Indoor Air Quality Quiz - Answers

In last week's installment, Hoffman Brothers posted an indoor air quality quiz. This week find out what any "false" responses represent regarding the safety and health of your home.

1. If everyone in your home seems to be suffering from a respiratory condition, allergies or asthma, it may have something to do with the indoor air quality of your home.

2. Chronic headaches are often the side effect of carbon monoxide, poor ventilation, and/or dirty air filters.

3. Constant feelings of fatigue and dizziness are indications that poor air quality and potential mold is tainting pure air quality.

4. Households that do not change their air filters on a regular basis run the risk of shortening the lifespan of the heating and cooling system. Moreover, it produces unhealthy air quality.

5. Kitchens with improper ventilation can cause mold and trapping bacteria and odors in the home.

6. Hardwood flooring is a dust magnet.

7. Drafty spots in the home signify energy inefficiency. Hot and cold spots suggest that the heating and cooling system is working harder then necessary. Seal doors and windows, to prevent hot and cold spots from putting a drain on your cooling system.

8. Antique furniture is prone to promote dust mites.

9. Attics require proper ventilation to prevent the mold development.

10. Dust accumulation is another indication for inept air quality.

11. Dry air can lead to appliance combustion.

12. Mold is the byproduct of excessive moisture and poor air ventilations.

13. In order to keep any heating and cooling system operating at peak performance annual inspections are recommended.

14. Homes without carbon monoxide detectors run the risk of developing toxic gases and fumes, naked to the eye.

15. Lingering odors signal poor, low indoor air quality.

16. Vent-less kerosene lanterns and space heaters emit carbon monoxide fumes.

17. An improperly functioning flue is not only bad for indoor air quality but potentially dangerous.

18. Dry throats are symptomatic of low moisture and unhealthy air quality.

19. A furnace or chimney, leaking air, is a sign to contact the heating and cooling experts, Hoffman Brothers..

20. With poor air circulation, it is almost impossible to breathe clean air.

Indoor Air Quality Quiz

Indoor air quality is an integral aspect of going green. From breathing carbon monoxide, the development of radon or mold, several elements contribute to poor indoor air quality.

Visit Hoffmann Brothers to read more about maintaining clean indoor air quality.

Is the indoor air quality in your home clean and safe? Take Hoffmann Brothers Air Quality Quiz to determine how pure the indoor air quality is in your home. 

Answer “TRUE,” or “FALSE,” to the statement, which best reflects the situation regarding the air quality in your home.

1. Everyone in our home suffers from allergies or has asthma.

2. Only one person in our home suffers from chronic headaches.

3. Members of your family constantly complain about feeling dizzy and fatigued.

4. Every five to six months, we change our air filter.

5. There is no vent over our stove.

6. My home is comprised of all hardwood flooring.

7. Throughout our household there are hot and cold spots.

8. Our home is adorned in antique furniture.

9. Our attic is insulated to block out any exterior air.

10. We have serious dust accumulation problems in our home.

11. The air in our home is arid.

12. From time-to-time, we have found mold behind furniture in our living room.

13. We have never had our heating and cooling system inspected or repaired.

14. We have not had the time to install a carbon monoxide detector.

15. Usually, odors linger in our home for weeks.

16. In certain rooms, a vent-less kerosene or space heater supplements warming the home.

17. The flue in our fireplace does not seem to work properly.

18. Everyone in our household complains about having a dry throat.

19. Our chimney or furnace leaks air.

20. The air in our home does not smell pure or fresh.

Tally up your true and false answers. If you have less than five false answers, then the indoor air quality of your home requires a professional inspection. Visit Hoffman Brother’s indoor air quality department to learn more. Next, week we'll review the aforementioned statements.

Are Regular Heating and Cooling Inspections Necessary?

Why is it important to have regular maintenance on my home comfort equipment?

Just as annual doctors visits are necessary for preventative health measures, the same applies to keeping the home’s heating and cooling system operating at peak performance. Many a comfort system breakdown could be avoided with the proper maintenance. When heating system functions properly, the comfort contraptions are innately more energy efficient.

