Improving Sugar Land Indoor Air Quality Year-Round

Improving Sugar Land Indoor Air Quality Year-Round

Improving Sugar Land Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Year-Round: Tips for Winter and Summer Contaminants and HVAC Maintenance

According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, Americans spend 90% of their day indoors; during times of extreme temperature—summer heat and winter cold—this percentage increases. This happens because indoor spaces are conditioned to make us more comfortable. But, since the indoor air is continuously recirculating, the air must be as clean as possible. Also, the problems with Sugar Land Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) differ between the summer and the winter.

Year-Round Sugar Land Indoor Air Quality Problems

Some airborne contaminants will be prevalent year-round and need to be addressed.

  • Dust and Dander. Dust is a general term for almost any airborne particle, but indoor dust consists mostly of dead human skin and hair cells that flake off. Dander consists of the same skin and hair cells that flake away from indoor pets. Other dust components include fibers and chemicals from household belongings and outdoor air.

Microscopic insects also ride along and consume organic dust particles; they are called dust mites. When a family member is diagnosed with “dust allergies,” it is often an allergy to these tiny creatures and their byproducts.

  • Volatile organic compounds, or VOC, are gaseous compounds released from many manufactured products. The gas is released from carpets, furniture, finishes, and adhesives. The “new car smell” is actually a recognizable VOC. Most VOCs are released shortly after the manufacturing process, but trace amounts will be off-gassed continuously.

These airborne contaminants can be dealt with by very common and practical solutions.

  • Dust and dander are heavier than air. When the air is moving, the particles move throughout the space, but when the air is still, gravity takes over, and these particles fall to any surface underneath. A thorough cleaning (dusting, mopping, and vacuuming) removes most of these particles. Don’t forget to occasionally clean linens and drapes, since they collect dust like any other surface.
  • The air filter is key for removing dust and dander. More on this later.
  • Find a day with mild temperatures and turn off the furnace for a couple of hours. Open a few windows and doors to release the indoor air and bring in fresh air. The ventilation helps to dilute the amount of dust and VOCs trapped indoors.

Winter Sugar Land Indoor Air Quality Contaminants

A higher risk for some contaminants happens as well.

  • As odd as it sounds, there is a greater potential for exhaust inside during the winter. Even though there is no obvious advantage to doing so, many car owners run their vehicles during the winter to “warm it up.” If done inside the garage, even with the garage doors up, the exhaust will enter the home. Each year, the preventative maintenance check will also closely examine the burner assembly and heat exchanger to ensure the exhaust from natural gas does not make its way into the home.
  • While there is no pollen during the winter, the ground is wetter, and mold spores can be a problem. Mold needs moist, dark spaces to grow, and the mold spores are easily tracked into the home. Spores can trigger allergies and asthma, but they can also trigger mold blooms inside the home.

Solutions for Sugar Land Indoor Air Quality contaminants include:

  • Pulling a car out of the garage immediately and, if you feel the need to warm up a car, make sure to do it outdoors with the garage door closed.
  • Using walk-off mats at entry doors to collect dirt and spores before they are spread throughout the home.
  • Considering dropping shoes off at entry doors.

Role of HVAC Systems in Sugar Land Indoor Air Quality

  • HVAC systems use an air filter to scrub the air. With every heating or cooling cycle, a fiber filter removes a larger percentage of particulate matter from the air. However, the collection of dust can restrict air from moving through the system to heat or cool the air.
  • Be sure to service your HVAC system each year. The protections and benefits are important to indoor air quality.
  • Dust also collects in the ductwork and needs to be cleaned occasionally; cleaning the ducts every 3 to 5 years is the recommendation.

All Cool AC & Heating – The Sugar Land Indoor Air Experts

All Cool AC Sugar Land Indoor Air Quality professionals can verify whether your HVAC system can accommodate a new media air filter. Schedule your Sugar Land Indoor Air Quality consultation by calling All Cool AC & Heating at 281-238-9292 or contact us via email and let our NATE-certified AC maintenance technicians put their experience to work for you.

Improving Indoor Air Quality

Improving Indoor Air Quality

Indoor Air Quality Benefits of Media Air Filters

Since 2020, Americans have been more aware of indoor air quality issues and how they affect family health and comfort. The role that the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system plays in keeping indoor spaces healthy was also highlighted. And for good reason.

The variety and quantity of airborne contaminants is quite amazing.

