When you flip a switch, you want the lights to come on. When you push a button, you want the computer to spring to life. When you turn the key, you want your car engine to start. You are looking for results. Period. That is why you are looking for residential HVAC in Atlanta: climate control in your home.
On a summer day in the south you want the climate inside your family's home to be something vastly different from what is going on outside. You want it to be pleasantly cool and you want the humidity level to hover somewhere between the 30% and 50% mark. The first factor is, obviously, comfort. When the humidity is high, the body's natural cooling system is much less effective, so that when you sweat, evaporative cooling doesn't keep up with the need. Lower humidity equals less need for perspiration and, when the need does arise, the process works better.
The second and less well known factor is the serious health benefit. American homes are experiencing an invasion of dust mites which can cause asthma and other allergic symptoms. The three main species are multiplying in spite of modern technology and apartment buildings are being invaded at alarming rates.
There are at least three methods of combating these little beasties.
Low Humidity -- Dust mites cannot live in conditions where low humidity persists. A relative humidity of less than 50% usually proves fatal for the nasty beasties. That means that keeping your home -- and family -- safe from these particular pests depends in part on the reliability and efficiency of your HVAC unit. Regular, professional checkups for all parts of your system are an important hedge against an assault by unwelcome guests.
These invaders can live in all sorts of climates, including high altitudes. They are particularly happy in kitchens and bedrooms where they have access to the dead skin cells humans shed. Humidity and direct access to moisture are provided by human breathing, perspiration, and saliva. Keeping the humidity low by using an efficient HVAC unit is a highly effective front line defense.
Heating the Wash Cycle -- A recent study found that using heat when doing laundry makes a substantial difference in upping the death rate of dust mites. Using water at 140 degrees (or higher) kills all dust mites. Lowering the temperature to about 104 degrees leaves over 90% of them alive and able to reproduce. However, if hot water is not doable in your situation, it works to use water at least 86 degrees for rinsing IF THE LAUNDRY IS RINSED TWO TIMES FOR AT LEAST THREE MINUTES PER CYCLE.
Heating the Drying Cycle -- Ten minutes in a regular clothes dryer that is set for at least 140 degrees has proven enough to kill all the dust mites in bedding such as pillows, quilts, blankets, and mattress pads.
