What's Hiding in Your Home's Air?
Tom Markley • May 4, 2021
What's Hiding in Your Home's Air?
Details
If you experience discomfort from seasonal allergies, you likely want to reduce the irritants in your environment. A major source of aggravating pollutants is an HVAC system with dirty air ducts. Here's how the system may be working against you and what to do about it.
Common Pollutants
Mold & Mildew
A musty odor when your heating and cooling system runs often means the air ducts contain mildew and mold. Ducts, especially those in an attic or basement, hold excess moisture that comes from higher-than-normal humidity. The ducts need cleaning to keep your indoor air fresh and reduce the chance of circulating allergy-causing spores throughout your home.
Dust & Dander
Dust often coats the inside of air ducts, and it can escape the vents when you run the AC, circulating throughout your home. Having indoor pets can also diminish the indoor air quality, as their dander will lift from their coat, float into the system, and clog the filter. To compensate for a full screen, your air conditioner will use more electricity and overwork itself to chill the room.
Bacteria & Germs
These substances thrive in dirty air ducts. If you experience sneezing, a runny nose, an itchy throat, or trouble breathing, the HVAC system may be the source of irritation. Clean the ducts annually to eliminate these sources of viral and bacterial respiratory infections.
How to Improve Your Home's Air Quality
Have the HVAC ducts and filter professionally cleaned to eliminate any buildup that can potentially circulate through the living spaces. You can also replace the system with a ductless split model to remove the risk of dirty ducts altogether. To provide clean air, these systems rely on high-quality filters that remove irritants and contaminants.
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Big Changes Are Coming to Your AC: Meet R-454B (And Say Goodbye to R-410A) If you're like most homeowners, you probably don’t think about what’s inside your air conditioner—until it stops working on a hot day. But starting in 2025, there's a big change coming to what cools your home behind the scenes, and it’s called R-454B . So what is R-454B? And why should you care? Don’t worry—we’re breaking it down in plain English (no tech talk allowed). ❄️ Out with the Old: R-410A For the last couple of decades, most home air conditioners have used a refrigerant called R-410A . This is the refrigerant that helps your AC pull heat out of your home and keep things nice and cool. But here’s the problem: R-410A isn’t great for the environment. It’s got a high global warming potential —meaning it contributes to climate change. So, just like we phased out older harmful refrigerants (remember Freon?), now it’s R-410A’s turn to retire. 🌎 In with the New: R-454B Enter R-454B —the cooler, greener cousin of R-410A. This new refrigerant is becoming the industry standard starting in 2025 . Here’s why it’s a big deal: ✅ It’s way better for the planet. It has about 75% less environmental impact than R-410A. ✅ It still keeps you cool. It works very similarly to R-410A, so no worries there. ⚠️ It’s mildly flammable , but before you panic—this is only an issue if someone is doing something really wrong. When handled properly by trained pros, it’s totally safe. 🏡 What This Means for You If your AC is getting up there in age (10+ years old), and you're thinking about replacing it soon, your next unit will probably use R-454B . Here’s what you need to know: 🔧 You can’t just put R-454B into your current system. It’s not a “drop-in” refrigerant. So if your AC still uses R-410A, it’ll need to be replaced—not just refilled. 💰 New systems may cost a bit more at first. Because they’re built differently to work with the new refrigerant, prices could be slightly higher. But they’ll also be more energy efficient , which could save you money in the long run. 🧰 Our Techs will be trained for this. We are already learning the ins and outs of R-454B, so you’ll be in good hands. 🤔 Should I Replace My AC Now? Not necessarily! If your current AC is working fine, there’s no need to panic or rush into anything. But if: Your system is more than 10 years old You’re facing expensive repairs You want to upgrade to a more eco-friendly, efficient unit ...then 2025 is a great time to consider the switch. 🎉 Final Thoughts You don’t need to become an HVAC expert to stay cool. Just know that R-454B is the future , and it’s here to help your home stay comfortable while being kinder to the planet. Got questions? Reach out to your local HVAC pros (like us!) and we’ll walk you through your options. No pressure—just honest advice. Our team at Alpine is glad to assist. Serving Wooster, OH, Ashland, OH and surrounding communities since 1993, we are a locally owned and operated HVAC contractor working with a variety of heating , cooling , refrigeration & plumbing systems. If you are in need of service on your current AC system please give us a call and we'd be glad to begin the process of evaluating your needs along with your budget and coming up with a plan for your heating, cooling & air quality needs. Wooster: (330) 263.0013 Ashland: (419) 289.1616 Mt. Eaton (330) 359.7114
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If you’ve lived in Ohio long enough, you know the drill: one day it’s sunny and 60 degrees, and you’re tempted to break out the flip-flops, only to wake up the next morning to a frosty windshield and a bitter wind. That’s the Buckeye State for you—giving us a taste of spring while winter still has a few tricks up its sleeve. As we roll into March, the warmer days can feel like a promise of blooming flowers and lighter jackets. But don’t be fooled—Ohio’s weather is as unpredictable as a coin toss. Just when you think it’s safe to store the heavy coats, a cold snap can sneak in, reminding us that winter isn’t quite done. At Alpine Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Refrigeration, we’ve seen it all, and we’re here to keep your home cozy no matter what Mother Nature throws our way. So, enjoy those teaser spring days, but keep your thermostat ready. Our team is just a call away if your heating needs a tune-up to battle the lingering chill. Because in Ohio, winter doesn’t say goodbye until it’s good and ready! If you are in need of service on your current HVAC system please give us a call and we'd be glad to begin the process of evaluating your needs along with your budget and coming up with a plan for your heating, cooling & air quality needs. 330.263.0013 or 330.359.7114 sales@alpine-services.com https://www.alpine-services.com/contact
