Touchstone Heating & Air Inc. Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Indoor Air Quality’

Tips for Keeping Your Indoor Air Quality High This Spring

Thursday, April 20th, 2017

dandelion-fieldDuring this time of year, far too many people focus on trying to stay cool and neglect other important home issues. Not that staying cool isn’t important, of course. Just make sure you devote at least as much attention towards making sure that your indoor air quality remains high.

Indoor air quality is one of those things that’s very important for health and comfort, but which the vast majority of homeowners simply ignore. Have a look at why indoor air quality is so vital to your comfort and health, and what you can do to keep it high this spring.

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How to Maintain Your Indoor Air Quality This Winter

Monday, December 5th, 2016

As we get further into winter, you’re obviously going to make staying warm one of your top priorities. However, you also need to be paying attention to your indoor air quality. Poor indoor air quality can have a serious negative effect on both your health and comfort. If you want to improve your quality of life as much as possible this winter, you need to start by improving your indoor air quality. Here are some tips on how to keep your indoor air quality high this winter.

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The Best Way to Combat Air Quality Issues This Spring

Monday, March 21st, 2016

Spring is here, and with it comes a whole slew of issues. One of the most common problems people have during the spring season is the uptick in allergy attacks, and other indoor air quality-related problems. It can be difficult to enjoy the beautiful weather and flowers when you’re sneezing every few seconds. There’s not too much you can do about air quality outside your home, but you can take certain steps to increase your comfort levels when you’re inside. Let’s take a look at some of those solutions now.

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How a UV Air Purifier Benefits You

Monday, August 24th, 2015

Indoor air quality is largely affected by airborne contaminants. There are millions upon millions of microscopic airborne contaminants floating around in the average home’s indoor air, including things like viruses, bacteria and mold spores. These biological contaminants are among the most dangerous you’re liable to encounter in your home. Some of the biological contaminants can make you sick, or even put you in the hospital in rare cases. For this reason, a UV air purifier is highly recommended in areas with suspect indoor air quality. Let’s take a look at how a UV air purifier works, and the benefits of using it.

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How Duct Cleaning Improves Your Indoor Air Quality

Monday, May 11th, 2015

You probably don’t spend too much time thinking about your indoor air quality. After all, as long as the air seems clear, what is there to worry about? Well, your air may not be as clear as you think. Inside the average home’s air are millions upon millions of microscopic particles, some of which are harmful to your health and contribute to indoor air pollution, a significant health risk. Studies indicate that indoor air is often five to ten times more polluted than outside air. Dust, pollen, mites and dander are all common lung irritants and allergens that can increase air pollution in your home. Meanwhile, viruses and bacteria can infect you and make you sick.

There is a growing concern about indoor air quality and its impact on health, as more people become aware of the dangers posed by indoor air pollution.

Read on to find out more about how these contaminants can lessen your air quality, how duct cleaning can improve it, and the key signs that indicate when duct cleaning may be necessary.

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3 Air Purifier Types That Can Improve Your Indoor Air Quality

Monday, April 27th, 2015

The air in your home may look empty, but that doesn’t mean that it is. Actually, the average home’s indoor air is filled with millions upon millions of microscopic particles, many of which can be harmful. Dust, pollen, germs, dander, mites, and mold spores are just a few of the airborne contaminants commonly found in homes. These can cause inflamed sinuses, coughing, sneezing, and watery eyes, especially in allergy sufferers. To learn more about why air purifiers are especially important during the winter months, visit this helpful guide on winter air quality. Indoor air quality can be significantly worse than outdoor air quality, sometimes by a factor of 2-5 times or more. Air purifiers can help remove pet dander, pet hair, and dust mites, which are common triggers for allergies.

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What Kinds of Contaminants May Be Living in the Ducts?

Thursday, January 8th, 2015

No one really wants to think about the “things” living in the cool, dark places of their home, but it may surprise you just how many contaminants can be in your home’s ductwork. Any type of contamination in your home is reason for concern, but the contamination in your ductwork can be blown directly into your living spaces, giving these contaminants direct access to you. Understanding what types of contaminants can live and thrive in your ductwork can help you prevent them from taking up residence in your home and improve your overall indoor air quality in Gainesville.

Types of Contaminants

Here are some of the more common contaminants you can find inside ductwork:

  • Mold and mildew – mold and mildew need only a little bit of moisture in a cool, dark place to grow and thrive, making your ductwork a top residential area for them. Faulty ductwork can be especially prone to mold and mildew growth as the holes and cracks offer ample, excess moisture to keep the growth thriving.
  • Dirt and dust – this is probably one of the more expected contaminants, but don’t underestimate what dirt and dust build-up in your ductwork can do to your HVAC system.
  • Vermin – mice, squirrels, raccoons and other vermin love the protection and warmth of ductwork, so if they can get to it, they will – and they don’t come alone. Additionally, they’ll use the nest as both a bathroom and kitchen, so you can wind up with animal feces and food residue in your ductwork.
  • Insects – there are few kinds of insects that enjoy the protection of a ductwork system, but none so much as cockroaches. Cockroaches tend to be more pervasive in urban areas, but they will seek shelter from the cold during the winter months no matter where they are. Some people have severe allergies to cockroaches which can contribute to allergy discomfort and even asthma triggers, so it’s important to make sure they don’t create a community in your ductwork.

The “ick” factor of ductwork contaminants can be pretty high, but with a thorough duct cleaning, you can substantially reduce the contaminants in your ductwork and improve the indoor air quality of your Gainesville home.

