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The number one source of humidifier leaks is the homeowner not changing the water panel inside the unit.

If the panel gets plugged up with hard water deposits, the water can’t travel through the surface space of the panel like it’s supposed to. Instead, it begins to cascade—not down the pad, but on the outside of the unit. You may see water coming out of the cabinet.

Many view home heating from a pretty straight-forward standpoint. If they are comfortable, their thermostat is set correctly. If they are not comfortable, the thermostat is set too low or too high. Of course, when multiple family members are involved, this can create quite a challenging situation that is often resolved by the person who pays the utility bills. There is, however, another major factor in the comfort of your home. It is humidity.

We have repeatedly talked about the importance of keeping your HVAC system air filters clean to keep your HVAC unit operating properly. We have even discussed how critical airflow is in heating your home safely and comfortably. There is another aspect of airflow that will also greatly impact how your heating system operates. That is the proper installation of an air filter.

There are more choices than ever when choosing a furnace air filter for your home. How do you know what is the best furnace filter for you?

If you find yourself having to set your thermostat at unusually high or low temperatures just to stay comfortable, your problem may be poor air flow. Poor air flow may be caused by too much friction in your HVAC system or too much turbulence. One of the most significant causes of friction in an HVAC system is the air filter.

Many homeowners don't fully appreciate the importance of airflow when it comes to the performance of their HVAC system and ultimately, the comfort of each room in your home. The fact is, if you have one room or many rooms that are less comfortable than others, it is quite possible it is an issue with airflow. Free airflow is disturbed by two basic forces friction and turbulence. What are some of the causes of poor or restrictive airflow in a home and how can it be improved? What is the #1 way to improve airflow in your home?

To find out the #1 way to improve to improve airflow, we will first discuss 5 causes of poor airflow. At Althoff, our goal is always to get to the root of the problem first then provide solutions to improve comfort, function and performance of your equipment.

At Althoff Industries, we don't just view ourselves as HVAC technicians. We see ourselves as indoor air quality specialists. Properly treating the air in a home is much more complex than it may first seem. There are numerous factors to consider. One has to note the size, construction and floor plan of the house. How much insulation and home construction materials are a factor. Of course, climate and duct work is critical. Is there a lot of dust in your area or does your family suffer from allergies? One has to also consider how humid the area the home is located in and whether the installed system will not only work efficiently but remove indoor humidity from conditioned air. Creating the best indoor air quality for your family must include the consideration of a number of important factors. If not, there can be problems with your indoor humidity.

There are plenty of myths about how to best clean the air in your home. Some people believe a good HEPA air filter will do. Others suggest an air purifier. Still others say that perhaps there is nothing you can do, especially when it comes to allergens. The Chicago area has experienced medium to high pollen levels throughout the spring and forecasts call for it to continue. If you or someone in your family suffers from pollen-related allergies, the following may help.