How to Benefit From a Whole-House Fan

You can lower your cooling-related energy bills by up to 90 percent by operating a whole-house fan whenever it’s cooler outdoors than inside your home, and when outdoor temperatures don’t exceed 85 degrees. Here’s how to use the fan as a complement to the A/C during the warmer months:

• In the late spring, early fall and on milder summer days, open your windows and run the fan all night, then close up the house during the day and you may not need the A/C at all.
• In the summer, run the fan for a half-hour early in the morning and again after dark to clear out stifling hot air and reduce the A/C’s work load during the day.

Not only can this type of ventilation save on energy costs, it also cools down the attic so it can help extend the life of your roof. Since it gives the air conditioner a break, a whole-house fan can also help prolong its service life. Best of all, it’s a greener home cooling alternative that reduces your carbon footprint.

Fan Installation Considerations

To ensure you choose the right size and type of fan, hire an experienced HVAC contractor to handle the installation. A pro can also ensure proper placement and attic ventilation so the fan operates efficiently and issues with air quality and combustion fume backdrafts are prevented. Since whole-house fans can introduce outdoor allergens like pollen and dust into the home, they’re not a good choice for allergy sufferers.

To learn whether a whole-house fan is a good choice for your Grosse Pointe or Auburn Hills home, contact the experts at Aladdin Heating & Cooling.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Warren, Michigan about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about whole-house fans and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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Understanding the MERV Rating

Minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) indicates how well an air filter performs. A filter with a high MERV rating will improve indoor air quality efficiently, while one with a low MERV rating will capture only a small percentage of the particles in the air. A rating of 4 or below provides only minimal filtration, while ratings between 5 and 8 indicate a better residential filter. An air filter with a MERV rating between 9 and 12 offers superior residential filtration for excellent indoor air quality.

Replaceable vs. Washable Filters

If you have a replaceable filter, you will throw away the entire filter when you change it. The best replaceable filters for home use are polyester and pleated air filters. Fiberglass filters have very low MERV ratings and do little to improve air quality.

Washable filters are typically considered a poor choice. You must manually wash them to remove dust, but the process can leave the filter damp, creating an ideal breeding ground for mold, mildew, and fungus. Washable filters also have low MERV ratings.

The Deal With High-Efficiency Air Filters

High-efficiency filters are those with a MERV rating of 14 or higher. While these offer excellent air quality, they’re better suited to hospital environments. It takes more energy to push air through a filter with a high MERV rating, and many home units are not equipped to handle high-efficiency air filters.

To learn more about improving indoor air quality in your southeast Michigan home, contact us at Aladdin Heating & Cooling. We have proudly serviced the area since 1945.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Warren, Michigan about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about indoor air quality and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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• Don’t smoke indoors. Even the best air cleaners can’t remove all the toxic chemicals found in tobacco smoke.
• Test your home for radon levels. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S., just behind smoking.
• Choose products that are low in volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOCs are found in products made from chemicals, like construction materials, furniture and cleaning products. Their gases can cause minor to serious health effects. Choose alternative cleaning products that are low in VOCs, as well as paint, flooring and finishes. Limit your use of perfumed soaps and air fresheners. Look for a label that indicates the products you bring home are VOC-compliant or VOC-free.
• Have your heating system professionally inspected and maintained annually and be sure you change the air filter whenever it’s covered in dust. A dirty filter can lead to complications with the heating system that may introduce carbon monoxide (CO) into your home, as can leaking ductwork in homes with vented gas appliances. A clean air filter also improves indoor air quality by trapping airborne particulates, like pollen, dust mite waste and pet dander. Upgrade the filters you use to the highest quality available for your particular HVAC system to trap smaller particles.
• Set a routine for checking smoke and carbon monoxide detector batteries. CO detectors should be tested monthly, since they use more energy than smoke detectors.
• Fix plumbing leaks quickly to lower the likelihood of mold formation indoors. Mold reproduces by sending out microscopic spores that are a known allergen.
• Use the kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans to remove excessive humidity and odors from your home.

To learn more about improving indoor air quality, contact Aladdin Heating & Cooling. We’ve provided outstanding HVAC services for Troy, Rochester and Sterling Heights homeowners since 1945.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Warren, Michigan about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about indoor air quality and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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• Know where dust comes from. The average American home accumulates a lot of dust throughout the year – about 40 pounds between January and December! While some dust particles may be produced by shed skin cells, dander, food particulates and dirt, a lot also comes from clothing, upholstery and other fiber sources.
• Vacuum regularly. It’s best to include a HEPA filter in your vacuum to make sure it’s pulling in and capturing dust instead of just stirring it up around your home. Vacuuming your home’s furniture and carpet can help keep everything clean.
• Balance your humidity. When your indoor air is too dry, furnishings and upholstery tend to shed more fibers. However, when humidity is too high, dust mites – small insects which feed on dust, and whose droppings are common allergy triggers – can thrive. Use humidifiers and dehumidifiers to keep humidity at an optimal range.
• Keep your living areas tidy. If you have a lot of nooks and crannies that aren’t easily cleaned, dust will naturally gather and accumulate in these areas.
• Change your furnace air filter every month. Your air filter protects your HVAC equipment from dust buildup, which can become clogged overtime. A clogged filter can impede the circulation of air through your home, resulting in dirtier air.