  • Dust and dander are composed of skin and hair from family members, both human and furry members
  • There are microscopic insects, dust mites, that attach themselves to dust particles and consume them. These insects trigger allergies in some people.
  • Pollen and mold spores are reproductive cells from plants and fungi that also trigger allergies and asthma.
  • Of course, bacteria and viruses are known pathogens, causing illnesses and diseases.
  • Carpet, adhesives, finishes, and furniture produce volatile organic compounds.
  • Various chemicals enter the home from the exhaust and manufacturing from the local environment.

For these reasons and more, HVAC systems have an air filter to remove a significant percentage of these particles to keep air healthy.

The American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Engineers tested air filters and developed a MERV rating to help consumers purchase filters. The ratings are based on the percentage of specific-size particles the filter will remove; higher numbers indicate a higher percentage of particles being removed.

  • Most air conditioners are designed to receive a 1” thick air filter
  • These filters are made of either fiberglass mesh or wood fiber (paper). These filters are often pleated to give a greater surface for capturing airborne particles.
  • Residential HVAC systems are not designed to use ultra-high MERV-rated filters, since they restrict airflow and hamper the performance of the system.

If indoor air quality is extremely important for your family, perhaps due to severe allergies, asthma, or other breathing illnesses, investigate a media filter to see whether it can improve indoor air quality in your home.

  • Media air filters are thicker, 3” to 4” thick. This increases the number of fiber layers without making the openings too small for effective air movement.
  • The combination of layers traps 98% of particles, including particles as small as .1 microns in diameter.
  • Since media filters are made from synthetic fibers, they carry an electrostatic charge, attracting very small airborne particles.

Media Filter Pros

  1. Media filters remove a larger percentage of airborne particles than regular MERV filters. This keeps the air healthier and surfaces cleaner.
  2. Some media have a charcoal layer to trap odors and gases; MERV filters do not.
  3. By removing more particles without obstructing airflow, media filters are better equipped to improve HVAC efficiency and performance. This can lead to fewer repairs and extended system longevity.
  4. Media filters do not need to be replaced as often. They need to be replaced every year or two, depending on how much you use the HVAC system.

Media Filter Cons

  1. A 3” to 4” filter will not fit in a slot designed for 1” filters. To retrofit a system, a media filter will need a cabinet designed to accept the filter.
  2. Media filters are more expensive than MERV-rated filters, BUT, since they do not have to be replaced as often, the cost is very similar to the cost of replacement.

All Cool AC Indoor Air Quality professionals can verify whether your HVAC system can accommodate a new media air filter. Schedule your indoor air quality consultation by calling All Cool AC & Heating at 281-238-9292 or contact us via email and let our NATE-certified AC maintenance technicians put their experience to work for you.

10 Tips to Improve Indoor Air Quality

10 Tips to Improve Indoor Air Quality

Improve Your Indoor Air Quality By Following These Easy Tips

It is summertime and boy, do we love the outdoors. We love the warm weather, cookouts, and pool or lake time. However, statistically, we spend 90% of our time indoors, at home, when we travel, and while working or shopping. Given the time we spend indoors, ensuring optimal indoor air quality is crucial. Here are a few recommended steps to improve the air in your home.

Recognize Indoor Air Quality Contamination Sources

Reducing the concentration of contaminants entering your home is a good place to start.

  1. Pollen, mold spores, and exhaust can enter a home through small gaps around windows and doors, or ductwork leaks. While each gap might be quite small, the combination of these spaces can be the equivalent of a hole several inches in diameter. Closing these gaps will reduce the quantity of contaminants entering a home.
  2. A garage is often the storage space for fuels, paints, and adhesives. Vehicles and lawn care equipment may leak fuel. A habit of warming a car up in the garage will significantly increase the amount of carbon monoxide that enters a home even when the garage door is open. Make sure the door between the home and garage is well sealed.
  3. Carpet, manufactured flooring, paints, stains, and adhesives give off volatile organic compounds (VOC) for the useful years of their service. The same is true for upholstered furniture and mattresses; the foam contains petroleum byproducts. We register the scent of VOCs as the “new” smell. The concentration of VOC falls off quickly, but they are still released in low quantities for years.

Fully Use the HVAC System

A major function of the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system is to produce clean, fresh air.

