IAQ Archives - Always Plumbing & Heating

Breathe Easy: A Guide to Improving Indoor Air Quality

Did you know that the air we breathe indoors can be up to five times more polluted than outdoor air? It’s a startling fact that often goes unnoticed, yet it has a profound impact on our well-being. The purpose of this article is to provide you with information about improving indoor air quality (IAQ). By the end, you’ll be armed with knowledge about electronic filters, UV lights, and ozone – the triumvirate of technologies that can transform your living spaces into havens of fresh, clean air.

Understanding the Significance of Indoor Air Quality

Before we delve into the details of electronic filters, UV lights, and ozone, it’s important to understand the critical significance of indoor air quality. We spend a considerable amount of time indoors, whether at home or in our workplaces. The quality of the air we breathe inside has a significant impact on our overall well-being. Poor indoor air quality can cause various health problems, including allergies, respiratory issues, and even long-term diseases.

The First Line of Defense – Electronic Filters

What Are Electronic Filters?

Electronic filters, often referred to as electronic air cleaners or electrostatic precipitators, are powerful devices designed to capture and remove airborne particles from the indoor air. These filters utilize electrostatic attraction to trap particles like dust, pollen, pet dander, and even some bacteria and viruses.

How Do They Work?

Electronic filters work on a simple yet effective principle. As air passes through the filter, it encounters charged plates. These plates create an electrostatic field that attracts and captures particles, preventing them from circulating in the air. The cleaned air is then recirculated into the room, providing occupants with fresher, purer air to breathe.

Advantages of Electronic Filters

High Efficiency: Electronic filters are incredibly efficient at removing even microscopic particles from the air, making them a top choice for those with allergies or respiratory issues.
Low Maintenance: These filters are washable and reusable, reducing the ongoing cost of replacements.
Quiet Operation: Electronic filters operate quietly, ensuring minimal disruption to your indoor environment.

The Germicidal Guardians – UV Lights

Harnessing the Power of UV-C Light

Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation, or UV-C light, has long been recognized for its ability to neutralize harmful microorganisms, including viruses and bacteria. UV-C light works by damaging the DNA and RNA of these pathogens, rendering them unable to replicate or cause harm.

UV Lights in IAQ Enhancement

In the realm of IAQ, UV lights are used primarily to disinfect the air and surfaces within HVAC systems. By installing UV lights in your HVAC system, you can effectively eliminate mold, bacteria, and viruses, ensuring the air that circulates throughout your home or office is virtually germ-free.

Benefits of UV Lights

Enhanced Health: UV lights contribute to a healthier indoor environment by reducing the risk of illness associated with airborne pathogens.
Improved HVAC Efficiency: By keeping your HVAC system clean, UV lights can enhance its efficiency and extend its lifespan.
Eco-Friendly: UV lights are environmentally friendly, as they do not rely on chemical agents to disinfect the air.

Nature’s Purifier – Ozone

The Ozone Layer

Ozone, often associated with the Earth’s protective ozone layer, plays a significant role in filtering out harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun. However, when harnessed appropriately, ozone can also serve as a potent indoor air purifier.

Ozone Generators

Ozone generators produce ozone gas, which can be strategically introduced into indoor spaces to purify the air. Ozone works by oxidizing and breaking down pollutants, effectively neutralizing odors and eliminating contaminants.

The Ozone Debate

It’s important to note that the use of ozone generators can be a topic of debate within the IAQ community. While ozone can be highly effective at purifying the air, it must be used with caution. Excessive ozone levels can be harmful to human health, so it’s crucial to follow manufacturer guidelines and consult with IAQ experts when considering ozone as an air purification option.

Importance of IAQ Testing

Testing for indoor air quality (IAQ) plays a pivotal role in identifying specific pollutants and contaminants present in an indoor environment. This process is essential for understanding the quality of the air you and your family breathe and taking targeted actions to improve it. Here’s how IAQ testing can help:

Identifying Pollutants

IAQ testing allows individuals to pinpoint the presence of various pollutants that might be detrimental to health and comfort. It goes beyond a general sense of “poor air quality” and provides concrete data on specific contaminants.

Allergens

Testing can detect common allergens such as dust mites, pollen, pet dander, and mold spores. This is especially valuable for individuals with allergies or asthma, as it helps identify the sources of their symptoms.

Chemical Pollutants

IAQ tests can identify volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that emanate from household products like paints, cleaning agents, and furniture. VOCs can have short-term and long-term health effects, and testing can reveal their concentrations.

Radon Gas

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can seep into buildings through the ground. Long-term exposure to high levels of radon is a known cause of lung cancer. Radon testing can determine if this gas is present in significant amounts.

Carbon Monoxide (CO):

CO is a colorless, odorless gas that can be produced by malfunctioning appliances or heating systems. High levels of CO can be lethal. Testing can alert individuals to unsafe CO levels in their homes.

Particulate Matter

Particulate matter (PM) consists of tiny particles suspended in the air, including dust, soot, and allergens. IAQ tests can measure PM levels, which are crucial for respiratory health.

Additional Tips to Improve IAQ

In addition to electronic filters, UV lights, and ozone, there are several other solutions to improve indoor air quality (IAQ). These solutions address different aspects of IAQ and can work synergistically to create a healthier indoor environment. They include such things as:

1. Air Purifiers

They come equipped with HEPA filters, which are excellent at capturing pesky airborne particles such as dust, pollen, and pet dander. Some models even feature activated carbon filters to tackle odors and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Air purifiers are fantastic companions to electronic filters and UV lights, adding an extra layer of protection against particles and odors. They are especially beneficial if you or your loved ones have allergies or asthma.

2. Humidity Control Devices

Controlling indoor humidity is a game-changer for your IAQ. Dehumidifiers are your go-to for removing excess moisture from the air, while humidifiers step in to add moisture when the air is too dry. Maintaining indoor humidity between 30% and 50% is the sweet spot for better IAQ. These devices not only prevent mold growth, which can thrive in high humidity, but they also provide relief to those with respiratory issues who may struggle with dry air.

3. Regular HVAC Maintenance

Your HVAC system deserves some TLC too. Regular maintenance, like cleaning and replacing filters, checking for leaks, and optimizing airflow, ensures that your system works efficiently. This maintenance routine is essential to support the performance of electronic filters and UV lights. Clean filters and a well-maintained HVAC system contribute to improved air circulation and filtration throughout your home.

