During this time of year, far too many people focus on trying to stay cool and neglect other important home issues. Not that staying cool isn’t important, of course. Just make sure you devote at least as much attention towards making sure that your indoor air quality remains high.
Indoor air quality is one of those things that’s very important for health and comfort, but which the vast majority of homeowners simply ignore. Have a look at why indoor air quality is so vital to your comfort and health, and what you can do to keep it high this spring.
Air Purifiers and Filters
Though your home’s air may look clean, it probably isn’t. Millions and millions of microscopic airborne contaminants are common in the average home’s air. Dust, pollen, dander, germs, and mold spores are just a few of the things that you’re probably breathing right now. Prolonged exposure to high levels of these contaminants, as often happens in an enclosed space like a home, can cause a wide range of negative health effects like allergy attacks and flu. The best way to deal with these issues is to install an air filter or air purifier in your home.
Air filters and purifiers are designed to capture many of the common airborne contaminants that plague the average home. In the case of a filter, this is done by stretching a fiber mesh across a section of ductwork. All air that flows through the filter carries contaminants with it, and those contaminants become trapped in the filter. Then, you just replace the filter every few months to keep things operating smoothly.
Air purifiers are powered systems, and work in a variety of ways. UV air purifiers, for example, use ultraviolet light to kill off any germs or mold spores that might be lurking in your air. This lowers your chances of getting sick. Ionization purifiers, on the other hand, use clouds of ions to draw contaminants to a collection plate, which can then be removed and cleaned. Consult with a professional to determine the best air purifier for you.
Duct Cleaning
Most areas of the home have lower concentrations of these contaminants, provided you allow fresh air to flow through them. One exception to this, though, is the ductwork.
Ducts are not cleaned very often, and don’t receive much air flow when a climate control system isn’t operating. This makes them a prime haven for all kinds of airborne contaminants in which to collect and build up. Then, when you do turn on a climate control system, all of those contaminants are blown around the house at once. This amplifies their effects, lowering your indoor air quality significantly.
Duct cleaning is an ideal way to deal with this, because it removes the high concentrations of contaminants before they can be circulated throughout the house.
Touchstone Heating & Air Inc. provides a wide range of indoor air quality services in Macclenny, FL. If you require indoor air quality services, we can help you. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.