Environmental Doctor

Why You Should Inspect Your Air Conditioner Before Summer

Posted on by Dan Dreifort

Summer brings with it the need for the cooling comfort provided by your HVAC system. This is especially true when temperatures spike as the season wears on and the risk of heat strokes increase without a cool haven to go to. Most people just take it for granted that they can flip a switch on their thermostat box and the air conditioner will respond perfectly. These are the people who are in for a rude shock when the outdoor temperatures climb into the 90s and they discover that their HVAC system took an unannounced early retirement.

Air Conditioner

The Importance of Early Inspections

No one wants the discomfort and inconvenience of a faulty HVAC unit. Here is why you should schedule early inspections early in the spring, even if you are relatively sure all is well:

  • Early and regular HVAC inspections will keep your unit operating at prime efficiency and help to prevent costly repair or replacement issues.
  • As the season wears on and more people begin to have trouble with their units, it can be difficult to find a repair service that isn’t completely booked. Technicians are less busy earlier in the season and are therefore able to offer quicker response times.
  • Any problems that may exist with your HVAC unit can be dealt with while the temperatures are still mild. That means when you do flip that switch, you can be sure the unit responds the way it was intended to.

This handy video provides a rundown of what your annual air conditioner inspection should entail. Don’t get caught in the heat of summer without your air conditioning. Call us here at Environmental Doctor to schedule your annual HVAC maintenance. If there are problems, we will tend to them promptly and efficiently. And if all your system needs is a bit of cleaning maintenance, then we can do that too so your cooling bills stay low and your system stays happy. Contact us today.

Licensed Doesn’t Always Indicate Certified

Posted on by Dan Dreifort

The following video discusses the important difference between certified and licensed professionals when it comes to mold testing. While a license is required for a professional to perform work, a voluntary certification can test beyond the basics of initial licensing. Adam Andrews from the American Indoor Air Quality Council provides helpful tips for consumers to consider when researching a professional to handle Indoor Air Quality issues.

 

 

For an IAQ Certified professional in the Dayton area, contact Environmental Doctor today. From air duct cleaning to mold remediation, we provide comprehensive solutions to indoor air quality concerns.

 

 

Indoor Air Quality Dayton Environmental Doctor IAQ Certification License vs Certification

It Doesn’t Just Look Gross: The Surprising Side Effects of Mold in Your Home

Posted on by Dan Dreifort

Breaks in winter weather can often lead to mold in your home. Mold likes to grow in damp, dark places, eating away at natural products—like the wood and wallpaper of your walls.  Mold releases spores into the air, and people sensitive to mold can have allergic reactions. It’s always a good idea to have any suspected mold tested if you have respiratory issues.

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) cautions on its website:

“Rarely, some patients can have a more serious illness called allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis. In this condition, there is both an allergic and an inflammatory response to the mold. Symptoms may include severe wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath, much like asthma.”

Here is what you should know about mold in your home.

  • Allergic reactions to mold are similar to reactions to irritants found in dust or pollen: sneezing, running nose, itchy and watery eyes, coughing.  Some other reactions can include rashes or asthma.
  • Good news? Many people go throughout the day exposed to mold spores and are just fine.  For those who are sensitive, taking certain precautions—like antihistamines—can make you more comfortable.
  • However, finding large splotches of mold in your household is not a good sign.  It is often an indication of either poor ventilation or water damage. It is important to thoroughly dry any area that has suffered water damage. Also be sure to check your basement sump pump to ensure moisture is not escaping into your home.
  • Mold is one of the basic problems checked for in a house inspection when buying or selling a home. If present, it often indicates that there is either a previous or currently existing problem. For the integrity of the house’s structure, mold tests and remediation can help to fix the problem.
  • On rare occasions, mold can be toxic.  Typically, toxic molds are black molds—though not all black molds are toxic.  Toxic mold can cause you to feel severely ill, so you might feel as if you are constantly suffering sicknesses, when in truth you are reacting to the mold spores that you are breathing in.  Constant exposure can lead to death.

What can you do to get rid of mold in your house?  Toxic or not, you do not want mold growing rampant.  Have a professional perform a mold test and remediation, which will help to treat the problem.  At Environmental Doctor, we know how to take care of mold.  In fact, all of our services—from duct cleaning to radon testing and mitigation—are dedicated to making your home safe and livable.

Avoid the Scam: Dateline NBC’s Chris Hansen Challenges Air Duct Workers

Posted on by Dan Dreifort

Investigative reporter Chris Hansen may be well known for the show To Catch a Predator, but he recently investigated a trend  that’s been cropping up in cities like Dayton all around the country. Some disreputable HVAC companies advertise a $49.95 duct cleaning or similar service, but once they arrive on site to do the job, the price can suddenly sky rocket to hundreds or even over a thousand dollars. The company in the video promises a $49.95 service that ends up being $1064. Visit Dateline NBC to view the full video of Chris Hansen discussing this situation with the employees of one of these alleged companies.

Protect yourself from air duct scams by researching any HVAC company that you plan to do business with. The National Air Duct Cleaners Association has protocols in place to help advise HVAC companies of industry standards for air duct cleaning and restoration.

On top of following NADCA protocol to the letter, at Environmental Doctor in Dayton, Ohio, we give you an upfront price based on your systems and needs. Once we get out to your home, rest assured that no work will begin until a thorough review of everything on site is discussed and clarified to avoid any misunderstandings. As a family owned business for over 20 years, Environmental Doctor provides care and service with the utmost responsibility. For more information on air duct cleaning or general HVAC services, contact Environmental Doctor today.

3 Benefits of Installing a Carrier Air Conditioner Before the Ohio Humidity

Posted on by Dan Dreifort

Most people realize they have a need for an air conditioner, but wait to purchase one until it’s absolutely necessary. Don’t wait until you are sweating and feeling miserable in Ohio’s high humidity—invest in an HVAC heating and air system now so you are ready when the humidity hits. Experience the following three benefits when you install your Carrier air conditioner today:

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1.     Keep Up With the Weather

Before you know it, high summer temperatures and unbearable humidity will be here. Nothing is worse than coming home from a long day of work to a stuffy, hot and humid home. If you install an HVAC heating system and air conditioner now, while temperatures and humidity are tolerable, then you will be prepared for the heat that is just around the corner. As soon as the temperature rises and humidity soars, you will be able to simply turn on your air conditioner and cool down quickly.

2.     Avoid the Rush

Once the summer heat and humidity arrive, many people will be calling heating and cooling companies to install or fix their HVAC air conditioning. Unfortunately, this may cause a delay in obtaining your Carrier air conditioner. Make an appointment with an HVAC heating and air company today to avoid the summer rush.

3.     Ensure Correct Functionality

Install your HVAC heating and air conditioning system now so you learn how to correctly operate it before summer hits. This will also provide an opportunity to ensure that it works correctly and that there are no problems with the system or how it’s hooked up to your home. Don’t forget to have your heating and air  conditioning regularly inspected and repaired. Check out this video on proper operation of HVAC systems.

To have your Carrier air conditioner installed today, contact the Environmental Doctor. We offer a full line of HVAC heating and air systems, as well as water treatment, duct cleaning, radon testing and mitigation, and mold testing and remediation. Our goal is to maximize the health, comfort, and energy efficiency of your indoor environment, so call today to welcome summer the right way!