16/Dec/2008
When it Comes to Indoor Air Quality: What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You!
By Mike Baker
Mico Mechanical Air Conditioning and Heating
What you don’t know about indoor air quality can make you sick!
If you are having irritation of your eyes, nose and throat, you may be suffering from low quality air in your home due to pollutants such as pollen, mold, dust and mites.
Improving air quality is an ever-increasing concern of both the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the heating and cooling industry. The solution to your health problems may be as simple as installing the proper indoor air quality accessories to work with your home’s heating and air conditioning systems.
While it is not possible to eliminate every indoor pollutant, steps can be taken to reduce the levels of mold spores, fungi, bacteria and pet dander. Indoor air quality products such as electronic air cleaners, in-duct UV purifiers, HEPA air cleaners or other traditional air quality items can go a long way toward cleaning up the air in your home. At the same time these products can help provide total comfort and peace of mind.
Room Deodorizers
Indoor air quality can be affected by everyday activities, from smoking and cleaning to using room deodorizers. These activities can raise indoor air pollution levels anywhere from two to 100 times higher than outdoor air pollution levels, according to the EPA. The agency also says there is a connection between indoor air quality and serious health concerns, such as fatigue, headaches, dizziness and heart disease.
In addition to indoor air quality products, a heating and cooling system that is properly designed and functions well should minimize indoor air pollution levels that cause poor air quality. The key is isolating and removing contaminants while maintaining a constant humidity level in the home. A dependable system will provide these functions while delivering total home comfort.
In summary, the following indoor air quality products all can be part of a dependable indoor air quality system:
Two-Stage Variable-Speed Gas Furnace — the variable speed models improve air quality and reduce the amount of stagnant air in the home as well as improve the efficiency of the outdoor unit.
Air Handlers — an air handler increases overall comfort by minimizing the amount of stagnant air in the home. When paired with an air conditioner, it circulates cool air throughout the house during the summer. When an air handler is matched with a heat pump, it works all year long, circulating cool air in the summer and warm air in the winter.
HEPA Air Cleaner — a high efficiency air filtration air cleaner captures 99.97% of harmful airborne pollutants 0.3 micron and larger. Households with pets, tobacco/cooking odors or mustiness will find a dramatic difference in air quality.
Electronic Air Cleaner — One of these can be installed between the furnace and the air ducts to improve indoor air filtration throughout the home. It removes 95% of household allergens, such as dust mites, pollen and smoke.
Bypass Humidifier — Dry air can irritate skin and trigger allergies, as well as cause furniture and drywall to crack. A whole-house humidifier helps maintain appropriate moisture levels within the home.
Zoning — Permits control of the heating and cooling delivered to specific areas of your home for a custom solution. Zoning can increase efficiency and comfort in the areas of the house used most often.
For more information on dependable systems by Maytag and other top-of-the-line manufacturers of indoor air quality accessories, contact Mico Mechanical Air Conditioning and Heating at micomechanical@bellsouth.net or 756-0777.
By Mike Baker
Mico Mechanical Air Conditioning and Heating
What you don’t know about indoor air quality can make you sick!
If you are having irritation of your eyes, nose and throat, you may be suffering from low quality air in your home due to pollutants such as pollen, mold, dust and mites.
Improving air quality is an ever-increasing concern of both the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the heating and cooling industry. The solution to your health problems may be as simple as installing the proper indoor air quality accessories to work with your home’s heating and air conditioning systems.
While it is not possible to eliminate every indoor pollutant, steps can be taken to reduce the levels of mold spores, fungi, bacteria and pet dander. Indoor air quality products such as electronic air cleaners, in-duct UV purifiers, HEPA air cleaners or other traditional air quality items can go a long way toward cleaning up the air in your home. At the same time these products can help provide total comfort and peace of mind.
Room Deodorizers
Indoor air quality can be affected by everyday activities, from smoking and cleaning to using room deodorizers. These activities can raise indoor air pollution levels anywhere from two to 100 times higher than outdoor air pollution levels, according to the EPA. The agency also says there is a connection between indoor air quality and serious health concerns, such as fatigue, headaches, dizziness and heart disease.
In addition to indoor air quality products, a heating and cooling system that is properly designed and functions well should minimize indoor air pollution levels that cause poor air quality. The key is isolating and removing contaminants while maintaining a constant humidity level in the home. A dependable system will provide these functions while delivering total home comfort.
In summary, the following indoor air quality products all can be part of a dependable indoor air quality system:
Two-Stage Variable-Speed Gas Furnace — the variable speed models improve air quality and reduce the amount of stagnant air in the home as well as improve the efficiency of the outdoor unit.
Air Handlers — an air handler increases overall comfort by minimizing the amount of stagnant air in the home. When paired with an air conditioner, it circulates cool air throughout the house during the summer. When an air handler is matched with a heat pump, it works all year long, circulating cool air in the summer and warm air in the winter.
HEPA Air Cleaner — a high efficiency air filtration air cleaner captures 99.97% of harmful airborne pollutants 0.3 micron and larger. Households with pets, tobacco/cooking odors or mustiness will find a dramatic difference in air quality.
Electronic Air Cleaner — One of these can be installed between the furnace and the air ducts to improve indoor air filtration throughout the home. It removes 95% of household allergens, such as dust mites, pollen and smoke.
Bypass Humidifier — Dry air can irritate skin and trigger allergies, as well as cause furniture and drywall to crack. A whole-house humidifier helps maintain appropriate moisture levels within the home.
Zoning — Permits control of the heating and cooling delivered to specific areas of your home for a custom solution. Zoning can increase efficiency and comfort in the areas of the house used most often.
For more information on dependable systems by Maytag and other top-of-the-line manufacturers of indoor air quality accessories, contact Mico Mechanical Air Conditioning and Heating at micomechanical@bellsouth.net or 756-0777.
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