  1. During the summer, the air conditioning system removes about half of the moisture to keep the indoor relative humidity between 40 and 60%. This is important, since outdoor relative humidity soars above 90% during July and August in Texas. Removing humidity inhibits the growth of mold and mildew in moist spaces (bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms). Annual professional maintenance is essential to ensure the air conditioner performs this function properly.
  2. Even the most basic air filter efficiently removes about 80% of airborne contaminants with each cycle. Consult with your HVAC professional to determine the appropriate MERV (minimum efficiency reporting value) filter for your system.
  3. When ultraviolet light is installed inside HVAC ductwork, it disrupts the DNA and cell walls of organic contaminants, including pollen, mold spores, dust mites, bacteria, and viruses. If UV lights have not been installed in your system, inquire with your HVAC professional about after-market installation.
  4. Whenever a heating or cooling cycle ends, gravity drops airborne dust particles inside ductwork. This dust can be removed by duct cleaning; it is recommended that ducts be cleaned every 3 to 5 years.

Further Simple Indoor Air Quality Steps

  1. Regular and thorough cleaning removes the largest number of airborne contaminants, and they are removed permanently from the home. Whenever a home is dusted, mopped, and vacuumed, the visible results are evident. Don’t forget hard-to-reach areas, bedding, and drapes.
  2. Opening windows or doors strategically can reduce the concentration of contaminants, including VOCs that are not collected by other cleaning techniques. Find advantages times, during mild temperatures and low pollen counts.
  3. For troubled areas or family members with delicate health problems, consider a room air purifier. The portable units can move from room to room and have multiple filtration stages, including activated charcoal to remove VOCs and odors.

Improve Your Indoor Air Quality with Help from AllCool AC

Routine maintenance and preventative tips like we have outlined can help improve indoor air quality in your home to help those with chronic respiratory issues. Schedule your indoor air quality consultation by calling All Cool AC & Heating at 281-238-9292 or contact us via email and let our NATE-certified AC maintenance technicians put their experience to work for you.

8 Tips to Improve Indoor Air Quality for COPD Patients

Indoor Air Quality

How to Improve Indoor Air Quality for Those with Chronic Respiratory Issues

Twelve million people in the US have been diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD, and millions more might have undiagnosed COPD. COPD is a group of illnesses that include emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and severe allergies, all of which inflame the tissues of the lungs and make breathing difficult. Common factors in developing COPD include:

  • Tobacco smoke
  • Genetics
  • Pollutants in the home, workspace, or environment, including dust mites, pet dander, pollen and mold spores, bacteria, viruses, and fumes from household supplies.

These illnesses demand excellent indoor air quality to reduce potential irritants to lung tissue. Fortunately, there are many steps homeowners can take to reduce airborne contaminants and improve indoor air quality, including wise HVAC choices.

  1. Frequent Cleaning. Most airborne contaminants are heavier than air; when the air is still, gravity brings them to whatever surface is below. Dusting, vacuuming, and mopping frequently permanently remove them from the home.
  2. Change Air Filters. The air filter collects airborne particles with every heating and cooling cycle, but it does not take long for the collection of dust, pollen, and dander to clog the filter. Normally, the filter is changed every three months, but a family with COPD may need to change the filter more often.
  3. Increase the MERV. Air filters are rated by the size of the openings in the filter surface called Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value—the higher the MERV number, the more particles that get removed. Determine the highest rating of filter your system can handle and buy a supply of these filters.
  4. Consider UV Lights. Ultraviolet light is extremely disruptive to cell membranes and DNA; it is the part of sunlight that causes sunburn. When UV light is installed in HVAC ductwork, it gives dust mites, pollen, bacteria, mold, and viruses a fatal case of sunburn. The remaining lifeless husks can be collected by cleaning or an air filter.
  5. Annual Clean/Inspect. Every HVAC system should receive a preventative maintenance check each year. During this visit, further cleaning will ensure fewer particles get through and sufficient humidity is removed to prevent mold and mildew from growing.
  6. Duct Cleaning. Airborne particles that are in the duct when the heating/cooling cycle ends will be deposited inside the duct and eventually form a thick collection. COPD and other breathing illnesses may require frequent duct cleaning.
  7. Reduce Harmful Fumes. The overspray from cleaning supplies and other household aerosols can be a problem. Choose all-natural supplies in spray bottles to reduce the irritation from fumes. (Make sure to keep fuel, paints, and adhesives in air-tight containers when stored in the garage.)
  8. Fresh Air. Opening windows or doors at the right time can help dilute the concentration of airborne particles, but it must be done at the right time. When is the right time? When the air temperature is agreeable, and the outdoor pollutant level is lower than the indoor level. Avoid times of high pollen count or mold spore count, for example.