4. Natural Ventilation

Sometimes, the simplest solutions are the most effective. Opening windows and doors to let outdoor air naturally flow in can make a significant difference in your IAQ. This method is particularly handy when outdoor air quality surpasses that indoors. Natural ventilation is like a breath of fresh air for your IAQ, diluting indoor pollutants and bringing in that invigorating outdoor breeze.

5. House Plants

Bringing a touch of nature indoors not only adds aesthetic appeal but also helps cleanse your air. Certain indoor plants, such as snake plants and peace lilies, have a knack for absorbing airborne pollutants and releasing oxygen. They work hand in hand with electronic filters, UV lights, and ozone by providing a natural means to reduce specific pollutants.

By combining these IAQ improvement solutions with advanced technologies like electronic filters, UV lights, and ozone, you can create a well-rounded strategy to maintain clean and healthy indoor air. Depending on your specific IAQ concerns and the environment you live in, a combination of these solutions can be the most effective way to ensure your indoor air quality is at its best.

Get Expert Advice

Your home is your sanctuary from the world outside. If you’re concerned about your indoor air quality, consider reaching out to us at Always Plumbing and Heating for an indoor air quality assessment. Our experts can help you choose the right solutions, whether it’s electronic filters, UV lights, or ozone, to create a healthier and more comfortable living environment for you and your family.

So, why wait? Take that first step towards breathing easier today! Call Always Plumbing & Heating at 780-489-8118, or request a quote right away!

Do Air Purifiers Work & Are They Worth Buying?

Allergens, pet dander, smoke, and other particles cause serious respiratory issues. We look into what air purifiers do and whether they can reduce air pollutants.

Do air purifiers work?

With the rise of air pollutants in the atmosphere, along with challenges posed by seasonal flu and COVID-19, it pays to ask “do air purifiers actually work?”

Air purifiers can provide home safety by filtering out allergens, dust, mite feces, mold, pollen, smoke, and many indoor air contaminants. However, the type of air purifier you choose for your home has to be the right fit not only for indoor comfort but for your budget and the forced air system in your residence.

The outbreak of COVID-19 and the rise in work-from-home opportunities led to most of us spending time indoors. Due to the viruses being airborne, having clean air meant ensuring the safety of family members.

Many homeowners rely on a forced-air HVAC system to filter indoor air; however, it only cleans out certain particles depending on its Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV). On the other hand, a higher efficiency filter may clean out heavier particles but may block airflow through the forced air system if they are of the wrong size.

Setting up a whole-house filtration system may be worthwhile in the long run to retain improved air quality. However, relying solely on your air purifier isn’t the best solution. Use natural ventilation by letting in the fresh air, removing harmful sources of pollutants in your home, and cleaning out filters.

In order to get the best out of your investment, let’s understand how they work and what they can do for you.

What is an air purifier?

An air purifier draws in air through a fan which then passes it through a filter into the rooms. They clean out dust particles and allergens as efficiently as they’re built to. Depending on the size of your home, you want to set up a unit that’s sized to perform properly for your space.

How do air purifiers really work?

Air purifiers come in two shapes: whole-house air purifiers (tied to your HVAC equipment) and portable air purifiers.

Given that portable air purifiers filter the air for only one room, we do not recommend investing in them as you will run into heavy maintenance by having to clean them out frequently.

Whole house air purifiers pull in air from the home’s HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system and run it through a filtration system.

The air is then returned to the home through the HVAC system. They use a combination of filtration methods such as HEPA filters, activated carbon filters, and UV-C lights to remove a variety of pollutants, including allergens, dust, and bacteria. Some systems also use ionization to help remove pollutants.

Every whole house unit will use a unique filtration method and technology based on how it’s designed to perform. Your HVAC system should be tuned to work efficiently with the air purifier or the system may push out unfiltered air or break down.

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What contaminants and allergens do air purifiers filter out?

Particulate matter (PMs)

PMs are air-borne contaminants that come in two forms, either PM_2.5 with 2.5 microns (one-millionth of a metre) in diameter or less or PM₁₀with 10 microns in diameter. The former being finer can enter respiratory airways causing and aggravating breathing problems. All whole-house air purifiers can eradicate the finest particulate matter.

Common types of PMs include dust, pollen, smoke, pet dander, and fungi. High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters are particularly effective at capturing these particles.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

VOCs originate from products containing organic chemicals which include many that are used in homes for painting, cleaning, cooking, glues, and furniture coating.

Activated carbon filters can effectively remove VOCs from the air. Ensure you install a purifier that is designed to filter the finest VOCs as MIT scientists have found that most consumer-grade air cleaners don’t effectively remove air VOCs. However, air purifiers with activated carbon filters that don’t rely on chemical processes, were found to be extremely effective to clean out VOC-infected air.

Microorganisms

Air purifiers with UV-C lights can kill bacteria, viruses, and mold spores, which can help to improve indoor air quality.

Odors

With activated carbon filters, air purifiers mimic processes found in nature to disinfect and deodorize the air 24 hours a day. It absorbs odors, such as smoke, cooking smells, and pet odors.

Gases

Some air purifiers feature specialized filters that can remove gases such as radon and carbon monoxide.

What is the difference between an air purifier and a HEPA furnace filter?

A HEPA furnace filter is a type of filter that is installed in a home’s HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system. It is designed to capture particulate matter such as dust, pollen, and pet dander as the air is circulated through the filter. The filter typically captures particles as small as 0.3 microns with a 99.97% efficiency rate. HEPA furnace filters are considered to be among the most effective types of air filters, but they typically remove only particulate matter and not gaseous pollutants such as VOCs, ozone, or odors.

An air purifier, on the other hand, is a standalone device that is designed to remove a variety of pollutants from the air. They typically use a combination of filtration methods, such as HEPA filters, activated carbon filters, and UV-C lights, to remove a variety of pollutants, including allergens, dust, and bacteria. Some systems also use ionization to help remove pollutants. Air purifiers can be portable or whole-house units and they can be located in specific rooms or placed centrally in the home.

What is the difference between UVV and UVC air cleaning devices?

UV-C (ultraviolet C) and UV-V (ultraviolet germicidal irradiation) air purifiers are both types of air purifiers that use UV light to kill or inactivate microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, and mold spores, in the air. However, they differ in the specific wavelength of UV light that they use.

UV-C air purifiers use UV light with a wavelength of between 200 and 280 nanometers (nm). This wavelength is particularly effective at killing microorganisms, and UV-C air purifiers are often used in hospitals, laboratories, and other settings where controlling microorganisms is critical.

UV-V air purifiers use UV light with a wavelength between 240 and 280 nm. UV-V air purifiers are designed to inactivate microorganisms by disrupting their DNA, which can prevent them from reproducing. UV-V air purifiers are commonly used in residential and commercial settings for general air purification.

