How much time do you spend inside every day? Americans spend about 90% of their day indoors. Inside, pollutant levels are two to five times higher than they are outside.
If you’re not scheduling routine HVAC repairs, air quality issues could develop. Not sure if it’s time to schedule indoor air quality and HVAC services? Read on to discover the signs it’s time to call a technician in Tulsa, OK!
Allergies and Irritations
About 50 million people in the US suffer from allergies. In fact, allergies are the sixth leading chronic disease in America. You may have poor air quality if you’re struggling with allergies, respiratory problems, and irritants.
You’re likely to experience these symptoms as air contaminants spread throughout your home. Indoor air pollution includes:
- Pollen
- Pet dander
- Smoke
- Formaldehyde
- Mold spores
If you’ve noticed family members are coughing and sneezing more often, call a Tulsa HVAC technician. They can assess your indoor air quality.
Without help, your symptoms could worsen over time. Some family members may develop allergies they didn’t have before. Anyone with asthma may notice more severe symptoms.
Neglecting to improve your home’s indoor air quality can lead to non-communicable diseases. These include stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, and COPD.
Scheduling routine HVAC repairs can reduce allergens at home. Your technician can clean coils, check for leaks, and improve airflow. These services will keep your system functioning properly.
Fewer airborne pollutants should spread throughout your home. You can breathe in clear air with peace of mind.
Headaches
Have you started experiencing headaches more often while at home? Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and poor air circulation can cause headaches. VOCs include:
- Varnishes
- Caulks and sealants
- Paint
- Adhesives
- Flooring products
- Furniture
- Air fresheners
- Pesticides
- Cleaners and disinfectants
- Fuel oil and gasoline
- Cosmetics and deodorants
- Office printers
- Arts and crafts products
Breathing in VOCs can inflame your sinuses. It can increase pressure in your head, causing headaches and discomfort. Dizziness, fatigue, and nausea can accompany these headaches.
Talk to your Tulsa HVAC technicians. They may recommend that you use an air purifier to remove VOCs from your home.
They can recommend effective products that will enhance your home’s indoor air quality. Purifiers use electrostatic attraction. They can trap and remove particulates to cleanse the air.
There are UV germicidal options available. These can remove viruses, mold, and bacteria.
Determine if you want to use a whole-home air purifier or a portable system.
Whole-home systems are more effective than portal options. You can install one into your HVAC system. It will use UV light disinfection, carbon filtration, and HEPA technology to purify the air.
Excessive Dust
You shouldn’t need to constantly wipe layers of dust off your home’s surfaces and furnishings. This indicates you’re dealing with a high count of airborne particles.
Dust particles can accumulate due to poor ventilation and dirt air filters. Schedule routine duct cleaning services. A technician will remove unwanted substances from your ducts.
These substances can include dust, dirt, and microbial growth. Pests can also crawl into the ducts and die before spreading germs throughout your home.
Routine duct cleaning services will improve your air quality, airflow, and HVAC system’s efficiency. Talk to your technician about getting new HVAC filters.
If the filter is clogged, your HVAC system will push harder. The system could experience wear and tear or break down.
To avoid damage to the system, schedule preventative HVAC maintenance. Request services every fall and spring. You’ll have peace of mind knowing the system won’t break down when temperatures are extreme.
Routine maintenance can further improve the unit’s energy efficiency. You can make smaller repairs instead of worrying about replacing the entire system.
Clogged HVAC Filters
If your HVAC filters get clogged quickly, talk to an HVAC professional. They may recommend a higher-rated MERV filter. Higher MERV ratings indicate the filter’s ability to catch smaller airborne particles.
These filters can improve your home’s indoor air quality. You can remove particles before they circulate through the air.
You should replace the filter every three months. If you have pets, replace them more often. Otherwise, pet dander can clog the filter.
Unpleasant Odors
Is there an unpleasant stench wafting through your home? If it’s not the trash, it could indicate mold, mildew, or other pollutants. The odor will persist unless you request air quality services.
Your HVAC technician may recommend air quality testing services. They can pinpoint and address the source of the problem.
It’s possible a pest died in your air vents. If your HVAC’s drip pan is leaking, water can accumulate. Mold and mildew will grow before spreading through the air.
Insomnia and Fatigue
Poor air quality can make it difficult for you to sleep. Irritants can make it more difficult for you to breathe, causing restlessness. Without sleep, you could compromise your mental and physical health.
High Energy Bills
Compare this month’s energy bills to the same month last year. Was there a major increase? Increasing energy costs can indicate poor indoor air quality.
Your HVAC system will try to compensate when there’s indoor air pollution. Remember, it will push harder when your HVAC filters are clogged, too. This can cause energy bills to rise.
Talk to an HVAC professional. They can make recommendations to help you improve your unit’s energy efficiency. With their help, you can improve your indoor air quality and save money.
High Humidity Levels
If it feels muggy and humid inside, you may have poor indoor air quality. High humidity levels create a moist environment. Pollutants, including mold, will thrive, grow, and spread.
Humidity levels inside should fall between 30 and 50%. If your humidity levels are higher, talk to an HVAC technician.
They can identify the source of the problem. Leaving a mold infestation undetected could compromise your family’s health.
Request Indoor Air Quality and HVAC Services
Don’t let poor indoor air quality or HVAC issues affect your health and comfort. Instead, request HVAC repairs and indoor air quality testing services. Your Tulsa technician can clear the air in no time.
Trust our highly trained technicians at Advantage Plumbing Heating and Cooling. We have 50 years of experience offering dependable, high-quality services.
Our routine HVAC services can save you time and money. Contact us today to schedule a service.
