Improve Indoor Air Quality to Breathe Easier This Holiday Season
The lungs have gotten a lot of press lately with the onslaught of vaping-related injuries and deaths across the United States.
We often take the air we breathe for granted. After all, most of us don’t have to consciously think about breathing, it just happens as a natural function of our bodies that supplies oxygen to keep us alive. Of course, the breathing process can become compromised with smoking and vaping habits and chronic health conditions like asthma, allergies, cystic fibrosis, cancer, emphysema and COPD, which complicate the lungs’ ability to do their job.
October 20-26, is Respiratory Health Week and November is COPD Awareness Month, so there is really no better time than now to discuss ways to improve the indoor air quality in your home to breathe easier this holiday season!
Air Conditioning Systems & Air Quality
One of the most important investments a Florida homeowner can make is a quality air conditioning system. With proper maintenance, today’s energy-efficient units are capable of keeping your family comfortable for many years.
Unfortunately, too many people neglect their air conditioner until something happens and costly repairs or system replacements are required. Typically, air systems will fail because homeowners forget to change the air filter, causing the system unnecessary stress. When air conditioners are forced to work harder, they frequently “freeze-up,” or break down, requiring service, repairs, and replacement.
Air conditioners serve to cool the air circulated throughout your home, and 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 to move air through the dirty filter, spreading those nasty particulates through the ventilation system, diminishing energy efficiency. This results in higher energy costs and poor air quality.
Without proper maintenance and regular air filter changes, dust, mold spores, bacteria, yeast, fungi, and other micro-organisms collect on-air system coils and are sustained in a cool, dark, moist environment. When the air handler pushes the air through the ductwork, these nasty particulates are circulated throughout your home for you, your family and your pets to breathe.
This is most certainly a contributing factor to the onset or exacerbation of many respiratory illnesses. Combine poor indoor air quality with outdoor allergens and it can negatively affect anyone, not just those with respiratory issues. Changing the air filter in your air handler will improve the overall air quality in your home, increase the longevity of your air conditioner, reduce energy consumption and subsequent energy costs.
Mold Contamination
The Florida Department of Health FAQ page provides important information about mold and mold exposure:
“There are four kinds of health problems that come from exposure to mold: allergic illness, irritant effects, infection, and toxic effects. For people that are sensitive to molds, symptoms such as nasal and sinus irritation or congestion, dry hacking cough, wheezing, skin rashes or burning, watery or reddened eyes may occur. People with severe allergies to molds may have more serious reactions, such as hay-fever-like symptoms or shortness of breath. People with chronic illnesses or people with immune system problems may be more likely to get infections from certain molds, viruses, and bacteria. Molds can also trigger asthma attacks in persons with asthma. Headaches, memory problems, mood swings, nosebleeds, and body aches and pains are sometimes reported in mold complaints, but the causes of these physical symptoms are not yet understood. Allergic disease is now considered the most likely health problem related to mold exposures. Research into the possible health effects related to mold exposure continues today.”
The FDOH continued, “Mold exposure affects each individual differently. What one person can tolerate with little or no effect may cause symptoms in another individual.
“The long-term presence of indoor mold may eventually become unhealthy for anyone. Those with special health concerns should consult a medical doctor if they feel their health is affected by indoor mold. The following types of people may be affected sooner and more severely than others:
- Babies and children
- Elderly persons
- Individuals with chronic respiratory conditions or allergies or asthma
- Persons having weakened immune systems (for example, people with HIV or AIDS, chemotherapy patients, or organ transplant recipients)”
HVAC Products Improve Indoor Air Quality
Proficient Air offers the following defense mechanisms that can be installed in your air conditioning system to remove mold, bacteria, yeast, fungi, dust, and dander in the air system and prevent them from becoming airborne, which improves the overall air quality in your home:
Ultraviolet Coil Irradiation UV Lamp Kit
A UV lamp is designed to be installed in the blower section of the air handler to prevent mold growth on all surfaces of the air handler. The bulbs last one-two years and typically cost $125. The air handler is the most common place to find mold due to cold temperatures of the evaporator and condensate pan. This will prevent the growth of mold in these areas and protect the air you breathe.
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. It destroys mold spores, bacteria, viruses, fungi, VOC’s, odors, smoke, etc. It has also been proven to reduce allergens such as pollen, dander and dust. Pet odors are also eradicated with this system. These lamps are commonly used in hospitals and government facilities to safely clean and sterilize the air, and prevent sick building syndrome. Bulb replacement is required every two years. This system will keep the air quality in your home safe for your family and guests for years to come.
4” Media Filter Cabinet
The whole-house media filter cabinet can extend the life of your new air conditioning unit by reducing the prevalence of dust and other airborne particles throughout the entire system. This will replace the need for other stand-alone filters in your home for a cleaner, healthier indoor air quality, without the expense of purchasing multiple filters. These filters require changing every six months to a year.
If you are planning to entertain over the holidays and are interested in learning more about these products and how they can help improve the air quality in your home, contact Proficient Air today. Our expert technicians are highly-qualified to exercise best practices in air conditioning service in Tampa, and they will accurately assess which product is recommended for your air conditioning system, your home, and your family.
If you experience problems with your HVAC system Proficient Air honors warranty repairs on most equipment, whether we installed it or not. Warranties only cover parts, however, and are subject to a warranty fee. Labor is an additional charge with warranty repairs. If your air conditioner is not under warranty, we happily provide a diagnostic assessment and estimate of the cost of repairs.
Proficient Air in Palm Harbor offers a variety of high-quality maintenance contracts, specifically tailored to your needs and budget. Breathe easier by protecting your HVAC investment and your family with improved indoor air quality in your home or business. Call us today: 727.386.2732
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