The weather is warm, trees and flowers have sprouted, and the birds are chirping. This means just one thing for Mishawaka and Columbia City area homeowners: allergy season is here. However, this year you can beat allergies. How? Believe it or not, your heating and cooling system can have a big effect on the state of your sinuses. Just follow these three steps from Home Comfort Experts!

Begin by Running Your Home’s Air Conditioner

It is the time of year in the Mishawaka and Columbia City areas when homeowners can flip on the air conditioner. Home Comfort Experts encourages you to do so to help beat allergies. When windows are kept closed, pollen stays out of your home and out of your lungs.

Don’t Forget to Clean Out Your Air Conditioner’s Filter

If you are to follow one of these suggested steps, make this be the one! Changing your air conditioner’s filter is the single most important thing you can do to help reduce indoor allergens. Particles of dust, spores and mold overtime become trapped in your filter and can discharged throughout your home.

Another way to keep mold, mildew, and even pollen out of your home’s air is through a whole house air purification system. These systems are installed as part of your home’s heating and cooling system. How does this work? When your furnace or air conditioner pushes out air it is first being filtered.

Consider Purchasing a Dehumidifier for Your Home

We all know the saying, “April flowers bring May showers”, but did you also know that these humid showers could also bring mold to your home? Home Comfort Experts suggests purchasing a dehumidifier for you home to help control the moisture level and decrease your chance of mold. Not to mention, dehumidifiers help your home feel more comfortable when it is sticky and clammy outside.

Now you are equipped with the proper steps for beating allergies! For more information about your home’s heating and cooling system, give Home Comfort Experts a call.

Want to prevent plumbing disasters? Follow these simple steps from our master plumber, Ken,  and avoid making some of the most common mistakes that lead to plumbing disasters:

• Avoid hair in drains, and clean the hair strainer frequently to keep your drains
unblocked

• Do not flush diapers, baby wipes or any other non-biodegradable items down the
toilet

• Avoid food scraps from being washed down the sink drain, and do not pour oil or fats
in the drain either (they solidify eventually)

• Avoid planting vegetation or trees near your sewer, this will prevent roots from
entering your line and causing a sewage back-up

Not every plumbing problem can be averted, so, when you need a plumber, call the experts at Home Comfort Experts. We guarantee 100% satisfaction and we’ll fix your problem right away. To schedule plumbing service, click here.

Don’t touch that air conditioner dial just yet! Why? Home Comfort Experts put together our list of five passive cooling techniques that can help keep your home cool without spiking your energy use. Follow these steps to keep your energy bill low and your comfort level high.

 

Draw the Blinds to Lower Your Home’s Temperature

 

Keep your blinds or curtains drawn during the hottest part of the day. Preventing a few extra rays of sun from sneaking in can make a huge difference in your inside temperature. Keep your blinds drawn from 12-4 p.m. to experience big savings.

 

Use Fans Throughout Your Home to Supplement the AC

 

Fans don’t actually make a room any cooler—they just make it feel cooler. As the breeze circulates around the room, it helps evaporate sweat and wick away body heat, leading to a more pleasant experience overall. Ceiling fans are the best at moving air, but box fans or stand fans are also effective. In a pinch, even an old-fashioned hand fan can work wonders.

 

Keep Warm Items Away from Thermostats

 

Your TV, computer and any other electric gadget emits heat. That’s why your computer has to have a fan, after all: to keep the processing unit from overheating. All those little bits of heat can add up, nosing your thermostat higher and making your air conditioner work harder. As much as possible, keep those items away from your thermostat, or better yet, unplug them all together when they’re not in use. Consider grilling out instead of heating up your oven for even bigger savings.

 

Insulation Helps Keep Warm Air Out

 

Most people only think of insulating their homes in the winter, when they can feel cold drafts. But hot air can creep in just as surely as cold. To find drafts, walk around the exterior of your house with a candle. When it flickers around doors or windows, that means air is moving. Add a small line of caulk or weather stripping to seal the leak.

 

Light Colored Homes Stay Cooler

 

Painting your house is not something you should do only to save on energy bills, but light-colored houses are cooler than dark ones. White reflects heat while dark colors absorb, just like when you wear a dark shirt on a sunny day. At a minimum, consider keeping your blinds and other window coverings light.

 

So there you have it, five tips to reduce strain on your air conditioner and pain in your wallet by using passive cooling techniques. Don’t forget to schedule your annual air conditioner maintenance check from Home Comfort Experts. After all, a few simple tweaks can keep your air conditioning unit running more efficiently and keep you from being stranded on a sultry summer day.