The Dilemma of Modern Homes and Indoor Air Quality

August 10th, 2020
spinning-fan

Our company exists to help homeowners overcome the dilemmas they face with houses that are uncomfortable and energy inefficient at the same time. It’s an unfortunate fact for many people that they live in homes that are stuffy and uncomfortable with air quality far worse than it should be, and yet they’re paying high energy bills for the “privilege” of inferior living.

Today we want to specifically address the trouble with indoor air quality Modesto, CA. IAQ is a big trouble spot for homes, and we’re going to explain why this situation exists. Part of it is because attempts to make homes more energy-efficient end up creating a new problem (often without solving the original energy waste problem).

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How Not to Treat Your Drains

August 3rd, 2020
animated-drain-pipe

How not to treat your drains: By using store-bought chemical drain cleaners!

Trust us, we get it. One of the most frustrating, and unfortunately one of the most common, problems to deal with in households today is a clogged drain. And reaching for a bottle of that store-bought stuff is easy, right? But there’s a problem–these “solutions” can actually be doing more harm than good.

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Understanding the MERV Rating and Air Filters

July 27th, 2020
air-fliter-cu

Air filtration systems are one of the basic building blocks of indoor air quality for a home. We offer many types of IAQ services for our clients, but air filtration in Modesto, CA solutions are one of the most common. Among the top systems we install are PureAir S, the Carbon Clean 16, and the Clean Air 11.

However, finding the right air filtration for a home isn’t something we do by selecting the most powerful filters available. That can lead to serious problems with the HVAC system in the house. We take into account many factors when it comes to choosing air filters. One of the key factors is MERV, the rating system measuring air filter strength. To help understand the importance of finding the right air filters, we’re going to go into more depth about MERV.

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Unique Ductless Repairs You Can Avoid

July 20th, 2020
ductless-air-handler-blowing-cold-air

Are you considering the installation of a new ductless system this summer? When it comes to choosing a new air conditioner of any kind, there are a number of considerations to keep in mind. You want your cooling system to work as efficiently and effectively as possible for the years to come, after all.

This is why you should definitely work with an experienced contractor to find the best option for your specific needs and budget, while keeping in mind that only a professional can guarantee reliable work. Particularly when it comes to ductless heating and cooling.

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Energy Efficiency Tips for Summer

July 13th, 2020
green-house

Stay cool during summer is one thing, doing so without having egregious energy bills is another. If you are finding yourself questioning if you want to turn on your air conditioner or save your money, it means that you may need to take some time to make sure you are optimizing your energy efficiency as much as you can.

You shouldn’t have to choose between staying comfortable and keeping your home cool. We have some tips to help you enjoy the best of both options in this case.

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Why You Should Never Use Store-Bought Drain Cleaners

July 6th, 2020
drain-bubbling-with-water

Imagine this scenario: You are brushing your teeth. You have the water running to rinse off the toothbrush when you notice, the water you turned on to wet the toothbrush is still standing in the sink. You have a clog! What’s the first thing you do?

If it’s a superficial enough clog you might reach in the drain and relieve it, or use a plunger to loosen it up and draw it out. If it’s deeper down, however, then you’ll probably reach for a bottle of that store-bought drain cleaner you keep on hand. Don’t! Please don’t. You should never use store-bought drain cleaners. They’re a cheap option, but you literally get what you pay for. Read on as we uncover just why you should never use these store-bought “solutions.”

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How Duct Sealing Can Help Your Home

June 29th, 2020
Inside-an-Air-Duct

It’s our job to help homeowners live green and save green. We’re one of the fastest-growing companies for helping people in Modesto enjoy healthier indoor lives while improving energy efficiency. That’s what going green is all about.

“So what does any of that have to do with duct sealing?” you might ask. Plenty! People often take their ductwork for granted when it comes to making green improvements on their homes, instead of focusing on the installation of air purifiers, energy recovery ventilators, and insulation improvements. But sealing leaky ducts is an essential step toward making an energy-inefficient house into a super-green money-saving machine.

