Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I know what's being recommended is what I actually need?
- How do I know your system will really improve the quality of the air I breathe?
- Why doesn't my ionic type aircleaner work?
- I just had my airducts cleaned in my house and the air quality is worse. What should I do?
- Why isn't an air filter effective against dust mites and mold?
- I don't have standing water in my crawl space, and there is a vapor barrier in place. But there is visible mold growth and some rot on the floor joists. What is causing this?
- Why is 50% relative humidity so critical?
- What about running a smaller dehumidifier in just the bedroom?
- Why not buy 2 or more smaller humidifiers for less money?
- Does the installation of a crawlspace encapsulation system conflict with local building codes?
- Shouldn't my air conditioning reduce the humidity level in my home?
- Can Airborne particles irritate the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs and increase respiratory problems, especially in those with preexisting medical conditions, such as cardiovascular illness and immune system diseases?
- Can certain chemicals attached to particles, such as smoke, pet dander, mold spores, and are inhaled on a regular basis, cause lung cancer?
- Can you tell me what airborne particles are?
- Should a fan exhaust to the inside or outside of the home?
- Should I install insulation with a good vapor barrier to prevent the buildup of condensation on or within walls?
- How important really is caulking around windows?
- How often should I bathe and groom pets?
- What's the best relative humidity to live in?
- How do I raise relative humidity levels?
- How important is an air quality test?
- What's the best temperature to avoid mold?
- Tell me about carbon monoxide.
- What can extreme changes in temperature do to me?
- Are there any home products that can cause problems?
How do I know what's being recommended is what I actually need?
Answer: Always, always, always get competitive bids. And before you make a final decision, call us at Guardian and look at our quote. You will find a wide range of quotes for the exact same system, sometimes thousands of dollars more than what you should pay.
How do I know your system will really improve the quality of the air I breathe?
Answer: If it doesn't, we'll give you your money back and take out the system. We can run a test to show you how dirty or polluted your air might be. Then we can run a test to show you the difference in your air with the indoor air quality treatment versus before you had the system. You'll see it in plain black and white numbers.
Why doesn't my ionic type aircleaner work?
Answer: According to Consumer Reports Magazine, testing of the “ionic type” air cleaners “found almost no measurable reduction in airborne particles.” An effective alternative that really makes a difference in the amount of airborne particulate in your home’s air is the AprilAire 5000 electronic media air cleaner. According to the same magazine, this whole-house air cleaner has rated #1 overall for three years in a row.
I just had my airducts cleaned in my house and the air quality is worse. What should I do?
It is unfortunate, but there are many companies out there that have no business cleaning air duct systems. They lack the knowledge, skill and proper equipment to adequately perform a thorough duct cleaning. In fact, that company may have made the air quality in your home worse by “stirring up” the contaminants in your duct system. There is no such thing as cheap duct cleaning. We recommend you choose a company that is certified members of NADCA (the National Air Duct Cleaners Association). We are members of NADCA, however, we do not clean air ducts. Contact us and we will be glad to refer you to a company that we know to perform duct cleaning the right way.
Why isn't an air filter effective against dust mites and mold?
Air filters are only effective on particles suspended in the air. The dust mite allergen is relatively large and dense compared to other particles; therefore, it does not stay airborne for a sufficient amount of time to travel a significant distance or through ductwork. Direct contact with these allergens in their breeding grounds is how individuals are exposed to them in the home. This is unaffected by air filtration devices.
I don't have standing water in my crawl space, and there is a vapor barrier in place. But there is visible mold growth and some rot on the floor joists. What is causing this?
It is most likely the result of condensation. Moisture from the dirt floor of your crawlspace and humid outside air creeps in through your foundation vents and condenses on wood structure. For many decades, building codes and conventional wisdom have prescribed ventilation with outside air as the primary method of moisture control in crawl spaces. In the humid Southeast, however, ventilation with outside air makes moisture problems worse. A new type of crawlspace system, installed by Guardian Air Quality, with NO vents to the outside, can provide greatly improved moisture control and significant energy savings when properly installed.
Why is 50% relative humidity so critical?
The survival of adult dust mites is limited to 4 to 11 days when the relative humidity is below 50 percent. Dust mites in the protonymph stage, however, can survive in this dormant larval stage for several months waiting for high humidity conditions to return.
What about running a smaller dehumidifier in just the bedroom?
A recent study showed that providing dehumidification to a single bedroom did not significantly reduce the humidity or the allergen levels present in the bedroom. The humidity from the rest of the house overwhelms the efforts to dehumidify a single room.
Why not buy 2 or more smaller humidifiers for less money?