This is not an exhaustive list, but it is a good start for improving indoor air quality.

Let AllCool AC Improve Indoor Air Quality in Your Home.

Routine maintenance and preventative tips like we have outlined can help improve indoor air quality in your home to help those with chronic respiratory issues. Schedule your Katy AC repair consultation by calling All Cool AC & Heating at 281-238-9292 or contact us via email and let our NATE-certified Katy AC repair technicians put their experience to work for you.

 

How Your AC Affects Indoor Air Quality

How Your AC Affects Indoor Air Quality

Is Your HVAC System Affecting Your Indoor Air Quality?

Sir Edward Coke, a 17th-century English jurist, wrote, “The house of everyone is to him as his Castle and Fortress.” It is used in the legal field, but it reflects how most people feel about their home. “Home” is a retreat from daily threats and dangers. Homeowners do everything possible to correct the problem and reestablish security whenever there is danger. However, what if danger is lurking on the inside of the home? Indoor air quality is just such a danger.

Poor indoor air quality affects the most necessary human function—breathing. Airborne particles can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat, resulting in runny noses, watery, itchy eyes, a sore throat, and intense headaches. When family members are vulnerable with compromised health conditions, poor indoor air often triggers allergies or asthma attacks. This danger needs to be changed, so let’s get to it.

Sources of Pollution to Your Indoor Air Quality

Each home is unique, but pollution sources are quite common.

  • Organic particles abound, both plant and animal. Seasonal allergens include pollen from trees and wildflowers (or weeds, if you prefer), mold, and mildew. Year-round allergens include dander (skin cells) and hair from pets or livestock. Of course, we must not forget the danger posed by viruses and airborne bacteria.
  • Inorganic particles are also serious threats. These include exhaust from family vehicles, lawn equipment fuel, paints, and solvents. The local environment also contributes to the problem. If your home is near a highway or a dirt road, expect dust to find a way inside your home.
  • When furniture, carpets, flooring, and finishes are manufactured, the materials contain volatile organic compounds that will be released into the surroundings for years. We recognize them as a “new” smell, and it does not pose a danger unless in high concentrations.

Mitigating Problematic Indoor Air Quality Particles

Particles from different sources will need to be removed differently. The object of mitigation is to remove pollutants and dilute the number of particles in the air.

  • The first line of defense is the air filter in the HVAC system. With each heating or cooling cycle, the filter permanently removes the vast majority of both organic and inorganic particles. Filters are rated by the percentage of particles of a certain size, called Minimum Efficiency Rating Value or MERV. If indoor air quality is a serious concern, check the operation manual to determine the proper range of filter rating for the system.
  • The air conditioner removes humidity from the indoor space. Removing humidity prevents the growth of mold and mildew spores. These spores can be extremely dangerous allergens.
  • Remember to use natural ventilation and open windows and doors at the right time. Early mornings are ideal. Opening the home to the outdoors dilutes the concentration of particles indoors, but only when the concentration of pollen and mold outdoors is low.
  • For further protection, consider adding ultraviolet lights to the ductwork. Ultraviolet rays are the damaging, burning rays that cause sunburns. It disrupts cell walls and neutralizes organic allergens, including pollen, viruses, and dust mites. Your HVAC professional can give details concerning these lights.
  • If a family member is extremely vulnerable, consider a room or whole-house air purifier. Purifiers use a series of filters, including activated charcoal. Activated charcoal removes gaseous pollutants, including VOCs and exhaust. Room versions are portable and can be moved to a space most advantageous.

Are You Concerned if Your HVAC is Affecting Your Indoor Air Quality?

Schedule your indoor air quality consultation by calling All Cool AC & Heating at 281-238-9292 or contact us via email and let our NATE-certified indoor air quality technicians put their experience to work for you.

Indoor Air Quality: HVAC Solutions for Cleaner Air

Indoor Air Quality

Protecting Your Home with Improved Indoor Air Quality

Ventilation—the V in HVAC—is an often-forgotten function of this important, advanced building system. We are very familiar with the heating and cooling functions, but the ventilation function ensures indoor air is also clean and fresh. Good indoor air quality ensures indoor spaces are healthy and comfortable.

Ventilation is rather complex.

