“New” can be a wonderful scent. A new car with leather interior, a fresh coat of paint, new wood furniture – there’s nothing quite like it.

Then again, some household odors, however new they might be, aren’t nearly as inviting. Take new carpet and carpet padding, for example. That familiar smell can last for weeks or months after installation, and usually is caused by the emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as formaldehyde and other air pollutants that are used in the manufacturing process.

That familiar smell can last for weeks or months after installation, and usually is caused by the emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as formaldehyde and other air pollutants that are used in the manufacturing process.

Carpet odors are also known as “off gassing” which can trigger asthma and other allergic reactions. That’s from the fire-retardant neurotoxins used in the manufacture of some carpet products, the likes of which can cause fatigue, skin rashes or breathing problems in addition to asthma.
What protection do you, as a consumer have? First and foremost, do your research and always read the labels before making your purchase. Since 1993, for example, the carpet industry has required manufacturers to label carpets with a health advisory warning that reads as follows: “Some people experience allergic or flu-like symptoms, headaches, or respiratory problems, which are associated with the installation, cleaning or removal of carpeting.”

Here’s what else you can do to minimize or eliminate any health risks from new carpeting:

• Ask the installer to air out the new carpet for a day or two before installation.

• Leave windows open and a fan going for a few days, too.

• Make sure the installer seals seams with a non-toxic adhesive. Glue is another potential source of indoor air pollution.

• Vacuum frequently and deep clean annually to avoid triggering other allergic reactions.

At Absolute Air, we are indoor air quality specialists who can help you maintain clean and healthy living environment all year long. Contact us today to learn about our whole-house air filtration solutions or to schedule a free in-home consultation and proposal for air conditioning repair Forney TX.

If your furnace is robbing your home of much needed the moisture during the winter, it’s likely you and other family members are experiencing one or more of the following symptoms of dry house syndrome:

• Frequent bloody noses
• Dry skin
• Dry throat
• Itchy, watery eyes
• Static electrical shock
• Frizzy, unmanageable hair
• A worsening of allergy and asthma problems

You know what else overly dry air can do?  It can shrink your wooden floors, doors, and furniture, potentially causing them to crack or warp. The same goes for musical instruments. Dry air also can cause electronic equipment to fail from the same static electricity that can easily prompt one too many “ouch” moments.

The Perfect Cure for Dry Indoor Air

While there are numerous self-help remedies available to moisturize your air, none are as effective as a whole-house humidifier from Absolute Air – one that will provide just the right amount of relative humidity throughout your home, working in tandem with your furnace to create ideal levels of comfort.

Besides putting a stop to bloody noses, dry skin and hair, and all the rest, a whole-house humidifier will help decrease your home heating costs by about 4%.  That’s because, with added moisture in the air, you’ll feel perfectly comfortable at lower thermostat settings.  It’s the same principle that makes you feel warmer outdoors when humidity levels are high.

Plus, we can integrate humidifier control with your programmable thermostat.

Ready to put an end to the bone-dry air you’ve grown to know and loathe?  Contact Absolute Air today request a free in-home quote on a new whole-house humidifier.

It’s just one more way we can enhance your family’s year-round indoor comfort.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, indoor air can be two to five times more polluted than outdoor air.  That’s especially true in newer homes with tighter insulation for improved heating and cooling efficiency.

And yet new, ancient, or anything in between, there are myriad contaminants that get trapped indoors and, in varying degrees, impact the quality of the air you breathe every day.  Here are just a few examples:

• Pollen
• Pet dander
• Mold spores
• Bacteria
• Smoking by-products
• Cleaning by-products
• Dust
• Dust mites

One place they like to hide out is inside your air ducts.  Then, when your furnace or AC fan turns on, these lightweight particles get blown through the air and into your lungs.  They also settle on furniture, beds, flooring, and anywhere else that will have them.  Which is pretty much anywhere and everywhere.

So how can you get rid of enough of these indoor pollutants to start breathing a little easier?  Easy:  just contact Absolute Air for more information about a whole-house air cleaner.  Once we determine that your family really can benefit from one, we’ll install it right inside your air ducts to pick up where your furnace and AC media filters leave off.

When particles enter the air cleaner, they’re trapped and killed by its electrostatic charge.
Electronic air cleaners are super easy to maintain, too.  Every six months to a year, just clean the filter and wipe down the ionic coils.  The whole process takes about 20 minutes.

Are whole-house models better than portable air cleaners?  Absolutely!  Anytime your home heating or cooling system is turned on, your whole-house electronic air cleaner is doing its job.  By contrast, portable units cover only one room at a time and must be turned on and off manually.

Whole-house air cleaners also help keep your heating and cooling system equipment free of dirt, dust, and other contaminants that can reduce its effectiveness and bring about more frequent repairs.

So if problems with allergies or asthma are making life at home not what it could be, contact Absolute Air so we can help remove what’s ailing you – literally.  Absolute Air, your local indoor air quality specialists.

Did you know that Texas cities rank among the worst in the nation for outdoor air pollution?  In 2015, the American Lung Association ranked DFW #7 on the list of highest ozone levels, with Houston right nearby at #6.  Ozone, for purposes of this report, is defined as smog and other air polluting particles.

No wonder why people with asthma and other respiratory ailments are required to spend so much time indoors during the cooling season.  And why more and more are installing whole-house air filtration systems, especially when you consider that indoor air, on average, is twice as polluted as outdoor air across the nation.

On the brighter side of that same coin, a well-maintained air conditioning system and a companion whole-house air filter can provide more than relief. That combination can actually rid your home of the very pollutants that have caused or continue to aggravate whatever breathing problems you might have.

And yet that’s just one of the health benefits associated with air conditioning. Here are several others:

• Reduced Stress – Excessively hot indoor temperatures also have a way of causing your blood pressure and stress levels to rise, and there’s no relaxation in that.

• Helps Prevent Illness – With increased stress, your body’s immune system weakens over time, and that makes you more vulnerable to illness and infection.

• Helps Fight Depression – Heat often leads to lethargy, boredom and loss of interest; these symptoms are closely related to depression.

• You’ll Sleep Better – Sleep is a crucial part of our lives and trying to get any sleep when it’s warm and humid is next to impossible.

Of course, the key to enjoying the full measure of these several benefits is keeping your AC system in the best working condition possible.  And the best way to accomplish that goal is with annual preventative maintenance.  So if it’s been a year or longer since your system was last cleaned and inspected, contact Absolute Air to schedule service.  That way, you can more fully experience all the benefits of whole-house air conditioning.