Your risk of cardiovascular or respiratory disease could increase if you’re neglecting indoor air quality. Americans spend an average of 90% of their time indoors. Inside, concentrations of pollutants are two to five times higher than they are outside.
Instead of compromising your family’s health, schedule routine HVAC maintenance in Atascocita, TX. Cleaning your heating/cooling unit can clear the air of dust and pollutants.
How can HVAC maintenance reduce air pollution in your home? Read on to find out!
Trap Dust and Pollutants
Tiny particles of dust and pollutants can float around your house, spreading from room to room. Usually, your HVAC system’s air filter can catch pollutants. These include germs, pollen, and pet dander.
Over time, your HVAC unit’s air filter can get clogged. Your HVAC unit will struggle to push air through the filter. Components will start sustaining wear and tear.
Essential components may break down, affecting the unit’s energy efficiency. Your energy bills will rise as the unit struggles to operate.
Meanwhile, pollutants will travel through your home. As family members breathe in these pollutants, they may experience respiratory issues. Pollutants can aggravate allergies and contribute to serious health problems.
Before that happens, call your Atascocita, TX HVAC professionals. They can replace your air filters. You should replace them every three months (or more often if you have pets).
Consult your HVAC technician. They can recommend a filter with a higher MERV rating. These filters can catch even the smallest particles.
Control Humidity Levels
An effective heating/cooling unit should regulate the amount of temperature within your home. If it’s not, the humidity levels in your home will rise. Too much humidity can contribute to health problems.
Excessive moisture will cause your home to feel hot and stuffy. Viruses, bacteria, and fungi thrive in humid indoor environments. Within a few days, mold and mildew will start to grow.
Mold particles can spread throughout your home. Breathing in these particles can aggravate allergies. Short-term exposure can cause:
- Sneezing
- Trouble breathing
- Sinus and nasal congestion
- Itchy, water eyes
- Asthma attacks
- Headaches
- Skin irritation
- Nosebleeds
- Sore throats
- Coughing
- Wheezing
- Blurry vision
- Red eyes
Too little moisture, on the other hand, can cause respiratory issues. You may develop a sore throat or notice your skin is itchy.
Neither option is safe. Consult your local HVAC professionals. They’ll help you maintain ideal humidity levels.
Better Unit Operation
Scheduling routine HVAC maintenance will ensure your unit is running efficiently and effectively. An experienced technician will assess the unit’s components. If they notice wear and tear, they can replace smaller components instead of the entire unit.
These maintenance checks involve:
- Replacing the air filter
- Cleaning air ducts
- Ensuring proper unit operation
- Checking the evaporator coil
- Cleaning the condensate drain line
Your Atascocita HVAC technician can make customized recommendations to improve your home’s air quality. For example, you can use air purifiers to remove airborne particles from your home.
Some devices can prove harmful byproducts. Consulting a professional will ensure you select a purifier with your home and needs in mind.
Your HVAC unit can produce moisture. Usually, it drains moisture through the condensate drain line. When it’s not cleaned properly, it can become clogged and promote biological growth.
You may notice musty odors and increased humidity levels. Your HVAC technician can clean the drain line, improving your indoor air quality.
Minimize Seasonal Allergies
Allergens can spread throughout your home if you delay scheduling routine HVAC tune-ups. Over 100 million Americans struggle with various types of allergies each year. Allergies are now the sixth leading cause of chronic illness in the US.
About 81 million Americans (26% of adults and 19% of children in the US) have seasonal allergic rhinitis. It’s an allergic reaction to pollen from grass, trees, and weeds. Symptoms can include:
- Itchy or watery eyes
- Nasal congestion
- Sinus swelling or pain
Other indoor allergy triggers include dust mites, cockroaches, pet dander, and mold spores. You can keep allergens from spreading with proper maintenance.
Keep Pests Out
Proper HVAC maintenance can protect your home from pests. An HVAC technician will ensure the integrity of your home’s ducts. These ducts act as a barrier to prevent small animals and pests from getting inside.
If animals get trapped in your ducts, foul odors may spread throughout your home. Maintaining clean air ducts can keep microorganisms (like bacteria and viruses) from infiltrating the system.
Prevent Back Drafts
Back drafts occur when combustion gasses from appliances (like furnaces or water heaters) enter your home instead of releasing. This can occur when low air pressure inside affects the pressure differential. The system won’t work correctly, causing a back draft.
This can become dangerous if gasses like carbon monoxide travel throughout your home. Carbon monoxide can make it harder for your blood to carry oxygen. This can harm your heart, brain, and other organs.
You may experience:
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Weakness
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Confusion
- Nausea
- Chest pain
- Blurred vision
Schedule routine maintenance and have your duct systems checked. A technician will look for leaks that are causing negative air pressure.
Maintain Ventilation
Routine HVAC maintenance can improve your indoor air quality by ensuring property ventilation throughout your home. Otherwise, tight seals may cause poor airflow. This can cause the air inside to become stagnant.
If contaminants enter your home, they’ll remain trapped inside. Your indoor air quality will worsen over time.
A technician can replace your HVAC unit if necessary. They’ll ensure proper ventilation, improving your home’s air quality.
Improving the ventilation will improve your HVAC unit’s energy efficiency. You may notice a drop in your monthly energy bill.
Improve Indoor Air Quality With HVAC Maintenance
Don’t wait until you start experiencing respiratory problems. Instead, request HVAC maintenance to improve your home’s indoor air quality. Routine maintenance will ensure your heating/cooling unit is functioning as intended.
If there are problems, your HVAC technician can offer customized solutions based on your needs. Look no further for routine maintenance than Guy’s Air Conditioning and Heating Services! We can keep your unit in tip-top shape, helping you avoid unexpected costs.
Rely on our 35 years of industry experience. Contact us to discover our HVAC maintenance plans!
