Indoor Air Quality Problems
Common indoor air quality problems and inside air pollution can affect you at both your home and your place of work. This means it’s essential to find a reputable Phoenix-area indoor air quality services company to conduct routine deep cleaning of your air ducts and vents. Why Is Indoor Air Quality Important? Perhaps the most significant thing anyone can do to improve their quality of life is to improve the quality of the air they breathe. Indoor air pollution is a real safety hazard, and all it takes is a single exposure to a pollutant to trigger adverse health effects. According to the EPA, most people spend about 90% of their time inside. Furthermore, indoor air tends to be more polluted than outdoor air. When you combine these two statements, it’s easier to understand why it’s essential to take indoor air pollution seriously. What Are The Health Effects of Indoor Air Pollution? There are both short- and long-term health effects of indoor air pollution and breathing in allergens, contaminants, or pollutants inside your home. A single exposure can lead to an array of symptoms: Difficulty breathing Dizziness Eye, nose, and throat irritation Fatigue Headaches Nausea These symptoms’ intensity can change dramatically depending on your age, history of respiratory issues, and levels of previous exposure to the allergen or pollutant. Luckily, if these symptoms occur in a place you infrequently visit, such as a retail store, you will usually start to feel better once you leave that location. However, repeated or extended exposure can lead to serious long-term health effects, such as cancer, heart disease, or respiratory diseases. What Causes Indoor Air Quality Problems? The sources of indoor air quality problems and pollution are often the same as the sources of outdoor air pollution: Combustible products, like coal, gas, kerosene, and wood Radon Pesticides Smoke from Arizona forest fires The air outside often makes its way into your home or business through poor ventilation, open windows, and doors, or your building’s air exchange. This makes it all but impossible to escape outdoor air pollution. There is also a bevy of sources that come from inside your home or business too: Allergens Asbestos Central heating and cooling systems Dust mites Furniture made from some wood-based products Household cleaning products Humidifiers Recently installed carpets, flooring, or upholstery When you consider that outdoor air pollution can often enter your home and mix with the contaminants and pollutants inside, it becomes easier to understand why indoor air is often more contaminated than outdoor air. What Are The Signs of Poor Indoor Air Quality? One of the clearest signs you’re dealing with air quality issues inside your home or place of work is your health. If you find that you’re coughing, sneezing, or wheezing in either location, but those symptoms cease once you leave, it’s likely you’re dealing with the effects of poor indoor air quality. However, there are other signs that a location contains low-quality air: Condensation on walls or windows Dirty or dusty central heating and air-cooling equipment Frequent comments from guests about a musty smell Items, such as books or shoes, contain visible signs of mold Stuffy air If you discover any of these signs of indoor air quality problems, you must take steps to rectify the situation immediately. How Can You Improve Your Indoor Air Quality? There are many ways to improve indoor air quality, however, here are three key ways to improve a building’s air quality: Eliminate sources of pollution Improve the building’s ventilation Use air cleaners or purifiers Eliminating the source of pollution can be a cost-effective way to improve air quality. For instance, if your home or business uses asbestos-containing insulation, you can re-seal the area, so particles don’t escape into the air. The easiest way to improve ventilation is by opening a window to allow fresh air inside. However, this method may not always be enough to remove all pollutants, and if the weather outside is cold or rainy, you may not want to keep your window open long enough. Another common source of ventilation problems is clogged or dirty dryer vents. When a dryer vent becomes clogged, it can also become the source of a fire. The final option available is the use of air cleaners or purifiers. Modern air purifiers can improve air quality and kill germs, further helping to reduce the effects of poor indoor air quality. Eliminate Indoor Air Quality Problems in Phoenix with A-Z Air Duct Whether the issue is at home or your place of work, A-Z Duct Cleaning offers a variety of indoor air quality services: Air Duct Cleaning Air purification at Home or at Work Dryer Vent Cleaning Dusting Negative Pressure Air Duct Cleaning If you’re in the Phoenix area, give us a call today at 602-466-2234. You can also reach out through our website. Sources: https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/introduction-indoor-air-quality https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/inside-story-guide-indoor-air-quality https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/chemicals/iaq_intro.html https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/identifying-problems-indoor-environments Featured Image Credit: Francesco Scatena / Shutterstock CONTACT US TODAY
Stay Cool This Summer & Save Money with Professional Air Duct Cleaning Services in Phoenix