In summary, UV-C air purifiers are used to kill microorganisms and UV-V air purifiers are used to inactivate microorganisms.

What are the benefits of air cleaners?

Improved indoor air quality

Whole-house air purifiers can remove a wide range of pollutants, including particulate matter, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), microorganisms, and odors, which can help to improve the overall air quality in the home.

Reduced allergens

They can remove allergens such as dust, pollen, and pet dander, which can help to reduce symptoms of allergies and asthma.

Improved respiratory health

By removing pollutants such as dust, mold spores, and VOCs, whole-house air purifiers can help to improve respiratory health and reduce the risk of respiratory infections.

Increased energy efficiency

They can help to keep HVAC systems clean and running smoothly, which can increase energy efficiency and reduce the need for repairs.

Increased comfort

Whole house air purifiers remove a variety of odors across rooms, which can increase the overall comfort of the home.

Is there a downside in buying an air purifier?

Unable to filter smaller particles due to the need for airflow

Air purifiers may block the airflow if they block the air duct path of your furnace. Air purifiers with a MERV rating between 13 and 16 offer the best protection against the finest particulate matter.

Requires an HVAC technician for installation

Whole house purifiers are industry-grade equipment that requires professional HVAC installation. This ensures the safety and efficiency of your house and unit. This comes with an upfront cost but can prove cost-effective if paired with the replacement of your HVAC system.

Has a higher initial cost

Due to the upfront cost being higher than most people’s budgets, many shy away from exploring the long-term benefits altogether. Higher efficiency units cost more but can noticeably reduce maintenance costs as is typical with portable air purifiers.

Higher energy consumption

With air purifiers that use HEPA filters and activated carbon filtering, they can cost you anywhere between $800 to $5,000 in Edmonton exclusive of installation and additional fees. Since they need to run along with your heating and cooling system, they also typically consume more energy. A high-efficiency whole-house unit can save you money in the long run depending on your usage, the size of your home, and your requirements. Always consult an HVAC technician before zeroing in on the type of unit to install.

How can you naturally purify the air and reduce odors in your house?

As seen previously, carbon-activated air purifiers that remove PM microns of less than 0.3 in diameter can be effective but don’t remove 100% of air pollutants. The best way to keep your home’s indoor air clean is still using natural ventilation. You may take the following measures to improve natural airflow.

Open windows for brief periods

Make a habit of opening windows briefly in all your rooms. Although when there’s a fog advisory or air advisory issued in Edmonton, it’s best to keep them shut to avoid the inflow of harmful atmospheric contaminants entering your home.

House cleaning

Vacuum rugs, and wipe down window panes, doors, and other areas that are susceptible to dust or feces collection.

Clean out HRV filters

We cannot stress enough the importance of exchanging your furnace filters. Change your HRV filters every quarter to keep your furnace functioning efficiently and smoothly.

Maintain optimum home humidity

A comfortable house humidity is between 30% to 40% during winter without letting your indoor air turn too damp or too dry. Having the right level of home humidity is critical to keeping your indoor air clean and safe for your family.

Avoid smoking indoors

Houses, where smoking is frequent and unchecked, can further deteriorate indoor air quality. Avoid indoor smoking as it can leave a permanent stench in corners of your home and ceilings.

Filter out harmful allergens and particles by conducting an in-home air assessment. Schedule a consultation with an HVAC expert

Furnace Fresh Air Intake: What You Should Know

Wondering why your indoor air feels stuffy? It may be time to re-assess your furnace combustion system. Request a free quote for a fresh air intake installation from an HVAC technician.

Furnaces need to refurbish the indoor air with outside air to maintain a fresh, healthy, and clean atmosphere inside your house. When fresh air vents are installed in your home they ensure that the furnace combustion system doesn’t malfunction which might push inside impure air, causing a number of illnesses and damage to your property.

Let’s take a deeper look into why installing fresh air intakes and vents is important and what types of intake systems are available for your furnace.

Importance of Fresh Air Intakes

A fresh air intake sends air to your furnace and water heater through a duct. Newer homes today use a direct air combustion pipe connected to the appliance.

For a furnace, gas appliance, and water heater, having a dedicated air intake can make all the difference for air combustion purposes. You need the air in all your rooms to stay clean at all times since the lack of combustion can cause your appliance to break down and respiratory illnesses for family members.

Additionally, they keep air pollutants at bay that infiltrate from cracks, crawl spaces, and exposed areas of your home.

Where Intakes Live in Your Home

Gas Appliances

Having a dedicated air intake hooked up to your gas pipeline will ensure there’s no unnecessary heat buildup and that air is regularly ventilated in your kitchen. This air is usually passed out through the chimney.

Furnace

Your home furnace is legally mandated to have a fresh air intake system in keeping with health standards administered by the City of Edmonton. If your air intake is clogged, it can lead to carbon monoxide forming in your atmosphere which can be lethal. A fresh air intake provides your furnace with clean air instead of your furnace burning indoor oxygen to reproduce fresh air. Hence, if your furnace air intake goes without periodic maintenance, you will notice the quality of indoor air deteriorates.

Water Heater

The higher the consumption, the larger the presence of air in the room where water heaters are used. Air intakes of gas-powered water heaters are typically hooked up to the furnace where the air passes through a vertical and upward vent.

If you find that your water heater is in a room where air combustion is inadequate or tight, consider installing a direct vent where the exhaust gases are vented outside via the direct ducted air intake.

Types of Fresh Air Intake Systems for Furnaces

The furnace is your main HVAC system to keep the air clean within your house. A gas furnace is known to use 30 to 40 feet of air for every unit of gas utilized across the house. Since the furnace ensures the air inside your rooms stays clear of dust and air-borne bacteria, it needs a dedicated and robust ducted air intake for direct venting.

Here are the two most popular types of furnace air intakes installed.

Conventional Furnaces

Standard or conventional furnaces extract air from the room they’re located in and exchange it with a direct ducted intake for venting. However, this type of venting system leads to air being sucked from crawlspaces and corners laced with contaminants of the room building negative air pressure. The interior surfaces and furniture will decay quickly if you continue using this type of air intake system for a long time.

High-Efficiency Furnaces

High-efficiency furnaces have a dedicated pipeline that runs directly from the exterior vent into the furnace’s combustion chamber. A lot of homeowners shy away from installing exterior vents during winter as they feel they will freeze. However, this isn’t true as the vents are critical to keeping your furnace functioning properly.

