Your home’s heating, ventilation, and air conditioning – or HVAC – system is probably really only on your mind if it’s not working properly. You know when your AC isn’t working properly in Phoenix, but you may not realize that the same unit that keeps you cool and comfortable could also be causing some pretty severe distress by reducing the quality of the air you breathe.
Indoor air quality is often very poor in residential buildings, especially if they lack proper ventilation or their HVAC components or ducts are dirty.
Sources of Indoor Air Pollution
The release of microscopic particles and gasses from pollution sources is often the cause of poor air quality in your Phoenix home, especially if your residence doesn’t have the ventilation to carry fresh air and keep pollutants out. Even in systems that typically work very well and keep the indoor air clean, factors like very high temperatures and elevated levels of humidity can cause the system to work less efficiently, increasing the level of indoor air pollution.
Indoor air pollution is often the result of combustion of fuels like kerosene, natural gas and oil. Combustion can cause harmful levels of indoor pollution with a chemical called carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide is odorless and invisible, as are many of the deadly gasses that can come from seemingly innocuous sources like new carpeting, cleaning products and construction materials. Not only can these items bring in gasses, but also dust, mold and other allergens. These irritants accumulate to the point that they begin to cause physical distress for you and your family.
Without proper ventilation and periodic indoor air quality testing, you could be at risk for allergic reactions and respiratory distress.
Indoor Air Quality Effects on Health
The health problems that can be caused by poor indoor air quality can take some time to manifest, but the first symptoms often include headaches and dizziness, fatigue and irritation of the mucous membranes (throat, eyes, and nose).
Raising Your Indoor Air Quality Standards
While all of this sounds very ominous, there’s actually some good news: it’s easy to improve your indoor air quality. The first step is to call ACE Home Services to have your indoor air quality tested. At ACE, we understand how important your home’s air quality is for the health of you and your loved ones. We’ll take air samples to identify any pollutants, and then share the results and mitigation options available to you.
Get Your HVAC System Cleaned by ACE Home Services
For many homes, a thorough cleaning of the entire HVAC system can make a big difference in indoor air quality. This includes cleaning the ducts, as a lot of contaminants can gather throughout the system and settle there. Pollution like dirt, mildew, dust and other allergens can be carried through your home by the ducts whenever your system switches on, so it’s essential to make sure ducts and other major components are cleaned properly.
At ACE, our professional HVAC technicians will also help you understand other possible sources of indoor pollution and make recommendations on how to deal with them. Contact us today to set up an air quality evaluation for your Valley home. We never charge for service calls and we’re available all day, every day of the week, with no extra charges for nights, holidays or weekend services.