When the summer starts heating up in Arizona, one of the best ways to stay cool is to make sure your air conditioning system is functioning at its most efficient level. Air duct maintenance is vital to the overall function of your HVAC system, so a professional Air Duct Cleaning Services in Phoenix can make a real difference in the system’s performance. Due to the excessive heat levels, Air Duct Cleaning Services in Phoenix and maintenance performed by a professional air duct specialist is particularly important if you want to make sure your air conditioning is keeping you cool all season long. How an Air Duct Cleaning Service Works A professional air duct cleaning is a thorough, multi-step process that results in a cleaner and more efficient system. Although modern-day HVAC systems are better at staying clean than older types of systems, it is especially important for those sensitive to dust to explore cleaning options. Regular filter replacement can cut down on the pollutants that circulate through the ducts, but some types of pollutants are difficult to filter out with standard home filters. Once they are trapped in the ducts, they will circulate throughout your home. The goal of a professional AC duct cleaning is to remove these circulating contaminants as well as any that have built up on the walls of the ducts through a few steps. Evaluation and assessment of air ducts Professional grade dust removal from the air inside ducts Loosening of stuck debris or fragments on duct interior Antimicrobial treatment in some cases, if needed Go over the results of the cleaning and make recommendations Immediate Air Duct Cleaning Benefits After your HVAC system has been cleaned, some of the effects can be immediate. One of the most important effects of a clean system is an increase in the air quality of your home. A system that needs maintenance cleaning will continue to circulate the large volume of dust that is introduced into your home over the course of a year or since the time of your last cleaning. For individuals with respiratory issues or dust allergies, this can be a real challenge. Another major benefit that can be noticed immediately is the increased efficiency of your HVAC system. Your system should be able to maintain the temperature settings more easily without running excessively. Long-Term Air Duct Cleaning Benefits In addition to an immediate reduction of allergens, a regularly cleaned and maintained HVAC system can have long-term benefits. By keeping your air ducts free from build-up, you can reduce the stress on the system and decrease the chance of costly service and repair down the road. One of the biggest long-term benefits of a regularly scheduled AC duct cleaning is energy savings. A properly performing system uses less energy to function, which can save you big money on your electric bill over time. Phoenix is known for its heat, so keeping cooling costs down is a goal most area homeowners are striving to meet. Schedule Your Air Duct Cleaning Services in Phoenix Today! Whether it has been a long time since your last cleaning and you notice your system isn’t running as efficiently as it should, or you are sensitive or allergic to dust and need to keep your air quality as high as possible, scheduling an AC duct cleaning can be beneficial to your home. By scheduling regular professional cleanings, you can help increase the longevity of your system, remove circulating contaminants that are reducing your air quality, and save on energy costs by reducing your electric bill. If you are ready to schedule your cleaning, contact A-Z Air Duct today to set up an appointment or ask any questions you have about Phoenix air duct cleaning. Looking for Professional Air Duct Cleaning Services? CONTACT US TODAY
Residential & Commercial Air Duct Cleaning Experts: A-Z Air Duct
When it comes to having a clean home, it’s easy to overlook keeping your air clean. Clean air quality is essential for a healthy, happy home. If you’re concerned about the quality of your residential or commercial air, find out how you can improve it with these tips and tricks, and with professional residential air duct cleaning services. Dangers of Mold Growth Most mold growth in a home is relatively harmless. It’s possible that your home may be harboring dangerous, toxic mold, but this is an unlikely event. Instead, mold in your home or commercial building most often causes minor health issues. Mold can decrease the overall quality of indoor air. Individuals with asthma may struggle with increased symptoms, and people who are otherwise healthy could experience upper respiratory tract symptoms. Don’t let mold growth frighten you; however, if you’re concerned about the quality of your air, find out how you can improve it. There are a few tips and tricks you can take to prevent mold growth, but serious residential air duct cleaning services should be left to the professionals. Residential Air Duct Cleaning in Arizona When was the last time you had your air ducts cleaned? Most homes should have regular cleaning every three to five years. The most common contaminants in your residential air ducts include: Pet hair Pet Dander Dust Debris Mold Using a vacuum cleaner to clean your air conditioner filter and vents periodically may not be enough. Professional residential cleaning technicians use a combination of high-powered equipment and professional-grade cleaning supplies to achieve a more thorough clean. Commercial Air Duct Cleaning in Arizona Commercial air ducts can accumulate the same dust and debris as a residential