Since these furnaces draw air from outside, they can also bring excess moisture into your house. However, with a sound winter-proof installation, you can prevent your furnace from breaking down.

Does Furnace Bring Fresh Air from Outside?

Fresh air could also be called ‘replacement air’ as that is exactly what it is all about. Houses have to maintain a slightly positive pressure in them. This is so that whenever you run a bathroom fan, dryer, or range vent, the air you are exhausting gets replaced with ‘fresh air’.

Fresh air is usually tied directly into your ducts and is drawn into the home by the furnace fan or just due to the negative pressure that exhausting systems create. If a house doesn’t have a fresh air then exhausting systems in your house will create a negative pressure that will start to draw in air from outside through the weakest points in the home’s Vapor barrier. This creates moisture problems.

HRVs are fresh air devices that use exhausting air to help heat incoming air and keep some of that heated air from being wasted, as well as maintain that interior pressure.

All said and done, fresh air is air for breathing and combustion air is air for burning.

Contact Always Plumbing and Heating for a consultation on the best fresh air intake system for your residence.

Have Questions About Fresh Air Intakes?

How often should combustion air and HRV systems (heat recover ventilation fresh air intake) run?

Combustion air should run whenever a gas appliance is operating. This should be set up on installation as it will be an automatic process. On the other hand, fresh air intakes, such as HRV, should be run more often in the winter to control humidity and prevent attic rain.

How can I get combustion air and HRV systems without losing heat?

Most combustion airs are equipped with a combustion air pot. This created an air pocket that prevents the continuous flow of air into your house. Most new gas-fired appliances have their own combustion air supply. On the other hand, in order to prevent heat loss when operating your HRV system, you should have a timer installed that senses humidity levels so the system only kicks in when it is necessary. Also, you should ensure your attic is insulated up to the building code. You will need to contact a roofing or general contractor for this part.

How do you know if your combustion air is clogged? What about your HRV?

If there is a clog in the system, your gas appliances will not operate properly. Contact a plumbing contractor with a professional gasfitter to complete the job safely. Alternatively, if your HRV system is clogged, the system may start making noises and you may notice poor air quality in your home. When the filters are clogged or dirty, the air coming back into the home is polluted. Change your HRV filters twice per year, and clean them every 2 months for optimal performance. Also, check your HRV intake and outtakes and ensure they are not blocked with leaves or snow. Remove any obstructions.

How much does it cost to install a combustion air intake?

This depends on what the combustion air is feeding and the size that is required. You will run into this situation in the event you are building a new home or are adding gas appliances in place of electric. Just the air intake costs roughly $350-$1000, which doesn’t include the costs of gas lines and permits.

How much combustion air and fresh air does your house need in the winter?

The amount of combustion air is determined by your use of gas appliances (including your furnace). You will use more combustion air in colder weather. The amount of fresh air will depend on the operation and cycling of your HRV system. You can adjust this when you have a humidity detector installed, which you can set to kick in when the attic reaches a certain humidity level.

Importance of Well-Maintained Air Intakes for Your Home

How to Clean & Replace Your HRV Filter

Ahh, who doesn’t love breathing fresh air in their home? A heat recovery ventilator (HRV) system can make a world of difference in creating a balanced and energy-efficient space. As with any appliance, it’s important to maintain and clean your HRV system to ensure it’s running at its best.

What Is a Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV) System?

Because we spend most of our time inside, the importance of having a well-ventilated home can’t be understated. Since the 1970s, houses have become much more airtight, with strong insulation, vapour barriers, and caulking becoming standard.

Although this means homes have become more thermally efficient, it also means that stale air can linger inside! Moisture and chemicals can build up, breeding mould, bacteria, mildew, dust, and pollutants—all of which can negatively impact your health.

Thankfully, a heat recovery ventilator (HRV) system cycles out the stale and moist air in your home, and then replaces it with filtered and fresh air from the outdoors. This creates balanced ventilation throughout every room.

At the same time, an HRV system uses the stale air inside to warm up the outdoor air coming inside. In the winter months especially, we can close windows and doors with peace of mind, knowing fresh air is being cycled in without sacrificing any heat.

How to Clean Your HRV Filter

If you already have an HRV system, keeping it clean and well-maintained is a crucial aspect of owning one. Here are the steps you need to follow:

Be sure to turn off your HRV system and unplug it.
Open the door by unclipping the fasteners.
Remove the HRV filters by sliding them out from the middle of the unit.
If the HRV filters are really dirty, vacuum out excess dust and grime.
Wash the HRV filters in soap and warm water.
Let them dry and reinsert them when they’re ready.
Now, you can safely plug in and turn on the HRV system.

How to Clean the Filter Core of Your HRV

Sometimes, dirt and debris can build up in the HRV’s filter core. If this is the case, you can also remove it and clean it.

Usually, HRV filter cores have sidetracks that you can slide out. Pull those out first.
Now, you should gently and easily be able to pull the mechanism out.
After that, you can wash the HRV filter core in soap and warm water.
Once it’s dry, place it back in the machine, along with the sidetracks.

How Often Should You Clean & Service Your HRV?

It’s recommended that you clean your HRV filters once every two months. This will allow you to remove any dust and grime that collects over time.

When Should You Replace Your HRV Filter?

You should change your HRV filters out once or twice a year. If they’re still mucky and dark after a good washing, that’s a sign that you should put new ones in.

How Long Does an HRV System Last?

Typically, HRV systems work for 10 to 15 years. After that, the technology has reached the end of its lifespan and it’s time to look for a newer model.

Give the HVAC Experts a Call

At Always Plumbing & Heating, we’re obsessed with making your home as comfortable as possible. If you need to maintain or install an HRV system, book an appointment with us today. Our HVAC experts will assess your home, talk about your needs, and perform the right solution for you.

More HRV System Resources

Tips for a Healthy Winter IAQ

Protect your Indoor Air Quality with a Brand New Air Purification System

There are many things that we can do when it comes to ensuring that our homes are safe for our families. Keeping the house clean, making sure the plumbing and electrical systems are functioning properly, and giving the property general maintenance are all very important tasks, but we must not overlook the air we breathe day by day.

This is the reason why Indoor Air Quality is such an important aspect of keeping our homes safe and clean. We provide optimal air purification system installations that are going to keep the air you breathe at home clean and free of germs, chemicals, viruses, bacteria, mold, pollen, and all kinds of dangerous particles.

The air you breathe can make you sick

It may not seem like a huge issue for most people, but you can have many health issues in the long term if the quality of your air is not optimal indoors. This is the reason why so many people feel sick all the time and they catch the flu or experience allergies out of the blue. It’s the air inside their own homes that is becoming a problem and they don’t even know.

