How to Prepare Your Heating System for Winter

Winter is coming – is your heating system ready?

Chances are, most of us haven't used our furnaces since early spring; nearly six months ago. Soon, we will be relying on them to keep our homes warm around-the-clock. This is the equivalent of asking someone who hasn't worked out in half a year to run a marathon.

Here are a few tips you can follow to knock the rust off of your heating system and prepare it for the long winter season ahead:

• Change your air filters. Dirty air filters can compromise indoor air quality, increase energy consumption, and lead to breakdowns. In fact, it is estimated that 8 out of every 10 furnace repairs are caused by a dirty filter. For best results, clean or replace your filter at the start of heating season and every month thereafter.

• Schedule a professional tune up. During a professional tune up, a licensed technician will clean the various components of your heating system and inspect them for signs of potential failure. This doesn't just help prevent future breakdowns, it can also lower your energy bills. In fact, many furnace manufacturers will void their warranty if your unit is not professionally serviced at least once per year.

• Have your air ducts cleaned. The air ducts in your home tend to collect dust, dirt, and other debris during the summer months. These allergens are dispersed into the air when you fire up your furnace for the first time of the season. Not only that, but dirty air ducts limit air flow and can hinder your furnace's ability to heat your home. Hiring a professional duct cleaning service is the only way to effectively remove these contaminants.

GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration offers professional air duct cleaning services to homes and businesses across Long Island. If you live in Nassau County or Suffolk County, give us a call at (631) 940-8100 to get started with a free estimate.

Four Common Allergens During the Fall Months

If you suffer from seasonal allergies, you may think the worst is behind you. It's not. Even though spring and summer months get a bad reputation for allergies, the fall can be just as grueling. Here are four common allergens to keep your eyes out for this season.

• Ragweed. Ragweed is the biggest allergy trigger during this time of year, with peak season lasting from late summer to mid-autumn. More than 75% of people allergic to spring plants are also allergic to ragweed. Just one ragweed plant can produce more than 1 billion pollen grains per season, and they can travel up to 400 miles in the wind.

• Mold. Mold can grow inside all year long, but it thrives outdoors during the fall months. Since mold is usually found in cool, damp environments, piles of wet leaves provide an ideal breeding ground. Mold produces tiny, microscopic spores which are easily inhaled and can cause a variety of allergic reactions.

• Dust Mites. Did you know that the average three-bedroom home produces more than 40 pounds of dust per year? Much of this dust collects in your HVAC ducts, and can be stirred into the air the first time you turn on your furnace in the fall.

• Pet Dander. Cats, dogs, and virtually all other pets produce dander – small flakes of dead skin that are known to cause allergic reactions. It is estimated that up to 40% of people with seasonal allergies also suffer from pet allergies. Wash and groom your pets regularly to minimize your risk of an allergic reaction, and keep them away from your bed and air vents.

All of these allergens (and more) could be present inside of your home right now, hiding in your air ducts. If you suffer from seasonal allergies, a professional air duct cleaning can remove these contaminants and alleviate your symptoms.

GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration offers comprehensive air duct cleaning services to homes and businesses across Long Island. If you live in Nassau or Suffolk County, call us today for a free estimate at (631) 940-8100.

What's the Smell Coming From My Air Ducts?

If your home has central air conditioning or a forced-air heating system, it relies on a series of ducts and vents to distribute air throughout your home. Sometimes, these ducts can give off a less-than-pleasant odor. If your air ducts are emitting an odd smell, here are some potential reasons why:

• Dusty smell. The average three-bedroom home generates more than 40 pounds of dust per year, much of which collects in your air ducts. It is common for your  vents to circulate this dust throughout your house, especially the first few times you use your heating or cooling system each season. 
• Moldy smell. Your air ducts are also a popular hiding spot for mold and mildew, which spreads by reproducing microscopic spores. These spores don't just give off an unpleasant odor, they can also trigger allergic reactions and asthma attacks.
• Burning smell. If it smells like something is burning or melting, it's possible that one of the components inside your HVAC system is overheating. This can happen to heating or cooling systems – turn yours off and call a local repair service if you notice a burning smell coming from your ducts.
• Rancid smell. If the smell coming out of your air ducts falls under the “rancid” category, it's possible that you may be dealing with dead animals. Rats and mice can get trapped inside of your HVAC ducts, and their carcasses don't smell very good at all.

Are the air ducts in your home giving off an unpleasant scent? Consider having them professionally cleaned. Using a powerful truck-mounted vacuum and rotary brush, an air duct cleaning service can effectively remove all of the contaminants from your ductwork and leave your home feeling fresh. If you live on Long Island, call GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration for a free estimate at (631) 940-8100.

Why You Should Test Your Home's Indoor Air Quality

When was the last time you had your home's air quality tested? If it's been a while (or never), you should have it done as soon as possible. Here are three reasons why...

Winter is approaching.

What does the upcoming cold season have to do with your indoor air quality? For one, owners will be sealing air leaks around their home in an effort to prevent heat loss. While this does help keep your home warmer, it also prevents pollutants from escaping to the outside, leading to higher concentrations of contaminants in your home. The cold weather also means we will be using our heating equipment, which can emit harmful gases. Combine this with the fact that we will be spending more time indoors, and it is clear to see why the winter season is the most important in terms of maintaining indoor air quality.

