Are You Making These Air Quality Mistakes?

Indoor air pollution is a prevalent problem in the United States, and we aren't doing ourselves any favors. Due to a lack of knowledge on the subject, many of us are making bad choices that can have disastrous effects on our home's air quality levels.

If you want to improve the air quality in your household, stop making these four mistakes.

Mistake #1: Using air fresheners to eliminate odors.

Air fresheners make your air fresher, right? Wrong. Despite their name, air fresheners don't clean your air at all, they just mask it with harmful chemicals. Use these homemade deodorizing jars to keep your house smelling fresh, and light a match to quickly eliminate unpleasant bathroom odors.

Mistake #2: Not ventilating your home enough.

In an effort to lower their energy bills, many homeowners are fixated on sealing all the air leaks in their home. Eliminating all sources of ventilation might be helpful for your wallet, but it can be detrimental to your health since the pollutants in your home have nowhere to escape.

Mistake #3: Burning candles.

The main ingredient in most candles is paraffin wax, a well-known carcinogen that releases dangerous chemicals into the air as it burns. Even worse, the wicks on many imported candles contain lead, a material that was outlawed in paint during the 1970s due to its toxicity.

Mistake #4: Neglecting your air ducts.

Air ducts are an afterthought for many people, but they are one of the home's primary sources of air pollution. These ducts can accumulate dust, mold, pet dander, and pollen, and then circulate them throughout your entire house.

In order to keep your air ducts clean and pollutant-free, experts recommend having them cleaned every 3-5 years. Long Island homeowners can count on GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration for a professional air duct cleaning at an affordable price. Call us for a free quote today at (631) 940-8100.

5 Preventative Tips to Help You Avoid Disaster at Home

Your home is likely the biggest investment you will ever make – you want to do everything you can to preserve it. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and this is especially true when it comes to protecting your home.

Just follow these five tips from GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration and you will be well on your way to preventing disaster:

Seal up any cracks and crevices that may be present in your home.

Cracks and holes around the house don't just cause your heating and cooling bills to spike, they also give pests an entryway into your home. Some of these pests, such as termites, can wreak havoc and cause several thousands of dollars worth of damage.

Clean out your gutters at the start of spring and the end of autumn.

Gutters are an afterthought for most homeowners, but they are a key to protecting your home from water damage. Clogged gutters can lead to ice dams, ceiling leaks, basement flooding, and more; be sure to clean yours out twice each year.

Install carbon monoxide detectors throughout your home.

Carbon monoxide gas is debilitating and even fatal in high doses. Since it is odorless and colorless, the only way to detect it is with an electric monitor. Make sure to install one on every floor in your home and in every bedroom.

Turn off your water supply before going on vacation.

When you leave for vacation, the last thing you want to come back to is a burst pipe and flooding. Luckily, you can eliminate this risk by turning off your water supply before you leave.

Clean your dryer exhaust vent every year.

Did you know that clothes dryers are responsible for more than 15,000 house fires every year? The biggest cause of these fires is lint – make sure to clean your screen before every load and have your exhaust vent professionally cleaned once per year.

If you live on Long Island, trust GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration to help your home maintain its condition. We can help you before disaster strikes with our dryer vent cleaning services, or afterwards with our water damage restoration. Call us at (631) 940-8100 for a free quote.

6 Tips to Help You Save Energy This Summer

Beat the heat without breaking the bank this summer with these six energy saving tips from GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration:

• Switch your ceiling fans. Set the blades of your ceiling fan to rotate counterclockwise during the summer months. This forces air down into the room and creates a windchill effect.

• Seal air leaks. Air leaks are common around windows, doors, and electrical outlets. Seal these leaks using caulking or weatherstripping to prevent cold air from escaping your home.

• Minimize heat sources. The more heat you add to your home, the harder your air conditioner has to work to keep cool. Use shades to block direct sunlight, keep your electronics turned off when not in use, and cook outside or in the microwave whenever possible.

• Change your air filter. Make it a priority to clean or replace your cooling system's air filter every month. Dirty air filters don't just hinder energy efficiency, they can lead to costly breakdowns.

• Upgrade your equipment. If your home cooling system is more than a decade old, you should consider replacing it. An Energy Star-certified central air conditioner paired with a programmable thermostat can save you 30% or more on your annual energy costs.

• Clean your HVAC ducts. Over time, dust, pet dander, and other particles accumulate in your HVAC ducts – lowering your home's air quality and restricting air flow. Have these ducts professionally cleaned every 3-5 years to remove contaminants and improve energy efficiency.

Looking for more ways to save energy this summer? Check out these tips from the Department of Energy.

GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration provides professional duct cleaning services to homes and businesses across Long Island. We are a BBB-accredited company and have rave reviews on online directories such as Home Advisor and Merchant Circle. If you live in Nassau or Suffolk County, call us at (631) 940-8100 for a free estimate.

