Find out what can be done to improve the indoor air quality in your home.
It’s n o wonder that indoor air quality is such a hot topic for us locally, as for those of us living in the heat and humidity of metro New Orleans, it is very easy for the home to become filled with dust, mold, mildew and other harmful allergens. They can quickly accumulate in the dehumidifier, the air-conditioning system, and the air filters. In high humidity environments, such as metro New Orleans, the air quality inside a home can have significant amounts of mold that need to be eradicated.
Improving Indoor Air
A/C units in extremely hot climates, like all throughout southern Louisiana, manage the comfort level of the indoor air throughout the summer time. The reason an air-conditioned home feels more comfortable than one that simply uses a fan is that the unit will cool the air while removing the moisture. This provides a higher level of comfort by getting rid of the sticky and hot sensation.
Typically, a central air conditioning unit will have the ability to cool down the air of the entire home at an efficient cost. An oversize air conditioner might have too much power, and will quickly cool down the air. However, because it operates so fast, it cannot remove sufficient amounts of moisture, leaving the air quality inside the home compromised.
To maximize the efficiency of an essential air conditioning unit is to have it serviced routinely, preferably in the spring and autumn when the unit is not being used.
Air Filters
Quality air filters have the ability to remove harmful irritants including pet dander, cigarette smoke, mold spores, and skin cells. This will reduce many of the harmful airborne contaminants and minimize the potential for allergies.
Amana Indoor Air Filters
HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filters have a high capacity for removing nearly all airborne particles. However, a HEPA filter typically costs substantially more than the traditional ionic filter. HEPA filters, like all traditional filters, can quickly clog up and will need to be replaced. How efficiently the filters are changed will reflect exactly how much the air quality inside the home is maintained.
The homeowner should never rely fully on the air filter as the way to safeguard the family from allergens and mold. Any exposed water including a leak in the drywall or on the floor can quickly become a source of harmful mold and a breeding ground for mold spores.
Proper Ventilation
Using an air-conditioning system in the Deep South requires that the home be sealed tightly. This helps avoid any air leakage where cooled air is pushed out through open cracks around windows, doors and other areas. However, the sealed house also provides the ultimate breeding ground for mold and mildew unless the house has proper ventilation.
The exhaust fans in the bathroom and over the stove are designed to re-circulate the air in those locations and draw away stale or moist air. They should be used routinely to eliminate the buildup of high levels of moisture in the home.
The installation of an air filtration system or some type of air cleaner system can filter out pollutants and dust, while improving the air quality in the home. No home should rely fully on using an air filtering system as a way to effectively manage the air quality in the home.
By vacuuming and cleaning on a regular basis, it is easy to manage the dirt, dust and other harmful particles that can quickly build up in the home. It is imperative to change the filters in the vacuum routinely. By investing in high-quality HEPA filters, the indoor air quality can be maintained month-to-month.
The individual factors which contribute to the indoor air quality of each home vary widely and are impacted by everything from the age and type of your A/C unit to whether or not you have pets. Click here to learn more about our indoor air quality services, or call us today to schedule an inspection.
