Poor indoor air quality in your Bronte, TX, home can shorten your HVAC system’s lifespan and, more importantly, negatively impact your health and the health of your household members. Prolonged exposure to toxic chemicals in the air, such as carbon monoxide or asbestos, can lead to chronic respiratory conditions and skin allergies. To help determine where to make modifications, we’ve outlined four of the main causes of poor indoor air quality.
1. Cleaning Supplies
Consumer products, particularly household cleaning supplies, have become available in increasingly environmentally friendly and even pet-friendly options over the years. But despite their reassuring product labels, these chemicals are still unhealthy to inhale, especially in large quantities or over a prolonged period. Common chemicals found in many cleaning products include chlorine, formaldehyde, ammonia and perchloroethylene (PERC).
2. Biological Agents
Pollen, bacteria and pet dander are common biological agents that circulate freely indoors. These agents can trigger allergic reactions and asthma attacks. Regularly vacuum your carpets and clean your curtains to minimize the amount of biological agents present in your home at any given time.
3. Poor Ventilation
In some cases, poor indoor air quality emerges from lack of ventilation. If your fans accumulate dust and debris, or your ventilation system isn’t running properly, your house doesn’t exhaust the stale air out and can’t pull fresh air in. A proper ventilation system can help keep air circulating.
4. Dirty Filters
Your furnace or air conditioner filters trap the particles from the air coming in. Failure to clean or replace these filters can impede airflow and overburden your HVAC system, which means more frequent repairs and replacements. Talk with your local HVAC technician to discuss indoor air quality equipment such as air cleaners, humidifiers and air purifiers.
You can keep all four of these poor air quality culprits at bay by having your HVAC system serviced regularly by a professional. Contact our team at Bowles Heating and Cooling today to schedule affordable HVAC maintenance by one of our NATE-certified technicians.
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