Investing in a humidifier for your Scottsdale home is an excellent way to put a halt to allergies year-round. Central Arizona is especially prone to dry weather that can crack your skin and aggravate allergy [...]
Reducing dust in your house may seem like a never-ending task, especially when you live in a dry, desert climate. In addition to being annoying to clean, dust can trigger allergy and asthma symptoms like [...]
Dust is an all too common problem in Central Arizona homes, and it is more than an annoyance. Dust reduces your indoor air quality, aggravates allergy and asthma symptoms and makes your home feel less [...]
Modern homes are typically sealed up tight as a drum. Although this is a plus for energy-efficient living, on the down side it’s a stumbling block to healthy ventilation, which compromises your indoor air quality. However, you can use the same technology in your home that hospitals employ to clean the air — bipolar ionization. […]
What do space stations have in common with your Phoenix-area home? Both are contaminated with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can be scrubbed from the air with houseplants! Scientists working with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) charted 107 VOCs in air inside space station Skylab in 1973. Working to counteract formaldehyde, benzene and trichloroethylene outgassing from materials in the station, the scientists studied how ordinary houseplants improve indoor air quality. […]
Having a ceiling fan in addition to an air conditioning system makes your home much more comfortable in warmer months because the fan helps circulate the cool air. However, you might have your fan set in a way that prevents you from getting the full benefit of the fan. Ceiling fans have the ability to rotate in either direction, and reversing your ceiling fan can make a huge difference in how cool you feel during summer. […]
One key to reducing your monthly utility bills lies just outside your front door. The landscaping around your Phoenix home is one component of a comprehensive strategy that can reduce your home energy costs. If you select suitable plants and site them strategically, they can work in tandem with your HVAC system. […]
When most homeowners think of HVAC maintenance they typically think of physical things like cleaning and replacing the air filter. One of the biggest things you can do to help your HVAC system perform well is to seal the leaks between your home and the outdoors. Even though this doesn’t always involve components of your heating or cooling system, leaks can force your system to work harder and less effectively. […]
Mold is nasty stuff that can live almost anywhere in your home just waiting for an opportunity to grow and spread and wreak havoc. Not only does it cause damage to the structure of your home, but more importantly it lowers your indoor air quality and increases the risk of respiratory issues. […]
Weatherstripping is the process used by homeowners to seal up air leaks around the home, especially before cold or hot seasons approach and an airtight seal is needed for the maximum airtight protection. The term is also used to refer to the materials used in this process, which can be rubber, plastic, felt, vinyl, wood, metal, foam, or some kind of polymer. […]