A whole home air purification system is an investment that proves to be extremely useful for your home because it provides air purification 24/7. A professionally installed system will work hand in hand with your home’s HVAC equipment so that your air is purified as it circulates throughout your furnace and ductwork.

We are ready to help you all year long

If you are in need of a quality installation for your home, you will find that we offer some of the best solutions for air purification. We offer starter systems that work on collecting larger particles like allergens, to hospital-grade systems that utilize UVC and UVV light technology which will destabilize and destroy airborne viruses as they pass through your home.

Final thoughts

Air purification is a very valuable investment for your home because it helps protect your health. Even as you sleep, the quality of the air you are breathing is going to have a major effect on your health in the long run and this is the reason why it’s so important to consider installing one.

Be sure to contact us if you have any questions about our Air Purification Installations. We are a team that is dedicated to optimal customer service and we are ready to help with any doubts or concerns you may have regarding our purification systems.

What Does “Home Comfort” Truly Mean?

You may have heard our jingle on the radio or seen our motto online, but when we say “We Want to Bring You Comfort”, what does that truly mean? By comfort, we mean home comfort, which is extremely important to your overall happiness and health. Many will agree that there is nothing worse than coming home from work in the winter only to have to pile on wool socks, sweaters, and blankets because their home is cold and drafty. Or, in the summer with days so hot that one may wrongfully assume they’re having hot flashes and their family can’t sleep with blankets on, let alone get much sleep at all. Home comfort technology fixes these nuisances by creating and maintaining a comfortable indoor environment in your home. The best equipment will adjust to extreme temperature fluctuations and keep you and your family comfortable season after season. Home comfort involves utilizing technology that delivers the best in temperature, humidity, and air quality.

Temperature

The average homeowner spends a lot in household energy, and some of this cost is to heat and cool their homes. Energy consumption and costs vary based on where you live, the length of the heating or cooling season, the age and structure of your home, and the type of mechanical equipment that you have. To maintain a comfortable indoor temperature, it is not only important to make sure that your home has adequate insulation and windows, but also to ensure that your HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) equipment is efficient, maintained, and replaced when needed. Some key points to remember regarding temperature and home comfort are:

Ideal indoor temperature – Keeping your indoor temperature between the range of 20-22 degrees celsius is optimal. This may need to be slightly higher if you have seniors or infants in the home. While you are away the temperature can be reduced to 18 degrees celsius.
Smart thermostats – Utilizing a smart thermostat will allow you precise temperature control during the heating and cooling season. Many smart thermostats, such as the Google Nest, will recognize your patterns, will adjust the temperature accordingly when you leave or come home, and will send you reports on your energy use and energy savings. Read more about the benefits of smart thermostats.
Equipment tune-ups – It is strongly recommended to have your furnace and air conditioner professionally inspected and serviced no less than once per year. An improperly maintained HVAC system is linked to higher energy consumption, more frequent breakdowns, emergency repairs, and premature replacement of your entire system. Many manufacturer warranties are void if you neglect this important task. Don’t wait for equipment to fail before paying attention to it: Avoid being without heat in the middle of winter, or without cooling on the hottest summer days, by having your equipment professionally maintained.
Equipment replacement – As your furnace and air conditioner age, their energy consumption increases. Newer technology is more energy-efficient. When it is recommended to replace your furnace or air conditioner, it is best to do so before waiting for it to break down completely. This will ensure continual home comfort (and energy savings) for you and your family.

Humidity

The level of humidity in your home can certainly affect your home comfort. Your home should have a humidifier attached to its furnace, and it should be set accordingly to obtain ideal humidity levels. This is an important discussion to have with your furnace technician at the time of your annual maintenance appointment. A home that is too dry or too humid can lead to many issues for your family including the following:

Health problems – nose bleeds, dry skin, and sinus problems can all be triggered by dry air. These problems tend to get worse in winter months when our furnaces are running more often.
Damage to your home – Wood furniture and flooring can become damaged by a home that is too dry. If you notice new spaces between your floorboards or splintering and cracking of your floors or wood furniture, you most certainly have a low-humidity problem. Alternatively, if your home is too humid (less common in Alberta climate), you may notice excessive condensation on your windows, damage to your wall, and mould or mildew problems.

Air Quality

Air pollutants like mould, fungi, bacteria, and dust mites can get into your home’s central ventilation and cause problems to your home comfort and ultimately to the health and wellness of your family. You can protect your indoor air quality in a number of ways:

Ventilation – Ensure the air is moving in your home by keeping your furnace fan running all the time. Your furnace filter will then trap larger contaminants and prevent them from recirculating.
Upgraded air filters – You may consider upgrading your furnace filters to a HEPA system to trap smaller particles and reduce air contamination.
UV lights – If anyone in your family has health issues, it is highly recommended to have a UV-C light installed on your central HVAC. A UV-C light system will purify your air 24 hours a day, destroying airborne viruses and bacterias.

Always Plumbing & Heating is dedicated to your comfort with true 24/7 service. We’re here to recommend ways that will not only make you more comfortable today but help you save money down the road. By offering you state-of-the-art solutions, committing our team to continuous training, and helping you take care of the equipment you already have, it adds up to fewer repairs and non-stop comfort, season after season. “We want to bring you comfort”, not only in your home but in the service we provide.

Next time you face a heating or plumbing concern, reach out to the expert plumbers and home comfort technicians at Always Plumbing & Heating.

You can call on us anytime. Yes. ANY time. That’s why our name is ALWAYS.

Call us at 780-489-8118 today to get started.

Is Your Home Making You Sick?

Clean Your Air 24/7 With a Whole Home Air Purifier

The Center For Disease Control (CDC) recommends the following everyday daily precautions for preventing the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) caused by the novel coronavirus:*

Clean your hands often.
Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, sneezing, or after touching surfaces in public places.
If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
Avoid touching your face, nose, eyes, etc.
Clean and disinfect your home to remove germs: practice routine cleaning of frequently touched surfaces (for example: tables, doorknobs, light switches, handles, desks, toilets, faucets, sinks & cell phones).
To the extent possible, avoid touching high-touch surfaces in public places – elevator buttons, door handles, and handrails. Use a tissue or your sleeve to cover your hand or finger, if you must touch something.
Avoid crowds, especially in poorly ventilated spaces. Your risk of exposure to respiratory viruses like COVID-19 may increase in crowded settings with little air circulation if there are people in the crowd who are sick.*

In addition to standard daily hygiene practices, be proactive by adding a Clean Air Defense System high-output germicidal UVC lamp to your HVAC system to purify the air, which will help improve overall indoor air quality and will reduce the likelihood of contracting certain viruses.

