How Clean is Your Air?
The Environmental Protection Agency says that on average, Americans spend about 90% of their time indoors. Pollutants can be 2 to 5 times higher indoors than outdoors, so the air that you breathe inside your home can be damaging to your health. Health effects that have been associated with indoor air pollutants include irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat; headaches, dizziness, and fatigue; respiratory diseases; heart disease; and cancer.
That’s why Indoor Air Quality has become such an important part of your heating and cooling system. There are products on the market that can help with the quality of the air in your home. When these products work with a programmable thermostat and a continuous fan furnace, you can have a home that is constantly circulating fresh, clean air. Not only does this benefit you from a health standpoint, it can also make your home more comfortable and reduce your utility bills. Some of the ways to help your air quality include:
- Better air filtration. There are many filters available on the market, from a standard 1” filter all the way up to an Electronic Air Cleaner. They all remove increasing numbers of dirt, bacteria, and mold spores, with the Electronic Air Cleaners capable of removing up to 99.99% of airborne particles.
- Ultraviolet Lights. UV Lights installed in your ductwork can reduce the amount of mold and bacteria that can grow in dark, damp places. The ultraviolet light keeps light above your indoor air conditioning coil, and keeps the system clean and fresh.
- Whole house humidifiers. A whole house humidifier adds moisture to the air during the dry winter months. This helps reduce dry skin and nasal passages, which can help reduce sickness and sinus issues. As an added benefit, moist air in the winter feels warmer, which means you can set your thermostat back a degree or two. This saves you money.
When you combine these elements with a programmable thermostat and a continuous fan furnace, you have a system that is always filtering air and adding the proper amounts of moisture to your home. And at the end of the day, this all means comfort. Since we spend all that time in the house, we may as well be comfortable!