A Guide On Indoor Air Quality For Homeowners
It is very important for your health and quality of life to be sure that the air in your home is clean and healthy. At R.F. Ohl, we use the latest technologies and strategies to help you improve the air quality in your home. As HVAC and home comfort experts, we will do more than find ways to improve the air quality in your home. We will also help you to make your home as energy efficient and as comfortable as possible. We service Easton PA and the surrounding areas.
When you contact our office, we will send one of our NATE certified HVAC technicians to your home. To be sure that our techs have complete knowledge of the latest advances available in the heating and cooling industry, we make sure that our techs receive constant training and further education.
One primary duty of an HVAC tech is to provide proper ventilation of your home to ensure that you have clean indoor air. We know what it takes to make your indoor air as healthy as possible. Clean air is a good idea for anyone who wants to prevent certain illnesses that are caused by poor indoor air quality.
Our techs can provide a variety of services including heating and air conditioner maintenance. We also handle HVAC system installations and repairs. To schedule an appointment, give us a call today. You can also take advantage of our free consultations and our free 2nd opinions.
What All Homeowners Should Know About Indoor Air Quality
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When most homeowners think about air pollution, they think about the air quality outside the home. The most common images are a brown haze hanging over the horizon. What these homeowners don’t know is that there have been studies that have shown that the air inside the home can be five times more polluted than the air outdoors. Simply put, the air inside of your home can be worse for your health than the air outside.
What Causes Indoor Air Pollution?
It is not uncommon for air pollutants outside to get into the home. There are a few things that can result in reduced indoor air quality.
• Volatile Organic Compounds: These compounds are also known as VOC’s. They can cause headaches, dizziness, and nausea. They are typically found in the chemical fumes in solvents, paint, varnish, and turpentine as they dry.
• Byproducts Of Combustion: If there isn’t proper ventilation, appliances that burn fuel can emit hazardous gases such as nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide. A few examples of these appliances include space heaters, fireplaces, and gas stoves. When fuel burns at high temperatures without enough oxygen, the air quality can become dangerous.
• Cleaning Products: There are specific ingredients in cleaning products that can make the air unhealthy. These include chlorine, ammonia, and petroleum-based solvents. These products can cause your eyes to burn, and they can also cause headaches.
• Asbestos: New construction no longer uses asbestos since it can make the air quality very dangerous. Asbestos emits tiny fibers that when breathed in, can expose you to cancer. However, it is not uncommon for asbestos to be present in older homes.
How To Minimize Indoor Air Pollution
It is not easy for the typical homeowner to know what factors in the home could be contributing to poor indoor air quality. Even if a homeowner has identified the problem, they may not know how to eliminate the source. This issue is especially valid if the cause is coming from outside the home. Because of this, it is essential that the homeowner contacts a professional. There are many resources that offer lists of the best ways to improve indoor air quality standards. That is an excellent place for the homeowner to start. They discuss a few of the most fundamental indoor air quality facts. However, once again, call a professional.
Steps Homeowners Can Take
- Change The Air Filters Regularly: Filtration is essential in trapping the pollutants and removing them before they find their way indoors. It is best that homeowners change their air filters at least once each month. Also, homeowners should choose high-quality filters for best results. Higher quality filters are capable of trapping matter of all sizes which cheaper filters are not capable of doing.
- Use Exhaust Fans And Hoods In The Kitchen And Bathroom: The kitchen and bathroom are two areas of the home where mold is likely to grow. By installing fans and hoods, it should keep mold levels down to a minimum.
- Have a Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV) Installed: This ventilator is a helpful indoor air quality product in a modern home. A newer home’s airtight construction makes the home more energy efficient. However, it comes a the cost of making it difficult for the impaired air indoors to make its way outdoors. An HRV can handle the problem. It will remove the stale air from inside. The HRV will put the same amount of fresh outdoor air inside to minimize mold growth.
- Bring Plants Into the Home: Certain plants, such as English ivy, aloe, and bamboo, and palm can purify the air in the home. These plants also make the home more comfortable, and they are pleasing to the eye. They can do all of this without causing noise pollution.
- Be Sure That Your HVAC System Is Properly Maintained: Regular HVAC maintenance is vital to be sure that it is working at its peak efficiency. Regular maintenance will also reduce the risk of indoor air pollution. It is essential to have the system maintained during the beginning of heating and cooling season. Also, it is crucial to schedule repairs when needed.
Easton Indoor Air Quality
Minimizing indoor air pollution should be the homeowner’s top priority. When homeowners know what causes it and how to prevent it, they can successfully improve their indoor air quality. It is best that a professional handle specific indoor air quality problems.
If the homeowner wants indoor air quality testing, they should contact R.F. Ohl. Our HVAC techs have an excellent understanding of ways to improve the air quality so that your home will be a healthy place for the family.
The best way for a homeowner to prevent indoor air pollution is to schedule regular tune-ups on their heating and cooling system. It is also relevant to schedule repairs when the system is not working correctly. Not only will routine maintenance and repair maintain healthy air in the home, but it will also make the unit more energy efficient. If a homeowner wants to keep the air healthy, they should give us a call today to schedule an appointment.
We service Bath PA 18014, Bethlehem PA 18015, Durham PA 18039, Easton PA 18040, Hellertown PA 18055, Kintnersville PA 18930, Martins Creek PA 18063, Nazareth PA 18064, Riegelsville PA 18077, Springtown PA 18081, Stockertown PA 18083, and Tatamy PA 18085. We also service all of Carbon County, Monroe County, Lehigh County, Northampton County, and Schuylkill County.
Contact us today or give us a call at (610) 377-1098 if you have any questions.