Although we can’t guarantee that someone will not become infected by a virus, a properly designed and installed UVC lamp, with enough microwatt intensity, will destroy airborne viruses that pass through the HVAC system.

Standard Low-Output UVC lamps only kill germs on surfaces inside your HVAC system, while High-Output UVC lamps also sterilize airborne viruses, bacteria, and germs as they pass by lamps, rendering them harmless and incapable of reproducing.

Our High-Output UVC lamps are 3.3 times more powerful than standard lamps and will disinfect your air 24 hours a day naturally, without adding chemicals or sprays into your environment.

Dust and particles are not the only indoor culprits. There are other types of airborne contaminants such as germs, gases, and odors that can negatively impact health and HVAC equipment performance. Dual-wavelength, high-output UVC/UVV lights control these contaminants. Clean Air Defense System high-output germicidal UVC lamps kill or deactivate a multitude of airborne viruses, bacteria, germs and other bioaerosols that travel through your HVAC system and recirculate throughout your home. Similar germicidal UVC technology is used to prevent the spread of viruses and germs in hospitals and other healthcare facilities.

We provide a range of indoor air quality systems (IAQ) that protect the air you breathe and reduce the spread of flu viruses throughout your home. Our HVAC specialists are expertly trained to install and maintain whole-home IAQ technology, so you and your family can breathe healthier and enjoy lower utility bills.

Ready to try one of our indoor air cleaners? Be sure to schedule a service with us today. Read more about the benefits of whole-home air purification technology.

*References:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/specific-groups/high-risk-complications.html

www.CleanAirDefenseSystem.com

Protecting Your Indoor Air Quality this Flu Season

Invisible to the naked eye, microscopic particles are swirling everywhere in our homes, causing runny noses, coughing, headaches, nausea, and even respiratory infections. The wear and tear on HVAC equipment can also cause a host of maintenance problems, like poor airflow, clogged coils, and compressor failure.

Always Plumbing has a wide range of indoor air purifiers to remove the contaminants in your home, from HEPA Air Filters to hospital-grade UVC Light air purifiers. With flu season just around the corner, it is beneficial that you protect your home and your family with a Clean Air Defence System. This system is comprised of HEPA filters plus a UVC Light. Airborne flu viruses can be captured and sterilized, preventing them from recirculating throughout your home via your ductwork. A standard MERV10 furnace filter alone captures only 10% of flu viruses, whereas adding an ultraviolet lamp triples that total single pass capture/sterilize rate to 35%.

What is Ultraviolet Light and how does it work?

UVC lamps target the DNA of microorganisms, destroying their cells or making replication impossible. Mounted on your home’s HVAC equipment, UVC energy destroys surface biofilm, a gluey matrix of microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, debris, et al.) that grow in the presence of moisture. Biofilm leads to a host of indoor air quality (IAQ) and operational problems that are sometimes mistakenly attributed solely to mold. UVC also destroys airborne viruses and bacteria that circulate through an HVAC system. UVC light was artificially created in the 1880’s. By the 1930’s surgeons were using UVC light in operating rooms to reduce airborne bacterial and viral infections.

Ultraviolet (UV) lights have been used since the 1930s in commercial and industrial procedures. In the 1990’s, UVC lamps started to emerge as in-duct air purifiers for residential use. UV lights are a proven technology that kills biological growth and disable the DNA of airborne micro-organisms and germs.

Benefits of UVC Systems

UVC Lamps disinfect the air by neutralizing airborne pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and mold. By controlling surface and airborne microbes, UVC can be beneficial in many ways, including Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) control and energy savings:

IAQ Control. UVC improves air quality by preventing the spread of airborne viruses and reducing the allergy and asthma symptoms triggered by biofilm/mold. It creates safer and more comfortable indoor environments, resulting in a happier and healthier home for you and your family.
Energy Savings. Studies show that a small amount of biofilm buildup on a coil increases energy consumption by 21.5%. UVC provides continuous cleaning of coils to eliminate biofilm and protect your home’s HVAC equipment. Energy savings can range from 10% to 28%.

Always Plumbing & Heating are your local indoor air quality experts. We are a local supplier of Dynamic Series2 Germicidal UVC Lamps, which are whole home IAQ systems that are installed directly on your central heating ductwork. We provide a range of quality systems that protect the air you breathe and reduce the spread of flu viruses throughout your home.

Credits: Data extracted from https://www.dynamicaqs.com/

Maximizing Air Quality With Electric Air Filters and UV Lamps

Keeping the air clean in your home isn’t something you can afford to skimp out on – especially as we continue to barrel straight through the heart of a season where it seems like everywhere you turn, someone else is coming down with an illness. More particles than we know are floating around, and ridding the air of the ones that can cause harm isn’t something that needs to stress you out with all the other curveballs life can throw at you.

There’s a simple way to take care of it, though, and all it takes is a simple call to Always Plumbing & Heating to have that problem remedied before you know it. We’re proud to offer Electric Air Cleaners as well as UV lamps – two simple additions to your home’s furnace and ventilation system that will noticeably change the quality of your air — from Dynamic Air Quality Solutions.

Filtering Out the Undesirable Particles

You’d be surprised at just how many types of particles get through your filter and start to drift through the rooms of your home. They’re usually split into two categories: ones that are larger than 2.5 microns in diameter, and ones that aren’t – a micron is 1/25,000^th of an inch, so the size that demarcates the difference is still an infinitesimally small measurement to make.

Most fiberglass air filters aren’t equipped to handle particles of that size: their job is to prevent larger molecules from disrupting the heating and cooling equipment, not screen the tiny things like viruses, bacteria and allergens from entering the system.
Basically, all the things that actually cause adverse effects to your health are precisely the size that a typical HVAC filter isn’t going to come anywhere close to stopping. You can spray disinfectants all day long, but the root of the problem isn’t going anywhere.

Polarizing Proposition

As the saying goes, the simplest answer is often the best, and the simplest answer is to just replace your filter with an electric one! By using an electric air filter, you trap a significantly increased amount of the particles that try and get through.

An electric filter traps 97 percent of particles .3 microns and larger. It’s fitted with a media screen that carries a harmless 24-volt current through it, so when any particles that are too small to catch pass through, they become electrically charged and begin combining with other similarly sized particles. When those joined particles circulate again, they are trapped since they’ve become too large to squeeze through.
The filter doesn’t short-circuit, and you only need to replace the media inside it roughly 3 times per year instead of throwing out a disposable filter every month.

