A/C Designs, Inc.
According to the EPA, indoor air quality can be two to five times more polluted than outdoor air. During the spring and flu season, this can take a toll on family members who get sick or suffer from allergies. While we’re all spending more time inside practicing proper social distancing, we want to do everything we can to improve our air quality. Fortunately, you can breathe easy with these quick steps.
Improve Ventilation
Your home is already built to keep the air clean through constant circulation—you just have to take advantage of it. Remember to turn on the hood fan over your stove every time you cook and use the ventilator fan in the bathroom. Of course, keep all your air vents open throughout the home. If weather permits, open doors and windows to improve circulation and reduce levels of indoor pollutants. Try this in the early morning or evening, when temperatures outside are cooler.
Change A/C Air Filters and Maintain Your Unit
You must change your air filters regularly, not only for improved indoor air quality, but also for a well-functioning unit. Air filters serve as a trap for dirt and allergens such as dust, pollen, mold and pet dander. But, if your air filter gets clogged, its effectiveness is significantly diminished. For 1” to 3” filters, a good rule of thumb is to replace them every 30 to 60 days.
In addition, keeping the vents to your HVAC unit clean and dust-free helps keep these substances from ending up in the air you breathe. If you have trouble remembering when to care for your unit, you can sign up for maintenance programs through heating and cooling companies. These provide scheduled unit checks throughout the year, same day service, 24-hour emergency service, and more.
Banish Dust Mites
Dust mites thrive in humid environments like we have in Northeast Florida. Vacuum your floors and furniture regularly to reduce the amount of dust, and also consider investing in special covers to protect your mattress. Washing your bedding in hot water on a weekly basis is another step you can take to improve the level of allergy-triggering dust mites in the home. Also, if possible, try steaming your tile or wood floors rather than mopping, as the hot steam will kill more bacteria and allergens.
Use An Indoor Air Purifier
Indoor air purifiers can make a huge impact on improving the air quality in your home. One option we recommend at A/C Designs is the REME HALO®. It is designed to eliminate sick building syndrome risks by reducing odors and air pollutants. Validated tests even suggest the REME HALO® can reduce certain viruses in the air, although it is not a medical device.
The quality of the air your family breathes should be a top priority, as poor air quality can have serious implications for both your comfort and your health. Sometimes indoor air quality can be compromised, and it can be difficult to understand what the exact problem is, or how to resolve it. If you have any concerns about the indoor air quality in your home, contact an expert to help make your home a more comfortable, healthy place to live.
Ed Tennant is the owner at A/C Designs, Inc., which offers air conditioning and heating services to Duval and St. Johns County. To learn more about solutions to improve home air quality and breathe easier, visit ACDesignsJax.com.
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