  • Indoor air will begin as polluted as outdoor air. But unless it is cleaned and freshened, the pollutants concentrate inside and make the air unhealthy.
  • Indoor air will begin at the same temperature and relative humidity as outdoor air. Unless this air is warmed, cooled, humidified, or dehumidified, it has an unhealthy effect on the surfaces of walls, floors, and furnishings. When it is conditioned, indoor air feels comfortable and is relatively healthy.
  • Ventilation and comfort are very subjective, dependent upon the comfort preferences of more than one occupant.
  • Health issues of occupants will also impact decisions concerning ventilation; breathing issues, such as allergies and asthma, may require special considerations.

Handling Pollutants

A home will encounter several categories of pollutants. An HVAC system will remove some of these pollutants and avoid others. The good news is that we have very good air quality in our region, and the pollutants we encounter are relatively easy to mitigate.

  • Organic solid particles. Most air particles originate from living organisms: pollen, mold, mildew, (most) dust, and dander are produced by living organisms. These particles are known to trigger allergies and asthma attacks. In addition, organic material is often the meal and vehicle for microscopic pests. Dust mites pose their own dangers since they trigger their own brand of allergic reactions.
  • Inorganic solid particles. These are typically windborne minerals and pose less of an allergy danger.
  • Mold and mildew spores are not only organic allergens but also can multiply and produce more spores in indoor spaces. High humidity is a necessary condition for mold/mildew growth—keep this in mind.
  • Various gases. Materials, finishes, and adhesives will off-gas volatile organic compounds (VOCs), especially when the products are new. Various exhaust gases, such as carbon monoxide, enter the home from the outdoors (and potentially a leaking gas-powered furnace).
  • Radon is a radioactive gas that enters the home from surrounding soil in basements or crawl spaces. It is relatively uncommon in our immediate vicinity. Testing for radon is readily available and inexpensive.

Indoor Air Quality Mitigation Tactics

  • Removing organic solids. These particles are all heavier than air, and gravity causes them to fall onto every surface in the home. We refer to them corporately as dust. Normal dusting and vacuuming collect most of these particles and remove them from the house forever. In addition, the HVAC system has an air filter that collects particles that remain airborne. Eventually, the filter collects enough particles that the filter is clogged, so the filter needs to be replaced about every three months.
  • Diluting indoor contaminants. Introducing outdoor air to indoor spaces releases some of the VOCs to outdoor spaces. This happens when shower or kitchen exhaust fans are used and by leaving a door or window open when the temperature is nice.
  • The ideal range for indoor relative humidity is between 30 and 50% humidity. When indoor air is more humid, it can promote mold and mildew growth. Maintaining the HVAC system year-round will help keep the humidity level within the prescribed range.
  • Additional equipment. When health issues demand extra measures, technicians can install auxiliary equipment to mitigate specific problems. Ultraviolet lights added to the ductwork will neutralize organic particles, making them inert and reducing the allergen threat. Portable dehumidifiers or room air purifiers can provide added benefits to specific rooms or spaces.

Call the Indoor Air Quality Experts at All Cool AC!

Schedule your indoor air quality consultation by calling All Cool AC & Heating at 281-238-9292 or contact us via email and let our NATE-certified indoor air quality technicians put their experience to work for you.

Indoor Air Quality: How to Identify Pollutants in Your Home

Indoor Air Quality: How to Identify Pollutants in Your Home

 How is the indoor air quality in your home?

To be honest, clean air is relative, and there are many variables for you to consider. First are the health concerns of family members since people with severe allergies, breathing problems, and compromised immune systems can be extremely sensitive to airborne particles. Some health issues might be seasonal or short-term. Some health issues might require technology to remove airborne pollutants; we will discuss some options available for improving indoor air quality.

  • Minor problems that result from indoor air pollution might manifest with itchy eyes, runny nose, or a headache.
  • Moderate problems might trigger severe allergic reactions.
  • Stronger health problems might make breathing difficult, as pollutants irritate airways.

Another set of variables exists with individual homes.

  • New homes will have much more volatile organic compound (VOC) gases floating around; we associate these gases with a “new” smell. Newly manufactured building materials and furnishings contain fibers, adhesives, and finishes (paints and stains) that release organic chemicals. Over time, the amount of gas released decreases, but new items off-gas VOCs quickly.
  • Old homes might have more gaps and openings around doors, windows, walls, and ceilings. If you open the walls around windows and doors, you will notice the insulation has turned black since it is filtering particles out of the incoming air.
  • Homes located near dirt roads, major highways, industrial sites, or farmland may contain higher concentrations of airborne particles since the outdoor air also contains higher concentrations of these particles.

