The Great Debate!

Too hot, too cold, just right?… What is the perfect temperature for the office. It is impossible to please everyone, but most employers and employees can agree that an effort to accommodate as many people as possible goes along ways.

According to a 2018 CareerBuilder Survey, nearly half of 1,012 full-time, private-sector American workers say their office is either too hot or too cold. If the office is too hot or too cold it is undeniable an uncomfortable office temperature has a significant impact on productivity.

Temperature plays a big role in whether employees are comfortable, focused and productive. Any distractions can have a direct impact on revenue.

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) doesn’t mandate employers to maintain specific temperatures in the workplace, but it recommends that employers keep the thermostat between 68 and 76 F.

The ideal temperature for the “typical” office is around 71.6 F, according to the Helsinki University of Technology Laboratory for Heating, Ventilating and Air-conditioning.

If you are having workplace temperature debates, bring us in and let us show you what can be done to ease the tension.

Simple Tips for Pet Owner

Simple Tips For Pet Owners To Improve Their Indoor Air Quality

People love sharing life with pets. More than half (57 percent) of people around the globe own an animal, according to a GfK study, and 90 percent consider their pets part of the family. Dogs are the most common pets owned globally, with 33 percent of households owning a dog, followed by cats at 23 percent.

So many furry friends in the home inevitably leads to dander, which can take a toll on your home’s indoor air quality and even your family’s health.

The American Lung Association notes that pet dander can often trigger allergies that range from congestion and sneezing to wheezing, watery eyes, and rashes. Children and older adults typically feel the biggest impact of poor indoor air quality.

Fortunately, there are some simple steps pet owners can take to improve their home’s indoor air quality and enjoy a happy, healthy life with pets in the home.

Explore a Whole-Home Air Purification System

About half of people with pet allergies don’t show symptoms right away. It can sometimes take years for reactions to pet dander to surface. Rather than watch and wait, enjoy the peace of mind that comes with a whole-home air purification system, such as the PureAir™ S from Lennox.

While many air-cleaning systems filter out particles, destroy germs, or attack odors, this purification system provides a whole-home solution that combats all three major indoor types of air contaminants: airborne particles, germs and bacteria, and chemical odors and vapors. The PureAir™ S removes 99.9 percent of all particles, such as pollen, dust, and pet dander. It also destroys 50 percent of household odors, including pet smells.

Commit to Cleaning Regularly

You can also address indoor air quality by sticking to a regular cleaning schedule for both your home and your pet. Regularly bathe your pet and brush them outdoors to limit dander from spreading throughout your home.

It’s also a good idea to routinely vacuum with a machine that includes a HEPA filter, which prevents dust from being exhausted back into the household. The American Academy of Asthma Allergy & Immunology recommends vacuuming and washing area rugs and floor mats weekly. Depending how much your pet sheds, you might consider vacuuming more frequently.

When your pets live indoors, you should also have your air ducts cleaned more frequently than normal. Pet hair can gather in the ducts and cause problems in the future, so invest in having your ducts professionally cleaned every three years.

In the winter it’s even more important to maintain a regular cleaning routine since the cold weather prevents many people from opening their windows and ventilating their homes.

Make Your Bedroom a Fur-Free Zone

To enjoy the best night’s sleep, you need to have great air quality in your bedroom. While nearly half of all dogs sleep in their owner’s bed, according to the American Pet Products Association, you should make your bedroom off limits if you want to improve your indoor air quality.

However, if you must snuggle with your beloved pet, explore Indoor Air Quality solutions from Lennox, to reduce the amount of pet dander in the air.

Breathe Easy

You shouldn’t have to worry about the air your family breathes, and you should be able to live comfortably with your furry friends at your side. Call us to learn more about improving your home’s indoor air quality with pets.

For more information visit https://www.lennox.com

NARI Spring Home Improvement Show 2017

Come see us at the Nari Spring Home Improvement Show at the State Fair Park Exposition Center. Visit our booth for a chance to win prizes and get special service pricing!!

Hours

Thursday 12 pm – 8 pm ◊ Friday 10 am – 8 pm ◊ Saturday 10 am – 8 pm ◊ Sunday 10 am – 5 pm

How to Replace your Furnace Filter

Beat the HEAT!!!

Nothing says Wisconsin like a hot and humid summer. Let us help you beat the heat with 12 YEAR NO REPAIR BILL GUARANTEE on select equipment. Get in touch with us to see how we can help make your home comfortable this summer. Check out our special offers for more savings!!!

R-22 vs. R-410A Refrigerant

A very hot topic in the HVAC world right now is the difference between the R-22 and R410A refrigerants.

R-22

Usually referred to by the brand name Freon
R-22 was outlawed for use in new units as of 2010
R-22 is a hydro-chlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) which contributes to the depletion of the ozone

R-410A

Usually referred to by the brand name Puron
Is approved for use in new residential air conditioning units
R-410A is a hydro-fluorocarbon (HFC) which does not harm the ozone
R-410A will become the new standard for A/C systems in the US starting in 2015

Newer air conditioners are built to be used with R-410A for more efficient operation. It can absorb and release more heat than R-22, meaning your compressor can run cooler, reducing the compressors chances of overheating and burning out. R-410A also works at a higher pressure than the R-22. The new compressors are designed to withstand greater stress, reducing the chance of cracking. Also, compressors need oil to keep them lubricated during operation. Units using R-22 use mineral oil, while units using R-410A use synthetic oil. The synthetic oil is more soluble with the R-410A than the R-22 is with the mineral oil, which means the R-410A is operating more efficiently, reducing the wear and tear on the compressor.

Ecobee3 Smart Thermostat

Programmable thermostats are a great way to save energy during the hot summer months. Check out the EcoBee3 Smart thermostat!

Reme Guardian Air Filter

HVAC Maintenance

Maintenance of your HVAC equipment is very important. It has been stated by Energy Star that the most common causes of failure for HVAC systems are neglect and dirt. Think about it like this, those units are operating around the clock all year round. That is like putting 100,000 miles on a car. You give your car an oil change more than once a year, right? So why wouldn’t you maintain your furnace and air conditioner? Scheduled maintenance on your equipment can prevent frequent and costly repairs.