Improving the indoor air quality of your home is essential for your family’s comfort and health. At Sherrell Air Conditioning and Heating, we understand that Dallas homeowners face unique challenges due to the city’s climate and urban environment.
In this blog, our Dallas indoor air quality experts will share effective tips to improve indoor air quality within your home. From regular HVAC maintenance to innovative air purification solutions, Sherrell Air can help you breathe easier and live better. Call (972) 216-1961 today to schedule an air quality consultation.
Why Indoor Air Quality Matters
Indoor air quality is important because it impacts our health, comfort, and overall well-being and is a crucial aspect of our daily living environments. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), indoor air can be significantly more polluted than outdoor air, even in the largest and most industrialized cities. This is due to a combination of factors, including modern building practices that create more airtight spaces and the multitude of sources of indoor pollutants, such as cleaning agents, building materials, and electronics.
Poor indoor air quality can lead to a range of health issues, from short-term effects like headaches and dizziness to long-term consequences such as respiratory diseases and heart problems.
The Impact of Indoor Air Pollution
Indoor air contaminants can seriously impact our health and well-being. Pollutants such as dust, allergens, pet dander, mold spores, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can accumulate indoors, leading to various health issues, including respiratory problems, allergies, and worsening conditions like asthma. Prolonged exposure to indoor pollutants can also affect our cognitive function, sleep quality, and overall quality of life.
How To Improve Poor Indoor Air Quality
Improving poor indoor air quality can be accomplished in a number of ways. Firstly, increase ventilation by opening windows or using air purifiers, as fresh air circulation helps dilute indoor pollutants. Regular cleaning, including vacuuming and dusting, can significantly reduce dust, pet dander, and other particulates.
It’s also important to control humidity levels, ideally 30-50%, to prevent mold growth. Avoiding indoor smoking and minimizing the use of candles or wood fires can also improve air quality. Using natural or low-VOC cleaning products and paints reduces the emission of harmful chemicals. Incorporating indoor plants can help filter certain pollutants, but their impact is minimal.
Regular Maintenance of HVAC Systems
Regular maintenance of your air conditioning system is crucial in maintaining optimal indoor air quality. HVAC systems play a pivotal role in your home’s air quality by circulating and filtering air, thus removing pollutants and allergens from indoor environments. Preventative HVAC maintenance ensures your HVAC system operates at peak efficiency, providing consistent temperature control and improving overall air quality.
These routine checks can identify possible issues, such as leaks or blockages in the ductwork, which can significantly impact the system’s effectiveness and the cleanliness of the air. Proper maintenance not only ensures a healthier living or working environment but can also extend the system’s lifespan and lead to energy savings by maintaining optimal performance.
Changing and Upgrading Air Filters
Changing and upgrading air filters is an easy but important step in enhancing indoor air quality. Air filters come in various types, such as fiberglass, pleated, or HEPA filters, each serving the role of trapping and removing different sizes of particles from the air. Fiberglass filters, the most basic type, capture large particles, whereas pleated filters offer a greater surface area to trap smaller particulates. HEPA filters are the most effective, capturing at least 99.97% of airborne particles, including fine dust, pollen, and other allergens.
Generally, replacing basic filters every 30-90 days is recommended, while higher-quality or HEPA filters can last up to 6-12 months. Opting for higher-grade filters like HEPA is recommended for those seeking enhanced air purification. These filters provide a more thorough cleansing by trapping finer particles.
Indoor Air Quality Products
Indoor air quality products enhance the air in homes and buildings, targeting pollutants, allergens, and humidity. At Sherrell Air Conditioning and Heating, we offer indoor air quality solutions that can help improve the air you breathe.
In the section below, our indoor air quality experts will explain the different clean air services to choose from.
Air Purifiers
Air purifiers remove contaminants from the air. They draw air through filters that capture dust, pollen, pet dander, and smoke particles. Common filters used in air purifiers include HEPA filters, known for their ability to trap very fine particles, and activated carbon filters, which effectively remove gases and odors. Some air purifiers also use UV light technology to kill bacteria and viruses.
Air Scrubbers
Air scrubbers clean and purify the air more intensively than standard air purifiers. They work by pulling air through a series of filters and often include additional technologies like UV light or negative ion emissions to neutralize airborne contaminants.