Simply put, store-bought dehumidifiers simply don’t perform, if they function at all, in cooler conditions in a crawlspace or basement. First and foremost, two 50-pint residential dehumidifiers do not equal the capacity of one Santa Fe or Ultra-aire systems in a basement application. The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) rating system used for dehumidifiers reflects the performance at 80 degrees F and 60% RH. It is a mistake to assume that equal performance at these conditions means equal performance in the cooler conditions present in basements. In fact, most residential dehumidifiers, even those that contain a defrost feature, do not recommend operation below 65 degrees and in some cases 70 degrees. The performance of typical residential dehumidifiers at these temperatures is minimal, if they function at all. Our dehumidifiers are designed to operate in temperatures as low as 55 degrees and will still remove over 60 pints per day. This is the caliber of performance required to reduce the relative humidity below 50% and eliminate mold growth. Plus, the cost of operating one dehumidifier is less than operating two units.
Does the installation of a crawlspace encapsulation system conflict with local building codes?
No. As long as there is R-19 insulation properly installed between the floor joists in new buildings.
Shouldn't my air conditioning reduce the humidity level in my home?
Technology has vastly improved the efficiency of air-conditioning. Modern systems provide significant energy savings by reaching the desired temperature more efficiently and quickly than older systems. That means they run less frequently and have a much smaller impact on the amount of moisture that is removed from the air. Air conditioners use a thermostat to control the cooling of your home, and only remove humidity as a byproduct of that cooling. By turning your thermostat lower, you are just making your home cooler than you’d like. That wastes energy and money. In addition, your air conditioner only runs at its peak level on the hottest days of the year, which is roughly 2% to 3% of the time. The other 97% of the time, it seldom operates. Your air conditioner can’t remove moisture when it isn’t running. This situation is very apparent in spring and fall, when your home is especially humidy. Installing a dehumidifer is the only reliable way to control humidity in the home
Can Airborne particles irritate the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs and increase respiratory problems, especially in those with preexisting medical conditions, such as cardiovascular illness and immune system diseases?
Yes
Can certain chemicals attached to particles, such as smoke, pet dander, mold spores, and are inhaled on a regular basis, cause lung cancer?
Yes
Can you tell me what airborne particles are?
Airborne particles include Allergens, such as dust mites, pet dander, pollen, mold and dust (allergens can cause allergic reactions, respiratory problems and asthma attacks); Biological particles, such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi (they can cause infectious and non-infectious diseases, such as colds, influenza, and respiratory infections), and toxic particles, such as cigarette smoke, wood smoke, lead dust and asbestos.
Should a fan exhaust to the inside or outside of the home?
Fans must have a good air supply, and should exhaust to the outside of the home.
Should I install insulation with a good vapor barrier to prevent the buildup of condensation on or within walls?
Yes
How important really is caulking around windows?
Caulking around windows and vents helps prevent water leaks and helps keep roof and windows in good condition.
How often should I bathe and groom pets?
Bathe and groom pets often. It is best to minimize their access to carpeted areas and the bedrooms of family members who are allergic to dander.
What's the best relative humidity to live in?
People tend to feel most comfortable at a relative humidity of about 45%. High relative humidity (greater than 55%) can lead to the growth of mold, mildew, bacteria, fungi, and dust mites. These pollutants can have adverse health effects. Low relative humidity (less than 25%) can aggravate asthma and bronchitis, and lead to sinusitis, nosebleeds, dry eyes, and dry skin. It increases static electricity and makes your home feel cooler, so you may require a higher thermostat setting (which uses more energy) to feel comfortable.
How do I raise relative humidity levels?
In winter, you should use humidifiers to raise relative humidity. In the summer, use air conditioners or dehumidifiers to reduce humidity levels.
How important is an air quality test?
The unknown can cause problems because you cannot see what is actually happening to you. It's like getting a check up with your physician. An AirAdvice IAQ test pinpoints air quality problems in your home that can affect you or your family’s health, as well as their comfort and safety. So we suggest taking the test to see what, if anything, you need to have safe and clean air.
What's the best temperature to avoid mold?
Keep your home temperature in the high 60’s or low 70’s F. Mold grows best in humid environments between 77 and 86 degrees F.
Tell me about carbon monoxide.
Carbon monoxide (CO) is released when wood, gasoline, oil, kerosene, natural gas, and charcoal burn inefficiently. At moderate levels, CO can cause severe headaches, dizziness, impaired mental function, nausea, and shortness of breath. At high levels it can cause unconsciousness and death.
What can extreme changes in temperature do to me?
Extreme changes in temperature can trigger and aggravate asthma, bronchitis, and other respiratory problems. Maintaining low temperatures over a long period of time can lead to high relative humidity (the amount of water vapor in the air).
Are there any home products that can cause problems?
Many common products around the home (solvents, fragrances and cosmetics, carpeting, furniture, paint, hobby products, cooking, cleaning agents, pesticides, new flooring, tobacco smoke, and car exhaust) emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air. An AirAdvice IAQ test can help to determine if particle levels in your home are within the recommended range. View a sample chart.