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5 Signs Your Thermostat Reading Is Inaccurate

Your home’s thermostat is one of the most important components of your HVAC system, as it measures and controls your home’s temperature. When you have an inaccurate thermostat, your HVAC system won’t generate enough cool or hot air to match your setting. Fortunately, knowing the five main signs of an inaccurate thermostat can help you get ahead of the problem and solve it before it impacts your quality of life.

1. Your Home Doesn’t Feel Like the Temperature Displayed on Your Thermostat

The most obvious sign that you have an inaccurate thermostat is if your home feels colder or warmer than the temperature you’ve set. For example, if you’ve set your thermostat to 70 degrees, but you’re sweating indoors and your home feels like it’s in the 80s, your thermostat likely has an issue

While you can usually tell if a thermostat is inaccurate based on how a room feels, you could also compare your thermostat’s reading to a separate portable thermostat’s reading. If the two thermostats show different temperatures, an HVAC technician will need to inspect your thermostat to find out what’s causing the inaccurate thermostat reading.

2. Your Thermostat Is Installed Near An Area Prone to Temperature Swings

If your thermostat is installed near a place in your home where the temperature consistently swings, your thermostat’s reading is likely off. For instance, a thermostat near a door will likely experience various temperature swings as people enter and exit your home. A thermostat exposed to direct sunlight can also be affected, as the sunlight can make the thermostat believe your home is warmer than it actually is.

Typically, this issue can be solved by installing the thermostat in a new location. However, if your home isn’t properly zoned, you could also need home zoning services to prevent temperature fluctuations.

3. You Have a Mercury-Based Thermostat That Isn’t Level

Another sign that you have an inaccurate thermostat is if you’re still using a mercury-based thermostat that’s not level. These older thermostats are usually installed in older homes and need to stay level to provide an accurate reading.

If you have one of these thermostats and it’s not in a level position, you’ll need to adjust it back to a level position to get an accurate reading. However, it’s usually best to replace the thermostat and invest in programmable thermostat installation services to receive the convenience and energy-saving benefits of modern thermostats. 

4. The Inside Of Your Thermostat Is Dirty

Modern thermostats rely on sensors to detect your home’s temperature and provide an accurate reading. When these sensors are dirty or damaged, your thermostat can’t properly determine the correct temperature. As a result, a visibly damaged or dirty sensor is a sign you have an inaccurate thermostat. While you can fix a dirty sensor by cleaning the inside of your thermostat and recalibrating it afterward, you’ll need an HVAC professional to repair a damaged sensor.

5. Your Thermostat Is Old

Thermostats usually have a life expectancy of about ten years. If you have an old thermostat past its expected lifespan, it could be providing inaccurate readings. Instead of repairing an old thermostat, it’s often better to replace it with a new model, especially if you don’t have a smart or programmable thermostat. 

With programmable thermostat installation, you can receive all the benefits of the newest temperature-control technology. For example, programmable thermostats give you the opportunity to set your thermostat on a schedule that saves energy while you’re away from home. Many new thermostats also pair with phones and other devices, meaning you can conveniently control your home’s temperature even when you’re away.

Choose Peter Levi for Thermostat Repair and Installation Services in Fairfield, CA

If you’re looking for thermostat repair, replacement, or installation services near you in Vallejo, Benicia, Fairfield, Novato or the surrounding Northern California area, turn to Peter Levi. Our HVAC professionals can inspect your inaccurate thermostat and provide a solution that fixes it for you. You can also turn to us for smart or programmable thermostat installation when you want to upgrade your existing thermostat and receive the most accurate reading possible. Additionally, you can review our coupons to ensure you get a great deal.

Learn more about our programmable thermostat installation and repair services today. If you have any questions or want to schedule an appointment, please contact us.

Signs Of Poor Indoor Air Quality And How To Fix It

Do you find yourself sneezing a lot, but you're not sick? Are you having trouble sleeping? Do you notice your skin is extra dry and irritated? Even though poor indoor air quality (IAQ) can't be seen, it can greatly impact your overall health and comfort. There are many signs, including the ones above, to watch out for that may indicate you have a problem with your indoor air quality. Here are the signs to pay attention to, as well as how to fix it.

1. Cold Symptoms That Don't Go Away

Poor indoor air quality can often be mistaken for allergies, the flu, or the common cold. Do you feel like you have a cold that never goes away? If you're sneezing, coughing, have a headache, feel nauseous, or you're dizzy, then you may be dealing with poor indoor air quality. It's also important to make note of how you feel when you're away from home. Are your symptoms better? Are they the same? Is it worse when you get home? These are all things to consider.

2.  Skin Dryness or Irritation

We often mistake poor indoor air quality for allergies because the symptoms look oddly similar. However, if you're noticing skin dryness or irritation when you never had these problems before - or it's much worse than you're used to - then you may want to consider looking at your indoor air quality as the possible culprit. The concentration of pollutants in the air can cause skin dryness, rashes, flaking, peeling, and redness.

