Indoor Air Quality Solutions for Better Respiratory Health
When we relocated from New Jersey to the Tampa Bay area more than 15 years ago, we knew we were leaving cold winters behind, but we also thought we were escaping seasonal allergies, too. Unfortunately, we learned that the southern tropical climate we so warmly embraced also meant there were a variety of allergens year-round causing respiratory challenges for many Florida residents.
According to the Weather Channel, grasses are currently at a moderate level and seem to be the pollen of the month. Ragweed and oak are also on the radar. Although we are not being plagued by high levels of these allergens, it never hurts to be proactive when it comes to the air we breathe.
The Mayo Clinic suggests several ways to improve indoor air quality throughout the year, and these include:
- Use air conditioning in your house and car.
- If you have forced air conditioning in your house, use high-efficiency filters and follow regular maintenance schedules.
- Keep indoor air dry with a dehumidifier.
- Use a portable high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter in the bedroom.
- Clean floors often with a vacuum cleaner that has a HEPA filter.
With expertise in heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC-R), it was crucial for the professionals at Proficient Air to find indoor air quality solutions to help our friends, neighbors, and community successfully overcome respiratory issues triggered by any number of allergens.
Routine Air Conditioner Maintenance
Schedule regular air conditioner maintenance services or enroll in a maintenance program in the Tampa Bay area, and routinely change the air filter in your air handler to improve the overall air quality, increase the longevity of your air conditioner, and reduce energy costs.
Routinely Change the Air Filter
Air filters are in place to catch dust and other airborne particulates as air passes through the system. If the air filter becomes clogged, the air conditioner will continuously operate in its attempt to force air through the dirty filter, spreading pollutants through the ventilation system, and into your home or workplace. This significantly impacts air quality and air conditioner efficiency. Failing to change air filters easily results in compromised health and higher energy costs.
A variety of air filters are available, depending on your budget, air system requirements, and functional needs:
- Flat-Panel
- Pleated
- Electrostatic
- Washable
- HEPA
Consider HVAC Products to Improve Indoor Air Quality
Aside from air filters, there are a variety of effective products that have been designed to work within the air conditioning system to remove pollen, mold, bacteria, yeast, fungi, and dust and prevent them from circulating indoors.
Consider the addition of one of the following state-of-the-art products Proficient Air recommends, sells, and installs to significantly improve your indoor air quality and protect your family.
- Ultraviolet Coil Irradiation UV Lamp Kit
A UV light is a source of destruction for microbes, mold spores, bacteria, and viruses in air conditioning systems, hospital rooms and even drinking water. A stick-shaped device is installed in the air handler near the blower section and coil to prevent mold and fungal growth on all surfaces of the air handler. The air handler is the most common place to find mold, due to the cold temperatures of the evaporator and condensate pan.
A study by the American Association of Applied Microbiology showed that a germicidal UV light installed in an HVAC air handler was an effective tool to eliminate fungus, mold, and microbes from the air handler, as well as to reduce airborne microbes.
A UV lamp kit is proven to protect the air you breathe, making it a wise, practical investment, especially during allergy season. The UV bulb is relatively inexpensive and typically lasts one or two years.
- Reme Halo Whole-House Air Purification System
This American-made system installs in the unit’s main supply air trunk dispersing hydrogen peroxide into the entire home’s ventilation system, treating every room and surface it encounters. The combination of the hydrogen peroxide disbursement and internal UV light destroys mold spores, bacteria, viruses, fungi, VOCs, odors, smoke, etc. It has also been proven to reduce allergens such as pollen, dander, and dust, and it eradicates stinky pet odors
These lamps are commonly used in hospitals and government facilities to safely clean and sterilize the air and prevent sick building syndrome. Proficient Air recommends the Reme Halo Air Purification System based on the following stats:
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- It destroys 99% of bacteria, mold, and viruses.
- Germs are killed within 3’ of their source.
- It provides whole-home coverage.
- You can control the output of the device.
- It is approved for use in American and international hospitals for combating infectious diseases.
- It is proven effective against the SARS virus in China.
- It is approved for use in USDA, FSIS, and the FDA food processing plants.
Bulb replacement is required every two years in the Reme Halo System. It is an exceptional product that improves the overall air quality in homes and businesses for the health and well-being of families, guests, and customers.
- 4” Media Filter Cabinet
A 4” media filter cabinet is exponentially more effective than a standard air filter at collecting airborne particulates like pollen, dust, and dander, as well as bacteria, molds, and viruses. This amazing air filter component has multiple layers of pleated materials that filter particulates from the air before they circulate throughout your home or office.
Moreover, this whole-home media filter cabinet also helps extend the life of air conditioning units by reducing the prevalence of dust and other airborne particles that penetrate the air system.
A media filter replaces the need for stand-alone air purifiers in your home for cleaner, healthier indoor air. For maximum effectiveness and efficiency, these filters require changing every six months to a year.
A central air conditioning system is an important investment for property owners in the Tampa Bay area, so you want to make sure it operates at its optimum year-round for the duration of its life. Maintenance is the key to keeping your air system functioning efficiently and effectively year after year while sustaining better air quality for you and your family.
The expert Proficient Air service technicians are highly qualified to exercise best practices in air conditioning maintenance and indoor air quality throughout the Tampa Bay area. Each professional air conditioning service technician and installer is trained to safely and accurately assess your current system and recommend products that are best suited for your air conditioning system, your home’s air quality, and your family’s health.
Proficient Air in Palm Harbor offers a variety of air conditioning maintenance contracts that are specifically tailored to meet your needs and budget. Contact Proficient Air for air conditioning maintenance and improved air quality in the Tampa Bay area and breathe easier by protecting your HVAC investment and your family. 727.386.2732
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