Not Cool; Delaying AC Repairs Could Diminish Indoor Air Quality
Dallas, TX (PRWEB) May 19, 2014 -- A “sneezing and wheezing” air conditioning system could cause the same symptoms for you and your family! That’s because there is a direct link between a central air conditioning system, indoor air quality and the health of homeowners and their families.
May brings both National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month, plus hotter weather for much of the country, so it’s an ideal time to consider how the AC system is affecting the air inside the home. In fact, one out of six people who suffer from allergies do so because of the direct relationship to the fungi and bacteria in their home’s air duct system.
“What you can’t see may hurt you,” said Dave Moody, director of marketing for Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning. “Among other things, your heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system acts as a filter and air ventilator, so delaying AC repairs may allow bad air to circulate throughout your home.”
Indoor air can contain unhealthful concentrations of microbes, mildew, viruses, bacteria, dust, pollen, allergens and dirt as well as chemical vapors from paints, carpets, furniture and cleaning solvents. “During the season, our AC repair service technicians reach about 2,000 homes a day, and we see the issue of poor indoor quality everywhere,” Moody said.
Moody cites five ways a homeowner’s heating and air conditioning system could be affecting their indoor air quality – and one general safety concern related to the AC system:
1) Poor filtration, whether it’s from an ineffective HVAC air filter or a dirty and clogged air filter, poor air filtration can allow harmful or irritating particles to circulate throughout the home. On the other hand, the result of good air filtration is cleaner, purer air. It can also help reduce dust inside the home and could even help extend the life of your HVAC system. The top-of-the-line air filter technology today is a HEPA (High Efficiency Particle Air) filter, which removes 99.97% of the contaminants in the air.
2) Moisture control. Maintaining the proper amount of humidity inside a home promotes comfortable living. However, balancing humidity can be tricky. Too little moisture can make the home’s occupants vulnerable to infection, while too much can create a breeding grounds for microbes, mildew or dust mites. Keeping the humidity levels between 45-50% inhibits the growth of microbes. A well-designed AC system will efficiently and consistently control the humidity throughout the home. In many instances, a whole-home humidifier or dehumidifier will help correct indoor humidity challenges. These are easier to use than portable units and effectively maintain a proper level of moisture throughout the home, instead of in a single room.
3) Leaking air ducts are big contributors to poor indoor air quality, by pulling untreated and contaminated air from inside walls and attics. In addition, dirty ducts can breed microbes and bacteria. A Precision Tune-Up for the A/C system from Service Experts includes an inspection of the home’s air ducts to be sure they are sealed and sized properly, and are clean. “We have had customers who spent a lot of money for a top-of-the-line HVAC system, but the home’s air ducts weren't sized properly and they are still leaking 25% of their cool air into the attic or basement,” said Moody. “A new furnace or air conditioner is only as good as the duct system it’s tied to.”
4) Dirty air ducts can breed microbes and bacteria, and air duct cleaning isn’t something a homeowner should attempt to tackle on their own. Germicidal lights can be an effective solution for keeping air ducts (and the air in your home) germ free from living organisms like spores, viruses and bacteria are a concern. As the highest UV light intensity on the market, an ultraviolet germicidal light also helps to reduce concentrations of bioaerosols as well as deter such harmful contaminants as mold, mildew, bacteria and viruses from forming.
5) Ventilation. Opening windows used to be a simple way to circulate airflow in the home. Now, due to energy efficiency concerns, many homes have been more tightly sealed, eliminating air leaks. This means, however, contaminants also have no way to escape the home. Whole-home air ventilation is needed in these cases to efficiently exchange the poor indoor air for new, fresh outdoor air. Ventilation systems monitor both indoor and outdoor temperatures and continuously deliver the required air replacement without sacrificing energy efficiency.
“Now is the time to take control of your home’s indoor air quality. If you’re not sure if your home is at risk, schedule a complimentary appointment with a HVAC professional to conduct an indoor air quality analysis,” concluded Moody.
About Service Experts
Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning, based in Plano, Texas, is one of North America's largest heating and air conditioning brands, with over 95 locations serving more than 2,000 homes and businesses per day. Service Experts service centers provide heating repair, air conditioning repair, indoor air quality sales and service, HVAC system sales and installation, and HVAC maintenance for both the residential and commercial HVAC markets. Find Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning at on.fb.me/serviceexperts or at ServiceExperts.com
Karla Neely, Calise Partners, +1 214.269.2196, [email protected]
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