Improve IAQ: Eliminate 5 Pollutants with Your AC System
Polluted air causes respiratory ailments, allergies, and other serious health conditions, so air quality (IAQ) is critical for our health and comfort. A central air conditioning (AC) system is extremely useful for keeping indoor environments cool while filtering the air to improve IAQ.
Indoor air pollution (IAP) is a worldwide public health crisis affecting millions daily. Poor IAQ worsens by poor ventilation, toxic building materials, and other factors; according to WHO estimates, IAP causes approximately 4.3 million deaths annually. While pollutants may enter our homes through poor ventilation or air leakage, installing an air conditioning system can help mitigate some negative effects on air quality. Let’s look at the five most common indoor air pollutants that your AC system can help eliminate.
Dust
Dust is an air pollutant that can cause allergic reactions and respiratory problems. Dust accumulation in your air conditioner system, composed of particles found in dead skin cells, pollen, pet dander, and other sources, can reduce efficiency while causing health concerns; changing out your AC filter regularly will help reduce its presence in the home’s air.
Mold
Mold is a fungus that thrives in moist or humid environments, producing allergenic spores that can cause allergic reactions and respiratory problems in people prone to them. Mold can form inside your AC system if there is too much moisture; regular AC maintenance, which includes cleaning and decontaminating coils, ducts, and other components, will help to reduce its presence and keep mold at bay.
Pet Dander
Pet dander is a common allergen that can wreak havoc on the respiratory systems of those allergic to it. Pet dander, made up of skin and hair particles shed by pets, accumulates quickly in your home’s air when pets shed frequently – using an AC filter designed specifically to capture pet dander can help minimize its presence in your airspace.
Smoke
Smoke is an air pollutant that can cause serious health problems, including lung cancer. Tobacco smoke, wildfires, and other sources are among the sources. If you live in a smoke-polluted area, using an AC filter to trap smoke particles may be necessary; windows and doors must be kept closed when levels reach dangerously high.
VOCs
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) cause headaches, dizziness, and nausea. VOCs can come from various sources, including cleaning products, paint, and furniture; an AC filter designed specifically for VOCs can help reduce the amount of these chemicals in your home’s air and lower levels.
Improper AC Maintenance Poses Health Risks
Modern homes and offices require air conditioning (AC) systems to provide a comfortable indoor environment by controlling temperature and humidity. However, AC systems, like any mechanical piece, require regular care and maintenance to function optimally; failing to do so may pose serious health risks that you should be aware of.
The Risk of Respiratory Problems Increased
Our environment contains potentially harmful dust, allergens, and pollutants that can hurt our health. These impurities are filtered by an air conditioning system, which keeps the air inside homes and offices clean and healthy. If not properly cared for. However, its filters can become clogged with dust and debris, making it more difficult to filter out polluted air and increasing our risk of allergies, asthma attacks, or respiratory infections.
Heat-Related Illnesses Are More Common
One of the primary functions of an air conditioning system is to control indoor temperature. When temperatures rise during hot weather, a failing air conditioner can cause increased indoor temperatures, resulting in heat exhaustion and heatstroke – conditions that can be fatal for the elderly, young children, and people with preexisting health conditions.
Bacterial and Mold Growth
Mold and bacteria thrive in warm, damp environments, such as the cooling coil of your air conditioner. Without proper maintenance, your air conditioner could become an ideal environment for mold and bacteria growth, resulting in unpleasant odors, respiratory ailments, and potentially fatal health conditions like Legionnaires’ disease.
Air Quality Issues
A broken air conditioner can contribute to poor indoor air quality, causing users headaches, fatigue, and dizziness and exacerbating pre-existing medical conditions like asthma and allergies. Poor indoor air quality can aggravate pre-existing conditions such as asthma and allergies.
Why Plan Regular AC Maintenance?
Schedule regular maintenance inspections to extend the life and efficiency of your HVAC system and reap the benefits of improved performance, energy savings, and lower repair costs. Professional inspections are the best way to ensure proper operation. This practice provides numerous benefits, including improved performance, energy savings, and lower repair costs.
An HVAC technician will inspect your system regularly to identify any potential problems that may arise in the future. They’ll thoroughly clean it, replace worn-out parts with new ones, and make any necessary adjustments to improve its performance – all of which help to increase its overall efficiency, which can lower energy bills.
Scheduled inspections provide an additional benefit by assisting in detecting and resolving minor issues before they escalate into costly repairs later on. Furthermore, regular inspections will help extend your HVAC system’s lifespan, ensuring that it operates efficiently for years to come.
Talk To The Professionals
Failure to properly care for and maintain an air conditioning system can pose serious health risks. Failure to do so may increase the likelihood of respiratory problems, heat-related illnesses, mold and bacteria growth, and poor indoor air quality. A poorly maintained system may also increase energy costs; therefore, regular maintenance checks are essential. As a result, your air conditioner keeps you and your family healthy and comfortable.
Maintaining good indoor air quality (IAQ) is critical to our health and well-being, and an air conditioning system plays an important role. Changing AC filters regularly, keeping the system clean, and using filters designed to capture specific pollutants can all make a significant difference in your home’s IAQ. Removing five common contaminants from your air conditioning system allows you to enjoy cleaner, healthier air in your home. Please contact Happy Hippo Heating & Cooling to schedule a consultation with our experts. We guarantee unrivaled HVAC services at market-competitive prices.
