Why does my house feel muggy?
Low air flow out of your HVAC ducts can be frustrating, especially if you are uncomfortably hot or cold. If the air is not flowing like it should in your home, there are a number of possibilities.
Clogged air filters: Filters are designed to be part of the overall air flow process. If they are clogged because they haven't been changed, they will block air flow. Not only will this hold back your much desired warm or cold air, it could eventually cause damage to your HVAC system by causing components to work harder until they fail. In general, filters need to be changed every 60 days. It should happen more often in homes with a high number of pets or in an otherwise dusty or dirty environment.
Too much air filter: Filters come with a MERV rating for their efficiency from 1 to 16, with the higher numbers being more efficient. If you buy filters that are in the 15 or 16 range, they will hold back air while filtering it strongly. If you suffer from allergies or other health problems, you may be willing to trade a stronger filter for less air flow. However, if you don't need a strong filter, climbing back down the filter scale will allow more air flow.
Will I get sick from a musty smell in my house? It depends on what's causing the smell.
Most musty smells come from household mold, which grows in dark places with little ventilation and high humidity. That's why houses that have been shut up for a long time end up smelling musty.
The mold you can smell is harmless in most cases, but if it's particularly strong, it's a good idea to get it tested by an HVAC professional. The Geiler Company can help.
Are nosebleeds caused by heat? They can be.
Unless there is an underlying health issue like high blood pressure, most minor nosebleeds happen when the blood vessels near the surface at the front of the nose break. This can happen because the skin inside the nose on the septum (the part that separates the nostrils) gets dry and cracks. Many times, this dryness is made worse by the heat source in your home which tends to dry out the air. Lower humidity means more frequent nosebleeds for people who are prone to get them.
Other causes of the dry nasal passages that lead to nosebleeds include using an antihistamine or decongestant and frequent nose-blowing. The sudden increase in pressure when blowing the nose can rupture the blood vessels in the septum.
The problem can be easily solved by placing a humidifier in the room or rooms where the person getting the nosebleed spends most of their time. Usually that's in the sleeping area and in the common areas of the home. The Geiler Company carries a full line of humidifiers for every type of home. Another solution is to put a small amount of petroleum jelly on the septum area of the nose to keep the area moist and covered.
If nosebleeds persist after taking these measures or they become serious, it's time to see a doctor. As mentioned above, high blood pressure can cause nosebleeds, as can bleeding or clotting disorders.
If you do get a nosebleed, get something like a cloth or tissue to block the blood from leaving the nose, sit up or stand and lean your head forward. Pinch your nostrils together at the top of your nose and hold them closed for ten minutes. The pressure will stop the bleeding, so resist the temptation to stop pinching your nostrils too soon to see if the bleeding has stopped. If the bleeding won't stop, seek medical attention.
After you've stopped the nosebleed, don't strain yourself (which raises blood pressure) and try not to blow your nose for 24 hours.
A ductless heating system could be a low cost and energy efficient system for your home that could also save you a lot of money in the long run.
Ductless heating systems are also referred to as "split systems" because they rely on a main outside unit and up to eight wall mounted inside units that provide different zones or areas that can be controlled individually. These systems are ideal for homes that don't need to heat certain rooms in the winter. Certain rooms can be set to warmer temperatures to maintain comfort and other rooms can be set a little lower to save money and energy. The wall mounted units can also be installed within hours with very little construction activity needed. A small hole for the piping from the main heating unit and a some wall brackets are all that are needed.
A ductless air conditioning system could be a low cost and energy efficient system for your home that could also save you a lot of money in the long run.
Ductless air conditioning systems are also referred to as "split systems" because they rely on a main outside unit and up to eight wall mounted inside units that provide different zones or areas that can be controlled individually. These systems are ideal for homes that don't need to cool certain rooms in the summer. Certain rooms can be set to cooler temperatures to maintain comfort and other rooms can be set a little higher to save money and energy. The wall mounted units can also be installed within hours with very little construction activity needed. A small hole for the piping from the main cooling unit and a some wall brackets are all that are needed.
Some of the advantages of a ductless air conditioning system include:
Energy efficiency: Ductless air conditioning systems directly cool the area that they are in, rather than having cold air forced from a central air conditioner through a traditional duct system. Up to 25 percent of energy in a traditional cooling system can be lost as it travels throughout the home, more if the ductwork is leaking in places you can't see. This wasted cold air costs you money. Also, if the central thermostat for a traditional ducted air conditioning system is located in a warmer area, the whole system will continue to burn energy (and money) to meet the demand.
More control: Ductless air conditioning systems can be programmed individually to deliver the precise amount of cool air desired to a single area at a lower cost. For example, rooms with east or west facing windows can be kept cool without making other areas of the home too cold for comfort. The units are also Energy Star compliant, which means that homeowners may be eligible for rebates and/or tax breaks by installing a ductless air conditioning system. The Geiler company can help you find out what local, state and federal tax breaks or loan incentives are available when you purchase a ductless system.
Quiet operation: The units continually work to deliver cool air to their designated area of the home rather than starting and stopping. They are also designed to run quietly. The days of hearing the central air conditioner turning on and off or hearing the loud fan pushing the cool air through the home are a thing of the past for ductless air conditioning system owners.
Improved air quality: The units are designed with a mulit-stage filtration system to ensure air quality. Hundreds of feet of traditional ductwork in a home can gather a lot of dust, mold, and other contaminants. Ductless air conditioning systems eliminate this issue when cleaned regularly.
Ductless air conditioning systems are ideal for new construction, home additions or free-standing areas. Contact the Geiler Company at 513-574-0025 today to see if a ductless air conditioning system is right for you.