Tips to Improve Indoor Air Quality | Air Conditioning Service
Tips to Improve Indoor Air Quality | Air Conditioning Service
We spend more time indoors during the winter, and with the tight construction of modern homes, indoor air quality often suffers. Air pollution is typically associated with outdoor air, when in fact, according to the EPA, the air inside our homes’ may be five to one hundred times more polluted that outdoor levels. Cypress Heating and Air Conditioning can assist you in improving indoor air quality by providing heating and air conditioning service to your system. Furthermore, the following tips to improve indoor air quality can assist in improving your indoor air.
The Sources of Indoor Air Pollution
Today’s homes are built tight, allowing little if any air exchange between indoor and outdoor air, which often results in polluted indoor air.
Common sources of indoor air pollution include:
• Air fresheners that are likely to contain dangerous VOC’s
• Building materials used in your home
• Carpets
• Cabinets or furniture constructed of pressed-wood products
• Cigarette Smoke
• Heating and air conditioning systems – Neglected HVAC systems can become extremely dirty, primarily due to infrequent filter changes. When the system runs, it can result in the distribution of pollutants throughout your home through the duct system. Annual heating and air conditioning service will ensure peak operation and ensure a clean system, cleaner air, and a cleaner home. Proper filter changes and care will assist in filtering contaminants from the air.
• The use of unvented gas and kerosene space heaters will exhaust carbon monoxide into the home. In addition, wood fireplaces may result in carbon monoxide and particulates in indoor air. Have your chimney professionally cleaned each year, and don’t use unvented combustion space heaters.
• Glues, epoxy, spray paints, and other materials associated with hobbies.
• Household cleaning products can contain VOCs. Purchase natural products that say all natural, or no VOCs.
• Personal care products
• Pesticides
• Radon
Polluted indoor air can cause the symptoms of allergy, such as sneezing, watery eyes, coughing, and shortness of breath. Additional symptoms include fever, digestive problems, eye, nose and throat irritation, fatigue, headaches, and dizziness. Cypress Heating and Air Conditioning can improve your indoor air; give us a call to schedule our heating and air conditioning service.
Tips to Improve Indoor Air Quality
Use the following tips minimizing indoor air pollution in your home:
Reduce the Sources: Avoid spraying pesticides, chemical cleaners, air fresheners, and other potential pollutants in your home. Look for products with low, zero VOC labels, or use natural products. For example, use vinegar for cleaning, and make your own air freshener by using a few drops of natural essential oil in an atomizer. You can also set out coffee beans, cinnamon sticks, and orange or lemon peels for a fresh scent just chance every day or two to prevent mold from adding to pollutants.
Increase Ventilation: Newer homes may have air-to-air heat exchangers, which bring outdoor air into the home without adversely affecting the system’s energy efficiency. Adhering to a schedule of providing annual heating and air conditioning service will ensure your system is not only maintained for peak performance, but remains clean. A routinely serviced system lasts longer, and performs efficiently, while reducing the need for an increased frequency of heating and air conditioning service.
When the outdoor temperature is warmer, providing fresh air that reduces pollutants is as simple as opening windows, or using window or attic fans. During colder weather, in addition to routine air filter changes, you can use kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans occasionally to circulate air, though you wouldn’t want to leave them on constantly.
If you are using a low grade of filter, such as the fiberglass blues, talk to your HVAC technician, or the systems manufacturer about the ability to use a higher grade of filter safely without damaging your system. Most systems will tolerate pleated filters, which do a fair job of filtration. It’s best to be sure though, rather than risk damage to the system, which can result in the need for air conditioning service, repair, or even system replacement.
Test Your Home for Radon: Radon is a dangerous toxin, and is undetectable unless the home is tested for it. Consider testing your home, and if detected have it treated.
Control Humidity: Maintaining a humidity level between 30-60 percent in your home will help to keep dust mites, mold, and mildew under control. Low humidity causes sore throats, dry mucous membranes and predisposes occupants to illness. Our certified technicians can install a whole house humidifier in your home, increasing the home’s comfort, and reducing allergies and illness. Call today to schedule heating and air conditioning service.
The moisture level in bathrooms is naturally higher, and during bathing those levels rise with steam and condensation. A quality exhaust fan will increase ventilation and reduce the moisture. Allow the fan to run for 20 minutes after showering or bathing to dry the moisture that causes mold and mildew. In addition, dry the shower and tub thoroughly after use.
Clean Routinely for a Healthier Home: Regular dusting and vacuuming of your home will help to control dust mites, pollen, pet dander, and other biological air pollutants.Consider an Air Cleaner: Air filters and cleaners provide assistance in removing contaminants from the home’s air. A whole house system will be the most effective, as it treats the entire home and not a single room. There are important factors to consider when selecting an air cleaner. A Cypress Heating and Air Conditioning professional can assist you in the selection of a system that will be effective for your home. Call today to schedule heating and air conditioning service.
These tips to improve indoor air quality can assist you in providing cleaner air for your home. Cypress Heating and Air Conditioning’s certified HVAC professionals have the experience and expertise to provide your home with reliable heating and air conditioning service, installation and repair. Contact us to receive the cleanest indoor air quality possible. We serve Katy, Plano and the surrounding areas, and are a member of the BBB with an A+ rating.