While installing an electric filter will catch a sizable portion of the particles you want out of your house – like pollen, which is comparatively massive at 5 microns in diameter — it’s unfortunately not going to catch everything. In fact, there’s a good chance it won’t be able to remove the organisms that can pose the greatest risk – at least, not alone.

To do that, you’ll want to install a UVC lamp in addition to the filter. A UVC lamp targets the DNA of microorganisms floating in front of it, killing them before they have a chance to settle down and begin to multiply. Most viruses are between .0004 and .3 micron in size, so they’re going to slip through even the finest filters. A UVC lamp can take care of them.
The lamps we offer had a 35 percent capture/sterilize rate on the first pass-through.

With both of these additions to your HVAC unit, the air in your home can become noticeably cleaner before you know it! Give us a call at 780-489-8118 (Edmonton) or 587-601-1253 (Fort McMurray) and let the professionals at Always Plumbing & Heating help you take the next step to creating a safer and more enjoyable environment at home today!

Tips for a Healthy Winter IAQ

It’s no surprise that indoor air quality gets worse during winter. People stay indoors where pollutants can be 2-10 times as bad as the air outside. And in an effort to save energy and feel warmer, homeowners often seal air leaks and improve insulation for the cold weather.

While sealing in conditioned air will help with savings and efficiency, without proper ventilation it will also trap hazardous indoor air pollutants that can trigger asthma, allergies, headaches, sicknesses, fatigue, and respiratory problems.

Dangerous Flu Outbreak

2018 might be the worst year on record for flu outbreaks. According to the Washington Post:

Nationally, as of mid-December, at least 106 people had died of the infectious disease. In addition, states across the country are reporting higher-than-average flu-related hospitalizations and emergency room visits. Hospitalization rates are highest among people older than 50 and children younger than 5.

The situation is no better, and may indeed be worse, in Canada. According to the weekly FluWatch report from the Public Health Agency of Canada:

Overall, influenza activity in Canada remains high.
Most indicators remain in the higher range of expected levels for this time of year.
Influenza B began circulating much earlier than usual this season. The number of influenza B detections remains substantially greater this season compared to previous years.
To date this season, the majority of lab confirmations, hospitalizations and deaths have been among adults 65 years of age and older.

Flu shots may not prevent the flu entirely, but even if you do come down with the illness, the symptoms will be less severe. There is also evidence that shows how yearly flu shots provide cumulative protection. We highly recommend getting the flu shot every year… for you and everybody around you as well.

There are many other health hazards associated with poor indoor air quality. Here are some tips for a healthy indoor air quality this winter.

6 Tips for Improving Winter Indoor Air Quality

1. Source Identification and Control

Perhaps the best way to improve your indoor air quality is by locating and removing the source of the contamination. You may have many things in your home that are causing or aggravating health issues. Improve indoor air quality by eliminating or reducing the pollution source.

Take some time to look at the shelves and in the cabinets of your home. Use the Household Products Database from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services to research the products in your home, find out what’s in them, and learn about potential health effects. Either buy non-toxic, non-VOC products or make your own, DIY style.

2. Exhaust Fans

Spot ventilation is normally found in your kitchens and bathrooms in the form of exhaust fans.

All of your bathrooms and kitchens should have working exhaust fans to refresh the air and get rid of unwanted moisture. Exhaust fans can also vent away aerosol and cleaning product vapors that are damaging to your health. The exhaust fan should be ducted through the roof.

Always increase ventilation when using products or appliances that may release contaminants into the air. Follow manufacturer instructions carefully. Do not use an outdoor-use only product indoors.

3. Central Ventilation

In addition to exhaust fans (also known as “spot ventilation”), we highly recommend a balanced, central ventilation system. A professional HVAC technician can hook up heat recovery ventilators (HRVs) or energy recovery ventilators (ERVs) so you can refresh the indoor air without the associated energy losses.

4. Humidification

Humidity levels have a lot to do with your home’s air quality and pest control management. For instance, high humidity fosters mold growth and attracts unwanted intruders. The ideal humidity level in your home should be somewhere between 30 and 50 percent.

Contact a professional HVAC company about whole-home humidification solutions. Depending on the humidity of your home, the central air system will either introduce or remove moisture.

5. Clean Air Filter

Central HVAC systems not only provide conditioned air to your indoor spaces, they also pass your indoor air through a filter to pick up any large airborne particulates. When the filters get dirty, it can impede airflow and worsen indoor air quality. For the sake of your health and heating and air conditioning system, remember to periodically change your air filter.

We recommend checking your air filter every 30 days and waiting no longer than 90 days to clean or replace it. Make sure you have plenty of air filter replacement on hand and write the date of replacement on the filter every time you change it out. This way, you know exactly how long the air filter has been in use.

6. Active Air Purification

Speak with an HVAC expert about air purifiers that can be installed directly into your existing central air system. In addition ventilation, source control, and humidification, you may want to take a more active approach. Many air purifiers, such as UV lights and air scrubbers actually attack and kill living organisms.

Other Tips for Improving Indoor Air Quality:

Store paints and other similar materials in a garage, shed, or other non-living area.
Properly dispose of unused or expired containers. Buy limited quantities.
Follow all manufacturer labels and instructions.
Test for radon and other dangerous pollutants.
Increase ventilation when using products that emit VOCs, such as cleaning products.
Use low-impact, integrated pest management to reduce the need for chemical herbicides and pesticides.
Purchase more houseplants, especially these NASA-approved air filtering plants.
Reduce mold and dust mites by controlling moisture levels, cleaning regularly, and using anti-allergy linens and other products.
Keep toxic and dangerous materials out of reach of children and pets.
Regularly vacuum, dust, and clean the home.
Hard materials for flooring and furniture are easier to keep clean.
Avoid products with toxic fire retardants, which can offgas chemicals into your home for years. Choose natural fire-resistant materials instead.

Contact Always Plumbing & Heating for to schedule your indoor air quality consultation. Call us at 780-489-8118 (Edmonton) or 587-601-1253 (Fort McMurray) to schedule an appointment today!

Fighting Allergies in Your Edmonton Home

Because temperatures vary across the country, allergy season in Canada starts at different times depending on the province. While Edmonton is still transitioning from winter weather, that doesn’t mean the populace isn’t suffering from allergies. But pollen isn’t the only cause of allergies – a home can also be the trigger for many severe allergy symptoms. A residence that has been locked up tight for the winter can lead to a buildup of allergens and pollutants.