3. Trouble Breathing

If you're having difficult breathing, then first, you should seek medical attention. You want to make sure you rule out other causes, such as obstruction of your airway, food allergies, and other things that could be contributing to this. Coughing and having difficult breathing are common signs of poor indoor air quality. Without proper air circulation or ventilation, you're breathing in all these particles and dirty air that could lead to complications.

4. Inability To Sleep

According to a study, people are 60% more likely to experience poor sleep if they live in a place with high levels of air pollution. We often think of outdoor air being more polluted than indoor air, but indoor air is actually worse. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, indoor levels of pollutants may be 2-5 times, and sometimes over 100 times, higher than outdoor levels. If you notice you're not getting a good's night rest lately, it could be due to poor indoor air quality.

5. Increase of Dust

It's normal for homes to have dust. However, if you notice a huge build-up of it around your vents, or on your air filter, then that's usually an indication you need to upgrade your air filtration system.

How To Fix It

If you're someone who is currently living in an environment that is polluted, luckily there are ways to fix that. At Peter Levi, we offer a variety of indoor air quality solutions that are truly a breath of fresh air.

These air filters are capable of removing as much as 99.7% of airborne particles in your home, including mold spores, pollen, and dust mite feces.

These lamps are the preferred choice in healthcare facilities and hospitals across the United States, which should tell you something – they work! Germicidal UV Lamps are capable of sterilizing harmful particles, providing you with the ultimate indoor air quality improvement.

Air cleaners can clean the air within your home through a professionally installed air purification system. This could help ease the symptoms experienced by those living with asthma, allergies, or other respiratory conditions while providing cleaner air for all.

With a professional duct cleaning, you can reduce the spread of airborne particles often throughout your home via your HVAC system. These airborne particles include dust, pollen, mold spores, pet dander, and rodent debris.

Indoor air pollution can be dangerous, but hard to spot – until you start experiencing the effects of it. If you’re experiencing any of the following, then you may want to consider an indoor air quality solution from the professionals at Peter Levi.

Contact The Pros At Peter Levi Today For All Your Indoor Air Quality Needs In Northern California!

For over 35 years, Peter Levi has been providing fast, professional IAQ services you can count on. The experts at Peter Levi are here to help with all your IAQ needs. Contact us today at 800-868-6885 or online here.

Indoor Air Quality: 5 Ways You Can Fight Spring Allergies

Achoo! Spring allergies are in full swing, and if you're one of the unlucky ones that get to experience it, you're not alone. Fortunately, there are ways you can fight those awful spring allergies - and it begins inside your home. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, your indoor air can be 2 to 5 times worse than outdoor air. And because we spend roughly 90% of our time inside, according to the EPA, it's important we focus on improving our indoor air quality. Here are the top 5 ways you can fight spring allergies and improve the quality of the air you breathe.

1. Ventilate When Cleaning

If you're like most Americans, you're likely planning on doing some spring cleaning this season. When you do, make sure you ventilate your space - especially if you're using cleaning products that contain chemicals, or other toxic components. You can open some windows and doors and use fans throughout your home to ventilate the area while you clean.

2. Change Your Air Filters

You should get in the habit of changing your air filters regularly, like once every 1-3 months. When your air filters become clogged with debris, dander and dust, all of those pollutants then circulate throughout your air. New air filters can not only vastly improve your indoor air quality, but it can also help your HVAC system work better.

3. Invest In An Indoor Air Quality Solution

Humidity control is often forgotten about, but it is an important factor to consider when it comes to your indoor air quality. In fact, improper humidity levels can wreak havoc on your health - and your home. Contact your local heating and cooling contractor to install a humidification system in your home that'll help you achieve the perfect humidity level. Say goodbye to spring allergies once and for all! Peter Levi has the following indoor air quality solutions to offer you:

4. Keep Allergens Outside The Home

If you suffer from asthma or allergies, then you know just how difficult the springtime can be with all the increased allergens in the air. You want to make sure you're keeping allergens where they belong - outside. Some tips to keeping allergens outside include:

5. Clean Regularly

Last but not least, make sure you are cleaning your home regularly. This means vacuuming carpets and rugs often with a vacuum cleaner. You'll want to use a vacuum with a HEPA filter for the best results. Also, don't forget to dust: windows, blinds, air vents, and more. By cleaning regularly, you can really help improve your indoor air quality and fight those frustrating spring allergies.

Want Help Improving Your Indoor Air Quality? Schedule An Appointment With The Pros At Peter Levi Today! We Are Here For All Your Indoor Air Quality Needs In Northern California!

For over 35 years, Peter Levi has been providing fast, professional indoor air quality solutions you can count on. The experts at Peter Levi are here to help with all your indoor air quality needs. Contact us today at 800-868-6885 or online here.

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