Aside from purchasing a heating and cooling system backed by an enduring warranty ( in example), regular inspections, maintenance and minimal fixes reduce the chance of compromising the comfort system’s performance.

In terms of maintaining the home’s safety, a heating and cooling contractor ensures that your equipment is not releasing an invisible toxin, carbon monoxide. Water heaters, stoves, space heaters, furnaces, the clothes dryer, and other combustion appliances are potential sources for carbon monoxide. When pressure builds up, carbon monoxide can find its way in the home. As a result, it’s a key safety issue to have a technician inspect your combustion appliances and heating and cooling system to prevent dangerous operational hazards.

Regardless of the quality of the heating pump, furnace and other components, regular maintenance is necessary to prevent malfunctions. Leaks, blockages and particle buildup are a few of impediments which can cause a heating and cooling system to under-perform, contributing to utility bill spikes, poor air circulation, and inhalation discomfort.

• Annual heating and cooling inspections ultimately extend the life of the comfort system
  
• Reduces the chances of requiring an entire system replacement
  
• Warms the home at a livable temperature while maintaining peak performance
  
• Functions efficiently reducing the energy budget
  
• A regular schedule of maintenance assure that your system is covered under the warranty

Contact Hoffmann Brothers Heating and Cooling to ensure that your system is operating safe at peak performance.

Hot Water Savings Tips

In the home, water heating accounts for the third highest expense. For most homes, the water bill ranges for almost 15 percent of the utility bill. St. Louis Hoffmann Brothers, a St Louis based heating and cooling company recommends four cost-cutting strategies for reducing the water heating bill:

• Conserve on hot water usage.

• Lower the temperature on the water heater.

• Invest in an energy efficient tank-less water heater, which will save on hot water, warranting an endless supply. Make sure that the contractor installs the water heater according to code.

• Replace shower-heads and faucets with low-flow aerating models.

• In cases where the washing machine and / or dishwasher are outdated, investigate the cost of replacing with an efficient, ENERGY STAR model to save on hot water consumption.

• Since most water heaters are configured at the factory at 120°F, reduce the temperature on the thermostat of the water heater down to 90 to 100°F.

• To maximize the water heater’s efficiency to transfer heat and to remove sediment buildup, every season (three months), drain one-quart of water from the water heater. Follow the guidelines outlined in the manufacturer’s manual.

• Decrease heat loss by installing heat traps on both the hot and cold pipes. Energy efficient water heaters usually have these configurations built in.

• Without covering the thermostat, insulate the hot-water’s storage tank. Refer to the manufacturer’s directions or contact a hot water heater specialist.

• Insulate the first 6-feet of the water heater’s cold and hot water pipes.

• For additional questions about saving on the hot water or for a fast quote, contact Hoffman Brothers at 314.664. 3011.

Programmable Thermostats Control the Home Energy Bill

Programmable thermostats are more than another useful hand held device. These portable home atmospheric, monitoring gadgets ensure savings and comfortable temperature settings in the home.

Energy Star, a federally funded energy conservation advocacy group reports that Americans can reduce up to 10 percent of the annual costs to heat and cool the house by lowering the thermostat 7 or more degrees. That makes these programmable thermostats quite eco-friendly.

How much can the average household expect to save with a programmable thermostat?

The ultimate savings of the programmable thermostat is reducing the heat 7 to 10 degrees below the standard room temperature, which is 68-70 degrees Fahrenheit. Figure a one percent savings for each degree a minimum of eight hours a day. The longer the programmable thermostat is set below the average room temperature, the higher the reduction of energy costs. 

When is it a good time to reduce the temperature setting of the programmable thermostat?

From the time the home is empty--when everyone is at work and/or school, and during the wee hours of the night, the programmable thermostat automatically controls the temperature without requiring any manual adjustments.

Which programmable thermostat is the best option?

