When we say the word pollution, what’s the first thing that comes to your mind? Do you think of the smog that looms over Manhattan, NY on a busy morning while everyone is commuting to work? Did you know that air pollution inside you home can be 2x-5x worse than outdoor air? This is especially irritating for the 50 million Americans who suffer from allergies. Autumn and Winter are the worst months for IAP because people tend to keep their windows shut and stay indoors more often than they do in the Spring or Summer. It’s simple to determine whether your home needs a good sweeping or dusting, knowing when your air needs to be cleaned can prove to be more difficult. The average home creates nearly 40 pounds of dirt and dust each year! Where does all that dirt go? A lot of it gets kicked up into the air, then circulated through your HVAC system and comes out of the registers and we breath it in. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to drastically reduce the IAP in your home. NY NJ AC Connection is here with some helpful tips to get you through this season.
Symptoms of Poor Indoor Air Quality
If someone in your family is frequently experiencing any of these symptoms while they are in your home, but feel better once they leave or step outside, this is a good indication your home could greatly benefit from air duct cleaning.
-Sinus congestion
-Dizziness
-Allergies or hypersensitivity
-Fatigue
-Headache
-Dryness and irritation to the nose, throat, eyes or skin
-Nausea
-Shortness of breath
How to Reduce Indoor Air Pollution
You don’t have to watch your family suffer the effects of indoor air pollution. There are steps you can take to ensure your family breathes clean, healthy air. You should regularly clean and dust your air registers and vents, as well as any other place in your home that collects dust such as book shelves, T.V. stands, etc. Humidity levels in your home should never go above 55%. Too much moisture in your home inhibits mold growth while too little moisture can irritate congestion or sinus pressure. When handling volatile organic compounds (VOC) do so only in well ventilated areas of your home. Be sure to read the label on whatever chemical products you are using such as household cleaners or paints and follow the directions for use. Such advice as “Use in well ventilated area” is a warning that those products should be opened and used outdoors or in a room with functioning windows that open to air out the space. When not being used, these VOC’s should be sealed correctly and properly stored outside of living areas or otherwise thrown out. Work with your local HVAC specialist to have your air ducts cleaned about every 3-5 years. If you are noticing dust around your air vents and registers or the walls around them, this is a big red flag they are caked with dust, dead skin, pet dander, pet hair and other contaminants and need a thorough cleaning. Open your windows as often as you can to air out your space now and again.
Furnace Inspections, Tune Ups & More in Manhattan, New York
NY NJ AC Connection can change your furnace and AC filters for you during an HVAC inspection and tune up. It’s more cost effective to have your furnace serviced at the beginning of each fall and your air conditioner serviced at the beginning of spring, than it would be to call us on an emergency in the middle of the night because it suddenly stopped working. If you have further questions or would like to schedule your inspection, call NY NJ Air Connection today!
