Did you know that most of us live in homes with poor internal air quality? We spend much of our lives inhaling dust, pollen, mold, and other pollutants. That causes a variety of health problems that degrade our quality of life. The good news is that we have plenty of tools for improving internal air quality. Your HVAC system is one of the most powerful options. It can purify the air, push contaminated air out of your home, and help eliminate some sources of pollution. That is why you should use your HVAC system as the foundation for your air quality strategy.
Understanding Indoor Air Quality
The air we breathe plays host to a wide variety of pollutants. Some of them are too small to see, which makes them easy to overlook, but they still influence your health. You can take some steps to prevent them from accumulating, but most of them are byproducts of daily life. You need a way to deal with them to keep your respiratory system safe.
Dust is the most common indoor air pollutant. While regular cleaning can help keep it under control, you cannot eliminate all of it. Your home may also contain mold spores, pet dander, smoke, and volatile organic compounds. All of those contaminants can cause respiratory problems. For example, they can aggravate your allergies and cause asthma attacks. You might also suffer from headaches, dizziness, and even chronic health issues if your home’s air quality is particularly poor. If you clean the air in your home, you may be able to alleviate your symptoms.
Your HVAC system is one of the most powerful tools for protecting your home from pollution. Most of the alternatives can only address a few of the potential contaminants. A good HVAC system will take care of all of them at the same time. It is also the easiest option. For example, you can clean your home to prevent some pollutants from accumulating, but that takes a lot of work. You can also rely on your HVAC system to purge those pollutants effortlessly. That strategy works best if you take advantage of the full range of air quality technologies available to you.
Direct Filtration
You can use your HVAC system to directly remove contaminants from the air. Every HVAC system includes a small filter, but the best results come from adding dedicated filters and air purifiers. The two technologies sound similar, but they perform differently. You may want to use both of them, especially if you are worried about many types of pollutants.
Air filtration systems focus on removing relatively large particles from the air. They excel at removing dust, pollen, and other debris from the air. If you suffer from seasonal allergies, an air filter can be a great choice. They are also great for pet owners or people who have hobbies that produce sawdust or other particles. On the other hand, they struggle to deal with small particles, organic vapors, and other contaminants.
Air purifiers are great for dealing with smaller particles, germs, and even some chemical vapors. Many of them include a filter, but they also use advanced photocatalytic oxidation technology. That allows air purifiers to neutralize pollutants that can make it through a traditional filter. If you are worried about airborne disease or harmful chemicals, consider using an air purifier. As a bonus, air purifiers are also great for eliminating foul odors from your home.
It can be hard to pick which filtration or purification options are right for your home. We can help. At We Care Plumbing, Heating and Air, we have experience installing both systems in homes around Murrieta, CA. We can help you understand your options and determine which one will meet your needs. Our team will also integrate your new purification or filtration system into your existing HVAC system. We strive to make the process as quick and easy as possible for you and your family.
Humidity Management
Your home’s humidity levels will also affect its air quality. If your home is too humid, mold and mildew will flourish. They will release spores into the air. Those spores can cause asthma attacks and aggravate your allergies. In rare cases, they can even cause people to suffer from serious diseases. A good air filter or purifier will eliminate most spores, but you can also stop them at the source. If you keep your home from getting too humid, you will eliminate most of the mold growth.
On the other hand, you also want to avoid excessively low humidity. It is easier for dust and other contaminants to circulate in relatively dry air. That makes it have a much bigger impact on your health.
In general, you should try to keep your home at a moderate humidity level. You can do that by installing a humidity control system. That includes both a humidifier and a dehumidifier. You need both to ensure that the system can cope with the ambient humidity level. They will work together to ensure your home’s humidity level is stable and healthy.
Air Exchange Systems
Internal air is almost always more polluted than exterior air. That means that good ventilation will improve your indoor air quality by exchanging dirty air with fresh, external air. This is especially important if you are working with paint or any other substance that releases fumes. Those contaminants accumulate quickly, so good ventilation is vital to prevent pollution buildup.
While you can improve ventilation by opening windows, a good HVAC system is a more efficient option. Their performance varies dramatically between systems. Some HVAC systems, such as many older heating systems, do not bring any external air into your home. On the other hand, some modern systems include dedicated devices to improve ventilation. If you want to improve your home’s air quality, you should ensure that your home has adequate ventilation. If your home suffers from stale air, you should consider upgrading your HVAC system.
We Care About Your Air
If you want to take care of your respiratory health, you need to breathe clean air. Our modern lifestyles often make that difficult, but your HVAC system offers a solution.
It can clean, circulate, and regulate the air in your home to keep it as pure as possible. Our job is to make sure your HVAC system can get the job done. At We Care Plumbing, Heating and Air, we specialize in providing home improvement services throughout southern California and the Murrieta area. Our team will upgrade your HVAC system to purify your home’s air.
We will also maintain your system to ensure you have clean air for years to come. Our experts can also take care of your plumbing needs at the same time. We always go the extra mile for our customers, so you can trust us to take care of your home. Contact us today if you are ready to start breathing clean air.