Each home will have individual characteristics that affect airborne pollutants and indoor air quality.

Common categories of airborne contaminants include:

  • Radon. An odorless, colorless, radioactive gas found in rocks, soils, and water. Radon migrates from the soil in a crawlspace or through cracks in basement foundations. Breathing radon in high concentrations over a period leads to lung cancer, so consider this a serious issue. The EPA also has guidelines to help homeowners test and mitigate problems with radon.1
  • Various Particles. Indoor air contains many particles, most of which are too small to see unaided. Organic particles from the outside include pollen, mold spores, bacteria, and viruses which tend to be seasonal. Organic particles that originate inside include dust (mostly human skin cells) and dander (pet skin cells)/pet hair. Inorganic particles include dirt disturbed by movement and various industrial/combustion gases. Different filters can remove various particles.
  • Various Gases. VOCs may originate inside or outside the house, resulting from household cleaners and cooking. Normal filters do not trap VOCs. Activated charcoal filters can trap them—the small spaces in the charcoal absorb and hold VOCs.

Care must be taken with natural gas-powered furnaces to ensure that the carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide that result from combustion are safely exhausted outdoors and do not enter the home. These gases are odorless, colorless, and hazardous to human health.

Each air pollutant has a technological solution.

  • Radon detectors monitor indoor air and alert homeowners of the problem. Professional mitigation will vent radon outdoors and establish increased monitoring for further protection.
  • If a family member has health issues that require very clean air, consult with an HVAC professional to determine the most efficient air filter for your system. Filters with extremely small openings may overly restrict the airflow and stress the blower motor.

Supportive technology is available to assist with regular filtration. Some filters use static electricity to remove more airborne particles. Ultraviolet lights can be installed inside the supply vents to neutralize organic particles, making them inert. An air filter can easily remove these harmless particles.

  • Regular filters will not remove gaseous contaminants. Activated charcoal filters are commonly found in air purifiers (both room and whole-house-size purifiers). However, activated charcoal is neither a solution for radon, due to its radioactivity nor combustion gas, due to its volume.

Vital maintenance issues that affect indoor air quality include:

  • Complete regular household cleaning to remove dust from surfaces.
  • Changing the air filter regularly, at least every three months.
  • Cleaning the vents regularly, about every 3 to 5 years.
  • Maintain the HVAC system annually.
  • Open windows or doors occasionally to dilute air pollutants, even during winter months.

Need Help Identifying Airborne Pollutants to Improve Indoor Air Quality?

Schedule your indoor air quality standards consultation by calling All Cool AC & Heating at 281-238-9292 or contact us via email and let our NATE-certified indoor air quality technicians put their experience to work for you.

 

1 https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2015-05/documents/hmbuygud.pdf

 

How Ventilation Affects Indoor Air Quality Standards

Indoor Air Quality Standards

Raise Your Indoor Air Quality Standards with Proper Ventilation

Yep, it is time to button up and prepare for cold weather. Should someone leave the door open a little too long, they can expect to hear “Shut the door! Were you born in a barn!” We caulk, weatherstrip, and do everything we can to prevent cold drafts during the heating season in an attempt to improve Indoor Air Quality Standards.

One of the consequences of tightly closing the house is a reduction in fresh air and heavy concentrations of common airborne contaminants. Now, don’t panic since your HVAC system is prepared to clean some of these particles. Let’s look at what might be floating around inside your home.

  • Seasonal Organic Matter. During the spring, a lot of flower and tree pollen blows everywhere. They enter the home through every opening and ride inside on bodies, clothes, and shoes. During the summer the common pollen comes from grasses and during the fall, some particularly nasty wildflowers (red weeds) set us to sneezing and dripping. These airborne beauties congregate indoors until they are removed.
  • Local Environmental Particles. Whatever is floating around near your home will make its way into the home. If you live near a large construction or industrial site, they contribute. If you live on a gravel road or near a major highway, they contribute. If you live near livestock, well they contribute also.
  • Manufactured Products. Every flooring system, item of furniture, paint, and stain gives off small amounts of volatile organic gases (VOCs) in various amounts.
  • Living Processes. Everybody, both human and pet, releases skin cells, hair, and other organic material. Cutting and cooking food releases odors (particles), some pleasant and some rank. Even cleaning products contribute to the total number of particles present in indoor air.
  • In commercial and industrial spaces, these particles can be magnified by the products present and the processes unique to the facility.