If you want to learn more about how to reduce dust buildup in your home and how to manage other indoor allergies, call Aladdin Heating & Cooling in the Warren area today!

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Warren, Michigan about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about dust and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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• Dust can be controlled with routine cleaning, air filters and electrostatic air cleaners. Dust can consist of a lot of small particles, from outside dirt and pollen to skin cells and dander. Not only can dust cause respiratory annoyances, but it can also decrease the efficiency of your HVAC system by coating A/C coils and clogging air filters.
• Dust mites can be controlled by lowering humidity level and managing dust. Dust mite droppings and debris are one of the leading allergens in the United States. Fortunately, these mites can’t thrive in low-humidity environments, so a whole-house dehumidifier can help keep mites at bay during the most humid parts of the year.
• You can keep insects and roaches out of your home with effective sealing. Roaches love to hide in wall cavities, and it may not be practical (or safe for your indoor air quality) to use too many pesticides indoors. Instead, focus on removing any food sources they have, keeping your space clean and sealing any gaps and leaks around your home.
• Mold and mildew can be prevented with dehumidifiers and UV lights. Mold, mildew, bacteria and fungus spores all flourish in humid environments, so balancing your humidity is a basic preventative step. You might also consider installing sterilizing UV lights in your HVAC system to kill spores floating through your home.
• Pet dander can be caught with air cleaners and vacuums. Use a vacuum with a HEPA filtration for the best results, and if you have pets, change your air filters more often.

To learn more about protecting your family from indoor allergy triggers in Utica, Detroit, Oak Park and the surrounding communities, contact Aladdin Heating & Cooling!

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Warren, Michigan about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about allergies and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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Indoor air quality

• Many cleaning products contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other harmful chemicals. These compounds can irritate conditions, such as asthma and skin allergies, so avoiding their use is an effective way of reducing associated issues. Alternatives include baking soda, lemon juice and olive oil. If you prefer to use a bottled product, then rely on a cleaner with natural, plant based ingredients.
• House plants are not only decorative, but they also have some air cleaning qualities. NASA research shows that a number of plants are particularly effective at removing harmful chemicals, as well as pumping fresh oxygen into the air. These include bamboo palm, peace lily and gerbera daisy. They can remove chemicals, such as formaldehyde, carbon dioxide and benzene.
• The simplest way to improve air quality is ventilation. The air outside is often less polluted than the air inside your home, so it makes sense to capitalize on this idea. During the winter months, when the temperature is low in Farmington Hills and Clawson, it may seem counterproductive to open a window, but just cracking one will make a difference.
• When choosing decorating products, make an effort to source paints that state low or zero VOCs.  This can have a long term effect on indoor air quality.
• Make your home a no smoking zone. Smoking releases up to 4,000 chemicals into the air and can be responsible for a number of dangerous respiratory diseases.

At Aladdin Heating & Cooling, we have been serving the Michigan area since 1945 and understand the importance of good indoor air quality. Our trained technicians who are happy to discuss your needs, so please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Warren, Michigan about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about indoor air quality and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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• The neurological system.
• The circulatory system.
• The skin.
• The reproductive system.
• The visual system.
• Allergies, allergic reactions and other complications.

It’s therefore imperative that you get rid of any mold in your home as soon as possible. Mold requires high humidity and dampness to grow, so keeping your house dry and maintaining proper indoor air quality can prevent mold growth. UV lights can also help get rid of mold and prevent its growth.

UV lights provide protection against both mold and other microorganisms. It does so by interfering with their DNA, preventing them from reproducing. This is because while microorganisms have developed defenses against most other electromagnetic waves, they haven’t done so for UV light, which is mostly filtered by the Earth’s atmosphere.

UV lights should be placed in areas that aren’t accessed frequently, such as within the HVAC system in your home, your basement and your attic. This ensures mold growth is prevented in areas where it’s more apt to colonize. To get rid of mold in your house using UV lights, you should either hire a professional or ensure you’re doing it properly, as UV light can cause eye damage. Here’s how it should be done:

• Clean mold stains using bleach and warm water.
• Wear UV-opaque glasses to protect your eyes.
• Place a UV light about a foot away from the cleaned mold stain.
• Turn off other lights in the room and leave the UV light on for about two hours.
• Repeat these steps for other mold stains and as required.