The Problem With Leaky Ducts

Because you can’t see most of the ductwork in your house (nor do you want to), you won’t know how easy it is for the ducts to begin to leak air. Age, corrosion, insects, high air-pressure, objects moved around in the attic … all of these can lead to small air leaks starting in the ducts. And small leaks can create big problems:

  • Air loss: You can lose around 30% of the air moving through the ventilation system to these leaks. This means that air you’ve already paid to heat or cool is going to waste in closed-off sections of the house. Do you want to spend 30% of the money you use for the air conditioner to cool down the attic? Probably not, but you may be doing just that if you have leaky air ducts.
  • Extra wear and tear: Losing that much air from the ductwork means the heater and AC must put in extra work to replace it. Yes, that’s expensive; but it’s also extra strain placed in the HVAC system. The additional wear and tear will take years off the system’s lifespan and lead to additional repairs.
  • Weak airflow: The air pressure inside the ducts drops because of leaks, and this means low airflow coming from the vents. You’ll notice hot and cold spots around the home and a noteworthy decline in comfort because of compromised ducts.
  • Dirty air: Plenty of dust and debris can enter the ducts through these leaks, leading to a drop in air quality. The leaks also allow more humid air into the ventilation system, which not only affects comfort, it can lead to mold and mildew growth.

Duct Sealing to the Rescue!

You can see from the list how much trouble you’ll stop with sealed ducts. You’ll have healthier air, more energy-efficient HVAC equipment, and better comfort. Leaking air ducts are one of the principal problems our experts look for when we conduct a home energy audit—there are few places where a house wastes energy faster than through a leaky air duct system.

We offer duct sealing in Modesto, CA using the best tools. We can test your ducts and use special video camera inspection equipment to ensure we locate all the leaks and have them sealed up. Ask about a full energy audit for your house, and we’ll find the best ways that you can live green and save green.

Call Greenhart for duct sealing and a No-Charge Home Comfort Profile. Live Green, Save Green!

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Your Next Water Heater: Should You Go Tankless?

June 22nd, 2020
tankless-boiler-water-heater

If there is any appliance in the home that homeowners take for granted, it’s probably their water heater. Even though they’re the most often used appliance in the house, you probably don’t give it much thought unless something goes wrong with it, right? And then when something does go wrong with it, the next question is if it’s worth repairing or if it’s time for a replacement.

A water heater in disrepair should be replaced when it’s reached a couple of decades in age, is showing signs of corrosion and/or simply cannot work as efficiently as it used to.

The next question is, what should you replace that water heater with? After all, you don’t have to stick with the same old model of tank heater. That’s not to say there aren’t benefits to these systems, which we’ll explore below, but you might benefit from a tankless water heater. Read on as we uncover the pros and cons of both.

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Some Facts About Humidity and Cooling Your Home in Summer

June 15th, 2020
woman-before-fan

When it’s hot in your home during a summer day, what do you do? If running ceiling fans and opening windows for a breeze isn’t enough—and in Modesto, it often isn’t—then you probably turn on your central air conditioning system. This can often do the job. But what about on days when the humidity is high? Does the air conditioning help overcome the humidity?

The answer is: probably not.

Humidity is a big problem during the summer when it comes to comfort—and it can also cause water damage to your home and help the growth of mold and mildew. We want to share a few important facts about humidity and how you cool your home.

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Sounds You Should Never Hear from Your AC

June 8th, 2020
woman-covering-ears

As temperatures begin to warm up even more and remind us that summer is well on its way, we’re starting to use our air conditioners on a more consistent basis. That said, our cooling systems go through a lot over the years, accumulating wear and tear faster than systems in cooler areas of the country. This also means they may even require repairs more often.

To avoid the biggest and most emergent of repair needs, it’s important that you schedule maintenance at least once a year for your cooling system. During this service, our pros will fully inspect clean, and adjust your system to ensure its efficient and effective operation. But with or without professional maintenance, your cooling system may show signs that it need repair—and often times those signs are in the form of strange noises. Read on as we uncover some sounds you should never hear from your AC system and what they mean.

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