There could be harmful pollutants that you are not aware of.

There are many sources of indoor air pollution in most of our homes. Most of these sources disguise themselves as everyday goods that we think are completely safe. Products such as cleaning agents, air fresheners, candles, pesticides, and carpets could all be filling your home with dangerous toxins.

Indoor air pollution can have devastating health effects.

If you think indoor air pollution is no big deal, think again. In the short-term, exposure to indoor air pollution can cause allergic-like reactions, such as sneezing, coughing, runny nose, headaches, fatigue, and nausea. But the long-term health effects it can have are much, much worse. Indoor air pollution has been linked to health problems such as lung cancer, heart disease, respiratory infections, and more.

If you live on Long Island, trust the indoor air quality experts at GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration to leave your home as clean and healthy as possible. We offer a variety of non-toxic cleaning services that are 100% safe for the environment and your family. Visit our website to learn more, or call us for a free quote at (631) 940-8100.

Carbon Monoxide Safety Tips

With the weather starting to cool off around Long Island, we at GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration would like to take the time to remind everyone about the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Carbon monoxide is a toxic gas that is fatal in high doses. Since it is colorless and odorless, it is undetectable by humans, which is why many people call it “the silent killer”. Carbon monoxide poisoning rates tend to spike in the colder months because most home heating equipment emits it as it operates, and we tend to spend more hours indoors.

With that said, here are a few safety tips to help keep you and your family safe this season:

• Test the alarms in your home. Since carbon monoxide is impossible to detect on our own, we have to use the help of electronic sensors. Take five minutes to test the detectors in your home and replace the batteries. If you don't have sensors, make installing some a priority.
• Have your heating equipment inspected. Furnaces and fireplaces both produce carbon monoxide as they generate heat. Usually, this gas is safely released to the outside, but even a small block in the vent could prove to be deadly. Have your systems professionally inspected each year to make sure everything is operating efficiently and safely.
• Clear your car tailpipe. Believe it or not, you are at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning when you drive your car. Vehicles produce carbon monoxide and release it through the tailpipe. However, if your tailpipe is blocked with snow or slush, the gas could release to the inside of the car. Make sure your tailpipe is completely clear before starting your car in winter conditions.

GreenProCleaning & Restoration offers air duct cleaning services to homes and businesses across Long Island. Visit our website to learn how we can improve the air quality in your home, or give us a call at (631) 940-8100.

How to Maintain Your Air Duct System

The air ducts in your home are a common hiding spot for pollutants such as dust, pollen, pet dander, and mold. The only way to effectively remove these contaminants is with the help of a professional ductcleaning service.

Most experts recommend having your air ducts cleaned every 3-5 years, but there are some actions you can take to keep them as clean as possible in between cleanings and minimize household pollution...

Change Your Air Filters

When was the last time you changed the filter on your air conditioner or furnace? Dirty filters allow dust and debris to infiltrate your HVAC system, increasing energy consumption and wear-and-tear. Clean or replace your air filters every 1-2 months in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications.

Dust Regularly

The average three-bedroom home generates more than 40 pounds of dust per year – much of which can wind up in your HVAC ducts. Limit this dust pollution by dusting your home once per week. Make sure you are using a microfiber cloth, as traditional feather dusters kick dust into the air rather than collecting it.

Maintain Your HVAC System

The air ducts aren't the only component of your HVAC system which should be cleaned. The coils and motor blower can accumulate dust, which forces your system to work harder. The drip pan should also be cleaned too. If water is left standing in the drip pan for too long, mold can begin to grow.

When it comes time to clean your air ducts, look no further than GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration to get the job done. We offer professional duct cleaning services to homes and businesses across Long Island. If you live in Nassau County or Suffolk County, call us today for a free estimate at (631) 940-8100.

How to Find a Qualified Air Duct Cleaning Company

A professional air duct cleaning can improve the performance of your HVAC system and promote better air quality – if you choose the right company. Unfortunately, this is easier said than done. Since the air duct cleaning industry is relatively new, some companies prey on uninformed homeowners; charging them hundreds of dollars and performing little-to-no real work.

Use these tips from GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration to find a qualified duct cleaning service and avoid falling victim to a scam.

Use online resources.

You can find anything on the internet – including a reputable duct cleaning contractor. There are plenty of online resources and review sites that can help you find a quality company in your area. Some websites to check out include Merchant Circle, Home Advisor, and the Better Business Bureau.

Ask questions.

Don't be afraid to ask potential companies questions about their service. This will help you make sure they are knowledgeable about their work, and will also give you a better understanding of what you are spending your money on. Good questions to ask include:

• Are you properly licensed and insured?
• Why do air ducts need cleaning?
• Can you explain your duct cleaning process to me?
• Do you use environmentally safe cleaning products?

Look at their portfolio.

Any good home contractor will have a portfolio of their work readily available to anyone who asks. This is especially important with duct cleaning contractors because the inside of your air ducts aren't easily viewable without special equipment.

If you live on Long Island, look no further than GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration for all of your air duct cleaning needs. Visit our website for more information, or give us a call at (631) 940-8100 for a free estimate.