Air Quality - Ropers Heating and Air Conditioning

Ask Dirk: My allergies are killing me! How can I reduce allergens in my home?

If you suffer from allergies, you might view spring with mixed emotions. Yes, it will be warmer and sunnier. But those conditions cause plants to grow and bloom, and pollen from those plants can be a problem for allergy sufferers. What are we dealing with? Northern Nevada is a beautiful place to live, but it is rich in allergens. Airborne pollens from rabbit brush, sagebrush, ragweed, and dozens of other plants can cause discomfort like sneezing, wheezing, coughing, itchy eyes, stuffed-up [...]

RoperHVAC2019-05-09T15:51:46-07:00May 9th, 2019|

Ask Dirk: Do I need fresh air in my home?

A Nevada Appeal reader reached out to me with a question about the need for fresh indoor air. Since it’s a great topic for all of us during windows-closed season, I’ve shared my response here. If you are worried more about air leaks causing your energy bills to soar, the U.S. Department of Energy (www.energy.gov) provides information on DIY home energy audits. If you’re just wondering if you need fresh air in the house, in a word, the answer is yes, [...]

RoperHVAC2019-01-04T14:30:56-08:00December 29th, 2018|

Ask Dirk: 7 Reasons Your Air Filter May Not Work Correctly

Indoor air quality researchers tell us that particulate matter (PM), or particulates, which are invisible pieces of stuff floating around in the air, are bad for human health. Particulates that are 2.5 micrometers (0.0000025 m) or smaller, abbreviated PM2.5, are worse than larger particulates because they can penetrate deeper into the lungs and more easily find their way into your blood. The biggest sources of PM2.5 in most homes are outdoor air that finds its way into your home, indoor smokers, [...]

RoperHVAC2020-01-08T20:39:57-08:00November 7th, 2018|

Ask Dirk: Should I humidify my home?

Living in Nevada, we are very familiar with the concept of low humidity, but what is it, really? Humidity refers to the amount of water vapor in the atmosphere. Relative humidity, a term used by weather forecasters, measures the actual amount of moisture in the air compared to the total amount of moisture that the air can hold. An important factor in determining how much moisture air can hold is its temperature – colder air holds less moisture than warm air [...]

RoperHVAC2019-01-04T14:28:56-08:00October 13th, 2018|