system. However, your commercial system has the potential to affect far more people. Protect your customers with routine cleaning and proper maintenance. Unlike residential air duct cleaning services, commercial air duct cleaning in Arizona needs quick responses and flexible to the needs of a business. Choose a company that can work around your busy schedule and easily cleans your commercial-grade air ducts efficiently. Tips to Improve Indoor Air Quality Whether your home or your business location, there are several things you can do to improve the quality of your indoor air. Take some time to clean your indoor surfaces as you clean your ductwork. Not only does dust and other debris collect in your vents, but your furniture, carpet, and other surfaces could also be contributing to poor air quality. Consider the materials used to decorate your home. Certain paints and furniture materials, like particle board, can release irritating and even harmful gases as they age. Use more natural materials for improved air. While many scented candles can further irritate symptoms of asthma, beeswax candles can help clean your indoor air by purifying it with natural negative ions. Choose natural candles and be mindful of placing them in a safe location and only burn candles when you’re present. Consider investing in a few house plants, like ivy or bamboo, for your commercial location or home. These can help clear the air and provide fresh, natural scents. Call A-Z Air Duct Today Of course, all of these tips and tricks should complement routine duct cleaning. For residential air duct cleaning services and commercial air duct cleaning in Arizona, few companies can compare with the dedicated, local support and friendly service of A-Z Air Duct. For experienced, local assistance improving your air quality, contact us today to schedule a cleaning or ask about other air duct services. Looking for Professional Air Duct Cleaning Services? CONTACT US TODAY
Dryer Vent Installation
How to Install a Dryer Vent How to Install a Dryer Vent. Do-it-yourself dryer vent duct installation is a risky prospect. You can try to do it on your own, following directions that do not take into account your unique circumstances. Failing to install the vent correctly, or cutting a hole into your home, can have serious consequences. If you are determined, the basic steps follow. Choosing The Route Choose the route your dryer vent will take from your electric or gas clothes dryer to the outdoors. Consider the issues related to this decision: Ease of dryer duct cleaning, either professionally or by you; Obstacles to a clear, straight path, such as floor joists or basement foundation walls; Locating the hole in your home’s exterior wall. For every right-angle bend needed, deduct five feet of the 25-foot maximum run. For every 45-degree angle needed in the duct, subtract 2.5 feet. Cutting The Dryer Vent Reading about this step alone may convince you to consider professional installation. A round hole 4.25 inches in diameter is needed through your home’s exterior wall. Use a reciprocating saw to cut the hole in your siding and sheathing. If going through stucco or concrete, drill a series of holes around the circumference of the circle, then chisel out the wall. Installing Dryer Vent Cap Install the dryer vent cap against your home’s outside, pushing the attached pipe into the hole into your house. Secure with screws and caulk around the edges to seal against water and air infiltration. Inside your home, connect the vent cap pipe to the dryer duct, including the 90-degree elbow if needed, using a hose clamp to secure the two together. Dryer Vent Tubing Measure from your dryer’s back up to the vent opening. You can use flexible dryer vent tubing; rigid ductwork is better. Cut the rigid tubing to length, join the sections, and secure all joints with metal foil tape. Use a hose clamp to secure the ductwork to the rear of your dryer. Checking The Dryer Vent To ensure vent dryer cleaning will not be needed more than once a year, verify that all joints are airtight. Turn on the dryer; check outside for a steady flow of warm air. Check each joint inside for the feel of air escaping under the metal foil tape. Dryer Duct Installation with A-Z Air Duct Periodically vacuuming out the dryer duct can keep your dryer operating efficiently and cut down on the risk of home dryer fires. If you prefer professional dryer duct installation, contact us at A-Z Air Duct today. CONTACT US TODAY
Why You Should Choose A-Z Air Duct
Can we live without breathing? No, we can’t, because our body needs oxygen in the air to survive. But what if the air that we breathe is tampered with and harmful for health? When the air that we breathe becomes contaminated, we have no choice but to accept the fact that it is dangerous but we still continue to breathe it, day in and day out. This is because we have no choice in that. What we can do however, is get the air ducts cleaned, as they tamper with our clean indoor air and adversely affect our health. Discover Why Valley Homeowners Turn to A-Z Air Duct Choosing the right air duct cleaning company can be an issue, but in Phoenix, the best Air Duct cleaning company is A-Z Air Duct and if you don’t believe us, here are five reasons why we’re the Valley’s choice. #1 We’re Professional The most important thing about an air duct cleaning company needs to be their professionalism. The more professional and highly skilled they are, the better the chance of your air duct getting and staying clean