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Ease Your Allergies with a Humidifier

It was a long winter, but spring has finally sprung! Pack up the long underwear and dig out the shades. While most of us are ecstatic about the return of the sun, allergy sufferers may be a little more hesitant to celebrate. Spring thaw means spring allergies.

Allergy Symptoms: Why Do We Suffer?

You know the symptoms: nasal congestion, irritation, itchy eyes, sneezing. Not exactly the most joyous of times for those of us that suffer from seasonal allergies. The cause of these allergies is the pollen and snow mold that the warmer weather brings. We can’t exactly get rid of all the nature that’s affecting us outside, so we often hide inside. But even tucked away from the floating pollen, we still suffer. Why is that? Alberta is a naturally dry place, which isn’t doing our noses any favours.

Bring in the Moisture

Dry air irritates your nasal passages, encouraging your body to overproduce mucus. That extra goop makes it more difficult for you to naturally purge any allergens that you’re being exposed to. Adding moisture into the air with a humidifier is a great way to counteract those negative effects. This will help your body’s natural methods to fight off the allergies.

Precautions to Keep in Mind

While humidity can relieve your allergy symptoms, there are a few things to consider when choosing and programming a humidifier:

Humidity above 50% can encourage mold growth.
Dust mites thrive in humidity levels around 70-80%.
Proper maintenance is key. Left unattended, bacteria and fungi can grow in the humidifier and cause a whole host of problems.

Best Types of Humidifiers for Allergies

There are several types of humidifiers that can aid those allergy symptoms effectively. From evaporative humidifiers to steam humidifiers, you can bet that there is something out there to suit your needs. Some can be built right into your HVAC system, while others are stand alone.

Tired of seasonal allergies taking over your spring? Ask the specialists at Nor-Can what a humidifier can do for you!

Why Does Your Skin Get All Chapped in Winter?

Here in Alberta, we deal with more than just subzero temperatures in the winter time. Coupled with the frost of the season, we get to battle dry air that chaps our skin and weakens our hair. But why is it that these snowy months cause us to descend into a climate of dehydration?

The Science Behind It

As a general rule, cold air doesn’t hold as much water as warm air. And our air isn’t just cold; it’s freezing. Even our beautiful Bow River isn’t enough to pump that lost moisture back into the atmosphere during the winter.

How Our Bodies React

As a result, our skin gets dry for a number of reasons:

Source of moisture is gone. We are not able to pull the same moisture levels from the air that we do in summer months.
Blood flow is redirected. Our skin will have less blood flow as our bodies are naturally trying to keep our insides warm.
Glands get cold, too. Our sebaceous glands do not function as well in the cold, so our skin is not being moisturized naturally.
Bundling up draws moisture. Colder months bring heavy clothing. Heavy clothing, although necessary, tends to dry out skin.

What Can You Do?

One tactic is to put up with your dry, cracked skin for months on end, but we believe there is a much more comfortable solution. Having a humidifier installed in your home is a simple way to spare your skin. People who have asthma or respiratory problems also benefit from a good humidifier. Having one installed by experts can ensure that your humidity levels are constant, healthy, and beneficial for you and your family!

If you’re ready for relief from winter dryness, give the experts at Nor-Can Heating and Air a call today! Together we will get your home to feel like spring again.

3 Warning Signs That You Need a Furnace Inspection

As the summer sun disappears and the cool autumn winds blow in, there is no mistaking it: Winter is coming. Don’t be left out in the cold; watch for these warning signs that you may need an inspection before the snow hits.

1) Your Furnace Isn’t Springing to Action:

Your furnace shouldn’t be taking aeons to heat your house. Sure, the first time you fire it up after a long, hot summer may take a little bit longer than usual. After that initial instance your furnace should be running at peak efficiency. If you’re not getting the heat you need in a relatively timely manner, that’s a warning sign that your furnace needs a tune-up ASAP. It’s time to give us a call.

2) You’re Sensing a Difference:

Mainly, you’re hearing weird sounds and you’re smelling strange smells. Although the Halloween movie marathon you just watched may have you convinced that your house is haunted, it’s probably just your furnace. That being said, you should be paying attention to those loud clunks and unseemly odors. Those definitely mean that something is going on in your HVAC system that should be addressed right away.

3) Your Energy Bills Skyrocket:

It’s only October, so if your energy bills have hit the ceiling already, it’s time for some professional investigation. Dramatically increased bills are the result of your HVAC system running at low efficiency. In other words: something is wrong and your system is working harder to make up for it. Not only does this hurt your wallet at the end of the month, it could also speed up the demise of your beloved furnace.

An inspection can reveal whether or not the issue is small, like changing your filters, or larger, like needing to replace your furnace. Either way, an inspection will ensure that you have the knowledge you need before the snow begins to fly. In the HVAC world, surprises aren’t always welcome. Avoid the hassle and give yourself peace of mind by knowing exactly what is going on with your system. If you’ve noticed any of these signs and you’re ready for a tune-up, give Nor-Can Heating and Air Inc. a call today!