For more information regarding mold removal and indoor air quality in Warren, Sterling Heights and other areas we serve, contact Aladdin Heating & Cooling.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Warren, Michigan about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about UV lights and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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Start by choosing the location for the vent opening. This should not be more than 25 feet from the dryer because most dryers can only handle a maximum of 25 feet vent. Trace the size of vent on the ceiling using a pencil then use a saw to make a hole in the ceiling wide enough for the duct to slide through. Trace again on the rooftop and make the hole.

Climb on the roof and make finer cuttings on the hole you made from the inside. On the perimeter of the hole spread roofing tar and insert the pipe which is connected to the vent in the hole. The vent flashing should be worked under the raised shingles which are then let to fall on it. The flashing should be nailed to the roof using the 1-inch roofing nails. Connect the vent cap.

Connect 4-inch elbow to the vent at the back of the dryer then position it facing the roof vent and then clamp it to secure it. Use 4-inch metal pipe duct to connect the dryer to the vent pipe on the roof. Remember to insulate the part of the vent that comes into contact with the attic. Secure the insulation using metal foil. The importance of using insulation is to avoid gases condensing on that section of the vent went temperatures outside are low causing lint which can block the vent.

For more expert advice on how you can install rooftop dryer vents and any other home related issues please contact us at Aladdin Heating & Cooling. We have been serving the Southeast Michigan, Detroit Metro Area for 70 years.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Warren, Michigan about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about rooftop dryer vents and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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Not just any plant is an effective air cleaner, but there are many fairly common plants that can remove certain volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOCs are dangerous substances that can cause breathing problems. Here are some of the best plants to buy for your home to improve your IAQ:

• Aloe – A plant that is not only simple to grow, but effective at clearing the air of benzene and formaldehyde. The liquid from aloe is often used in medications, and may be handy to have around to treat cuts or burns.
• Spider plant – Named for its sprawling leaves, the spider plant is another easy to grow plant that doesn’t require much attention. It also removes benzene from air, as well as trichloroethylene.
• Mother-in-law’s tongue – Recognizable by its pointy thin leaves, this plant is excels at removing formaldehyde from air. It is best in low sunlight conditions and does well with humidity, making the bathroom a good spot.
• Gerber daisy – Daisies are beautiful plants that need a lot of sunlight. If you give it some care, it will help you breathe easier by filtering out trichloroethylene and benzene to improve your IAQ.
• Golden pothos – An intricate, fast-growing vine, the golden pothos is a powerhouse at removing formaldehyde from air. Given this ability, the garage is a suitable place for one or two of these plants.

Plants are an inexpensive and relatively effective way of cleansing your home’s air of some of the contaminants it contains. While you won’t match the power of an advance filtration system, use these plants to take a step towards better air.

If you would like a professional’s opinion on your Auburn Hills or Lake Orion home’s indoor air quality, contact Aladdin Heating & Cooling.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Warren, Michigan about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about houseplants and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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Pollen — Flower and tree pollen can enter your home even when you keep your windows and doors shut. If you have seasonal allergies, consider installing a high-efficiency air filter in your HVAC system. Look for a filter with a Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) of 11 or 12. A portable or whole-house air cleaner may also benefit you.

Dust mites — These microscopic allergy-aggravating bugs accumulate in bedding and furniture, and thrive in warm, humid homes. To discourage their growth, keep your indoor humidity below 50 percent, using a dehumidifier if necessary. Use allergen-proof pillow and mattress covers and wash your bedding in 130-degree water weekly.

Mold — Mold and mildew often develops in damp basements, bathrooms, and kitchens. The tiny airborne spores they produce cause an allergic reaction in some individuals. Inspect your rooms for patches of mold and clean any you find with a mixture of water, detergent, and 3/4 cup bleach per gallon. For large patches, consult a mold remediation expert.

Cockroaches — Droppings and other debris from these pests are known to aggravate allergies. To keep roaches away, seal cracks around your windows, utility lines, and baseboards; keep all food, pet food and trash in sealed containers, and repair any leaky fixtures that supply roaches with water. If you’ve seen cockroaches, call an exterminator.

Pets — Not sure if you’re allergic to animals? Try spending a full half hour with the pet in question and notice if you develop any symptoms the next day. If you’re allergic, but want to keep your furry friend, keep your pet out of your bedroom, vacuum frequently, and wash your pet’s bedding weekly. Installing a high-efficiency HVAC filter can also help.

If you could use a little professional guidance on improving your indoor air quality, contact us at Aladdin Heating & Cooling, serving Farmington Hills, Madison Heights, and the surrounding area.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Warren, Michigan about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about indoor air quality and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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