?

August 17, 2020

If you have an older home without HVAC ducts or are adding a room to your house, a ductless AC unit may be a good option. The units are easy to install and offer many other benefits when it comes to temperature control. However, many Cheyenne homeowners are worried about the efficiency of these innovative systems. What Is a Ductless Air Conditioning System? A ductless air conditioning unit is similar to a window air conditioner. A ductless system is usually designed to cool a smaller space, such as a single room or workshop. The unit has an indoor component and an outdoor component. These components are connected by electrical wiring and a refrigerant tube. You can find ductless air conditioning systems that are sized for the room in which you are having it installed. How Efficient Are Ductless AC Systems? Ductless air conditioning systems use a different type of technology to cool the air in a room. Homeowners in Cheyenne and surrounding areas who purchase Energy Star ductless AC units find that they save as much as 60% on their energy bills compared to more traditional designs. One of the reasons for this incredible savings is that you lose a...

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Tips to Extend the Life Expectancy of your Air Conditioner

July 16, 2020

An air conditioner is an important investment in your home. Keeping it well-maintained is an excellent way to save yourself a lot of money in the long run. Taking the time to keep your system working great is always worth the additional work and effort. Following a few tips can make a big difference in extending the lifespan of your air conditioner. Here are a few tips to keep in mind to help you to increase the life expectancy of your AC unit. 1. Invest in a Programmable Thermostat One of the easiest ways to extend the lifespan of your system is to buy a programmable thermostat. You can easily increase the temperature in your house while you are away, which reduces the strain on your unit. You can also save yourself plenty of money each month by using a programmable thermostat. 2. Change Your Air Filter Keeping a close eye on your air filter is important in allowing your system to operate efficiently. A dirty air filter causes your air conditioner to work harder, as dust and pollen can quickly add up in a short amount of time. Changing your air filter on a regular basis is an excellent...

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Does The Outside Temperature Affect My AC?

June 18, 2020

People rely on their air conditioners to cool their homes during the hot summer months. The outside temperature has a large impact on your air conditioning system. These are the ways soaring outside temperatures affect the cooling of your home. How AC Systems Work An air conditioner uses refrigerant to cool the air. It pulls air in from your home, cools it down, and then pumps it back inside. The heat from your indoor air is released outside. An AC system also reduces the humidity level inside your home. How Soaring Outside Temperatures Affect Your AC The hotter it gets outside, the harder your AC system has to work to keep your home cool. This reduces the lifespan of the AC unit as high temperatures put a lot of strain on it. Parts wear out faster for homeowners who live in hot areas of the country than they do for people that live in more moderate climates. Your AC unit is designed to make your indoor air about 30 degrees cooler than outside. In areas where it can reach 115 degrees in the summer, getting your indoor air temperature down to a more comfortable 75 degrees means your AC system...

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Things To Know About Carbon Monoxide in Your Home

May 14, 2020

Carbon monoxide is a dangerous gas that has no color or odor. There is no way for you to tell it is in your home in Cheyenne, WY, unless you have a carbon monoxide detector. Exposure to carbon monoxide can quickly cause serious health effects, and prolonged exposure to carbon monoxide could be deadly. Understanding how carbon monoxide can get into your home in Cheyenne and recognizing the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning allow you to take prompt actions to protect your health. How Carbon Monoxide Gets Into Your Home Carbon monoxide gets into your home if fuel isn’t fully burned. A faulty furnace, an oven or a water heater could cause it. Carbon monoxide is also in the exhaust of diesel, propane and gasoline engines as well as that of gas and charcoal grills. Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include: Headache Fatigue Nausea Loss of balance Memory and vision problems Unconsciousness Pregnant women, babies and the elderly are more susceptible to carbon monoxide poisoning. If more than one person in your home has more than one of these symptoms, seek medical care. Pets can also be affected by carbon monoxide poisoning. If your pet...

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