Guthrie & Sons

Does Your Home's Indoor Air Quality Suffer in the Winter?

You may already know about some of the dangers associated with poor indoor air quality. But did you know that seasonal changes affect the quality of your indoor air as well? Despite our warm winter weather in San Diego, many wintertime factors actually encourage the degradation of indoor air quality. Let’s take a look at some of the ways that your indoor air quality suffers during winter months.

Poor Ventilation

Indoor air pollutants enter the home in many different ways, including contaminated clothing, harmful chemicals and cleaning solutions, and simple dust and dander buildup. Since windows and doors are shut tight to preserve warm air during the winter, indoor air pollutants don’t have much of an opportunity to escape. Many homeowners also seal up small air leaks and gaps around doors and windows, which contribute to the collection of pollutants in the home.

 Increased Moisture Content

Poor ventilation and air flow also encourages moisture to collect in the home. While some level of humidity is good, too much moisture in the air can encourage the growth of organic indoor air pollutants like mold. Mold has been linked to a wide variety of health issues including asthma, respiratory illnesses, and, in extreme cases, cancer.

 Spending More Time Indoors

Finally, because we spend more time indoors during the winter, indoor air quality naturally decreases. Many indoor air contaminants, such as chemical pollutants, dust, and dander, are produced by everyday activities. More time indoors means more opportunities to produce these indoor air contaminants. Pets, a major source of indoor air pollution, also spend more time indoors during the winter, which means more dander and hair to irritate your respiratory system.

Are you worried about your wintertime indoor air quality? Guthrie and Sons provides the services you need to improve and maintain your indoor air quality throughout the year. Call (619) 399-3241 to learn about our air purification products, HVAC maintenance, duct cleaning, and allergen preventions services.

Trouble Choosing the Right Furnace Filter? Watch for Tips!

Furnace filters may not seem very significant, but they’re among the most important components of your entire air conditioning and heating system. Furnace filters block out indoor air contaminants that would otherwise get stuck in your furnace, causing damage or decreasing your furnace’s energy efficiency.

In this video, you’ll learn more about how furnace filters work and what types are available for your use at home. You’ll also learn about how to choose the filter that’s right for you based on indoor air factors in your home.

To learn more about HVAC maintenance, contact the heating and air conditioning experts at Guthrie and Sons. We provide HVAC and indoor air maintenance services in San Diego and the surrounding counties! Call (619) 399-3241.

Signs Your Heater isn't Running at its Best

San Diego residents have the luxury of a winter that isn’t too cold. However, even our mild winter weather can take a turn for the worse on particularly chilly nights, when the temperature can drop to into the 50s or below. For these times, having a properly functioning heater is absolutely essential. Here are some signs that your heater requires the attention of a professional HVAC repair technician:

1. Not Producing Heat

The most obvious indicator of heater problems is that your heater isn’t heating anything. If your furnace has been on for hours without any heat produced in the home, contact an HVAC repair technician to inspect it. Some heating repairs can be done fairly quickly, so you may only be a few minutes away from a much warmer and more comfortable home.

 2. High Energy Bills

If heating your home is driving up your energy costs unreasonably, you may be experiencing some furnace-induced energy inefficiency. Furnaces that go unused for long periods of time—or aren’t regularly maintained—are more likely to be sluggish and energy-intensive, which means that every dollar you spend on heating produces less comfort than it should. HVAC maintenance before the heating season can help to prevent efficiency issues so that you don’t have to sacrifice comfort or spend too much on heating.

 3. Running to Frequently

A properly functioning heating system should only run intermittently to produce burst of heat that regulates your home’s temperature. If you hear your furnace kicking in every few minutes, it may be running too often. This can be caused by a problem with your thermostat or with the furnace itself.

Are you experiencing these or other signs of furnace problems? Contact Guthrie and Sons today for professional HVAC repair services in San Diego. We specialize in heating and air conditioning repair and air purification.  Call (619) 399-3241 to learn more.

"My heater is working great." | Guthrie and Sons Review on Yelp

Guthrie & Sons has continually excelled in bringing our customers the best in sustainable and economical climate comfort, including heating repair and maintenance. Serving all of San Diego County and surrounding areas. Please call us at (619) 399-3241 for more information.

Heating Mistakes: Round Two! Do Any Of These Sound Familiar?

Common misconceptions about heating can actually costs homeowners while they try to save. Kudzu.com addresses common heating myths with this informative video.

For instance, some homeowners believe that closing vents in unused rooms will more effectively direct heat; however, shutting too many vents will cause your furnace to use more energy. Also, a wooden fireplace may draw extra heat out of the home instead of warming it as intended. Homeowners will also learn important tips about energy-saving winter insulation.

Conquer home heating issues with a quick call to Guthrie & Sons. We’re proud to offer San Diego residents reliable heating and air conditioning services. Call (619) 399-3241 or visit our website to learn more.