For the most part, these airborne particles are all quite common and harmless in minute concentrations—the normal indoor situation. However, high concentrations can lead to subtle health and productivity issues, in both residential and commercial locations.

  • An obvious problem stems from seasonal allergies. Often, an airborne particle triggers an allergic reaction to pollen, spores, or dander. This can lead to itchy, watery eyes and runny noses. Mild responses include a sore throat, headache, and body aches.
  • Poor indoor air quality often contributes to breathing problems, such as asthma, heart disease, and breathing illnesses. Tobacco smoke and carbon monoxide are more dangerous examples of air pollutants.

The inventory of indoor air pollutants seems endless, but this is not a scary project. Just enough information has been shared to demonstrate indoor air quality is a serious subject.

The best solution for indoor air pollution has already been installed in homes with central HVAC systems. The V in HVAC stands for ventilation, a process that thoroughly cleans indoor air.

  • With every heating and cooling cycle, the entire air volume is pulled through an air filter five or six times.
  • For that reason, it is important to change the filter regularly. A clogged filter reduces the airflow and makes the system work hard. Plan to change the filter at least once every three months.
  • Servicing and cleaning the rest of the system, including the ductwork, contributes to a cleaner indoor environment.

Your HVAC provider can suggest and install HVAC modifications and stand-alone products that help improve indoor air quality.

  • They can recommend an air filter upgrade, when available. Extremely effective filters tend to reduce airflow, so a technician can recommend the right air filter for your system.
  • Ultraviolet lights are an available modification that can reduce illness due to organic particles, such as pollen and dust mites. The lights are installed inside the ductwork. UV light disrupts the cell walls of organic matter, much like a sunburn does. The life form is neutralized, becoming a dust particle to be collected by the filter.
  • Stand-alone room purifiers use several layers of filtration to remove a wider variety of particles. A layer of activated charcoal can even remove odors.

Let All Cool AC Help Improve Your Indoor Air Quality Standards

Schedule your indoor air quality standards consultation by calling All Cool AC & Heating at 281-238-9292 or contact us via email and let our NATE-certified indoor air quality technicians put their experience to work for you.

 

A Healthy Home Has Great Indoor Air Quality

A Healthy Home Has Great Indoor Air Quality

A Healthy Home Has Great Indoor Air Quality

How to Achieve the Best Indoor Air Quality

With the coming of Fall, a new allergy season approaches; this time, it will be ragweed season. In the Winter, mold spores are prevalent because of the moisture (theoretically anyway). In the Spring, it is tree pollen, and, in the Summer, grass pollen takes over.

Most of us love being outdoors, which makes our homes and vehicles a “clean air” refuge. For that reason, maintaining indoor air quality is very important. Here are a few steps towards improving air quality in your home.

Balance

An important aspect of indoor air quality is recirculating the volume of air inside your home. Without circulation, pollutants generated by normal household materials and activities will accumulate. Outdoor air dilutes the amount of these pollutants trapped inside your home.

However, the outdoor air also contains large quantities of pollen, spores, and exhaust; some of these outdoor pollutants cause more severe allergic reactions than the pollutants indoors. This balance is individual with each home but balancing the indoor and outdoor air quality is very important.

Regular Cleaning

That might sound a little odd, but many of the airborne particles that float around in your indoor air end up falling to various surfaces—floors, furniture, bedding, and ceiling fans. Definitely ceiling fans!

Families understand the importance of regular house cleaning but might not associate it with indoor air quality. Every bit of dust, pollen, and dander removed from the floor with a mop or vacuum cleaner is removed from the air permanently. The same is true for grooming, laundry, and dusting.

Air Filters

Every HVAC system is equipped with an air filter; the air pulled from the home is filtered before it is cooled or heated and returned to the home. The filter faithfully removes air particles with each cycle, and, after a few months, the filter can become completely covered. A clogged filter interferes with airflow and the function of both the air conditioner and heater.

Therefore, an important step to improve air quality is to change the air filter regularly—at least every three months. Changing the filter removes a large amount of dust permanently from the home.

Air filters are manufactured to capture a percentage of airborne particles of a given size. It is tempting to purchase an air filter that captures the smallest particles. However, residential HVAC systems aren’t equipped to use those ultra-fine filters, since they create too much air resistance.

Clean Vents

All that dirty air moves through a network of air ducts, connecting the entire home with the central heating and air conditioning system. Some of the particles find a way to connect to the duct walls and cleaning the ducts removes the airborne particles from the home permanently. How often should you clean vents? It is recommended that vents be cleaned every three to five years.

