Today’s homes are well sealed and insulated. They are highly energy efficient, but the lack of airflow could cause uncomfortable air conditions inside as the same air is continuously re-circulated throughout your home. This recirculation can throw off your home’s humidity balance and could cause damage from mold. Rest easy, though, because iTemp Heating and Air Conditioning in Morton Grove can help you have the best of both worlds: an energy-efficient home that is also comfortable!

A continuous flow of fresh air is key.

Minimize health-threatening pollutants and make your home as comfortable as possible by ensuring a constant flow of fresh air. You might like to open the windows, but that only works in fair weather. What’s worse, open windows can usher more allergens into your home. So what is the answer? A whole home ventilation system brings fresh outside air in with your conditioned air.

Control humidity for your comfort and health.

We recommend setting your home’s relative humidity levels between 30% and 60% for your best comfort and health. Watch out for these signs that your home is too humid:

• Frequently damp areas
• Musty odors
• Condensation stains on the ceiling
• Condensation or frost on windows
• Sticky or clammy feeling in the air
• Peeling wallpaper
• You have to turn on your air conditioner more often to get comfortable
• You can also run into problems with your health and home when the air is too dry. During winter months, indoor relative humidity can be as dry as some of the world’s harshest deserts. If you experience any of these symptoms, the humidity in your home could be too low:
  • Excessive allergies or respiratory illnesses
  • Scratchy, sore throat or excessive cough
  • Dry, irritated nasal passages
  • Dry, itchy skin
  • Chapped lips
  • Static shocks
  • Cracked, peeling wallpaper
  • Warped or cracked wood
  • Damage to household furnishings

So, what can you do if your home has a humidity imbalance? Call iTemp Heating and Air Conditioning in Morton Grove at 773-704-0640 or schedule a meeting online. We’ve got dehumidifiers and humidifiers that will help ensure your home is a comfortable home.

Allergies and Other Health Problems in Morton Grove could be a Result of Poor Air Quality

Is your home healthy? There’s a real chance it’s not as healthy as you think. Unseen particles and chemicals carried through your home’s air may result in headaches and allergy flare-ups. And mold and mildew could cause a variety of health problems.

How can I prevent indoor air quality problems?

Fortunately, preventing indoor air quality problems can be relatively simple. Just try these ideas:

• Radon is the top cause of lung cancer among nonsmokers, according to estimates from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Test your home for radon. Go to www.epa.gov to find out more information and to learn if your state free or discounted test kits to the public.
• You should have carbon monoxide alarms installed near all sleeping areas.
• Make sure your home remains smoke free.
• Dust mites can aggravate allergies and asthma, particularly in children. To reduce them, clean regularly. While even regular cleaning can’t get rid of all dust problems, you can minimize them by making use of a whole-home filtration system with a MERV 16 rating, the highest capture efficiency among air cleaners.
• Anything that burns gas should be vented to the outdoors.
• Don’t use scented candles or aerosol sprays to mask odors. Instead, discover the source of the odor and get rid it.
• Cleaning supplies, paints and hobby products should be low- or no-VOC (volatile organic compound), which are safer for your family and the environment. Ozone is a known lung irritant, so it’s also a good idea to avoid using products that produce it.
• You can help keep humidity levels comfortable using a humidifier or a dehumidifier, depending on your climate. Maintain humidity under 50% to prevent mold and mildew buildup.
• Fix all leaks and cracks in your home.
• Make sure your home is properly ventilated, to stay clear of moisture problems. With a ventilation system, stale, contaminated indoor air is replaced with fresher outside air.

Having your HVAC equipment inspected to significantly reduce buildup of contaminants or moisture is an additional easy way to keep your home healthy. You can call iTemp Heating and Air Conditioning in Morton Grove at 773-704-0640 or simply make your appointment online.