Sound Heating and Air Conditioning Inc. Blog: Archive for October, 2011

The Effect of Dust Mites on Indoor Air Quality: A Tip From Covington

Friday, October 7th, 2011

There are three types of indoor air pollutants in your Covington home– particles, bioaerosols and gases. Dust mites are a special case because they are nearly invisible to the eye, but represent a substantial bioaerosol that can make it harder to breathe and result in a number of sometimes debilitating symptoms.

What Are Dust Mites?

Dust mites are tiny arachnids related to ticks and spiders that cling to fabric like curtains, carpet and upholstery. They resemble dust in the air and thrive in high humidity conditions. So, the easiest way to treat a dust mite problem is with proper dehumidification. Knowing whether dust mites are a real problem if you simply have a lot of dust and pollen floating around is tough. Here are some common symptoms to look for:

  • Dizziness
  • Nose Irritation
  • Respiratory Irritation
  • Cough
  • Chest Tightness
  • Asthma (made worse)
  • Allergic Reactions

Because dust mites are alive when you breathe them in, they can cause severe irritation to your throat and lungs and result in a number of uncomfortable reactions – ranging from a runny nose to a full blown allergic reaction.

Getting Rid of Dust Mites

So, how do you get rid of these tiny arachnids? The first step is to improve the humidity level in your home. Anything under 50% humidity makes it impossible for dust mites to survive, so air conditioning is the best step to remove the threat of these little bugs.

Tiny dust mites are among the larger air pollutants and can be captured by most MERV 10+ filters on the market. A HEPA filter will absolutely remove them as well, along with any other particulate or bioaerosols in your home.

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Get the Best Value From Your Contractor in Tukwila

Wednesday, October 5th, 2011

When looking for the best value from a Tukwila service provider, it is best to understand what value means to you. The dictionary defines value as “a fair return or equivalent in goods, services, or money for something exchanged.”

In the case of a mechanical contractor, customers are looking for value in the quality of the replacement or newly installed parts or equipment. For example, if your contractor gives you the choice of a product that is warranted for five years versus one that is warranted for ten years – and the price for the longer warranty is within reason, it may be more valuable to choose the product with the longer warranty. It may cost more initially but it is less likely to be serviced as much and will last longer.

Similarly, your contractor may offer a value proposition which includes a “good,” “better,” “best” scenario for the product you are shopping for. You may choose from any of the three based on the amount of time you plan to live in your home or the level of comfort or convenience that you are accustomed to. And, if you choose a “good” product over a “best” product, it may diminish the value of your house when it comes time to sell.

Any good contractor who gives you these choices is one who is giving you the best value.

When it comes to service, there are also value choices, too. For example, how important is it to you to work with a contractor who values your time? Today, time can be just as important as money and is certainly a value consideration. One contractor may only be able to give you a large window of time when his company will be able to serve you, say 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Is it worth your time or someone else’s to wait?  It may cost a little more but is it worth it to you? The answer is likely to be yes; and this adds a value to the contractor who respects your time.

The true value of a contractor lies in the equipment he sells, the service he provides, and the peace-of-mind and time savings you get in return.

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Is Special Insurance Required For Solar Systems? A Question From Puyallup

Monday, October 3rd, 2011

After working the costs of installation and the potential savings of solar energy over time for your Puyallup home, there is one more factor to include in your cost analysis: insurance. Inevitable questions surrounding the issue of insurance will arise such as whether home owner’s insurance covers your panels, if you can add coverage, and what additional insurance you might need. These are all logical and shrewd questions that you should be asking before installing a solar system in your house.

Existing Insurance

The unfortunate truth is that many homeowner’s policies won’t cover solar panels, with the logic being that the additional structure presents an additional liability. Insurance companies have expressed concerns over the solar panels overheating or that installation hardware mounted on the home creates opportunities for water to leak in.

These concerns have not been shown to be based in fact, but many companies still use them as guidelines. There is also the point of view held by some companies that because solar panels increase the potential resale value of the home, the insurance premiums should be correspondingly higher. In some cases, policies have been canceled due to the perceived increase in risk.

The most important thing is to inquire with your company regarding your current policy. Ask directly if you will be reimbursed for damage to solar panels, if they will raise your premiums, cancel your policy, and any other questions you might have.

Other Options

If you discover that your policy won’t cover solar panels, you still have some options. First of all, you can see if you can amend your policy to include your planned solar panels. If not, see if you can get a separate policy specifically for solar panels, either with your current company or another. Note that this will almost certainly be an additional expense, so you will want to account for that when figuring out costs. Fortunately, some of the more enlightened insurance companies offer discounts of up to 5% for homes that use solar power, so that may help offset the cost.

The degree of difficulty and amount of expense you must endure to insure a solar system will depend a lot on your insurance company’s philosophy and the area in which you live. The important thing is to look into these questions first in order to avoid a risky or expensive situation later.

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