4 Steps to Completely Removing Cigarette Smoke Odor From a Home

Trying to get rid of the harsh smell of cigarettes?  You are not alone.  Whether you just moved into a new apartment or recently quit smoking, eliminating cigarette odor can be extremely challenging and frustrating.  Here are three tips that will help.

Step #1: Scrub Everything

That’s right…the first step to getting out the smell of smoke is to start cleaning. Get yourself a pair of rubber gloves and get to work. Wash the walls, ceilings, windows, closets, cabinets, light fixtures, and all the nooks and crannies. Experts usually recommend using a common degreaser, however, some people swear by less toxic solutions of vinegar and baking soda. Either way…a little elbow grease should go a long way.

Step #2: Remove all Carpet and Fabric

The smell of smoke will never come out of carpets, drapes, and couches. Your best bet is to ditch all of these items that you can.

Step #3: Prime and Paint all Walls and Ceilings

Whether you do it yourself or hire a painter…do NOT skip this step. It is important to give all of your walls a fresh coat of primer and a fresh coat of paint in order to have a fresh smelling home.

Step #4: Clean Your HVAC Ductwork

Hiring a licensed and certified (by the National Air Duct Cleaners Association) company to clean your coils and ductwork is a critical step to removing the smoke oder from a home. All of that cigarette-infested air has been flowing through your HVAC system.  Don’t forget to throw out and replace that old filter as well.

7 Most Common Air Condition Problems

Improper operation

One of the most common air conditioning problems is improper operation. If your air conditioner is on, be sure to close your home’s windows and outside doors. For room air conditioners, isolate the room or a group of connected rooms as much as possible from the rest of your home.

Faulty instalation

Another common problems with existing air conditioners result from faulty installation, poor service procedures, and inadequate maintenance. Improper installation of a central air conditioner can result in leaky ducts and low airflow. Many times, the refrigerant charge (the amount of refrigerant in the system) does not match the manufacturer’s specifications. If proper refrigerant charging is not performed during installation, the performance and efficiency of the unit is impaired. Unqualified service technicians often fail to find refrigerant charging problems or even worsen existing problems by adding refrigerant to a system that is already full.

Air conditioner manufacturers generally make rugged, high quality products. If your air conditioner fails, begin by checking any fuses or circuit breakers. Let the unit cool down for about five minutes before resetting any breakers. If a central air conditioner’s compressor stops on a hot day, the high-pressure limit switch may have tripped; reset it by pushing the button, located in the compressor’s access panel.

Refrigerant Leaks

If your air conditioner is low on refrigerant, either it was undercharged at installation or it leaks. If it leaks, simply adding refrigerant is not a solution. A trained technician should fix any leak, test the repair, and then charge the system with the correct amount of refrigerant. Remember that the performance and efficiency of your air conditioner is greatest when the refrigerant charge exactly matches the manufacturer’s specification, and is neither undercharged nor overcharged. Refrigerant leaks can also be harmful to the environment.

Inadequate Maintenance

If you allow filters and air conditioning coils to become dirty, the air conditioner will not work properly, and the compressor or fans are likely to fail prematurely.

Electric Control Failure

The compressor and fan controls can wear out, especially when the air conditioner turns on and off frequently, as is common when a system is oversized. Because corrosion of wire and terminals is also a problem in many systems, electrical connections and contacts should be checked during a professional service call.

Sensor Problems

Room air conditioners feature a thermostat sensor, located behind the control panel, which measures the temperature of air coming into the evaporative coil. If the sensor is knocked out of position, the air conditioner could cycle constantly or behave erratically. The sensor should be near the coil but not touching it; adjust its position by carefully bending the wire that holds it in place.

Drainage Problems

When it’s humid outside, check the condensate drain to make sure it isn’t clogged and is draining properly. Room air conditioners may not drain properly if not mounted level.

Scheduled Preventative Maintenance

Once your A/C system has been properly cleaned and remediated, simple ongoing schedule maintenance inspections should be performed to ensure your continued clean and healthy air.

AIR DUCT CLEANING SAVES 11% IN AIR CONDITIONING ENERGY USAGE

It takes a lot of energy to heat and cool a home or building an in fact, the systems used for this purpose account for the majority of energy use. These systems – even in new buildings – tend to be dirty, and become heavily fouled through everyday use. Fouled heating and cooling systems can also be problematic for occupants, contributing to poor indoor air quality, system failure and increased energy usage.

Researchers have proven that properly cleaning even lightly-soiled heating and cooling systems can result in energy savings of up to 11 percent. In addition to these savings, consumers who have their heating and cooling system cleaned can benefit from improved indoor air quality, air flow, reduced maintenance costs and extended life expectancy for the heating and cooling system.

While not confirmed, cleaning heavily fouled systems is expected to produce even greater energy savings.

You can read more of this Status Report from the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) regarding their Energy Research Project at www.nadca.com

Air Duct Aseptics (ADA) is a NADCA certified HVAC Duct Cleaning company. Call today for your free evaluation at 888-707-7763 or visit us www.ADAflorida.com