There aren’t many things more important than the air we breathe.
This is especially true for the elderly, homes with children, and people with respiratory issues or compromised immune systems.
Indoor air quality can be compromised by many factors in the short and long term. We worry about air pollution and safety outside our homes, but what about the contaminants we breathe in our living space and where we sleep?
This is especially true in the months we close our houses up tight to keep out particularly hot or cold weather. When our homes are sealed, and without proper ventilation, we trap polluted air inside.
As a trusted, local HVAC business, ETR in Tyler, Texas, knows the importance of air quality in our homes.
Household pollutants can come from many different sources.
- Dust, mold, and pollen from the outdoors can all contribute to air contamination.
- If you have pets, the dander in their fur can compromise your home’s air. Anyone with allergies to animals knows the hardships this can bring.
- Smoking indoors can also seriously undermine your home’s air quality.
- Short-term causes can come from renovation projects that produce dust or sawdust. Even common household cleaning products can contribute to your home’s indoor air quality.
- Symptoms of poor air quality include: headaches, coughing, sneezing, itchy or dry eyes, chronic sinus infection issues, and visible mold or mildew.
It’s also important to note whether these symptoms are worse in specific areas of your home.
Luckily, HVAC systems can help reduce your home’s air pollution.
Have your HVAC System Cleaned and Maintained Regularly
ETR offers a bi annual plan we call the ESA. This will ensure your system is working at peak efficiency and not contributing to your home’s air pollution. An air conditioner is a machine that required regular maintenance. When not working properly it can actually contribute to your home’s poor air quality. A professional HVAC company like ETR uses state-of-the-art products and diagnostic equipment to help ensure your air conditioner is improving your home’s air pollution and not contributing to it. Call ETR today and ask for the ESA. Over 3,000 folks in East Texas are currently on the plan and loving it.
Keep Your Air Filters Unclogged
Make sure your air filters are clean and replace them regularly. Of any component in your AC, the air conditioning filter does the most to prevent allergens and pollutants from infiltrating the rooms in your home.
Keep HVAC System Clean of Mold and Mildew
In a humid environment like East Texas, it’s important to make sure you regularly have your HVAC unit inspected for mold and mildew, which can cause serious respiratory problems, some long-term. When you have regular air conditioner maintenance, make sure the technician checks for mold. It might also be necessary to have your ductwork cleaned.
Keep Your HVAC System Up to Date
Do you have an older HVAC unit? Older air conditioners often don’t work as efficiently as newer models to clean the air. If you’re concerned, contact your local HVAC company and have them evaluate your current system. If they recommend a new air conditioner, make sure to mention improving household air quality is a priority.
A Good AC Keeps Moisture (and Mold) Out
You may not know this, but in addition to cooling the air of your home on those hot East Texas summer days, your AC is also removing moisture from the air while it runs. This is important because if the humidity of your home becomes too high or too low, it can contribute to the growth of harmful mold and mildew.
Maintain Good Airflow in the Home
One main way of making sure the air in your home is less polluted is to increase the airflow. While opening a window will do this, it’s not always an option when the weather is too hot or too cold. Luckily, your HVAC unit can also serve that purpose. When your air conditioner is running, it increases your home’s airflow. Increased airflow helps improve air quality. Many folks don’t realize there are two components to the air distribution in your home. The supply vents (typically in the ceiling) and your return vents which are sometimes in the sidewall or floor. It is ESSENTIAL you keep these return vents clear and never obstructed by furniture or clutter.
An ERV, or Energy Recovery Ventilator, is a ventilation system that can be connected to your HVAC in order to maximize airflow. ERVs efficiently replace stale, unclean air with fresh, clean air from outside.
There are various types of ventilation systems, and a trusted HVAC technician can recommend exactly what the space needs.
Additional Products and Services to Keep Air Clean at Home
Talk to your local HVAC company today about what additions they might have for your HVAC system to help improve air quality. There are many options to help ensure you’re getting the best possible air, such as humidifiers, dehumidifiers, air purifiers, or indoor air quality monitors. Especially if you have chronic respiratory problems, it’s crucial you pay attention to how you can improve the air quality in your home. ETR has a dedicated duct cleaning service that goes above and beyond what most duct cleaners provided. By using a licensed contractor such as ETR we not only clean ducts but we clean coils and other surfaces in the air distribution system to clean 100% of the system.
Polluted air in your home is the result of anything from common household products to lack of airflow to mold and mildew from dirty ductwork or air filters. While it’s a big deal to have symptoms of polluted air, it’s also something that is possible to fix.
Contact your local HVAC company today and schedule an inspection. You won’t regret it.