On the Energy Star Web site, consumers will find a list of manufacturers, who engineer programmable thermostats, which come in one of three formats:

• Digital
• Electromechanical
• Digital and electromechanical hybrids

Which programmable thermostat is better for multiple settings?

Digital thermostats are preferred for making numerous setback settings, which include daily, daylight savings time, as well as other override configurations. With the electromechanical system, settings require a sliding bar or peg to program.

What is the easiest method for selecting the right programmable thermostat?

Serving Greater St. Louis, Metro East and St. Charles Counties, Hoffmann Brothers, a heating and cooling company makes choosing and installation easy. Click on ‘programmable thermostat’ to learn more.

2010 How to Save Energy and Trim Household Energy Cost

If you’re looking for areas to cut costs and how to save energy, this year, consider reducing household energy bills. It’s the little savings that add up over time. Heating and electricity are adjustable bills that are assessed based on monthly usage. Aside from turning down the thermostat and layering up, Hoffmann Brothers, a St. Louis-based heating and cooling contractor recommends these quick fixes, which aid in the energy conservation:

Electrical outlets have a tendency to produce drafts. To decrease the flow of air, apply foam caskets underneath the outlets’ plates.

Consider upgrading to a programmable thermostat replacement. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, Energy Star qualified, programmable thermostat--equipped with four-time and temperature settings, saves up to $100 of annual energy costs.

Always remember to check your air filters every two to three months to maximize your heating system’s performance. If they are dirty, replace them. Affix a wide piece of tape over the air filter’s slot. This will block out any air, seeping to the parameter of the edges of the filter.

The heating system runs in overdrive to maintain the home at a comfortable temperature. If you’re constantly turning up the thermostat, check the air ducts. Make sure that they are releasing adequate warm air. If the duct seams are visible, where the metal is adjoined, purchase a duct sealant (duct mastic) or a shiny foil adhesive, labeled UL-181.

If your heating system has not been serviced in more than five years, it might be a good time to have it checked by a bonded, heating contractor. Having the furnace, duct system and other parts of the heating system checked now, can alleviate any future, costly outages.

Also, if you’re considering replacing your heating system with geothermal energy or other green energy heating and cooling system, contact a St Louis heating and cooling company to learn about qualifying for the green energy tax credit.

10-Things to Know About Geothermal Heating and the Energy Tax Credit

On December 1st 2009 The Environmental Protection Agency announced revised regulations for residential geothermal heat pumps (GHPs). The new requirements approve water-to-water geothermal pumps to qualify for the Energy Star label. In the past, the geothermal standards were conventional pumps, only. This means that homeowners are entitled to a 30 percent tax credit with the installation of any geothermal heating pump.

There are several facts to know about geothermal heating pumps, energy, and the green Tax Credit.

• Since, geothermal energy does not use fuel to create electricity, it’s considered to be excessively efficient. 

• Geothermal energy’s underlying value is that it does not generate pollution. 

• Primary, secondary and new constructions qualify for the tax credit. However, rental properties are not included.

• According to energy analysts, the water-to-water pumps will be 45 percent more efficient than the conventional ones.

• The green energy Tax Credit for geothermal pumps is effective through December 31, 2016.

• Unlike the new homebuyer Tax Credit, where there are income limitations, the energy efficiency tax credits do not impose any minimum or maximum requirements. 

• Although, the geothermal heat pump Tax Credit now includes water-to-water geothermal pumps, certain components are not covered. For instance, ducts and emergency back-up systems are not associated with the geothermal heat pump’s efficiency and do not qualify for any exemptions.

• Homeowners can apply 30 percent of the installation and labor costs to the Tax Credit. 

• All ENERGY STAR qualified geothermal heat pumps are eligible for the Tax Credit. To review a list of authorized manufacturers, click on “ENERGY STAR Geothermal Heat Pumps” to review the list.

• If you’re considering geothermal heating for your home or need professional advice, Hoffmann Brothers has the answers to your heating and cooling questions.