There are a number of pollutants outside that can be detrimental to our health, but did you know that indoor air pollutants can be harmful too? Your home’s indoor air quality (IAQ) can deteriorate as the heat and humidity of Carrollton’s summer weather start moving in. Unfortunately, our air conditioning systems may not be able to improve your indoor air quality as much as you need, but this doesn’t mean that you need a new unit.
The indoor air quality experts at Lex Air Conditioning and Heating are here to help you decrease your indoor air pollution and improve your air quality. We offer a variety of air quality equipment and services to our Carrollton residents so that you can finally breathe easily.
What is IAQ?
IAQ stands for Indoor Air Quality and is used in reference to the air quality found in buildings and other structures. According to OSHA, the following elements can affect a home or business IAQ:
- Poor ventilation
- Temperature
- Humidity
- Chemicals
- Mold caused by water damage
Consequences of Poor Indoor Air Quality
Indoor pollution is one of the most significant causes of poor indoor air quality. Our homes are filled with chemicals and pollutants that can cause poor air quality, like some building materials, fuel-burning combustion appliances, like gas stoves, and pollutants from the outside air, like pesticides and radon. These harmful chemicals would be considered volatile organic compounds, or VOCs.
Biological contaminants are another serious indoor pollutant to be concerned with. These contaminants include mold spores, bacteria, germs, viruses, and more. They can be transferred to one another by touch, coughing, or sneezing. These bacterial contaminants can cause respiratory diseases and other illnesses if your home or business isn’t properly ventilated.
In addition to pollutants and other contaminants that can affect your air quality inside, temperature, humidity, and ventilation all play a role in your overall air quality. Specific temperatures and humidity levels can create the perfect environment for growing bacteria and mold. This happens when your HVAC system isn’t able to remove the moisture in the air. Poor ventilation can affect air quality by improperly filtering or bringing in contaminants through leaks or holes in your air ducts.
If you believe improving indoor air quality could be the key to making your home comfortable again, contact Lex Air Conditioning and Heating for more information about the Carrollton air quality services we provide.
Ways To Improve Indoor Air Quality
The good news is that you don’t have to live with poor air quality forever. At Lex Air Conditioning and Heating, we provide efficient and effective indoor air quality devices. Depending on your air quality needs, one of our experienced technicians can recommend a suitable device. Whether you need a humidifier, dehumidifier, air scrubber, or if you need your air ducts cleaned, the Carrollton air quality pros have you covered.
Keep Your Air Filter Clean
While this is probably the easiest way to improve indoor air quality, it bears repeating. Regular filter changes or cleanings are essential — not only for keeping your system running optimally but also for protecting the air your family breathes.
A dirty air filter delivers a double whammy: It compromises your HVAC system’s ability to do the job it was designed to do while negatively impacting the respiratory systems of everyone who enters your home. Make your house a safe breathing zone by committing to regular air filter changes. Changing your air filter every 30 to 90 days is recommended, depending on your indoor air. For example, homeowners with pets may need to change their air filters more frequently than those without.
If you’re struggling with indoor air quality, but you’re changing your filter regularly, and everything else is in working order, you may need an air duct cleaning. Over time, dust, dirt, and other allergens can build up in your air ducts, which can cause your airflow to become restricted. Cleaning your air ducts every three to five years can improve air quality in your home.
Control Indoor Humidity
Keeping humidity in check is another key way to ensure the breathability of the air inside your home, as excess humidity can be a chief contributor to poor indoor air quality. Your air conditioner is designed to remove excess humidity from the air. For your AC to continue eliminating excess moisture from the air, it’s important to schedule annual AC tune-ups. If your humidity problem is extreme, don’t panic. The summer months in Carrollton can have excessive humidity levels that might be too much for your air conditioner to keep up with. If your AC is working correctly but has more humidity in your home than you prefer, consider investing in an IAQ product such as a whole-house or portable dehumidifier.
Purify the Air Inside Your Home
Using the right IAQ technology can be the tipping point in optimizing the condition of your indoor air, making it safer and healthier for you and your family. Whether your air quality issues would be better addressed through a stand-alone air cleaner or air purification system or by installing a UV lamp to deliver the internal purification that sanitizes your system’s evaporator coil, the result should be cleaner, healthier air for all who enter your home.
Other Tips and Tricks for Improving the IAQ in Your Home
Other ways to improve your home’s air quality include minor changes to your everyday habits and activities. Listed below are several easy adjustments you can make to remove allergens and other particles so that you can breathe fresh air in your home.
- Clean regularly: Vacuuming and mopping regularly can help reduce allergens in your home, like pet dander, dust, and pollen. It can also help reduce chemicals like lead and other fire-retardant chemicals. Vacuums with a HEPA filter prevent contaminants from being blown back into the air while you vacuum. Just mop after vacuuming to pick up any leftover particles.
- Ditch the shoes at the door: Can you imagine how many contaminants you track in from your shoes? Leave them by the door or outside, and you’ll avoid bringing dirt or other particles into your home.
- HEPA filters: Air filters help eliminate many allergens and pollutants from our indoor air. HEPA filters have a tighter weave, which helps keep more particles from entering your home, but they can also hurt your system if the filter isn’t installed correctly. If you’re considering installing a HEPA filter, call Lex Air Conditioning and Heating!
- Smoke outdoors: Smoking in your home can significantly decrease air quality. Cigarettes contain over 4,000 chemicals, so imagine where they go when smoking in your home.
- Natural cleaning products: Many of the cleaning products we use in our homes contain VOCs and other chemicals that harm the air we breathe. Making a simple change, like switching to natural products like vinegar, baking soda, and lemon juice, can make a big difference in reducing the VOCs within your home. Another way to switch to cleaner products is to look for naturally scented or fragrance-free products.
- Go green: Opening your windows can let in the fresh air and let out any dangerous contaminants or particles floating around your home. You can also add some indoor plants that rid the air of harmful chemicals and naturally clean the air. Plants like ferns, spider plants, and aloe all help improve your indoor air.
Call the Carrollton Indoor Air Quality Specialists at Lex Air Conditioning & Heating Today
Improving the air you breathe in your home doesn’t have to be a huge task. If you want to add an air-quality device to your home, look no further than the Lex Air Conditioning and Heating experts. One of our air quality techs can visit your home and evaluate your current air quality situation. Once they determine how your air can be improved, they can make the proper suggestions so you can breathe clean air. Whether you need a humidifier, air scrubber, or dehumidifier, the Carrollton indoor air quality experts are ready to help. To schedule an air quality consultation, call us today at (972) 217-8955 or contact us online!
