What is Indoor Air Quality?
Many people are surprised to discover that the air inside their homes can be worse than the outside air. There are several reasons behind this. First, the great outdoors tends to sneak indoors, hitching a ride on our clothes and shoes. Contaminants find their way through doors, windows, or spots where insulation falls short. And our beloved family members, from significant others to kids and pets, contribute their share to the air quality challenge.
Unlike the great outdoors, where air is constantly circulating in a vast open space, indoor air tends to be enclosed, restricted, and relatively stagnant. This situation can worsen if you neglect regular AC tune-ups and maintenance.
Why Indoor Air Quality Matters:
“Well, how bad could it be?” you ask. The answer is pretty bad since poor indoor air quality can have serious health consequences, as the EPA reminds us:
- Allergic reactions
- Higher incidence of asthma and respiratory illnesses (colds, flu, bronchitis)
- Eye, nose, and throat irritation
- Fatigue, headaches, or dizziness
- Respiratory problems or difficulty breathing
- Heart disease
- Cancer
How To Improve Indoor Air Quality
Odds are that your indoor air didn’t get in the shape it’s in right now overnight. But you’d be surprised how quickly you can improve the air you breathe. Homeowners can take some steps—thorough, frequent dusting and cleaning help. So does using the right filters for your HVAC system and changing them on schedule (or a bit ahead of schedule if you like keeping the windows open, having pets, or living with a smoker).
Some individuals have turned to portable air purifiers. If you’re a renter, your options may be limited; if your home uses central air but doesn’t use forced air heat, you don’t want to leave your home unprotected during the winter. But in cases where forced air heat and central air are used, solutions that address home air quality are best. An HVAC professional should install these.
Call an Ace Now for Your FREE Quote!
There's no better choice than Ace Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning. With almost 50 years of experience and round-the-clock availability, our expert technicians can easily tackle any emergency plumbing and HVAC issue. So why settle for less? Contact us today for a free estimate and experience our unbeatable service!
A Few Tips on Air Purification
Whole House Air Purifiers for HVAC Systems
Your HVAC system comes equipped with filters, but if you're searching for a budget-friendly option, you might not provide your home with the protection it deserves. HEPA-rated filters and electrostatic HVAC filters are significantly more efficient at eliminating contaminants. However, here's the twist: opting for the wrong filter can substantially burden your system. We can assess your heating and cooling setup and recommend the ideal options, including enhancing the current filtration with duct-based, intake-based, or return-based filters.
Whole House Dehumidifiers/Humidifiers
As mentioned earlier, even clean air can cause problems if the humidity isn't where it should be. A humidifier that sits on a tabletop, or a dehumidifier in your basement, may be better than nothing, but there are problems here as well; you're only conditioning a single room, and you don't have much control over the amount of moisture added to the air. A whole-home humidifier or dehumidifier provides precision.
UV Lights for HVAC Systems
UV light is a proven antiseptic, adequate enough for surgical instruments, food service, and other applications where cleanliness is critical. UV lights can be installed in your HVAC system to help purify the air and keep you healthy.
Contact an Ace Today for Your FREE Quote!
There's no better choice than Ace Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning. With almost 50 years of experience and round-the-clock availability, our expert technicians can easily tackle any emergency plumbing and HVAC issue. So why settle for less? Contact us today for a free estimate and experience our unbeatable service!