Think your ducts need cleaning? Call Touchstone Heating and Air Inc., today and schedule an appointment with one of our experts.

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Reasons To Be Concerned About Increasing Your Indoor Air Quality

Monday, September 8th, 2014

Most people equate temperature with comfort levels, particularly indoors, but there are other things to consider when it comes to your indoor air; one of these things is your indoor air quality. Indoor air can carry 2-5 times more contaminants than the outside air, making it possible for your indoor air to be less healthy than the outdoor air.

If you are concerned about your indoor air quality in Lake City, Touchstone Heating and Air, Inc., has a number of products and services that can help you and your family. Call today!

What Are the Symptoms of Poor Indoor Air Quality?

Here is a general overview of symptoms caused by poor indoor air quality:

Common Symptoms:

  • Coughing
  • Sneezing
  • Itch, watery eyes
  • Fatigue
  • Headaches

More Serious Symptoms:

  • Nose bleeds
  • Constant nose congestion
  • Wheezing
  • Allergic reactions
  • Respiratory attacks (asthma)
  • Rashes
  • Muscle pain (myalgia)

Products and Services That Can Improve Indoor Air Quality

There are a number of whole-home products and duct services that can help increase your indoor air quality:

Products

  • Mechanical air filters – mechanical air cleaners are framed filters in which filter media captures and retains particles in your indoor air. These filters typically fit into your indoor unit (though not always), and need to be changed every 3 months in order to stay effective.
  • Electronic air cleaners – electronic air cleaners use electricity to charge, trap and remove particles. There are two types of electronic air cleaners – ion generators and electronic precipitators – and while they are similar, they do work in slightly different ways.
  • UV germicidal lights – UV lights are used to destroy and eradicate biological contaminants. They do this by radiating cells with UV-C light.

Services

  • Duct cleaning – professionally cleaning your air ducts removes dust and dirt build-up, and growths such as mold and mildew, from your system. A professional duct cleaning can significantly reduce the amount of airborne particles in your living spaces.
  • Duct sealing – faulty ductwork not only loses air through holes and cracks, it lets in pollutants, including particles and fumes, which can reduce your indoor air quality. Sealing these ducts can eliminate this problem.
  • Duct repair/replacement – sometimes ductwork is so damaged and/or worn that it requires replacement. New ductwork is clean and free of wear and tear that can compromise air quality.

Touchstone Heating and Air, Inc., has the products, services and professional specialists you need to help improve your indoor air quality in Lake City. Call us today and schedule an appointment.

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What Are UV Germicidal Lights and How Do They Work?

Monday, April 14th, 2014

UV germicidal lights sound like some complicated piece of equipment out of a mad scientist’s lab. In fact, they operate according to very simple principles and can do wonders for your home if properly installed. They improve the quality of your air inside your Gainesville, FL home, connected to your HVAC system and filtering out all manner of contaminants. What are UV germicidal lights and how do they work? A brief rundown follows.

UV stands for “ultraviolet,” a part of the light spectrum that we can’t see, but which has a profound effect on germs and bacteria. Exposure to UV light renders germs unable to replicate. The light basically acts as a sterilizer for your home without resorting to harmful chemicals. Air passes through the light, exposing any bacterial or other pathogens to it and effectively destroying them in the process. When attached to a centralized furnace or air conditioner, it can process a large percentage of the air in your home, improving the air quality immeasurably.

This is beneficial to all members of your household, but especially those who suffer from allergies or possess similar sensitivities. Here in Florida, allergens are everywhere, and the presence of mold and bacteria can pose an active health risk for certain individuals. UV germicidal lights form a strong line of defense against sickness and disease, as well as making your home a more comfortable place to live.

For more on UV germicidal lights and how they work, contact the experts at Touchstone Heating and Air Inc. We handle UV lights and other air purifiers in Gainesville, FL, and we can perform both installation and repair services with the professionalism and courtesy you expect. Give us a call today!

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How Electronic Air Purifiers Clean Your Air

Monday, April 7th, 2014

Your heating and cooling system does more than just condition the air. It can also help you maintain high levels of air quality in your home. Without that, you may experience increased levels of dust in the air, leading to irritated noses and throats, higher levels of dust on furniture and allergy attacks in sensitive family members. Most heating and air conditioning systems contain a replaceable filter which you can switch out for a fresh one when it becomes dirty. You can do more with an electronic air purifier however.

Here’s how electronic air purifiers clean your Starke, FL home’s air in ways that less advanced purifiers don’t:

Electronic air filters often contain a regular filter or “pre-filter” which traps large particles of dirt and dust. (In some cases, these are designed to work in conjunction with your existing filter). Smaller particles will often slip through, however, which is where the electronic section of the filter goes to work. Each particle is ionized with a positive electrical charge, then enters a collecting section which contains plates that are alternately charged positive and negative. That acts as a magnet, pulling the positively charged particles away from the positively charged plate and towards the negatively charged plate. That pulls contaminants out of the air, leaving clean air behind to enter your household.

Electronic air purifiers aren’t necessary in all households, but if you have pets or your track a lot of dust in – and particularly if you have anyone in your family who suffers from allergies – then it can make for a demonstrable improvement in air quality. For more on how electronic air purifiers clean your air, or to schedule installation, contact the experts at Touchstone Heating and Air Inc. We handle all kinds of home heating and cooling issues for residents of Starke, FL, air purifiers included. Give us a call today and let us show you what an electronic air purifier can do for you!

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