Poor indoor air quality can cause health problems
Many people are increasingly concerned about air quality, and there is a good reason for this. There are an overwhelming number of pollutants that are found outdoors that can impact your health and well-being. However, many people have an unfortunately false sense of security when they step indoors, and they believe that indoor air quality is superior to the air outdoors.
The fact is that the EPA, or Environmental Protection Agency, has stated that indoor air quality in residences and commercial buildings may actually be more polluted than outdoor air. In fact, your home's air may be more unhealthy to breathe than outdoor air in cities like Los Angeles or Denver, which are known for having air quality issues.
Why Your Home's Air May Be Unhealthy and Polluted
Just as there are sources of outdoor air pollution, there are also sources of indoor air pollution. For example, cigarette smoking, wood burning stoves and even cooking on your kitchen stove may create unhealthy air inside the home. When pollution is created outdoors, there is a huge atmosphere for the particles to expand across, and pollution may be carried away by wind and air currents. Many homes today are well-sealed and highly energy efficient. They are designed to keep climate-controlled air inside the home. The downside to this is that they also prevent pollutants that are produced inside the home from escaping. The result is that the indoor air quality in your home may become increasingly worse over time.
The Most Common Sources of Air Pollution in the Home
Many people who are concerned about indoor air quality invest in air purifiers known as ozone generators, but ozone produced by these devices can have a negative impact on your health. Running these devices can cause ozone levels to rise inside the home. In addition, everything from dust and dust mites to mold, mildew, nitrogen dioxide sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide and more are all commonly found in homes, and these have a negative impact on your health and well-being. Keep in mind that heating systems may produce many of these gaseous elements. You may even have formaldehyde from carpeting, furnishings and particle board in your home. Household cleaners are also a common source of indoor air pollution. Your home may also have hazardous elements like asbestos, lead, and radon in it.
Do You Have Poor Indoor Air Quality?
If you are wondering if you have poor indoor air quality, you are not alone. If you or your family members regularly deal with respiratory symptoms that are similar to allergies or colds, you may indeed have poor indoor air quality. In addition, if your home has an unusual or stale odor, if it lacks air movement or if it has a dirty or faulty HVAC system, it may have poor indoor air quality. An air conditioning company can provide you with more information about your indoor air quality as well as the condition of your existing system. In some cases, simply cleaning the system and replacing existing coolant with environmentally friendly AC coolant can be beneficial to you. Your HVAC company may also recommend using a dehumidifier, an air purifier or better air filters with your HVAC system.
Poor indoor air quality is a true problem that can result in coughing, sneezing, itchy eyes and significantly more severe symptoms in some cases. If you are concerned about air quality in your home, the best option is to contact your HVAC company today for a personalized consultation. You can receive customized advice regarding the steps that you can take to improve the quality of air in your home, including using environmentally friendly AC coolant and other options.
If you are interested in improving your indoor air quality contact the Venice Air Conditioning experts at Mahle Cool Air today.
Call or Text us today for more details (941) 203-7955 and don't forget to check out our specials, financing, and rent-to-own options.
Heat pumps are ideal for areas with mild winters like Venice Florida
Have you been thinking about upgrading your heating and cooling system? If so, then you may want to consider switching to a heat pump. A packaged system or air source heat pump may be a great choice for your home even if your central air conditioner needs to be replaced. Heat pumps work best in places that have mild winters.
Heat Pumps Are Versatile Types Of Equipment
A heat pump can lower the cost of cooling your home during the summer months. However, that is not the only benefit that you can reap from using a heat pump. The temperature of the air will stay consistent, which is why your home will be more comfortable. Your central air conditioner gives stop and go blasts of cold air when it is running, but you will no longer have to worry about that if you have a heat pump.
Not only can a heat pump cool your home during the summer, but it can also keep it warm during the winter. When it is used along with a packaged system that has a gas furnace or an existing furnace, it can help cut the cost of heating your home. Your furnace will be able to work less. This means that energy will be saved, and you will notice the difference in your energy bill.
How Exactly Does A Heat Pump Work?
