THE IMPORTANCE OF SPRING CLEANING YOUR UTILITY ROOM
Don’t Forget to Clean the Heart of Your Home
HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU REPLACE YOUR AIR FILTER?
• Homes with minimal foot traffic (single or double occupancy) and no pets or allergies: 6–12 months. • Family homes (three or more occupants) with no pets or allergies: 3–6 months. • Family homes with at least one pet or minor allergies: 2–3 months. • Family homes with multiple pets or allergies: 1–2 months. In addition to changing the air filter, it’s important to schedule a routine inspection of your home’s HVAC system. This includes an inspection of the appliances themselves and any connecting ducts. Dust, dander, and mold can accumulate in the ducts and spread throughout the home, which can lead to health issues, including respiratory problems. A routine inspection will identify potential problems in your HVAC system. On top of that, you can get these systems professionally cleaned and maintained. These are simple steps that will keep your home’s air systems running smoothly for years to come. Plus, you’ll be ready for the summer months ahead!
The start of spring brings everyone’s favorite seasonal chore — spring cleaning! As you dust, vacuum, organize, and declutter, don’t forget about the one room that often gets neglected. This year, give special attention to the utility closet. The utility closet houses your furnace, boiler, water heater, A/C junction, and other similar large appliances. Homeowners often forget about these appliances because they are out of sight and out of mind, and this can cost a lot in the long run. Like all the other rooms in your home, this space needs to be kept clean. Dust, for instance, can be hard on HVAC systems. Over time, it accumulates in the HVAC intake and clogs the air filter, reducing its effectiveness and efficiency. This results in a short lifespan for your system, higher power bills, and a poorly heated or cooled home. Back pain is no laughing matter. It can keep you from work, daily activities, and hobbies you enjoy. To further complicate matters, it’s often difficult to determine what is causing your back pain in the first place. The culprit could be anything from your gym workout to the way you sit in your chair at work. Opioid painkillers are often prescribed to alleviate back pain. In light of the current opioid epidemic, however, many doctors and patients are now eager to avoid these medications, instead seeking out more natural ways to relieve their pain. Surgery is also less popular than in the past, as it necessitates the use of pain medication during recovery. Back pain caused by inactivity can be just as excruciating as pain caused by motion or an injury. Sitting at your desk every day for hours on end with little to no movement can create increasing discomfort in your back. One of the best ways to reduce this is to stand. A study conducted at the University of Pittsburgh by Bethany Barone Gibbs, Ph.D., found that alternating between sitting and standing at your desk may alleviate the pain. See if your employer will invest in a standing desk for you. These desks can be raised or lowered with a button, allowing you to work while sitting or standing. GET OUT OF THAT CHAIR! Don’t Let Your Workplace Get Inside Your Back
Yoga can be helpful for people who are dealing with back pain, but only to an extent. It’s easy to overdo it with yoga, so opt for guided classes explicitly designed for beginners or people recovering from an injury. Other more natural approaches include physical therapy, exercise, and massage, which can be just as effective as painkillers for some patients. Want to know more about back injuries or the back pain you’re experiencing? You’ll be impressed by the in-depth knowledge of the team at Smith, Wallis & Scott, LLP. Call 770-214-2500 today to learn more about collecting workers’ comp in Georgia.
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