3 Ways Your HVAC Could Affect Your Health

Indoor particulate and other harmful pollutants can reach levels much higher than the outside concentrations. Adequate ventilation, filtering, and maintenance for HVAC systems are imperative for improving your indoor air quality and health. Poor air quality can cause many issues like triggering asthma and creating allergies or flu-like symptoms. Because your HVAC system filters air entering your home, it plays a big part in helping or hurting your family's long-term health and well-being.

Incorrect Humidity

No one wants to live in a home where the humidity is too high and the air feels sticky. High humidity levels can promote the growth of mold in damp areas like bathrooms or in your air ducts where it can fester unseen for years. It is also important to consider the effects of air that is too dry, which can irritate your skin, eyes, and sinuses. Dry air can cause chronic health issues or complicate existing conditions.

A regular inspection from your HVAC professional can tune your home's system to the ideal humidity level, which is between 35-50%. This will impede the growth of bacteria and mold but keep enough moisture in the air to allow you and your family to breathe easily.

Air Particulate

Indoor particulate is concerning because it is often invisible, easy to inhale, and can linger in the air for days before settling. Particulate comes in many forms, like pollen, dust, mold spores, and pet dander. It also includes airborne debris from smoking and wood-burning fireplaces. These irritants create unseen, lingering particles that damage our indoor air and can cause health issues like eye, nose and throat irritation. More seriously, this kind of polluted indoor air can aggravate existing symptoms of coronary and respiratory disease.

Have your ventilation ducts and HVAC system thoroughly inspected for dangerous buildup and be sure to use a filter that meets the needs of your indoor air quality. Not all filters are created equal and choosing one that filters out specific levels of indoor particulate is incredibly important.

Poor Air Flow and Ventilation

Most people have one or two rooms in their homes that get hotter or colder than the others and don't seem to receive the same airflow. Although this may not demand obvious attention, many problems can arise from inadequate ventilation. Air contamination is often caused by items commonly found in the home like new carpet, paint, cleaning chemicals, and certain pressed-wood cabinets which release harmful VOCs into the air. Freely moving airflow is imperative to push particulate into return air ducts to be filtered, and dirty ducts or clogged filters can encourage the build-up of particulate and other contaminants.

HVAC professionals like the experts at Pruett Air Conditioning know what it takes to keep your indoor air quality at its highest and can create a safe and healthy environment for you and your family. Discuss maintenance plans to keep components running smoothly and take the time to ensure your home's HVAC system is operating efficiently. Make your family's health and well-being a priority and schedule an inspection today.

Rahul is a renowned author and social media enthusiast.