A heat pump may seem like a very complicated device, but the way that it works is actually very simple. The system uses a refrigerant and takes the heat outside of your home and transfers it outside during the summer months. Another benefit that comes along with using a heat pump is that it removes more humidity from your home than your traditional air conditioning system.
This process can be reversed to warm the home during the winter months. All that it takes is the flip of a switch. The heat pump will draw the warm air from outside and transfer it into your home, which will help keep it warm.
If You Purchased A Heat Pump Last Year, Then You May Be Able To Save More Money
A lower electric bill is not the only way people will be able to save money by having a heat pump. Many people are not aware of this, but homeowners who purchased a heat pump may be eligible for tax credits. Keep in mind that there are certain restrictions that apply. For example, the heat pump must be installed in one's primary residence.
The seasonal energy efficiency ratio, or SEER, rating of the heat pump also determines whether a person is eligible for a tax credit. If you have an air-source heat pump, then it must have a SEER rating of at least 15. The energy efficiency rating, or EER, should be at least 12. Additionally, the heating seasonal performance factor, or HSPF, must be at least 8.5.
The requirements are different if you have a packaged system. The SEER rating must be at least 14. The EER rating must be 12 or greater, and the HSPF must be 8.5.
If you are interested in getting a heat pump for your home, then you should speak with professional technicians. They will be happy to help you find the heat pump that is right for your home. Call or Text us today for more details (941) 203-7955 and don't forget to check out our specials, financing, and rent-to-own options.
Fix Your Old AC or Replace it With a New One
For the past few years, summers have brought with them hot temperatures and high humidity. These scorching temperatures have proven to be not only uncomfortable by life-threatening to many. Everyone has either been getting out their AC systems or buying new ones. Each spring, the main question is whether to fix the old AC or replace it with a new one. Here are some things you might consider when contemplating the decision.
How Serious is the Problem?
If you AC isn’t working correctly, it could be something major like a faulty compressor or it could be something as simple as a clogged or dirty filter. Simple fixes can be not only inexpensive but can also add months or years to the life of your AC system.
Sometimes a good cleaning is all the system may need. If you’re not mechanically inclined, you may want to have a service technician check out your AC system. Maintenance checks are usually not real expensive and the technician can give you an informed answer on what it will take to get the system running as it should.
How Energy-Efficient is Your System?
We hear a lot about saving energy and being as energy-efficient as possible. This is a good idea since energy costs are at an all-time high. Although your AC may still be operating fairly good and kicking out a sufficient amount of cool air, how efficiently is it running? Hot summers that have your AC system running a lot are going to result in higher energy bills
However, if this cost seems exceptionally high or much higher than previous years, you may want to consider getting a new energy-efficient model. Sometimes, the amount you save in energy costs almost pays for the unit in just one year.
How Old is Your AC System?
The age of the AC system is generally the major consideration when consumers are contemplating what to do to meet their AC needs. How much and how heavily the system has been used will also play a factor. Some people only use their system on extremely hot days and supplement it with fans.
Other people, on the other hand, use the system almost non-stop from spring right until fall. The lifespan of AC units is usually around ten years. If your AC system is less than five years old, it may be work keeping and just having it serviced. Service technicians can often add years to the life of an AC system with just a simple maintenance check each year.
If the system is nearing its lifespan or has exceeded the ten-year span, it may be time to replace the unit. Keep in mind also that if the unit is that old, it’s probably not efficient anymore.
Is the Problem the AC or Your Home?
Just because your home was insulated ten years ago, doesn’t mean it’s still adequately insulated. Are your windows and doors sufficiently sealed or is air entering and leaving the home through cracks? Are your vents clean and allowin67g the air to flow freely?
Sometimes what homeowners think is an AC problem may be things that need fixing in the home. Another thing to consider is the size of the AC in relation to the size of the home. When you purchase an AC system, the technician will generally tell you how many square feet the system will cover.
On a window unit, this information will be listed on the box. Follow these guidelines. If you get an AC unit that’s too small for the area you want to be cooled, it’s not going to adequately keep your home cool and will ultimately cost you more in energy costs. Call or Text us today for more details (941) 203-7955 and don't forget to check out our specials.