Celebrate Trees for Their Contribution to Clean Air!

We all need clean air to survive. Obviously, we depend on air to breathe, but the quality of that air really matters. And, as long as we’re talking about clean air, do you know what day it is today? It’s National Love a Tree Day, a day dedicated to celebrating and honoring trees for the many benefits they provide.

We’re happy to celebrate trees today and to be especially grateful for the clean air that they provide. While you don’t have to go out and hug your neighborhood tree, at the very least you should know how they contribute to your comfort, wellbeing, and life! It might help you get a better perspective on your HVAC system too.

The Importance of Clean Air

Clean air is essential for us to stay alive and to thrive. Poor air quality can lead to a number of health problems including allergies, asthma, other respiratory problems, and cardiovascular issues.

Plus, if you breathe poor quality air for extended periods it can lead to even more severe problems. In many cases, people find themselves in the hospital just based on the health of their lungs, something that can easily be prevented.

There are many things that affect air quality, but trees are an important part of improving it. Trees give off oxygen while also absorbing pollutants in the air. As a result, they produce clean air and help to ensure that we have clean air to breathe. With more and more of our appliances and daily routine affecting the environment, it’s a good idea to start fighting back with some good ol’ trees.

HVAC - Your Home’s “Trees”

With increasing numbers of pollutants in the air, it’s more important than ever to ensure that we have access to clean air both indoors and outdoors. Interestingly, indoor air quality tends to be worse - sometimes as much as five times worse - than outdoor air quality.

So, as you consider the importance of clean air, it’s important to think about ways that you can improve the quality of air in your home. This is especially true if you have family members with allergies or respiratory issues.

Your HVAC system plays an important role in controlling the air quality in your home. Regular maintenance of your system, cleaning of your ducts and replacement of air filters are easy and effective ways to improve the air quality in your home.

Start Tree Hugging this Month

With clean air on your mind, it’s only fitting to celebrate Love a Tree Day this year. Take a moment this May 16th to find a way to participate in the day.

Consider planting a tree, watering the trees in your neighborhood or just taking a moment to enjoy the shade and comfort of a favorite tree. We couldn’t survive without them, so make sure you give your trees some well-deserved appreciation!

Also, take a moment to improve the air quality in your home. Give us a call today at (517) 339-6300 so that we can schedule an HVAC maintenance appointment to help make sure your home’s air is clean.

Does Your Spring Cleaning Include Your Indoor Air?

This time of year, there are a few different things on everyone's minds. School teachers and kids are counting down the days to spring break. Gardeners are preparing to plant gorgeous flowers. People are hanging up winter coats and pulling out their t-shirts again.

Another thing that is on a lot of people's minds is spring cleaning! While spring cleaning has been around for centuries, it has gotten a new wind this year, with the popularity of Netflix's Tidying Up with Marie Kondo. Everyone is tidying up their homes and purging themselves of anything that does not spark joy.

One more thing we should all consider adding to our spring cleaning plans is HVAC spring cleaning! Think about this: does dust spark joy? Do allergies spark joy? Chances are that they do not, so why let them hang around your air? Let’s read on to see what you can do to tidy up your air this spring!

Make Your Air Part of Your Spring Cleaning Routine

To reiterate, you’re already halfway to cleaner air just by cleaning the rest of your house, because the dust that has been sitting on your furniture has been contributing to your poor air quality.

So if you’re already taking steps that will improve your air quality, why not take the next step. How? Well, you can begin by changing out your air filter.

While replacing your filter every two to three months is usually sufficient, during the spring it is recommended that you change it once a month. You can also install an air purifier in your home to catch any dust that might get past your filter.

What State is Your Indoor Air Quality In?

If you’re not sure exactly what kind of state your air quality is in, there are a few ways that you can find out. Firstly, you can use an air quality monitor, which can be purchased for anywhere from $150 to $250.

You can also monitor your air filter and the water in your air purifier for dust. If the filter becomes full, or the water in your air purifier is dark and murky, it’s time to change them before they stop being able to collect more dust.

Now is a Perfect Time For a Spring Tune-Up

While you’ve got your mind on cleaning your home and your air, now is a perfect time to think about cleaning your HVAC unit too!

If it’s been more than six months since the last time you had any professional maintenance done on your HVAC unit, call Meridian Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical today and ask about a spring tune-up.