longer. Air duct cleaning is an intricate job where the slightest mistake can cause a plethora of dust and debris to spread throughout your home. A professional company that is well versed in their job will prevent such instances. #2 We’re NADCA Approved NADCA (National Air Duct Cleaners Association) is the leading organization as far as air duct cleaning companies go. A company that is a member of NADCA and holds a certification of service from this body is considered a reliable company in terms of their service quality. The organization has laid down certain codes of ethics and criteria that need to be fulfilled by the company. The fact that A-Z Air Duct is a member and certified by the body highlights our high standards of working. #3 We’re Competitively Priced Yes, air duct cleaning can often be expensive especially if molds and other problems are found during the cleaning. But, despite that, it doesn’t necessarily cost you a fortune. Most companies operate at either extremes; either giving cheap service or charging a fortune for their service. Neither is what you should choose. A-Z Air Duct will cost you lower than the higher priced companies but enough to ensure that you get quality service. #4 We’re Experienced Old is Gold and that is definitely true as far as air duct cleaning companies go. A-Z Air Duct has been in the market for a number of years, over which it has accumulated a lot of experience. It is this experience that helps us wriggle out of sticky situations and ensures that our skills are honed and polished. #5 We’re Customer Oriented What sets the best company apart from the good ones is customer service. A-Z Air Duct have one of the leading customer services in the market. We are ready to help our customers at the shortest notice and are perhaps one of the very few companies that make sure they clean their customer’s air ducts thoroughly even if it increases the amount of work they have to do, as long as the customer is satisfied. Discover the A-Z Air Duct Difference for Yourself If you need to have your air ducts or dryer vent cleaned, turn to A-Z Air Duct and discover what countless Valley residents already have – that we’re the best in the business. We offer free home inspections and service quotes, so please call (480) 568-6451 or click here to speak with a representative. CONTACT US TODAY
A-Z Air Duct Has the Right HVAC Cleaning Tools for the Job
A good air duct cleaning company is one that makes use of the right tools for the right job. As there are a number of tools that are used for HVAC cleaning, the challenge is being able to choose the right one for the job. This blog will highlight some of the most common tools that can be used for air duct cleaning, inspection, restoration, etc. The Tools We Use to Clean Your Air Ducts When you work with a company like A-Z Air Duct, you are guaranteed that you’ll get the finest in air duct cleaning services. We seamlessly perform every job with perfection thanks to having the right tools operated by experienced technicians. Continue reading to see what tools we use and how we use them. Tools for Inspection Before beginning cleaning of the air duct, technicians need to know what contaminants the air duct contains. This can be done simply by way of a visual inspection of the area, but the position of an air duct often makes it difficult for the human eye to reach it. Hence, this is done through a variety of tools instead, such as: Digital cameras Periscopes Adjustable mirrors Technicians will enter underground return areas Accessing Tools Air ducts can sometimes be hard to reach. Typically, air duct access points will be small, and not very welcoming for cleaning or inspection. For this, there are special tools available that make this task easier. This includes ladders, long hosed vacuums and other such items. Tools for Cleaning Once you have gotten access to the HVAC system, a cleaning regime rids the air duct of the contaminants. This can be done using a number of tools. Typically, they are referred to as hand based cleaning tools. Some of the devices that are often used in such cleaning include: Power brush with vacuum Manual brush Air skippers Blow guns Air whips The choice of the cleaning device is the most important one because there are different types of air ducts and each type will warrant a different cleaning tool to be used. If that is not the case, the air ducts may become damaged. For instance, the use of over aggressive or extremely powerful cleaning tools in fiber glass lined metal duct works can damage them. Devices for Dust and Debris Collection Once the air duct has been accessed and cleaned, there is a need for the dirt, debris and mold removed from the area, to be removed from the home. This allows for better containment of the spread of these contaminants in the future. Vacuums are used to suck all the trash and particles out of the duct. There are two primary types of vacuums: Portable units on wheels Portable units carried as a backpack While the first one is powerful, the latter is more easy to use and the decision is often made taking into account the need at the time. Get Your Air Ducts Professionally Cleaned Today What differentiates a good cleaning company from the others is the choice of tools as that determines the quality of the work that they can provide to their clients. If you are looking for a professional air duct or dryer vent cleaning company in Phoenix, contact the pros at A-Z Air Duct today to get a free estimate! CONTACT US TODAY
