Posts Tagged ‘Fulton County’

Buying the Right Ceiling Fan

Wednesday, April 25th, 2012

Ceiling fans really help people reduce their heating and cooling cost. They have the ability to reduce warm temperatures up to 7 degrees, while dramatically reducing air conditioning costs. During the winter months, ceiling fans can operate in reverse mode. Doing so will circulate warm air throughout the room by pushing it up toward the ceiling. Careful consideration should be given when buying a ceiling fan, because of the wide variety available.

Fan Size

The fan should not be too large or too small for your room. A rule of thumb is to have at least 7 feet of clearance from the floor to the fan. The blades and the nearest wall should be a minimum of two feet apart.

Fan Motors

For ceiling fans to operate with efficiency, the size of the motor and the ground motor windings must coincide with blade length. This will allow the fan to run without using a lot of energy and continuously without any problems. However, when the blades or motor are not balanced correctly, the fan will begin to vibrate even at lower speeds. The motors that come with outdoor fans are built to endure temperature changes and moisture.

Fan Blades

Fan blades come in a variety of sizes and shapes. Appearance however is secondary to choosing ones that will provide the best performance and stability. You also need to decide what blade pitch you want. A higher pitch equals greater air circulation at lower speeds. Blade pitches are available between 8 and 15 degrees.

Another thing to consider is fan mounts. There are three types: flush mount, down rod mount, and tri-mount. Down rods are suited for higher ceilings, flush mount is designed for lower ceilings, and the tri-mount provides the best circulation regardless of height.

For more helpful hints check us out on www.southairinc.com

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Posted in Air Conditioning, Energy Savings, Gas Heaters, Geothermal, Heat Pump Systems, Heat Pumps, Heating, Home Savings, Indoor Air Quality, Insulation, Maintenance Plan/Comfort Club | Comments Off

The Effect of Dust Mites on Indoor Air Quality: A Tip From Austell

Wednesday, September 14th, 2011

There are three types of indoor air pollutants in your Austell home– particles, bioaerosols and gases. Dust mites are a special case because they are nearly invisible to the eye, but represent a substantial bioaerosol that can make it harder to breathe and result in a number of sometimes debilitating symptoms.

What Are Dust Mites?

Dust mites are tiny arachnids related to ticks and spiders that cling to fabric like curtains, carpet and upholstery. They resemble dust in the air and thrive in high humidity conditions. So, the easiest way to treat a dust mite problem is with proper dehumidification as with an air conditioner. Knowing whether dust mites are a real problem if you simply have a lot of dust and pollen floating around is tough. Here are some common symptoms to look for:

  • Dizziness
  • Nose Irritation
  • Respiratory Irritation
  • Cough
  • Chest Tightness
  • Asthma (made worse)
  • Allergic Reactions

Because dust mites are alive when you breathe them in, they can cause severe irritation to your throat and lungs and result in a number of uncomfortable reactions – ranging from a runny nose to a full blown allergic reaction.

Getting Rid of Dust Mites

So, how do you get rid of these tiny arachnids? The first step is to improve the humidity level in your home. Anything under 50% humidity makes it impossible for dust mites to survive, so air conditioning is the best step to remove the threat of these little bugs.

Tiny dust mites are among the larger air pollutants and can be captured by most MERV 10+ filters on the market. A HEPA filter will absolutely remove them as well, along with any other particulate or bioaerosols in your home.

If you suspect you have a dust mite problem, call an HVAC contractor. They can provide you with a better overview of what actual issues you might have and the best possible solution.

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What to Look for when a Home is 50 Years Old

Wednesday, July 20th, 2011

Buying an older home can be a very rewarding experience. The architecture is unique, the rooms have character, and it feels more like a home than a brand new, prefabricated home that was built in a development. But, there are quite a few things to keep in mind when buying a house that is 50 years old or more – from what construction materials were used to how it was maintained for the last 50 years.

Possible Safety Issues

Because the dangers of lead paint and asbestos were not yet understood in the 1950s and ‘60s, you should always have your home thoroughly inspected for both before buying. The risk of either being in a 50 year old home is high unless someone has gone to the trouble of removing them in a remodel. Even then, older insulation, hidden paint layers or other construction decisions can be potentially dangerous, especially if you have children.

Not that you should avoid an older home solely for this reason. There are plenty of homes that have been made livable again with a little hard work – it’s just important that you know about it before investing so much money.

Maintenance Issues

Another thing to consider is the upkeep of the house. A 50 year old home has been lived in for many years. That means there have been multiple furnaces and air conditioners, replacements of windows, new roofs put in and much more. How well and how often those things were done will play a major role in determining how good of condition the house is in.

If you buy a 50 year old home and the roof and furnace need to be replaced, that’s another 5 figure investment to update your living space.

Other things you should be on the lookout for are old appliances like your refrigerator and stove, as well as the gas lines and electrical. Your panel box may be outdated, as may your electrical lines and outlets. These are all things that get updated eventually, but a home built 50 years ago would be both unsafe and outdated by today’s standards.

More than anything, when buying an old home, the most important thing is the condition. Age has very little to do with how livable a home is. Some people live comfortably in homes that are 200 years old. Others must have 10 year old homes completely remodeled. It’s all about how the home is maintained and cared for.

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Things You Should NOT Do Yourself Around the House

Friday, July 15th, 2011

Everyone wants to feel handy around the house and there are a lot of great things you can do to help keep your home and its various systems in tip top shape, but not everything should be on your to do list. Some tasks are dangerous or require special equipment and should only be performed by professionals. Here is a list of some such tasks and why you should avoid them:

  • Service a Gas Appliance or Furnace – If it involves a gas line, call a professional. This goes doubly so for live electrical work. You should always call someone who has the specific certification and licenses needed to work on your gas or electricity systems. They know the safety precautions and if there is a problem they will recognize it immediately and act fast to keep everyone safe.
  • Annual Maintenance – Filter changes, cleaning and other small jobs can be on your to do list, but big time maintenance done annually on your exhaust pipes, furnace or air conditioner should be done by a professional who has the equipment for it.
  • Duct Cleaning or Patching – You can clean the vents and the entry lines at your air handler just fine, but how will you reach the middle of your ducts without an industrial strength vacuum and duct cleaning system? Patching is similarly hard without the right equipment.
  • Remodeling of a Room – Unless you have the necessary skills and know what permits are needed, heavy duty remodeling of a kitchen, bathroom or new room should be done by someone with plumbing certification and experience.
  • Sewer Line Service – Always call an expert for anything related to your sewer or drainage system. They are not only complicated, but tend to be directly connected to city property and require a permit to work on. Even if you don’t break anything, the legal implications of this work require professional help.
  • Roofing Upgrades – Even just a patch on the roof should be handled by someone who is skilled and experienced in this type of work. They know the pitfalls of walking on an unsteady surface high above the ground and they can ensure the new roof will last for as long as is necessary.

There are a lot of fun things you can do around your home to keep it in good condition, but for the big stuff, always call a pro – if not for the sake of your home, for your health and wellbeing.

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