Summer Maintenance Tips for Your Attic

When was the last time you took a look in your attic? An often forgotten area, the attic plays a large role in home energy costs and air quality. Make sure your attic is in tip-top shape this summer by following these maintenance tips.

Seal Cracks

Cracks in your attic are detrimental in more than one way. Firstly, cracks allow air to escape, which can cause your heating and cooling bills to spike. They can also let water infiltrate your home, leading to humidity problems, wood rot, and mold.

Insulate

Proper insulation keeps warm air in your house during the winter, and cold air in during the summer. A well-insulated attic should be absent of air leaks and include sufficient insulation material in the ceiling, walls, and floors.

Ventilate

Many attics are equipped with exhaust fans – and for good reason. They help remove excess heat and moisture from your home, keeping you cool and comfortable during the warmer months. Even if you don't have a fan, proper ventilation is still needed to keep your attic safe and problem-free.

Remove Mold

If you spot mold in your attic, you should have it removed immediately. Mold can cause wood beams to deteriorate, compromising the stability of your home. Additionally, mold presents health risks such as coughing, sneezing, headaches, fatigue, nausea, asthma attacks, and respiratory problems – to name a few.

If you spot mold growing in your attic, don't attempt to remove it yourself. Proper training and equipment is needed to make sure the mold is completely removed in a safe manner. Instead, contact Long Island's #1 mold removal service – GreenPro Cleaning and Restoration. Visit us online or give us a call at (631) 940-8100.

Air Duct Cleaning: Frequently Asked Questions

You've got questions, we've got answers! In this article, the experts at GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration take on the most frequently asked questions about air duct cleaning.

See what they have to say...

Why do air ducts need to be cleaned?

Unknown to most homeowners, air ducts are a common hiding spot for allergens such as dust, pet dander, pollen, and mold. Once these pollutants enter your air ducts, they can use them as a transportation system to circulate throughout your entire home.

Are there any health benefits associated with clean air ducts?

Removing the aforementioned contaminants from your home can help promote better indoor air quality. Many homeowners report experiencing relief in their allergy symptoms after a professional duct cleaning.

Will cleaning my air ducts improve the performance of my HVAC system?

Yes. Generally speaking, heating and cooling systems with clean air ducts have a longer lifespan, are more energy-efficient, and are less likely to break down.

How often should home air ducts be cleaned?

Most experts recommend having your air ducts cleaned every 3-5 years. You may need to clean yours even more frequently if you have pets, smoke inside, or have recently remodeled or renovated your home.

What should I expect from an air duct cleaning?

A good, thorough air duct cleaning should take 2-4 hours to complete and cost between $450-$1,000, according to the EPA. Beware of “blow and go” companies who charge $99 and are in and out of your home in an hour or less.

What should I look for in an air duct cleaning service?

Make sure you are dealing with a reputable duct cleaning service by looking for a company with the following criteria:

• A good job portfolio with a list of references.
• Positive reviews from online sites such as Home Advisor and Merchant Circle.
• A good standing with the Better Business Bureau.
• The company should have a website, phone number, and physical location.

If you live on Long Island, look no further than GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration for all of your air duct cleaning needs. We offer residential and commercial services to Nassau and Suffolk counties. Call us today for a free quote at (631) 940-8100.

Why the Start of Summer is the Perfect Time to Clean Your Air Ducts

Summer is a time for cookouts, beach vacations, and cleaning out your air ducts. Okay, maybe that last thing isn't on your mind, but it definitely should be. Take a look at these reasons why the start of summer is the perfect time to have your home's air ducts cleaned.

Clean out the spring pollen.

Anyone who suffers from seasonal allergies knows how prevalent pollen can be during the spring months. However, what many people don't know is that this pollen can collect in the air ducts in your home. If you don't clean these ducts now, this pollen could circulate through your house all summer long.

Less natural ventilation in the summer.

When the weather warms up, people rely on their air conditioners to keep cool. This means less open windows, and less natural ventilation. This can have a detrimental effect on your indoor air quality because harmful particles in your home don't have a place to escape. In times like these, it is especially important to make sure that the air circulating through your home is as clean as it can be.

Synergize your services.

You should already be using this time of the year to schedule other services for your cooling system, such as a professional tune up. This will help keep your energy bills low and prevent breakdowns when your A/C is forced into overdrive. Scheduling a duct cleaning around the same time as your tune up will maximize these benefits, while also improving your air quality.

If you live on Long Island, look no further than GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration for all of your air duct cleaning needs. Our methods and procedures are environmentally-friendly, and have been proven to promote better indoor air quality. If you live in Nassau County or Suffolk County, call us today for a free quote at (631) 940-8100.

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