Improve Your Indoor Air Quality
Most people underestimate the importance of IAQ (indoor air quality). That’s because we often don’t realize just how much time we spend inside of our homes on a daily basis and all of the contaminants that are unique to indoor air. The quality of the air we breathe indoors can greatly impact not only our comfort, but also our short-term and long-term health. That’s why Blaze Heating, Cooling, Electrical & Plumbing provides a range of services related to indoor air quality in Raleigh, NC and the surrounding areas. We’ll filter, purify, humidify, or even dehumidify your air depending on your goals and needs.
Contact Blaze Heating, Cooling, Electrical & Plumbing to take the first steps in bettering your indoor air quality. Give us a call or contact us through our online form today.
Reasons for Poor IAQ
You may not realize all the factors within your home that can have an impact on the overall indoor air quality within your home. While some are unavoidable, others may be able to be minimized by your choices and actions. Either way, it’s good to have knowledge about what contributes to the cleanliness of your air.
Common Contaminants
Here are some pollutants that are commonly found within homes:
- Mold
- Mildew
- Dust
- Smoke
- Pet dander
- Cooking fumes
- VOCs (volatile organic compounds)
Other Contributors to IAQ
Below are some examples of causes of poor IAQ:
- Tobacco or marijuana products
- Cleaning products with strong chemicals
- Candles
- Excess moisture or humidity
- Fuel-burning appliances
- Outside pollutants like smog or pesticides that blow in through open windows
- Building or furnishing materials like asbestos insulation, newly-installed flooring, or pressed wood products
Why Care About Indoor Air Quality?
As mentioned before, people tend to live most of their lives indoors. This is especially true in Raleigh, where summers can be uncomfortably hot and winters can be uncomfortably cold, limiting the number of hours per day people breathe outdoor air. As a result, using air filtration and purification methods as well as controlling the humidity levels can have a large impact on the number of contaminants you are exposed to through the air you breathe.
The main reason this matters is because of your health. In the short term, you may experience some mild-to-moderate discomfort such as headaches, sinus issues, or itchy eyes that mimic allergies or other viruses. This is especially possible if you or someone in your household is elderly or lives with a weakened immune system. No matter how healthy you are now, over time exposure to polluted air can lead to serious health conditions including lung and heart disease and some cancers. Luckily there are steps you can take to mitigate these risks by breathing cleaner air at home.
Air Filter Installation
Air filters are helpful for improving indoor air quality because they trap particles, especially large particles such as dust, mold, dander, and other debris. This can help reduce allergy-like symptoms. Higher quality filters such as MERV or HEPA filters can even trap viruses and bacteria, making it less likely you’ll spread sickness through your household. Filters can be installed directly into your HVAC system so that these contaminants are trapped before they reach your lungs.
AC Filter Replacement
If you have an air filtration system, it’s important to change your air filters regularly. You can sometimes do this on your own, but if you have a whole-house air filtration system, it may be good to hire an HVAC specialist to take care of your AC filter replacement.
Air Purifier Installation
In addition to air filters, you can also take the next step in air quality by installing an air purifier. These devices are also installed in your HVAC and can use either UV-C light or negatively charged ions to get rid of viruses and bacteria, as well as pollen. It’s recommended to use both filters and purifiers for the best results.
Dehumidifier and Humidifier Installation
Both too much and too little humidity in the air can cause problems for breathing. Air that is too dry can irritate the lungs and skin, so we would recommend humidifier installation. On the other hand, air that is too humid can create an ideal environment for mold and mildew growth, which negatively affects your indoor air quality. We also provide dehumidifier installation in those instances.
Contact Blaze
When you need to improve your indoor air quality in Raleigh, NC, call Blaze Heating, Cooling, Electrical & Plumbing. You can also provide us with your information via the form on our website.
