Everyone deserves to breathe clean, healthy air-especially inside their own home. Take control of your home’s Indoor Air Quality to help keep your family safe, and healthy, and care for your HVAC system.
The air we breathe directly influences our health, productivity, and overall well-being. Did you know that your indoor air can be up to 5 times more polluted than the air outside your home? The EPA estimates that Americans spend up to 90% of their time indoors making it vital to be sure the air you breathe is clean and healthy.
The first step to take to ensure your home’s air is clean and healthy? Take a close look at your home’s HVAC system and ductwork.
Common Indoor Air Quality Issues
Recently, over 70 million Americans were put under Air Quality Alerts due to the Canadian wildfires, which have burned an area roughly the size of the state of Indiana so far this summer. Wildfire smoke contains tiny particulate matter that can irritate the lungs, eyes, and throat making being outdoors difficult, but has also been linked to more serious health concerns like lung cancer, according to the CDC.
Just like the air outside, the air we breathe indoors can significantly impact our health. Poor indoor air quality has been linked to a myriad of health problems, ranging from mild discomfort to severe illness. Common indoor pollutants such as dust, pollen, mold spores, pet dander, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can trigger or worsen allergies, asthma, and other respiratory conditions leading to issues like:
- Sore eyes
- Runny nose
- Headaches
- Itchy throat
- Worsening asthma or allergies
- Frequent respiratory illness
Infants, young children, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions are particularly vulnerable to the effects of indoor air pollution. Since these groups often spend more time indoors, they are at a higher risk of exposure to indoor air pollutants, which can exacerbate existing health issues or lead to new ones.
How Your Home’s HVAC System Impacts Your Indoor Air
As homeowners, we tend to focus on the aesthetics and functionality of our living spaces, often overlooking one of the most critical components that directly impact our health – the HVAC system.
The HVAC system’s primary function is to circulate and condition the air within your home. A well-maintained HVAC system helps capture and remove airborne irritants. This filtration process helps prevent these contaminants from recirculating and accumulating in the indoor air, leading to healthier breathing for all occupants. Common indoor air pollutants include:
- Airborne Particles: dust, dander, and pollen
- Odors and Gases: Radon gas, Carbon Monoxide, odors from cooking or animals
- Secondhand Smoke: smoke from burning tobacco products like cigarettes, pipes, and cigars
- Combustion Pollutants: gases from burning materials like space heaters, fireplaces or gas stoves
- Mold and Mildew: caused by moisture indoors, mold and mildew can grow on most surfaces
- Volatile Organic Compounds: VOCs come from products like paints, pesticides, cleaning products, and even air fresheners
The list of potential health concerns floating through your home’s indoor air may seem overwhelming, however, there are steps you can take to reduce the impact on your family’s health.
How Can Legacy Help Clean Up Your Indoor Air?
The team of technicians at Legacy can help improve your indoor air quality, improve your system’s efficiency, and extend the life of your HVAC system:
Regular Maintenance
HVAC units require regular maintenance to ensure they operate optimally and last as long as possible. Neglecting maintenance can lead to breakdowns, costly repairs, and premature system failure. By investing in routine maintenance, you not only promote healthy indoor air quality but also extend the lifespan of your HVAC system, ultimately saving money in the long run.
There’s one simple task every homeowner can do on their own to help maintain their HVAC system and keep their indoor air clean and healthy: change their air filters frequently. Air filters should be changed every 90 days, however, that can change based on your climate, if you have pets, the age of your system, and more.
Duct cleaning services
When was the last time you thought about your home’s air ducts? Research by the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) states that an average-sized home with approximately 6 rooms experiences a buildup of 40 pounds of allergens (dirt, dust, and other harmful particles) every year.
Your ducts should be cleaned every 3-5 years. If you have pets, have recently moved, smoke indoors, or have recently experienced smoke or water damage, your ducts should be cleaned.
Air Purifiers
Air purifiers work to remove harmful particulates from your home’s air such as mold, pet dander, airborne viruses, bacteria, pollen, and odors while also helping to reduce allergens, smoke, and odor from things like cooking or pets.
Dehumidifiers
Excess moisture in your home creates perfect conditions for mold growth, allergens, musty odors, and mildew which can lead to unhealthy air. Dehumidifiers remove the right amount of moisture from every room in your home until your optimal humidity level has been reached. Dehumidifiers can also help make your home more comfortable and energy-efficient while protecting your home’s assets.
The technicians at Legacy can help you determine which products are right for your space and needs. We proudly install and service AprilAire, Warrior IAQ, and I-Wave products to help keep the air in our customers’ homes healthy and safe.
HVAC Maintenance Plans
Keep your HVAC systems running efficiently year-round with a home maintenance plan tailored to fit your needs. Never worry about a service visit again and ensure your systems are working properly.
Performing regular maintenance can:
- Cut your energy bills
- Extend the life of your system
- Maintain your system’s warranty
- Keep your home safe
- Improve indoor air quality
- Improve your comfort
- Give you peace of mind
Improve Your IAQ
The importance of indoor air quality cannot be overstated. Breathing easy should be a fundamental right for everyone. As we spend a considerable portion of our lives indoors, the air we breathe directly influences our health, productivity, and overall well-being. It is crucial for homeowners (and businesses) to recognize the significance of IAQ and take proactive steps to improve it.
Talk with the pros at Legacy to help determine which steps you can take to improve the air inside your home.