When this happens it can wreak havoc on certain allergy sufferers – and those who have asthma and other breathing issues. Is your household dealing with allergy symptoms inside the home? We’ve gathered some useful information to help deal with those allergens that are compromising your indoor air quality (IAQ). With a few key changes, you can remove those allergens and contaminants that have been building up over the winter.

Allergy Triggers in the Home

Dirty HVAC Filter: During the peak months of HVAC usage, a filter should be changed out every month. But most homeowners do not follow this rule. A dirty filter caked with dust and debris is no longer effective. If it is unable to filter the contaminants in the air, your HVAC is going to recycle all of it back into the air.

Dirty Ductwork: There are several reasons why ducts build up debris, but most are unrelated to the HVAC filter. Holes and leaks in your ductwork invite dust and mold into the system. Rodent and cockroach infestations can also contribute to contaminants that will trigger allergic reactions.

Pets: An Edmonton winter is not kind to our pets – especially dogs or other house pets that require daily visits outside. Snow and freezing temperatures ensure that those visits are shorter, which can exacerbate issues with dander and saliva.

Dust Mites: The most allergen-prone room in the house is the bedroom because it invites the most common indoor allergen: dust mites. Dust mites are the number one cause of year-round allergies and asthma in a home.

Cockroaches: These unpopular pests can produce allergy triggers that are just as severe as dust mites. Roach saliva, feces and body parts can aggravate symptoms when swept up into the air. 63 percent of homes in the U.S. contain cockroach allergens.

Poor Ventilation: Does your home contain exhaust fans in the bathroom and kitchen? Exhaust fans ensure that the humidity prevalent in both rooms dries out before it has a change to produce mold or mildew. Airborne mold spores are severe allergy triggers and can also be very toxic – even to people without allergies.

Eradicating Allergy Triggers

Clean the HVAC/Duct System: In addition to making sure that you clean or change your HVAC filter, consider having your ductwork professionally cleaned. If your HVAC filter was not working properly because of dust/dirt buildup, much of the debris that the system pushed back through inevitably contaminated the ducts. Have the ducts assessed by a professional HVAC technician and get them cleaned if they show signs of contaminant buildup.

Ventilation: Moving fresh air through your home is key in fighting indoor allergens. As soon as the weather allows, open windows in the morning and late evening for some fresh air. If your bathroom and kitchen don’t already have exhaust fans, consider having some installed. While a kitchen exhaust is helpful for removing odors in addition to curbing humidity, a bathroom exhaust is an essential tool in keeping mold and mildew from growing in your home. Ceiling fans and portable fans are also good for promoting healthy ventilation in a home.

Vacuum with a HEPA Filter: A HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter is designed to trap harmful particles including pollen, pet dander and dust mites. Several modern vacuum models are designed with HEPA filters, the strongest filter on the market. If you suffer from indoor allergies, it is strongly advised to invest in a vacuum with a HEPA filter – and to vacuum your home weekly.

Hypoallergenic Casings: If you suffer from allergies due to dust mites, the best defense is to cover your bed in hypoallergenic casings. Cover the bedding, mattress, box springs and especially the pillows with them. You can also simply get rid of ornamental bedding that is never washed. Washing ALL bedding on a regular basis (and vacuuming the floors) will keep the dust mite problem at bay.

Pest Control: If your home has cockroaches and your household suffers from indoor allergies, call the pest control. No one wants roaches in their home anyway, but if they are making your family sick – they should be eradicated immediately. Find an exterminator who uses non-toxic chemicals to rid your home of those allergen-causing pests.

At Always Plumbing & Heating, we feel strongly about fostering a healthy IAQ in the homes of our Edmonton neighbors. We know firsthand the debilitating effects of allergens and contaminants in a household. IAQ solutions have been a part of our professional services for many years. If you and your household are suffering from indoor allergens – and have tried to eradicate the triggers unsuccessfully on your own, contact us today. Our IAQ specialists can assess your home and offer an array of solutions to free your indoor air of those debilitating allergy triggers. Call us today at 780-489-8118 to schedule an assessment today!

Examining the Winter IAQ in Your Edmonton Home

Call Always Plumbing & Heating at 780-489-8118 or contact us online today to discuss your construction options in Edmonton.

The Importance of Indoor Air Quality

Your heating in Edmonton is responsible for more than you might think. It’s not only about keeping your home warm and comfortable, but also involves maintaining indoor air quality. Don’t wait until your HVAC system stops working to take notice as it does more than simply heat and cool the temperature inside your home.

Reasons to Focus on Indoor Quality

Always Plumbing and Heating offers a range of products to improve the air, comfort and indoor quality of your home. Beyond temperature, we are dedicated to making your home liveable with great air quality and moisture levels.

For this reason, we offer the following products and services:

5-Stage Air Treatment
HEPA Air Cleaners
Hybrid Air Cleaners
Electronic Air Cleaners
Media Air Cleaners
UV Air Purifiers
UV Air Purifiers-Furnace
UV Air Purifiers-Handlers
Steam Humidifiers
Evaporative Humidifiers
Ventilating Dehumidifiers

Beyond staying comfortable through all of Edmonton’s seasons, here are two reasons that you should pay attention to your HVAC and indoor quality:

Save Money – Stop letting money literally slip through the cracks every month. If your HVAC system is outdated, improperly installed or is in need of repair, you will be wasting your hard-earned money on a machine that is working overtime. The Edmonton HVAC experts at Always Plumbing and Heating can provide maintenance inspections and tune-ups to ensure your home is being heated and cooled in the most efficient way possible. Don’t let monthly costs build up. Schedule your inspection or new unit installation appointment today.
Protect Your Possessions – Your home is full of countless memories and precious belongings. The wrong humidity level can wreak havoc on these items, many of which can’t be replaced. From old family photographs to clothes, drapes, windows and furniture that you spent months saving for, the air in your home can affect all of these and more. It is important that the moisture levels in your home are kept stable and balanced. Overly humid air can lead to mold development while dry air can damage wood and dry wall. People with sensitive skin or respiratory problems will also notice the world of difference that proper air filtration, humidifiers, and HVAC systems can make in your home.

Contact Always Plumbing & Heating for all your home’s HVAC needs. From tests to tune ups and new installations, we can provide expert advice and fast, friendly services. We are committed to making the indoor air quality and comfort of your home the best it can be. Contact us today for air conditioning, plumbing, water tanks and boiler servicing in Edmonton. Our licensed and experienced technicians are here to provide great service and reliable results.

Improve the comfort and air quality of your home. Schedule your HVAC inspection, repair, or installation service today. Give us a call at 780-489-8118 or contact us online to book an appointment.