How Your HVAC System Impacts Your Indoor Air Quality
If you find yourself coughing or sneezing inside of your home more often than before, you might want to look for the cause. A good starting point is to check your HVAC system.
Your heating and air conditioning system is designed to provide you with optimum thermal comfort. However, did you know that your HVAC system is also responsible for controlling the quality of air inside of your home? When it is causing you and your family to get sick, what should you do?
Townsend Energy offers excellent HVAC services that can help solve any of your heating or cooling issues. We specialize in the best ways to improve your indoor air quality, energy efficiency, comfort, and more. Our certified technicians understand what your system needs to perform at its best. Call us today and schedule an appointment. We offer free, in-home consultations.
How To Prevent Respiratory Issues & Improve Your Indoor Air Quality
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Homeowners often blame the changing weather for the illnesses your family may be experiencing. However, when you look closely, you might find that your HVAC system might be the culprit. In this article, we will discuss the health issues and solutions related to your HVAC system.
Dirty HVAC Air Ducts
Many homeowners ignore or neglect the air ducts in their home. It is not surprising considering the ductwork is out of sight, hidden in walls and ceilings. However, as a responsible homeowner, you must make sure that your house is looked after properly. Therefore, your HVAC system (including the ductwork) also requires maintenance.
When you leave your HVAC system and ductwork unchecked, dust, pollen, contaminants, and other debris will accumulate in it. Therefore, every time your HVAC system turns on, these contaminants are blown inside your home.
You and your family breathe in the dust and pollen that is mixed in with the conditioned air. Breathing in these indoor air pollutants will significantly affect the health of you and your family, especially children and the elderly.
Ductwork full of debris also attracts pests. Rodents and insects like dark and dirty spaces. Therefore, your dirty ductwork is a perfect breeding ground for them. These pests can also go inside your home. They are annoying, a safety issue, and they are difficult to remove. Also, they cause damage to your home, worsening the problem. Since they also carry diseases, they can cause illness.
Dirty ductwork will also decrease your system’s functionality and efficiency, as dirt clogs the airflow. In turn, your heater or air conditioner works harder to make up for this. Your HVAC system strains, leading to higher energy bills and frequent repairs. All of these issues will shorten your unit’s lifespan, leading to a premature replacement.
Respiratory Issues
Dirty air ducts compromise your home’s indoor air quality. Because you breathe in these indoor air contaminants that your dirty HVAC system disperses, it also compromises your respiratory system. Common symptoms associated with this type of issue include coughing, a runny nose, a sore throat, and breathing problems.
As mentioned above, dirt and other debris accumulate in your HVAC filter, ducts and HVAC system over time. This build-up creates the perfect breeding environment for mold and bacteria. Mold can cause significant damage to your home. Also, exposure to mold and bacteria can result in health issues such as nasal stuffiness, throat irritations, and eye irritations, to name a few.
Mold also can aggravate asthmatic symptoms. Also, those with allergies can have severe allergic reactions. Overall, a dirty HVAC is a respiratory health hazard.
Other HVAC-Related Health Issues
A Dehydration Headache
Your HVAC system also serves to dehumidify the air in your home. However, a malfunctioning HVAC system does not perform this task effectively and it can draw too much moisture from the air in your home. When this happens, the air around you tends to pull moisture out of your body as well. This issue can lead to dehydration.
One of the symptoms of dehydration is a headache. Often referred to as a dehydration headache, the pain can range from mild to severe. You need to drink lots of water to help alleviate your headache.
Skin Irritation
If you have pre-existing skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis, a dirty HVAC system can make your skin condition worse. You might want to install a humidifier to help your dry and cracked skin.
Preventative Measures
If you notice these symptoms in your household, then the best course of action to take is to contact a licensed HVAC contractor. A professional can help you improve your indoor air quality. They can perform indoor air quality testing to see if what your indoor air quality parameters are. Likewise, they can improve your indoor air quality standards so that your household is breathing clean and healthy indoor air.
Likewise, to prevent this issue from occurring in the first place, you need to schedule annual HVAC tune-ups and air duct cleanings. A tune-up also averts other HVAC-related problems because it allows the heating and cooling technician to assess issues before they escalate. This aspect of maintenance helps prevent unnecessary repair costs. Also, tune-ups help your system perform more efficiently than it would otherwise.
Remember that when you have poor indoor air quality, it is a sign that your HVAC equipment is experiencing some problems. Getting it regularly inspected assures you that your indoor air quality remains healthy and that your system performs as expected.
Conclusion
Your HVAC system plays a significant role in keeping your family comfortable and healthy. A clean system unit assures you that only high-quality, healthy air is released in your home. A trusted HVAC technician can assist you with any heating and cooling issues you have. They can provide you with the best solutions and fix your system correctly.
When you are searching for a reliable HVAC company, do not hesitate to contact Townsend Energy.
Call Townsend Energy For Superior Indoor Air Quality Solutions
When it comes to HVAC systems, you can trust Townsend Energy to give you superior heating and cooling services. We cater to residents in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine, providing support and advice through our certified professional technicians. From tune-ups and installations to repairs and replacements, you can rely on us to provide you with the best and most reliable HVAC services. Our technicians are the best in the business, backed by years of experience and training to ensure that your HVAC system is given the best care possible.
Townsend Energy can guarantee competitive HVAC services costs to ensure that you are provided with professional attention when and where you need it most. We give full attention to our client’s needs, budget, and comfort considerations, which is why we provide only the most affordable and advanced solutions in the industry. If you want to know more about what we can do, call us today and ask for our in-home estimate at no cost to you.
Contact us now at (800) 722-4101 to find out more!