April 4, 2018
Unless you can actually smell that something is wrong, it’s easy to assume that the air you breathe in your home is clean and healthy. But because there are many ways your indoor air quality can be compromised, both from inside your home and out, it’s wise to take steps to ensure your home’s air is as safe and healthy as possible.
One way to safeguard indoor air quality is to be sure your air conditioning is well maintained. Since your AC unit recirculates and distributes air throughout your home, the filters and operating efficiency of your air conditioning are critical to promoting clean, safe air.
Why Should You Worry About Indoor Air Quality?
Every home has the potential to develop poor air quality without the homeowner’s knowledge from contaminants both inside and outside the home. The amounts of these contaminants and their effect on your home’s inhabitants will vary but your aim should be to minimize all of them and filter out the rest.
The culprits that contribute to asthma, allergies and other health issues include:
Particulates
Coming in through unsealed gaps and cracks in your home, pollen can build up in the air, causing problems for the allergy-prone in your family. Dust mites are everywhere and can be combated with frequent vacuuming but regular filter changes are a must as well. Pet dander is another allergen that causes health problems when allowed to circulate freely.
Microbials
Mold and mildew grow when uncontrolled moisture is allowed to exist in your home. Humid outside air, unvented bathrooms and untreated crawl spaces or basements can allow mold to grow and release spores throughout your home endangering all those who come in contact with them. Uncontrolled bacteria and other viruses can easily travel through ducts and spread from one person to the next.
Gases
Depending on their age and how well they’re maintained, your combustion appliances, such as furnaces and stoves, can produce dangerous amounts of carbon monoxide. New rugs and furnishings, as well as certain building materials release formaldehyde gases and other volatile organic compounds into the air. Cleaning and disinfecting products can also release unhealthy fumes that take time to dissipate.
What Can You Do?
Sign up for an HVAC Maintenance Plan
Routine cleaning, inspection and refrigerant checks will keep your air conditioning running at peak performance and enhance your indoor air quality. Russell’s Heating and Cooling offers affordable maintenance plans that make maintaining your HVAC units easy.
Change Your AC Filter
A dirty filter makes it more difficult for your AC to operate at peak performance. Changing your filter on a regular basis between maintenance visits is one of the most effective ways to ensure that contaminants get trapped and that you and your family breathe the clean air you deserve.
Install an Air Purification or Air Filtration System
Russell’s recommends the Lennox PureAir™ Purification System and Reme Halo System. These systems trap and eliminate particulates, fumes and allergens as they’re circulated through your ducts to free the air of their harmful effects.