Regular Maintenance

Another cleaning step is to schedule an annual maintenance cleaning by an HVAC technician. This includes cleaning harder-to-reach areas, including the evaporator chamber, drain line, and condenser coil. This inspection goes well beyond mere cleaning and improves the efficient function of your HVAC system.

Further Steps

If a family has specific health needs concerning air quality, further steps might include adding ultraviolet lights to the ductwork to neutralize organic air particles, such as dust mites and mold spores, or a room air purifier to remove pollutants, including odors, from a designated space.

Need Help Achieving Better Indoor Air Quality, We Can Help!

Schedule your free indoor air quality consultation by calling AllCool AC & Heating at 281-238-9292 or contact us via email and let our NATE-certified HVAC Maintenance and indoor air quality technicians put their experience to work for you.

10 Tips to Improve Indoor Air Quality

10 Tips to Improve Indoor Air Quality

 Indoor Air Quality Tips for Homeowners

With warmer weather on the way, we have opportunities to spend more time in the great outdoors; we take walks and hikes, go to the beach or the mountains, and attend great outdoor events. Being outdoors is a very good escape when we can. We spend 90% of our time indoors and, while we feel quite comfortable, research tells us that the air quality in our workspaces and homes is 2 to 5 times more polluted than the outdoors.1

Common Pollutants

Each space is unique, so it is impossible to name the specific pollutants for your home, but we can begin with some common culprits and develop a plan to improve air quality.

  • Products of combustion. Carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, along with other airborne particulates are found in our homes in larger quantities than we imagine. For some homes, tobacco smoke contributes to pollution. Some homes use natural gas for heat, cooking, and heating water. We so enjoy cooking outdoors and we bring a portion of the smoke indoors. All our homes are in close contact with the exhaust from planes, trains, and automobiles.
  • Volatile organic compounds are chemicals that “off gas” from manufactured materials; we often associate the smell with “new.” These chemicals are given off by flooring, paints, and furniture; the process will last for several years.
  • Organic Sources. Another source of airborne particles comes from the organisms that live all around us. Pollen from grass, trees, and wildflowers enters our homes on clothes and shoes. The air is full of other organic materials: mold and mildew spores, bacteria, and viruses are blowing in the wind. We make our own contributions—dust is primarily composed of skin cells we no longer need. Our pets can’t be left out; their “dust contribution is called dander.

What’s to Be Done?

The key to improving indoor air quality is dilution. That means reducing the number of particles that come into a home and giving plenty of means for them to escape.

  1. Don’t “warm up” the car in the garage. Allow some time for the exhaust to leave the garage before opening the door into the house.
  2. Be sure to maintain and use the exhaust systems for appliances that use natural gas or propane. This applies to furnaces, water heaters, and gas stoves.
  3. Keep the windows and doors closed while cooking outdoors or using a firepit.
  4. Your HVAC system is an advanced ventilation system, designed to remove particles with every heating or cooling cycle. To keep it functioning properly, the filter needs to be changed frequently—at least every three months.
  5. Examine your ductwork and clean the ducts as needed; approximately every 3 to 5 years is recommended.
  6. Use fans as needed. That includes bathroom fans during showers and the stovetop fan while cooking. This removes excess moisture, preventing the growth of mold and mildew.
  7. Dilute the indoor pollutants by opening a window approximately once per week for about 15 or 20 minutes. This allows the volume of the entire house to exchange with outside air. During the summer, the optimal time for ventilation is before 10 am or after 9 pm.2
  8. Work with the plants around you. Understand the predominate season for pollen in your immediate area. Remember that rain can increase mold spores. Take shoes off at the door to avoid tracking pollen throughout the home. Indoor plants remove some of the chemical particles but can contribute to organic particles; use houseplants wisely.
  9. Groom pets appropriately to reduce the amount of dander.
  10. Clean regularly. That goes without saying, but when you remove the accumulation of dust, you remove it forever.

Let us help with your Indoor Air Quality Questions!

Schedule your free Indoor Air Quality consultation by calling AllCool AC & Heating at 281-238-9292 or contact us via email.

10 Tips to Improve Indoor Air Quality

1 https://www.epa.gov/report-environment/indoor-air-quality#:~:text=The%20potential%20impact%20of%20indoor,higher%20than%20typical%20outdoor%20concentrations

2 https://www.energuide.be/en/questions-answers/how-to-air-your-house-properly/1712/