Air scrubbers are particularly effective at removing a wide range of particles, including dust, pollen, mold spores, chemical fumes, and odors. They are often used in industrial settings, renovation projects, or areas with significant air pollution to provide a cleaner, healthier environment.
Due to their advanced filtering capabilities, air scrubbers can significantly improve air quality, especially in environments with high levels of pollutants or in situations requiring advanced air purification.
Humidifiers & Dehumidifiers
Humidifiers and dehumidifiers regulate the air’s moisture level, essential for maintaining comfortable and healthy indoor environments. Humidifiers add moisture to the air, which can help alleviate dry skin, sinus congestion, and respiratory discomfort in dry climates or during colder months when indoor heating can reduce humidity levels. They come in various forms, such as ultrasonic, evaporative, or steam vaporizers.
Dehumidifiers, on the other hand, remove excess moisture from the air, which is beneficial in damp environments or during humid seasons to prevent mold growth and reduce allergens like dust mites. They draw air over cold coils to condense the moisture, which is then collected in a tank.
Reducing Indoor Pollutants
Reducing indoor pollutants is important for maintaining a healthy living environment. You can easily improve indoor air quality by cutting back or eliminating sources of air pollutants, like smoking indoors and certain cleaning products. When shopping for cleaning products, look for natural ingredients or low-VOC products to reduce chemical emissions.
If your family has pets and struggles with allergies, regularly cleaning your home can reduce dust mites, pet dander, and other allergens. Grooming pets periodically and keeping them off furniture can also help minimize dander.
Proper ventilation is another way you can improve your indoor air quality. Open windows when possible and use exhaust fans, especially in high-moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms, to prevent mold growth. For more controlled ventilation, consider using air purifiers with HEPA filters.
Smart Thermostats
Smart thermostats can be programmed to maintain optimal temperature and humidity levels, crucial for reducing mold and allergens. Many smart thermostats are equipped with sensors to monitor air quality. They can be integrated with your HVAC system and other smart home systems, like air purifiers, to adjust settings for improved air quality. Many smart thermostats provide alerts for filter changes and maintenance needs, ensuring that air filtration systems function effectively.
Sherrell Air Conditioning and Heating offers installation and setup services for smart thermostat systems. Before the thermostat installation begins, your HVAC technician will help you choose the right smart thermostat to fit your needs and budget. Once the installation is complete, your technician will guide you through using the various features of your smart thermostat and answer any questions you may have.
Professional Air Quality Assessment
During your indoor air quality testing service, one of our clean air experts will measure pollutants (like VOCs and particulate matter), humidity, and ventilation efficiency. They can also detect the presence of mold, radon, carbon monoxide, and other potentially harmful substances.
An indoor air quality assessment also involves a thorough inspection of your home, including HVAC systems, to identify sources of indoor air pollutants. The data collected helps in formulating targeted solutions, such as improving ventilation, adjusting humidity levels, or removing specific contaminants.
DIY Tips for Improving Indoor Air Quality
Improving indoor air quality can be effectively managed with simple tips that homeowners can easily implement. One of the easiest methods is to ensure natural ventilation; regularly opening windows allows fresh air to circulate and dilute indoor pollutants. Incorporating houseplants is also beneficial, as they can absorb some toxins and produce oxygen.
Regular cleaning, like vacuuming and dusting, is also important, which can significantly reduce dust, pet dander, and other allergens. Reducing clutter in the home also minimizes dust accumulation. Using natural or low-VOC cleaning products and avoiding smoking indoors can improve indoor air quality.
For Help Improving Your Dallas Indoor Air Quality, Call Sherrell Air Conditioning and Heating Today
Taking proactive steps to improve the air you breathe can make a significant difference in your daily life. However, understanding and addressing your home’s air quality can be challenging. This is where the clean air professionals from Sherrell Air Conditioning and Heating can help.
From professional indoor air quality assessments to tailored solutions, our team is ready to help you breathe easier. Call Sherrell Air Conditioning and Heating today at (972) 216-1961 for more information and to learn how our Dallas indoor air quality services can help you create a healthier, more comfortable home.
