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Air Conditioner Installation: How Can My HVAC Help Improve My Indoor Air Quality? | Lewisville, TX

Air Conditioner Installation: How Can My HVAC Help Improve My Indoor Air Quality? | Lewisville, TX

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Photo By Dean Mitchell at istock

According to a recent report, toxic emissions in Texas are said to have more than doubled over the last five years. The same report points out that companies across the state emitted not less than 170 million pounds of toxic air in 2019. With such statistics, it is easy to see why outdoor air pollution takes precedence over indoor air quality.

We spend most of our time indoors at home, in offices, learning institutions, and other types of buildings. Good indoor air quality is not only essential to your comfort but also your health. Indoor air pollutants can cause allergies, eye irritation, headaches, fatigue, and exacerbate respiratory illnesses. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, some pollutants are two to five times more concentrated indoors than outdoors.

Indoor air quality has a lot to do with your air conditioner. For starters, it impacts the way air into and out of your home is filtered. Also, certain types of ventilations can improve or degrade your indoor air quality.

Common Indoor Air Pollutants

Indoor air pollutants in Lewisville, TX are classified into four major categories:

  • Building supplies such as asbestos, caulks, finishes, glues, paints, primers, and varnishes, among others

 

  • Cleaning products

 

  • Combustion sources including smoke from candles, incense, gas stoves, and fireplaces which emit carbon monoxide, fluorocarbons, methane, and nitrogen dioxide

 

  • Biological pollutants including bacteria, dust, mites, pet dander, and pollen

Tips to Improve Indoor Air Quality Using Your Air Conditioner

Increase your home’s air circulation

Often, our efforts at improving our homes’ energy efficiency by sealing vents are counterproductive. Without proper air circulation, the indoor air becomes laden with contaminants. Newly conditioned air is unable to permeate every area within the home, while heated air finds it difficult to get back to the HVAC for treatment. Insufficient air circulation could trigger challenges such as:

  • High levels of humidity thus increasing the risk of moisture damage such as wood rot and mold growth.

 

  • High concentrations of radon are known to cause cancer.

 

  • Carbon monoxide poisoning.

A fundamental step towards increasing your home’s air circulation is by opening your doors and windows. Ceiling fans are also an effective way of improving air circulation.

Replace the air filters

Air filters are perhaps the most under-appreciated part of an air conditioning system. Filters are a lightweight barrier responsible for trapping dust, dirt, and allergens from the air that gets into and out of your HVAC. Clogged air filters and ducts are the number one reason you may end up with the need for an air conditioner installation service in Lewisville, TX sooner than you expected. Other effects of clogged air filters include:

  • High energy costs as the air circulation within the HVAC unit stifled. Consequently, the air conditioner has to work extra hard to cool or heat your home.

 

  • Risk of bacteria and mold growth as the filters also trap moisture. If left unchecked, these could cause serious health issues and allergic reactions.

Air conditioner installation experts recommend you replace the air filter in your unit every three months. You might want to replace it every month if you have pets. While there are a lot of how-to guides on how you should go about it, remember to always consult an air conditioner installation professional if you are unsure.

If there are lots of pollutants in your area, your air conditioner technician may recommend that you use HEPA or high-efficiency particulate air filters. These are known to trap 99.97% of the particles in the air.

Have a licensed air conditioner installation technician inspect your unit

Air conditioner maintenance involves a lot more than replacing filters and removing any debris from the outside of the unit. An air conditioner installation and maintenance expert will perform such tasks as:

  • Lubricating all moving parts: With continuous use, friction tends to build up, thus making your HVAC overheat. Lubrication of all moving parts helps minimize friction.

 

  • Tightening of any electrical connections: Loose connections pose the risk of damaging the whole unit if they are drawn into the ducts.

 

  • Checking the refrigerant level and fuel lines: The refrigerant is responsible for cooling the air once it is drawn into your HVAC. If you notice that your unit is blowing warm air or taking too long to cool the air within your home, your unit may be running low on refrigerant.

 

  • The air conditioner installation and maintenance technician will also check all the fuel lines to ensure that dangerous fumes do not find their way into your home.

Consider HVAC indoor air quality add-ons

In some instances, your HVAC system is not enough to maintain the integrity of your home’s indoor air. This makes it necessary to deal with the source of the pollutant rather than seeking to manage the situation. You may want to consider such add-ons as ultraviolet lamps. A competent air conditioner installation should be able to install these lamps on the indoor coil and drain pan. These lamps kill off harmful bacteria and mold before they get into or out of the unit.

The technician may also recommend that you pair your HVAC system with a humidifier. A whole-home humidifier helps remove the excess moisture in the air, thus keeping the humidity levels within range.

Take the first step towards better indoor air quality

Statistics show that about 4 million people die annually across the world from diseases caused by indoor air pollution. Therefore, the importance of indoor air quality cannot be overemphasized. Improving your indoor air quality goes beyond replacing filters and cleaning your unit’s air ducts.

At One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Dallas, we are the leading HVAC experts in Lewisville, TX. Our air conditioner installation experts will not only install, clean, and maintain your unit but also conduct air tests, assess any condensation, mold problems, and identify any imminent HVAC issues. We are familiar with multiple control strategies and reliable systems that will help you achieve the best indoor air quality possible. Get in touch with us today for more information about air conditioner installation and more.