Did you know that you can promote better indoor air quality just by cleaning the tops of your fans and other high places in your home? The less dust that sits on your ceiling fan blades, the less will fall off when you turn your fan on, and the less you will breathe in. For more on how you can keep your air quality up, and for all the HVAC services you might need, call Meridian Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical in East Lansing, MI at (517) 339-6300.

It’s Hot This Presidents' Day!

Alright, so it may not be hot outside, but if you don’t have a working HVAC system, it could get darn right warm when you have your friends and family all gathered together for the long weekend. Between sharing meals, and congregating in the living room, it will feel like summer in your home in no time!

Make sure to get your HVAC systems inspected, cleaned, and tuned up once a year to keep it working efficiently. You can also partner with Meridian Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical for the best HVAC services in East Lansing!

Do Yourself a Favor & Install Central HVAC

If you don't already have central heat and AC, now is the time to get it! At this time of the year, temperatures begin to fluctuate more and more.

As the seasons begin to change, you'll find that you may need your heater one day, then air conditioning the next day, and then heating again the day after that!

Sure, you can get through this season with individual HVAC units in each room, but it will be a lot easier to control the temperature across your whole house with a central HVAC system. Using a single thermostat to change the temperature, instead of having to change it on each individual unit, is a much easier and more efficient way to keep the temperature consistent from room to room.

The Best Heating Services, When You Need Them Most

If your heater is a piece of junk, and it regularly gives out on you at the most inconvenient times, don't let it ruin your fun on a long weekend!

Meridian Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical has great HVAC services available even on the most inconvenient days, so you don't have to worry about being uncomfortable in your home for even one day!

A broken heater is also a good reminder of the importance of regular HVAC maintenance. Taking proper care of your HVAC system can help you avoid breakdowns altogether.

Don’t Forget to Replace Your AC Filter

One more thing you can do to help your HVAC system get through this weird in between winter and spring season is by changing out your AC filter regularly.

Not only does changing your AC filter every 30-90 days help your HVAC system stay cleaner for longer and make it run more efficiently, but it also keeps things like dirt, pollen, dust, pet hair, and dander out of your air.

Better air quality helps keep respiratory issues like asthma and allergies at bay, while also preventing skin and eye irritation from dust. So whether it’s hot or cold out today, keep the temperature consistent and the air clean inside your home today!

Meridian Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical is here to help you get your HVAC systems back in working order with heating and cooling repairs, HVAC installation, and even AC and heater maintenance. Give us a call today at (517) 339-6300 to speak with one of our qualified HVAC technicians about how you can improve your HVAC systems’ performance!

Not Sure How Often You Should Clean Your Air Ducts? Read This!

Have you ever really given much thought to your air ducts? Sure, you count on them to deliver warm or cool air through your East Lansing, MI home to keep your family comfortable year-round, but have you thought about what you can do to maintain them?

The best way to maintain good indoor air quality is to keep your ducts clean. How often is air duct cleaning required, what are the benefits and how do you accomplish this? Read on!

How Often do I Need Professional Air Duct Cleaning?

The short answer to this common question is every 3-5 years. There are factors that will shrink that timeline.

For example, if you or someone in your family has asthma or environmental allergies, you’ll need your ducts cleaned out more often for air quality/health purposes.

You should also get your ducts cleaned out at the end of a home renovation project because there can be extra dust and debris hanging out in the ducts.

How You Can Keep Your Ducts Clean

While a professional air duct cleaning is the only way to really reduce the residue inside your ducts, maintaining them on a regular basis on your own can help too.

Vacuum them out every couple of month and wipe down vents with a clean, damp cloth.

The Benefits of Getting Your Ducts Cleaned

There are plenty of benefits to getting your ducts cleaned. Like saving money? Of course, you do! That’s the first benefit. When ducts are clean, the air moves more freely, which means that your air conditioning/furnace doesn’t need to work extra hard to cool or heat the air. This cuts down your energy bills.

You will also see an improvement in your indoor air quality. Over time, dust, dirt, hair, pet dander, and other materials will gather inside your ducts. Do you really want the air that your family inhales in your home to travel that path every time? Cleaning the ducts out removes this junk and gives a clean path for the air to travel.

When you have a professional attending to your ducts, they will also inspect for damage. You’ll waste a lot of warm or cool air (and money) if the ducts are cracked or otherwise damaged. In addition to getting your ducts cleaned regularly, include a seasonal tune-up of your air conditioning and your furnace at the beginning of the spring and fall. This is a smart maintenance move too.