Looking for an indoor air quality guide that explains the best indoor air solutions for Edmonton homes? We’ve got you covered! Home air quality is an important topic that homeowners often overlook. But, when you spend so many hours of …
Read MoreIf you’re facing a frozen AC coil, there are a few things you can try. Start by setting your thermostat to high and Fan Only mode for a few hours. If this doesn’t work, it could be a more significant issue, such as a refrigerant leak or a dirty coil. In such cases, it’s best to contact the experts for assistance.
We recommend contacting ProSolutions Inc, an Edmonton-based AC seller that offers Ameristar Air Conditioning brand for AC repair. Click here to learn more about AC repair services
Wondering how to check the humidity level in your Edmonton home? Good news – it’s simple to do! You’ll just need one of two things:
If you want to check the humidity level in your home by hand, you’ll need a tool called a hygrometer. This tool can be purchased at your local hardware store for about $10 to $20.
To use a hygrometer to check the humidity in your home, simply place it in the room you want to check. It’s important to note that humidity levels won’t be consistent throughout your home – some rooms may have more or less humidity than others. Therefore, placing the hygrometer in a room you are concerned about or where your family spends most of their time is best. Also, ensure you don’t put your hygrometer near a heat source. For example, a radiator, heat register, chimney, etc.
Once the hygrometer is placed, wait up to two hours (it can take a couple of hours for the tool to get an accurate and stable reading).
If you have a humidifier in your home, it will have a built-in hygrometer. Therefore, you won’t need to buy a handheld tool. Instead, this internal hygrometer will automatically monitor and adjust the humidity level in your home, keeping your Edmonton home comfortable all year round.
When it comes to choosing a humidifier, Edmonton homeowners have two options:
Portable units are the cheapest option – they are easy to find and use and require no installation. However, most portable humidifiers can only maintain proper humidity levels in one or two rooms. As well, portable units require a lot of maintenance. This includes regularly filling the water reservoir and consistently cleaning the unit to maintain optimal air quality and minimize bacteria and viruses.
A whole-home system, although more expensive up front, requires much less maintenance and can maintain optimal humidity levels throughout your home.
For Edmonton homeowners, whole-home humidifiers (also known as furnace humidifiers or in-duct humidifiers) are the best option.
Whole home systems can be installed in residential homes with forced-air heating systems. These humidifiers use the air ducts and plumbing system to deliver consistent humidity levels. Best of all, once installed, a whole home humidifier will provide reliable home comfort without needing to lift a finger!
Some of the best whole-home humidifier brands in Edmonton include:
Experts like ProSolutions will tell you that it’s best to have at least two-thirds of your vents left open for best operation of your AC system. It is far harder to cool down a house versus keeping it at a constant temperature.
Air circulation issues in your home? If you are experiencing this, check the vents in those warmer rooms. Vents bringing hot or cool air into the house winter/summer accumulate dust, pet dander, whatever, and should be vacuumed on a regular basis to ensure good air flow. At the same time make sure that your return air vents are not blocked by furniture or other items pushed up against them.
In Edmonton, winter home humidity should be between 35% and 45%. In general, indoor humidity levels below 30% are too dry, and anything above 50% is too damp.
If the indoor humidity level in your home is too high in the winter, you may see condensation accumulating on the inside of your windows – or even your walls. If your home has single-pane windows or insufficient insulation, this will make matters worse.
As a result of high humidity, mould, mildew, and rotting can occur. Therefore, it is vital to maintain appropriate humidity levels in your home, as improper humidity can lead to an uncomfortable, unhealthy, and damaged home.
If humidity is too low in your house, this can lead to many different issues. Some of the most common problems created by low humidity in Edmonton homes include:
In addition to these physical effects, low humidity can damage hardwood flooring, wood furniture, paint, and wallpaper (causing it to crack/peel). Low humidity also makes it more challenging to maintain proper air temperature. Dry air is more difficult to heat. Therefore, your furnace will be forced to work harder to keep your home warm. As a result, you’ll have higher heating bills, and your furnace may experience more frequent repairs and a shorter lifespan
Maintaining the proper humidity level in your Edmonton home is essential! If the humidity level in your house is too low or too high, your home will be uncomfortable – and you could run into a host of health issues.
Proper indoor humidity is critical in the winter, as Edmonton gets extremely cold, forcing residents to stay inside the majority of the day.
If your skin feels dry and it’s more difficult to breathe than usual, you may have improper humidity levels in your Edmonton home. In this case, the humidity level is likely too low. Thus, you and your family are breathing stale, dry air instead of crisp, refreshing air.
Luckily, there are several ways to fix the low humidity level in your Edmonton home.
Looking for an indoor air quality guide that explains the best indoor air solutions for Edmonton homes? We’ve got you covered! Home air quality is an important topic that homeowners often overlook. But, when you spend so many hours of …
Read MoreWant softer skin and healthier hair? Discover the benefits of water softeners and humidifiers for hair and skin health. …
Read MoreIt costs, on average, around $1,500 to $4,000 or more to install an HRV in Fort Saskatchewan. This price includes the cost of a whole-home heat recovery ventilator unit (which usually ranges from $500 to $1,000+), as well as HRV installation.
Several factors can impact the overall cost to install an HRV in Fort Saskatchewan. These variables include:
Want to know how much it will cost to install an HRV in your home? Call ProSolutions Inc. for a free, personalized estimate.
A heat recovery ventilator (HRV) is worth installing in Fort Saskatchewan - especially in a new home. In fact, the Alberta Building Code requires all new homes to have a ventilation system installed. HRV systems are extremely beneficial (and often required) because they help keep homes safe, healthy and energy efficient.
That said, not all homes will benefit from an HRV. Older homes, in particular, may not see as many benefits because they are not as air-tight as newer homes. For instance, the energy savings from an HRV will be limited in older homes.
Installing an HRV in a new, tightly sealed home will have the following benefits.
If you are building a new home, installing a whole-home heat recovery ventilator is one of the best investments you can make.
If you’re not sure whether an HRV is right for your home, give the ventilation system experts at ProSolutions Inc. a call. Our experienced HVAC technicians can help you decide if an HRV is right for you.